When we think of this magnificent outdoor living structure, an age-old proverb comes to mind: “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander."
Archadeck Outdoor Living is America’s #1 builder of outdoor living spaces of all shapes, kinds and sizes, so it makes perfect sense that commercial buildings can enjoy the same levels of creativity and building excellence as North Austin homeowners do.
Archadeck Answers The Call For Outdoor Leisure Enjoyment While Making Quite A Grand Entrance In The Process
It’s architectural art. It’s shade protection. It’s a free flowing open air portico. It’s an outdoor living room. It’s all this and more.
This free-standing pergola is one of the largest and most grand that we have ever designed and built – and for good reason. This shade structure needs to serve a lot of practical and functional needs for this retiree facility.
With a footprint of 20 feet by 18 feet, both the residents and caregiving staff absolutely love this new outdoor addition. Upon entering the facility from the back, there is a new feeling of joy and welcome as you approach.
Supported by three columns, this oversized outdoor pergola is meticulously engineered and crafted out of cedar, from top to bottom.
“Why Cedar,” You Ask. For Many Good Reasons.
Cedar is extremely durable. It is naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage. It contains natural oils and compounds that act as preservatives, extending its lifespan and reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
When it comes to tolerating bad weather, cedar wood has excellent weather-resistant properties, making it suitable for large scale pergolas, as well as other oversized outdoor structures. It can withstand harsh sunlight, heavy rain, and even temperature fluctuations without warping or cracking.
Cedar looks great. Cedar has a beautiful natural appearance with a rich, warm color and distinctive grain patterns. It adds a touch of elegance and natural beauty to any outdoor space or entrance. Over time, it develops a lovely silver-gray patina if left untreated, further enhancing its appearance.
Its aromatic scent comes alive in the great outdoors. Cedar wood emits a pleasant and distinctive aroma that can enhance the ambiance of your outdoor area. The scent acts as a natural insect repellent, helping to keep pests at bay.
Another great benefit of building pergolas from cedar is that cedar pergolas have dimensional stability. Cedar wood has a low shrinkage rate, meaning it maintains its size and shape well over time. This stability is crucial for an outdoor structure such as this, as it helps to prevent warping, twisting, or sagging.
Builders of outdoor spaces love using cedar due to its ease of workability. Cedar wood is relatively lightweight and easy to work with, making it a preferred choice for construction projects. It can be cut, shaped, and installed easily, allowing for customization and flexibility in design.
Cedar is considered an environmentally friendly choice, as it is a renewable resource and adds toward achieving the goal of a cleaner, healthier planet. It is often sourced from sustainably managed forests, ensuring responsible harvesting practices.
When the temperature changes, cedar wood stays strong to its comfort properties. It has natural thermal properties, providing insulation against heat and cold. This feature can make your outdoor space more comfortable, especially during hot summer months or cooler evenings.
Low Maintenance Cedar Was The Right Choice For This Pergola
Compared to pressure-treated lumber of some exotic hardwoods, cedar requires less maintenance than other wood types. Periodic sealing or staining can help to maintain its appearance and prolong its lifespan, but it generally requires less maintenance than other materials like pressure-treated lumber.
Another long-term maintenance benefit of using cedar for a pergola is that it is resistant to decay and pests. Cedar contains natural oils and compounds that act as a deterrent to insects, including termites and wood-boring beetles. It also has natural fungicidal properties that make it resistant to decay and rot.
Overall, building a largescale outdoor pergola out of all cedar offers a combination of durability, natural beauty, resistance to weather and pests, along with low maintenance requirements. It can significantly enhance your residential and commercial outdoor living space, and provide a functional and aesthetically pleasing structure for years to come.
Special Touches For Outdoor Comfort And Convenience Complete This Transformation Story
To help this new outdoor space be as multifunctional as possible, our team installed ceiling fans and a few outlets to allow the care facility to install a small water fountain.
As this transformed outdoor area is near an air conditioning unit, we proactively designed and built a privacy wall so we could block out some of the noise from that internal cooling device. It was constructed from two-sided Hardie Plank which was painted on the outside and pressure-treated pine on the inside for strength and support.
Commercial Building Owners And Homeowners Are Invited To Connect With Us For A Better Outdoor Living Future
It would indeed be our pleasure to meet with you to discuss innovative and practical ideas on how to maximize the enjoyment and utility of your outdoor spaces.
Please call us at 512-886-8367; or click here to schedule what could be the start of something big – and wonderful.
Jim Schallon, lead designer Archadeck of Austin.
