If you’re planning a garden structure in Devon, you’ll hear two terms used interchangeably: gazebo and pergola. Oak Framed Gazebo vs Oak Framed Pergola, they are not the same thing, and choosing the right one depends on how you want to use the space, how exposed your garden is, and whether you want light shade or proper shelter.
At Crystal Woods, we design and handcraft oak framed structures from our workshop in Widecombe-in-the-Moor. We build both oak framed pergolas and oak framed gazebos, each made to order, proportioned to its setting, and crafted with the kind of joinery that is meant to last.
This guide helps you decide which is right for your garden.
The quick difference
An oak framed pergola is an open structure that creates definition and light shade
An oak framed gazebo is a roofed structure that creates shelter, a true outdoor room.
Both can look beautiful, but they suit different uses.
What is an oak framed pergola?
An oak framed pergola is about structure without enclosure. It frames a seating area, walkway, terrace or dining space, often with open Joists that create dappled shade and give a garden a sense of shape.
Pergolas are ideal when you want to:
- Add definition to a patio or terrace
- Create a feature for planting and climbing greenery
- Build a covered feel without blocking light
- Connect the house to the garden in a more open way
If you are researching an oak framed pergola attached to the house, this is usually the reason, it creates that transitional space without fully closing the garden off.
To see how we build them, visit our oak framed pergolas page, and explore our approach to proportion, joinery and finish.
What is an oak framed gazebo?
An oak framed gazebo is more like an outdoor room. It is a substantial, roofed structure, built for shelter and year-round use, even in Devon weather when a sea breeze or a sudden shower turns a sunny afternoon into something else.
Gazebos are ideal when you want to:
- Create a sheltered dining space
- Build a covered outdoor kitchen area
- Make a quiet garden retreat that is usable through more of the year
- Add a central focal point to a larger garden
If your search term is oak framed gazebo, you are usually looking for something that feels permanent and architectural, not temporary.
You can see our approach to gazebos here.
Which suits Devon best?
Both work brilliantly in Devon, but they solve different problems.
Choose an oak framed pergola if
- Your garden is already fairly sheltered
- You want shade rather than rain cover
- You love planting and want the structure to evolve over time
- You want something visually light, especially close to the house
Choose an oak framed gazebo if
- Your garden catches weather from multiple directions
- You want to eat outside without worrying about a sudden shower
- You want an outdoor kitchen space that feels protected
- You want a structure that becomes the heart of the garden
A simple rule, if you want to extend evenings, seasons, and usability, a gazebo usually wins. If you want definition, softness, and structure that still feels open, a pergola is often the better fit.
Roof or open rafters, what changes in real life?
This is where the decision becomes practical.
A gazebo roof gives you shelter, which means the space works in drizzle, strong sun, and colder months when you still want to be outside for a coffee or a late lunch.
A pergola stays open. It can be incredibly beautiful, especially with the right planting, but it is not trying to be fully weatherproof.
Both can be crafted in oak with the same care, the difference is simply the role they play in the garden.
What about size and placement?
Most people start with “how big can we go?” The better question is “what do we want it to do?”
A small pergola can transform a seating corner. A larger pergola can define a terrace or create a clear outdoor dining zone.
A gazebo tends to feel best when it has enough space to breathe, enough clearance around it, and enough internal room to work as a proper outdoor living space.
If you are unsure, it helps to start with furniture. Will it be a table for six, a lounge set, an outdoor kitchen run, or a single bench and a view? The structure follows the use.
Joinery, the detail that makes it feel right
The reason oak structures feel timeless is not just the material, it is the way they are made.
Crystal Woods is built around bespoke carpentry and artisan joinery, from oak framing to doors, gates, furniture and fitted timberwork. That crossover matters, because it means your garden structure is built with the same eye for detail as interior joinery.
If you are comparing joiners and carpenters in South Devon, this is the difference you are looking for, one team that designs, makes, and installs in one flow.
Ready to choose the right oak framed structure?
If you are deciding between an oak framed pergola and an oak framed gazebo, we are happy to talk it through. A short conversation about the site, the exposure, and how you want to use the space is usually enough to point you in the right direction.
Explore our oak framed pergolas, view our oak framed gazebos, or get in touch to discuss a bespoke build.
Frequently asked questions about Oak Framed Gazebo vs Oak Framed Pergola
Is a pergola cheaper than a gazebo?
Often, yes, simply because a gazebo includes a roof structure and tends to be more substantial. But the real cost depends on size, detailing, and how bespoke the design is.
Can an oak framed pergola be attached to the house?
Yes. An oak framed pergola attached to the house can create a natural transition between indoors and outdoors, especially over a terrace or dining area.
Can you build a gazebo over an outdoor kitchen?
Yes. A gazebo is often the better option if you want an outdoor kitchen space to feel protected and usable for more of the year.
Do oak structures need a lot of maintenance
Oak is naturally durable. Many people choose to let it weather and silver naturally. If you prefer to keep a warmer tone, there are finishes that can be applied, but the timber itself is chosen for longevity.
Do you only work on oak framing, or do you also do other carpentry?
We do both. From oak framed gazebos and pergolas to doors, gates, stair parts, furniture, worktops, and garden carpentry, the same workshop and joinery approach runs through everything.
What are oak gazebos made from?
Our oak gazebos are built using a traditional oak frame, with solid oak posts, oak rafters and carefully cut joints. Each oak frame gazebo is handcrafted to suit its setting, creating a durable timber frame structure designed to age gracefully outdoors.
Do you use green oak or seasoned oak?
Many of our oak frame gazebos and timber framed buildings are made using green oak. Green oak is well suited to structural carpentry work, allowing traditional joints to tighten naturally as the timber settles over time.
What roofing options are available for an oak frame gazebo?
Roof design is part of the bespoke process. Depending on the structure and setting, options may include gable roof designs and cedar shingle roofs. A cedar shingle roof offers a natural finish that complements oak framing and weathers beautifully in garden environments.
Why choose cedar shingles for a gazebo roof?
Cedar shingles are lightweight, durable and visually sympathetic to oak frame construction. A cedar shingle roof works well on timber frame gazebos, providing reliable weather protection while maintaining a natural appearance.
Are your oak structures sustainably sourced?
Yes. Timber selection is an important part of our carpentry work. We use sustainably sourced oak and hardwoods wherever possible, choosing each piece for strength, grain and suitability rather than uniformity.
What makes an oak frame gazebo different from other garden buildings?
Unlike mass-produced garden buildings, an oak frame gazebo is a true timber solution. It relies on traditional roof carpentry, solid oak posts and hand-cut joints rather than thin sections or hidden fixings. The result is a structure that feels architectural rather than temporary.
Can oak gazebos be designed as part of a larger outdoor space?
Yes. Many clients use oak gazebos to anchor a wider outdoor space, such as a dining area, seating zone or outdoor kitchen. Because each structure is bespoke, proportions and placement can be tailored to how the garden is used.
Do you build other oak structures besides gazebos?
Yes. In addition to timber frame gazebos, our carpentry work includes oak porches, pergolas, garden buildings, doors, gates and bespoke oak structures. The same joinery approach applies across all projects.
Are timber frame gazebos suitable for exposed gardens?
Timber frame gazebos are often chosen specifically for exposed locations. The weight of the oak frame, combined with roof carpentry and proper fixing, creates a stable structure suited to open or elevated sites, particularly in Devon landscapes.
How long will an oak frame gazebo last?
With proper design and installation, oak frame gazebos are built to last for decades. Oak is naturally durable and well suited to outdoor use, particularly when used in traditional timber frame construction.
Can oak framed gazebos be built alongside other carpentry projects?
Yes. Many projects combine oak framing with additional carpentry work, such as seating, storage, steps or surrounding timber features. This allows the structure to feel integrated rather than added on.
Do you use live edge slabs in oak structures?
Live edge slabs are more commonly used in furniture and interior joinery, such as tables and worktops. However, the same respect for natural timber character applies to all our work, whether structural or decorative.
Are timber framed buildings only for gardens?
No. While many timber framed buildings are used in gardens, oak framing can also form porches, entrances and architectural features that connect the house to the landscape.
What does “expertly crafted” mean in practical terms?
For us, expertly crafted means each structure is designed, cut, assembled and fitted by the same team. From selecting oak posts to shaping oak rafters and completing roof carpentry, every stage is handled in-house.
Is an oak frame gazebo considered bespoke?
Yes. Every oak frame gazebo we create is bespoke. Dimensions, roof design, timber selection and detailing are all shaped around the site and intended use rather than taken from a standard pattern.
Can you advise whether a gazebo or pergola is the better timber solution?
Yes. Part of our role is helping clients choose the right timber solution for their garden. That decision is based on exposure, intended use, scale and how you want the space to feel throughout the year.
