So, you are want a fabulous outdoor living space that beckons to come out and enjoy the sunshine every day. On an arbor, cabana, gazebo, pavilion, or pergola, the roof is the most prominent architectural feature. The design of the roof can really change the look and feel of an outdoor room; which can create an array of exciting design choices.

pavilion hipped roof 2 tone

A roof is the uppermost part of a building that provides shelter and protection from weather conditions such as heat, rain, and snow.

Just The Way You Picture It

evermore pavilion-open-roof
shadescape pavilion kit

The 3D ShadeScape® model pictured above is a pavilion style shelter designed for the Evermore Park in Pleasant Grove, Utah. The pergola style roof provides dappled lighting with the look of a pavilion that adheres to their Old-World theme.

In a shade structure, the overall architectural design and the roof style is usually what determines whether a shade structure is called a gazebo, pergola or pavilion. Typically a gazebo has a conical eight-sided shaped roof.
#DIYPergolaPlan #DIYCabanaPlan #DIYGazeboPlan #DIYPavilionPlan #DIYGardenArborPlan

Pergolas have a semi-open roof to allow for sunlight and shade together, the best of both worlds.
#BuildYourOwnPergola #DIYCabanaPlan #DIYGazeboPlan #DIYPavilionPlan #DIYGardenArborPlan

Pavilions feature a completely enclosed roof —and as all ShadeScape® shelters, a pavilion can be an attached or free-standing structure.

#DIYPergolaPlan #DIYCabanaPlan #DIYGazeboPlan #DIYPavilionPlan #DIYGardenArborPlan

Roof Design Styles for Arbor, Cabanas,
Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

Integrative Roof Designs

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

gazebo with attached pavilions
A gazebo with two addes pergola wings on the sides.

Integrating gazebo/pavilion and pergola roofing designs is a beautiful and practical combination in many outdoor living landscapes. With areas that are completely shaded as a pavilion or gazebo is joined together with the openness and freedom of a pergola, the architecture can be stunning.

back view windows gazebo

Back view of integrated Gazebo and Pavilion outdoor living ShadeScape® shelter from Western Timber Frame™.

pavilion gazebo lights

Side view of integrated Gazebo and Pavilion outdoor living ShadeScape® shelter from Western Timber Frame™.

pergolas gazebo swings

Integrated Gazebo and Pergola ShadeScape® kits from Western Timber Frame™.

2-Story Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

2-story pergola

On some of our ShadeScape® shade shelters we have designed the roof to be a second story deck. Sometimes the second story deck is covered with a gazebo, pergola, or pavilion roof. This two-story pergola features a built in waterfall with a diving deck on top.

One of the benefits of a two story Western Timber Frame™ ShadeScape® shelter is creating twice as much outdoor living space as seen here in this before and after deck replacement.

Tiered Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Pavilions, and Pergolas

tiered-roof-pergola-miller

Two tiered roofs can be double roofs or tiered with cupolas or corbels for a stunning vision of classic old-world architecture.

Pictured left is a Western Timber Frame™ Asian Style ShadeScape® DIY Pergola Plan. The custom cut of the beam end profiles give it that beautiful pagoda ambience creating a spectacular garden showpiece.

Asian tiered roof pagoda pergola

A-Frame Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Pavilions, and Pergolas

A gable roof is shaped like an upside-down V and is sometimes referred to as a dual pitched, saddle, saddleback or peaked roof. The gentle slope of a hip roof with its trapezoidal sides and pyramid-like elegance is a graceful traditional design that pleases the eyes and can be constructed in a combination of various unique styles.

pavilion kit
timber frame pavilion

Rooftop Cupola

for Cabanas, Gazebos and Pavilions

In architecture, a cupola is a small and most often dome-like structure adorning a roof or ceiling. Cupolas simulate a place to look out or to admit light and air and usually crowns a larger roof or dome. A Cupola with a bell is a Bell Tower. Weathervanes are a beautiful roof ornament to enhance a Cupola or Bell Tower. Bell Towers and Cupolas are sometimes topped with an American Flag as well.

trains station at evermore park

Hip Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Pavilions, and Pergolas

shadescape pavilion kit installed

The hip roof also referred to as a hipped roof is an elegant pyramid-like trapezoidal design with two hips meeting at either end with four sloping uniform sides meeting at a single peak.

One of the benefits of a hip roof is the complex design system is self-bracing and gives added resistance to wind.

When the hip is equal on all four sides it is sometimes called a pavilion roof or a pyramid roof. The external angle to which the sloping adjacent sides meet is the hip. To the degree that the hip slopes is ascribed as the hip-bevel. A hipped roof is durable, adding architectural quality and solidness to a home or shade structure.

3 Gable Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

grose family pavilion

A gable roof is shaped like an upside-down V and is sometimes referred to as a dual pitched, saddle, saddleback or peaked roof.

hipped roof cabana wedding
gable roof pavilion chandelier

Partial Open Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

Pergolas, arbor and trellis roofs are most often semi-covered with a beam and rafter crossed for a lattice-like styled roof. Western Timber Frame™ ShadeScape® pergola kits typically have 85% coverage because that is what a good shade tree offers.

shade palnks pergola
table pergola attached

Cross Gable Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

A cross-gabled roof is formed by joining to or more sections of a gabled roof together to form a simple L or T shape to a variety of complex shapes such as a crow-stepped, stepped gable, stepped corbie, all of which look like steps.

Two tone hipped roof diy pavilion

Tile Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

Tile roof pavilion kit

A tile roof has some advantages when installing in the right climate. A properly installed tile roof could last over 100 years. As solid wood timber frame does, tile roofs also perform better in withstanding fire, hail and high winds and carries a class-A rating. Tile roofs are popular in many of the Southwest States.

Barrel Top Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Pavilions, and Pergolas

Arch top diy pergola kit

A continuous curved arch that forms a timber frame roof for a pergola adds interest as well as drawing the eye upwards giving the perception of a grandeur scaled structure. There is an innate and natural affection for curves, and arches in architecture.

autistic children center pergola

Domed roofs have been an attraction of great cathedrals, castles, and churches for over centuries of time. The Barrel Top design maximizes the interior living space and creates that extra aesthetic appeal – turning a beautiful shelter – into a stunning showplace.

barrel top pergola
arch barrel top pavilion

#DIYPergolaPlan #DIYCabanaPlan #DIYGazeboPlan #DIYPavilionPlan #DIYGardenArborPlan

Mono-Pitched Shed Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

sloped roof pavilion

Mono-Pitched or Shed Roof can be attached or freestanding. This type of roof is also referred to as a pent roof, lean-to roof or skillion roof. It is sloped only on one single side.

sloped roof pavilion

Two-Tone Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

Timber frame DIY 2-tone pergola kit

Color creates interest and mood, much like a hairdresser does with mixing hair colors. It also adds instant perceived depth and height which is why our two-tone stain upgrade is a popular choice for outdoor shade shelters.

Gazebo Roof two tone

Round Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

round roof diy pergola design

ShadeScape® Round Roof Pergola Plan

Some of the oldest constructions of indigenous shelters were round or semi radii such as the North American tepee, hogans, and yurts. Spherical or circular shapes reflect the earth and naturally give a welcoming curve appeal.

A Neuroscience study conducted at Harvard Medical School suggested when people were given a choice between linear or curved styles most chose circular or curved to be more aesthetically pleasing than linear styles.

pergola round roof
round pergola

The preference for roundness and curves is said to be more than just personal taste. It is hard-wired into our brains to have an aesthetic preference for contours, even in architecture.

Inverted Radius Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Pavilions, and Pergolas

inverted roof pergola with fire pit

A continuous curved arch that forms a timber frame roof for a pergola adds interest as well as drawing the eye upwards giving the perception of a grandeur scaled structure.

bleach pergola

Cantilever Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

A cantilevered pergola roof makes an enduring statement with its well-thought-out design creating the feeling of openness and space as it graciously provides expanded shade in a limited or smaller area.

cantilever roof pergola kit

Curved Cantileverd Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

cantilever roof pergola

A cantilevered pergola roof makes an enduring statement with its well-thought-out design creating the feeling of openness and space as it graciously provides expanded shade in a limited or smaller area.

timber frame cantilever roof pergola

FullWrap® Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

The FullWrap™ roof is an elegant, unique finished look with the beam profiles shown on 3 or 4 sides and is one of our top pergola roof design choices.

Step Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

tiered pergola

A continuous curved arch that forms a timber frame roof for a pergola adds interest as well as drawing the eye upwards giving the perception of a grandeur scaled structure.

Timber frame deck with two tiered pergolas
Tier step pergola installed

Louvered Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

control pergola

At the push of a button, a remote-controlled louvered roof can open and close to let in the sunshine when you want it and close it off from the rain. A louvered solid wood roof is more can be strategically positioned when designed to direct and take advantage of the shade and the sun during the prime time of the day.

louvered roof pergola timber frame

Stationary timber frame solid wood louvered roof.

Solar Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

solar roof

Pergolas and solar panels are a winning combination. Instead of being an eyesore, solar panels can be custom integrated with one of our award-winning timber kit designs. Beautiful, responsible, and smart outdoor living.

Customizable roof pitch combined with a flexible site position allows for maximum seasonal energy collection. A flat roof allows panels to be ideally mounted with standoff mounting hardware for maximum angle of incidence, and also allows for seasonal adjustment as needed.

Solar power timber frame pavilion carport

Timber Frame Solar Mount doubles as a Carport Cover

Retractable Canopies, UV Protective Shade Cloth & Fabric Umbrella Blinds

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

latticed shade cloth roof

Canopies create a shady umbrella that can add the soft look of fabric and can add great contrast and color complementing the strong masculine timber setting. There is motorized and manual retractable blind roofing system as well as solar-powered.

Weaved through the solid timbers, this Southwest-style attached timber frame pergola keeps the canopy stretched tightly preventing the fabric from flapping causing undue noise that is often associated with fabric canopies.

Polycarbonate & Custom Patterned Roofs

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

Polycarbonate roofing on pergola
custom shade outdoor dining fire

Every ShadeScape®, particularly an arbor or pergola will have a distribution of stencil-like shadows. Roofs with a unique patterns take on a whole new dimension. The mirrored contrast displays an ever-changing array of moving impressions. Polycarbonate or latticed roofing can add some real dynamics with color, lighting and specialty designs

Asian Style Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

dragon head pergola

An Asian style pergola can be designed to complement and fit comfortably with the style and architecture of a modern home, garden, park or other outdoor spaces.

The decorative elements in a pergola including characteristics such as a skylight, hipped roof or a double pitched; some color elements all add to an awesome Asian/Oriental atmosphere creating a private sanctuary you can escape to and relax as though you were across the world; in your own backyard retreat.

Unique Custom Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Gazebos, Pavilions, and Pergolas

Custom beam end profile
gardnervillage1-pergola-roof

Custom roof designs are one of its kind; unlike anything else. They are the vision of the individual business or homeowner who have a specific dream or unusual way of doing something.

shade pool custom pergola

Grass, Thatched or Vine Covered Roof

for Arbors, Cabanas, Pavilions, and Pergolas

polynesian-pergola

If you are looking for that tropical backyard paradise or a lush garden-green atmosphere, a grass, thatched or vine-covered roof can capture the style and feel.

Thanks-Giving-Point-Display-2-1
plant climbing vine
wisteria pergola

The distinguishing characteristics implemented in a roof depend primarily upon the intended use of the architectural structure. For example, a pergola is designed to admit partial sunlight with lots of shade, while a conservatory lets in a lot of sunlight.

Western Timber Frame™ ShadeScape® Pavilion kit installed with enclosed walls.

On the other hand, a roof can have windows on at least one side to emit lots of sunlight for plants. This Western Timber Frame™ pavilion kit was completely enclosed by the homeowners to create a winter sunroom.

sunroom kit

Western Timber Frame™ ShadeScape® Pavilion kit installed with enclosed walls.

Glossary of more varieties of complex shapes and designs of roof construction ideas:

A flat roof is the most common traditional roof in places that have low precipitation. Most “flat roofs” have somewhat of a gentle pitch.

A terraced roof was is a flat roof with a balustrade that is used as an extra living area.

The half-hipped or clipped gabled roof is a hip roof with a lower gable section.

The dutch gable roof is just the opposite of a half-hipped roof with the gable on top and the hipped roof lower.

The saltbox roof is a gabled roof the one side that is shorter than the other sometimes called a cat-slide roof.

A saw-tooth roof consists of a series of ridges that have a dual pitch on either side. The vertical surface is glazed and faces away from the equator in order to shield from the direct sunlight while admitting natural light from the northern hemisphere into a building or factory.

The four main elements that form a roof design is the type of material, design of construction and its strength and durability. Throughout the history of man, the covering for housing and shelters have been constructed from a variety of different materials such as: seagrass, banana leaves, bark, sod, straw, wheaten straw or rice reed, stone, slate, laminated glass, concrete, aluminum, copper, animal hides, wood or solar shingles, ceramic tiles, and even snow.

The roof’s construction is determined much by its underneath support, space it bridges and weather, whether a roof is pitched or not. Most modern solid roof’s in the United States are sloped or pitched to allow for runoff but as seen above there are numerous options in roof design for an outdoor shade shelter.

Western Timber Frame™ shade structures are visibly massive heavy timber of impressive engineering masterpieces rich in architectural heritage, perfected in modern technology, creating monumental heirlooms for generations to enjoy.

pergola kit layout

Top view of a Western Timber Frame™ backyard living layout and design with solid wood timber frame pergola kits.

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