Custom Pergolas in Knoxville & East Tennessee

A pergola has an open slatted roof for filtered shade and architectural beauty, but it does not block rain. A pavilion has a solid, often peaked roof with open sides, giving full sun and rain protection, while a gazebo is typically round or multi-sided and more enclosed. We build open cedar and timber pergolas and solid-roof wood and timber pavilions, and we will help you pick based on whether you want dappled light or true all-weather cover.

An open wood pergola gives partial, dappled shade and defines a space beautifully, but rain passes right through it. If you need to stay dry and want usable shade in any weather, a solid-roof pavilion or a louvered aluminum cover is the better fit. Many clients pair a pergola look with one of those for true protection, and we can advise on the right combination.

We specialize in natural cedar and timber for their warmth and classic look, which suits a lot of East-Tennessee homes; cedar resists insects and moisture and lasts 15 to 25 years with regular sealing. Aluminum is the most maintenance-free and longest-lasting (and what our louvered covers use), while vinyl is low-maintenance but weaker under wind and snow loads. We will match the material to your aesthetic and how hands-on you want to be.

Usually yes for anything substantial, and the rules differ by jurisdiction and HOA. Anything attached to the house almost always needs a permit and engineered connection details, and many freestanding structures do too. We handle permits, setbacks, and HOA approvals for you as your single point of contact, and confirm the exact requirements for your address.

Attaching it ties the structure into your roofline and can feel like a true extension of the home, but it requires a permit and an engineered connection. Freestanding gives more placement flexibility and is simpler to permit, though it still needs proper footings. We will assess your home, grade, and goals and engineer it correctly either way.

Yes, these are some of the most-requested upgrades and they dramatically extend how many months you can use the space. We design the structure to conceal wiring in the beams and run wet-rated, outdoor-listed electrical through our licensed trade partners, so fans, LED lighting, infrared heaters, and screens are clean and code-compliant. It is best to plan these in at design time so the wiring and supports are built in.

A cedar or timber structure typically lasts 15 to 25 years, and the single biggest factor is resealing or restaining it every one to three years to protect it from our humidity and rain. Kept up, the wood stays beautiful and structurally sound; neglected, it can cup, crack, and decay much sooner. If you would prefer near-zero upkeep, we can discuss a low-maintenance aluminum alternative.