Purple Leaf vs Sunjoy

Two different structures

Purple Leaf sells the Athena louvered pergola, a frame with adjustable aluminum louvers, in four sizes from $2,499 to $5,699. Sunjoy sells five hardtop gazebos, with a fixed roof, from $822.25 to $1,596.54. The two do not overlap on price: Sunjoy's dearest model, the Meridian 13' x 15', costs less than Purple Leaf's cheapest. Brand pages: Purple Leaf and Sunjoy.

Price for the same area

At 120 sq ft the Athena 10' x 12' costs $2,499, or $20.82 per square foot (price divided by covered area). The Sunjoy Vista 10' x 12' costs $822.25, or $6.85, and the Sunjoy Solaria 10' x 12' costs $1,482.40, or $12.35. At about 192 sq ft the Athena 12' x 16' is $3,499, while the Meridian covers 195 sq ft for $1,596.54, or $8.19 per square foot. The gap is $1,902.46.

Ratings that differ

Wind favors Purple Leaf: 72 mph on every Athena, against 50 mph on every Sunjoy. Purple Leaf also lists a 1 year warranty, while no Sunjoy model lists one.

Snow is harder to compare. Purple Leaf states no snow load. Sunjoy states only a total roof load for the whole roof: 1,900 lb for the Vista, 2,900 lb for the Solaria and 3,400 lb for the Meridian and the two 11' x 13' models. That is not the same unit as pounds per square foot, and we do not convert it. A fixed roof also sheds snow differently from louvers, so ask each maker about your local snow load before you buy.

Which fits which buyer

Choose Sunjoy if you want a covered seating area at the lowest cost and wind is not a worry. Four of its five models include curtains or netting, and all five place on the gazebo list, the Meridian second. Choose Purple Leaf if you want adjustable shade and a larger footprint: the 14' x 24' covers 336 sq ft. For a pergola that is cheaper per square foot, see Domi vs Purple Leaf.