Collection: Pergolas & Pavilions

The difference is the roof. A pergola classically has an open roof of beams and slats. You get dappled shade, the sky stays visible, and rain passes straight through. A pavilion has a solid pitched roof, so a table underneath stays dry when the weather turns. Both are open sided timber structures standing on posts. Both are built to be used, not just looked at.

In our range, some structures sold as pergolas come with a solid roof. Every listing states the roof type, so check it there before you choose.

That depends on the roof, so start there on the listing. An open roof of beams and slats gives shade, not shelter. Rain comes straight through it. A solid roof sheds water, provided a weatherproof covering is laid over the boards.

On many models that covering and its fixings are optional items, not part of the base kit. Check what is included before you order. The sides stay open either way, so wind driven rain can still reach the table. Keep that in mind when you pick the spot and decide which way the structure faces.

Work outwards from the furniture, not inwards from the lawn. Measure your table. Add the depth of a chair pulled right back on every side. Then add room for someone to walk behind a seated guest. That is the clear space you need under the roof, and it is usually more than people expect.

Check the plan drawing on the listing to see where the posts land. A post at the corner of a dining zone is what makes a space feel tight. Size up if you also want a barbecue or a lounge setting under cover. Every model lists its dimensions.

Think about sun, wind and the walk from the kitchen. A western aspect catches the hottest part of the day. Afternoon shelter, or a roof that blocks that low sun, often decides whether you use the space or avoid it. Check the prevailing wind as well, because an open sided structure gives you little protection from it.

Keep it close enough to the house that carrying food out is easy. Stay clear of tree roots, overhanging branches and anything running underground. Leave space around the outside so you can get a ladder up when you recoat the timber.

Yes, and an open roof is made for it. Deciduous climbers such as ornamental grape or wisteria are the usual choice. They shade the table right through summer, then drop their leaves and let the winter sun back in.

Keep growth off the joints and the tops of the beams so you can still inspect and recoat the timber. Sweep out the debris that collects up there, because damp litter sitting on timber is what starts the trouble. A mature vine is heavy and catches wind, so train it evenly across the roof instead of letting it pile up over one corner. An evergreen covers the roof all year, which means it shades the roof in the cold months too.

Kits come with the timber frame and the roof structure. The weatherproof layer over the top varies by model. On many models it is an optional item rather than part of the base kit, and guttering works the same way. Each listing sets out what is included and what can be added. A product specialist will go through it with you free of charge.

Settle the water question early either way. With no gutter, rain runs off the eaves in a sheet onto whatever sits below. On a paved terrace that means splash back onto the table and chairs you put the roof there to protect. Decide where that water goes before the posts are set.

Often yes, provided what is already there is level, sound and able to carry the load where the posts land. An open structure sends almost all of its weight down through a handful of posts. Each post needs something solid underneath, such as a concrete footing, a pier, or decking framed and bearing for that load. Pavers bedded on sand are rarely enough on their own.

If you are starting from scratch, a reinforced slab or a footing at each post is the straightforward answer. Have the base finished and cured before the pallets arrive.

An open structure behaves differently to a shed in wind. A pergola lets air pass through the roof. A solid roof acts more like a sail and wants to lift, so the tie down at every post matters most. Bolt the posts to concrete footings or a slab with fixings rated for the job.

On exposed sites, and anywhere in the cyclone regions of the far north, have a local engineer or building surveyor specify the fixing. Call us on 03 6145 0600 if you want to know what a particular model comes with before you brief them.

It depends on where you live. Approval is set by your state and your local council. It turns on floor area, height, siting and setbacks, and on overlays such as bushfire, heritage, flooding and easements. Many small structures are exempt, but the thresholds differ from one council to the next. Nothing here is legal advice.

We offer a free council permit check by postcode. Confirm the position with your council before you order.

Most buyers do it themselves. Components arrive cut, numbered and palletised with the fixings and an illustrated guide, so the job is assembly rather than carpentry. Posts and beams on the larger models are long and heavy. Line up some help, borrow a set of trestles and allow more than a single day.

A pergola with an open roof is the simpler build, because there is no covering to lay. A solid roof adds rafters, boards and the weatherproof finish. That means ladder work, a dry weather window and an extra pair of hands. Kits are supplied for self assembly, and plenty of customers bring in a carpenter for the roof stage only.

Coat the timber before you put it up, not after. On an open structure the top faces of the beams and slats take the full sun. They hold every drop of water that lands on them. Do every face and every cut end while the parts are still on the trestles. Use an exterior oil or stain with UV protection. Refresh the coating in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended schedule.

Timber is covered for 5 years. Electrical parts and fit-out items are covered for 1 year. Our warranty conditions set out the detail. Your rights under Australian Consumer Law apply on top and can't be excluded.

Your pergola or pavilion arrives flat-packed on pallets by freight truck. We offer free freight to metro depots in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. Request a freight quote if you live outside our free delivery zones.

From the depot you can pick up for free, or arrange delivery to your property with the depot. Items held in stock are dispatched within one to four business days. Made to order buildings take roughly eight to fourteen weeks. They're manufactured in Europe and shipped once your order is placed. The listing tells you which applies to the pergola or pavilion you're looking at. We confirm the timing with you when you order.