Forever Pergola vs StruXure and other louvered pergola brands - superior design, stronger aluminum, fairer price
This page puts Forever Pergola next to StruXure and typical DIY kits so you can compare origin, structure, weather ratings, and installed price before you get quotes.
At a glance - Forever vs StruXure
*Pricing estimate compared with SE Michigan StruXure dealers; other markets may vary. Ask for quotes from both. StruXure extrusions are sourced from Delta Aluminum Thailand Co. (ImportGenius importer records).
Quick scan table
| Feature | Forever Pergola | StruXure | DIY / kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | 100% American sourced material; built in Jackson, MI | Partially USA* (Thailand extrusions) | Typically manufactured in Asia |
| Alloy | 6105 T5 | 6063 T6 / 6061 T6 | Thin or mixed alloys |
| Beam | 4x8 with 1/4" wall (standard) | 2x8 with 1/8" wall (standard) | Varies by kit |
| Louvers | Dual-wall ~9" tall / ~7" open | Single-wall "S" ~6" tall / ~3.5" open | Basic single-wall |
| Snow | 80+ lbs/sf open or closed | Limited; often left open in winter | Around 8.2 lbs/sf - not Michigan code |
| Wind | Up to 160+ MPH options | Rattling reported in mild wind | Around 62 MPH |
| Span | 24-30' between columns | Under about 16' on its own | Fixed sizes only |
| Warranty | 50 / 25 / 20 / 5 years | About 15 years structure & finish | About 10 years |
| Controls | Somfy motors + smart Wi-Fi | Somfy motors + smart Wi-Fi | Limited controls |
| Gutters | 5-1/2" box drain; single 4x8 avoids multi-beam sandwich joints | Similar hidden gutter system | Limited water management |
| Look | Hidden fasteners with 1- or 2-step cornice; finished ceiling | Exposed hardware; industrial S | Exposed; temporary class |
| Install | In-house specialized louvered-roof crews | Dealer / sub-dealer network | DIY or general contractor |
Expanded from the tables above
Same subjects as the At a glance / Quick scan rows - each box expands that subject only.
Origin
Forever Pergola uses 100% American sourced material. Extrusion, powder-coating, and manufacturing happen in Jackson, Michigan - you can visit the factory. StruXure marketing often says "assembled" in the USA. Finishing and assembly can happen here, but the big structural extrusions - louvers, beams, columns, and gutters - are documented as coming from Delta Aluminum Thailand Co. (ImportGenius importer records for StruXure Outdoor LLC). That is the difference between a supply chain that crosses an ocean before a dealer markup, and a product built from American material where it is sold and installed.
Alloy
Alloy and temper are not buzzwords. Forever uses 6105 T5 structural aluminum. StruXure commonly uses 6063 T6 and/or 6061 T6 architectural alloys. Forever's choice is the heavier-duty structural grade for long beams and snow/wind loads. The architectural grades machine and finish nicely, but they are not the same starting point for a Michigan roof that may sit closed under snow all winter. When you compare quotes, ask which alloy and temper are in the beams and louvers - not just "aluminum."
Beam
StruXure (typical): a 2x8 with an 1/8" wall (standard). Alone, that section is usually limited to under about 16' before extra beams or posts show up.
Forever Pergola: a 4x8 with a 1/4" wall (standard) - about twice the wall thickness and roughly three times the strength - in 6105 T5.
On your patio that means with Forever: spans of 24-30' between columns in lower-snow areas (about 24' in heavy snow with louvers closed), fewer posts for a cleaner open patio, and a single large beam that avoids sandwiching multiple smaller beams together - a common leak path on multi-beam builds.
Louvers
Forever's insulated dual-wall blades are about 9" tall with about 7" openings. StruXure's typical Pergola X uses a single-wall "S" blade about 6" tall; the S-shape eats width on both sides, so the clear opening is only about 3.5".
That drives four real outcomes: (1) closed look - Forever reads like a finished ceiling, StruXure more like industrial corrugation; (2) open light - when open, Forever lets in almost twice the light of a ~3.5" StruXure gap; (3) weather - dual-wall resists sag and "water dump" after rain, with a drip lip on every blade into the gutter; (4) comfort - dual-wall adds a thermal break and less underside condensation than thin single-wall metal.
Snow
Mid-Michigan new construction commonly needs 20-30+ lbs/sf; northern counties can run 60-70. Many DIY kits sit around 8.2 lbs/sf - not a Michigan roof. Forever is engineered for 80+ lbs/sf with louvers open or closed. On single-wall systems, some engineers cap snow on longer spans, and dealers often tell owners to leave louvers open all winter. If you paid for a weather roof, ask whether it is rated closed under your local snow load.
Wind
DIY-class wind ratings often top out near 62 MPH. Forever can be built for up to 160+ MPH with thick framing, dual-wall blades, and a simpler pivot - whisper quiet in normal use. Some StruXure owners report rattling in mild wind from pivot/link-bar and S-louver geometry. Quiet is a feature you notice every windy evening, not a line item on a brochure.
Span
Span is where beam section shows up in the yard. Forever's 1/4" 4x8 in 6105 T5 supports 24-30' between posts in lower-snow work (about 24' heavy snow, closed). A typical StruXure-class 1/8" 2x8 is often under about 16' before another beam or post appears. Fewer posts means a bigger uninterrupted patio and cleaner sightlines to the yard or pool.
Warranty
DIY kits are often around 10 years. StruXure is typically about 15 years on structure and powder coat (sometimes sold as "lifetime," with fine print near 15). Forever covers 50 years on structural members (beams, posts, louvers), 25 years on pivots/pins/fasteners, 20 years on powder coat, and 5 years on Somfy motors/receivers. Terms apply - see our warranty page. Longer coverage matches the alloy, wall thickness, and factory control behind it.
Controls
This row is a wash on purpose: Forever and StruXure can both run Somfy motors with smart Wi-Fi, rain/wind sensors, lights, and fans. You are not choosing a different remote ecosystem - you are choosing different aluminum, sections, and who builds it. DIY kits usually stop at basic motors or manual limits.
Gutters
Both Forever and StruXure use a similar hidden box-gutter idea (about a 5-1/2" box with a 3" downspout class). Louvers interlock on both, so the mid-blade plane is not the main leak story. The difference is detail: Forever's dual-wall end plates add a drip edge into the gutter, and the single 4x8 beam avoids multi-beam sandwich joints that create extra caulk lines. Build quality and detailing matter as much as the logo on the brochure.
Look
Exposed Tek screw rows are normal on aluminum pergolas - and they read unfinished. Forever can hide roughly twice as many fasteners in the structural joints when you choose a 1-step or 2-step cornice, so the corner stays clean while the connection gets stronger. Without that cornice option, fasteners stay exposed, same idea as competing systems. Closed dual-wall louvers complete the look as a finished ceiling rather than an industrial S-panel.
Install
Forever crews specialize in louvered roofs and accessories - not awnings or sunrooms between other jobs. The person who designs and sells is often the project lead on site. StruXure installs typically run through a dealer network (and sometimes sub-dealers), so the salesperson, material path, and install crew can be three different companies. Fewer handoffs usually means fewer callbacks.
Price (SE MI)
Installed apples-to-apples, StruXure X in SE Michigan is often 15-40%+ more than Forever Pergola. That gap is usually not "better aluminum" - it is Thailand extrusions, domestic finishing, then distributor to dealer to sometimes sub-dealer markups, plus national advertising and separate salespeople who may never swing a hammer on your job. Forever is the manufacturer and the installer. Get a free Forever Pergola quote - call (517) 300-2337
And get a quote from both and see the difference for yourself.
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ACCESSORIES WE CAN INSTALL ON YOUR FOREVER PERGOLA
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Protection from sun, rain, wind, snow at a fair and reasonable price.
STRUXURE X: Remarkably, the Asian Made Struxure Pergola X (Extruded parts Specifically from Thailand) can be 15%-40%+ more expensive than the Forever Pergola Motorized Louvered Roof - installed apples to apples. Don't take my word for it, get a quote from both and you will have proof in your hands. (Pricing est. based on comparison to SE. Michigan Struxure dealers and Forever Pergola SE Michigan- Other dealer prices may vary)
THE FOREVER PERGOLA: is Proudly American Made every step of the way with stronger grade USA sourced extruded aluminum (6105 vs Struxure's 6063) Forever Pergola has a longer warranty on the marine grade powder coated finish, engineered to withstand up to 160+ MPH winds, Northern Michigan Snow rated 80lbs/sf +, has a simular 5-1/2" box drain with 3" downspout water management gutter system (virtually identical leak points as Struxure), and uses the same Somfy Smart Control options, but we have a superior design in the dual wall louvers... So WHY IS STRUXURE SO EXPENSIVE??? GOOD QUESTION! Just because something is more expensive doesn't always mean it's better.
MARKUPS: Be sure to ask your Struxure dealer where they get their material from. FACT: StruXure first has to ship their extruded parts from Asia, specifically from the Delta Aluminum Thailand Co. (SOURCE:https://www.importgenius.com/importers/struxure-outdoor-llc-east)
Struxure powder coats these asain made parts in GA, then ship out to their main distributors and dealers, then ship out to their sub-dealers- and some subdealers sub contract out their installation. Marking up $$$$ on each exchange.
MARKETING & OVERHEAD: Struxure and their dealers also spend Millions a year in advertisement, incur extravagant overhead costs, and pay separate sales people with usually little to no construction background who you will most likely never see again in the installation process. Then they transfer those unnecessary costs to the customer with inflated prices.
SO, it's not that Struxure is better, it's just that more people are making more money off of you.
FOREVER PERGOLA: We are the Manufacturer and Installer. NO MIDDLEMEN. We are focused on producing a HIGH QUALITY, American Made product, not on advertising a chintzy overpriced Asian made product like Struxure.
MASTERS OF A CRAFT: Unlike other sub-dealers who install these systems occasionally between other work like awnings or sunrooms, Forever Pergola specializes in louvered roof installations and accessories ONLY. This makes our internal operational systems, crew training, and performance much more efficient. So we have less call backs due to highly trained staff, and less overhead. The person who sells you this project will also be the crew leader and project manager- your point of contact on site throughout the build. Check out Forever Pergola's Design Process HERE:
Our unique approach to design/build lowers our costs and gives you a better experience and quality build. Plus, our marketing expense is very low, relying on word of mouth and customer referrals for our main source of marketing. We transfer those savings directly to the customer for a more fair and reasonable price.
DIY PERGOLA or other internet rusty steel or thin aluminum specials are a much cheaper system upfront vs Forever Pergola or Struxure, but the DIY Pergolas only comes in fixed sizes, cannot be customized, and should not be installed onto or close to the house for structural reasons. The DIY Pergola is not even in the same class in quality of materials or durability, it is made out of material that is almost 1/4 the strength of the Forever Pergola. We call the DIY Pergola a "Temporary Solution", not a "Forever Pergola" for other reasons I will get into.
MADE IN THE USA?
StruXure websites may boast that their product is "assembled" in the USA, but not entirely. That's because StruXure Aluminum louvers, beams, columns and gutters are made in Thailand- specifically from the Delta Aluminum Thailand Co. (SOURCE:https://www.importgenius.com/importers/struxure-outdoor-llc-east). Struxure material is extruded overseas, Shipped and then "assembled" here in your back yard. Tricky word play to try and get you to purchase their overpriced Asian made product.
DIY kits and other online specials are also manufactured in Asia. Pretty much any louvered pergola available today was not "made in the USA".... With the PROUD exception of FOREVER PERGOLA!
Forever Pergola proudly has all parts Extruded, Powder coated, and Manufactured right here in Jackson Michigan. Come visit the factory anytime! We are right down the road supporting our local economy.
-DIY kits and other instore box or Online pergolas only have a 10 year warranty.
-Struxure Pergolas only offer a 15 year warranty on their structural systems and powder coating, less for their electrical components. (They say "Lifetime" but in the fine print the expected "Lifetime" of their system is only 15 years)
-Forever Pergola warranty is 50 years for the structural members of the aluminum beams, posts, and louvers, But could last 100 years or more! provided proper maintenance is performed and subject to normal wear due to our superior alloy and quality control measure from our state of the art Michigan Manufacturing facility. All pivoting mechanisms and fasteners, including pins and pivot strips, are warranted for 25 years. And these can be easily replaced indefinitely after the warranty expires. The powder coating is covered for 20 years, but tests are still being performed with these new industrial grade powder coats, they could last 30-50 + years. Time will tell. The Somfy motors and receivers carry a 5-year warranty. Terms and Conditions apply- see website for details
LEAKS?
If you take a close look at StruXure and Forever Pergola louvered roofs, They both have virtually the same exact leak potential along the gutters/beams/posts, and the louvers both interlock (not possible to leak from either louver). Both Forever Pergola and StruXure have Solid Rigid gutter corners and we both use the same style caulking at the same leak points, and the same splashing or overfill run off potential exists. However, our 4x8 beams reduces a major leak point by not having to sandwich multiple smaller beams together (very high probability leak point) like Struxure. But either way, the similarities of these systems is almost 99% identical and so are their leak points. It is all about the quality of the build and we specialize in these systems, never cutting corners here at Forever Pergola, guaranteeing a leak free system for the lifetime of the pergola.
SNOW LOADS: Buyer beware- some DIY Pergolas are only rated for 8.2 pounds per square foot snow load. According to your local building department, Mid-Michigan snow load ratings for new construction must be able to withstand 20-30lbs+ per square foot in lower/mid-Michigan (check your local code). 60-70 lbs/sf in northern Michigan. Making the DIY Pergola NOT suitable for Michigan weather per any building code up here.
- Some Engineers do not approve StruXure pergola for any snow loads over 10lbs/sf because of lack of strength of their single wall louver design on longer spans. Most Struxure dealers will recommend you keep them open for the winter.
-Since Forever Pergola uses the stronger 6105 aluminum alloy vs Struxure's 6063, The Forever Pergola can be built to withstand Northern Michigan snow loads or higher, 80+ lb/sf ! You can be assured Each custom-built louvered roof by Forever Pergola will be engineered to exceed any local snow load requirements, with the louvers open or closed.
WIND: The DIY pergola and other lower quality systems only have wind ratings of up to 62 MPH, max! One good storm and that "Temporary Solution" is now your neighbor's problem. Struxure has been known to make rattling noises in mild winds.
-The Forever Pergola Louvered Roof system installed by our trained staff can be built to withstand up to 160 MPH+ winds!
SPAN: We can easily span 24'-30' between vertical support columns with our 1/4" thick beams with virtually no deflection in areas that have low snow- and up to 24' on areas with heavy snow loads even with louvers closed all winter. Our standard 4x8 beam is twice as thick as struXure's 2x8 beam and 3x as strong. Struxure's 2x8 has a limited span capability of under 16' on it's own before needing additional beams or vertical support columns. What would you rather have holding up your roof?
The over complicated pivot and link bar assembly from struxure, and non aerodynamic "S" shape louver of the Struxure and the loose-fitting pin system for the other options may be the cause of the annoying wind noise and possible rattling of the louvers on mildly windy days.
- With the FOREVER PERGOLA LOUVERED ROOF, The solid commercial grade framing, thicker beams, smooth surface of the heavier dual wall & insulated louvers, along with the simple design of the pivot system solves that noise problem. You will have a whisper quiet operation for years with a Forever Pergola.
Forever Pergola's unmatched beauty for outdoor living.
HIDDEN TEK SCREWS: Every pergola that is standing has to have fasteners that connect the beams and posts. We have solved one of the ugliest issues in today's aluminum pergola world, the exposed screw head. For most of our builds we are able to put, on average, twice as many fasteners into our structural connection points, making our system more secure and stronger over time. But we are able to hide them!
The pictures above show the difference night and day. This Forever Pergola build has twice the amount of fasteners holding this pergola together, but they are hidden!
DUAL WALL LOUVER VS. SINGLE WALL:
The S shape louvers of the Struxure don't look like any standard ceiling, but rather more like cheep industrial corrugated sheet metal panels, and leaves large gaps for bugs or other things to come in.
- When closed, our smooth wall louvers looks like a finely crafted finished ceiling. When open, the flatter louver blades make it look more like a traditional stylish pergola with less shadow lines and more sunlight let in due to the about 9" tall louvers with about 7" openings vs StruXure's about 6" tall louvers with about 3.5" openings. The Forever Pergola lets in almost twice the light when open.
Dual wall louver of the FOREVER PERGOLA Louvered Roof provides:
- Additional strength. Less sag to eliminate the "water dump" common with Struxure's system when you open it after a rain. And longer spans to hold snow loads.
-secondary Drip protection lip on every Forever Pergola louver to catch the small amount of residual rain or condensation when opening.
- more temperature control with its insulating factors- thermal break
- less moisture buildup underneath from condensation vs the single wall system from the other competitors.
-FOREVER PERGOLA's smooth surface also allows better airflow through the system vs the non-aerodynamic s shape blades of the competition that can create noise in the wind.
- LOOKS: In my opinion, the Struxure pergola x louvers look almost like an industrial shipping container or cheap corrugated sheet metal when they are shut, not a typical patio ceiling.
STRUXURE LOUVERS (SINGLE WALL)
FOREVER PERGOLA LOUVERS (DUAL WALL)
Keep your family or customers dry when you need it most.
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