Aluminium vs Wood Pergola: Which Is Best for a UK Garden? (2026)

If you want a pergola that shrugs off British rain with almost no upkeep, choose aluminium. If you want the warmth of natural timber and don't mind treating it every year or two, choose wood. Aluminium pergolas cost more upfront (roughly £1,700 to £2,800 in our range) but need only an occasional wash. Cedar wood pergolas cost less to buy (from around £1,238) but need resealing every one to two years to stop damp UK weather taking its toll. The right choice comes down to how much time you want to spend on maintenance versus how much character you want in the garden.

Here's the full breakdown, so you can pick the material that actually suits your garden and your weekends.

In this article

• What's the real difference between aluminium and wood pergolas?
• How much does each cost in the UK?
• Which needs less maintenance?
• Which lasts longer in British weather?
• Can you get a wood look with aluminium upkeep?
• Aluminium vs wood: which should you choose?
• FAQ

What's the real difference between aluminium and wood pergolas?

Both structures do the same basic job: they create a shaded, sheltered outdoor room. The difference is in the frame material and what that means day to day.

Aluminium pergolas use a powder-coated metal frame, usually with a louvred (adjustable) roof that tilts open or closed. Because the frame doesn't expand, contract or rot, it holds tight tolerances for years, which is why the roof mechanisms keep working smoothly. Wood pergolas, including genuine cedar builds, use timber posts and beams, sometimes reinforced with a steel inner frame for extra rigidity. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant compared to pine or spruce, but it's still an organic material that moves with moisture and temperature.

In practice: aluminium behaves like a fitted, engineered product. Wood behaves like a piece of garden furniture that needs seasonal care to keep looking good.

How much does each cost in the UK?

Upfront price is usually the first question, but it isn't the whole story. Wood is cheaper to buy; aluminium is cheaper to own over time once you factor in resealing, staining and repairs.

	Typical UK price range	What's included	Ongoing cost
Cedar wood pergola	£1,200 to £1,900	Timber frame, often with steel reinforcement	Resealing/staining every 1 to 2 years
Standard aluminium pergola	£1,700 to £2,200	Powder-coated frame, adjustable roof, integrated drainage	Occasional wash, no treatments
Premium aluminium pergola (dual-zone, electric, LED)	£2,000 to £2,800	Larger frame, motorised or dual-zone louvres, lighting	Occasional wash, no treatments

Industry-wide, wood pergolas typically run £1,500 to £5,000 and aluminium £2,500 to £7,000 depending on size and features, though our range sits toward the accessible end of both bands. Either way, the maintenance column is where the real cost difference shows up over a 10-year span.

Which needs less maintenance, aluminium or wood?

Aluminium wins this comparison clearly. A powder-coated aluminium frame typically only needs a rinse with clean water every few weeks and a wash with mild soapy water once a season to shift grime, pollen or bird droppings. Use a soft cloth or brush, never steel wool or abrasive pads, since these can scratch the paint finish. Models with integrated drainage also need their gutters and channels checked for leaves or moss so water keeps flowing away from the patio instead of pooling on the roof.

Cedar needs more attention. It should be sealed within the first six months of installation and then re-stained roughly every three years to stop it turning grey and to keep its water resistance. Clean it with a damp cloth, water or a garden hose, never a pressure washer, since power washing can strip the finish and damage the grain. Skip a season of treatment and cedar will still survive, but it will start to look tired faster than a well-maintained aluminium frame.

If weekends spent treating timber sound like a chore rather than a hobby, that's a strong vote for aluminium.

Which pergola material lasts longer in British weather?

Both materials can last well if you choose the right build, but they age differently. A well-made aluminium pergola with a fully powder-coated frame typically lasts 10 years or more with no rust or rot, since metal simply doesn't decay the way timber can. Hardwood, including cedar, can last 25 to 30 years, but only with consistent sealing and re-staining. Skip that upkeep in a damp UK climate and timber is far more likely to warp, split or grey prematurely than an equivalent aluminium frame.

Wind and rain matter too. Aluminium frames with thicker posts (100mm or more) and integrated drainage handle heavy rain and gusts without the roof flexing, funnelling water away through the legs rather than letting it pool. Timber structures rely on the density of the wood and quality of the joints, which is why a steel inner frame, like the one used in our cedar pergola, adds real rigidity that timber alone can't match.

If your garden is exposed, wet, or you want a "fit and forget" structure, aluminium has the edge. If you're in a more sheltered spot and enjoy garden upkeep as part of owning the space, cedar can comfortably go the distance too.

Can you get the look of wood with the low upkeep of aluminium?

Yes, to an extent. Many aluminium pergolas now come in wood-effect or anthracite grey finishes that read as warmer and less "industrial" than plain silver metal, and the powder coating holds its colour far longer than a wood stain does. You won't get the grain and texture of real cedar, but you get a frame that never needs re-treating.

If lighting and extra features matter as much as looks, aluminium also opens up options timber can't easily match, like solar-powered LED strips built into the roof structure for evening use with no wiring required.

Aluminium vs wood pergola: which should you choose?

Choose aluminium if: you want the lowest possible maintenance, your garden is exposed to wind and rain, you want a roof that adjusts easily year after year, or you want extras like lighting and drainage built in from the start.

Choose wood if: you love the natural warmth of real timber, you're working to a tighter upfront budget, and you don't mind sealing and re-staining every year or two as part of normal garden upkeep.

For a larger space with more coverage and dual-zone shade control, this is also where an aluminium build tends to earn its price tag back in convenience.

Frequently asked questions

Is an aluminium pergola worth the extra cost over wood?

For most UK gardens, yes. The extra upfront cost is usually offset within a few years by skipping annual sealing, staining and repairs, and aluminium frames typically last 10 or more years with no rust or rot.

Do wood pergolas rot in the UK climate?

Untreated or poorly maintained timber can rot in damp UK conditions, but cedar is naturally more rot-resistant than pine or spruce, and regular sealing every one to two years significantly extends its life.

Can I pressure wash my pergola?

Avoid pressure washing both wood and aluminium pergolas. Power washing can strip cedar's protective finish and damage the grain, and it can force water into aluminium joints and seals. Use a soft cloth or brush with mild soapy water instead.

Which is heavier, aluminium or wood, and does it matter for installation?

Wood pergolas are generally heavier, which can make them harder to site on raised decking or patios with weight restrictions. Aluminium's lighter frame is usually easier to build and reposition, often in 4 to 6 hours with two people.

Does an aluminium pergola need annual maintenance at all?

Not in the way wood does. A seasonal soapy wash and an occasional check of drainage channels for leaves or debris is normally all that's needed to keep an aluminium pergola looking and working like new.