Wood For Framing & Substructures

The first type of wood to choose is for your framing -- the structure that holds your arbor upright and to which you attach the beams, lattice and roofing.

Pressure Treated Wood ~ For hidden framing, I only use pressure treated lumber (see photo). This wood is treated with a variety of chemicals to make it resistant to termites and rot. In the last few years, a major change has been made to the preservatives used -- they are safer for the environment but less effective.

Redwood ~ For visible framing, such as arbor posts and cross beams you can upgrade to redwood for a better appearance.

Wood Choices For Arbors, Pergolas, Patio Covers and Trellises

There are two choices for these larger structures. Based on your needs and budget, We can also build out of other woods.

Redwood ~A distinctive pink/red colored wood which ages to gray. The red heartwood is naturally resistant to damage from termites and moisture. Any white part of a redwood board, known as sapwood, has little resistance to termites and rot. We use Construction Grade Heart Redwood, commonly known as Con Heart, which has no sapwood and some knots. For a beautiful and durable structure, this is your most cost effective choice. We can also use more expensive grades of redwood, if your budget permits.

Mangaris™ (Red Balau) ~ A dense grained, reddish-brown hardwood from Indonesia/Thailand that ages to a silver gray like Teak. It stains up like Mahogany and is more durable than Redwood. For a high end structure of exceptional durability and striking looks, consider Mangaris.

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