Is the BD Evanston worth it?
Our verdict: The cheapest true wall-mounted kit here: $1,799 for 12×10 on Nov 15, 2026, from $1,599 for 10×10. Steel, 100 mph and 2,100 lb of roof load anchored per the manual, 5-year warranty. The catch: it attaches permanently to your house, which brings permits, HOA rules and your wall into the project.
A true wall-mounted kit: it bolts to your house, carries a 100 mph rating and 5-year warranty, and costs $1,799 for 12×10. It scores 8.9/10 on our published formula, No. 4 of 15 kits. Best for: covering a patio right against the house.
The catch: Steel, not aluminum, and it is a permanent attachment: check codes and your HOA first. 15% restocking fee on returns.
Who should buy the BD Evanston, and who should not
Buy it if
- Your patio is right against the house
- You want only two posts in the way
- You will have a pro check the wall and the flashing
Skip it if
- Your wall is vinyl siding over unknown framing and you will not open it up
- You rent
- You want aluminum
Not the right fit? The Backyard Discovery Sarasota is the alternative we would look at first: freestanding version, $1,999 for 12×10.
How much does the BD Evanston cost?
Prices of every size at the Backyard Discovery store on November 15, 2026, kit only, before tax and installation. The price per square foot is our own calculation on the roof size.
| Size (ft) | Roof area | Price | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 | 100 sq ft | $1,599 | $15.99 |
| 12×10 (reference) | 120 sq ft | $1,799 | $14.99 |
| 14×10 | 140 sq ft | $1,999 | $14.28 |
| 16×10 | 160 sq ft | $2,199 | $13.74 |
| 18×10 | 180 sq ft | $2,399 | $13.33 |
| 20×10 | 200 sq ft | $2,499 | $12.5 |
Where to buy it
- Backyard Discovery store: $1,799 for 12 × 10 ft (the store showed a $2,499 list price; we use the price you pay).
Home Depot, Lowe's, Wayfair and Amazon also list many of these brands; their prices and sellers change often, so we only quote stores we checked on the day. Our louvered pergola cost guide adds the pad, anchors and installation.
Sizes and clearance height
The BD Evanston comes in 6 sizes: 10×10, 12×10, 14×10, 16×10, 18×10, 20×10 ft. Backyard Discovery lists 140.55 × 120.15 × 101.53 in; 492.52 lb (12×10). That is about 8 ft 6 in of height, so check doors, windows and gutters nearby before you order.
Frame and louvers: aluminum or steel?
Like the Sarasota, the Evanston is powder-coated galvanized steel. At 12×10 it measures 140.55 × 120.15 × 101.53 inches and weighs 492.52 lb, shipped in four boxes. One side bolts to the house, the other stands on two posts with heavy-duty anchoring plates.
Backyard Discovery's note on the product page is unusually direct: "This product permanently attaches to your house; confirm local building codes, HOA, and product specifications prior to purchase; consulting a professional for installation is recommended." We agree with every word.
Crank, wand or motor?
The included wand opens and closes the louvers in one zone. On an attached pergola, check which way the louvers shed water when closed so the runoff goes away from your wall.
Does the BD Evanston keep the rain out?
Gutters and downspouts inside the posts, with gutter guards. The joint between the pergola and your wall is the weak point for water on any attached structure: plan flashing at the ledger. Backyard Discovery promises "complete shade and weather protection" with the louvers closed.
Wind rating and snow load
Same numbers as the Sarasota: up to 100 mph and 2,100 lb (12×10) to 3,800 lb (20×10) of snow load, anchored per the manual. Those figures assume the house side is fastened correctly; the manual and a professional decide how on your wall.
We never call a pergola "wind-proof": these are the brand's figures, under the brand's conditions. Our wind rating and snow load guide puts every kit side by side.
How hard is the BD Evanston to install?
BILT app instructions, pre-drilled parts. Backyard Discovery recommends a professional because it attaches to the house. Expect a permit in many places: attached structures are where local rules most often apply. Read our permit and HOA guide before you order.
Step-by-step advice for any kit is in our louvered pergola installation guide.
Options: screens, walls, lights
The PowerPort (3 outlets, 3 USB ports) mounts on a post. Black only. Six sizes from 10×10 ($1,599) to 20×10 ($2,499).
Warranty, returns and delivery
5-year warranty. 30-day returns with a 15% restocking fee. Free shipping, not to Alaska or Hawaii.
What owners say
We did not find a detailed owner report on the Evanston itself that we could read in full. A homeowner on r/landscaping installing a different wall-mounted kit describes a common snag: the pergola would not clear a window once mounted on pavers, so the landscaper built raised footings (thread, 2025). Measure your wall height, windows and doors against the 101.53 in height first.
What's in the box, and the costs on top
In the box
- Galvanized steel beams, posts and louvers
- Wall-mount hardware
- Anchoring plates
- Wand
- PowerPort
Hidden costs to plan for
- A permit and possibly HOA approval
- A professional to fasten the ledger and flash the joint
- Wall-specific fasteners (brick, wood frame, stucco)
Questions to ask the seller before you pay
- Which fasteners does the manual specify for my wall type?
- What clearance is needed above doors and windows?
- Can you provide documents for a permit application?
BD Evanston vs its closest rivals
The same facts for the BD Evanston and the two kits we would compare it with, prices checked the same day.
| Criterion | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.9/10 · Very good | 8.8/10 · Very good | 9.3/10 · Excellent | 9.5/10 · Excellent |
| Price checked | $1,799 for 12 × 10 ft Nov 15, 2026, kit only | $1,999 for 12 × 10 ft Nov 15, 2026, kit only | $4,931.55 for 10 × 13 ft Nov 15, 2026, kit only | $6,495 for 10 × 13 ft Nov 15, 2026, kit only |
| Price per sq ft | $15 | $16.7 | $37.9 | $50 |
| Sizes sold | 10×10, 12×10, 14×10, 16×10, 18×10, 20×10 | 10×10, 12×10, 14×10, 16×10, 18×10, 20×10 | 10×10, 10×13, 13×13, 13×19 | 10×10, 10×13, 10×16, 13×13, 10×19, 13×16, 13×19 |
| Frame / louvers | Powder-coated galvanized steel / Galvanized steel | Powder-coated galvanized steel / Galvanized steel | 6063-T5 aluminum / Aluminum (single-layer, WindLock mounting) | 6063-T5 aluminum / Double-wall aluminum |
| Roof control | Included wand | Included wand opens and closes the louvers | Hand crank, no motor | Motorized roof by remote, app or voice (HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home); panels tilt up to 130° |
| Mounting | Wall-mounted (attaches to the house) | Freestanding | Freestanding or wall-mounted | Freestanding or wall-mounted |
| Wind (brand) | 100 mph | 100 mph | 120 mph | 165 mph |
| Snow (brand) | 17.5 psf (our calc.) | 17.5 psf (our calc.) | 25 psf | 65 psf |
| Warranty | 5-year warranty | 5-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year PERGOLUX warranty (excludes damage from exceeding the wind or snow limits) |
| Returns | 30 days; 15% restocking fee | Returns within 30 days of receipt; 15% restocking fee and shipping paid by the buyer | 100-day returns advertised on the product page | 100-day risk-free trial advertised on the product page |
| Buy | Check price at Backyard Discovery | Check price at Backyard Discovery | Check price at Hansø | Check price at PERGOLUX |
- Backyard Discovery Sarasota (8.8/10): Freestanding version, $1,999 for 12×10.
- Hansø Aluminum Pergola (9.3/10): Aluminum, wall-mount at the same price as freestanding, $4,931.55 for 10×13.
- PERGOLUX Pergola 4 Pro (9.5/10): Aluminum, motorized, wall-mount option, $6,495 for 10×13.
Head-to-heads: Pergolux 4 Pro vs Mirador 111S · Pergolux 4 Pro vs Hansø Kit.
BD Evanston specifications
| Brand / model | Backyard Discovery Evanston |
|---|---|
| Sizes sold (ft) | 10×10, 12×10, 14×10, 16×10, 18×10, 20×10 |
| Price at reference size | $1,799 for 12 × 10 ft (checked November 15, 2026) |
| Price per square foot | $14.99 (our calculation) |
| Frame | Powder-coated galvanized steel |
| Louvers | Galvanized steel |
| Post section | Not published |
| Metal thickness | Not published |
| Roof control | Included wand |
| Mounting | Wall-mounted (attaches to the house) |
| Drainage | Gutters and downspouts in the posts, gutter guards |
| Wind rating (brand) | Winds up to 100 mph* — *Must be anchored per the manual; the pergola attaches permanently to the house |
| Snow load (brand) | Up to 2,100 pounds or 12 inches of snow load* — Per square foot: 2,100 lb over 120 sq ft (12×10), our calculation |
| Dimensions | 140.55 × 120.15 × 101.53 in; 492.52 lb (12×10) |
| Weight | 492.5 lb |
| Assembly (brand) | BILT app instructions; Backyard Discovery recommends consulting a professional for installation since it attaches to the house. |
| Colors | Black |
| Options | PowerPort (3 outlets, 3 USB) |
| Warranty | 5-year warranty |
| Returns | 30 days; 15% restocking fee |
| Availability | In stock on the Backyard Discovery store |
| Sold by | Backyard Discovery store |
Sources, read on November 15, 2026: backyarddiscovery.com.
BD Evanston: questions buyers ask
Is the Backyard Discovery Evanston wall-mounted?
Yes. It attaches permanently to the house and stands on two posts on the open side.
Do I need a permit for the Evanston?
Often, because it attaches to the house, but it depends on your city or county and your HOA. Check before you buy.
How much is the Backyard Discovery Evanston?
From $1,599 (10×10) to $2,499 (20×10) on November 15, 2026; $1,799 for 12×10.
Evanston or Sarasota?
Same steel, ratings and warranty. Evanston attaches to the house and costs less; Sarasota stands alone and needs no wall.
Written by Laura Benson for the Best Louvered Pergola editorial team. Updated November 15, 2026. Scores come from our methodology; prices move, so check the seller's page before you buy.