Outdoor Shades

An outdoor shade is a garden structure that is supported by columns or posts. Pergolas and gazebos are often used to provide shade, shelter or as trellises for climbing plants. These can be made from fabric, wood, metal or stone. The size of a pergola depends on its purpose and the space available in the garden or landscape.

Pergolas can be simple or elaborate structures. The roof of a pergola can be flat, gabled, hipped, shed, or arched.


The first pergolas were built in ancient Rome and Greece. In the Renaissance, pergolas were often used as walkways between different parts of a garden. Today, pergolas in Denver are still used for these purposes, as well as for decoration and to provide shade.