When you step into a backyard with a timber frame pergola, you expect beauty, shade, and a sense of retreat. But this project goes a step further—literally. By integrating a full deck with a spiral staircase and lattice privacy panels, the homeowners didn’t just add a structure; they doubled their usable outdoor living space.

This elevated pergola design transforms the yard into two distinct environments: a shaded lower level that feels like a cozy retreat, and an open-air upper deck with sweeping views, almost like stepping into a treehouse. Built from Douglas Fir in our 8000 Series, finished in Rich Cordoba, and engineered with our signature Dovetail Difference®, the structure embodies the strength and craftsmanship of true mass timber.

A Treehouse for Grownups

The elevated deck gives the pergola a vantage point, making the upper level feel like a sophisticated treehouse. From here, you can take in your landscape from a new perspective—whether overlooking a garden, pool, or neighborhood. Families find it a natural gathering space, while businesses or recreational facilities can adapt this design for events, outdoor dining, or elevated lounges.

Elevated heavy timber pergola with an upper deck, lattice privacy panels, and spiral staircase, finished in Rich Cordoba stain. — A two-story pergola crafted from Douglas Fir in Rich Cordoba stain, featuring lattice privacy panels and a spiral staircase that connects the shaded lower retreat to the open upper deck.

An Elevated Space for Family and Friends

From this perch, the family gathers for every celebration—summer evenings, barbecues, and holidays when the sky comes alive. It’s their favorite place to watch fireworks. Bursts of color reflect in the pond below as laughter echoes through the lattice walls. Friends love it too, drawn by the view, the soft breeze, and the easy feeling of being above it all. Whether it’s morning coffee or stories under the lights, this deck has become more than an addition. It’s the heart of how they live outdoors.

View from raised timber pergola deck overlooking landscaped yard, pond, and mountain backdrop. — From the upper deck, the view stretches across the landscaped pond and into the mountains—an elevated outdoor living space that doubles both perspective and connection to nature.

Commercial-Grade Timber Engineering

Western Timber Frame specializes not only in residential but also in commercial mass timber solutions. Heavy timber creates recreational and hospitality environments that feel warm, strong, and permanent. This project demonstrates how structural design can scale—whether for a private backyard or a commercial retreat center.

Built for Connection & Comfort

View from beneath a Rich Cordoba pergola showing Crescent beam ends, Classic knee braces, and TimberVolt® power outlets. — Under-deck view of the Rich Cordoba pergola featuring Classic knee braces, Crescent beam ends, and TimberVolt® outlets integrated into 8×8 Douglas Fir posts.

Black steel spiral staircase leading to an elevated Douglas Fir deck under a Rich Cordoba timber pergola. — The black steel spiral staircase provides a graceful and space-saving transition to the upper deck of this 8000 Series pergola, framed in Douglas Fir and detailed with the TimberVolt® power system.

Close-up of Douglas Fir pergola post with TimberVolt® power outlets and Classic knee brace on upper deck finished in Rich Cordoba stain. — A close-up view from the upper deck shows the integrated TimberVolt® outlets and Classic knee brace connection on the Rich Cordoba Douglas Fir pergola—where structure meets precision craftsmanship.

The TimberVolt® power system integrates seamlessly into the posts, providing outlets for lighting, fans, or entertainment without messy cords. The spiral staircase adds architectural elegance and efficient space-saving access to the second level, while lattice privacy panels define the lower space and create a sheltered, intimate atmosphere.

The Dovetail Difference®

At the heart of this structure is our proprietary Dovetail interlock joint system. Unlike traditional bolts or hangers, this interlocking joinery locks massive timbers together with precision. The result is greater load strength, less warping, and a structure that feels both rock-solid and beautifully crafted. It’s the kind of quality you can see and feel.

Key Features of This Project

Double-level Rich Cordoba timber pergola with spiral staircase, lattice privacy panels, and landscaped pond. — This raised two-story pergola doubles the home’s outdoor living space with a spiral staircase, lattice privacy panels, and shaded seating below—crafted from Douglas Fir in Rich Cordoba stain.

Structure Type: Freestanding pergola with integrated upper deck
Series: 8000 Series heavy timber
Wood Type: Douglas Fir
Timber Size: Oversized mass timber posts, beams, and rafters
Post Size: 8″x8″ heavy timber posts
Stain Color: Rich Cordoba finish
Beam Profile: Crescent cut beam ends
Knee Braces: Classic style (8 total)
Overall Height: 10’2″
Roof Size: 16′ x 16′ pergola top
Footprint: 14′ x 14′ deck base
Hardware: Knife plate post anchors
Footings: Installed by Western Timber Frame/subcontractor
Custom Design: Dual-function pergola + elevated deck
Spiral Staircase: Elegant steel staircase providing compact access to the upper level
Lattice Privacy Panels: Defining the lower-level retreat with shade and seclusion
TimberVolt® Power System: Integrated outlets for power and lighting
Commercial-Grade Mass Timber: Adaptable for business, recreation, or hospitality environments
The Dovetail Difference®: Precision interlocking joinery for superior strength and longevity
Enhanced Views: Elevated deck creates a treehouse-like outdoor room

Latticework and the Art of Privacy

Close-up of lattice privacy panels on an elevated timber pergola filtering sunlight and providing a gentle wind break. — Handcrafted lattice panels filter light and breeze, creating a gentle wind break and sense of privacy beneath the Rich Cordoba pergola’s shaded deck.

Alternate angle of a 2-story timber pergola deck with curved metal stairs and latticed privacy walls for wind protection and shade — A new perspective on this handcrafted double-level pergola structure, complete with spiral stairs and privacy panels—designed for comfort, strength, and elevated outdoor living.

The lattice privacy panels do more than define space—they transform it. Each handcrafted section softens the light, filters the breeze, and offers a gentle wind break beneath the upper deck. They bring shape and rhythm to the structure, breaking the mass of timber with a geometric warmth that feels both refined and welcoming. Beyond their design, they create an atmosphere of calm—an intimate retreat tucked within an open landscape. Whether screening a spa, shaping an outdoor dining area, or simply giving a sense of separation from the wider world, these lattices make the space feel complete. It’s privacy not through walls, but through artistry—an architectural rhythm that lets the outdoors in, while still keeping your world your own.

More Than a Pergola—An Expansion of Life Outdoors

With projects like this, the pergola is no longer just an accent piece—it becomes the centerpiece of outdoor living. By stacking functions vertically, you gain square footage without expanding your footprint. Whether enjoying a quiet morning coffee on the upper deck or hosting a family gathering in the shaded lower retreat, this structure multiplies the possibilities.

Backyard view of an elevated Rich Cordoba timber pergola with deck, spiral staircase, and lattice privacy panels beside a cascading pond. — A freestanding 16×16 Douglas Fir pergola with an upper deck and lattice privacy panels creates a treehouse-style outdoor retreat beside a tranquil pond and waterfall.

At Western Timber Frame™, our mission is to craft spaces where families, friends, and communities gather. This project is a testament to how heavy timber can transform an ordinary backyard into something extraordinary—doubling not only your living space but your lifestyle.

Beyond the Backyard: The Momentum of Timber

This project began as a way to expand a home—and in doing so, it doubled the living space under the open sky. But it also represents something larger: the growing movement of mass timber architecture across homes, campuses, and commercial spaces nationwide.

A Movement Taking Root Nationwide

Western Timber Frame’s craft has evolved alongside that momentum. The same precision joinery that shaped this raised outdoor living space now defines large-scale projects—pavilions, resorts, and outdoor venues built to bring people together. As our commercial work expands, our schedule for private residential builds fills faster each season.

Architecture That Elevates Everyday Living

For homeowners who want to capture this level of design—strong enough for public architecture, refined enough for home life—this is the time to begin. To reserve a place on the design calendar is to claim more than additional square footage; it’s to elevate your lifestyle—doubling your space, your view, and your connection to the outdoors.

Two-level timber pergola with diving deck and waterfall over pool.

View from upper timber pergola deck overlooking pool and patio.

Two-story white timber frame pergola with upper diving deck and long curved pool slide beside a clear blue swimming pool.

A Gift That Lasts for Generations

And for those looking to give something unforgettable this Christmas, a project like this is more than a gift—it’s a promise of seasons to come. A place where family will meet again and again, under the strength and shelter of real timber.