When dreaming about a deck, many of us plan for a pergola. But what kind? There are so many design options. When you imagine a new deck, do you envision starting with gorgeous real wood for an amazing look and feel? Get some great wood pergola and deck ideas here.
When I picture a classic pergola and a flower covered arbor or two. I would build them in the same amazing wood as the deck for a stunning, cohesive look - but still low maintenance, of course, so I must rarely lift a finger! A girl can dream, can’t she? How about you?
Well, now we are not limited to daydreams. With Ipe, Machiche, Garapa, and other premium outdoor hardwoods, you can make your dreams come true. These elements are not only possible, but can give you a high return on investment, low maintenance and longevity, not to mention years of enjoyment. Adding a pergola in your plans offers the same hardwood benefits in the structure plus versatility in your deck use.
Premium materials mean premium deck performance. When researching deck materials, you've probably that it is worth investing a little more in sustainable, high-density hardwood. Your pergola will be naturally mold and insect resistant. and can be stained, oiled, or left natural. Hardwoods can be minimally maintained to keep a “like new” appearance or allowed to weather to the ever-popular silvery gray patina.
For more information on wood patinas,
Download the How Woods Weather Guide here.
Real high-density hardwoods like Ipe, Garapa and Machiche are also scuff and scratch resistant and the rare scratch will sand right out. Let the kids roughhouse, or squeeze in extra chairs for fireworks: your pergola can take it and look good doing it.
Add space to relax with a pergola and deck built over a rocky landscape.
There are many options in hardwood, starting with the unsurpassed, top-of-the-line Ipe. Ipe is worth every penny for the return on investment you receive, with the highest density and bending strength available in tropical hardwoods. Or Machiche and Garapa wood have many similar qualities as Ipe, such as bending strength and rot-resistance, and often at a lower budget.
You can also choose a premium thermally modified wood option. ThermoWood is a real wood, with the added benefits of rot resistance and minimized expanding and contracting. With any of these product options, not only do you get the 'wow-factor' you want, you also get the value you need. Now let’s get the inspiration started.
Pergolas are by far the most requested overhead design element for backyards. And why not? They offer an outdoor room for downtime or family time. Or as a 'satellite home office' for those sunny workdays with never ending video meetings! Day to night, pergolas add elegance, visual interest, and useful space to your yard.
Think outside the box. Here, architectural interest was added with modern pergola designs using mixed materials and angled slats.
There is no prettier way to create privacy and a vertical garden space on a deck than an arbor. But water and sun take their toll on softwoods like pine and cedar and create maintenance problems. If you are like me, it takes enough energy to keep my plants alive, without the added work of repairing my arbors. Using long-lasting, rot- and bug-resistant hardwood is the solution to this problem. Arbors can be used as living decorations anywhere, including welcoming accents or as a privacy barrier. And you get beauty that lasts.
Two hardwood Ipe arbors flank a Ipe walkway along the rock garden, creating a zen, welcoming atmosphere.
This pergola overhang includes arbors on the columns for urban container gardening.
So, let's keep dreaming and start planning our pergola and deck. Download the 2020 Deck Design Ideas eBook to get started. The Mataverde team is here to help you get started with the next steps, just let us know how we can help.
Looking for more ideas? Check out our project galleries here:
Mataverde Decking Photo Galleries
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