The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pergola

One of the first questions our design team asks is: "Do you want to walk out of your back door directly under shade, or do you want a destination in your garden?" The choice between an wall-mounted pergola and a freestanding pergola fundamentally changes how you use your outdoor space.

The Case for the wall-mounted Pergola 

A wall-mounted pergola creates a seamless flow from indoors to outdoors. It essentially adds a new room to your home without the cost of a full addition. 

• Pros:
  • Weather Protection: You can step out in the rain without getting wet. Ideal for covering sliding glass doors.
  • Structural Strength: By anchoring to your home's ledger board, you gain incredible stability (often using fewer posts, creating a cleaner look).
  • Energy Efficiency: It shades your windows, reducing indoor cooling costs in summer.
• Cons: Requires a solid wall structure for mounting. 

Explore our Wall-Mounted Series specs

The Case for the Freestanding Pergola

A freestanding pergola is a destination. It can be placed anywhere: by the pool, over a hot tub, or in the middle of a garden. 

• Pros:
  • Flexibility: No need to worry about your house's siding, rooflines, or gutters. You have total creative freedom.
  • The "Zone" Effect: It creates a distinct "zone" for entertainment, separate from the house.
• Cons: Requires 4 posts (or more), which can slightly obstruct views compared to a 2-post wall-mounted system. 

Installation Considerations

• For wall-mounted: You need to locate your wall studs or header. Relaxure provides specialized wall brackets engineered for high load-bearing capacity.
• For Freestanding: You simply need a solid footing (concrete slab or deck footings). 

Which One Wins? 

If you want an "outdoor living room" that feels like part of the house, go Attached. If you want a "poolside resort" vibe, go Freestanding. 

Still not sure? Let our designers look at your patio. 

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally written by DIY Derek, a home improvement enthusiast. We were thrilled to partner with Derek to see how our 10×12 pergola held up to a real-world DIY challenge. This post is reposted with his permission. Original Content by: DIY Derek

For years, our back deck was one of those spaces we wanted to use more—but never quite did. In the summer it was blazing hot with direct overhead sun, and in the winter it felt completely exposed. We tried shade sails and temporary solutions, but they were a hassle, got blown around by the wind, and never really solved the problem. 

That’s what made me curious about motorized louvered pergolas. When RELAXURE reached out and offered to send me their 10×12 pergola to install and review, I jumped at the opportunity to see if a premium DIY kit could actually solve our deck dilemma. 

What Pergola Did I Install? 

• Brand: RELAXURE
• Size: 10 ft × 12 ft
• Features: Motorized louvered roof, Integrated LED lighting, Remote control operation, Built-in rainwater drainage, One standard electrical plug
• Price Point: Around $5,000

This is not a budget pergola—but from the moment it arrived, it was clear this was a premium product. Like - I was blown away.

Unboxing & First Impressions

The pergola arrived in five large boxes delivered right to my driveway. Every single piece was:

• Wrapped in protective plastic
• Clearly labeled
• Well-organized

One detail that immediately stood out: all the hardware came packaged in canvas bags instead of loose plastic. That small touch made the whole experience feel more like assembling quality equipment than cheap outdoor furniture. 

Even better, the packaging included everything I needed to assemble it, including:

• Two full Allen wrench sets
• Two heavy-duty rubber mallets
• Extra hardware (anchors for concrete, wood, or composite decking)
• A surprisingly high-quality remote control (seriously—it has weight and feels premium) 

I didn’t need to make a single emergency hardware store run. 

Installation: How Hard Was It Really? 

RELAXURE recommends 2–3 people for installation, and while that’s true for one specific step, I was able to assemble about 90% of this pergola completely solo. 

The Installation Timeline

• Total install time: ~5 hours
• Solo work: Most of it
• Help required: Lifting and setting the top cross beams

I did recruit three neighbors (bribed with banana bread) to help lift the roof structure into place. That step is heavy and awkward—definitely a two- or three-person job. 

I’ll also admit: I installed the cross beams upside down the first time and had to redo that step. Totally my fault—not the instructions. 

Build Quality & Engineering (Impressive) 

Throughout the install, I kept asking myself questions like:

• Where does rain go?
• What about the motor and electronics?
• Is this going to hold up in real weather? 

The answers became clear as the build progressed. 

Integrated Rain Management

Water flows through hidden internal gutters built into the louvers and down the posts. It’s one of those features you don’t notice until you see it working—and then you realize how thoughtfully engineered the system is.

Electronics Protection

Once the louvers and wiring were installed, the final step was snapping on clean, clip-on covers that protect all motors and electrical components. Everything feels sealed, intentional, and weather-ready. The entire structure feels like powder-coated steel—solid, heavy, and built to last. 

How This Pergola Changed Our Deck

Once installed, the transformation was immediate. 

• The deck now feels like an outdoor room, not just an exposed platform
• The louvers let us control sun and shade throughout the day
• We can open or close the roof from inside the house using the remote
• At night, the LED lighting creates a warm, inviting atmosphere

This has become one of the most usable spaces in our home—day or night, summer or winter. 

We’ve already stopped using shade sails entirely. This solution is cleaner, easier, and far more effective. 

Is It Worth the Cost? 

At around $5,000, this pergola is a serious investment. That said:

• The materials are high quality
• The design is thoughtful
• The install is DIY-friendly
• The functionality is outstanding

If you’re looking for a long-term outdoor upgrade that actually changes how you use your space, I think this is absolutely worth considering. 

I’d install it again without hesitation. 

Final Thoughts

This was one of the most satisfying outdoor projects I’ve completed. From the packaging to the install to daily use, RELAXURE clearly put a lot of thought into this product. 

If you’re considering a motorized pergola and want a real-world DIY perspective, I hope this walkthrough helps you decide whether it’s right for your space. 

A Special Thanks to Derek

We want to extend a huge thank you to Derek for his honest feedback and for documenting his installation journey so thoroughly. Real stories like his help us show the value of quality engineering. 

Are you an influencer or content creator? We love seeing our pergolas in the wild! If you’re interested in collaborating with RELAXURE or featuring our products in your next project, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Us for Collaboration Opportunities

A pergola is an investment in your home’s value. But that value can disappear quickly if rust streaks start running down your white columns after one rainy season. While steel kits on Amazon might look cheaper upfront, the aluminum vs. steel pergola debate has a clear winner when you look at the 5-year timeline.

The Science of Materials: 6063-T6 Aluminum

At Relaxure, we don't just use "aluminum". We use 6063-T6 Aviation-Grade Aluminum.

• What is T6? It refers to the tempering process. The aluminum is heat-treated and artificially aged to maximize strength. It’s the same material used in aircraft frames.
• Why Not Steel? Steel is strong, but it contains iron. Iron + Oxygen + Moisture = Rust. Even galvanized steel will eventually rust at the joints where screws scratch the coating.

The "AAMA 2605" Standard

You’ll see us mention this code often. It is the highest standard for powder coating in the world.

• Fade Resistant: Have you ever seen a red plastic chair turn pink in the sun? That’s UV damage. Our maintenance free pergola finish is rated to retain its color and gloss for decades, not years.
• Scratch Resistant: It’s thicker and harder than standard paint, protecting the metal underneath.

Compare our material specs against standard big-box kits

The 10-Year Cost Calculation

Let’s do the math on a rust proof pergola:

• Wood Pergola: Initial cost $4,000 + Staining every 2 years ($500 x 5) + Rot repair = Total $6,500+ (plus hours of labor).
• Steel Pergola: Initial cost $3,000 + Rust treatment + Early replacement in 5 years = Total $6,000+.
• Relaxure Aluminum: Initial cost $5,000 + $0 Maintenance = Total $5,000.

Sustainable Luxury Aluminum is 100% recyclable

By choosing a durable product that doesn't need to be replaced, you are making an eco-friendly choice for your home.

Final Verdict

If you want a hobby, buy wood. If you want a lasting architectural feature, buy 6063-T6 Aluminum.

Stop sanding and painting. Start relaxing.
Explore the Aluminum Collection