Are you considering building a pavilion, or perhaps you already have one and wonder whether adding a pergola would enhance your outdoor space? That's an excellent question worth exploring. In our experience, combining a pavilion with a pergola creates a perfect partnership. The pavilion delivers a solid, sturdy, room-like structure that shields you from rain and sun while being easily equipped with electricity. Meanwhile, the pergola contributes style, beauty, and versatility to your outdoor living area.
A pergola, with its open rafters, can be left exposed to welcome sunlight, or you can cover it with fabric, vines, or other decorative elements. Pergolas can transform a pavilion or gazebo into something that looks and feels completely natural within your landscape. Let's explore why you should consider adding a pergola to your pavilion, along with some inspiring outdoor pavilion design ideas.
The Benefits of Adding a Pergola to a Pavilion
A pergola serves as a fundamental way to delineate a sitting area or outdoor "room," while a pavilion is a fully-covered gathering area featuring a full roof and typically a concrete floor. When you build them together, you can save considerably by using the pavilion as an anchor for your structure, essentially building a wall-leaning type of pergola. Here are several key benefits of combining pergolas and pavilions:
Extended Seating Space
If you have a grill setup, fireplace, or outside kitchen underneath the pavilion, it's likely consuming much of your space for seating. You can expand the seating area by building out a pergola onto one of the sides of the pavilion—and you can accomplish this much more affordably than adding onto the pavilion itself.
Versatile Shelter
Pergolas, when given a simple covering, can provide shelter from rain and sun while still offering plenty of room for outdoor events. Unlike pavilions, though, a pergola is more versatile—take off that cover and you have a gathering area that sits airier than a pavilion and lets the sun shine through (great for cooler climates). You can even add an outdoor privacy screen to your pergola. A combination of a practical pavilion and a simple pergola gives you lots of versatility in any weather.
Outdoor Living
With a well-designed pergola and pavilion combo, you can essentially create an outdoor living space that allows you to cook meals or provides electricity in one area, while offering an attractive, nature-filled spot to relax in another. Think twining grape vines, clematis, climbing roses, or honeysuckle cascading over your pergola.
Of course, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when combining the two. First, you're going to need adequate space. If you have a large yard that you're trying to fill up, this may be the ideal option for you. However, if your space is limited, you'll need to consider that when you choose your design.
Outdoor Pavilion Design Ideas That Bring Together a Pergola and Pavilion
While you'll need a decent amount of space to work with a combined pergola and pavilion, with a good customizable plan, you can likely find something that works for your yard. A few design options to consider include:
A Standard Pavilion with a Pergola Walkway
If you want a standard or large pavilion but don't have enough space to add a full-sized pergola, consider a narrow pergola designed to cover the walkway up to the pavilion. Vines and plants can be grown on the pergola, creating an elegant entryway to the pavilion.
Round Pavilion with a Standard Pergola
A round pavilion is similar to a gazebo, except that it's usually larger, isn't raised, and doesn't have to be octagonal. A round pavilion might allow you to save some space, which you can then use by adding a standard pergola next to the pavilion or attached to it.
Raised Pavilion with a Standard Pergola
This is a style you'll see in concert spaces, where the main event sits on a raised pavilion while the audience is seated under a pergola that can be covered or left with open rafters.
Separate Pavilion and Pergola Structures
This is a design which works great for a barbecue setup. The grill and/or kitchen area can go in a separate pavilion while the pergola covers a picnic area. It's also a great option if you're dealing with an outdoor pool or bar area, where the space for seating is limited. Using this design, you can build a small pavilion by the pool and create a separate picnic area by placing a pergola a short distance away.
Building Tips for a Stylish Design
If you build the two together, you'll find, like we have, that a pergola works to set off a pavilion and adds an additional layer of complexity with a stylish design. Of course, your design is only as good as the materials you use. We suggest using ACQ-treated lumber along with hardware that stands up to the elements.
In our last project we went all-in, using lots of ornamental iron work. They add a touch of style without a lot of work. After all, you're going to have to use wood connectors anyway. Why not use some that also add a bit of flair? Good ornamental hardware, such as what you get from quality manufacturers, isn't just ornamental—it's completely practical as well, made from thick, HDG steel and covered in a tough powder coat.
Quality building supply stores are good places to go to get everything you need for a pergola or pavilion project, including wood ties like timber screws, rafter clips, and post-to-beam supports, along with joist hangers and post bases. They even have a wide library of plans that you can use to create the perfect design, and their hardware is time-tested to stand up against the elements so you know your structures are safe and secure. When building both a pergola or pavilion or both, choosing quality materials is your best bet for a safe and beautiful outdoor living space.
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