Pergolas are a beautiful and adaptable addition to practically any landscape design. They can act as a basic shade structure over a sitting area or become an extension of a living room containing an outdoor kitchen or bar. Installed over an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, they offer a lovely meeting area where s’mores may be baked and tales told. The uses for a pergola stretch as far as your imagination.
Just as the functions of pergolas vary significantly, so do the designs. The pergola size is up to you, and most common pergola specifications may be altered and tailored so the structure matches your client’s demands precisely. While making size calculations, it’s crucial to determine what purpose the building will accomplish and create the material and size selections based on the anticipated necessity.
Selecting the proper size is one of your most critical choices. That’s why we’re emphasizing the most popular pergola sizes – and what you can do with them!
Most Popular Pergola Dimensions
In recent years, pergolas have emerged as a trendy garden feature. Its stylishly slender form is the perfect complement to decks, patios, and green spaces.
When it comes to introducing one to your yard, the pergola proportions have a significant impact on how you’ll use it. These are the most frequent pergola sizes we create and how homeowners commonly utilize them！
10×10 Pergola
This modestly-sized pergola is excellent for making a tiny room truly stand out. This pergola size is a lovely accent piece for a small sitting area or for adorning a barbecue. These sizes of pergolas will allow you a space to set up a few chairs and a coffee table or an outdoor dining table if you wish to create an area to eat outside.
12×12 Pergola
This pergola is an excellent alternative for constructing an outdoor dining area, with enough room to fit a rectangular outdoor dining table and seats. Provides plenty of room for outdoor chairs and outdoor couches. It also works if you merely want shade on the portion of your outdoor living space, like near a pool or deck.
12×16 Pergola
This is one of the most typical sets of pergola measurements we utilize since it tends to be an ideal size for an ordinary family deck or patio. A pergola of this size will be big enough for a huge outdoor dining area or an outdoor living room or an kitchen room — without being too enormous for most people’s decks or patios.
12×20 Pergola
This enormous pergola is a great statement piece that can change a place. This size pergola is commonly utilized as a poolside feature to create the sense of a backyard resort. While we can design whatever size bespoke pergola you desire, these are the giant pergola proportions we frequently see.
Larger Pergolas
Are you searching for a more considerable pergola for your backyard patio? We can create bespoke Aluminum pergolas and Vinyl Pergola in any dimension. With these bigger sizes, you can cover your entire backyard patio or create a relaxing location near a pool or lake.
These standard values are the recommended dimension, though you can also go for custom. There are unlimited bespoke alternatives for specific spaces. Determine what fits best for you.
Additional Read: What is the Purpose of a Pergola?
How to measure for a Pergola Dimension?
While measuring, remember that there are two elements you need to consider: the width of your pergola and how tall it should be. You’ll want to measure from one side of where you plan to install your posts all the way to reach another post or wall structure if available.
The height is established by looking at what sort of roof you have and how much clearance you require. If the pergola is close to a tree or other impediment, measure from the ground up to where you want the top of the pergola beams to be.
The size of the pergolas rafter（wood）
The size of the pergolas rafter will offer the required shade and also weighs the pergola down, so the posts need to be able to withstand the weight of the intended rafter size. That being stated, the dimensions might vary in length, thickness, and even amount. Even the material might change the proportions of the rafters.
Usually, the rafters might be 2 inches by 6 inches, 2 inches by 8 inches, or 1.5 inches by 7.25 inches. The length of the rafters is as long as you wish the pergola itself to be. The longer the rafters, the more you require.
In addition, there will be two modes, manual and electric on the aluminum pergola, which is convenient for choosing the most suitable type！
What should the Pergola Post Size Should Be？
The sizes of the posts are pretty important, as they are what hold the entire structure up. The size changes are dependent on a few criteria. The considerations include the height of the ceiling, the weight of the overall pergola, the location of the posts, and the number of posts to be employed.
A basic pergola will most frequently employ 6 x 6-inch posts for support. A tiny pergola may use 4 x 4-inch posts if it has less than 4 to 6 feet between posts. As a general rule of thumb, the depth of the hole you utilize for your posts should be around 1/4 of the height of your post. The diameter of the holes should be no less than 10 inches wide, with more extensive 6″ posts requiring 12″.
The posts’ thickness will depend on the materials you choose, since some need to be thicker than others to bear the weight. They also can be larger if particular motifs or carvings are going to be detailed on the posts. They may be weight-bearing and still gorgeous!
What Size Height Should a Pergola Be?
A pergola can be 8 feet tall, 10 feet tall, or 12 feet tall. The size of the pergola and where the pergola is will dictate how tall it should be.
If you’re installing an attached pergola on a rear deck or patio, the height should match the ceiling of the home or building it’s linked to so that they are all the same height, which may be 8 feet, 9 feet, or 10 feet tall.
If you’re installing a standalone pergola in a backyard or garden, you should pick a height that matches the size of the pergola.
You should follow the height advice below based on the size pergola you choose:
| Pergola Size | Height |
| 10 x 10 | 8 to 10-foot ceiling |
| 10 x 12 | 8 to 10-foot ceiling |
| 10 x 14 | 8 to 10-foot ceiling |
| 12 x 12 | Minimum of the 10-foot ceiling |
| 12 x 16 | Minimum of the 10-foot ceiling |
| 16 x 16 or larger | 12-foot ceiling |
Factors To Consider When Selecting The Right Pergola Height
The roofline and design of your home dictate the right size of the pergola. Likewise, consider sightlines and any neighborhood agreements you may be bound to. Hence, check with the local Homeowner’s Association to discover how much creative license you may use with this endeavor. If you design a fireplace chimney, it will also affect your pergola’s clearance. Don’t forget to consider if you are better off with concrete footings or need anchors to mount. With the former, plan for an additional 2 to 3 feet to your posts; this is especially crucial if you reside where the ground freezes up in the winter.
| 8′ – Minimum height | Recommended for small structures, preferably attached to the house. A lower ceiling feels right-sized for intimate gatherings. |
| 10′ – Standard height | Suits most situations and allows ceiling fans or lighting accessories (for tall people). |
| 12′ – High height | A larger roof is more in scale with a larger structure. |
Tips: Pergola post heights (from ground to underside of the rafters/cross beams)
Alignment With The Surrounding Architecture:
Ensure that your pergola’s height corresponds with your current landscape and architecture.
For example, assume you will install your pergola connected to the house. In such instances, the roofline and window proportions would define your pergola’s size since you wouldn’t want the pergola beams obscuring your view from the window.
The Space inside Your Pergola:
How you want to utilize it will also affect the typical pergola height. For example, if you want a pergola that’s big enough for two people and floor space for two chairs and a table, it doesn’t need to be greater than a compact 10′ x 10.’
On the contrary, choose larger proportions that may cover the complete deck if you want a pergola near the poolside. Common sizes include 16′ x 20′, 16′ x 16′, and 20′ x 20′. Your pergola may also be as broad as you desire as long as its beams are sturdy enough to hold the roof.
Additions in Your Pergola:
Preferably, the minimum height of the pergola should not be lower than 7′. This gives adequate room for a person to stand up comfortably. While a lower ceiling would be preferred for small pergolas and private parties, a more considerable pergola typically necessitates a higher roof and ceiling post.
Especially if you decide to have a modern pergola with an aluminum frame, good lighting, and chandeliers inside, you will want to have a higher ceiling roof to provide a place for these features.
Moreover, a lower ceiling would not enable sufficient airflow and decrease brightness.
5 Steps To Find Your Perfect Pergola Size
- Decide what furniture you want first or get the table you want – Having the right furniture in mind or at hand will help you realize how much space you’ll need from your pergola.
- After you have probable pergola measurements in mind, set a visual approximation on the ground – If you’re building the pergola in your yard, stake off the corners. If you’re making it on your patio or porch, use cones or another marker to visualize the pergola size.
- Put your actual furniture in the area and observe how it looks – This is the easiest method to see if your furniture fits comfortably or if your pergola is too big or too small. Browse our outdoor seating options.
- If you like the appearance and feel of your pergola measurements, mark it down – If you aren’t happy, choose another size and try again.
- After you have the pergola square footage established, you’ll want to decide on the height — We recommend picking an 8-foot high pergola for most designs but advocate expanding it to 9 feet tall if you’re going to incorporate lighting or ceiling fan accessories.
Conclusion
We hope this information has helped you learn more about pergola sizes and how to make the correct option for your outdoor living space! Please look at some of the different pergolas on our website before you go to ensure you get the finest choice for your outdoor construction.
If you plan to build a Pergola, contact us to get the detailed project plan.
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