Both an awning and a pergola can turn a bare patio into a place you’ll want to sit. They suit different gardens and different people, so here is a fair comparison, including where the other option is the better choice.
An awning may suit you if…
- You want shade when you need it and open sky when you don’t. An awning retracts away.
- You’d like a lighter, more flexible solution that fixes to the house wall.
- You want to keep the initial investment lower.
- Your garden is small, or you’d like to keep the view from the house uncluttered.
A pergola may suit you if…
- You want a more defined outdoor room with a structure that is part of the garden’s design.
- You’d like to create a space away from the house.
- You want a more architectural feature that you’ll enjoy even when the roof is open.
- You’d like to build in lighting or heating as a permanent part of the space.
Side by side
- Flexibility: an awning retracts, so the space is open when you want it to be.
- Presence: a pergola is a more permanent, structural feature.
- Cost: an awning is generally the lower-cost option, although the final figure depends on size, model and extras. See how much an awning costs.
- Planning: a retractable awning is more often straightforward, while larger fixed structures are worth checking. Our guide to planning permission explains what to look at.
Our honest view
If you want flexible summer shade attached to your house, an awning is usually the simpler and more affordable route. If you’re dreaming of a garden room that stands as a feature in its own right, a pergola deserves a proper look. And if you’d like year-round shelter, a veranda may be better still. We’ll always tell you what we’d choose for your home, even when it’s the simpler option.
See our awnings and pergolas, or visit our showroom to compare them in person.
Still undecided? Book a free design consultation and site survey →
Related reading: Awnings vs verandas and Where is the best place to install a pergola?