There’s no substitute for having a comfortable, pleasant, versatile outdoor space at your home. During the COVID pandemic, families came to appreciate just how important these spaces can be, as they spent more time at home than ever. This summer, create a space for your family to enjoy both fresh air and each other’s company when you build the ultimate outdoor family room. 

No matter what the space will be used for, your outdoor family room should create a sense of destination. Because if the last year has taught us anything, it's that creating a home where you truly love to spend time with your favorite people is more than worth the effort. 

But if your outdoor area lacks the comfort and amenities to make it a great place to gather with loved ones, you might be thinking of a backyard remodel. Perhaps you're considering a complete overhaul or maybe just a minor facelift. No matter the scale of your project, you’ll want to think about the way you plan to creatively transform your outdoor space into the perfect family room. And likely you’ll find the possibilities are endless. 

Summer and the Outdoor Livin’s Easy

As the go-to area for everything from movie nights to playdates and all the bonding times in-between, the family room is central to your home. Likewise, an outdoor family room serves as a space for play, meals, and making memories.

Creature comforts like sofas, lamps, or rugs found within the home can make for a terrific outdoor space. Outdoor spaces can be as chic and comfortable as your living room, becoming natural extensions of the home. But you can't just plop a settee and coffee table randomly in the yard and proclaim it your new "outdoor room." 

To create one that's comfortable, cohesive, functional, and anything but cookie-cutter, consider starting with a custom AZEK pergola to define your outdoor space. As outdoor activity increases so does the need for privacy, shade, and shelter from the elements. Vinyl pergolas can also be augmented with lattice panels to creates the kind of privacy you’ll want in your outdoor space. 

Next, invest in an outdoor sectional that is as comfy as your indoor sofa and add a stylish rug that can withstand the elements. Swap your family's Netflix time for making s'mores around the fire pit. And voila, you have everything you’re creating and outdoor oasis so cozy, it will make your living room jealous.

Outdoor Spaces for All Ages

Growing up, was your treehouse or fort your favorite hangout? Your kids deserve that same sense of outdoor wonder and fun. Having a designated outdoor area that's just for your children is important for fostering creativity, imagination, and independent play. Get your kids to put their smartphones and tablets down and play outside in a retreat of their own. Consider a custom AZEK pergola outfitted with a lattice fence for creating perfect outdoor enclaves for reading, playing board games, or watching outdoor movies. 

Really, what could be more magical than watching your favorite movie under the stars? When the sun sets, there’s nothing is better than an outdoor flick on a huge projector screen. Once you’ve installed your AZEK pergola, string up some fairy lights, set up your outdoor projector, and grab the popcorn. It’s showtime.

Al Fresco Dining

Whether your outdoor family space is a city balcony or a sprawling ranch with enviable acreage, dining outdoors in a much-anticipated ritual during the warmer months of the year. Dining al fresco with your family offers the chance to slow down and relax, together. Not to mention, food and drinks just taste better when enjoyed outside, period. 

Motivated by the mouthwatering aromas and seasonings that only come with cooking on outdoor barbecues and grills, cooking (and dining) al fresco has evolved into a favorite at-home family activity. Custom vinyl pergolas easily lend themselves to creating outdoor family dining spaces. 

Easily one of the most visually appealing ways to enhance your family’s outdoor space is with a custom AZEK pergola, offering shelter from inclement weather and enhancing your backyard space. For an instant cozy family dining area outdoors, you can demarcate the chosen space with planters or a lattice fence panel. And add built-in lighting to your already-gorgeous AZEK pergola to create ambience (and to light up evening meals and activities).

Grow Together

Sure, watching movies and playing games with your children is fun, but this summer, move your bonding time outdoors. Head to the backyard and spend summer days together outside in the garden this season.

Consider the design of your garden, and perhaps, let your children weigh in. Limited space? A lattice fence is ideal for vertical container gardening. Got some serious square footage? Design a dreamy cottage garden outfitted with arbors with gates for a space straight out of the storybooks. 

Walpole offers limitless possibilities for creating truly stunning garden enclosures. Appointed with an expansive line of arbors with gates and custom fencing you can add some serious aesthetic appeal to your family’s garden.

Create the Perfect Family Room with Walpole

Walpole Outdoors are the leading designers, fabricators, and installers of the highest quality AZEK pergolas and other premium products. They offer a wide array of classical, contemporary, and fully customized design options in fencing, vinyl pergolas and arbors with gates. Walpole specializes in creating amazing outdoor spaces for the most discerning homeowners. Our professional design team is available now to schedule a free measurement and consultation of your property, so you can start planning right now for your outdoor family room and enjoy the wonderful year you’ve been waiting for. 

CONTACT WALPOLE OUTDOORS TODAY!

During an era when the experience is everything, rooftops are certainly an elevated draw. And it’s no wonder why. Rooftop areas have been on the rise in recent years as sought-after spaces for bars, restaurants, and hotels. As social distancing remained a priority, many outdoor venues have gotten creative over this last year. Rooftop spaces have continued to pop up across the country in the form of dining rooms, gardens, and co-working spaces. And it doesn’t look like the trend will be going away. Businesses have found that the sky’s the limit when considering the untapped potential of vertical space. 

1. Sky High Workspaces

Rooftop workspaces have been top-of-mind for developers and owners of urban office buildings long before the pandemic. It’s a great way to appeal to potential employees - adding a terrace with a vinyl pergola and reimagining once-barren rooftops into parklike settings where workers can unfurl yoga mats, swing in a hammock, or simply work amid more pleasant surroundings. Lengthening the workspace tether was certainly a logical next step in the evolution of flexible offices this last year. Now, with the return to the workspace in full swing. Installing AZEK fencing to define a rooftop workspace creates a private, purposeful space for employees. A vinyl pergola can offer shade in the heat of summer allowing your employees to relax, eat lunch, and meet with co-workers. And integrating a few low-maintenance AZEK planter boxes transforms a rooftop space from meh to memorable.

2. Offer a Taste of the High Life

Rooftop bars might have once seemed like a novelty. Common in places like New York, Las Vegas, and Chicago, rooftop bars have been among the most popular, profitable, and continuously evolving spaces in the food and beverage industry. While rooftop bars in densely populated cities with skyline views might be common, many restaurants are getting into the rooftop game to differentiate themselves among the competition. During a time when adequate ventilation and sufficient room to socially distance has become paramount, alleys, parking lots, and sidewalks have been transformed into usable space. And these trends will likely shape the future bar scene, dominating bar culture for the foreseeable future. If you haven’t considered your vertical space, transforming your rooftop can work to your advantage, diversifying revenue streams and providing safe, convenient methods for socialization. Consider vinyl pergolas and custom lattice panels integrated with lighting and speakers for added ambiance. Or AZEK fencing can create private and intimate lounge spaces within your rooftop bar so your guests can sip a cocktail while remaining outdoors, enjoying an evening in the clouds.

3. Elevate Your Al Fresco Dining 

Rooftops offer an intimate, private setting for dining with sweeping views and an air of exclusivity. Because rooftop terraces naturally offer added ambiance, they invite guests to linger. Creating a space that encourages your guests to sit and stay awhile is a space that offers serious revenue-generating potential. Consider your brand and audience and design your rooftop space around that. To increase usability, consider covering a part of your rooftop space for shading and rain protection with a vinyl pergola. You can integrate swoon-worthy details like fire pits, twinkling lights, sofas, chairs, and conversation areas into your pergola’s design. For privacy, AZEK fencing with some custom lattice panels can prove to be a stylish solution for carving out intimate lounge spaces. 

4. Create a Rooftop Garden Oasis

Architectural, multilayered, well-drained and with panoramic views, rooftop gardens are a true surprise & delight space at any workplace or restaurant. Equal parts grit and glam, rooftops and terraces feature all the amenities of a pastoral retreat—outdoor dining spaces, cozy seating areas, planters filled with lush greenery and blooming buds—all from a lofty perch. Imagine wisteria-wrapped vinyl pergolas for both structure and serious charm. Consider AZEK fencing for seclusion. Fill custom AZEK planter boxes with heat-tolerant perennials and shrubs for seasonal interest. And soak in that view. Walpole Outdoors’ expansive line of custom vinyl pergolas, AZEK planter boxes and fencing can transform any rooftop into the garden escape you’ve been dreaming of. 

5. The Rooftop Community Space

There’s a new amenity at the top of most tenants’ wish lists: The rooftop. Versatile and attractive, rooftop spaces are one of the newest, most coveted amenities to hit the commercial residence market. And it’s no wonder why. Rooftops offer a trendy, al fresco atmosphere where residents will want to spend most of their time enjoying skyline views—leading to opportunities for extra revenue and an increased likelihood they will renew their lease. Transform your communal rooftop deck, into something all residents can enjoy while swimming, grilling, or exercising. AZEK fencing and vinyl pergolas outfitted with lattice panels can help create outdoor lounge spaces outfitted with TVs or movie projectors, grilling areas, fire pits, or gardening areas.

Ready to Reimagine Your Rooftop?

Synonymous with quality and innovation and made in America, Walpole Outdoors is an industry leader, that has served the most discerning homeowners and businesses for over 85 years. Rethink your rooftop space and consider the potential for custom AZEK integrations from pergolas to planters. If you’re ready to elevate your outdoor space, Walpole Outdoors can develop a solution that matches your needs from consultation to concept to completion.

CONTACT WALPOLE OUTDOORS TODAY!

Here’s the thing about keeping your home's exterior looking amazing: Touch ups, from repainting that vintage white picket fence to brushing the mildew spots off your wisteria-wrapped pergola, become a routine component of your seasonal property maintenance. But you can break that cycle when your outdoor spaces and structures are constructed of AZEK, which offers a whole range of building solutions from fences to gates to pergolas. Plus, you can completely customize your AZEK project in a range of styles to best suit your own—and all are as durable as they are beautiful.

What is AZEK?

It’s a high-quality synthetic wood alternative that offers many aesthetic and functional benefits. This innovative material can actually spare you time, energy, and resources. Environmentally friendly and crafted from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), this low-maintenance material resists warping, moisture, and sun damage, retaining its sturdiness, carpenter-finish, and color for decades.

This is NOT the brittle hollow vinyl or sagging synthetic sawdust-boards you may remember from years past. AZEK is truly different, and it’s designed to look just like natural or painted wood, and last for decades without cracking, fading, or rotting. If you’re considering replacing your fencing or gates, or perhaps you're starting from scratch and thinking about a new custom pergola to enhance your outdoor dining space, consider AZEK for a high-performance, low-maintenance option.

The AZEK Revolution

The truth is, not all materials (or even all composite materials) are created equal. AZEK stands apart from other synthetic options thanks to its unique use of advanced materials.

When companies first began making composite materials nearly three decades ago using a combination of wood fibers and recycled plastic, their products began having issues with mold because the product was not impervious to water and other elements. ENTER: AZEK. Made with solid PVC, AZEK developed a capped-composite product that was impervious to staining, scratching, fading and water damage and was also low maintenance. But could it offer the same charm and character as natural wood?

In short, yes.

Although pressure-treated wood may initially seem like the smart-money option, you can end up paying for it over time. For instance, according to AZEK’s website, the approximate cost of upkeep for a wooden deck is more than $20,000 over 20 years. And it’s not hard to see why. Wood absorbs moisture. Over time, the absorption of water will weaken the integrity of the wood. And premium hardwoods don’t entirely solve this: even with a high-quality cedar, wood fences, gates, and other structures can rot, twist and warp over time. But AZEK, with the beauty and feel of real wood, coupled with high durability and low maintenance, has become the material of choice for fine outdoor homes and businesses.

Scientifically engineered to repel mold, resist weathering, and combat warping caused by environmental stressors at a level that can’t be beaten, AZEK is the industry-leader in the highly attractive, fast-growing outdoor living market. Using weather-resistant technology, AZEK is designed to be resistant to termites, scratching and dents. With its Alloy Armour shell containing UV protection, your AZEK fencing won’t fade under the harsh sun or become damaged with use. But, AZEK can be milled, carved and sanded, just like hardwood, appealing to any style from contemporary to coastal. And because the core contains no wood fibers, it won’t absorb moisture or be susceptible to rot. You can rest easy knowing that AZEK can take on just about anything. In fact, AZEK won Houzz’s 2020 Best of Design as well as Dwell’s Best Outdoor Products of 2020.

But honestly, the number one reason people continue to choose AZEK by far is for its low maintenance. (Let’s be real, wouldn’t you rather skip the annual staining or painting?) The overwhelming trend in the outdoor market favors little-to-no maintenance materials. While “no maintenance” may be a misnomer, low maintenance is a reality when it comes to AZEK. A little soap and water every few months will keep your AZEK products looking brand new, year after year, for decades.

Pergolas, fencing, gates—oh my!

Twenty years ago, choosing a composite material meant you were signing up for a “cookie-cutter” look with very little room for customization. Times, however, have changed. Ranging from monochromatic to color-blended hues, Walpole’s AZEK fencing, AZEK pergolas or other products come signed, sealed, and delivered in one of more than 100 Sherwin-Williams VinylSafe paint colors. From a classic Hale navy blue to a warm terracotta, AZEK gates, lamp posts, or fences can be fully customized to your taste with an expansive palate of color choices, guaranteed to last for 25 years.

The buck doesn’t stop with color either – each of Walpole’s trademark lines of AZEK pergolas, fencing and gates offer nuanced wood grain patterns and even wire-brushed finishes. Seamlessly blend your AZEK fencing or pergola to the style of your home and its existing wood structures for a distinctive outdoor space perfect for dining, entertaining and relaxing in the comfort of your own backyard.

For instance, if you’re drawn to the look and feel of historic cedar, Walpole Outdoors can craft pristine new AZEK pergolas in a style that replicates historic designs and milling styles to complete your property and complement your style. Honoring and sustaining creative beauty, Walpole and AZEK have partnered together on landmark restoration projects, creating the perfect balance of old-fashioned charm and modern technology with AZEK gates, AZEK lamp posts, and other specially crafted products.

A Brilliant Welcome

Functional and distinctive, Walpole AZEK lamp posts are more than just a pole in the ground. They are a handsome, elegantly milled perch for a custom lantern, offering some serious curb appeal blending style and practicality. Handcrafted to enhance your entry, path or any other part of your outdoor home, the quality and impeccable style of Walpole Outdoors AZEK lamp posts are unrivaled. Perfectly positioned at home’s entryway, this majestic Belmont Pillar post makes a truly elegant statement, and first impression. Walpole’s line of stylish posts highlight the beauty of your garden and your grounds while adding an extra layer of security and safety at night, all with the look and feel of beautiful natural wood.

The High-Performance, Low-Maintenance Solution

For nearly a decade, Walpole Outdoors has been using AZEK, expanding the use of this versatile material to include nearly all of our manufactured items, from AZEK gates to lamp posts due to its durability and long-lasting beauty. Walpole Outdoors specializes in creating amazing outdoor spaces for the most discerning homeowners with fully customized AZEK products and projects. Call us to schedule a free measurement and design consultation of your property, so we can start planning right now for your next project. 

Fabulous swimming pool? Check. Adjacent patio? Check. Cozy fire pit? Check. Pergola for offering shade, shelter and pool-side privacy? If you have been considering installing a pergola or perhaps new privacy fencing, this year may be the year to do it.

No doubt sunshine and swimming pools are a natural hallmark of summer months.

Surrounded by handsome patios, sun-drenched decks, and lush landscaping, swimming pools across the country will supply more “staycation” enjoyment this summer than ever before. Invite swimmers and sunbathers to your personal poolside retreat this summer by creating a swoon-worthy swimming hole designed with entertaining and relaxation in mind.

More than ever, people are planning a summer spent right at home. And for many, that means making the most of their outdoor spaces. If you are a pool owner, then you already know that the pool area is quite often the focus of much of your summertime outdoor activity. And for good reason. When considering what spring project to tackle this year, upgrading the pool area is a great place to start. Increase your poolside potential by installing a new vinyl pergola, custom AZEK fencing, or a new pool gate to create a truly spectacular backyard escape.

Have It Made In The Shade

With some thoughtful planning, creating an outdoor oasis to entertain friends and family can be easily accomplished with the addition of a vinyl pergola. Pergolas provide a sheltered area for grilling, dining, or reading poolside. And if you’re lucky enough to own a pool, chances are that you’ll want a shady spot to relax in post-dip.

Softening the transition between your home and outdoor space, a vinyl pergola can be installed over a patio, deck, or alongside your pool for the perfect blend of beauty and function. Your pergola’s placement can easily help to delineate various zones, like for eating and entertaining, or designate cozy seating areas throughout your yard.

Adding a vinyl pergola can help you make the most of your outdoor space, no matter the size or scale. In larger spaces, adding a pergola can help you easily define sections of your yard, designating dining and entertaining areas. With a small space, a pergola can create a sense of luxury and intentionality—so that when you entertain outdoors, you’re doing so with a purpose. From traditional to magnificent multi-columned custom radius poolside pergolas, Walpole can create a unique pergola that suits your location and sense of style. 

Enhance your poolside pergola’s structure with hanging baskets, custom planters, or elegant light fixtures to transform your deck into a dreamy outdoor living space. For a simple lighting solution, you can create a sense of ambiance by stringing outdoor holiday decorative lights from the pergola and watch them twinkle from above or by adding a hanging pendant over your seating area to enjoy al fresco dining after dark. If you select a Walpole Outdoors custom pergola, you can work with your designer to have it crafted and installed with integrated writing and lighting for absolutely ideal illumination. Flowering vines like morning glories or wisteria climbing up and along your pergola offer both enhanced privacy and shade. Line the pergola's perimeter with a series of container gardens spilling with bright blooms to soften the deck, making it even more inviting.

Create a Linger-Worthy Space with a Beautiful Custom Fence

Your backyard and pool area should serve as your own personal outdoor oasis. A lack of privacy can certainly throw off the whole vibe. The addition of a custom privacy fence is a simple strategy for buffering noise and creating a secluded outdoor retreat.

A pool fence plays an integral role in the grand swimming pool scheme. While the landscaping, lighting, and various design implements come together to create the mood and experience, it is ultimately the swimming pool fence that contains and shelters it all.

And, we all know the saying, good fences make good neighbors. But great fences make your yard truly memorable. Fencing is much more than merely a functional perimeter. Many go to painstaking lengths to design a fence truly worthy of what lies within its perimeters.

Fortunately, AZEK fencing has taken great strides in both form and function, making it possible (and easy) for you to create a linger-worthy space that remains beautiful year after year. 

With the ability to select designer colors (with a 25-year paint guaranty), fence caps, or custom gates, fully customizable AZEK fencing creates structure for your backyard retreat. A beautiful and style-savvy pool fence can put the finishing touch on the picturesque scene you’ve dreamed of, affording both privacy and safety in a seemingly effortless manner.

Lattice fences go beautifully around pool areas and they can be paired with custom pool gates that perfectly complement their style and welcome guests to go for a swim. Combining practicality with enduring charm, a custom vinyl picket fence blends effortlessly with the architectural style of so many homes. Alternatively, try a fence without pickets for a pool enclosure with an unobstructed view, like this custom Walpole fence. AZEK fencing can house special custom glass or mesh panels to provide safety, security, and a wind barrier for lounging poolside, without skimping on sophistication.

Many homeowners are faced with challenges when selecting pool gates that match their style while meeting the stringent code requirements. Walpole offers a range of pool gates, like this custom contemporary wood and wire gate handcrafted in decay resistant Western Red Cedar outfitted in code-compliant hardware. A Custom Capped Sudbury Fence and matching pool gate can create a charming border around your pool, designed with safety code compliant hardware, specifically for pool gates and for childcare safety areas.

Create Your Own Poolside Hideaway with Walpole

Walpole custom privacy fencing and pool gates are solid, durable, and built to last. Handcrafted in low maintenance AZEK, Walpole’s fences and pool gates won’t rot, buckle, or sag, and the board-on-board layout guarantees maximum privacy.

To ensure that the finished product lives up to your expectations, fencing and gate projects require meticulous measurements, expert design advice, and professional installation. Look for a partner who can provide all three. From consultation to concept to completion, you and your property deserve the best.

Walpole Outdoors specializes in creating amazing outdoor spaces for the most discerning homeowners. They are the leading designers, fabricators, and installers of the highest quality AZEK pergolas, and they offer a wide array of classical, contemporary, and fully customized design in fencing, gates, and outdoor furniture. Walpole designers are available now to schedule a free measurement and design consultation of your property, so you can start planning right now for your spring projects and enjoy the wonderful 2021 you’ve been waiting for. 

In the increasingly competitive world of business, where a single negative review or less-than-perfect experience can send prospective customers (and their dollars) elsewhere, making a good first impression couldn’t be more important. Influencing the way people decide where to eat, what stores to shop at and what neighborhoods to drive through, first impressions – good or bad – are everything.

Making improvements to your business facade can up your foot traffic, improve your customer reviews, and increase the value of your business without necessarily breaking your budget. And investing in the exterior of your property will result with big returns on (you guessed it) the first impression.

Where to Begin?

Welcome guests with a grand entranceway, create a perimeter of privacy, or add an elegant border with a distinctive perimeter. As versatile as it is durable, a fence crafted from AZEK solid cellular PVC (an environmentally friendly synthetic material) is low maintenance, made to last, and completely customizable. Surrounding lush landscapes and large estates, pools, townhouses, or apartment communities, such fences are frequently used in residential projects. But it’s a good idea to consider an AZEK fence when thinking about ways to define your commercial property. Incorporate a board gate for a fantastic way to enhance curb appeal or the entrance to your building’s outdoor enclosed areas. Whether painted crisp white or in designer colors, custom board gates and fences at your place of business can be the very first things that visitors notice. Tell the story of your brand by giving your property a look that matches the quality of your products or services with a custom fence and board gate.

Classic designs with lasting, low-maintenance components makes Walpole Outdoors fences the first choice for businesses all over the country. With more than 40 different fencing styles, Walpole will collaborate with landscape architects to fully realize the vision for a property's exterior, whether you’re looking for a charming Nantucket-inspired picket fence or the ultimate "green" privacy fence. Many landscape architects, architects, and builders choose Walpole specifically for projects that require distinctive, quality presentations, like this nautical post-and-rope fencing style.

After selecting your fence, all that's left is deciding on the perfect gate. Defining this charming outdoor seating area at an ice cream shop, the owner chose a magnificent custom scalloped-topped double gate with matching Victorian lattice side panels partly housed atop a short brick wall. Walpole offers custom vinyl gates in nearly every shape and size imaginable to create a unique and memorable entry.

Fencing Provides Privacy and Security

A well-designed fence provides more than just privacy to a business—it can supply a sense of security, too. Walpole board fences stand tall at apartment complexes, senior living centers, and universities providing both privacy and security for residents and visitors. Superior quality fencing can help protect outdoor storage areas, offering business owners peace of mind. A distinctive perimeter fence can make for an effective entry deterrent but should be no less attractive than it is substantial. For example, this Chesapeake fence painted in a pewter hue offers privacy and security and is easy on the eyes. Or, this New York City Custom Privacy Lattice Fence stand seven feet tall creates a private oasis in the middle of a busy metropolis. Walpole is adept at incorporating custom vinyl gates seamlessly into a substantial privacy fence. This 6-feet high Chesapeake fence and entranceway secure a business area while allowing easy access. 

Incorporating Outdoor Space in The Work Environment

When thinking about any upgrades or improvements to make at your business this upcoming season, consider ways to use fencing to seamlessly integrate an outdoor space for breaks, meals, and outdoor meetings into the work environment.

Recent studies suggest that spending time in nature can result in improved creativity and problem solving, increased focus, and increased happiness. Each of these can dramatically influence overall employee engagement, retention, and productivity.

In fact, according to a 2018 survey completed by outdoor product retailer L.L. Bean, United States workers between the ages of 22 and 65 spend approximately 95 percent of their time indoors, with 87 percent identifying as outdoor enthusiasts. Outdoor work areas can not only provide open space for your employees, but also allow them to get that much-needed breath of fresh benefitting both cognitive functions and overall well-being.

Creating a terrace – large or small – with a custom AZEK fence allows employees to take calls or host private meetings, get some sun or just enjoy a few meditative moments during the workday. Well planned spaces delineated by an AZEK fence can offer adequate distance between movable seating configurations allowing for different groups to utilize the terrace simultaneously. 

Even if retrofitting your current workspace to include an outdoor terrace, courtyard or deck is not an easy option, you might consider delineating an outdoor common space, simply created with an AZEK fence to enclose a section of sidewalk, alley space, or open ground adjacent to your building. The benefits of spending work hours outdoors include better productivity, improved focus, enhanced creativity, and even improved health and wellbeing for your employees.

Already have a designated outdoor space at your business? Custom lattice fences can enhance your courtyard, patio or deck with a simple yet elegant architectural feature, instantly adding­­­ visual interest and tying together your entire outdoor appearance. Made of metal or AZEK solid cellular vinyl, lattice fences (or simple lattice kits) are generally an inexpensive option to incorporate into your business’ exterior projects. And, with so many styles and colors to choose from, Walpole’s custom lattice fences outfitted with custom vinyl gates can complement your already existing architecture. 

Use lattice fences as dividers between areas in your outdoor space, creating individual seating pods that allow for safe distancing. Throw up some umbrellas to provide ample shade, ensuring that employees stay comfortable during extended periods of outdoor time. Lattice fences will allow air and light filter through, offering an inviting and warm ambiance and, once again, encourage the use of your business’ outdoor area.

If you’re ready to define the perimeter and character of your place of business, Walpole can develop a solution that matches your needs and makes an amazing impression on your employees, customers, and visitors. Discover the difference quality craftsmanship and impeccable design make. Discover Walpole Outdoors today. 

More than ever, restaurateurs need to be creative. With seating limitations, diner wariness, and a big shift to takeout, eat-in establishments never had it so tough. From setting out tables on sidewalks, in parking lots and alleys, and even on streets partially closed to traffic, al fresco dining has become a standard throughout most of the country.

With the welcome arrival of spring, restaurants can see the proverbial light at the end of tunnel. Restaurateurs who have been nimble and innovative in setting up unique outdoor spaces to accommodate their guests have seen increased profits at their bars and restaurants, in spite of the global pandemic. This season, you can position your restaurant or bar with a beautiful outdoor-dining space to capture your diners’ appetites and imaginations and keep them coming back for more.

Sidestep what everyone else is doing (think igloos and picnic tables) with truly standout custom spaces that are both elegant and unforgettable.

If You Build It, They Will Come

Dining outdoors offers the chance to slow down and relax. And while there may not be actual proven scientific evidence to back it up, food and drinks just taste better when enjoyed outside (and your customers know it).

Easily one of the most visually appealing ways to level up your outdoor experience, commercial pergolas can offer shelter from inclement weather, enhance the overall atmosphere of your outdoor dining space, and provide room for additional seating. Plus, there’s nothing like a gorgeous AZEK pergola to draw visual attention to your business.

Imagine your customers stepping outside onto a swoon-worthy outdoor space, complete with a pergola with built-in lighting. Add music and lush greenery to create the perfect atmosphere that draws diners in droves — not only your regulars, but also passers-by who are attracted by the sight of happy customers. This simple addition of a pergola can transform even the most unremarkable patio bar or sidewalk dining area into an unforgettable place to eat and drink. And that diner impression has real value: according to The Simons Advisory Group, a $200,000 investment in your outdoor dining space can result in an overall sales increase by $500,000—possibly more if your restaurant offers year-round outdoor seating.

Think your place isn’t right for a pergola? You may need to think again: Sidewalk café? A gorgeous, attached pergola out front can drive foot traffic. Rooftop Restaurant? A pergola with built-in lighting provides the perfect backdrop for private events. Long-overdue live music? Put the band under your new pergola. Outdoor seating is the best kind of advertisement for your business. Not only do pergolas a premium outdoor lighting create a great environment for snapping shareable pics of your establishment, anyone driving or walking by your outdoor dining space can easily imagine sipping sangria on your perfect pergola-covered patio. That can really add up: outdoor seating lifts revenue by 33% on average.

Attached or freestanding—commercial pergolas undoubtedly offer increased value. Add a pergola outfitted with recessed column lighting to encourage evening socializing. Allow greenery to climb up your pergola with artfully-designed built-in planter boxes. And create a dreamy atmosphere with custom latticework and artfully placed lantern posts throughout your outdoor dining space for the ultimate outside veranda.

A Pergola For All Seasons

Some of the features of premium commercial pergolas can mean that contending with harsh weather elements is no longer deal-breaker. During the warmer months, pergolas provide much-needed shade and a respite from high temperatures. Unlike a simple awning, a pergola diffuses natural light, creating a light and airy space that keeps your diners cool, calm, and comfortable. Even when temps continue to rise in the heat of the season, commercial pergolas can block that intense sunshine that might otherwise limit your outdoor dining offerings.

When the weather does not cooperate, the addition of a retractable pergola canopy or shade can protect your diners from intense sun and light rain and help to keep your patio or rooftop open for business, therefore maximizing your outdoor investment. When accompanied with fencing or latticework, a pergola can also significantly reduce the impact of wind. 

As the months turn colder, commercial pergolas with canopy additions can allow your business to continue to provide an outdoor dining experience by retaining the heat generated by outdoor space heaters. And in the winter season, a pergola is simply magical when outfitted with outdoor lanterns, holiday lights, and evergreens.  

Lure Them with Lighting

When it comes to outdoor dining, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of lighting. The exterior of your restaurant is the very first thing your potential clientele will see. Utilize outdoor lighting as an opportunity to showcase your restaurant, drive foot traffic and increase your profitability.

Make a statement and install elegant granite lantern posts topped with beautiful outdoor lanterns throughout your outdoor dining space. Walpole Outdoors offers an extensive selection of custom-milled, granite or AZEK lantern posts in traditional, historic, and contemporary styles. With quality detailing that is truly the hallmark of Walpole excellence, our handsome lantern posts can transform your space into something quite exceptional.

Elevate Your Outdoor Dining Space With Walpole Outdoors

Define an entryway, provide privacy and shade, and create an unforgettable outdoor space at your restaurant with our expansive selection of custom AZEK commercial pergolas, lantern posts and outdoor lanterns.  Crafted and installed by Walpole Outdoors, you can choose from any of our stylish design lines or let our artisans match your restaurant’s architecture.

If you’re ready to transform your outdoor space and create the outdoor dining and bar experiences your customers crave, we can develop a solution that matches your needs. Discover the difference quality craftsmanship makes and schedule your free consultation today with Walpole Outdoors. 

Waiting for spring can leave you feeling as antsy as a kid waiting to unwrap their birthday presents. You’ve been counting down the days thinking, will it ever get here? While the ground might be frozen solid and snow very well may be in the forecast, there’s no better time than now to scheme and dream of your garden and the warm days to come.

Ah, your garden. That special little corner of the world to retreat to, to find solitude in, to refresh and to renew. A beautiful enclosed garden is like an extension of your home offering an outdoor living space for family and friends to enjoy both fresh air and each other’s company. Carve out your own outdoor oasis by enclosing your garden with a customized Walpole enclosure and create a space perfect for al fresco entertaining, socializing and gathering, especially when indoor entertaining may not be viable. Wow your guests this spring with beautiful garden enclosures that range from traditional to contemporary to rustic.

Define Your Garden In Style

The fencing you select for your enclosed garden tells your story. What do you want it to say about your style? Think about your garden like any other room in your home, minus the ceiling. How would you design it? Walpole’s expansive line of custom AZEK fences offers limitless possibilities for truly stunning garden enclosures. By enclosing your garden spaces with custom AZEK fences, you not only protect all of the time, energy, and effort you have put into your garden; but you also add some serious aesthetic appeal.

A traditional Walpole board fence is solid, durable, and built to last. Handcrafted in low maintenance AZEK, these premium board fences won’t rot, buckle, or sag, and the board-on-board layout ensures maximum privacy. Custom AZEK fences not only protect all of the time and hard work you put into your garden; they’re also easy on the eyes.

Add on a layer of extra interest to a traditional board fence by topping it with a contrasting panel. Consider dressing up your tried-and-true traditional board fence with an English Lattice Topper.

Feeling uninspired by a traditional white fence? Don't shy away from a more modern board fence design. With 125 colors to choose from, make a statement with bold hues like verde or cobalt that will pair perfectly alongside a lush green lawn. (TIP: Hang decorative garden lights from them to create a twilight entertaining zone.)

Make A Good First Impression

Whether it marks the entry to your home, connects one zone to the next, or puts the finishing touch on your enclosed garden, a custom vinyl gate can be a showstopping garden feature all on its own, like lattice gate with a Chippendale Topper. In other words, if you’re thinking of a garden gate as a matter of function, you’re missing the big picture.

Passing through a garden gate is like walking into a secret, hidden world. The entrance to your garden is the very first thing visitors will notice, sparking curiosity as to what might be around the corner. Garden gates roll out the welcome mat in a way no ordinary pathway can. Often draped with rambling wisteria, colorful clematis or fragrant climbing roses, your garden gate can create a dramatic focal point. And, with your ability to choose a custom vinyl gate that reflects your personal style, you can create a bespoke design to mark the entry of your garden.

Define your backyard garden in style. Designing a cottage garden? A spindle top arbor with a lattice gate brings oh so much charm. Allow roses or vines to climb up your lattice gate for an enchanting and fairy tale like entry.

Or are is your style more traditional? An entry gate flanked by tidy white pickets is as classically American as apple pie. Add in some swoon-worthy swaths of blooms and a charming arbor and you will be beckoning your guests to come in and stay while.

Create An Exceptional Enclosed Garden with Walpole

Whether you need to enclose a backyard, conceal a side yard space, or connect two garden rooms, make your outdoor space unforgettable by adding a custom vinyl gate. Created with both aesthetics and durability in mind, Walpole gates not only secure a property’s perimeter but also enhance its appearance. With an extensive range of gate styles to complement a variety of AZEK fences, from formal to rustic, antique reproduction to contemporary, your Walpole gate, made of beautiful, low-maintenance solid cellular PVC, can be customized to almost any height and width.

At Walpole Outdoors, we’ve been helping families create exceptional outdoor spaces since 1933. Thinking about enclosing your garden with custom fencing, gates, lattices, or other premium products? Walpole Outdoors can help make that dream a reality.

Contact us today to schedule your free professional design consultation and get your garden project underway. 

Every winter, we gaze out the window at our cold, empty yards and bare gardens. Longer days, and warmer weather are coming, we tell ourselves. Soon, we’ll be welcoming company for lunch on the patio. Those empty flowerbeds will be full of lush color, and we’ll be out there with the kids playing kickball or splashing in the pool. Even when we’re not doing anything but quietly relaxing, it will be in the fresh air instead of on the couch.

And this year, you can make all of those outdoor experiences even better. The additions and enhancements to your outdoor home that create the perfect spaces for family, for company, and for you.

It’s not too late, but it’s certainly time to get those creative ideas and project plans in motion. AZEK pergolas or lattice fences with custom vinyl gates don’t just appear like magic, and even something as simple as a planter box or outdoor rocker takes time to select, order, and ship. But with your vision, a little bit of guidance, and the help of capable pros, the 2021 you’ve been hoping for can come to life this spring.

Whatever you’re most looking forward to doing this spring, there’s an outdoor project you should be planning right now!

Entertaining is Everything: Put up a Pergola!

If you can’t wait to welcome company back to your home for the first time in what feels like forever, Spring is your season. The mild weather is perfect for spending entire afternoons outdoors with friends for dining, wine & apps, or just talking without having to check if you’re muted first. AZEK pergolas are an increasingly popular solution that upscale homeowners are using to create outdoor spaces where they can enjoy both the fresh air and the feeling of being in the same room with visitors.

What are AZEK pergolas? Well, you probably know that a pergola is a structure with posts supporting a slatted or open-rafter roof (but it can be much more sophisticated than that – check out these design ideas) that can be free-standing or attached to a home, a pool house, or other building, creating an open-sided, shady, multi-purpose space. These sturdy, low-maintenance structures are made (as the name implies) of AZEK solid cellular PVC. Layers of Polyvinyl chloride are compressed together, giving this synthetic (but environmentally friendly) material the look and grain of real wood, and some vendors will even deliver and install them pre-painted in hundreds of premium colors!

AZEK pergolas can be custom designed for your property, but even predesigned models and kits need to be carefully selected and installed. Now is the right time to explore pergola inspiration galleries, or even to schedule a design consultation.

Still On the Fence About Spring planning?

Good fences make good neighbors. Great fences make your yard amazing! Fencing does far more than merely give your property a functional perimeter; creative uses of picket, board, or lattice fences (augmented with details like designer colors, selected fence caps, or custom vinyl gates) create structure and spaces for all the experiences you’ll share this year in your outdoor home.

Many families are gracing their landscapes with lattice fences, and it’s easy to see why. Many styles of lattice fencing give a feeling of light and airiness, while still being sturdy and elegant. Lattice fences go beautifully around patios, pool areas, and garden enclosures, and they can be paired with custom vinyl gates that complement their style and invite passage from one area of your yard to another, whether as welcome guests or as kids heading out to play in the backyard.

To ensure that the finished product lives up to your expectations, fencing and gate projects require careful measurements, expert design advice, and professional installation. Look for a professional partner that can provide all three. From consultation to concept to completion, you and your property deserve the best.

Come Out and Sit a Spell

If the idea of planning big, involved projects leaves you feeling overwhelmed, take a seat and rest – but not just any seat will do. An easy project (but one you shouldn’t put off for too long) is adding quality, comfortable outdoor furniture to your property for you and your guests to enjoy.

An assortment of comfy chairs, an end table or two, or an outdoor rocker can help make your patio, your deck, or your anywhere in your yard your new favorite sitting room, dining room, or family room. AZEK pergolas and the versatile spaces they create can even be outdoor multipurpose rooms: with a dining table and benches for a late spring cookout or as the perfect shady reading nook for one, with a good book and a comfy outdoor rocker.

Quality is everything when it comes to selecting outdoor furniture, and skimping on cost can all too often mean that you’ll be buying a replacement within a year or two. Look for top-rated brands and don’t hesitate to take advantage of the free consultations some professional outdoor designers offer to find the styles that are right for you and your home.

Where to Start?

Clearly, now’s the time to get planning for your 2021 spring projects. And where you start is at least as important as when. Even if you’ve got a great sense of style or a clear image of the outdoor home you want to enjoy and share, consulting a professional designer before you commit to any purchases or construction is a great investment. And if you choose the right consultants, that investment can be free.

Walpole Outdoors specializes in creating amazing outdoor spaces for the most discerning homeowners. They are the leading designers, fabricators, and installers of the highest quality AZEK pergolas, and they offer a wide array of classical, contemporary, and fully customized design in fencing, gates, and outdoor furniture. Walpole designers are available now to schedule a free measurement and design consultation of your property, so you can start planning right now for your spring projects, and enjoy the wonderful 2021 you’ve been waiting for. 

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, right? 

Actually, when it comes to the façade of your office building, the entryway to your business, or the outside view of any commercial facility, you get chances to make a great first impression all the time. The upgrades and improvements you make to the “face” of your business can be as involved as a complete architectural remodeling, as simple as adding a splash of life and color with a few well-placed vinyl flower boxes outside your entrance, or as versatile as using lattice panels to add texture and visual interest to newly built or existing outdoor structures. 

Some of the most effective steps you can take to give your building façade a livelier, more inviting look are also among the least expensive, with minimal installation time required. If you’re not considering some of the easy, impactful projects discussed below, you’re missing out on an opportunity for your business property to make that all-important first impression.

A Distinctive Touch of Texture: Lattice

Airy but architectural, sophisticated but simple – Lattice panels are a versatile element for beautifying your property. Whether made of metal or solid cellular vinyl, custom lattice panel placement (or even creative use of simple lattice kits) can add visual interest to any surface or area, enhance an entrance as part of a pergola, pagoda, or breezeway, and to tie together your entire outdoor appearance. Best of all, lattices are generally an inexpensive option to incorporate into your exterior projects. 

Lattice panels can be easily and strikingly used as dividers between areas in an outdoor space, as side-sections of an outdoor enclosure or canopied structure, or even as decorative and functional fencing. This let air and light flow through an area, giving it structure and an inviting and warm feeling. Custom lattice panel designs can complement your existing architecture, striking just the right balance between heavy solid panels and the emptiness of having no panels in place. 

Lattice can also be applied over an existing surface, for a variety of effects. A simple lattice panel set on a wall (especially with live or artificial greenery attached) brings a warm, organic look to otherwise stark or dull outdoor surface. Custom lattice panel coverings over windows and archways create privacy and shade without completely blocking the view from inside. Selectively placing the same pattern of lattice at multiple places of a building exterior (such as window or shutter lattice kits, on balcony railings, or along the building foundation) can create a pleasing sense of design unity. Many buildings even achieve a totally new, sophisticated look by covering their entire façade in custom lattice panel structures. 

Check out some of the stylish sample project images in this article for ideas on how to incorporate premade or custom lattice panel components into your building exterior!

Gardens That Go Anywhere: Flower Boxes

The outside of way too many commercial properties looks and feels cold, drab, and impersonal on even the brightest of days. Luckily, the most reliable way to liven up any outdoor space is also one of the easiest: add some live greenery and floral color! 

While some commercial properties may opt for building and maintaining raised flower beds or having expensive, fragile concrete planters placed at their entrance or by an outside dining area, there’s better solution. Solid cellular vinyl flower boxes have the look and feel of real wood, but they are durable and low maintenance, keeping their structure and color for decades. 

Available in a range of premade sizes, these versatile vinyl planters can also be custom-made to complement your building’s architecture and painted to match fencing, signage, or even any beautiful lattice panels you might also be adding. 

Be sure to select plants that will thrive in the amount of sun, wind, and other environmental factors that their placement will give them. If you’re selecting climbing plants or ones that require frequent pruning, make sure to keep them regularly tended. Talk to the landscape architect or other professionals about the best choices for both appearance and practicality.