We were going to put up a pergola -- something we would build ourselves, a solid wood structure. We want it over one end of the patio to shade the outdoor table and were going to plant something that would vine up over the top... not sure what, but anyway, that was the idea. We thought it would look really nice and give some shade from the hot sun.

Now, however, it occurs to us it might be fun to have a roof over the table so in light rain we could still be outside. I don't know what the porch would be like but we'd want it to look nice.

The patio runs most of the length of the house; we're talking about covering part of that, an area about 12' W by 15' long. One side of the pergola/porch *could* be attached to the house, which would make it more permanant. No reason to not do this (attach it to the house), just wasn't our original thought.

I need y'all to help us with brainstorming -- pros vs. cons of each -- would especially like to hear from anyone who's had experience with either/both. Just thought some input might help tip the scales. Thanks!!

We built a back porch and a pergola last summer. It is attached to the house and it is gorgeous. What we did was put up a piece of light plexiglass that can be put up during inclement weather to shelter us from rain. The plexiglass only covers about 1/2 the pergola directly over our table and chairs. It is nice to sit under there and watch it rain all around us, and we have a grape vine growing on the pergola which we have trained to grow around the outer perimeter of the pergola so as not to interfere with the plexiglass. We take the plexiglass down mostly for the winter season.
Hope that helps,
Laurie