Kirchner Customs

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Pergolas look amazing… but they usually don’t provide much shade or rain protection.

So when these homeowners wanted to rebuild their pergola, we designed something that would actually make the space usable year-round.

For this project in Acworth, we redesigned the space by removing the aging pergola and building a custom timber frame structure designed to provide real protection from the elements while still maintaining the open feel homeowners love.

One thing we always discuss with clients is that traditional pergolas provide very little actual shade or weather protection. Because of that, we typically recommend adding a roof system to make the space far more functional. For this build, we installed a Palram Sunscape polycarbonate roofing system on a subtle 1:12 pitch, giving the homeowners protection from rain while still allowing natural light to pass through.

Many homeowners don’t realize this until after they’ve already invested in one.

The structure itself features:
• 6x6 cedar posts
• Massive 6x12 cedar beams
• 4x10 cedar rafters with ornamental rafter tails
• Cedar purlins tying the structure together for strength and additional shade
• Palram Sunscape polycarbonate roof system that blocks ~70% of UV while remaining storm and hail resistant

Every piece of cedar was sanded to 80-grit and finished with Cutek Extreme penetrating oil to ensure the stain absorbs correctly and the wood is protected long-term. We even went back and re-prepped all materials when they didn’t arrive in the condition we expect — because details like that matter if you want a structure to look great for years to come.

We also rebuilt part of the existing outdoor kitchen after installing new structural footings for the pergola posts, carefully matching the existing 15-year-old veneer stone so the new work blended seamlessly with the original patio.

Additional upgrades included:
• New electrical with painted EMT conduit for a cleaner look
• Outdoor fan and lighting
• TV mount ready for game days
• Composite bottom plates in high-exposure areas to eliminate future rot

The end result is a space that now provides shade, rain protection, and year-round usability while still keeping the light, open feel of a pergola.

This is exactly what we mean when we say we approach outdoor spaces as a true extension of the home.

⁉️ Quick question — would you rather have a traditional open pergola, or a pergola with a roof system like this that provides shade and rain protection⁉️

🔥This one deserves a moment.💥

A milestone project that represents one of the largest and most detailed builds we’ve completed to date A perfect example of how we approach outdoor spaces—as true extensions of the home, not just “a deck out back.”

This project started with a full demo and turned into a 52’ x 18’ custom mineral-based composite deck, paired with a covered porch, full under-deck living space, and a level of structural and waterproofing detail that most people never see—but absolutely benefit from for decades to come.

A few highlights from this build 👇
▪️- Deckorators mineral-based decking with multi-layer picture framing, breaker boards, and custom inlay details
- YellaWood Extreme UCB.23 Marine Treated framing for everything with some PWT 18" LVLs for the support Beam and of course Simpson Strong-Tie for Hardware and Fasteners as always
▪️ - DekDrain EPDM water management system to keep the entire space below dry
▪️ - Finished cedar T&G ceiling under the deck, transforming the lower level into usable living space
▪️ - 23’ x 18’ covered porch with standing-seam metal roof and natural cedar ceiling
▪️ - Cable railing system with drink rails to preserve views without sacrificing safety, mix of Cable Bullet and Deckorators
▪️ - In-lite Global smart low-voltage lighting throughout—railings, stairs, fascia, and under-deck
▪️ - Integrated electrical, fans, and Vent hood from BBQGuys to support the homeowner’s outdoor kitchen and smoker setup

From the structural framing and waterproofing layers to the finishing details and lighting design, every piece of this project was intentionally planned and executed to perform long-term—not just look good on day one.

Huge thanks to our clients for trusting us with a project of this scale and complexity. Projects like this are why we do what we do.

If you’re dreaming about an outdoor space that’s built with purpose, longevity, and detail—this is what that looks like.

Dream • Design • Build

📸 Final photos below 👇
(Scroll—this one has a lot to see.)