Ideas
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4
min read
Pergola or covered patio?
Open beams give shade and style. A solid roof keeps the rain off. How to choose for your yard.
Both give you an outdoor room. The difference is how much weather you want to keep out.
Pergola
Open beams filter the sun and keep the sky. Add louvers or a shade sail if you need more cover. Lighter, cheaper and usually quicker to permit.
Covered patio
A solid roof means you can sit out in the rain and run fans and heaters. It needs bigger footings and often ties into the house roof.
Our take
If you mostly use the space on summer evenings, a pergola with lights is hard to beat.
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Materials
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5
min read
Composite or wood? An honest comparison
Composite costs more up front and less over time. Here is where the lines cross, and when wood is still the better pick.
Planning
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4
min read
Do I need a permit for a deck?
Most decks need one. What triggers a permit, what the inspector checks, and how long it takes.
Pricing
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6
min read
What a deck really costs in 2026
Price per square foot by material, plus the extras that move the number: height, stairs, railing and a pergola.