What is the main purpose of a pergola?

The purpose of a pergola is to provide versatile shade and sun protection to your outdoor living area. Pergolas are open-air structures that can add definition and create a backyard oasis.

Purpose: 

Shade: Pergolas can provide shade and shelter

Walkway: Pergolas can create a shaded walkway or passageway

Sitting area: Pergolas can provide a sitting area

Gathering area: Pergolas can create a stylish overhang for a gathering area

Landscape: Pergolas can enhance areas and complement the landscape

Features: 

The roof and walls can be left open or covered

Pergolas are often made of wood

Pergolas can have masonry and columns

Pergolas can be decorated with plants and vines

Pergolas can be used to hang plants

Gazebos are often used for relaxation, entertainment, and outdoor gatherings. 

Features:

Shape: Gazebos are often octagonal or oval, but can also be rectangular. 

Roof: Gazebos have a domed roof supported by pillars, columns, or trees. 

Sides: Gazebos have open sides, but can also be screened in. 

Material: Gazebos are traditionally made from wood, stone, or iron, but can also be made from metal or heavy duty fabric. 

Foundation: Gazebos can have a built-in floor or be placed on a concrete base. 

Uses:

Relaxation: Gazebos can be used as a place to read or enjoy a cool drink. 

Entertainment: Gazebos can be used for parties, weddings, or other events. 

Outdoor dining: Gazebos can be used for family dinners, dinner parties, or romantic dinners. 

Protection: Gazebos can protect garden furniture from the elements. 

It's essentially an outdoor living area with screens to block bugs while letting in natural light. 

Key points about a screened in deck:

Function: Protects from insects while still allowing for ventilation and natural light. 

Structure: A typical deck with a frame around it where screens are attached. 

Benefits: Extends living space, great for entertaining, provides shade from the sun, and can be used in more weather conditions. 

Essentially creating a shaded outdoor living space that can be enjoyed in most weather conditions; it can be achieved through a roof extension from the house, a pergola, awning, or a dedicated roof structure built specifically for the deck. 

Key points about a covered deck:

Protection from elements: The primary purpose is to shield users from sun, rain, and other weather elements. 

Outdoor living space: Allows for year-round enjoyment of the outdoors. 

Different covering options: Can be covered with a solid roof, a pergola with slats, retractable awnings, or a roof extension from the house. 

Increased home value: Adding a covered deck can potentially increase the value of a property. 

It's a place for people to relax, eat, or entertain guests.

Features

Location: Typically at the back of the house, patios can create a feeling of privacy 

Materials: Patios are often made of concrete, stone, brick, or tiles 

Furniture: Patios are often furnished with outdoor furniture, such as chairs, tables, and umbrellas

Features: Patios can include fire pits, grills, string lights, or water fountains 

Uses

Patios are great for summer parties and barbecues 

They can be used for dining or recreation 

They can provide a seamless transition between the interior and exterior of a home 

Design 

Patios come in various designs and sizes, adapting to the preferences and needs of homeowners

Some patios are open-air, while others may be covered or partially enclosed

They are often used to create level areas on sloping ground, or to prevent soil erosion. 

How are retaining walls used?

Create usable space: Retaining walls can create more usable space on a property by leveling out a sloped yard. 

Prevent erosion: Retaining walls prevent soil from eroding or collapsing. 

Control water: Retaining walls can help manage water runoff, such as rainwater. 

Create focal points: Retaining walls can be used to create an attractive focal point in a landscape. 

Provide seating: Retaining walls can provide extra seating. 

**What are retaining walls made from? 

Concrete

Retaining walls can be made from concrete blocks, precast concrete, or poured concrete.

Stone

Retaining walls can be made from natural stone, which can be more beautiful but more expensive.

Timber

Retaining walls can be made from timber, which is usually the least expensive option.

Creating a durable and low-maintenance decking option that resists warping, splintering, and rot, while mimicking the look of natural wood, often requiring minimal upkeep compared to traditional wood decks; essentially, it's a man-made material combining the benefits of wood and plastic. 

Key points about composite decks:

Material composition:

Primarily made from recycled plastic and wood flour (wood fibers) mixed together and molded into boards. 

Benefits:

Resistant to moisture, insects, fading, and weathering, with minimal maintenance needs like simple cleaning. 

Appearance:

Can be designed to resemble the grain of various wood types. 

Capped vs. uncapped:

Some composite decks have a protective plastic "cap" on all sides, which enhances durability and resistance to staining. 

It can be a simple grill area or a fully-equipped kitchen with high-end appliances. Outdoor kitchens can be used for entertaining, cooking, and socializing. 

Features 

Appliances: Grills, pizza ovens, smokers, refrigerators, warming drawers, beer taps

Countertops: Durable, weather-resistant surfaces for food preparation and serving

Storage: Drawers for storing food, plates, silverware, and glasses

Layout: L-shaped, U-shaped, parallel run, or straight layouts

Materials stainless steel, concrete, natural stone, and oak. 

Benefits 

Can expand the value of your home

Make entertaining easier and more fun

Allow you to cook and entertain alongside your guests

Eliminate the need to haul food and dishes from inside the house

Cost

The cost of an outdoor kitchen can range from $6,000 to over $60,000 

The cost depends on the materials, labor, and complexity of the kitchen

You can think of hardscapes as simply an outdoor room: Hardscapes is a term used for patios, landscaped walkways, sitting walls, retaining walls, water features, fire pits, landscape lighting, grill surrounds, pergolas, and more.

Outdoor lighting is the use of artificial light to illuminate outdoor areas, such as gardens, decks, patios, and sidewalks. It can be used to enhance the safety, security, and aesthetics of outdoor spaces. 

Purpose

Safety and security

Outdoor lighting can help people see in the dark, deter intruders, and make it safer to navigate outdoor spaces. 

Aesthetics

Outdoor lighting can enhance the appearance of a property, highlight architectural features, and make outdoor spaces more inviting. 

Functionality

Outdoor lighting can extend the amount of time people can spend outdoors, making it possible to enjoy outdoor spaces in the evening and at night. 

Types of outdoor lighting

Floodlights: Broad-beamed lights that illuminate large areas 

Spotlights: Lights that can be used to highlight specific areas 

Wall-mounted lights: Lights that can be mounted on any vertical surface 

Ceiling-mounted lights: Lights that shine light from above, such as ceiling-mount or pendant lights 

Path lights: Lights that illuminate walkways 

Street lights: Lights that provide visibility for pedestrians and vehicles on roads at night 

Features

Outdoor lights can have motion sensors, timers, dimmers, or smart controls. 

They can use a variety of light sources, such as incandescent, fluorescent, LED, and solar-powered bulbs. re