24 Roof Ideas for Gazebos, Pergolas & Pavilions
The design of a roof on a timber frame pergola can really change the look and feel of the architecture which is really exciting. In many ways, it almost seems like the sky - not the roof- is the limit. Luckily, at Western Timber Frame™ you don’t have to just dream it in your mind as a Design Manager can give you a rendering of how that particular material or idea would look like.
Flat Roof Gazebos to Conservator Roof Pavillions - The Choice is Yours
A roof is the uppermost part of a building that provides shelter and protection from heat, rain, wind, and a variety of weather conditions. It can also act to protect your patio furniture from the rays of the sun, and can also be resistant to water and moisture.
The characteristics implemented depend upon the intended use of the architectural or pergola structure.
For instance, a mostly covered pergola or verandah is designed to admit only partial sunlight. A conservatory - on the other hand - has a solid glass or light-emitting cover for a roof that protects plants from the cold but lets in sunlight.
The 3D ShadeScape® model - pictured here - is a pavilion-style shelter with a pergola attached, The homeowners wanted it to feature two beams and a pergola patio cover providing dapple lighting for their outdoor living space but with the look of a pavilion. The pergola's cover idea was a solid top with 2 open-air sides to allow for filtered sunlight to trickle in.
Modern technology gives us roofs that can open up at the push of a button and close again. Below is a sample of louvered roof designs complete with beautiful pergola beams.
There is a seemingly endless array of gazebo or pergola cover ideas for creating beautiful architectural shade creations. From the flat roof gazebo to tiered Cupolas. Make it your own pergola through custom options allowing you to create the perfect outdoor space to match your lifestyle.
In a shade structure that blocks those UV rays and provides shade in the hot sun, the overall architectural design and the cover style are usually what determines whether a shade structure is called a gazebo, pergola, or pavilion. Typically a gazebo has a conical eight-sided shaped cover.
#DIYGazeboPlan
#DIYPergolaPlan
Pergolas have a semi-open top, extending to the walls to allow for sunlight and shade together, the best of both worlds, whereas a solid roof wood limits sunlight protruding into the outdoor structure.
A pergola makes a great space for outdoor dining or lounging in the partial shade during the afternoon, for a bit of relaxation.
Pavilions feature a wholly enclosed solid top unlike a flat roof gazebo that typically allows for partial light to protrude, and as with all ShadeScape® shelters, they can be attached or free-standing structures. Additionally, timber frame arbor, gazebo, pavilion, and gazebo kits sometimes will extend the roofline further on one side for an extension of shade coverage.
Pavillions make the perfect setting for throwing outdoor birthday parties or gatherings with friends. Constructed with high-quality solid wood timber, our pavilions are designed to last. Rain and snow won't slow you down.
#DIYPavilionPlan
24 Ideas for Covered Pergolas, Arbor, Gazebos, Pavilions, and More
#1 Hip Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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. The hip roof also referred to as a hipped roof is an asymmetrical rectangular construction with two hips meeting at either end with four sloping uniform sides meeting at a single peak.
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.
#2 A-Frame Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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. The hip roof also referred to as a hipped roof is asymmetrical rectangular construction with two hips meeting at either end with four sloping uniform sides meeting at a single peak.
#3 Tiered Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
Two tiered roofs can be double roofs or tiered with cupolas or corbels for a stunning vision of classic old-world architecture.
#4 Gable Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
A gable roof is shaped like an upside-down V and is sometimes referred to as a dual pitched, saddle, saddleback or peaked roof.
#5 Cross Gable Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#6 Solar Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#7 Tile Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
A tile roof has some advantages when installing in the right climate. Installed in Arizona, this 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.
#8 Retractable Canopies, UV Protective Shade Cloth & Fabric Umbrella Blinds
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#9 Mono-Pitched Shed Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
ShadeScape® Shed Roof Pavilion Plan
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.
#10 Two-Tone Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
ShadeScape® Pergola w/Contrasting Roof Stain
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.
#11 Round Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
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.
#12 Cantileverd Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#13 Partial Open Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#14 Curved Cantileverd Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#15 Barrel Top Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
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.
#16 Inverted Radius Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#17 Step Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#18 FullWrap® Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#19 Louvered Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
Stationary timber frame solid wood louvered roof.
#20 Integrative Roofing
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#21 Polycarbonate & Custom Patterned Roofs
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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
#22 Asian Style Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#23 Unique Custom Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
#24 Grass, Thatched or Vine Covered Roof
for Arbors, Gazebos, Pavilions, Pergolas, and Trellises
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.
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.
Top view of a Western Timber Frame™ backyard living layout and design with solid wood timber frame pergola kits.
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