While designs vary, pergolas generally don’t include seating, while gazebos are often designed with built-in benches. A gazebo can provide more shade and shelter from the elements than a pergola.

That means that for every $1,000 you spend, $500 to $800 would be recouped when the house sells. What Is a Gazebo? Historically, gazebos have been around for much longer than pergolas.

Gazebos are freestanding structures, while pergolas are sometimes attached to a primary structure. This feature isn't a rule, but you'll find that this is usually the case.

Pergola 109440640 333909154439375 5163486541068529163 N© Courtesy of @jenbenshoof Gazebo Gettyimages 157442317© FOTOGRAFIA INC./Getty Images ...

Gazebos, pavilions, pergolas, arbors and all manner of garden houses are, in effect, detached room additions. They may lack solid walls or roofs, but their exposed skeletons give form, shape and ...

Gazebos also may have a more solid roof than arbors or pergolas, providing sun and other weather protection. The roof may have added architectural appeal, like a cupola.

Home Depot's steel "Leaf Gazebo" ($189) measures 11-by-11-foot and features a two-tier fabric roof, corner planters and a lovely leaf pattern on the sides. Best of all, it snaps together in just a ...