Shade structures can enhance your outdoor living space, providing a stylish and functional area for relaxation and entertainment. However, deciding which is right for you can be complex when considering a pergola vs. a pavilion, especially when so many components play into the design. Continue reading to learn the ins and outs of both shade structures and find the inspiration for your next outdoor project!
What Is the Difference? 
Pergolas are fully open-air structures with columns that support a roofing grid of beams and rafters that allow filtered sunlight to pass through. They are highly versatile as the roof may be open, louvered, or covered, and can remain a free-standing structure or attached to the home.
Pavilions are a roofed structure with solid, full-coverage roofs and open-air sides. They are usually constructed as free-standing structures. The main difference between the two is the level of sun protection and privacy each structure provides. While the term “pavilion” may be better known, at Aspen Outdoor Designs, you may find we use the general term “roofed structures” more often in its place. The terminology you use may change as you work with a designer.
Materials We Use
Both pavilions and pergolas can be made with any of your standard types of building mediums, but the most common material we use at Aspen Outdoor Designs is cedar wood. Cedar is a durable, long-lasting, low-maintenance wood with a timeless look, built to withstand almost everything Mother Nature sends its way.
Our carpentry team specializes in crafting quality, custom wood structures and has constructed hundreds of pergolas, roofed structures, privacy screens, and screened porches. The different wood structures we build are designed specifically for each project and custom-made on-site, adding extra elegance and a unique element to your outdoor living space.
Shelter and Protection From the Elements
Since pergolas have slatted beams instead of a full-coverage roof, they allow about 50% of the light to filter through, reducing the intensity of direct sunlight and creating a comfortable ambiance. Although you can add panels with different materials to create a temporary roof, a pergola’s coverage level will never quite reach the same level as a pavilion.
Because of this, a pavilion is the best option if you are looking for a structure to shield yourself fully from the elements. Pavilions can also be designed with one or more walls to protect against the elements. Opting for screens instead of walls is a great way to add another layer of protection against the elements without losing visibility or the breeze an open-air structure provides.
Space Considerations
When choosing between structures, one of the most important things to keep in mind is their size and how much room you have to build them. Think about how you are going to incorporate your structure within your backyard. When you work with one of our qualified landscape designers, we discuss your ideas, interpret them, and incorporate them into a plan for your outdoor living space that suits you and your lifestyle. During the planning phase, we’ll also determine the maximum size of your structure, considering what your space will allow.
Our experienced landscape designers are able to work with you on a deeper level and create the perfect structure to go with your outdoor living space. They have created detailed designs for hundreds of clients looking to elevate their backyards, and every decision is carefully thought out and planned so that it is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional.
Privacy and Functionality
Although pavilions may be best suited to protect against the elements, both structures can offer plenty of privacy. After installation, both structures are completely customizable in terms of decorating. You can add a touch of privacy to your pergola by hanging curtains or draping different plants and flowers across the slats.
Pavilions offer more versatility regarding privacy as they are often designed with one or more sides containing walls. However, if you want the added privacy without sacrificing the open-air feel, consider creating a screened-in pavilion with powered drop screens. This not only helps protect against the elements but bugs as well! There are so many different retractable screen options to enhance your outdoor shade structure and provide your space with just the right amount of coverage and privacy. At the push of a button, you can add more shade and privacy to your structure with a Rainier Shade Drop Screen.
Getting Started
Choosing the perfect shade structure for your outdoor living space has never been easier than with Aspen Outdoor Designs. Whether you want the fuller coverage, quaint feel of a pavilion or a pergola’s simple, timeless design, contact us today to see how you can incorporate one into your backyard and create your dream outdoor space!