Outdoor carpentry is where landscape construction meets fine craftsmanship. Pergolas, decks, privacy screens, garden structures, and custom fencing require woodworking skills that most landscaping companies don’t have in-house — which is why these elements often get bolted on as an afterthought, or contracted out to someone who doesn’t understand how the structure integrates with the surrounding landscape. At Hometown Landscape, carpentry has been part of our service offering since the beginning. Our crew builds in wood, and we design structures that belong in their settings rather than looking dropped in from a catalog.
Earlier this year, we built a cedar privacy screen and attached pergola for a client in Chevy Chase whose deck faced directly onto a neighbor’s driveway — not the most relaxing situation. The screen used vertical cedar boards with deliberate spacing that blocks the sightline while still letting air move through. The pergola overhead created a defined outdoor room from what had been an exposed, uncomfortable deck. The client uses the deck constantly now; before, it sat empty most of the time.
Outdoor Carpentry Services We Provide
- Pergolas — Freestanding or house-attached, open-roof or louvered, sized for your space and engineered for our climate
- Decks and platform structures — Elevated or grade-level, composite or natural wood, designed to coordinate with your home and landscape
- Privacy screens and fencing — Custom designs in cedar, ipe, or composite materials; not stock panel fencing
- Arbors and garden gates — Entry features, vine supports, and transitions between garden areas
- Raised garden structures — Elevated planting beds, cold frames, potting benches built to last
- Outdoor furniture and built-ins — Benches, bar counters, and seating integrated into patios and landscape structures
- Sheds and outbuildings — Permitted structures built on proper footings for long-term use
Wood Species and Materials We Use
Outdoor wood selection matters enormously in Maryland’s humid climate. We primarily work with:
Western red cedar is our go-to for visible finish elements — pergolas, screens, decking rails. Naturally rot-resistant, dimensionally stable, and it holds a finish well. It costs more than treated pine but lasts longer and looks significantly better throughout its life.
Pressure-treated lumber is appropriate for structural framing, buried posts, and lower-visibility elements. Modern PT lumber is non-arsenic and safe for residential use. We combine it with cedar for the best performance-to-cost ratio on most projects.
Ipe (Brazilian walnut) for clients who want the highest durability available. Ipe is one of the densest hardwoods used in outdoor construction — it’s extremely resistant to rot, insects, and UV degradation. It requires pre-drilling and carbide-tipped tools but produces a structure that can last 40–50 years with basic maintenance.
Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, etc.) for decking surfaces where low maintenance is the priority. We don’t use composite for structural elements — framing should always be wood or steel — but composite decking surfaces are an excellent choice for busy families who want a deck that doesn’t need to be stained every few years.
Ballpark Pricing
- Cedar pergola (freestanding, 12×16): $6,000–$12,000 depending on post size, beam span, and finish detail
- Composite deck (ground-level, 400 sq ft): $18,000–$30,000 installed
- Privacy screen (20 linear feet, cedar): $3,500–$7,000 depending on height and post system
- Custom garden gate and arbor: $2,000–$5,000
Permits are required for decks over a certain size in most Maryland jurisdictions. We handle permit applications as part of project management.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you handle wood movement in Maryland’s humidity? We design for it — using appropriate species, seasoned lumber where possible, and fastening systems that allow for seasonal expansion and contraction. This is why we don’t use tight-butted boards on decks or screens; spacing is functional, not just aesthetic.
Do you build pergolas that can support climbing plants? Yes — and we build them to handle the load. Mature wisteria or Virginia creeper gets heavy, and the structure needs to be sized accordingly. We’ll talk through plant intent in the design phase and build the right frame for it.
Can you match existing woodwork on my home? Usually. We’ll take measurements and photographs of your existing trim, railings, or woodwork and design structures that complement the existing architectural character rather than clashing with it.
“The pergola Hometown built is genuinely the best thing we’ve done to this house. The crew was meticulous — every joint tight, every post plumb — and the design matched our home’s architecture perfectly. It looks like it’s always been there.” — Silver Spring, MD homeowner
Call us at 301.490.5577 or reach out online to discuss your project. We serve clients in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, and the greater DC metro area.
Landscape and Outdoor Living Across the DMV
Hometown Landscape serves homeowners across Montgomery County, Howard County, and the wider Washington, D.C. region with landscape design, hardscape, outdoor living, and outdoor carpentry from our Burtonsville home base.
