When we come to a client’s home and inspect the property for a pergola installation, we find most clients have a difficulty distinguishing among the different garden structures and variations of pergolas. So, in this article, we’ll discuss the difference among pergola, trellis, arbor, gazebo and patio cover.
Pergola
It’s a freestanding structured installed as a either a patio cover or transition installation to mark the boundaries of different outdoor sections you may have. Pergolas can be made of wood, metal or aluminum. It can also have crawling plants and vines grow intertwined on its posts and beams or have a transparent cover on top for further coverage.
Trellis
A trellis is more of a flat lattice work against the side of the wall. This metalwork can be used as a privacy wall once the vines fully cover it. It can also work as a tall visual element to give a new level to your garden.
Arbor
An arbor is the shorter version of a pergola usually placed on an entryway. It can be used to mark a path in your outdoor area. In our experience, clients usually interchange this term with a trellis or arbor.
Gazebo
Gazebo is another freestanding structure that will give you a 360-view of your garden space. It usually has 8 sides, can have a door and be screened to give you a comfortable seating area in the midst of your garden.
Patio Cover
Pergolas can also act as a patio cover, which is why some clients sometimes use pergola to mean patio cover. However, not all patio covers are pergola. There are solid patio covers also which continue the roofline to cover a certain section or the whole perimeter of a house.
We hope this article has cleared up the confusing terms most use when they mean a pergola. Want to use these terms correctly? Send us a message and let’s discuss the right one you’d want installed in your property!
