Tube Steel Pergola Enhancing Rooftop Terrace Design
Here on our website, we’ve looked at a bunch of different styles, different configurations, layouts and types of decks and pergolas. We think showing our clients all the different ways that these things can be built helps them understand some of the options from which they can select among different materials in a variety of forms and shapes.
Today we’re looking at a type of pergola that is built into the ceiling or area of where a roof would be above an outdoor rooftop patio. You may have noticed that some of the other examples here on our website are purposefully built with relatively tall framing members and provide a higher degree of shade. Essentially, with closer spacing between the individual elements and a taller board or lateral framing member, the ratio of shade to sunlight increases. Essentially with closer spacing and taller framing members there’s more shade.
The amount of shade changes throughout the day as the sunlight comes from different angles. For example, when the sun is low in the sky the ratio of shade increases significantly. It’s also during those times that the sunlight has a lower effect of heating because the lower angle is generally broken up by the pergola end by other elements of construction surrounding the area of a patio or deck.
These deck and pergola framing elements can be made with a variety of different materials. Many of them are simply made with exterior framing members, generally pressure treated southern yellow pine. We’ve also looked at examples of decks and pergolas built with alternative types of native woods like Western Red Cedar and some exotic woods like teak and ipe. Western red cedar is comparatively a very soft wood. It has high resistance to deterioration from exposure to the exterior elements because it has a natural resistance to rot from exposure to moisture and resistance to being eaten by insects.
Even without treatments, this wood can last a pretty long time. In most cases though we would still recommend a sealer and or a stain be applied to the exposed surfaces of both Southern yellow pine and or Western red cedar type wood framing elements. While the Western red cedar works well as a framing material for pergolas, we find the exotic hardwoods or the southern yellow pine or an alternative composite type deck material work better for the walking surfaces of decks. These woods and or materials have a higher density and therefore resist damage from impact and wear, better than the cedar type woods.
As an alternative, structural steel or even lighter gauge tube steel can also be used to build decks and pergolas. Here in this example, a relatively light gauge tube steel has been used to create the pergola framing.
Although the grid of the pergola is built in a mostly rectilinear form, there are also some angled braces or supports at the ends of the pergola to resist racking and shifting. These perpendicular elements help stabilize the overall structure and also help to prevent sagging. Unlike most of the typical wood and or even composite elements, metals and steel, particularly, have a relatively stable resistance to sagging. Except through severe deterioration such as debilitating rust, steel does not deteriorate or begin to slowly sag over time. That type of problem is instead more inherent in natural woods and or composite wood materials.
A closer view of the bracing at the edge of the pergola framing is shown below the perpendicular angle helps with rigidity. It creates a connection in a position of perpendicular resistance that is at least partially against or supporting the intermediary area that would otherwise have deflection.
Among the many advantages of having or building a pergola of this type, you can also use the framework of the pergola to install electrical devices such as annunciators, lighting devices and audio devices as well. In this case, in the picture below, you can see they have installed a cylindrical light fixture that illuminates the space in the evening.
The conduit runs are attached to the underside of the framework. This helps because it gives a sturdy location for the conduit to be attached and installed. Not all decks have pergolas or awnings above the platform of the deck. It is a terrific feature. Having a place to install lighting above a deck makes the space much more useful and enjoyable to use in the nights and evenings.
Use a contractor who understands and cares about doing things right. Always, feel free to reach out to us here at Dupont Decks and Patios. We are happy to help with almost all steps of the deck building and design process. A backyard and outdoor space should make a significant, positive impact on both quality of life and home value. We can help with more than just decks, we also build patios, pergolas, ramadas, awnings, gazebos, arbors, and privacy fences.
Let us know about your ideas and talk to us if you have questions about possibilities. We are happy to participate in improving your outdoor space and quality of life! You can call us at (202) 774-9128. You can find us online at https://dupontdeckspatiosdc.com and you can email us there as well at https://dupontdeckspatiosdc.com/contact-us
