Step 1
Decide the cover
Filtered shade, full roof, open arbor, screens, shutters, or climbing plant coverage all change the structure.
Pergolas, Pavilions & Arbors in Central Ohio
Pergola builders in Columbus: pergolas, pavilions and arbors for Central Ohio patios.
Shade, cover, and structure
Pergola builders in Columbus and Central Ohio
Peabody Landscape Group designs and builds pergolas, pavilions, gazebos and arbors for homes in Columbus and across Central Ohio. A pergola filters the sun over a patio. A pavilion gives you a roof for dinner in the rain, and a covered patio can carry a fireplace or an outdoor kitchen. An arbor marks the way into a garden. To talk about your yard, call (614) 488-2877 or use the contact form on this page. We build pergolas in Upper Arlington, Dublin, Westerville, Worthington and the towns around Columbus, as part of a full landscape design and build project. For what outdoor projects cost, see our landscaping cost guide.
How a pergola or pavilion is built into the site
A pergola is an open frame of posts and beams that filters sun; a pavilion adds a solid roof for full cover. We build both, and we build them as part of the whole site, starting with footings set below the frost line and posts sized for the span, and finishing with the roof or slats, the lighting and the patio underneath. Central Ohio winters are hard on wood and hardware, so we choose materials and connections that hold up. Peabody has built outdoor structures here since 1982.
The structure should also match the house. We draw the roof pitch, post size, trim and color to fit the architecture, and plan any lighting, fans, outlets or gas lines before the posts and beams close off the routes.
A covered patio, a gazebo and a pavilion are close cousins: each is a roof on posts over a place to sit. A gazebo is usually a round or many-sided garden structure. A covered patio is usually attached to the house. Tell us how you want to use the space and we will draw the one that fits. Our outdoor kitchens and fire pits and fireplaces often sit under one.
How We Build It
A structure has to tie into the house and the patio
Pergolas, pavilions and arbors solve different problems. Some filter sun, some give full cover and some mark an entry. Normally the same crew builds yours from the footings to the finished roof.
The proposal covers the structure, the materials and any electrical or gas work in writing before we start.
Step 2
Set the support
Footing depth, post placement, spans, attachment, lateral bracing, and code requirements come before finish details.
Step 3
Plan utilities early
Lighting, fans, outlets, heaters, and gas lines need to be designed before posts and beams close off the routes.
Pergolas, Pavilions & Arbors
Pergolas, Pavilions, Gazebos and Arbors
Pergolas, pavilions and arbors from Peabody projects across Central Ohio, from filtered shade over a patio to fully covered outdoor rooms.
Open-slat pergolas that filter the sun over a patio or along the house.
Roofed pavilions and garden structures for full cover, kitchens and fireplaces.
Arbors that mark the way into a garden or over a gate.
What We Plan For: Footings, Cover and Utilities
- Pergola, pavilion, gazebo, covered patio, arbor, or porch-style structure
- Attached to the house, built freestanding, or set as a garden destination
- Footing depth, frost movement, post size, span, and lateral bracing
- Open slats, solid roof, shutters, screens, louvers, or climbing plant coverage
- Relationship to fireplaces, kitchens, dining space, pool areas, and garden walks
- Lighting, ceiling fans, outlets, gas lines, and permit requirements in your city
Wood, Metal and Roof Options
- Cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated wood
- Painted wood, PVC trim, and composite details
- Aluminum and steel for modern or louvered systems
- Stone, brick, and block column bases
- Shingles, metal roofing, open slats, shutters, and privacy screens
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you build pergolas in Columbus and Central Ohio?
Yes. We design and build pergolas, pavilions, gazebos and arbors for homes in Columbus and the towns around it, including Upper Arlington, Dublin, Westerville and Worthington. Call (614) 488-2877 or use the contact form to ask about your address.
How much does a pergola cost?
It depends on the size, the material, how the posts are footed and whether it has a roof, lights or a fan, so a price starts with a look at your yard. Our landscaping cost guide for Central Ohio explains what moves the price of outdoor projects.
How much shade does a pergola give?
Filtered shade, not full cover. Slat spacing and direction change how much sun comes through, and climbing plants or a canopy can add more. If you want to stay dry in the rain, a pavilion with a solid roof is the better fit.
Should we build a pergola or a pavilion?
Use a pergola when you want filtered shade and an open, lighter frame over the patio. Use a pavilion when the space needs full cover, a fireplace wall, protection for outdoor furniture, or a room that works in more weather.
Can you build a covered patio or a gazebo?
Yes. A covered patio is a pavilion roof over the patio, usually attached to the house. A gazebo is a roofed garden structure, often round or many-sided, set as a destination in the yard. Our gallery shows both.
Attached or freestanding: which is better?
Attached structures tie into the roofline and work well over a patio at the back door. Freestanding structures work for poolside lounges, garden destinations, or yards where the house architecture does not support attachment.
Wood, PVC or aluminum?
Cedar and other woods give the warmest look and can be stained or painted. PVC trim and composite cut down on upkeep. Aluminum and steel suit modern houses and louvered roofs. We match the material to the house and how much maintenance you want.
Can a pavilion have a fireplace or outdoor kitchen?
Yes. Pavilions often carry a fireplace wall, a grill counter or both. Gas, electric and venting are designed in from the start. See our outdoor kitchens and fire pits and fireplaces.
Can you add lighting or a fan to a pergola?
Yes. Lighting, ceiling fans, outlets and heaters are easiest to wire while the structure is being built, before the posts and beams close off the routes.
Do outdoor structures need permits?
Often. Your city may require a permit, especially for attached structures, roofed pavilions, electrical work or larger footprints, and the rules differ by town. Your proposal lists any permit or electrical work before we begin.
Built Work
Pergolas, Pavilions & Arbors in Finished Projects
Peabody projects in Central Ohio where this work is part of the whole landscape.
Dublin, OH
Fireplace and Pergola Kitchen
A formal backyard sequence with a brick fireplace, pergola kitchen, stone paths, hydrangea beds, fountain, and lawn rooms.
View Project
Central Ohio
Country Covered Outdoor Living
A covered country backyard retreat in Central Ohio with an outdoor kitchen, dining, planting, stone walls, and long views across the lawn.
View Project
New Albany, OH
Covered Backyard Pavilion & Kitchen
A covered backyard pavilion in New Albany, Ohio with cooking, bar seating, lounge space, paver transitions, and fall planting close to the house.
View ProjectRequest a pergola consultation in Columbus
Tell us how you would like to use the space under it. We will reply to set a time to look at the patio with you.