Shade & Style
Pergolas.
Custom shade structures and covered patios that let you enjoy your outdoor space rain or shine, from spring through fall.
Custom shade structures and covered patios that let you enjoy your outdoor space rain or shine, from spring through fall.
You planned a Saturday cookout in Rochester Hills. By noon, the sun is so brutal everyone's hiding inside. Or you're hosting dinner on the patio in Troy when a surprise rain shower sends everyone scrambling for cover. Michigan weather doesn't care about your plans.
Without shade, your patio becomes a hot plate by mid-afternoon in July. Without cover, one sprinkle cancels everything. You've invested thousands in an outdoor kitchen or paver patio, but you can only enjoy it when the weather cooperates perfectly -- which in Southeast Michigan means maybe 40% of the time.
A pergola changes everything. Filtered shade on sunny days. Rain protection with a solid or louvered roof. A defined outdoor room that feels intentional and designed, not like an afterthought. It's the single addition that doubles the usable hours of your outdoor space.
Our pergolas aren't pre-fab kits from a big box store. They're custom-designed and built on-site using premium lumber, aluminum, or vinyl materials engineered for our climate. Every post is properly footed, every beam is properly sized, and every connection uses heavy-duty hardware.
Choose from open-rafter designs for filtered sunlight, louvered roof systems for adjustable shade, or solid-roof pavilions for complete weather protection. We match the style and materials to your home's architecture so it looks like it was always meant to be there.
With 25+ years of building outdoor structures across Shelby Twp, Washington Twp, Sterling Heights, and beyond, we know exactly how to build pergolas that handle snow loads, wind, and years of Michigan seasons.
Classic design with spaced rafters for filtered sunlight and vine growing. Cedar or composite.
Adjustable louvers that open for sun and close for rain protection. Ultimate flexibility.
Full weather protection with shingled or standing-seam metal roofing. Use rain or shine.
Connected to your home for seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Properly flashed and sealed.
Integrated string lights, recessed lighting, and ceiling fans for comfort after dark.
Side panels, curtains, or lattice screens for privacy and wind protection.
Tell us what you need -- shade, rain protection, or a full outdoor room.
We design around your space, home style, and budget. Detailed written estimate provided.
Footings, posts, beams, rafters, and roofing -- built on-site by our experienced crew.
Relax in the shade, enjoy dinner in the rain, and wonder how you lived without it.
Get your pergola built before peak summer. Free estimate, no obligation. 25+ years experience, 500+ projects completed.
SCHEDULE FREE ESTIMATE →A traditional open-rafter pergola provides shade but not full rain protection. If you want rain coverage, we offer louvered roof systems (adjustable) or solid roof pavilions that provide complete weather protection. We'll help you choose the right option for how you use your space.
Absolutely. We engineer every structure for local snow load requirements. Proper beam sizing, post spacing, and connection hardware ensure your pergola handles heavy Michigan winters without any issues.
Most municipalities in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties require permits for permanent structures. We handle the permit process from start to finish as part of our service.
Most pergolas take 3-7 days to build, depending on size and complexity. A simple attached pergola can be done in 2-3 days. A large freestanding pavilion with roofing may take up to 10 days.
Join 500+ homeowners who trust Nelligan's. Free design consultation, detailed written estimate, zero obligation.