If there’s one thing most homeowners get right… It’s the big things.
Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms. You’re going to see professionals knocking those out of the park.
But throw a backyard into the mix and all of a sudden homeowners consistently miss one upgrade:
Covered pergolas.
The pergola itself isn’t new. But covers for them sure are. And they make all the difference.
Here’s the problem…
An uncovered pergola only goes so far. With the right cover, however, it can take a backyard from mediocre to must-use all year long.
That’s why adding an outdoor covered pergola to a home makes more sense than most people realise — and pairing it with high-quality pergola covers is what makes it functional. The cover doesn’t just make it look nice. It makes the pergola worth having.
Quick Navigation
- What Is an Outdoor Covered Pergola?
- Why Homeowners Keep Overlooking the Cover
- The Real Benefits of a Covered Pergola
- Types of Pergola Covers to Know
- How To Pick the Right One
What Is an Outdoor Covered Pergola?
This is simple. A pergola is any outdoor structure with vertical posts and an open roof.
Stand-alone, attached to the house. Doesn’t matter.
The second a cover gets added to that open roof everything changes.
It goes from being purely decorative to actually usable.
Need to block the sun? Choose a cover that provides shade.
Looking to stay dry outdoors? Install a waterproof material.
Backyard office space? There’s a cover for that too.
In other words; whatever problems need solving, the right pergola cover handles them.
That transforms a pergola from a seldom-used backyard ornament to a practical extension of the home.
Why Homeowners Keep Overlooking This Backyard Upgrade
Budget.
Lack of knowledge. They know there are cover options. But they don’t know what’s available.
Procrastination. “I’ll deal with that later.”
Pick any backyard build project from the last decade and you’ll probably find these three factors why it never got done.
When it comes to pergola covers, that holds true for 80% of homeowners.
63% would prioritise outdoor living given the opportunity, but few act on it. With pergolas that just means they go unbuilt. Others sit half-finished for years.
Outdoor living isn’t a trend though; it’s the new reality. The entire industry related to patios, decks, pergolas, and outdoor structures commanded 64.3% of global market revenue in 2024, and experts predict it’ll only keep growing. This covers everything from decking material to patio heaters. Outdoor kitchens are absolutely massive.
Homeowners want to spend time outdoors. They just expect it to be comfortable any time of the year.
And that starts with a covered pergola.
The Real Benefits of Adding Cover to Your Pergola
Still not convinced they’re worth it? Here’s the case for getting one — covered.
Built For All Types of Weather
Sun beating down? Throw on a shade cover.
Pouring rain? Put on a waterproof cover.
Windy as heck? Same thing.
Outdoor covered pergolas give homeowners that choice. Pick a cover that works for every season and type of weather the area throws at you.
Do that correctly and there’s a whole season of extra usability added to the backyard. Depending on where you live that could mean:
- Enjoying mornings outside on even the hottest summer days.
- Being able to grill and entertain outdoors comes rain or shine.
- Keeping dry during sudden autumn downpours.
Only when there’s a covered pergola.
Creates Definite Outdoor Living Space
Pergolas help define a backyard. They structure it. Make it feel less like a lawn you’re sitting on and more like an extension of the home.
But once again, that only works if a cover gets added to it.
Think of a pergola cover like roofing over an outdoor living space. Instead of telling guests to “make yourselves at home” there’s literally a home built outdoors for them.
There’s something about that which changes how people use the space.
Covered outdoor areas consistently rank at the top of post-project satisfaction surveys. Indoor living spaces get designed and paid attention to. Outdoor rooms should be the same.
Raises Your Property Value
Did someone say money?
Covered pergolas don’t just look and function good — they can increase a home’s value too.
One that comes with a return on investment if the time comes to sell.
Most real estate agents will tell you outdoor structures have the potential to bump property values up by 10–20%. That’s true of decks, patios, AND pergolas. Although ROI fluctuates based on labour, material quality, and location — outdoor structures usually fall between a 50–80% return on what goes into them.
Four important words here:
Material quality.
Not all pergola covers are built equal. Yes, the cheap option exists. But it’ll show. It looks awful. It likely needs replacing before it ever comes to sale.
Don’t cheap out.
Think of a pergola cover as a long-term investment in the usability and value of the home.
Types of Pergola Covers To Know
Now that they’re worth it — here’s a quick rundown of cover options:
- Polycarbonate Sheets. Probably the most well-rounded option. Waterproof, durable and still allow natural light to pass through.
- Shade Sails and Canopies. Cheap. Easy to swap out. But not a long-term solution.
- Retractable Covers. Fully removable depending on needs. Sun one day, rain the next.
- Solid Roof Panels. Impermeable. Good for rainy climates.
- Lattice. Provides partial shade. Typically used for aesthetics.
That should be enough to get started. Do a bit of digging online and there are dozens of options within each category.
As the options get reviewed, remember what matters most:
Location, Location, Location.
Where you live will dictate what kind of cover is needed. Hot? Cool. Rainy? Got you. Snowy? Pick a cover based on the climate and it’s hard to go wrong.
How To Actually Pick The Right Cover
Here’s some advice to save some pain. Some folks go through 3 covers in the quest of getting it “just right.”
DO NOT let it turn into an “options” project.
Think function over form. What does the cover need to do?
Does it need to block rain? Sun?
How much maintenance is worth putting in? Covers that need to be regularly cleaned are everywhere. Some are meant to be replaced every few years. Others will barely require attention.
Think about those questions before looking at price. Unless the goal is for the pergola cover to become a “project” rather than a feature.
Important pergola cover questions to ask:
- How strong is UV protection? Sun destroys furniture and wears down fabrics quicker.
- Does it bear weight? Heavy rainstorms. Snowfall. Something that can hold its own is key depending on location.
- Can it be installed without professional help? Or will someone need to be hired? Account for that cost either way.
- Does the cover match the home’s exterior? Function is priority. But if the home is “X” style, don’t get a “Y” style cover.
Get those four things right and there’s basically another room built. Don’t, and it’ll need replacing sooner rather than later.
Why Every Outdoor Backyard Space Needs a Pergola Cover
Here’s what to remember about outdoor pergola covers.
They’re an investment.
An investment in the functionality of the backyard. An investment in the time spent outdoors with family. And an investment in the value of the home.
Don’t treat them like expensive furniture. Think of them like another room. Because that’s what they should be.
Cover the pergola and watch it change how the backyard gets used.