How Long Does a Pergola Last?

HGTV has made pergolas the in-demand outdoor accessory — they are gorgeous and enhance how you use your space. However, pergolas are more than just the trending outdoor feature, they are an investment in your home. That’s why homeowners want to know, “How long does a pergola last?” That answer depends entirely on the type of pergola you buy: metal, wood, or vinyl.

At Garbrella, we build high-quality vinyl pergolas and ship them nationwide. We’re committed to helping homeowners complete their outdoor décor with a pergola that looks gorgeous and can last a lifetime. In our latest blog, we’re breaking down pergola lifespan by material to help you find the right choice for your deck, patio or backyard.

Pergola Lifespan: Metal vs. Wood vs. Vinyl

As a piece of outdoor décor, pergolas spend time outside…exposed to the elements. The pergola lifespan you enjoy is based on the material. In addition, the quality of construction that goes into the pergola is a factor in how long it lasts — and if it’ll add value to your home in the long run.

Learn more about how much value a pergola can add to your home.

To answer the question “How long does a pergola last?” we’re breaking it down by material type right here:

You’ll often find these metal pergolas for sale in hardware chains and the outdoor section of big box stores. While they’ll have the cheapest price tag by far, you can’t expect to get much out of them either. These metal pergolas tend to not last very long for 2 reasons. Firstly, they aren’t often well built and can fall apart from structural problems. Secondly, they are VERY susceptible to rust that can destroy them as well.

Compare Amish pergolas vs. hardware store pergolas.

There’s no question that wooden pergolas have an attractive rustic charm, but there are some real issues with lifespan and maintenance that keep them from being the perfect buy. Since they are made of wood, which is vulnerable to both rot and mold, you’ll need to re-stain any wood pergola every year to keep it at bay. How much maintenance you do determines how long your pergola will last. If you stain it every year, you can expect it to give you 10 to 12 years of performance. However, if you never stain it, it’ll succumb to rot and mold in about 5 years.

For both style, practicality, and pergola lifespan, vinyl is the best option on the market — that’s why we ONLY build vinyl pergolas. While metal can rust and wood can rot, vinyl is completely impervious to the elements. In addition, your vinyl pergola won’t require any yearly maintenance to protect the lifespan. All you’ll need to do is hose it off periodically to keep it clean. In addition, our vinyl pergolas are hand-built for maximum durability to survive even high winds.

The long pergola lifespan, the ultra-low maintenance, and the gorgeous looks make this type of a pergola a homeowner favorite. Plus, while white vinyl is the signature HGTV look for most pergolas, we also offer other great color options as well.

See some of our favorite colorful pergolas and styles.

Shop Our High-Quality Pergolas Now

When you’re ready to bring a gorgeous pergola to your porch, patio or backyard, we’re the team to trust. Our craftsmen hand-build pergolas from our workshop in Lancaster PA and ship them nationwide. For your convenience, you have the ability to buy your pergola completely online!

However, if you’re still deciding on the pergola style, if you have questions about dimensions, or need to know anything else, we encourage you to reach out. Our team is ready to help you find your perfect backyard pergola — or give you a quote for a fully-custom designed option. Start the conversation with Garbrella today!