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Are pergola kits worth it?
Posted on 5/7/25 at 5:53 pm
Posted on 5/7/25 at 5:53 pm
I’m going to build a pergola on our back porch at our new house. All in all it would be about $1500-1600 for the lumber (pressure treated pine), fasteners, paint, and tools I don’t already have to get the job done. It’s going to be 12x20 and cover our entire patio.
However, Lowe’s has a nice looking pergola kit with tons of great reviews that is made of cedar and has everything pre drilled and cut. It’s only $1300. Seems very enticing and it’s close to the design I was going to do myself. Cuts out a ton of labor on my end and is engineered to attach directly to a concrete patio so I don’t have to sweat if I’m using deep enough beams or big enough posts. It is a VEIKOUS.
However, Lowe’s has a nice looking pergola kit with tons of great reviews that is made of cedar and has everything pre drilled and cut. It’s only $1300. Seems very enticing and it’s close to the design I was going to do myself. Cuts out a ton of labor on my end and is engineered to attach directly to a concrete patio so I don’t have to sweat if I’m using deep enough beams or big enough posts. It is a VEIKOUS.
6
Posted on 5/7/25 at 6:07 pm to jlovel7
Well, it's got a few positives going for it. Like you mentioned, price and pre-cut and drilled.
Then there's the fact it's cedar and not treated pine. You buy treated pine and it's best to stick stack it so it can dry a good bit before you start working with it. Treated pine is notorious for shrinking, twisting and bowing as it dries.
Then if you plan on painting it, the lumber really needs to be good and dry or the paint likely not last near as long.
Then there's the fact it's cedar and not treated pine. You buy treated pine and it's best to stick stack it so it can dry a good bit before you start working with it. Treated pine is notorious for shrinking, twisting and bowing as it dries.
Then if you plan on painting it, the lumber really needs to be good and dry or the paint likely not last near as long.
Posted on 5/7/25 at 6:12 pm to gumbo2176
quote:
Well, it's got a few positives going for it. Like you mentioned, price and pre-cut and drilled. Then there's the fact it's cedar and not treated pine. You buy treated pine and it's best to stick stack it so it can dry a good bit before you start working with it. Treated pine is notorious for shrinking, twisting and bowing as it dries. Then if you plan on painting it, the lumber really needs to be good and dry or the paint likely not last near as long.
I will probably go with the kit. Just seems like too much of a no brainer. I’m glad it actually has reviews of people that genuinely love it. I would suspect it was complete shite otherwise.
One person complained about splitting in the wood after a few months but I suspect that’s someone who has no idea how wood works especially when constantly exposed to the elements.
Posted on 5/9/25 at 1:26 pm to jlovel7
My neighbor installed one of the kits about 5 years ago and it still looks good. I would go with the kit unless you really want something custom.
Posted on 5/9/25 at 2:18 pm to jlovel7
Never really understood a pergola...why not just cover the top...cant use a pergola during rain or hot summers.
Not taking a shot just curious.
Not taking a shot just curious.
Posted on 5/9/25 at 3:32 pm to jlovel7
seems like you answered you own question. Sounds worth it in both time, expense, and labor.
Posted on 5/9/25 at 6:16 pm to Guzzlingil
I built a pergola once and put a corrugated roof on it. You can’t see the roof from the side.
Posted on 5/12/25 at 11:38 am to Randall Savauge
quote:
I built a pergola once and put a corrugated roof on it. You can’t see the roof from the side.
Clear or metal?
Posted on 5/12/25 at 11:55 am to jlovel7
There’s nothing wrong with the ones you can buy from HD, Lowe’s, and even Sam’s.
Neighbors bought one from Sam’s for $1000. Put it together in one day. Easy as hell and it actually looks nice
Neighbors bought one from Sam’s for $1000. Put it together in one day. Easy as hell and it actually looks nice
Posted on 5/12/25 at 1:49 pm to tunechi
i used smoke tinted clear panels. after 10 years they're starting to get brittle and crack so replacing with metal this summer. but the idea works like a champ.
an open pergola in south louisiana makes no sense.
an open pergola in south louisiana makes no sense.
Posted on 5/12/25 at 2:46 pm to Randall Savauge
quote:I mostly agree with this comment, I have also seen people grow vines on these with wires forming a lattice on the top. Was pretty and gave shade.
an open pergola in south louisiana makes no sense.
Posted on 5/13/25 at 11:07 am to jlovel7
go for it, if you like it, that would be a better way to do it. I have a ushape on my back patio, so I had an aluminum awning custom built with gutters. It has been great for the past 8 years.
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