Patios, decks and pergolas for Texas summers

Shade first, then everything else. We build covered patios, pergolas and decks that make the yard usable from April to October, and we restore the wood you already have.

Get a free estimate (210) 555-0186

Covered dining terrace along a dark brick house with a kettle grill, wooden chairs and lavender in the foreground

Covered patio with a wood-plank ceiling on dark steel posts, an outdoor pizza oven and a long dining table on a concrete slab

Backyard deck with a long bench table, cushions, potted plants and a corrugated metal privacy screen

Looking up through the slats of a dark pergola with string lights against the sky

Covered patios, decks and pergolas

We design around the sun. A west-facing patio needs a solid roof or deep slats to be usable on a July evening; a north-facing deck may only need a pergola for climbing plants. We sketch shade at different times of day before we talk materials.

Covered patios tied into the roofline, with fans and lighting
Cedar and steel pergolas
Cedar and composite decks, steps and railings
Outdoor kitchens, fire bowls and limestone seat walls

Typical timeline: 2 to 6 weeks on site
Permits and HOA: Handled for you

Deck and fence restoration

Texas sun bleaches untreated wood to silver-gray within a couple of summers. Gray is not the same as rotten. If the frame is sound, restoration costs a fraction of a rebuild.

Inspect and repair
We probe posts and joists, then replace split or soft boards and loose rails.
Clean and sand
A wood cleaner lifts the gray layer, then sanding takes the surface back to sound fiber.
Seal
A penetrating oil stain in the color you choose, applied by brush, not sprayed.

Deck with a dark stained wood railing, a teak side table and two rattan chairs on a patterned rug, trees behind — Drag the line to compareDemonstration image. The “before” view was created digitally from the same stock photo to show how this slider presents a real client's project photos. It is not a completed job.

The same deck with the railing, table and chairs digitally weathered to a dull silver-gray (simulated) — Drag the line to compareDemonstration image. The “before” view was created digitally from the same stock photo to show how this slider presents a real client's project photos. It is not a completed job.

Small additions that change how a yard gets used

Most of our outdoor jobs include at least one of these.

Gas fire bowl burning on a patio at dusk

Ceiling fans and lighting under covered patios, wired by a licensed electrician we schedule
Fire bowls and fire pits on a non-combustible base, gas or wood
Built-in benches and planters in cedar or limestone
Privacy screens in horizontal cedar or corrugated metal

See outdoor photos

Outdoor living questions

Cedar or composite for a new deck?

Cedar costs less up front, looks warmer and can be refinished, but needs a re-coat every two to three years in Texas sun. Composite costs more and runs hotter underfoot in summer, but needs only washing. We price both so you can compare.

How do I know if my deck can be restored instead of replaced?

We check the posts, beams and joists, not just the boards. If the frame is sound, restoration usually costs a fraction of a rebuild. If it is not, we will tell you plainly and show you why.

Do covered patios need a permit?

Usually, yes, especially when the roof ties into the house. We handle the drawings, permit and inspections, and check HOA rules with you before we submit anything.

How long does a stain job last?

On horizontal deck boards, plan on two to three years in full sun; on rails and fences, longer. We send a reminder when it is time to re-coat.

Ready for a yard you use all summer?

We walk the space with you, then send one written price. Estimates are free, and we usually visit within 5 business days.