Adding Character: Pergolas, Shade Covers, and Custom Features
A deck should be more than a flat surface — it should tell a story about your home and lifestyle. Adding architectural details like pergolas, shade covers, and custom features brings character, comfort, and longevity to your outdoor space. At Coastal Carpenter, master deck builder Douglas Taylor designs each element with both artistry and engineering in mind, creating outdoor living areas that stand out in beauty and function.
Pergolas: Timeless Elegance and Function
A pergola adds instant sophistication to any deck. With open beams that invite sunlight while providing partial shade, it’s the perfect balance between structure and openness.
Design options: Classic wood for a natural feel or composite and aluminum for low-maintenance durability.
Practical benefits: Reduces glare, cools the deck area, and defines outdoor “rooms” for dining or lounging.
Pro tip: For California homes, consider fire-rated materials or treated lumber for added protection in high fire-risk zones.
ancy.
Shade Covers: Comfort Meets Craftsmanship
Shade covers turn decks into all-weather retreats. Whether solid-roofed, latticed, or retractable, they extend your deck’s usability from summer heat to rainy days.
Custom integration: Seamlessly match your home’s architecture — from rustic craftsman beams to sleek modern lines.
Added value: Incorporate lighting, ceiling fans, or skylights to enhance comfort and ambiance.
Smart choice: Composite or aluminum covers are excellent options in coastal and high sun-exposure regions, resisting fading and corrosion.
Custom Features: Built to Reflect You
Every detail matters when building a deck that feels like home.
Built-in benches and planters: Combine form and function while keeping the view open.
Outdoor kitchens and fire features: Perfect for entertaining, these additions turn your deck into the heart of your home.
Railings and trim details: Choose from wood, steel, or cable to elevate your design and maintain safety without sacrificing style.
Each of these touches adds visual interest and increases your property’s value — but more importantly, they make your space personal.cy.
Crafted for Comfort and Character
Whether it’s a handcrafted pergola, a shade structure that invites year-round enjoyment, or a custom feature designed just for your lifestyle, Coastal Carpenter brings master craftsmanship and over 30 years of experience to every build.