By Jose L. Siandre, owner of Made in the Shade North Jersey. Veteran-owned. Serving Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Sussex, Essex and Warren counties. Last updated September 30, 2026.
Choose a retractable awning for a patio or deck next to the house, a cantilever umbrella for tables, pool decks and tight spaces, and a pergola for a permanent outdoor room. Awnings ran $3,889 to $11,711 on our jobs, umbrellas $1,900 to $13,000 and up, and pergolas are quoted per project.
Awning vs cantilever umbrella vs pergola
| Awning | Cantilever umbrella | Pergola | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attaches to | The house wall | Nothing, or a wall (Retreat series) | Its own posts and footings |
| Best for | A patio or deck next to the house | Tables, pool decks and tight spaces | A permanent outdoor room |
| When it is windy | Retract it | Close it | Stays put |
| Price range | $3,889 to $11,711 | $1,900 to $13,000+ | Quoted per project |
Awning prices are product only, before installation. Umbrella ranges are fully supplied dealer prices and vary with fabric grade and options such as an LED smart battery hub.
Cantilever umbrella prices: Shadowspec
| Series | What it is | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Retreat | Wall-mounted, for tight patios and balconies | $1,900 to $2,500 |
| Serenity | Single canopy, marine-grade aluminum, 360 degree rotation | $4,900 to $6,700 |
| Unity | Multi-canopy, up to four shades on one mast | $9,500 to $13,000+ |
Free guide
Chapter 11 puts awnings, pergolas and cantilever umbrellas side by side, with prices. Get the free New Jersey window treatment buyer’s guide.
How to choose
- Pick an awning if the patio or deck sits against the house and you want shade that folds away.
- Pick a cantilever umbrella if you need shade over a table or pool deck, or the space is too tight for posts. Its single offset pole leaves no center post in the way.
- Pick a pergola if you want the space to feel like another room. It is the largest investment.
Read the price guides for retractable awnings and retractable screens for the size-by-size figures. Our cantilever patio umbrellas and outdoor shading solutions pages show what we install, and our earlier post compares awnings and exterior shades.
Space, sun and wind
Space. An awning needs a wall to attach to and a clear projection in front of it. A cantilever umbrella has one offset pole and no center post in the way, so it fits over a table or a pool deck. A pergola needs room for its own posts and footings.
Sun. An awning gives shade you can pull in or out as the sun moves. Some umbrellas, like the Serenity series, rotate 360 degrees to follow it. A pergola shades the space all day, with an open or louvered roof.
Wind. This is the biggest practical difference. You retract an awning and close an umbrella when it gets windy. A pergola stays put, so its footings and structure matter more.
Budget and how to get an accurate number
Awning and umbrella prices are ranges from real quotes, so you can compare them with your own. Pergolas are quoted per project, so ask for an itemized written quote that shows the roof type, the posts and footings, and installation. For any of the three, ask for the manufacturer, fabric grade and wind rating in writing.
Awning, pergola and umbrella questions
Which costs the least: an awning, an umbrella or a pergola?
On our figures, a wall-mounted cantilever umbrella starts lowest at $1,900. Retractable awnings started at $3,889 for the product. Pergolas are quoted per project, so we do not publish a range.
What happens in wind?
You retract an awning and close an umbrella. A pergola stays put, which is one reason it suits a permanent outdoor room.
Can I use a cantilever umbrella on a balcony?
The Shadowspec Retreat series is wall-mounted, and it is made for tight patios and balconies. It ran $1,900 to $2,500.
Do I need a permit?
A pergola is a structure with its own posts and footings, and an awning attaches to your house. Check with your town about permit rules before you commit to either.
Match a shade to your patio
A free in-home consultation looks at your wall, your space and your sun. Book a free consultation or call (973) 833-1612.
