Pergola, Pavillion, Picknic, Backyard Shelter Builder Peoria IL

If you are looking to expand the four season usability of your back yard space, let us give you some design options and build a beautiful addition to your back yard. In this particular job, the client wanted a 4 season cover for their hot tub, and looked at a Lowes kit that cost $

The measurement covered the space around the hot-tub – but did require digging post supporting piers. In Peoria IL the recommended depth for a pier to survive frost thaw and heave is 42″ deep. Because of the existing iron work is both historic and decorative, we could not put down a twelve inch diameter beam supporting pier at the required 11 feet square area to be covered. On the home side of the installation, is a sidewalk at a tangential angle to the hot tub foundation, and so the 12ft length of the ‘kit’ would not fit in the available space

Looking from the side you’ll see how well we have designed this solid wood gazebo structure to blend with the lower level roof line, lamp post and cast iron rails. The build and install cost was not signifigantly different from a kit price – but the build quality is much more suited to the freeze and thaw of the Illinois climate.

A Kit Doesn’t Fit

Not only does akit not fit specific requirements in your yard, the build qaulity is not likely suited to your region. Below you can see the Lowes kit the client was looking to have installed (or for us to replicate). Instead of using a 2×6 front facing that gave the appearance of a solid wood roofing beam – we actually used 6×6 beams! The environmental demands of frequent freeze and thaw with snowfall would mean that that the metal roof of the Lowes kit would likelyl be broken by ice dams along it’s edges. The Peoria Illinois engineered and properly installed steel roof is fully supported by decking for a more stable, and quiet rain cover.

Solid Wood Beam Construction

You may not have a construction or engineering background, but did you know what wood does not stay the same as it ages, or even as the seasons change? Wood expands with humidity and moisture – and contracts as it dries. There are both benefits and drawbacks of 6 inch thick beams, but starting with the aesthetics – they look better! The kit build that was sent to us, used 2×6″ boards – on edge, to give the appearance of beams – and what that structure is lighter, if the boards are not cured well and properly, they have the potential to cause a structural failure or needless strain as they twist or wark over time. You’ll see it most clearly in the photo view looking up at the kit.

Hire Local for Better Product

Realize that the manufacturer is making their profit in the kit price marking up the lumber to you. Hiring a local builder or carpenter you’re paying for the time and expertise, and your money stayes local – so you get a higher quality product. We are building on our pride so much that we had steel plates made locally for this framing.

Custom Fabricated Mending Plates

The solid wood joining attaches with the force magnifier of full bolt through connections on 3/8th thick inch lag bolts. Super heavy, super strong, and classically beautiful in it’s traditional timber style framing.

Big Box Store Kit

Looks good on the surface – but does that roof structure look strong enough for a rough IL thunderstorm gust? Do the cuts in the face of the wood bother you, or show the weakening of the structure? Do the plates really provide enough coverage for strength, or are they just barely strong enough?