Pergola Rank

How to Choose a Louvered Pergola: 7 Things to Check

How to choose a louvered pergola: size, louver rotation, motorization, gutters, wind and snow ratings, warranty and permits, with real models and prices.

Louvered pergolas range from $1,045.99 to $7,499 in the listings we track, and the spec sheets look similar. Here are the seven checks that separate a good buy from a regret, in the order to do them.

1. Fix the size first

Decide the covered area you need, then compare. Nominal sizes hide differences: a 10' x 13' covers 130 sq ft on the Domi and 132 sq ft on the Mirador. Our sizing guide lists the cheapest option at each size. Price per square foot in these examples is price divided by covered area: the Domi 10' x 13' is $11.69, the Mirador 111S 10' x 13' is $18.17, so about $6.50 per foot separates them before you compare features.

2. Check louver rotation and motorization

Rotation ranges from 90 degrees on Kozyard and Purple Leaf to 135 degrees on every Paragon pergola in our data. More rotation lets you angle the slats to block a low sun. Only one model is listed as motorized, the Mirador 111S E-Motion at $3,299, which is $900 more than the manual 111S at $2,399 in the same 10' x 13' size. Manual models need you to crank the louvers by hand.

3. Look for built-in gutters

Closed louvers shed water into a gutter in the frame. Most of the pergolas list gutters, including the Mirador, Paragon, Kozyard and Purple Leaf lines. Domi's metal louvered pergola data does not state gutters. Ask the maker how water drains before you buy for a patio near a house wall.

4. Match wind and snow to your site

Wind ratings in the data run from 49 to 102 mph. For louvered pergolas, look at whether the maker gives snow in lb per sq ft, as Mirador and Paragon do, or no figure, as Kozyard and Purple Leaf. Our snow and wind guide shows how to read these, and why you should check your local ground snow load, which the ASCE 7 standard maps by region.

5. Compare the finalists side by side

Seven louvered pergolas near 120 to 192 sq ft:

Model Price Louver rotation Motorized Gutters Wind Snow Warranty
Mirador Outdoor 111S E-Motion Pergola 10' x 13' $3,299 93 degrees yes yes 90.2 mph 20.8 lb/sq ft 4 yr
Mirador Outdoor 111S Pergola 10' x 13' $2,399 93 degrees no yes 90.2 mph 20.8 lb/sq ft 3 yr
Paragon Outdoor Suprema Louvered Pergola 10' x 12' $2,519.99 135 degrees no yes 82 mph 19 lb/sq ft 6 yr
Mirador Outdoor 111DA Pergola 10' x 13' $2,399 98 degrees not stated not stated 102 mph 26.6 lb/sq ft 4 yr
Kozyard Elizabeth Louvered Pergola 12' x 14' $1,942.20 90 degrees not stated yes 65 mph not stated 1 yr
Domi Outdoor Living Metal Louvered Pergola 10' x 13' $1,519.99 not stated no not stated 72 mph 14 lb/sq ft 5 yr
Purple Leaf Athena Louvered Pergola 12' x 16' $3,499 90 degrees not stated yes 72 mph not stated 1 yr

The Paragon Suprema pairs 135 degree louvers with a 6 year warranty at $2,519.99. The Mirador 111DA has the highest figures here, 102 mph and 26.6 lb/sq ft, at $2,399. Kozyard and Purple Leaf have 1 year warranties.

6. Read the warranty

A warranty is a written promise, and the terms differ. A "limited" warranty can exclude finish, shipping, or labor. Federal law lets makers label a warranty full or limited; most are limited, as the Magnuson-Moss summary notes. See our warranty comparison for years by brand.

7. Check permits and installation

Rules are local. For a sample, Piedmont, California exempts only small single-story structures under 7 feet tall and 120 sq ft. A louvered pergola is taller than that, so ask first. Plan anchoring to a slab or footings as the maker requires, because wind ratings assume it.

A short decision path

Rankings

Our top picks

The best-scoring model in each list. Scores compare models within one list, so 100 means best there on every point, not perfect.

Scores reward a low price per square foot, high snow and wind ratings and long warranties, all as the makers state them. They don't measure build quality, finish or how easy assembly is, so use them to shortlist, then read the model pages.

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