Gazebo or Pergola? How to Choose the Right Oak Structure for Your Garden

Gazebos and pergolas are two well-known options for gardens, each bringing something different to the table. One provides cover and structure, the other adds definition and flow. In this guide, we’ll look at the key differences between them to help you pick the build that fits your garden and how you want to spend time in it.

What Is a Gazebo?

A gazebo is a freestanding structure with a solid roof, designed to offer full or partial cover in the garden. Unlike open-framed builds, it provides real protection from rain and sun, making it ideal for year-round use. Many people use gazebos to create a dedicated space for seating, dining, or even housing a hot tub.

What Is a Pergola?

A pergola is an open-roofed structure made with spaced beams or rafters, usually supported by vertical posts. Its purpose is to create shape and definition, often framing a walkway, patio, or seating area. Pergolas are especially well-suited to climbing plants, which can weave through the beams to form a natural canopy over time.

The Key Differences at a Glance

Gazebo


Roof: Solid roof for full weather cover
Purpose: Provides shelter for seating, dining, or hot tubs
Privacy: Can be partially enclosed
Design Effect: Acts as a standalone feature
Planning Considerations: May require permission depending on height and location

Pergola


Roof: Open roof with slatted beams
Purpose: Frames garden areas, often used for climbing plants
Privacy: Open on all sides
Design Effect: Creates flow or structure without blocking views
Planning Considerations: Often exempt, but still worth checking with local authorities

How to Choose the Right Structure for Your Garden

Deciding between a pergola and a gazebo comes down to how you want the space to work. Start by thinking about your lifestyle. Do you need year-round cover for dining or a place to sit out during summer showers? Or are you looking to frame part of your garden, encourage climbing plants, or add shape to a patio area?

Consider the size of your garden too. A well-proportioned gazebo can act as a centrepiece, while a pergola offers more flexibility in layout and scale. Some of our customers opt for a pergola to guide a path or connect zones within the garden without closing things in.

Also keep in mind where the structure will sit. Access, sunlight, and even the view from inside your home can influence what will work best. And with oak, you're choosing a material that ages beautifully and holds up year after year with very little maintenance.

Why Oak Works So Well Outdoors

Oak has long been a trusted choice for outdoor builds, especially for us. It’s naturally durable and able to withstand rain, wind, and seasonal changes without the need for chemical treatment. This makes it ideal for garden structures like gazebos and pergolas.

As it weathers, oak takes on a silver hue that many people value. But for those who prefer to retain its golden tones, protective oils can also be applied. Either way, the timber remains solid and dependable.

Its density also makes oak resistant to rot, pests, and fungal attack – and thanks to its strength, oak provides excellent structural stability even in larger builds, supporting roof loads and open spans easily.

How Round Wood Can Help

We offer both gazebos and pergolas in solid oak, made to order by our experienced team. Each frame is built using traditional mortise and tenon joints, secured with oak pegs, and fully planed for a smooth finish that shows off the natural grain of the wood.

Our gazebos can include extras such as raised decking, cedar shingles, handrails or enclosed sides – ideal if you're after a more sheltered, usable space. Pergolas, by contrast, are often designed to frame patios, seating areas or walkways and are available as standard kits or fully bespoke builds.

All frames are pre-assembled in our workshop to check fit before delivery. Lead times typically range from 6 to 8 weeks, and we can support with planning drawings if needed.

Gazebos Vs Pergolas – Which One Belongs in Your Garden?

Gazebos offer shelter and structure, making them ideal for more defined, weatherproof spaces. Pergolas, with their open design, are better suited to adding rhythm and shape without enclosing the garden – and whichever route you take, both builds can bring lasting value to your outdoor space.

Get in touch or browse our oak framed garden structures to start planning your project today.