With the unpredictable British weather, it's great to have a garden structure that offers both shade and shelter. But which to choose? We pit pergola v gazebo to help you make the right decision for your outdoor space.

Large patio in back garden with louvred metal pergola over hot tub. Lawn beyond.
A hot tub is better served by our Proteus grey pergola than a gazebo, as shown in here in this design by Epoch Garden Design Built by Olive Tree Landscaping, London NW8.

What's the difference between a pergola and a gazebo?

Take a look around the web and you'll find all sorts of definitions. Many focus on the roof, saying that a gazebo has a closed roof and a pergola has an open one. But if you have a wooden gazebo with a canvas roof and remove the canvas, does it become a pergola? There's too much overlap to really make sense.

Here, we're taking a distinct stance. In comparing the advantages and disadvantages of gazebos and pergolas, we're looking specifically at canvas, tent-like structures that are temporary, and fixed structures that become a permanent part of your garden.

Both will afford shade, can be furnished as a lounge or dining area for entertaining outdoors and make a quiet retreat on sunny days, but which, in the long run, best suits your needs?

Let's find out.

Pergola

Aluminium louvred pergola in corner of garden with lots of hard landscaping
The Proteus aluminium louvred pergola adds an elegant feature to this thoughtfully designed garden by C&N Constructions

A rigid, permanent structure, it offers all the advantages of a fixed feature in your garden:

Pros

  • adds wow-factor
  • enhances a garden design by adding structure and a vertical dimension
  • is always ready for use
  • helps define a dining or entertaining area
  • can add value to your property
  • offers waterproof shelter
  • can offer versatile shade options
  • may have adjustable sides for varying levels of protection from sun and breezes
  • comes in a range of colours, styles, and sizes
  • adds year-round opportunities to use the garden

Cons

  • more expensive than a gazebo
  • is a permanent structure – which can be a con in some circumstances
  • needs a firm base and cannot be erected directly onto grass
  • may need careful planning to fit one into a small garden
  • planning permission may be needed in some cases (although, that's unusual)

Gazebo

Temporary, moveable and tent-like, a gazebo offers plenty of flexibility.

A pop-up gazebo is an essential for those that enjoy the great outdoors.
A gazebo offers quick shelter and shade. 

Pros

  • is a temporary structure, so you don't have to redesign the garden
  • provides effective cover during hot weather or showers
  • adds useful cover for BBQs and other events in the garden
  • is portable, and can be taken away to festivals, on camping trips or lent out to friends
  • easy to erect and dismantle
  • stores away in a neat, if heavy, package
  • comes in a wide range of colours
  • can be erected on any surface, including grass
  • is a budget-friendly choice

Cons

  • doesn't offer the same style and wow-factor as a pergola
  • cannot offer more than one level of shade
  • needs constructing and deconstructing
  • may not be allowed in some public spaces
  • is made of material, so not as long-lasting as a metal pergola
  • is heavy to manoeuvre when dismantled
  • may be available with sides, but these can't be adjusted

We hope this has helped with your choice. They may be similar but they offer very different approaches to creating shade and shelter in your garden. Maybe you'd even like one of both!

Pergolas themselves offer a plethora of options. To find out more, check out Why You Need a Metal Pergola with Sides.

Post updated: April 2025