Pergolas: Why More People are Building These in their Outdoor Space
Why Custom Pergolas Are a Game-Changer for Texas Families
There's a moment every Texas mother knows all too well: watching her beautifully planned outdoor gathering retreat indoors as the summer sun becomes too intense or an unexpected shower appears. But what if that outdoor space could adapt to the unpredictable Texas weather as effortlessly as a mother can adapt to her family's ever-changing schedule?
Beyond the Basic Backyard
When a family moved from a lively house in Waco to a new laid-back home in Arlington, a transformational journey began. Their forever home needed an outdoor restoration, and a pergola was the perfect addition to their outdoor space.
Some think of pergolas as an addition to an outdoor space where a good construction company thinks of it as a seamless integration with the existing structure. When a homeowner wants to completely demolish their existing pergola, it’s usually one of two reasons- the family changed their mind, or were unhappy with the results of the pergola.
Craftsmanship That Begins Before Installation
What many homeowners don't realize is that the beauty and durability of a pergola begins long before it arrives at their home. The Collective Outdoors takes a different approach from contractors who assemble raw materials on-site.
Each piece of the Western Red Cedar pergola is individually stained in a controlled shop environment before installation. This process allows the wood to fully absorb the stain and provides a more consistent, longer-lasting finish than on-site application ever could. Plus, stains and paints are harmful to plants.
The team cuts pockets into the pergola beams to support the rafters. This thoughtful attention to detail increases its wind resistance and overall stabilization.
Your Home, Your Style
"But will it match my home?" It's a question asked a lot, especially by homeowners in established neighborhoods like Mansfield and Southlake where architectural cohesion matters.
The answer is always the same: absolutely. The Collective Outdoors offers a custom staining process that allows homeowners to select the perfect shade that complements their home's exterior, from rich walnut tones that highlight any shade of brick to lighter natural stains that beautifully accent modern farmhouse aesthetics.
Pergola stained “Natural Cedar" with an outdoor kitchen built by The Collective Outdoors in Fort Worth, Texas.
Many clients will bring in samples of their exterior colors, trim work, or even interior flooring to ensure their pergola becomes a seamless extension of their existing style. It's this meticulousness that transforms a functional addition into a design statement.
Creating Spaces That Adapt with Families
As children grow from toddlers needing sun protection to teenagers hosting friends to young adults returning with their own children, an outdoor living space should adapt accordingly.
This adaptability comes to life through thoughtful additions:
-
Motorized shades- that can be lowered for privacy during a daughter's sweet sixteen party
-
Heaters- that keep grandparents comfortable during holiday gatherings even as temperatures drop
-
Fans- that make August birthdays enjoyable instead of exhausting
An Investment That Pays Daily Dividends
While adding a custom pergola represents a significant commitment, clients consistently report the utility and togetherness felt in their new space dramatically changes how they live.
“Absolutely love our new patio!” writes one customer. “The entire experience was amazing from the design process to every professional that helped to create our new relaxing space.”
“Collective Outdoors was great to work with,” another customer writes. “They spent the time to ensure our desires for the patio extension, pergola, driveway extension and retaining wall were to our satisfaction. High quality work. I highly recommend them!”
Beyond the Backyard: Creating Your Gathering Place
As families increasingly seek meaningful ways to disconnect from screens and reconnect with each other, thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces have taken on new importance.
A pergola becomes the setting for countless moments that might otherwise be lost: a conversation with a teenager who's suddenly willing to talk while helping grill dinner, watching parents teach children a card game reminiscent of an earlier childhood, or simply having space for family members to be together doing different things—reading, homework, relaxation—while still being connected.
Our Process of Building a Pergola
With all of our projects, we want to start with the foundation and work our way up. Depending on the scope of the project, we will either cut piers into an existing concrete slab or build a new slab with metal rebar for support.
Afterwards, we’ll either attach it to the house with sky risers, or build it as a freestanding structure. Skyrisers are a great tool we started using in 2020. This type of installation allows us to increase the height of the pergola, adding vertical square footage to the outdoor living space that would otherwise be subjected to limited soffit real estate.
We stain the entire pergola in a controlled environment at our showroom. To coat the wood, it must be completely dry before we stain it. Our expert stainers apply the stain and keep the vulnerable piece of wood safe from outdoor elements as that stain curates. We also do this to protect your yard as we are not exposing it to harsh chemicals.
Ready to explore how a custom pergola could transform your family's outdoor experience? Visit our showroom to see full-size examples, touch different wood finishes, and experience our motorized shade options firsthand. Because the most beautiful pergola isn't just the one that looks perfect in your backyard—it's the one that perfectly supports the life your family wants to live.
For more information, visit our Contact Us page!