30 Gorgeous Pergola Canopy Ideas (Pictures)

Pergolas are one of many architectural features that exist for both its function and its aesthetic. Functionally speaking, they help create an ‘additional space’ or extend your space outdoors, allowing you to have an additional area to your home that is directly connected to your garden/yard/outdoors. Depending on the type of pergola, it can also help provide shelter from the weather.

Aesthetically speaking, pergolas simply visually improve the overall look of your home. It can be made to match the house’s architectural style, or it can also be completely different, depending on the look you are going for. Check out our gallery of pergola ideas for even more designs.

In the picture above, solid wood posts and beams make up the main structure of this design, complementing the wood decking of the area it covers. The simple square silhouette gives it a contemporary appeal that would easily look good with any architectural style. A retractable canopy of white sunscreen fabric and side curtains has also been added for extra weather protection.

Pergola with Canopy

There are a variety of materials & applications on pergola canopies. Each has a different purpose/function, so you must select which type will work according to your requirements/needs. Here are some common pergola canopy materials:

Wood is usually applied as slats to provide shade from the sun but provides little to no protection from the rain/snow. Wood lattice can be great to use as a frame for crawling vines.

Metal sheets  are usually in the form of ling-span GI roof sheets- they provide the best weather protection but would be the last place in terms of aesthetics, as they take away the outdoorsy vibes of pergolas.

Plastic Sheets usually come in polycarbonate sheets (flat or corrugated). This material is flexible, so unlike wood and metal, you can easily create curved forms. It also provides almost as much weather protection as a GI sheet and comes in clear and many other colors. Its downside would be its longevity as it easily wears down when exposed to weather and might need constant replacement to keep it in mint condition.

Fabric – this is the most flexible option in all aspects. Depending on the fabric type you select, you can determine the percentage of sunlight that can pass through the fabric. They are also flexible, can be used in various ways, and come in many colors and textures. Weather protection depends on the fabric type used, but aesthetic-wise, fabric canopies generally create the best looks.

Plants – A pergola can effectively support various climbing plants to provide shade and serenity. Popular plants to use for a pergola include Clematis, Rose, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Passionflower, Wisteria, Grape vines, Bougainvillea, Ivy, and Trumpet vines.

Wooden Pergola with Canopy

Wooden framing is often favored for its natural look, making it blend easily with the outdoors/nature. It can also be expensive or affordable, depending on the wood species used. Using the appropriate wood species according to the use/application and climate would greatly contribute to its longevity. However, the charm of wood-framed pergolas would be the naturally rustic vibe it achieves through normal wear and tear.

If you would like a bigger pergola, consider the limitations of your chosen material when designing. This example uses wood for the structure, but because wood spans are limited in length, additional columns were needed to support the beams. To compensate for the bulky base support, the top only used a minimum amount of rafters. Retractable fabric canopies were installed to soften the big & bulky wood used.

This attractive backyard patio features a large white pergola with a garden lattice to help provide additional shade.

Another look at this backyard attached cover with a white lattice canopy to provide shade for outdoor dining.

This large backyard pergola has cement pillar supports and a wood structure with additional cross beams for added shade.

Another massive pergola, this time made from solid cherry wood to match the wood used on the architectural exterior. Instead of the typical flat or angled top, this design used a hipped roof design, using clear corrugated polycarbonate sheets, allowing you to enjoy a bit of sunlight while keeping you dry from the rain and snow.

A basic garden pergola with plants used as a canopy. The use of plants helps block the sun from directly hitting you, and at the same time, it instantly adds more personality to your yard.

Going for a Bali resort-inspired look, this pergola uses solid wood frames with Balinese-inspired rafter profiles.  The canopy material is perforated polycarbonate in bronze, while one side adds a wooden sliding screen for privacy & extra sun protection.

To use the yard as a small barbecue area, a wooden deck and pergola were installed in this small space. As a space intended for outdoor dining/drinking, clear sheets of corrugated panels were used as roofing, and garden lights were also added for enhanced night ambiance.

Using your pergola as a frame for crawling plants is a great idea to spruce up your garden. This example is a new wooden structure with rounded edges, giving a modern silhouette. The top are crisscrossed battens that will serve as framing for the crawling vines.

Some pergolas were constructed to serve as somewhat of an extension of the main structure. This example uses gorgeous solid wood in its natural weathered finish. It has a GI metal sheet canopy, allowing it to furnish the space under the canopy and even add lights.

This freestanding pergola comes with its own platform base, creating a sturdier build. It is all made out of solid wood and has Southeast Asian influences on its design. Its natural weathered finish adds to its rustic charm, along with the wooden trellis used as a canopy. For additional sun protection, curtains were also attached on the sides.

Most pergolas are installed in the garden for lounging or barbecue sessions or on the poolside for a relaxing reprieve. This pergola, however, was installed to help cover the walkway and for plants to crawl an, creating an impressive entryway.

White Pergola with Canopy

For pergolas, “the classic” would definitely be a simple all-white pergola. It gives a rustic charm & romantic appeal to any space, giving it a chic yet laid-back feel. These can be made from metal painted in white (or powder-coated), painted wood, or even plastic.

The lattice work canopy and all-white framing of this wooden pergola definitely adds a nostalgic country-vibe to this small outdoor space. The color makes it stand out, making it the architectural focal point of the house.

Another example of a pergola used as a walkway canopy. But instead of a dark color, white paint was used on the wooden frame to match the architectural style of the house’s exterior.

This Neo-Classic style pergola is very simple and basic. Attached to the main structure, it matches the overall look of the exterior, and it’s open trellis top helps give it a more open/airy feel despite its small size.

This massive structure uses a sturdy metal framing powder-coated in white. For the canopy cover, no fabric or plastic was used, but it instead uses flat metal as slats, which were angled in a certain way so that light can still pass through, but still blocks the sun on the hottest time of the day.

On the exterior, Pergolas with GI roofing might not give the same Holiday aesthetic that other types give, but instead, it gives you more flexibility in furnishing the space & even has the option to install electrical for outdoor TV watching and lighting safely.

Metal Pergola and Canopy

Metal is an excellent material choice for pergolas because of its flexibility (as a material and style-wise) and its sturdiness. With the right metal framing and appropriate finishing, a metal-framed structure can last you many years. It could be a bit expensive, but it won’t disappoint you regarding durability and style.

Being separate from the Mediterranean-style home, this shade structure easily transformed into a small cozy space to relax and lounge about. It also uses black painted metal framing and natural fiber canopy to keep with the natural feel of the space. The upcycled wooden creations were used as sofa framing, adding to its charm.

The metal framing of this pergola has a slim silhouette and has been molded into a more traditional style. Sheer outdoor-grade fabric has been added to the slats to provide a bit of shade and protection from light drizzle/snow.

This is another interpretation of the Balinese look, but instead of a modern rectangular frontal profile, this design gives it a little twist by using an arched beam. To help make it look light, the battens were spread wide apart, and a fabric canopy was used so that it followed the shape of the beam. A fire pit pergola can create an enchanting ambiance with the right decor and accessories.

This metal pergola helps complete this deck area’s cozy English garden look with its black metal framing that matches the wrought iron outdoor furniture. It adds a natural fabric to the canopy and extends/hangs to the side for additional sun protection. The addition of garden lights and hanging plants also adds to the charm of this quaint space.

Using metal framing for the pergola allows you to use slimmer columns and beams for the same amount of support, allowing you more view of the surroundings. In this example, slimmer metal framing helped create a lighter and a more modern looking design. Clear acrylic sheets were used as a canopy, allowing sunlight to pass through, but blocking rain and snow.

Blending seamlessly into the house’s modern architecture, this simple metal design adds a small yet very useful communal space in the house. The gray framing matches the windows and doors and has a retractable canopy on top.

This Classic Corinithian-inspired structure serves as an events venue that houses many guests. Therefore, the priority is size and open space. Metal was the material of choice because the longer span sizes allow you to use fewer columns and, therefore, bigger open spaces. The canopy was a combination of opaque white GI right at the center and foldable canopies on the sides. Sliding screens were also used for added privacy when needed.

See this metal structure with canopy at – Amazon

Wood can now be powder-coated to look like wood. This example of a DIY pergola uses a faux wood finish. The advantage of the metal used is that it uses less number of rafters, making it look light and very open.

DIY Pergola Canopy Ideas

With the advent of mass production, you can now easily buy DIY kits off the rack from your nearest building stores or even online. They are usually quite affordable and have many designs and sizes to choose from. However, customization is very limited, and the quality of the build is usually not as solid as custom-built ones.

See this white vinyl shade structure kit at – Amazon

This easy-to-install pergola has a classic white frame and comes with a retractable fabric canopy, giving you a complete look.

A classic Do-It-Yourself pool-side structure with a solid wood frame. It is a nice structure to hold the crawling plants and adds an interesting touch to the space.

Pergola with Retractable Canopy

There are also pergolas with retractable canopies. These types allow you to adjust the amount of sunlight passing through or simply allow you to “stow” or remove the canopy in case of extreme weather conditions like rains and strong winds.

Metal shade structure with retractable canopy – See at Amazon

This small DIY metal pergola comes with a canopy, making it a great value for money. It is hooked on the ground to give it more stability.

Freestanding canopy – See at Amazon

Freestanding DIY pergolas uses slimmer columns, beams, and rafters, making it look light and very open. The yellow canopy gives this small design a bolder appeal. For more modern pergola designs visit this gallery page.