Outdoor Living
Pergolas & Pavilions Built for Texas Sun
Open pergolas for dappled shade and fully roofed pavilions for real shelter — cedar framing, engineered for wind load, stained to match the house.
The difference between a pergola and a pavilion is simple and worth getting right before you spend the money. A pergola has open rafters — it filters sun, defines a space and looks beautiful, but you will still get wet. A pavilion has a solid roof — shingled or metal, hip or gable — and gives you genuine shade and rain shelter.
In North Texas, most people who think they want a pergola actually want a pavilion, because from June through September dappled shade is not enough. We will tell you that during the estimate rather than after you have paid for it.
At a glance
| Materials | Western red cedar framing, shingle or standing-seam metal roofing |
|---|---|
| Pergola | Open rafters — filters light and defines a space, does not stop rain |
| Pavilion | Solid hip or gable roof — genuine shade and rain shelter |
| Mounting | Attached on a flashed ledger, or freestanding on dedicated footings |
| Engineering | Post bases, connectors and roof framing specified for local wind load |
| Extras | Fans, recessed lighting, speakers and heaters wired inside the framing |
Not sure which option fits? That is what the on-site measure is for. We walk the property, show you samples and tell you honestly which material earns its cost on your job — and which does not. Call 682-456-8200 or request an estimate.
What We Build
Options, materials and how we detail them
Open-sided pavilions with a real roof
A hip-roof pavilion with open sides is the best of both: full shade and rain protection overhead, with an uninterrupted view and breeze on all four sides. Poolside it means you can sit out at two in the afternoon in August, which an open pergola simply does not deliver.
We frame these on engineered posts with concealed connectors, finish the underside with a stained wood ceiling, and run power for fans and lighting inside the structure rather than surface-mounting conduit afterwards.
- Full shade and rain shelter
- Open on all sides for airflow
- Concealed structural connectors
- Power and lighting run inside the frame
Shingled roofs that match the house
A pavilion looks like part of the property when its roof pitch and shingle match the house, and like a kit from a big-box store when it does not. We pitch the roof to complement the existing rooflines and shingle it with the same product on your house wherever it is still available.
Deep, dark stain on the framing against a matching roof is what makes these structures read as architecture rather than a garden accessory.
- Roof pitch matched to the house
- Shingle or standing-seam metal
- Deep penetrating stain finishes
- Built on decks or on slab
Pergolas over kitchens, grills and seating
Where a solid roof is not wanted — over a grill island that needs ventilation, or where a full roof would block light into the house — an open cedar pergola is exactly right. Rafters can be spaced tight for more shade, run in the direction that blocks the worst afternoon sun, or fitted with a retractable canopy.
Over an outdoor kitchen we size the beams to carry lighting, fans and a heater, and keep clear height above the grill for heat and smoke.
- Rafter spacing tuned for sun angle
- Ventilation clearance over grills
- Beams sized for fans and heaters
- Retractable canopy options
Attached or freestanding
An attached pergola ties into the house wall on a ledger, which saves two posts and makes the structure feel like an extension of the building. A freestanding one can go wherever the shade is actually needed — over the pool, out at the fire pit, or at the far end of a deck.
Attached structures need the ledger flashed and lagged into framing, not screwed to siding. That detail is invisible and it is the one that causes rot in the wall five years later if it is skipped.
- Flashed and lagged ledger connections
- Freestanding on dedicated footings
- Integrated with decks and patios
- Wind-load engineered post bases
The Standard
Why this job holds up
Cedar framing
Rot- and insect-resistant western red cedar, planed and detailed rather than rough-sawn construction lumber.
Wind engineered
Post bases, connectors and roof framing specified for North Texas wind load, not a generic plan set.
Finished to match
Stain and roofing selected against the house so the structure reads as part of the property.
Power ready
Conduit for fans, lighting, speakers and heaters run inside the framing before the ceiling closes up.
Where We Work
Pergolas & Pavilions across the DFW metroplex
We build this service in every city below. Pick yours for local permit notes, common HOA requirements and nearby projects.
Questions
What homeowners ask us about this
Pergola or pavilion — which do I actually want?
If you want to use the space through a Texas summer or during rain, you want a pavilion with a solid roof. A pergola filters light and defines a space beautifully but does not stop sun at midday or keep you dry. Many properties end up with both in different spots.
How much does a pergola or pavilion cost?
Open cedar pergolas typically start in the low five figures for a usable size, and roofed pavilions cost more because of the framing, decking, roofing and ceiling. Size, roof type, ceiling finish, electrical and whether it sits on an existing slab or needs new footings drive the price. We quote from a drawn plan.
Can you attach a pergola to my house?
Yes, provided the wall framing can carry it. We attach with a properly flashed ledger lagged into structural framing — never screwed to siding or brick veneer alone. If the wall is not suitable, a freestanding structure set just off the house achieves the same look.
Do I need a permit for a pergola or patio cover?
Most cities in our service area require a permit for a permanent roofed structure, and many require one for a pergola over a certain size or attached to the house. We confirm the requirement for your address and handle the permit.
Get Started
Tell us about your project
Four short steps. A real person from Grace Construction follows up within one business day to book your on-site measure.
Call or text
682-456-8200Request Your Free Estimate
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Let’s get your project measured and priced
Free on-site estimate across Alvarado, Burleson, Cleburne, Joshua, Mansfield, Midlothian, Waxahachie, Crowley, Grandview and Fort Worth.