Should I Buy a Metal Aluminum Louvered Pergola? The Pros and Cons of Different Options.

Last updated Thursday, January 16th, 2025

“Pavilion guy” Jim Adams. 

Aluminum louvered pergolas are not only functional and beautiful, they’re just cool. After all…Who doesn’t dream from time to time of driving or riding in a convertible automobile? The fresh air, the sun, the freedom, …there’s something about the idea of it. 

Louvered pergolas are pretty sharp looking if you ask me. But also, they give you the flexibility of enjoying the son and sky, while also protection from the rain. You can leave your cloth furniture/cushions outside at night without having to take the time to remove and store them. 

The advantages – the “pros” if you will of these louvered aluminum pergolas are:

1. Clean, contemporary appearance/aesthetic 
2. The “cool factor.” They are, in fact, pretty damned cool. 
3. Flexibility. Enjoying the sun AND shade AND rain protection. 
4. Functionality. Permanent structures mounted to the back of a home can darken the inside. And so the convertibility allows you to enjoy the natural light in doors when desired.

Now, let me say this.  I AM “in the know” not just some random blog writer, having personally provided several thousand shade structures over the last 12 years. Everything that can go wrong/sideways, there’s nothing that can happen to a pergola or pavilion that I haven’t dealt with first hand. As cool as these aluminum pergolas are, much like owning a convertible car,  there are down sides. Also, we own a convertible pergola ourselves at our home, not an aluminum one but one with a motorized canopy that has some of the same benefits. And believe me, it is pretty damn cool. 

Cost

For similar quality, they are ½ again to double the cost of solid roof structures or open slatted pergolas. The DIY version by HANSO HOME (we should open an affiliate account with amazon or something) is on the lower end. It should be a yellow flat that they have two very disparate products – price wise. A 10’ x 10’ base model is $3,697. The website it’s not clear if the cheaper version is manual vs the more expensive version it’s clear it is motorized.  The wind/snow rated version is $10,997. Which begs the question, what is wrong/missing with the $3,697 version. As an expert in shade structures, I can say “Quite a lot.” Fact is, you WILL be replacing the non-wind-rated pergola. We get calls from owners all the time wanting to replace their temporary DIY pergola or pavilion.  It’s also possible you could have a severe liability in a storm if parts of your pergola fly away and hurt a neighbors property, or God forbid the neighbor themselves. This risk also applies to cheap pavilions you see at big box stores. 

A similar size similarly rated vinyl pergola retail for that 10’ x 10’ size kit is $6,826 at American landscape Structures. The EZ Shade canopy to go on top would be another $3,379. Add that up you have $10,205. A low maintenance vinyl pavilion or gazebo kit – same rating is $7,863 including a tongue and groove roof deck and architectural asphalt shingles. Everything you need.

The supplier AZENCO does not have a DIY program. I would expect their construction and standard are higher, and you would have a local nearby company to service it according to a conversation I had with their national sales manager. 

Repairs/Maintenance/Down time

I’m not sure what HANSO home’s answer is to when there are repairs or replacements required to the electronic and mechanical components. According to a conversation I had with their national sales director at AZENCO, to be an AZENCO dealer you have to go through training and have to be able to offer rapid service response. The reasoning is if the louvers are locked into the open position, then the furniture and fixtures are now exposed to the weather. 

Consistent Function/expectations

If you opt for a solid roof whether that be  a pavilion, ramada, gazebo whatever it’s called, you give up the convertibility and the ability to have the sun/light. Some of the cool factor. BUT you know exactly what you’re getting without being disappointed when the moving parts fail. This is an outdoor product, believe me, it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. What about extreme rain and leaves? Our yard we get massive volumes of leaves and with our convertible canopy, they are an issue. Yes, we can leave it “Open”, but they get EVERYWHERE, and muck things up. With a pavilion, gazebo, ramada, you have a roof. You still have leaves, but no moving parts to deal with. Nothing to get clogged or bound up. 

Conclusion

So hey, these convertible DIY aluminum louvered pergolas are pretty damned cool, so much so I plan on getting one at some point for outside of my garage area. But what I want there – to cover that space – is going to be about 60 grand. And I”m in the business, and I have my own people to fix it when something goes wrong. 

So if you’re down for the sizeable investment and a risk-taker like me – Go for it! 

If you are more trying to get more for your money and/or more conservative you can get a lot of enjoyment out of a less fancy pergola or pavilion or gazebo or ramada. Just don’t get one of those cheapy ones from the big box store unless you’re planning on moving within a year or you’re renting. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or want to consult about building Pergolas, Gazebos, or Pavilions.