When you’re ready to take your backyard to the next level, it’s easy to get caught between two popular outdoor living upgrades: a pergola or a covered deck. Both options can extend your living space, add value to your home, and create the kind of backyard oasis you’ll want to spend time in—but each comes with its own benefits and limitations.
At 13TEN Renovations, we help homeowners create outdoor spaces that align with the way they live. If you’re debating between a pergola or a covered deck for your backyard upgrade, here’s what you need to know to make the right choice for your home.
What is a Pergola?
A pergola is a freestanding or attached outdoor structure featuring vertical posts that support crossbeams and an open lattice-style roof. Designed to provide light shade and visual structure, pergolas create defined spaces without fully enclosing them. They’re commonly used to enhance patios, walkways, poolside areas, or garden seating zones.
The slatted roof allows sunlight to filter through while reducing direct glare, offering a balance of openness and shelter. Whether attached to your home or installed as a standalone feature, pergolas add architectural interest and are often paired with climbing plants, retractable canopies, or string lights for added ambiance. When living in an area like Richmond, Virginia, Pergolas can provide your outdoor living space with some much needed shade from the direct sunlight.
Key Benefits of Pergolas:
- Adds architectural interest
- Allows filtered sunlight
- Ideal for plants and garden integration
- Typically lower cost than a fully covered structure
What is a Covered Deck?
A covered deck includes a solid, built-in roof that provides reliable protection from sun, rain, and snow. Because of this permanent overhead structure, it offers reliable shade and weather protection throughout the year. Unlike pergolas, which are more open to the elements, covered decks feel like an extension of your home. They are customizable and can be attached directly to the house or designed as a freestanding structure.
A covered deck is a great option for homeowners who want an outdoor space that feels like an extension of their home—especially when comfort and weather protection are priorities.
Key Benefits of Covered Decks:
- Offers protection from rain and sun
- Enhances usable square footage
- Customizable with electrical features
- Higher potential ROI for resale value
How to Choose the Right Outdoor Structure
The most important question to ask yourself before beginning your outdoor project is: How do you want to use your outdoor space?
If you’re looking for a space that functions more like an outdoor living room—comfortable, weather-resistant, and great for entertaining—a covered deck is likely the better choice. It creates a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors, offering more flexibility and reliable use.
If your goal is to create a relaxed, airy setting that feels connected to nature, a pergola may be the right fit. Pergolas are great for defining smaller seating or garden areas without fully enclosing the space. It can also add some privacy to outdoor living spaces.
Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong choice—both pergolas and covered decks offer unique benefits. The best structure is the one that aligns with how you want to live in and enjoy your outdoor space.
Consider Your Climate and Maintenance Needs
Weather can affect how often and how comfortably you’re able to enjoy your outdoor space. This makes weather protection an important consideration when choosing between open-air and covered structures.
Pergolas do provide some shade, but unless you add a retractable canopy or weatherproof curtain system, they don’t offer much rain protection. They’re best suited for fair-weather use or as a secondary structure in a larger outdoor design.
Covered decks, on the other hand, provide reliable shelter year-round. If you’re planning to add outdoor lighting, fans, or appliances, the solid roof of a covered deck makes that easy—and more secure.
In terms of maintenance, both structures require upkeep depending on the materials used. Wood pergolas may need more frequent sealing or staining, while covered decks with composite decking and metal roofing can be lower-maintenance in the long run.
Visual Impact & Design Flexibility
When it comes to visual appeal, pergolas offer a more open, airy aesthetic. They blend beautifully with landscaping and work well in more natural, garden-like settings. If you’re going for a more minimalist or rustic feel, a pergola is a great fit.
Covered decks can be tailored to match the architectural style of your home, giving you a cohesive, built-in look. With options to include tongue-and-groove ceilings, recessed lighting, and even skylights, the design possibilities are extensive.
At 13TEN Renovations, we work closely with our clients to choose materials, finishes, and layouts that match their vision and elevate the entire property—not just the backyard.
Investment & Value
A well-designed outdoor structure adds both lifestyle value and resale value. Covered decks often add more perceived value, especially when they feel like a natural extension of the home.
Pergolas may be more affordable to install, but they still offer strong ROI—especially when thoughtfully integrated into your landscape or patio layout.
When you work with a design-build firm like 13TEN Renovations, we’ll help you make sure your investment goes further with a plan that makes sense for your long-term needs and home goals.
Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Space with 13TEN Renovations
Whether you’re drawn to the elegance of a pergola or the comfort of a covered deck, 13TEN Renovations is here to help you design a space that fits your lifestyle and enhances your home. From concept to construction, our team will work with you to bring your vision to life with craftsmanship you can count on. Ready to reimagine your outdoor space? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and bring your outdoor living project to life.