Pergola Retreat
A shaded lounge corner framed by a pergola, picture-frame boards, and string lights.
A pergola changes a deck from an open platform into a room with a ceiling. This 14×12 retreat places the lounge beneath that frame at the back of the deck, softens the edge with a planter, and uses cable railing to keep the compact footprint visually open. String lights make the pergola earn its keep after dark.
The spec
| Footprint | 14×12 ft (168 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 2 ft |
| Decking | Driftwood composite, picture-frame border |
| Railing | Yes |
| Stairs | Yes |
| Cost basis | Composite benchmark: $45 – $70 / sq ft installed (USD). |
| Lighting | String lights (dusk scene) |
| Base platform allowance (USD) | $7,600 – $11,800 |
These are base platform allowances, not complete quotes for the pictured designs. Railing, stairs, lighting, skirting, benches, pergolas, special board patterns and extra framing for height or multiple levels need separate quotes.
Cost assumptions and sources
U.S. planning allowances in USD for a simple, single-level deck, including ordinary materials and contractor labor. These are PaperPlan editorial assumptions, not surveyed averages or a local quote.
- Pressure-treated: $25 – $40 / sq ft installed (USD)
- Composite: $45 – $70 / sq ft installed (USD)
- PVC: $60 – $90 / sq ft installed (USD)
Multiply deck area (width × length in feet) by the selected installed rate, then round each end of the range to the nearest $100.
Demolition, permits and engineering, taxes, stairs, railing, roofs, unusual foundations and difficult site access need separate quotes. Location, product selection and labor can put a real bid outside these ranges. Canadian projects need local CAD pricing.
The manufacturer sources below explain scope and cost drivers; they do not validate PaperPlan’s exact installed-rate bands. Supplier material estimates should not be compared directly with an installed project budget.
- Trex: deck material cost calculator: Estimates materials and explicitly excludes labor; prices vary with location, season and design.
- TimberTech: understanding deck costs: Separates decking, railing, labor and substructure, and explains the impact of site and project features.
Sources and assumptions reviewed . Confirm the scope and current price with local contractors before budgeting a build.
Best for
- Sunny yards that need a defined patch of shade
- Lounging and conversation instead of a table-first layout
- Homeowners who want an outdoor room without enclosing the view
Similar templates
- Private escape deck: Wood privacy rails and a side screen turn a close-neighbors yard into a charcoal retreat.
- Outdoor dining deck: A dinner-party layout with a real table zone, tucked-away grill, and post-cap glow at dusk.
- L-shaped wraparound: Picture-frame border on an L footprint with cable railing and open stairs.
Deck planning guides
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