Wooden vs Aluminium Pergolas: Which Suits a UK Garden?

Choose wood for a warm, natural look, or aluminium for adjustable shade and less upkeep. Our range has 18 Power wooden pergolas and one aluminium Lichfield with a louvred roof. Power sizes run from 10x10 to 20x14, while the Lichfield measures 3000mm x 3000mm. Measure the full roof overhang and check boundary rules before choosing.

Browse our pergolas

What is a pergola for?

A pergola defines a garden space for dining, shade or a separate seating area.

Start with how you want to use that space. A dining layout needs enough internal room for the table and chairs. A smaller seating area needs the same careful measurement.

Wood makes it easy to attach climbers, lights or shade cloth. The Lichfield's adjustable louvres let you change the shade through its roof.

For more layout ideas, read our guide to garden zoning without fences. Plan the pergola alongside the furniture, rather than choosing its size in isolation.

Wooden or aluminium pergola: which is better?

Wood suits a natural garden style; aluminium suits a modern look with less routine upkeep.

Power pergolas suit cottage and traditional gardens. Their timber is Tanalised and pressure treated throughout to help resist rot, decay and insect attack. Treated timber still benefits from occasional checks and re-treatment over the years.

Aluminium does not rot and needs little more than a wash. The Lichfield has a grey powder-coated finish. Its modern appearance may not suit every garden, and our range has only one aluminium size.

What is a louvred pergola, and is it worth it?

A louvred pergola has adjustable roof slats that let you control sun and shade.

The Lichfield's slats tilt with a crank handle. Its U-shaped drainage channels manage rainwater and help prevent pooling. That gives you roof control that an open wooden pergola cannot provide.

The trade-off is a higher price for the louvred model. Consider whether adjustable shade and rain management justify that difference for your seating area. Check the fixed 3000mm x 3000mm size before choosing it for its roof alone.

What size pergola do you need?

Choose the internal dimensions for your furniture, then check the full overhang against the available space.

Power measurements distinguish the structure, roof overhang and internal area. These are different measurements, so keep them separate when marking out your position. All Power models have a 2420mm ridge height and 2200mm internal eaves height.

The six wooden options below show how those measurements change across the range. All dimensions are width x depth.

For a bistro set, check the Power 10x10's 2416mm x 2320mm space inside the posts against your furniture. The structure measures 2696mm x 2600mm. Allow 2990mm x 2990mm for its roof overhang.

View the Power 10x10 Wooden Pergola – £1,094

The Power 12x12 is an option for family dining, subject to your table and chair measurements. Plan your layout within its 2920mm x 3016mm internal area. Its 3200mm x 3296mm structure has a roof overhang of 3590mm x 3590mm.

View the Power 12x12 Wooden Pergola – £1,149

For a corner sofa layout, compare your seating measurements with the Power 14x10's 3520mm x 2416mm internal space. Mark out the 4190mm x 2990mm roof overhang before positioning its 3800mm x 2696mm structure.

View the Power 14x10 Wooden Pergola – £1,159

If you're planning around a hot tub, start with the Power 16x12's 4120mm x 3016mm internal area. Check that against your hot tub's measurements. The structure is 4390mm x 3296mm, and the roof overhang extends to 4780mm x 3590mm.

View the Power 16x12 Wooden Pergola – £1,444

The Power 18x14 has a 4990mm x 3896mm structure beneath a 5380mm x 4190mm roof overhang. For a dining and seating layout, measure your furniture against the 4720mm x 3616mm space inside the posts.

View the Power 18x14 Wooden Pergola – £1,559

Consider the Power 20x14 for a large entertaining area. Its 5320mm x 3616mm internal space is your starting point for furniture planning. You'll need room for the 5590mm x 3896mm structure and its full 5980mm x 4190mm roof overhang.

View the Power 20x14 Wooden Pergola – £1,589

The Lichfield measures 3000mm wide, 3000mm deep and 2500mm high. It weighs 109.5kg and has a 2-year warranty.

View the Lichfield 3m x 3m Garden Pergola – £2,350

What base does a pergola need?

A pergola needs a firm, level base and fixings suited to that base.

When fitting a Power pergola, we recommend arranging floor fixings before assembly. Bolt-down post support brackets are included, but floor fixings are not. The kit also includes countersunk fixings and step-by-step instructions.

The Lichfield assembly kit includes tools, fixings, ground bolts and post support brackets. Check the supplied parts alongside your base plan.

Our guide to base preparation and fixing down covers the planning considerations. Match your fixing arrangements to the pergola and the base beneath it.

Do you need planning permission for a pergola?

Permission depends on your location and proposal; height alone does not settle the question.

The Planning Portal does not name pergolas specifically. Its outbuildings guidance is the usual reference for England and Wales. Your local planning authority can help you check how the rules apply to your plans.

Under those rules, structures within 2 metres of a boundary have a maximum height of 2.5 metres. Elsewhere, the limits are 2.5 metre eaves and 3 metres overall, or 4 metres with a dual-pitched roof.

Additions and other buildings must not cover more than half the land around the original house. Permission is needed within the grounds of a listed building.

National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites have tighter limits. Conservation areas and structures attached to the house can have different rules. Check with the council first.

Power's 2420mm ridge and Lichfield's 2500mm height are within the 2.5 metre figure. You'll still need to check the other rules before deciding whether permission is needed. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules.

Read the Planning Portal outbuildings guidance before finalising your position.

What are common pergola mistakes?

Common mistakes are overlooking the overhang, floor fixings, base condition, boundary rules and internal furniture space.

We recommend writing down each measurement before choosing a model. Keep the external footprint beside the internal dimensions, so neither gets overlooked.

For a pergola from Garden Ornaments, check the individual kit contents before arranging installation. Power brackets are included; suitable floor fixings need a separate arrangement.

What is the difference between a pergola and a gazebo?

A gazebo has a closed roof; a pergola has an open-slatted roof. A gazebo is freestanding; a pergola can be freestanding or attached to a wall. Pergolas filter light and rely on climbers or fabric for shade; gazebos give full overhead shelter. Our Lichfield louvred pergola sits between the two: its slats tilt to give shade and shed rain.

Read our guide to metal garden gazebos.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to build or buy a pergola?

A kit arrives with the main parts cut to size, plus fixings and instructions. This saves you sourcing and cutting timber. Check the kit contents before comparing costs. We cannot compare your build costs, so price up materials if you plan to build it yourself.

Are aluminium pergolas worth it?

Aluminium suits gardens where low upkeep and adjustable shade are priorities. The Lichfield costs more than our starting wooden model. Check that its modern look and single 3000mm x 3000mm size suit your garden.

How big can a pergola be without planning permission?

The outbuilding rules set a 2.5 metre maximum within 2 metres of boundaries. Check with your council because pergolas are not named specifically in those rules. Boundary distance, height, land coverage and location restrictions all affect whether you need permission.

Can you attach a pergola to the house?

Rules can differ for structures attached to a house. Check your plans with the council before arranging an attached pergola. Ask which rules apply, as the outbuilding guidance does not settle every attached proposal.

Do wooden pergolas rot?

Our Power pergolas are Tanalised and pressure treated throughout to help resist rot. They have a 10-year warranty against timber rot. Occasional checks and re-treatment help care for the timber over the years.

How long does delivery take?

Power delivery takes 4-6 weeks; Lichfield delivery takes 2-3 working days. Power delivery is free. The Lichfield cannot be delivered to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland or offshore UK.

Does a wooden pergola keep rain off?

An open wooden roof cannot shed rain like a louvred roof. The Lichfield has adjustable slats and drainage channels to manage rainwater. Choose the roof according to how you intend to use the space.