What shapes the investment
- Automatic aluminum versus custom wood construction
- Size and roof type (motorized versus fixed)
- Attachment to the house versus freestanding
- Electrical work for a motorized roof
- Bundling with an outdoor kitchen island
Pergolas
Templeton Pergola and Shade Structure Design and Build
Templeton is quieter and more rural than its wine-country neighbors to the north, and the same hot, dry summers make shade structures a recurring priority here, not an afterthought. We design pergolas around how you actually use a rural-acreage yard, then build with our own in-house crews.
- 25+years of experience
- 10,000+projects completed
- In-housedesign-build crews
- LIC #715731licensed & insured
- 5-star
Start here
What you're looking for
The right approach follows how you want to use the space. Pick what you're actually after below, and the materials and layout mostly follow from it. Every project shown was built here in the Central Coast, so the choices are suited to this climate.
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01 Shade without losing the sky An open roof lets air pass through and keeps the space cooler than a solid cover, cutting Templeton’s strong inland sun without closing off oak-studded views. See pergola projects -
02 An outdoor room for rural-acreage entertaining A pergola anchors dining and lounge furniture at a scale that suits Templeton’s quieter, more rural properties. See entertaining spaces -
03 A transition between spaces A pergola can bridge a fire pit lounge and a dining area, giving a rural-acreage yard structure without fencing it in. See connected outdoor rooms -
04 Heat and shade design Hot, dry summers make shade structures and pergolas recurring priorities for Templeton’s inland location. We plan shade and airflow around how you actually use the yard. See shade solutions
Service options
Motorized Aluminum Pergola
Best for Anyone who wants sun and shade on demand, with a roof that opens and closes at the touch of a button.
- 100 percent waterproof when the roof is closed
- Wind-resistant construction
- Sun shading, heat insulation, and UV protection
- Dimming and ventilation adjustment
- Rated for heavy snow loading
- Available in matte white and dark grey
On your property Needs a nearby electrical connection to run the motorized roof. Fully installed pergolas start around $8,000.
- Outdoor kitchens
- Patios
- Bar seating
- String and accent lighting
Custom Wood Pergola
Best for Anyone who wants a pergola built to match a rural Templeton property, not a prefabricated kit.
- Built to the exact size and shape of the space
- Attaches to the house or stands freestanding
- Sized for rural acreage rather than a suburban lot
- Can be finished or stained to match existing woodwork
- Works as an accent structure or a full patio cover
On your property Templeton’s hot, dry summers make a wood finish that resists checking and fading worth the extra attention.
- Gates and fences
- Fire features
- Climbing vines and planting
- Outdoor kitchens
How we work
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Before Site analysis
We measure the exact footprint a pergola will cover, and check how hot the patio actually gets on your rural-acreage property.
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Consultation Initial consultation
With the site analysis in hand, you meet with a designer to choose automatic aluminum or custom wood and rough out placement.
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Design Conceptual design
Sketches become a design plan showing the structure, roof type, and how it connects to a fire pit or dining area.
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Under construction Construction
Crews set posts, install the roof, and finish the surrounding patio and lighting.
- Finished
Finished
The finished structure gets Templeton’s quiet, rural acreage actually used through hot summer afternoons.
Key decisions
Things worth knowing before a first consultation.
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Aluminum versus wood
Automatic aluminum offers a motorized roof and low maintenance. Custom wood suits Templeton’s rural, quieter character but needs upkeep against hot, dry summers.
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Heat and shade design for rural acreage
Templeton runs just as hot as its wine-country neighbors to the north, and a shade structure sized for real acreage, not a small patio, is what actually gets used.
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Attached versus freestanding
A small pergola can accent an empty corner, or attach to the roofline of the house. Freestanding structures work anywhere in the yard.
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Roof type and weather
A double-layer automatic roof allows zero water penetration when closed, and its insulated design suppresses noise like rain.
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Integration with other features
Pergolas pair naturally with fire features, outdoor kitchens, and pools as a transition between spaces.
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Sizing and budget
A pergola alone starts around $8,000 installed, sized to the available space in the yard. Bundled with an outdoor kitchen island, packages start around $9,950.
Investment and timeline
No quote written off a photograph can account for what your property is like.
What shapes the schedule
- Design and material selection
- Electrical coordination for automatic roofs
- Custom wood fabrication lead times
- Surrounding patio and paving work
- Final installation and testing
Why custom pergola patio was drawn together with the rest of the property
Decking, drainage, utilities, planting, shade and lighting all bear on where a feature goes and how it gets built. Settling them on one set of drawings is what keeps conduit out of the wrong trench and stops paving being cut to fit afterward.
- Structure placement Sized for rural acreage, positioned for easy access from the house.
- Heat and shade planning Roof type and orientation chosen around when the patio actually gets used.
- Patio and circulation The structure sits on the patio and connects to the rest of the entertaining area.
- Fire pit pairing A pergola and a separate fire pit lounge often anchor opposite ends of the same yard.
- Evening use Lighting wired into the structure extends use once the heat breaks in the evening.
Access, engineering, permits, finishes and scope vary a lot from one property to the next, so the investment and the schedule for your project are set once we have seen the site and the design is settled.
Tell us about the property and what you want the space to do. We will walk through the design, site and permitting factors likely to shape it.
What customers say
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Other companies struggled with the steep hillside, but Pacific Outdoor Living transformed it into a three-tier patio space with thoughtful design and execution. Their expertise in handling difficult terrain made all the difference. The final result is stunning and has completely changed how we use our property.
April Crow Google review · 1 year ago Hillside patio renovation -
The company used its own crews, treated the yard and homeowner with respect, and got the job done on time. Having the same team throughout meant consistency and accountability. We appreciated their professional approach and the respect they showed our property.
Ronnie Stewart Google review · 2 years ago On-time project, in-house crews
Frequently asked questions
Does Pacific Outdoor Living serve Templeton?
Yes. Templeton is within our San Luis Obispo County service region, and our in-house design-build team works throughout the area.
How big a pergola fits rural Templeton acreage?
Larger than a typical suburban accent structure, in most cases, sized to cover a full outdoor kitchen and dining area if the property calls for it. A Site Analysis confirms what fits your specific acreage.
Can a pergola attach to my house?
Yes. Pergolas can attach to the roofline of the house or stand freestanding anywhere in the yard, depending on the space available.
Does an open-roof pergola actually keep you cool?
Yes. An open roof lets air pass through, which keeps the space cooler than a fully solid cover, while cloth shades or an automatic aluminum roof let you control how much sun comes through.
What does a pergola cost in Templeton?
A fully installed automatic aluminum pergola starts around $8,000. Custom wood pergolas vary with size and finish.
Ready to get started?
Schedule a consultation with one of our designers to discuss your project goals and explore what's possible on your property.
What happens next: we set up a visit, measure the property and talk through what you want the space to do. Then you get a design to look at before you commit to anything.