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Metal pergola kits are a popular choice for homeowners who want to add some easy extra shade and style to their outdoor living areas.

A pergola needn’t be just a summer shady spot. With a little thought and planning it’s an outdoor architectural feature that can really lift and enhance your outdoor space.

It frames a natural focal point, and adds a pleasing visual drama to the space below.

There’s plenty of different types and brands of metal pergolas on the market, so you’ll certainly find one that’s just right for your needs from our curated list.

You might be looking for a simple retractable canopy pergola with a co-ordinated fabric top, or a smart, modern pergola kit.  In these reviews our experts have curated a list the season best metal gazebo kits.  

Because the retractable canopy pergola is so fast to build and to take down, it needn’t spend the winter months outside. 

A metal pergolas can easily winter inside, adding years to the life of your investment. 

We’ll take a look at some of the most popular aluminum and steel pergolas, and let you know what to look for when making your buying decision. 

So whether you’re looking for a simple metal pergola to provide some basic shade, or a more elaborate louvered model, we’ve got you covered.

Seasons Best Metal Pergola Kits

SUNNYGLADE  Aluminum Pergola with Louvered Roof

Sunnyglade Modern Aluminum Pergola with Adjustable Louvered Pergola
SUNNYGLADE 10 X 13 Metal Roof Pergola
  • ✨【High Material & Sturdy Frame】Aluminum frame is coated with High-quality powder coating, and the canopy roof is made of steel louvered, which is anti-corrosion and rust-proof, durable.
  • ⛱【Multifunctional Outdoor Pergola】 The top of the canopy is equipped with adjustable louvered. You can easily rotate and adjust the blinds to the ideal position by simply shaking the hand pole. Not only shading ☀ but also rainproof ☔. so that you can feel the fun of outdoor life attentively 🌴.
  • 🍹【10'x13' Large Size Shading Area】Patio pergola can cover up to 130 square feet of shade, which can bring you coolness even in the hot summer. You can set up a spa, outdoor barbecue 🍢 area or leisure and entertainment 🍻 center here.

Additional Size Options:

10 x 10 ft 10 x 20 ft

on Amazon.com

Owner Experience

What Owners Like

  • Very solid construction
  • Fast assembly. (4 to 5 hours )
  • Easy to follow build instructions
  • Great customer service if required

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Powder coating could be thicker.
  • Pergola looks black but it’s dark grey.

PURPLE LEAF Retractable Canopy Pergola

PURPLE LEAF 10' X 13' Outdoor Retractable Pergola
PURPLE LEAF 10' X 13' Retractable Canopy Pergola
  • This pergola features 10' X 13'. Easy to assemble.
  • The canopy of this pergola is made of polyester which is durable, UV resistant, fade resistant and water-repellent.
  • Powder-coated aluminum frame for strength and durability.
  • Adjustable canopy for optimal shade against the sun. Safe locking system to keep the canopy in place.

Additional Size Options:

10 x 10 ft 10 x 12 ft

on Amazon.com

Owner Experience

What Owners Like

  • Quite sturdy when assembled
  • Simple build (3 hours )
  • Beautiful when finished
  • Outstanding customer service

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Missing parts. Rectified rapidly by company though.
  • Poles could be heavier duty.

SORARA Pergola with Louvered Roof

SORARA White Louvered Pergola Aluminum Metal
SORARA 10 × 10 Aluminum Louvered Pergola
  • Premium material construction: SORARA Pergola is made of a powder-coated aluminum frame and tilting louvered roof of galvanized steel that withstands up to 70 mph winds.
  • Integrated Drainage System: Rainwater will be diverted to the columns through the built-in integrated drainage system, where it will be drained through the notches in the base of the posts.
  • Adjustable louvered Roof: The unique louvered hardtop design allows you to adjust the lighting angle from 0° to 90° offering many protection options against sun, rain, and wind.

on Amazon.com

Owner Experience

What Owners Like

  • Quite complicated build but worth it.
  • Pretty much waterproof.
  • Great gutter and rain water run off system
  • Heavy when built

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • No meaningful negatives for this pergola or company.

The Elegant ABC CANOPY Metal Pergola

ABCCANOPY Pergola
ABCCANOPY 11 x 11 Steel Retractable Pergola
  • STURDY STRUCTURE: Powder-coated black steel frame, peel and rust-resistance, each pole's diameter is Φ60mm, make this pergola strong and stable.
  • DURABLE FABRIC: The pergola canopy is made of PU-coated Rip-lock fabric, the fabric color fastness meets the USA standard grade 4. It is waterproof, UV protection, fade-resistant and can be used for at least two years.
  • ITEM DIMENSIONS: 137.8 in. L x 137.8 in. W x 90.6 in. H, which provides 121 square ft shade area, can accommodate 8-10 people, a long table and some chairs.
  • ADJUSTABLE SHADE: The shaded area of this patio gazebo is fully adjustable, retractable canopy top allows you to fold or unfold it, so enjoy the sunshine or rest in shade is up to you.

Additional Size Option:

10 x 10 ft

on Amazon.com

Owner Experience

What Owners Like

  • Robust construction. Withstands windy conditions
  • Easy retract mechanism
  • Copes with heavy rain
  • Much better than expected for the budget price.

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Customer service could improve

AECOJOY Sturdy Steel Pergola

AECOJOY Steel Pergola
AECOJOY 12’ X 9 Steel Pergola
  • 【Wide Application】Our pergola gazebo canopy is suitable for different outdoor areas such as gardens, decks and terraces. You can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful outdoors with our outdoor metal garden gazebo. The grape gazebo will be the perfect decoration for patio.This metal frame grape gazebo can also make a good climbing frame to help grape and morning glories grow better.
  • 【Retractable Shades】The retractable pergola canopy ensure that you can adjust the length of the two sides of the steel pergola gazebo according to the different angle of the sunlight, free to lock in the length you want. You can always get a good leisure facility. Note: Please remove the canopy cover on rainy days.
  • 【Perfect Design】The powder coated steel frame and sturdy supporting beams make this outdoor metal garden gazebo feature a solid and sturdy structure. Additional straps provide better resistance to big winds and enable you to fold the top fabric to enjoy the sun.Superb fabric protects against sun, making it ideal for outdoor camping.

on Amazon.com

Owner Experience

What Owners Like

  • Great price/quality ratio
  • Water resistant
  • Simple build
  • Company stands behind product

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Manual could improve
  • One customer reported missing parts

DOMI Aluminum Retractable Pergola.

Domi 10' X 13' Outdoor Aluminum Sun Shade

No products found.

Additional Size Option:

10 x 10 ft

on Amazon.com

OUTSUNNY Aluminum Framed Pergola

Outsunny 10' x 13' Aluminum Retractable Patio Pergola
Outsunny 10' x 13' Aluminum Retractable Patio Pergola
  • Retractable Pergola Canopy: Get rid of glare in a sunburn-free space, or enjoy basking in the warm sunlight. You can control the retractable canopy of our patio pergola and select the amount of light needed to suit your situation.
  • Stylish Pergola: You don't need to plant a whole grape garden to appreciate the style of a pergola. Our retractable pergola can offer you an outdoor meeting space that makes a statement in no time.
  • Versatile: Mount our metal pergola to soft or hard spaces. Whether you want to put a retractable pergola in your backyard or on a concrete patio with stakes and expansion screws, you have the option for either.
  • Outdoor Ready Aluminum Pergola: An aluminum frame makes for a water-safe pergola that's easy to carry during assembly. Five sliding rails make using the retractable canopy smooth and easy.

on Amazon.com

Owner Experience

What Owners Like

  • Lightweight and easy to handle when assembling
  • Brilliant for the price
  • Two person build but can be accomplished by one.
  • Top after sales service

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Poor directions
  • Not too sturdy. A tad wobbly when constructed

WOOD FINISHED Metal Pergola

Wood Finished Pergola
PURPLE LEAF 10 x 13 WOOD FINISHED Pergola
  • Natural Aesthetics: The natural wood appearance and high-class structure design of this patio pergola perfectly match most outdoor places.
  • Protection Design: The stationary canopy on top of the pergola better protects the retracted canopy from UV-rays and rainwater accumulation.
  • Premium Material: The durable aluminum frame of this porch pergola is printed with solid wood grain, owns both a natural wood appearance and the durability of metal.

Additional Size Option:

10 x 10 ft

on Amazon.com

Owner Experience

What Owners Like

  • Fully retractable canopy
  • Pleasantly surprised by the excellent quality
  • Good looking wood finish
  • Attentive customer support

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • Build a bit of a head scratcher for some folks
  • Pergola looks black but it’s dark grey.

The BUDGET ECOTOUGE Outdoor Patio Pergola

ECOTOUGE Steel Pergola,
ECOTOUGE 10FT x10FT Outdoor Patio Pergola
  • 【✦Retractable Canopy✦】This pergola has an adjustable canopy that can provide the best shade. The canopy position can be changed and retracted as desired at any time. Whether you are enjoying the sun or enjoying the shade, it all depends on your preference.
  • 【✦Stable structure✦】Aluminum frame is used to reduce weight while increasing stability. Heavy Duty Steel provided for extra stability and security if necessary. Let you use the outdoor pergola outdoors without any worries.
  • 【✦Multiple use✦】This outdoor gazebo combines a simple and generous design, suitable for various occasions. Whether it is an outdoor party, a family meal or a garden dinner, etc., it can become a beautiful scenery. Even can be used as a grape rack to decorate your backyard

Additional Size Option:

10 x 13 ft

on Amazon.com

Owner Experience

What Owners Like

  • Superb value
  • Withstands high winds well
  • Rainproof
  • Great customer service if required

What Owners Don’t Like So Much

  • “Nightmare to assemble” ( Editors Note: How hard can a few poles be to put together? )
  • Poor manual.

Does a Pergola Need Foundations?

A pergola should have a foundation of some kind, and the type of foundation will depend on the type of soil it stands on and the material the pergola is manufactured from. It’s a freestanding structure but certainly needs anchoring to the ground.

If it is a temporary shade structure you plan to build and tear down at the end of the summer then there’s plenty of ground anchor systems that might be an ideal solution. They’re easy and quick to install and could be left in place at the end of the season. 

When a pergola is a a permanent garden feature then the posts definitely needs supporting by a concrete foundation. Generally a cylindrical concrete form will be sufficient to support each post. The depth and width differ depending to the weight of the pergola and the soil. 

With the cost of tool hire like a post hole auger and a cement mixer expect to add at least $500.00 to the cost of the pergola purchase price.

Installation doesn’t really require any technical knowledge just a bit of muscle and time.

Does a metal pergola add value to Your home?

There’s probably no definitive answer when it comes to whether or not pergolas add value to a home.

A pergola can be seen as an expense that doesn’t really serve a purpose other than providing shade, but as any home owner knows a home’s outdoor space can be a major factor for buyers when it comes time to sell.

A well chosen pergola that harmonises with the area around it can add a “wow factor” in the buyers eye. It could be one of the things that elevates your property above the competitors on the market.

A well constructed and well matched pergola can add character and potential value to a home.

So before you make a buying decision, take a good look at your home and see what type of pergola would fit in best in terms of style and design.

What is difference between pergola and gazebo?

They’re both brilliant additions to your home.

A pergola kit is a really nice looking garden feature with an open framework of columns and crossbeams supporting an overhead louvered or canvas roof. It’s easy and fast project to put up and pull down.

It really just provides an elegant shade area during the warmer months of the year.

Most pergolas kits are left outside year round, however because of their ease of build some can be quickly and easily taken down during the winter season.

Now because of the complexity of a gazebo build it’s really a permanent roofed garden structure. Once up it’s not really an option to take it down.

The best gazebos offer shade of course but it’s roof is also a shelter from the rain. It can be used year round, often as an addition to a home’s living and entertaining space.

Additionally many owners use a gazebo as winter shelter for outdoor accessories like sun beds and patio furniture.

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