Houston Arbor

Regardless of the style Houston home is accentuated by old and stately trees, an arbor built by Exterior Worlds can create a similar sense of shelter and protection that one receives when sitting under the shade of an old, great tree. It mimics the effect of overhanging branches, and it gives a three dimensional presence to gardens and hardscapes. Any Houston home, regardless of architectural style, can be complimented in this manner, and outdoor buildings that populate the backyard will appear more differentiated as specifically outdoor elements with such a structure nearby.

A truly impeccably constructed arbor does several things. Not only does it provide the utmost comfort as a place to sit in the shade, but it also provides a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Residents should be able to sit in its shelter and admire the most distinguishing features of their yard. The structure should also ornament the landscape as part of a larger, specific theme. Houston homeowners can sometimes be very eclectic in their tastes, so custom design is imperative in order to get the structure to work with both traditional designs and derivative styles that require an individual approach.

There should also be some concealed creature comforts built into the arbor as well. Houston gets very hot in the summer can suffers from sporadic blasts of cold, damp air in the early months of the year. Climate control should be built into the structure so its vantage point can be enjoyed regardless of external conditions. Interior lighting and hidden lighting controls should also be installed in places where the homeowner can easily and discreetly adjust the lighting for guests without having to get up.

Houston landscape designers build arbors somewhat differently than do other manufacturers. Exterior Worlds, for instance, develops the structural design for the facility in relationship to home architecture and surrounding landscape design. If the property has a stately, European look and features iron fencing, we may build the structure out of iron in order to reinforce a classic, Old World look. This is can also be done in parts of the yard where dark stone hardscapes are blended into gardens and custom fountains.

More commonly, however, we tend to build wooden arbors out of pressure treated pine. While some of our competitors would argue that cedar is a superior building material, we feel it is both too expensive and features too short of a lifespan to adequately serve the needs of our clients. Pressure-treated pine is much less expensive and lasts a great deal of time longer than cedar.

One of the main reasons so many Houston landscaping clients commission us to build them an arbor is because it can compliment so many adjacent landscaping elements. One of the favorite locations for these remarkable structures is at the far end of a patio directly facing another structure, such as an outdoor fireplace or outdoor kitchen. Or, it can be built adjacent to a pool and spa, providing an alternative seating area for swimmers who want something different than patio chairs to relax in. One other popular location is near a meditation or Zen garden, where a person can relax and look out into carefully sculpted greenery and a tranquil fountain that stills all thought.