Cedar and aluminum are the two pergola materials you will see most often in kit form. Cedar gives you real wood grain and a traditional look; aluminum gives you a powder-coated frame that needs little care and often comes with a louvered or sliding roof. This cedar vs aluminum pergola comparison uses what manufacturers publish for the kits in our catalog.
At a glance
| Factor | Cedar pergola | Aluminum pergola |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Natural wood grain, traditional | Modern; some use wood-grain finishes |
| Roof options | Mostly open trellis or a fabric shade | Open slats, retractable canopy, or louvered blades |
| Upkeep | Periodic cleaning and re-staining or sealing | Cleaning; touch up chipped powder coat |
| Rot and rust | Cedar resists decay but still weathers | Does not rust |
| Stated wind figures | Backyard Discovery and Aoxun state up to 100 mph on some models | Often around 70 mph on louvered models that state one |
| How common | About 30 wood pergola listings in our catalog | Most pergola listings |
Look and feel
Cedar is the choice if you want a structure that looks like it belongs in a garden. It weathers to a silver gray unless you keep it stained. Aluminum looks cleaner and more architectural. If you like wood but not the upkeep, several aluminum pergolas use a wood-grain finish; see Best Wood-Look Louvered Pergolas.
Weather resistance
Cedar has natural resistance to decay, which sellers lean on. Backyard Discovery describes its Ashland kit as “100% Cedar Wood” with “natural resistance to decay,” and MUPATER says cedar “thrives in humid climates.” Some cedar kits carry high wind claims: Backyard Discovery states the Beaumont withstands winds up to 100 mph, Aoxun lists a 100 mph wind rating on a 10×12 cedar pergola, and MUPATER claims 80 mph. Aluminum pergolas are rust-proof by nature; Aoxun contrasts its all-aluminum frame with “steel structures that may begin to rust within a year.” Every one of these figures assumes the structure is anchored exactly as the manual specifies. Read Gazebo Wind Ratings Explained before you compare numbers.
Shade and rain
A traditional cedar pergola has an open trellis roof, so it filters sun and lets rain through. Some kits add a fabric sun shade. Aluminum pergolas cover the full range, from open slats to retractable canopies to louvered roofs that close completely and drain through gutters. If rain cover is a must, aluminum gives you more options. See Best Retractable Canopy Pergolas and Best Louvered Pergolas.
Maintenance
Plan on caring for cedar. Even pre-stained kits weather over time, and re-staining or sealing every few years keeps the color and slows checking. Aluminum mostly needs a wash with mild soap and a check for chipped coating. Our Gazebo Maintenance Guide covers both materials.
Assembly
Cedar kits are heavy, with posts as large as 6×6 inches on some Backyard Discovery models, but they are usually pre-cut and pre-drilled. Aluminum kits are lighter per piece, though louvered models have many parts. Domi estimates 4 to 8 hours with 2 to 5 people for one louvered pergola. Either way, use the anchoring hardware and method the manufacturer specifies.
Choose cedar if
- You want natural wood and a garden look, possibly with climbing plants.
- You are happy to re-stain or seal every few years.
- You want partial shade rather than full rain cover.
Cedar pergola kits to compare:
Backyard Discovery Beaumont 12x10 Cedar Pergola
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MUPATER 10x12 All Cedar Wooden Pergola Review
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Choose aluminum if
- You want minimal upkeep and no rust.
- You want a retractable or louvered roof for rain cover.
- You live in a humid or coastal area and do not want to maintain wood.
Aluminum pergolas to compare:
PURPLE LEAF 12x14 Aluminum Louvered Pergola
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Aoxun 10x12 Louvered Pergola Review
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Who should skip each
Skip cedar if you will not maintain the finish, or if you need dependable rain protection. Skip aluminum if a natural wood look is the main reason you want a pergola, since even wood-grain finishes do not look the same up close.
Next steps
Compare Best Aluminum Louvered Pergolas and Best Wood Gazebos, or read Gazebo vs Pergola if you are still choosing the structure type.
How we put this guide together
We compared the listings in our product catalog (October 2026) on the specifications and claims each manufacturer publishes. Counts are approximate and refer to listings, so size and color variants of one model are counted separately. Wind, snow, and load figures are manufacturer claims, not our own measurements, and quotes are taken from the named listings. Our evaluations are based on manufacturer specifications and aggregated owner feedback.
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