We "fall in love" with the families we get to build for and we work to give them only what they really need. This means asking key questions to help reveal their desires:

1. How do I want to use your space?
2. How many people will it regularly serve?
3. Are there existing elements you would you like to incorporate?
4. If you could, what would you make differently?
5. What is most important to you?

Shade shelters are not just for shade; they are multipurpose living areas and the way each family uses their backyard living area differs. And as varying as people are in how they want to spend their time, people also have different ideas of what their personal space should feel like for them. All ShadeScape® kits are designed to meet the needs of each homeowner —fitting their landscape and area the way that best suits their dreams of a best utilized outdoor living space. In our experience, for most people this means a multi-purpose space e.g. a barbecue area, dining/lounge area, etc. This is why we offer ShadeScape® "kits" only in the sense that all of the timbers are pre-cut, pre-drilled, pre-stained, and tested so they can be shipped to and easily assembled on site. After that they are better described as a custom old-world architectural showpiece.

Your judgment, style and taste, and how you want to use your backyard, is what matters most in preparing for a functional outdoor living area that will beautify your landscape. After the initial evaluation of the space and usage, then comes the exciting process of choosing how you want your pergola or pavilion to look.

We build many rectilinear arbors, pavilion, and pergolas —Contemporary style— with straight lines and squared angles for a formal appearance that is boldly attractive and appropriate in many projects.

Every landscape or site is unique, often calling for alternative approaches and actions. At a glance the backyard patio appeared to be a half-circle but in reality it was extremely irregular. Luckily, with 21st century technology, free-spirited architects are enabled pave the way for designs of the most artistic originality and keep lower the cost.

To get a more precise layout, Dave Bunker the Design Manager of this pergola plan implemented drone photography —capturing the perfect birds eye view of the patio—  considering the variables of the established concrete patio. The architects were then enabled to render a pergola plan that was a bit more complicated but it kept the appearance of a symmetrical shade shelter. When completed, the curving flow of full arched knee braces complimented and mirrored the patio area beautifully.

Wherever you stand, beneath or taking it all in from a distance, this ShadeScape® pergola creates a beautiful setting the family loves! Now, the backyard is the go-to place all day long.

On a shade shelter the roof is a major role player in the appearance and style an outdoor living area. The DIY trellis plan is straight lines that give the curving ambience of a half round shade shelter. Center is a circular roof DIY pergola plan with the timbers spiraling outward like sunbeams the stem from two preexisting pillars. The circular pergola plan on the far right has the front posts set back so the roof is cantilevered. As can be seen here in just these three pergola plans, there are so many different ways to incorporate a round style roof in a shade shelter.

A fan style roof is shaped like a tapered folding fan used for to cool off during sweltering hot summer days. Traditionally in Japan fans weren't just for practical purposes they were also considered decorative.  Often a fan roof arbors or pergola is installed in corners of to create a corner within a landscape but don't overlook that fan roof arbors and pergolas can also stand alone in the right setting as a functional showcase centerpiece.

An ever so slightly curve of the entire shade shelter keeps that bold stance while drawing the eyes around. This works beautifully whether you are mirroring a curved ground feature such as a rounded patio or if you just want to create the radius look.

Standard ShadeScape® arbors and pergola kits with a rounded cantilever roof is an easy way to give rounded flare and keep a structure in a tight line for better utilized usage of ever bit of space.

An arched or barrel roof arbor, pergola or pavilion has to have the right setting to compliment the landscape but they are definitely attract attention and admiration as an outstanding example of fine craftsmanship and architecture.

Arched beams are an ingenious way to give that luxurious curve appeal. The bottom beam is cut with a curve that flows around with the curved knee braces. The Alpine, Natural, and the Early American pergolas feature arched beams on all four sides.

Below on the front view of a 6 post pergola only the two front beams are arched. The Rich Cordoba pergola defines the entryway with just one arched beam reflecting the arch of the front door.

Knee braces provide additional strength and durability, and they help ensure that you will not have any twisting or warping throughout the life of your pergola kit. As a design feature, they provide diagonal contrast to your horizontal beams and vertical posts. You can choose your favorite knee brace style from any of our free standard options. These three offer some curve appeal or you can opt for a custom style of your own.

Five of our free standard end beam profiles have some curved elements on them. We have thousands of pictures in our gallery to give you a visual of different beam end profiles and how it will appear on a shade structure.

Curves will definitely add curb appeal.  The attractiveness your property should make you smile clear through your eyes.