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Pergolas and arbors are versatile outdoor structures that add both beauty and functionality to your backyard. While they enhance the overall aesthetic, they also provide partial shade, making them perfect for creating defined spaces for dining, lounging, or showcasing garden features.

• Pergolas are typically larger, offering a more open, airy feel. They can be used to create cozy outdoor dining areas, comfortable lounges, or elegant walkways. With their open roof design, pergolas allow you to enjoy sunlight while also offering relief from the heat during hotter months.
• Arbors are often smaller, more intimate structures typically placed over garden gates or walkways. They add a touch of charm and can frame entrances, creating a welcoming transition between different parts of your yard.

Both structures provide a solid framework for climbing plants like roses, vines, and ivy, which can grow up the columns and over the beams, adding lush greenery and color to your space. You can also integrate lighting elements like string lights or lanterns, which can turn your outdoor area into a cozy, romantic spot in the evening.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, pergolas and arbors serve as excellent focal points, offering a defined space within your landscape that makes your backyard feel organized and inviting. Whether used for entertaining, gardening, or simply relaxing, these structures bring architectural interest and a sense of tranquility to your outdoor living areas.

At Smoky Mountain Deck Builders, we design pergolas and arbors to complement your home’s style and meet your functional needs, creating an outdoor space you’ll love for years to come.

Cedar and pressure-treated wood are two of the most popular materials for pergolas in Tennessee due to their natural resistance to decay and ability to handle the humid and rainy climate. Cedar is particularly well-suited for Tennessee’s weather, offering both a beautiful, natural look and a high degree of resistance to moisture and insects. Its natural oils help protect it from decay, making it a reliable choice for outdoor structures that are exposed to the elements. Pressure-treated wood is chemically treated to resist rot, pests, and fungi, making it durable and affordable for long-lasting outdoor projects in Tennessee’s varied climate.

For lower maintenance options, powder-coated aluminum and vinyl are excellent choices, especially in areas with high humidity and heavy rainfall. Powder-coated aluminum is lightweight, strong, and rust-resistant, making it ideal for the fluctuating weather conditions in Tennessee, where moisture can cause rust or corrosion in untreated metals. It also requires minimal upkeep, usually just a rinse with water. Vinyl is another weather-resistant material that performs exceptionally well in Tennessee, as it resists fading, cracking, and warping from exposure to the sun and rain. Plus, it doesn’t require staining or painting, which reduces maintenance significantly.

Each of these materials performs well in Tennessee’s climate, but the best option for you will depend on your aesthetic preferences and maintenance goals. Whether you opt for the natural beauty of cedar, the durability of pressure-treated wood, or the low-maintenance convenience of aluminum or vinyl, we can help guide you to the perfect material for your pergola.

Pergolas and arbors are highly customizable to fit your exact vision. You can choose from a variety of features to enhance both the function and aesthetic of your outdoor space.

Roof options are particularly versatile, opt for an open roof to enjoy the sunshine, or choose a retractable roof that allows you to adjust for shade or rain as needed. This feature offers ultimate flexibility for year-round enjoyment.

For lighting, we offer built-in lighting solutions that can create a warm, inviting atmosphere in the evening. Whether you want soft ambient lighting or more focused task lighting for dining or reading, it can be seamlessly integrated into your design.

You can also add integrated seating options to maximize space and comfort, allowing you to turn your pergola or arbor into a cozy gathering area. Choose from built-in benches or customized seating arrangements that suit your needs.

If privacy is a priority, consider adding privacy screens to provide a sense of enclosure without sacrificing airflow or natural light. These can be designed with materials that complement your space while offering the seclusion you desire.

At Smoky Mountain Deck Builders, every pergola and arbor is tailored to your unique space, style, and needs, ensuring you get exactly what you envision. We’ll work with you to choose the perfect materials and features for a functional and beautiful outdoor structure that enhances your lifestyle.

Cedar is one of the most durable and low-maintenance wood options available for outdoor use. Its natural oils make it inherently resistant to decay, rot, insect damage, and moisture, even in humid or rainy climates. This means it holds up extremely well over time without needing chemical preservatives or pressure treatments, making it a safer and more environmentally friendly choice.

Cedar’s resistance to warping and cracking also helps maintain its structural integrity and appearance for years, even when exposed to sun, wind, or fluctuating temperatures. That’s why it’s a popular material for ceilings, siding, decking, and outdoor structures.

On top of its durability, cedar offers a rich, warm tone and distinctive grain pattern that naturally enhances the look of any space. It can be left untreated to weather into a soft gray patina over time, or it can be sealed or stained to maintain its original color.

In short, cedar delivers a winning combination of natural beauty, long-term performance, and low maintenance, making it an ideal choice for outdoor ceilings, screen rooms, and other custom features.

Wood ceilings offer both beauty and practical function for outdoor living spaces. Visually, they add warmth, texture, and character that elevate the atmosphere of porches, patios, and screen rooms, making the space feel more like an extension of your home than a separate outdoor area. The natural grain and color of wood contribute to a cozy, upscale aesthetic that pairs well with rustic, modern, or transitional styles.

Beyond their visual appeal, wood ceilings serve several functional purposes:

Conceal wiring and hardware for ceiling fans, lighting, or entertainment systems, giving your ceiling a seamless and polished look.

Improve acoustics by dampening echo and sound bounce, creating a more pleasant environment for conversation or watching TV.

Provide insulation from sun, heat, and rain by adding a protective layer between your roof structure and your outdoor living area. This can help regulate temperature and comfort throughout the year.

Whether you’re entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet moment outside, a wood ceiling enhances the experience, blending style, structure, and smart design.

Yes. Architectural details like wood ceilings do more than just complete the space, they elevate it. By adding warmth, dimension, and craftsmanship to patios, porches, and screen rooms, wood ceilings transform basic overhead structures into design features that draw the eye and create a welcoming, high-end feel.

A well-designed wood ceiling helps tie together your overall outdoor aesthetic, whether you’re going for rustic charm, modern elegance, or something in between. The rich grain and natural tones of wood add visual interest and a sense of custom luxury that painted drywall or exposed rafters simply can’t match.

From a real estate perspective, buyers often perceive architectural details like wood ceilings as premium upgrades, which can increase the perceived value of your home. Combined with other quality outdoor features, such as a deck, outdoor kitchen, or hardscape, a finished ceiling adds polish and professionalism that may boost resale value and curb appeal.

In short, wood ceilings are a beautiful and strategic investment, they improve your daily enjoyment of the space while adding long-term value to your property.

Hardscaping refers to the solid, structural elements of your outdoor space, the “bones” that shape and define your landscape. These include features like patios, walkways, retaining walls, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and seating areas. Hardscapes provide function, organization, and permanence to your yard, they guide how you move through the space, where you gather, and how your outdoor environment is used year-round.

In contrast, landscaping involves the living, growing elements of your yard, such as grass, trees, shrubs, flowers, and garden beds. These soften the structure, add color and movement, and create seasonal interest.

A truly cohesive outdoor design blends both hardscape and landscape elements in harmony. Hardscapes offer structure and usability, while landscaping brings life and beauty. For example, a natural stone patio surrounded by flowering borders, or a winding paver walkway lined with low-maintenance shrubs, creates a space that feels both organized and inviting.

When balanced properly, hardscaping and landscaping work together to increase curb appeal, extend your living space, and boost your home’s overall value.

Yes. High-quality hardscaping can dramatically increase both curb appeal and the long-term value of your home. Features like stone patios, walkways, retaining walls, and outdoor kitchens create more usable, defined spaces, transforming a basic yard into a multifunctional outdoor living area.

Potential buyers see hardscapes as a sign of thoughtful design and low-maintenance durability. When done well, hardscaping not only makes your home look more attractive from the street, but also extends your living space outdoors, something more and more homebuyers are actively looking for.

Whether it’s a custom fire pit that invites evening gatherings or a professionally installed paver walkway that adds charm and convenience, these improvements enhance everyday enjoyment while contributing to a higher resale value when it’s time to sell.

Yes. Sloped or uneven terrain can absolutely benefit from hardscape features designed to add structure, safety, and style to your landscape. Elements like retaining walls, terraced patios, and natural stone steps help turn challenging elevations into functional, eye-catching outdoor living zones.

Retaining walls not only prevent soil erosion and drainage issues, but also provide level surfaces for seating areas, gardens, or walkways. Tiered patios allow for multiple activity zones, like dining, lounging, or grilling, each on its own level, seamlessly integrated into the slope.

In addition to making the space more usable, these hardscape solutions create visual interest and a sense of flow, transforming a once-difficult yard into a tiered landscape masterpiece. With expert planning and craftsmanship, even the steepest backyard can become your favorite place to relax or entertain.

The best outdoor kitchens are designed to bring the comforts of indoor cooking and entertaining to your backyard. Essential features include built-in grills, countertops, sinks, storage, and seating areas that provide both functionality and style.

When planning your outdoor kitchen, counter space is key, providing plenty of room for meal preparation, serving, and entertaining. Built-in sinks make clean-up a breeze, while ample storage ensures you have space for utensils, dishes, and cooking accessories.

If your space and budget allow, we can incorporate extra features that take your kitchen to the next level, such as a fridge for cold drinks and fresh ingredients, a pizza oven for homemade pies, or a bar area for casual gatherings. These additions can enhance your outdoor cooking and dining experience, making it a place for both relaxation and entertainment.

The key to a successful outdoor kitchen is flow and functionality. We’ll work with you to design a layout that suits your space, ensuring that everything is in the right place for easy use and movement. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or preparing a meal for your family, the design will allow you to cook and entertain with ease.

At Smoky Mountain Deck Builders, we prioritize durability and longevity by using high-quality, weather-resistant materials that can withstand the varying weather conditions in Tennessee. Our outdoor kitchens are designed to endure hot summers, heavy rainfall, and winter temperatures, ensuring they remain functional and beautiful throughout the year.

We use stainless steel for grills and appliances, which resists rust, corrosion, and damage from moisture, making it ideal for humid and rainy conditions. Sealed stone countertops provide a durable surface that won’t crack or stain, even in extreme temperatures or wet weather. Additionally, we offer weather-resistant cabinetry that won’t warp or degrade, even when exposed to humidity or fluctuating temperatures.

We also offer protective covers, awning systems, and roofing options that can provide shade and shelter, further extending the lifespan of your outdoor kitchen and ensuring it stays functional and safe no matter the weather. With our expertise, your outdoor kitchen will continue to impress for years to come, regardless of the changing seasons.

Absolutely! With the right design elements, your outdoor kitchen can become a functional and enjoyable space throughout all seasons. We recommend incorporating features like a covered pergola or gazebo to provide shelter from rain or harsh sun, allowing you to cook and entertain no matter the weather. For colder months, adding heating elements such as outdoor heaters or built-in fire pits will keep your space comfortable, even when the temperature drops.

In addition, LED lighting not only creates a beautiful ambiance but also extends the usability of your outdoor kitchen into the evening hours. With proper weatherproofing and these thoughtful design features, you can turn your outdoor kitchen into a year-round gathering spot that enhances your home’s outdoor living experience.

It depends on your lifestyle and preferences. When choosing between wood-burning and gas fire pits, consider the ambiance you want to create and how you plan to use the space.

Wood-burning fire pits provide a classic, rustic experience, bringing the crackle and aroma of a real wood fire. They are perfect for those who enjoy the experience of gathering around the fire for storytelling, roasting marshmallows, or simply enjoying the traditional campfire atmosphere. Plus, the natural wood burning creates a cozy, nostalgic charm that can enhance your outdoor ambiance.

On the other hand, gas fire pits are a convenient and modern alternative. They’re easier to light with just the flick of a switch or a button, offering a cleaner, more controlled burn without the mess of wood and ashes. Gas fire pits are often designed to blend seamlessly into contemporary outdoor spaces, and many models allow you to adjust the flame size to suit your mood. They’re ideal for those who want an easy-to-maintain option that fits into sleek, modern landscapes.

Whether you lean toward the timeless feel of a wood-burning fire pit or the low-maintenance convenience of a gas option, we can help design and install a fire pit that perfectly complements your outdoor lifestyle.

In many cases, fire pits and fireplaces require a permit depending on your location and the fuel source. Either way, rest assured that we handle any necessary permitting as part of the design-build process

Yes! Whether you’re choosing wood or composite decking, we can design and integrate gas or wood-burning fire features that not only enhance the aesthetics and functionality of your outdoor space but also meet local building codes and safety regulations.

For wood decking, we take special care to ensure proper clearances and heat-resistant materials are used to prevent any potential fire hazards. Wood decks can provide a classic and warm atmosphere, but it’s crucial that fire features are properly positioned and installed to avoid damage to the deck structure.

When using composite decking, which is known for its durability and low-maintenance qualities, we still follow safety guidelines to ensure that the fire feature integrates smoothly without compromising the integrity of the materials. Composite decks are often more resistant to heat and fire, making them a great choice for fire pits or outdoor fireplaces.

In both cases, we ensure that your fire feature complements your existing deck layout while prioritizing safety and maximizing your enjoyment of the space. Whether you prefer the charm of a traditional wood fire or the convenience of gas, we’ll help you create a safe and inviting outdoor retreat.

For privacy and security, wood and composite fences are great for a natural, private barrier, composite being more durable and low-maintenance. Metal and vinyl fences offer added strength and a modern look, with vinyl providing privacy and metal excelling in security. For large areas on a budget, chain-link is durable but offers less privacy. We’ll help you choose the best option based on your needs, property, and budget.

The lifespan of a residential fence depends on the material and maintenance. Wood fences typically last 10–15 years with proper care, while vinyl, metal, and composite fences can last 20–25 years or more with minimal upkeep. Choosing the right material and maintaining it well helps ensure your fence stays strong and attractive for years to come.

Yes, fences require some maintenance, but how much depends on the material. Wood fences need regular care like staining and inspections to stay in good shape. Vinyl, metal, and composite fences are low-maintenance and usually just need occasional cleaning.

Absolutely! LED lighting is a fantastic investment for outdoor spaces due to its energy efficiency, long lifespan, and versatility. Unlike traditional lighting options, LEDs use far less power, which can significantly reduce your electricity costs. They also last much longer, with some LED bulbs providing up to 50,000 hours of use, so you won’t have to worry about frequent replacements.

Beyond their practical benefits, LED lights are perfect for enhancing the ambiance of your outdoor space. Whether it’s creating a cozy atmosphere on a deck, illuminating walkways and pathways for safety, or adding a touch of elegance to patios, decks, or docks, LED lighting can transform the entire mood of your backyard.

Additionally, LED lights are highly durable and resistant to weather elements, making them ideal for the outdoors. They’re available in a variety of styles and colors, which means they can be integrated seamlessly into any outdoor design, whether you’re looking for subtle lighting along a pathway or bold statement lighting around a patio or garden.

In summary, investing in LED lighting will not only boost the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your outdoor spaces but also save you money in the long run. It’s a smart and stylish addition to any outdoor project.

Absolutely! Outdoor LED lighting is highly customizable to complement and enhance your unique style. We offer a variety of color temperatures, ranging from warm white for a cozy, inviting ambiance to cool white for a more modern and crisp look. If you’re looking for versatility and a pop of color, we also provide RGB color-changing options, allowing you to adjust the lighting to any color you choose, perfect for creating different moods or special occasions.

Additionally, we offer an array of fixture styles to suit any aesthetic, whether you’re going for a sleek, modern design with minimalist fixtures or prefer the rustic charm of lantern-style lights, vintage bulb fixtures, or decorative sconces. You can even select fixtures that integrate seamlessly into your landscape, such as recessed lighting or hidden under-rail lights, to maintain a clean and sophisticated look.

With our wide range of options, you’ll be able to tailor the lighting to fit perfectly within your outdoor space and design vision, ensuring that your outdoor area not only functions well but also looks stunning.

Not necessarily! While many of our outdoor lighting systems come with wall-mounted remotes for easy on/off control, we also offer smartphone integration for even greater convenience. With smartphone control, you can manage your lighting’s brightness, color, and even set timers or schedules, all from your fingertips. This integration allows you to easily adjust the ambiance or turn the lights on/off from anywhere, whether you’re relaxing on your patio or running errands.

For a truly seamless experience, we also offer voice control integration with platforms like Alexa or Google Assistant, so you can adjust your lighting simply by speaking a command. Whether you prefer a dedicated remote, a mobile app, or voice control, we ensure your outdoor lighting is as easy to manage as possible.