Prices checked 8 November 2026
No timber pergola builder we found publishes installed prices yet. For comparison, one Western Cape installer publishes rates for aluminium and timber-look composite pergolas.
| Job | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Extruded aluminium pergola | From R3,000 per m², supplied and installed | Aluminium Awnings, Western Cape (page updated July 2026) |
| Composite pergola (timber look) | From R3,500 per m², supplied and installed | Aluminium Awnings, Western Cape (page updated July 2026) |
| Worked example: 4 m × 5 m patio (20 m²) in aluminium | From about R60,000, at the R3,000 per m² rate | Aluminium Awnings, Western Cape (page updated July 2026) |
For a timber pergola, ask for the timber species and treatment, post footings, any roof covering and sealing as separate lines, and how often it will need re-sealing.
Sources: the businesses named above, as they publish their prices; we checked each one on 8 November 2026. Every pro sets their own price, so use these to set a budget and ask for a written quote. The advice below was first written in April 2024; its old prices have been taken out.
What is a pergola? How much does a timber pergola cost? Why would you desire a wood pergola? A pergola can be a great addition to any garden. Wood pergolas can be bought in standard sizes or can be custom-made to your specifications. We will have a look at pergolas and their costs. We will cover the following below:
- What is a pergola?
- Why Install a Timber Pergola?
- How much does a timber pergola cost?
- How much does a custom-made timber pergola cost?
What is a pergola?
Strictly speaking, a pergola is an upright structure without a roof. Initially, pergolas were developed for deciduous climbing vines. The vines offered shade in the summer and enabled the sun to shine through in the winter. More recently some pergolas started being offered with roofs.
Several types of roofs are now offered. One of the favourite roof options is using clear or tinted polycarbonate sheets allowing sunlight to penetrate but whilst protecting against the rain and the mayority of UVB rays from the sun. Some pergola systems can open or close using a louvre system allowing you to open them when you want the sun to penetrate and close them when you want protection from the rain.
Today, the meaning of a pergola is looser than it was in the past. While a conventional pergola is normally connected to your home, pergolas today can be freestanding, or they might be connected to a perimeter fence or wall, offering shade by the swimming pool.
Why Install a Timber Pergola?
There are various factors as to why building a timber pergola might be the right choice for you. Installing a timber pergola should be less expensive that other patio coverings. They all so set the perfect mood for relaxation and leisure and give you that outdoor vibe.
While a traditional pergola has rafters spread apart, some of today's pergolas can have wood purlins to offer shade. These purlins will not offer any protection against the rain but are perfect for providing shade during those hot summer months. If you desire the appearance of wooden slats but also desire protection against the rain, you can add a clear polycarbonate roof over the purlins.
Using a polycarbonate roof is a popular method to construct a pergola today. A polycarbonate roof provides all the advantages of a conventional pergola but helps filter out the harmful UVB rays of the sun in the summertime and offers security from the rain in the winter season. It gives you the option to leave patio furnishings outdoors and utilize the pergola even when it's raining.
Traditionally, pergolas were flat, but today's pergolas can have gabled roofs. The gables help with water drainage and supply additional height, making the location under the pergola cooler in the summertime. If you add a polycarbonate roof and some privacy screens or outdoor blinds, you have a location you can utilize throughout the year.
Why set up a Timber Pergola?
With today's Pergola styles, you can have the best outdoor area for whatever you wish to do, from unwinding outdoors to dining or having a barbecue.
How much does a timber pergola cost?
How much does a custom-made timber pergola cost?
If you desire something unique, you might wish to have your pergola customized. The cost will depend upon the intricacy of the style. For instance, a curved roof will cost more than flat roofing due to the fact that the contractor needs to make or purchase the curved beams. They typically do this by cutting thin strips of wood and glueing them together in a mould. In other cases, they may utilize broad planks and utilize a template to cut them out.
Some pergolas are works of art. They can have curved uprights and an angled or curved roof. A pergola like this will be much more expensive than a standard pergola but it can be the centre point of your landscaping project.
