Creating the ideal outdoor living space is important for businesses and domestic properties alike. Whether it is a restaurant designing a dining space or a large household designing an outdoor living space, you need a way to use the space year-round and protect it from sunlight and showers alike.
This is where pergolas and pagodas come in as two of the most common ways to create a shaded area. Sadly, however, many property owners don’t know the exact differences between the two and which one suits their situation best. In this article, we’ll teach you all you need to know about pergolas and pagodas, their similarities, their differences, and which one to get!
Table of Contents
What Are Pergolas and Pagodas?
Pergolas are often open-roofed structures that aim to complement a garden setting or patio. They excel at providing shade, creating a welcoming space, and offering support for climbing plants.
Pagodas, on the other hand, are largely independent garden structures inspired by the South-east Asia architecture of the same name. Although modern pagodas in the UK don’t resemble their Asian counterparts, they’ve still retained some of their characteristics, namely closed roofs and wooden decking.
What Are the Similarities Between Pergolas and Pagodas?
Pegolas and pagodas share key similarities that contribute to homeowners often mixing up the two:
- Both are used to create shading and shelter from the elements: Both pergolas and pagodas are excellent structures that completely shelter from direct sunlight and rain, allowing property owners to create long-lasting entertainment space that is excellent to host friends and family in.
- Both help flowering vine plants grow: Due to the open structure and the use of pillars, both pergolas and pagodas are excellent hosts for climbing plants, allowing for more varied plant life on your property.
- Both are commonly used when designing outdoor living spaces: Both pergolas and pagodas are common features of outdoor spaces in the UK. This is partly due to the need for shelter from rain showers and direct sunlight, partly because these eye-catching structures are an excellent aesthetic addition to a garden area, and partly because they have a practical purpose
What Are the Differences Between the Two?
There are also key differences between pagodas and pergolas, and recognizing and understanding these differences will help you make a decision on which one is right for you:
- Pergolas are used to complement your patio and garden: pergolas are largely added to existing patio and garden structures to provide shade and protection from the elements. Thanks to their louvred roof and flexible designs, they are an excellent addition to any property, be it period, modern, or contemporary in design.
- Pagodas are used to create dedicated sheltered seating areas: Pagodas, on the other hand, are used to create independent outdoor structures in gardens and open spaces. Sometimes it is a simple, open shed-like structure, sometimes it is a tiered tower design. Nevertheless, the structure is independent.
- Pergolas are manufactured from a variety of materials: Pergolas are highly sought-after due to the variety in their designs and construction. Whether you want a wooden or an aluminium pergola, whether you want a solid roof or an adjustable roof, whether you want a traditional or contemporary garden pergolas, you’ll find a design, a style, and a type of pergola that fits your property and your needs best.
- Pagodas are manufactured largely from wood and feature intricate designs: Though there are exceptions, pagodas are largely manufactured from wood and feature intricate, traditional designs. Wooden vertical posts are generally used to create traditional pagodas in a garden space.
Should I Choose a Pergola or a Pagoda for My Outdoor Living Spaces?
Whether you need to choose a pergola or a pagoda for your home will largely come down to your answer to a few key questions:
- Do you want to enjoy your garden and patio in hot summer days, host events with family and friends, or create a shaded area for your kids? A pergola is an excellent choice that helps you create the ideal outdoor space.
- Are you looking to add a new structure to your garden? Enjoy Southeast Asia or Japan-influenced architecture and want to build a garden structure that can be the striking focal point of your property? Want an outdoor space where you can place family-sized garden furniture? Then a pagoda might be the perfect solution for your property.
Conclusion
Pergolas and pagodas are prominent features of modern homes and commercial spaces, and in this article, we went over everything you need to know about how these two garden structures compare. From pagodas often featuring multiple eaves to pergolas offering roof-supported installations, these differences help you decide which structure is right for your home.
Nevertheless, if you want to build appealing, attractive outdoor garden living spaces, pergolas and pagodas are your best options, so you need to check them out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pergolas and Pagodas
What Is the Point of Pergolas in the UK?
Due to the UK’s wet climate and the impact of greenhouse gases, the weather is damper, wetter, and hotter than ever before, and to spend a pleasant time in an outdoor space, you need protection from both shade and rain. Pergolas are an increasingly popular and important option for both households and commercial spaces in the UK because they provide perfect protection from the elements while complementing the aesthetics of the structure.
How Expensive Are Pergolas? How Do They Compare to Pagodas?
The popularity of pergolas is, in large part, due to their affordability. Though how much a pergola precisely costs will depend on the size of the pergola, construction costs, the type of pergola, and more. But you can get your hands on your own pergola or roof canopy for as little as £2,500.
Pagodas, on the other hand, due to being independent outdoor structures, require more raw materials and longer construction work, making them substantially more expensive vis-à-vis pergolas.
Is Investing in a Pergola Worth It?
Investing in a pergola is not just an investment in your property that will increase its value and offer a great ROI, it is also an excellent way to create a welcoming outdoor space, protect your garden furniture, and offer shelter from both rain and sunshine. It is a great choice for both domestic properties and commercial businesses like cafes and restaurants.
