Pergola Builder Dallas Fort Worth TX—that’s us. If you’re picturing cool shade over your patio, a spot for weekend grilling, or a clean-lined accent that finally ties your backyard together, you’re in the right place. We build aluminum pergolas and wood pergolas across the Metroplex with designs that look good year one and still feel right years later. North wind, summer heat, a surprise hailstorm—DFW throws a little of everything at an outdoor structure. Ours are engineered, handsome, and made for real life. Honestly, that’s the whole point.
Contents
- 1 Made for DFW life—shade that works when the heat shows up early
- 2 Aluminum or wood? Here’s the quick take
- 3 Aluminum pergolas: clean lines, solid shade, minimal fuss
- 4 Wood pergolas: warmth, character, and a porch-story feel
- 5 Shade performance: beat the Dallas sun, not your style
- 6 Spans, footings, and storm-ready structure
- 7 Permits, HOAs, and neighbors that care about the fence line
- 8 Design details that make a backyard feel finished
- 9 Louvered, insulated, or classic open slat?
- 10 Finishes and colors: match your home, don’t fight it
- 11 Our build process: straightforward and tidy
- 12 How long will it take? What fits my space?
- 13 FAQs we hear on patios all over Dallas
- 14 A few design moves that always work
- 15 Service areas across the Metroplex
- 16 Let’s build the shade you’ll actually use
Made for DFW life—shade that works when the heat shows up early
April feels like June? We’ve all been there. A smart pergola gives you daytime shade, soft evening light, and airflow that doesn’t trap the heat. We size beams to carry the span you need, pitch louvers or slats for better mid-afternoon coverage, and add the wiring you’ll want for fans and lights. Dallas Pergola Company works in neighborhoods from Frisco to Mansfield and everywhere between—different HOAs, different lot lines, same promise: clean builds and honest details.
Aluminum or wood? Here’s the quick take
You know what? There isn’t a wrong answer—just a right-for-you answer. If you like crisp lines and low upkeep, aluminum wins. If you crave warmth and that “built-by-hand” feel, wood steals the show. Let me explain with a simple table.
| Material | What it’s best at | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Pergolas | Sleek look, color-stable finishes, louvered/motorized options | Rinse and go; occasional gentle wash |
| Wood Pergolas | Natural grain, custom milling, classic Texas porch vibe | Stain or seal every few years; easy to refresh |
Aluminum pergolas: clean lines, solid shade, minimal fuss
Modern patios love aluminum pergolas. Powder-coated frames stay color-true, won’t warp, and shrug off humidity. Slats can be fixed, angled, or fully louvered. Want push-button control? We integrate motorized systems (think premium louver brands like Equinox or StruXure-style concepts) with rain and wind sensors, then hide the wiring so it feels custom—because it is.
- Low upkeep Aluminum doesn’t rot, splinter, or demand weekend staining.
- Precision fit Factory-straight members give razor-clean joints and tidy sightlines.
- Smart upgrades LED tape lighting, quiet DC fans, heaters, and privacy screens.
There’s a common worry that metal runs hot to the touch. Under shade, it’s a non-issue, and we specify finishes that reflect more sun and hold less surface heat. Mild contradiction: aluminum feels “light”—yet our concealed anchors and beefy posts make the structure remarkably stout. We’ll show you both.
Wood pergolas: warmth, character, and a porch-story feel
If your heart says timber, we listen. We build in Western Red Cedar and high-grade pine with kiln-dried options, chunky notched beams, and joinery that reads like real craft. Profiles can be squared and modern or notched and traditional—whichever makes your brick, stone, or siding sing.
- Beautiful grain Natural texture that ages gracefully with the right finish.
- Custom cuts Decorative tails, corbels, and beams sized to your span—no skimpy look.
- Easy refresh A new coat of stain brings back that first-day glow.
Yes, wood needs a little love. But here’s the thing: a light clean and a re-coat every few years keeps it happy in Texas weather. We’ll guide you on tones—from natural cedar to driftwood grays—to complement your roof and masonry.
Shade performance: beat the Dallas sun, not your style
Shade is a number’s game: slat angle, spacing, orientation, and height all matter. Face your slats to knock down the 3 p.m. glare from the west. Choose tighter spacing near the grill zone and wider over the dining area for more sky. Climbing jasmine or wisteria? Gorgeous, and it cools the air a touch. Prefer tech? Pair a louvered top with a rain sensor so it closes when a pop-up shower rolls through.
Spans, footings, and storm-ready structure
DFW gets gusty. We size posts, beams, and connections to the loads your site demands, then set footings below local frost depth with rebar cages and proper pier diameters. Base plates get concealed or trimmed for a clean finish. If you’ve seen pergolas wobble in a storm, you’ll appreciate our hidden knee bracing and steel where it counts. Quiet strength is still strength.
Permits, HOAs, and neighbors that care about the fence line
From Plano to North Richland Hills, every city and HOA has quirks. We prepare basic drawings, coordinate submittals, and build to the specifications your neighborhood expects. Setbacks, easements, and utility clearances are checked before a shovel hits dirt. Your neighbors will thank you—and so will your future appraisal.
Design details that make a backyard feel finished
Little things drive comfort. Fan boxes in the right spot. Dimmable lighting wired to a weather-safe switch. GFCI outlets near the smoker. We route conduits inside posts where possible, so the look stays uncluttered. Prefer privacy? We add slatted side panels, breeze-friendly screens, or tasteful lattice to keep line-of-sight soft without boxing you in.
Louvered, insulated, or classic open slat?
Each roof style changes the vibe. Louvered tops give rain control and day-to-day flexibility. Insulated panels add deeper shade and help with heat under a fan. Classic open slats keep it airy and timeless. If you’re a morning coffee person, we’ll tune angle and spacing for that golden hour. Night owls? We’ll plan the lighting layers first, then shape the structure around them.
Finishes and colors: match your home, don’t fight it
Aluminum arrives in durable factory coats—think charcoal, bronze, black, and soft whites that play nicely with brick and stone. Wood invites stain stories: warm cedars, natural browns, weathered grays. We mock up samples against your facade because color reads different outside than it does on a screen. Subtle, but crucial.
Our build process: straightforward and tidy
We keep it simple and thorough.
- On-site consult Measure, listen, sketch. We talk about sun, wind, and how you live outside.
- Design & bid Clear scope, clear price, options for add-ons—not a maze of line items.
- Permits & HOA We help with the paperwork and keep you posted on statuses.
- Fabrication Materials staged, finishes confirmed, electrical coordination locked.
- Installation Clean cuts, plumb posts, tight joinery, daily site cleanup.
- Final walk-through We test lights, fans, louvers, and hand you care tips that are actually useful.
How long will it take? What fits my space?
Timelines depend on permitting and material lead times, but most backyard projects move fast once we’re on site. To set expectations without pretending every yard is the same, here’s a simple guide:
| Project Type | Typical Footprint | Build Time On Site |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum, fixed slat | 12×14 to 14×18 | 1–3 days |
| Louvered aluminum | 12×16 to 16×20 | 2–4 days |
| Cedar, open slat | 12×12 to 16×20 | 2–5 days |
Bigger spans, integrated kitchens, or full lighting packages add time—but they’re worth it. We schedule around Texas weather and keep your yard usable along the way.
FAQs we hear on patios all over Dallas
Will a pergola really cool things down?
It won’t lower the air temperature like AC, but properly angled pergola slats cut radiant heat dramatically. Add a fan, and it feels several notches cooler—especially during that late-day west sun.
Do aluminum pergolas look “too modern” for a brick home?
Not when we choose the right profile and color. A bronze or black frame paired with warm lighting and wood furniture reads classic, not cold.
How does wood hold up in our storms?
With the right species, finish, and hardware, wood does great. We anchor deeply, flash where needed, and specify fasteners that don’t stain the grain.
Can I add heaters, screens, or fans later?
Yes. We rough-in conduits and blocking during the build so upgrades are clean, not retrofitted. Planning ahead keeps future add-ons tidy.
A few design moves that always work
Center the dining table under the beam break—instant symmetry. Keep posts out of walking lanes; your hips will thank you. Layer string-warm LEDs up high and task lighting down low for the grill. If you entertain, consider a narrow ledge for drinks along a privacy panel. Small choices, big comfort.
Service areas across the Metroplex
We build pergolas in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Prosper, Lewisville, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Mesquite, Irving, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Keller, Southlake, North Richland Hills, Mansfield, and nearby communities. If you’re on the edge of that map, ask—we’re friendly.
Let’s build the shade you’ll actually use
Whether you’re leaning modern with aluminum pergolas or classic with cedar pergolas, we’ll shape it around your routines: morning coffee, game-day grilling, late summer evenings after the sun finally relaxes. Ready when you are.
Request a Free Quote or call us at 214-624-7083. We’ll measure, sketch, and bring the shade.