A wooden pergola is a beautiful and versatile addition to any landscape, offering shade, style, and a unique space to relax and entertain. But with so many customization options, how do you create the perfect wood pergola for your needs?

At Rockaway Landscaping, our Outdoor Carpentry team specializes in crafting custom wood pergolas that seamlessly integrate into your landscape design. We understand that every homeowner has unique tastes and goals, which is why we offer a wide range of wood types and placement options to bring your vision to life.

Choosing the Right Wood:

Classic Beauty: For a timeless look, consider natural wood like red cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated pine. These options offer warmth and character, but require regular maintenance to ensure longevity.

Red Cedar: Naturally rot-resistant and insect-repellent, with a beautiful reddish hue that weathers to a soft silver.

Redwood: Naturally weather-resistant with a rich, reddish-brown color that requires minimal maintenance.

Pressure-treated pine: The most affordable option, offering good strength and durability after treatment.

Tropical Hardwood Elegance: For the ultimate in durability and low maintenance, explore tropical hardwood options like teak, mahogany, and Ipe. These woods are naturally resistant to rot, insects, and harsh weather conditions.

Teak: Renowned for its rich golden-brown color, exceptional weather resistance, and minimal maintenance requirements.

Mahogany: A beautiful reddish-brown wood that offers superior strength, stability, and natural weather resistance.

Ipe: An extremely hard and dense wood with a deep reddish-brown color, known for its exceptional durability and resistance to rot, insects, and fire.

Placement for Optimal Use:

Shaded Sanctuary: Create a cool and inviting retreat for entertaining or relaxing by positioning your pergola over a patio, deck, or pool area.

Garden Gateway: Mark a garden entrance or define a specific area in your landscape with a decorative wood pergola. Climbing vines and colorful flowers can enhance the charm.

Protected Plants: Build a freestanding pergola over a garden bed to provide filtered sunlight for delicate plants, allowing them to thrive without burning in direct sun.

Privacy and Ambiance: Enhance the intimacy of your outdoor space with privacy walls or side drapes made from wood lattice on your pergola. This creates a cozy atmosphere and provides additional shade.

Rockaway Landscaping’s Expertise:

Our Outdoor Carpentry team works closely with you and our landscape architect and designers to understand your desired functionality, aesthetic preferences, and budget. We will guide you through wood selection, placement options, and any additional features like retractable shades or lighting to create a truly customized wood pergola.

Let’s Build Your Dream Pergola:

Contact Rockaway Landscaping today to schedule a consultation with our Landscape Design Team. We’ll transform your vision into a beautiful and functional wood pergola that elevates your outdoor living space.

From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential sustainable landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.

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Trex: A Champion for Sustainability

Trex goes beyond simply making decks. They’re revolutionizing the way we think about outdoor living with a deep commitment to sustainability that’s woven into everything they do:

Recycled Content Leader: Trex decking is a champion of recycled materials. Each board is comprised of 95% recycled and reclaimed content, diverting billions of pounds of waste from landfills annually. This includes upcycled plastic film and wood scraps that would otherwise pollute our environment.

Manufacturing Efficiency: Trex prioritizes responsible manufacturing practices. Their closed-loop water recirculation system recycles nearly 99% of the water used in production, minimizing their water footprint. Additionally, they use biodegradable hydraulic fluids in their machinery, ensuring responsible disposal without harming the environment.

Long-Lasting Durability: Trex decking is built to last, reducing the need for replacements and the associated environmental impact. Unlike traditional wood decks, Trex won’t rot, warp, crack, or splinter. Plus, it requires minimal maintenance – no staining, sanding, or sealing needed – which eliminates the use of harsh chemicals and reduces your overall environmental impact.

Award-Winning Sustainability: Trex was recently honored by Good Housekeeping’s 2024 Sustainable Innovation Awards for their Trex Transcend Lineage decking, made from 95% recycled and reclaimed materials. Trex has been named America’s Most Trusted Outdoor Decking (2021-2024), and one of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024 by Newsweek.

Trex Delivers Beauty and Sustainability

Here at Rockaway Sustainable Landscaping, we understand that you want an outdoor space that’s both beautiful and environmentally friendly. Trex decking offers the best of both worlds:

Stunning Aesthetics: Trex offers a wide variety of colors, textures, and finishes to perfectly complement your home’s style.

Unmatched Performance: Trex decking is fade-resistant, stain-resistant, and resists mold and mildew growth. It also stays cooler underfoot on hot days compared to traditional wood decks.

Peace of Mind: Trex decking comes backed by a 50-year limited warranty, giving you peace of mind knowing your investment is protected.

Experience the Trex Difference

Browse our portfolio to see how we’ve used Trex products to create stunning decks, patios, and other outdoor features. When you choose Rockaway Sustainable Landscaping, you’re getting a partner who prioritizes the environment, as well as a beautiful and long-lasting outdoor space you can enjoy for years to come.

Contact us today for a consultation and see how Trex can transform your outdoor living experience in a sustainable way!

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Pergolas have become an increasingly popular choice for enhancing outdoor living spaces, providing shade, and adding a touch of elegance to gardens and patios. When it comes to selecting a pergola, homeowners often compare the advantages of custom-made pergolas and pre-fabricated kits. While both options have merits, we explore the unique benefits of choosing a custom pergola over a kit.

1. Tailored Design:
Custom-made pergolas offer the advantage of personalized design. Unlike pre-fabricated kits that come with a standard design, custom pergolas can be tailored to meet specific aesthetic preferences, ensuring they seamlessly integrate with your home’s existing architecture and style. This level of customization allows for a truly unique outdoor space that reflects your taste and complements your property’s overall design.

2. Perfect Fit:
One of the significant benefits of opting for a custom-made pergola is the ability to fit the available space perfectly. Whether your outdoor area is compact or sprawling, our custom pergolas are designed to maximize space utilization, providing optimal coverage and creating a harmonious flow between the pergola, other structures and the surrounding landscape.

3. Material Selection:
Custom-made pergolas offer the freedom to choose the materials that best suit your preferences and our climate conditions. Whether you prefer the timeless beauty of wood which we specialize in or the low maintenance of vinyl, or the durability of metal, a custom pergola allows you to select the material that aligns with your vision and meets your long-term maintenance expectations.

4. Enhanced Quality:
While pre-fabricated kits are designed for easy assembly, they may compromise the quality of materials and construction to meet mass production standards. With custom-made pergolas, there is greater control over the quality of materials used, ensuring a durable and long-lasting structure. This enhanced quality adds to the aesthetics and contributes to the pergola’s longevity.

5. Professional Installation:
Rockaway’s custom pergolas are constructed and installed by our experienced carpenters who understand the nuances of outdoor construction. This ensures that the pergola is visually appealing and structurally sound. Professional installation helps prevent instability or premature wear and tear from improper assembly, providing peace of mind for homeowners.

6. Adaptability:
Custom-made pergolas are versatile in terms of functionality. A custom design allows for easy integration if you want to incorporate additional features such as lighting, fans, or retractable shades. This adaptability ensures that your pergola serves as a decorative structure and a functional and comfortable outdoor living space.

While pre-fabricated pergola kits offer convenience and cost savings, the advantages of opting for a custom-made pergola are evident in the ability to personalize the design, ensure a perfect fit, select quality materials, benefit from professional installation, and enhance adaptability. Ultimately, investing in a custom-made pergola creates a unique, durable, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space that reflects your individual style and preferences.

From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.

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1. Traditional Pergola: This style features a classic design with vertical posts and horizontal beams on the top. It provides a shaded area while maintaining an open feel. Features of traditional pergolas include ornate carved overhanging beams. Options include prefabricated traditional pergolas and those we customize at Rockaway for clients looking to create unique features that can reflect elements of Asian, Craftsman, Mediterranean, or Victorian architecture. Traditional pergolas tend to be rectangular or square.

2. Modern Pergola: A modern pergola might be the right choice if you prefer a contemporary look. It often incorporates crisp, sleek lines and minimalist design. Modern pergolas can be constructed of metal, vinyl, or wood. They can be free-standing or attached to other modern architecture.

3. Gable Pergola: The Gable Pergola style has a pitched roof with sloping sides, similar to a traditional house roof. The rafters are angled to meet at the ridge in the center of the structure. Gable pergolas offer extra protection from the elements and create a more enclosed feel.

4. Arched Pergola: With an arched top, the arched pergola style adds a touch of elegance to your outdoor space. Custom arched pergolas make beautiful walkways with added height at the center. They often include mortise and tenon joints. They provide a unique focal point and can be customized to suit your preferences. Our custom outdoor carpentry division can deliver and install your arched pergola design and any other options you might have in mind.

5. Open-Top Pergola: This style has no roof, allowing for unobstructed sky views and providing an open, airy feel. It is a popular choice for those who want a pergola that primarily serves as a decorative feature.

There is a significant cross-over in the terminology used to describe pergola style options. Rockaway’s custom pergolas are designed and constructed to suit your choice of styles, building materials, and colors. When deciding which pergola style best suits you, consider how you want to use the space and what additional amenities might be included, such as an outdoor kitchen, furniture, lighting, televisions, and audio systems. Contact us to book a design consultation to build your custom pergola today. We also install pergola kits in instances that suit your needs. Learn more about the Advantages of Custom-Built Pergolas. 

From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.

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2. Functional Design: Design your custom pergola to meet your needs and functional requirements. Whether you want a shaded area for entertaining, a cozy retreat for relaxation, or a combination of both, design and build with functionality in mind.

3. Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal: Design your custom pergola to complement the architecture and landscaping, adding to the property’s overall aesthetic appeal. Have Rockaway design multiple pergolas connecting your outdoor living areas, pool house, porches, and patios. Connecting your pergolas will improve the aesthetic flow, directing your guests when entertaining. Choose pergola styles, colors, and finishes that align with your taste, meeting the expectations for your outdoor living space.

4. Quality Construction: When you opt for a custom-built pergola, you have more control over the materials, craftsmanship, and construction techniques used. We are proud of the work of our carpenters at Rockaway. Our custom outdoor carpentry team builds pergolas to spec that last.

5. Shade and Protection: Pergolas provide shade and protection from the elements, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space comfortably, even in harsh weather conditions. Customization options such as retractable canopies, adjustable louvers, built-in lighting, and audio can further enhance the functionality and comfort of your pergola.

Overall, custom-built pergolas offer a wide range of advantages, including control over their personalization, functionality, aesthetics, construction quality, and use tailored to you making them a popular choice for homeowners looking to enhance their outdoor living experience.

From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.

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Key features of a zen garden deck may include: 

1. Natural Materials: The deck is typically made of natural materials such as bamboo, cedar, or teak, which complement the overall concept of harmony with nature. 

2. Simple Design: The deck’s design is minimalist and uncluttered, with clean lines and a balanced layout. It avoids excessive ornamentation and instead focuses on creating a sense of tranquility. 

3. Open Space: The deck often provides ample open space, allowing for meditation, yoga, or other mindfulness practices. The open area encourages a feeling of spaciousness and connection with the surroundings. 

4. Symbolic Elements: Zen garden decks incorporate symbolic elements found in traditional Japanese Zen gardens. This may include stone pathways, a water feature (such as a small fountain or reflecting pool), textured rocks, or carefully placed rocks and pebbles. 

5. Lush Vegetation: Surrounding the deck, there may be carefully landscaped greenery, including trimmed shrubs, Japanese red maples, bonsai trees, Farfugium and other plants with symbolic meanings in Japanese culture. 

6. Seating and Lounging Areas: Comfortable seating, such as floor cushions, wooden benches, or low-profile chairs, are often included to provide a space for relaxation and contemplation. 

7. Lighting: Thoughtful lighting fixtures, including soft, warm lights, lanterns, or candles, are incorporated to create a warm and inviting ambiance during evening hours. 

Overall, a zen garden deck aims to provide a peaceful retreat where individuals can find solace and reconnect with nature while seeking harmony and balance within themselves.

Learn more about Rockaway Custom Carpentry Services.

From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.

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Rockaway carpenters construct outdoor kitchen decks to your custom specifications with durable materials that can withstand outdoor elements such as weather-resistant wood or composite decking. This type of deck provides an outdoor extension of the home’s kitchen and allows for easy and convenient cooking and dining experiences in the open air.

From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.

Learn more about Rockaway Custom Carpentry Services.

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1. Color scheme: Opt for soft and neutral colors like whites, creams, sandy browns, and light blues to create a serene coastal ambiance. 

2. Furniture: Choose outdoor furniture made of natural materials like teak or rattan. Wicker and woven textures give a relaxed beachy vibe. Cushions and pillows with patterns or textures resembling waves, corals, or shells can add an extra touch. 

3. Decking material: Consider using timber decking to create a warm, natural look. You can also go for composite or PVC decking, designed to resemble wood, but with a low maintenance advantage. 

4. Lighting: Incorporate soft and subtle lighting elements, such as string lights or lanterns, to create an inviting and relaxed atmosphere during the evening. Avoid bright and harsh lighting, as it may take away from the coastal feel. 

5. Accessories: Accessorize with coastal-inspired decor like seashells, driftwood, nautical ropes, or potted plants with green foliage. Hang up artwork or photographs depicting beach scenes or marine life to further enhance the coastal theme. 

6. Landscaping: Surround the deck with salt-tolerant plants and shrubs that thrive in coastal environments, such as fountain grasses, succulents, crinum lilies, birds of paradise, and palms. These plants not only complement the coastal aesthetic but also help create a private and intimate space. 

7. Outdoor rugs: Add a touch of comfort and style by incorporating outdoor rugs with coastal prints, stripes, or texture that resemble the beach or ocean waves. Remember, a coastal chic deck should provide a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere, evoking the feeling of being by the sea.

Rockaway landscape architects and designers are available to help you create the Coastal Chic Deck of your dreams. From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.

Learn more about Rockaway Custom Carpentry Services.

Five Best Decks for Florida Backyards

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The deck is often adorned with elements such as palm trees, bamboo, or other tropical trees to provide shade and privacy. The flooring may be made of natural materials including teak, bamboo, or composite material for a warm and tropical feel. To further enhance the tropical theme, the deck may include features like a patio water feature or be alongside a pond with colorful fish. Include comfortable seating arrangements, such as lounge chairs, outdoor sofas complimented by your personal style to magnify your enjoyment of the serene surroundings. 

Lighting plays a significant role in a tropical oasis deck, as it adds a magical ambiance. Our designers are available to share your options.

Overall, a tropical oasis deck is a haven where you can unwind, enjoy nature, and transport yourself to a tropical paradise without leaving the comfort of your own home. It offers a space to enjoy the outdoors, entertain guests, or simply find tranquility in the midst of a hectic world.

Learn more about Rockaway Custom Carpentry Services.

From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.

Five Best Decks for Florida Backyards

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