How to Build the Dallas Pergola of Your Dreams

Want all the amenities of a covered patio, but simply don’t have the lot space? Need a dedicated outdoor living zone for your grill, TV or poolside lounge furniture? Crave a stylish, functional escape from local heat, rain and hail?

‍You’re looking for a Dallas pergola — and we’re here to help you create one.

We’re Allied Outdoor Solutions. Since 2009, we’ve transformed over 25,000 Texas backyards into elevated outdoor living spaces for delighted homeowners. Our Dallas design-build team creates incredible pergolas that become integral parts of their owners’ outdoor lifestyles.

In this guide, we’ll define why a pergola is right for your Dallas backyard. Then, we’ll show you the right materials for enduring style and lasting project success. Finally, we’ll help personalize your new space with amenities and features that reflect the way you live. 

Top 5 Things Dallas Homeowners Want in a Pergola

We reviewed thousands of DFW outdoor construction projects to find the common threads between them. Styles, tastes and material preferences vary from person to person — but the whys behind new pergola construction in Dallas are universal.

Local homeowners want a space-saving outdoor living feature that provides a defined space, protection from the weather, and a seamless visual experience.

Let’s look at the 5 key ingredients that Dallas homeowners desire in a pergola design.

Minimal Space, Maximum Impact

You’re not imagining things — Dallas properties are slowly shrinking. The average lot size is down 29% from a decade ago. Local homeowners need new, creative solutions to increase their usable outdoor living space.

Pergolas offer the outdoor living room area of a covered patio, at a fraction of the square footage. They’re a smart solution for Dallas residents who want an enhanced outdoor lifestyle but don’t want to eat up a big chunk of their property.

Defined Outdoor Living Area

A covered pergola establishes a distinct outdoor living zone that provides shade, functionality and visual appeal. 

How you use and define that space is up to you. Will you create a poolside lounge area? An outdoor gaming den? A charming bar island and dining area for family and guests?

Protection from the Elements

Remember that unexpected rainstorm that sent your BBQ guests running for cover? Hate running from the pool to the house when clouds roll in?

Build a durable pergola with shade structure, and you’ll keep the party going no matter the weather. 

Outdoor Cooking Center

Whether you want a stainless steel grill near the pool deck or a wine bar by your garden beds, a freestanding pergola allows you to place an outdoor kitchen anywhere on your property. 

Build a fortified concrete slab to stabilize your soil and support the added weight of your appliances. Then, add a louvered roof for lasting protection in any season.

Seamless Design Integration

Tie every aspect of your outdoor space and existing home together with a cohesive pergola style. It’s a great opportunity to blend architectural styles with matching materials, textures and colors. 

The result? A seamless indoor/outdoor living design that heightens your property value and adds major curb appeal to your home.

Your 3 Step Plan to a Dazzling Dallas Pergola Space

We’ve defined why you want that new pergola in your backyard. Now, let’s bring it to life.

New outdoor construction projects can feel overwhelming — that’s why we provide every client a dedicated Construction Coordinator and Construction Supervisor. Collaborate with our experts, and you’ll discover how simple building your pergola can be.

Every successful pergola project is made up of 3 steps:

1. Material selection
2. Shade structure options
3. Customized functionality

Let’s take a closer look at these steps, and how they apply specifically to Dallas homes.

Trust the Allied Outdoor Solutions Design-Build Process

Our process is what makes us different. We’ve designed and built thousands of outdoor living spaces in DFW — from enhanced hail protection to fortified foundations for outdoor kitchen appliances, we know what local homeowners want in a smart pergola design.

When you work with Allied Outdoor Solutions, you’re assigned a team of dedicated local professionals — Dallas designers and builders for Dallas projects. From planning to permitting to design to construction, our local expertise carries the day for your family.

Step 1: The Best Materials for Building Dallas Pergolas

Some materials — like aluminum for structures and modified concrete for flooring — work well in any Texas backyard. But specific weather and geology concerns in Dallas make some “usually safe” materials less appealing.

For example, pressure treated pine isn’t the best option for DFW pergola builds. The chemicals used to treat this lumber easily leach into the clay soil. And while steel offers outstanding durability, it’s incredibly heavy to work with and retains a ton of heat. 

Let’s look at 4 design materials that do work in Dallas pergola projects, and why they’re so effective.

Aluminum

Aluminum’s lightweight, durable composition makes it ideal for local pergola construction. From roof structures through support beams and framing, it’s highly dependable and weather resistant when properly treated and installed.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Rust and corrosion resistant
• Modern aesthetics
• Minimal maintenance
• Eco-friendly

Cons:

• Higher initial cost (vs. vinyl or wood)
• Less natural look than wood

Cedar

It’s hard to beat cedar on aesthetic value. Cedar is easily stainable and paintable, and is generally more resistant to rot and insects than other types of wood. You’ll need to reseal your cedar periodically to prevent warping and cracking.

Pros:

• Natural beauty
• Rot and insect-resistant
• Aesthetic versatility
• Reflects heat well
• Able to span longer distances than other wood types

Cons:

• Regular sealing required 
• Higher upfront cost vs. pine

Modified Concrete Overlay (Flooring)

Modified concrete overlays are the optimal choice for pergola flooring in Dallas-Fort Worth. They offer structural stability against shifting soil and help stabilize the ground underfoot. They also bear a tremendous amount of weight — install outdoor kitchen appliances with confidence.

Carvestone is a modified concrete overlay product rated to withstand up to 6,000 PSI of pressure. It’s easily colored, textured and patterned to fit any aesthetic style. Choose a light color to resist heat absorption and reduce ongoing cleaning tasks.

Pros:

• Aesthetic versatility
• Heat and moisture resistant
• Less expensive than natural stone
• Excellent pressure resistance

Cons:

• Sealing required every 2 years
• Won’t fully replicate natural stone aesthetics

Natural Stone 

Nothing beats locally quarried flagstone for classic Dallas outdoor style. Sandstone and limestone offer exceptional durability against heat, direct sunlight and UV radiation.

It’s often cheaper to source local stone due to reduced delivery costs. This makes Texas flagstone more cost-effective in most cases. You’ll still need to seal your stone regularly to prevent moisture damage..

Pros:

• Premium Texas aesthetics
• Heat and UV resistant
• Locally sourced
• Reduced shipping and delivery costs

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Cons:

• Regular moisture sealing required
• Best for supports and features, not as ideal for flooring

Step 2: Pergola Roofs are More Than Just a Shade Structure

A pergola roof is non-negotiable in Dallas — full stop. It’s functionally the most important aspect of your pergola design, offering all-season protection from weather and climate challenges.

Dallas sees 100+ days of 100°F weather per year. A shade structure won’t just keep your family cool — it offers a place for overhead fans and misting systems. It also protects your appliances, flooring and furniture from fading, wear and tear.

Your structure also needs protection from hail events. North Texas suffers more property losses to hail damage than anywhere in America — a strong roof could save your pergola from becoming an insurance claim.

Gable Roof

A gable roof structure blends premium protection with true Texas style. The classic “chickenfoot” design pairs beautifully with multiple architectural styles, especially ranch and modern farmhouse homes.

The generous pitch of a gabled pergola roof allows rain to flow safely away from your structure. A fully solid roof also keeps direct sunlight, UV rays and hail stones at bay.

Pros:

• Classic Texas aesthetics
• Excellent water drainage
• Excellent shade structure
• Increased roof height
• Easy to install fans and lighting on ceiling

Cons:

• No ability to open and close
• Complex construction
• Requires wind-resistant materials

Louvered Roof

If you like direct control, louvered roofing is a good solution for your pergola. You retain the ability to open and close the roof to your satisfaction via a mechanical system. This allows an open roof on sunny, non-humid days, and a fully closed structure when it’s muggy or rainy.

(Just remember to close the roof during a thunderstorm or hail event!)

Louvered pergola roofs offer a sleek modern aesthetic, and materials like aluminum offer high durability. You’ll pay more upfront for installation complexity, but you’ll retain total, long-term control over your roof system.

Pros:

• Unmatched personal control
• Rain protection
• Ventilation
• Modern aesthetics
• Highly durable

Cons:

• Price point
• Complex installation (can’t DIY these)

Lattice Roof

Wooden lattice is the signature of classic pergola design. You’ll retain great airflow, scattered sunlight and benefit from cost-effective construction.

There’s always a trade-off when it comes to latticed roofing in Texas. You’ll risk exposure to rain, hail and ultraviolet rays. And there’s far less escape from direct sunlight on those brutally hot days in July.

Pros:

• Classic pergola aesthetics
• Good natural airflow
• Cost-effective
• Simple construction

Cons:

• Partial shade only
• No rain protection
• No hail protection
• More susceptible to degradation (wooden lattice)

Step 3: Personalized Decisions for Your DFW Pergola

We’ve covered how to create a gorgeous, durable pergola that withstands local weather and solid conditions in Dallas.

Now, let’s talk about how to make that pergola truly yours.

How will you define, utilize and maximize your new outdoor space? What features and amenities can our team add to reflect your family’s personality and lifestyle?

Outdoor Grilling and Dining

• Stainless steel grill
• Built-in range hood
• Bar island with refrigerator and ice maker
• Dishwasher
• Outdoor dining furniture

Outdoor Entertainment Features

• Outdoor-rated television
• Weatherproof sound system
• LED lighting
• Outdoor fireplace or custom fire feature
• Gaming table

Poolside Pergola Amenities

• Cozy lounge seating
• Freestanding bar island
• Custom fire pit
• Overhead fan
• Misting system

Let’s Transform Your Dallas Outdoor Lifestyle

We’re glad you took this journey with us — crafting a custom pergola isn’t hard after all. Now, let’s take the next step and make your dream design a reality.

Your dedicated outdoor living designer, Construction Coordinator and Construction Supervisor collaborate with you on your design preferences, project “wish list”, and must-have features. From 3D rendering to transparent communication, you’re in charge every step of the way.

Talk to us. We’ll deliver a Dallas pergola that’s the backbone of your outdoor living space for decades to come.