GardenStructure.com at the Windsor Home Show

Sal Constante is at the Windsor Home Show this weekend-- at the GM plant. Booths number 400.

Sal is one of our most talented builders and this is a chance to see some of his work up close. Bring a sketch, photos and he might have time to sketch some ideas for you while he is there!

He builds decks, fences, pergolas and decorative woodwork for the garden of all kinds!

Pergolas with Roofs

 Pavilions typically featured pretty basic detailing. Now that we are doing them that is changing. Why can't roofed structures be cool?  This pavilion is more like a roofed pergola. It has all the style of a pergola and a permanent roof to boot. To see more shots of this pergola with a roof (click)

This pavilion seems to be sitting on interlock, however there are 22" footings beneath the stone to prevent frost heave. Here's the flattering part. The client was impressed by the compression hardware that stabilizes the columns--He should know all about it. The client is an Engineer!

This Pergola-Pavilion was designed by Lawrence Winterburn and Built by Dan Maragno in Oakville Ontario.

You can learn more about pergolas at the Pergola Blog

L

The best builders of decks and pergolas in Kansas City

Welcome Stephen Ledman in Kansas City! We know you will be
building great decks, pergolas and outdoor kitchens--because you have
built many great decks and pergolas before. Have a look at some of the pergola and deck projects
that impressed us so much!

This large outdoor kitchen with pergola Stephen and his crew built
this spring.



Stephen works with exotic lumber and shows great prowess with difficult
detailing.



Put simply--we are happy to find talented people like Steven that we know
will make our clients as happy. Quality shows through. Steven is a
career craftsman that has built homes and renovated older residences for
many years.

Welcome Steven Ledman "Accent
Remodelling" Kansas City Missouri.

L

Spring National Home Show 2009

We've been busy creating a display in the Spring National Home Show's "Dream Gardens".

It turned out well.

Most of our local builders participated and some have more than 50 hours invested so thanks for the tremendous effort guys.

Connie Cadotte was a pleasure to work with--She kept everything together. Gelderman Landscaping's landscape crews were helpful and efficient. Thank you all.

If you are a customer looking for ideas visit us at the spring national home show is on until Mar 1-09. If you want to meet with a designer give us a call at 888 293 8938 and we will let you know when to visit to meet with the right people.

If you need directions to the show click the banner link on the left to get to their site.

If you are a builder looking to join us, please get in touch. There are still a few areas open in Ontario.

L

The Best Pergola Builder in Los Angeles

Gary Bouchard has been building, pergolas, decks and fences with us in Los Angeles For about 3 years now.

It is astounding to me how immune this area is to most economic turmoil. These folks are imaginative and know what they like--Perfect Clients.

This is Gary Bouchard's second career, he was a project manager for 30 years with a photography company previously. He always did woodwork as a hobby, and when he joined with us he started on smaller projects.

Gary likely turned away more work than any of our builders. I can remember hearing about 2800 sf decks in Hollywood Hills stars glistening in my eyes... He said candidly it was just too big for him to deal with at that point. He could easily deal with work like that today, however that is the genius of Gary Bouchard. He doesn't take on more than he can chew. He knows how to say no--and gets enough leads that he can afford to.

In the days where contractors are constantly late finishing, disappearing for weeks at a time and not returning phone calls--Gary's methods are refreshing.

In 3 years I have not heard so much as the hint of a complaint from clients--and with work like this, I don't imagine I ever will. Thank you Gary Bouchard for representing GardenStructure.com so well in Los Angeles - Beverly Hills - Glendale.

GREAT looking work Gary!

L

Pergola Design 101, part 2;

GardenStructure.com Pergola Design Rules:

• More than 12' spans are expensive, use sparingly.
• Pergolas should have more than 4 posts whenever possible, 4 post pergolas always have that "Amateur Look".

If I get another amateur designer/homeowner ask for free plans for a 16' x 18’ pergola perched on 4 posts I am going to scream.

Not only is it a design faux pas, but it is just plain dangerous to run that close to the edge. First strong wind—first sign of rot—first tremor and your dream pergola with only 4 posts is likely to hit the ground. (If not designed properly)

What are they thinking?
A post stuck in the ground will never move?

A post perched upon a sonotube has infinite lateral strength?

Maybe that the footings are the difficult part of the job so they only want to do 4?
Or is it that they wouldn’t want anything to obstruct their wide open view. Why bother building a pergola if you don’t want to look at it. Does a pergola not frame the view?

Then again when you look at the pergolas typically built by deck contractors, with their 4 posts and their 2 stacks of sticks designs, I would prefer not to look at it either.

Go ahead—ask if we can give you plans for a 16 x18 pergola with only 4 support posts and try to cut me off before I explain why that is a really—really bad idea.





We can design a pergola that size with only 4 posts… the posts will be massive (and come at a premium), the footings are likely to be 2-3’ in width, (also at a premium), and the beam is likely to be more than 16” high, (heavy premium-and will obstruct some of your precious view).
If you are willing to shorten up the spans and use 8 or 12 posts rather than 4 it will be about ½ the price—and just my opinion, but I think it will add architectural intrigue to your home and frame the view rather nicely.

Here’s another article about the same subject: large span pergolas


L

Landscape Design- Builders of Decks and pergolas in Hamilton - Burlington Ontario

We are not providing landscaping, landscape design and outdoor woodwork in the Burlington, Ancaster and Hamilton Ontario area

We now build decks, fences, pergolas and patios in the Burlington and Hamilton Areas.

You will find Our Landscape Designers courteous and eager to help you realize your outdoor vision.

L

North Kawartha-Peterborough

Garry Douglas used to be a project manager and generally talented construction expert doing everything and including heavy construction like water treatment facilities in the far north.

About 3 years ago he chose to retire from the long distance work he did through most of his career. Garry chose to do what he always loved doing--Woodwork. He wanted a better quality of life and to spend more time with his wife. We were proud to be able to help him make that happen!

He's been doing great work and has been the consummate professional. He's been building with us from his base in Apsley and going as far as Peterborough as well.

He's set up great workshop right in Apsley and has been interesting work upto an hour away.

He is not just a GardenStructure.com Builder--but also has a dealership for Shade Tree Canopies. I know he designed some pergolas with canopies at 3 or 4 residences in just one complex last summer. He's been getting busier and busier over the years.

Garry found himself in the hospital a couple of weeks ago and is hoping to heal by spring.
GardenStructure.com would like to let Garry Douglas, our deck builder in the Kawarthas, know that we are thinking of him during this time. Garry has been a valuable member of our team and trusted advisor for the last 3 years and we've just plain enjoyed working with him.
We sincerely wish you a speedy recovery Garry, Get Better Soon.
You can send Garry a get well soon note at kawartha@gardenstructure.com

L

Free Pergola Plans

Dear Lowes ;
Thanks for the free pergola plan pictured.

I tried to use your on line form--however it was inoperable. It apparently didn't like my name, postal code or email address. I have instead posted my feedback form here. Hopefully someone with Lowes will find it.

Regarding your free on-line pergola plan.
#1 problem, no lateral strength
#2 floating footings and attached to the dwelling--one or the other. Attach it to the dwelling and you may damage that dwelling and be libel for the damage when they follow the "free" plan...waiver or not.
#3 What is the point in supplying a plan that no one will ever build? It is too ugly.

I own http://www.gardenstructure.com/

Have a look at our pergola plans, they are not free--but lots of people actually build them and send us photos. Our best designs are for our builder group only...after a few years when they have new designs we retire them and offer them as DIY and Professional Level Plans.

I can only imagine how much you paid a graphic artist to develop this free plan for you... I am sure it was expensive. As a woodwork designer and a master carpenter I am going to speak very plainly and I apologise in advance if my words seem hurtful or coarse. Your outdoor woodwork plans are about the worst I have ever laid eyes on.

Building something from them would surely end up in disaster-and with the way they look they just shouldn't be built. Ever. I could shoot holes in your plans for an hour or two if you want--but I believe that to be unproductive. I see no potential for success working from what you have.

The trouble is that inspired details are an absolute nightmare even for seasoned tradesmen to develop, (I guess that is why our Builder Group is growing so quickly--they get great details that have taken over 20 years to create).

In my not so humble opinion, Lowes owes it to their shareholders to explore the possibility of GardenStructure.com developing their woodwork plans in the future.

Kindest Possible Regards,
L

Here’s a shot of a that pergola (spy shots seen earlier during construction). It’s done for a banquet facility in Oakville. We think it turned out very well.

The purpose is for use in brochures and act as a lure for weddings. We designed it to drop a tent in behind—and stage it as an entrance to the outdoor function. Group shots can then be taken at the entrance—be it day or night functions and the backdrop will always be fabulous.

There’s a similar bar area at the back of the main facility, (smaller).

L

Design Insights—Pergolas and Pools

Every month I get people asking for 20’ plus spans incorporated in pergolas.

Here’s an email from yesterday.

My question is that I want to build a pergola on part of my pool, my pool, the pergola would cover only ¼ of the pool, the problem is that the width of the pergola would have to be about 20 feet long across the pool and therefore we cannot place a column in the pool, would it be possible to not have a column in the middle on one side (the side that goes over the pool) of the pergola and still have the structure be safe? I would like to have the pergola made out of a non maintenance free material.

Thank you

Parul

People are constantly insisting that they want a pergola—but they don’t want to have posts obstructing the view. I am sure you will all agree that this kind of pergola structure and support for climbing vines is just messy and horrible. If I had to wake up every day and see this wood obstructing my view every day I don’t know if I would want to go on.

I am sure you will agree that this frames the pool, accents the view and just plain looks fabulous.

Pergolas get their strength from support posts and diagonal bracing. The more braces, the more wind it will resist and the longer the pergola will last. More posts, more braces, more strength, more durability.

Clustering posts in areas can create a feature as well as hide unsightly structures and elements in your neighbor’s yard.

By the way—the pergola project above is based on details included in this plan at GardenStructure.com. Here's the link "Pergola Plans" $17.99 + ($3.00 S&H) It is Pergola Plan T005 pro.


So, in conclusion Parul,

No, you don’t want to leave posts out—celebrate your posts… make them beautiful and plentiful. Give them recessed panels and decorative braces, frame your view and create more points of interest with your pergolas.

Secondly, why do you want a pergola over your pool? Is it for avoiding a sun tan while using your floatation devices in your pool? Frame the pool, keep the space functional, traditional and build something gorgeous rather than a perched pergola that will blow over the first windy day.

L