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Bedrooms on a Budget

Are your kids' bedrooms lacking the fun factor? Many of us feel like it's impossible to design interesting, unique bedrooms for our kids without spending a fortune, but that's not true. By getting crafty to re-purpose old pieces of furniture, using inexpensive toys as novel decorations, and keeping a lookout for bargains, you can create a room your child will treasure for years to come. I hope this site gives you loads of great ideas for your next bedroom project — whether it's for a bouncing new baby, a boisterous toddler or a teen that's grown out of their current décor.

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Bedrooms on a Budget

Is a Wooden Pergola Right for You?

by Robert Mitchelle

The options of pergola-construction materials are so many that someone can easily be overwhelmed if he or she isn't armed with adequate information about the different choices available. This article discusses the pros and cons of building a pergola from whole timber poles.

The Pros

They create a rustic aura. Pergolas made from whole timber poles can give your home a traditional (old-world) atmosphere that can be charming for those who are tired of the shiny appearance of most modern materials, such as aluminium.

They easily blend in with your landscaping.

It is easy to achieve uniformity in the design of your home if you use whole timber poles to build a pergola in your yard. This is because the timber poles easily blend into the natural landscape around them, such as the trees and plants in your garden. The pergola can therefore serve as a seamless integration between the interior of your home and the exterior environment.

They have a lower upfront cost.

Wooden poles are affordable to buy. This makes it affordable for many homeowners to build a pergola from this material even if their resources are limited. Costs can further be reduced in case you avoid hiring a professional to construct that pergola for you.

The Cons

They aren't very sturdy.

Whole timber poles aren't as sturdy as some other materials, such as wrought iron, that can be used for building a pergola. Consequently, you may not be in position to plant heavy creeping plants, such as rambling roses.

They aren't very durable.

Whole timber poles have a limited lifespan due to their susceptibility to being attacked by insects that feed on the bark on those poles. You can prolong the life of those poles by stripping off the bark before you construct your pergola. It may also be necessary to dip those poles in a preservative. However, some preservatives reduce the rustic appearance of wooden poles.

They require frequent ongoing maintenance.

Wooden poles can rot if they are not protected from moisture damage. You also need to keep sanding the poles in order to combat the discolouration that results from the weathering process of the wood. This regular maintenance can increase the total cost of owning a timber pergola.

Think carefully about the benefits and the drawbacks discussed above before you make a final decision about this material. You could also ask a pergola builder for advice about the suitability of this material for your area. That advice will help you to avoid making a costly mistake.

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