10 Best Pergola Kits (Review) in 2020

Our best choice is this classic Backyard Discovery Pergola Kit constructed of barn wood. This structure looks like it was lifted directly from the Almalfi Coast in Italy. You can almost imagine it shipping with crawling vines still attached to it. All you’ll need once you get it set up is a little wine and a charcuterie board.

Once the Somerville Pergola arrives, you need to make sure that you have at least an 11-foot by 11-foot base that can support over 450 pounds, plus the weight of your guests and furniture. Assembly, per the reviews, appears to be a manageable process, and though many utilize the help of construction experts, you might be able to handle it yourself! Additionally, a can of wood varnish is included in the kit and will need to likely be re-applied each year, depending on the weather where you live. For absolute enjoyment, also choose a lovely patio swing.

If you are looking for a minimal design with built-in shade, the Best Choice Products Pergola Kit is a great option. The clean-cut steel and matte black finish is a minimalistic look, topped with a canvas sunshade up top. The contrast of the materials makes for a great compliment to mid-century design aesthetics.

Although this structure is steel, the whole package weighs only 117 pounds. This gives the option to quickly move the pergola around the lawn or onto a deck. Included in the kit is a set of ground stakes that allow you to anchor the pergola to ensure that a little wind doesn’t end your picnic. A few of the reviews claimed that the instructions were less than understandable, so if you’re not handy a wrench, you might want to hire some help.

The biggest on the list yet is the Ulax Furniture Pergola Kit. This monster measures 10 feet wide by 13 feet deep, which creates a large footprint. Not only does this pergola have the classic four-pole design, but it ships with a beige gazebo canopy made of UV-resistant material.

While the comments and reviews state that the gazebo is black; in fact, it’s a dark shade of brown finished in matte paint. Though the kit doesn’t include stakes, you’ll want to consider purchasing something to secure it to its footprint. If this is going someplace permanent, you could bury a concrete anchor or utilize tent anchors to keep it in place.

They keep getting bigger! The Sojag Pergola Kit measures a whopping 18 feet wide, with 10 feet in depth. With 8 feet of head height, this thing will feel like a cabin, especially knowing that the flame-resistant material will allow you to plop a fireplace under the canvas canopy.

The steel construction is sure to stand up to severe weather conditions, and the base of the uprights have holes for anchors to keep it in place. Construction of the Yamba is four hours, or so claims their marketing material. You’ll need a second set of hands and the standard tools for your tools box plus some ladders; we believe in you.

Sunjoy is a name synonymous with quality in the outdoor patio world. Their Sunjoy Steel Arched Pergola Kit with two-tone adjustable shade is the perfect sun protection piece for those with a smaller footprint to utilize. The arched design will offer slightly more headroom for taller guests and provide better, all-day sun protection if positioned correctly.

If taking the party outside next to your above ground swimming pool has always been something you’ve wanted to do on a hot summer day, this two-tone pergola is the perfect way to dip your toes in outdoor sun cover. Sunjoy promises an easy assembly process and customer service support if you hit a snag while setting up.

Yardistry is another top brand on the list, and their massive pergola with sunshade and bar is a high-end option for those with a lot of room and a love for the outdoors. Constructed of premium lumber, Yardistry ships this kit with a timber grey varnish that will likely stay fresh for years, but for best results, you’ll want to refinish yearly before winter hits.

Don’t let the complexity of this kit intimidate you. Many customer reviews concluded that Yardistry Pergola With Sunshade And Bar was easy to assemble, and most could do it independently. The addition of the snap-on sunshade cover might take an extra set of hands, but you’re going to want to have people over, so whoever shows up early gets to do the honors with you. Just make sure you have a cold beverage to reward them with when the project concludes and a nice folding table.

Constructed of 100% cedar, this Backyard Discovery Cedar Pergola Kit is here to host you and your closest friends. Featuring built-in seating and a serving bar, you might not even need new yard furniture to put below this beautiful structure. While the kit is hardwood, there is no stain on the new wood, so you’ll get to decide what color suits your needs.

If you are looking for a pergola with a sunshade, this one does not ship with one, nor does Backyard Discovery sell one. So you’ll have to work with a local fabric shop to size it up and customize it yourself; the upside is that you get a total say in the color you choose. For those long summer nights, make sure to install some lovely outdoor solar lights.

One of the most affordable options on the list is this Cloud Mountain Pergola Kit With Retractable Canopy. This pergola’s smaller footprint — measuring 10 feet wide and 8 feet deep — is ideal for smaller spaces. The sunshade features high-quality canopy material that can block out some (not all) UV rays coming through the material. Beige in color, the canopy makes a nice contrast against the steel frame. Add a couple of hanging planters, and you’ve got a perfect outdoor space.

On balance, the reviews show a mixed bag in terms of construction, but if you get stuck, you can always contact the seller for support.

This pergola is the big one! At 176 square feet of ground cover, the Paragon Outdoor Pergola Kit is the biggest on our list. Chilean wood is the theme for the posts, and the color of the canopy is a creamy white and will block out the majority of the UV rays blasting down on you from the summer sun.

Construction of this animal is challenging, according to reviews. Having a high-quality Allen driver and a cordless drill is critical, plus a few friends who will work for beer. 

We saved one of our favorites for last here. The Sunjoy Steel Pergola With White Adjustable Shade is a mixed material pergola with a unique backdrop. This 120-square-foot sunshade is the perfect pergola for hosting or just hanging out. The sunshade is adjustable manually and is UV-resistant material to cut down on the sun poking through and onto your delicate skin.

Instructions and construction appear to be manageable by many customers who have purchased the pergola in the past. With a little patience and some hard work, we’ve got confidence most customers can assemble on their own with a bit of help from a partner. Add a nice canopy porch swing and your outdoor space is ready for the summer.