Many exterior projects begin with fading finishes, tired outdoor areas, poor shade, or details that were never built for Houston moisture and heat.
Service — Pergolas
Nova Home Remodeling & Design
Pergolas
Service — Pergolas
Structure that earns its place outside.
A pergola is a structural outdoor feature. The posts carry a load — the beams, the rafters, the shade material, and any additional lighting or fan weight. The footings carry that load to grade. We size the footings by calculation, not by convention.
For covered pergola structures, we consider the wind load that the shade material creates in addition to the dead load of the structure. A louvered pergola with solid panels has significantly higher lateral wind load than an open-rafter structure. That difference affects the post size, the footing depth, and the connection hardware at every joint.
Homeowner concerns
Exterior remodeling has to stand up to Houston weather.
Outside work carries a different kind of pressure. The finished result needs to look good from the curb, but it also has to manage heat, sun exposure, drainage, moisture, and the long seasons where Houston outdoor spaces are used hard.
Nova approaches exterior projects as construction first and finish work second, because the details behind the surface decide how long the surface stays beautiful.
What changes
From exposed or underused exterior space to a home that feels composed outside.
A careful exterior remodel gives the home a stronger presence and makes outdoor square footage easier to use, maintain, and enjoy.
- Better curb presence
- More usable outdoor space
- Materials selected for local conditions
How we approach it
Three things that set this work apart.
Not every remodeler thinks this way. These are the commitments that separate a careful project from a forgettable one.
- 01
Footings sized by load, not by rule of thumb.
We calculate the tributary area each post supports and the footing size required for the soil bearing capacity. A 12″ diameter footing is appropriate for some spans; others require 18″ or a spread footing.
- 02
Structural connectors at every joint.
Post-to-footing connections, beam-to-post connections, and rafter-to-beam connections all use engineered hardware rated for the load. Toe-nailed connections are not adequate for a structure that sees wind load.
- 03
Level beams, regardless of grade.
Posts are cut to different heights where the grade drops — the beams run level, and the structure reads as intentional. A pergola that follows the grade looks improvised. Pergolas with level beams look built.
Materials and craft
Exterior quality depends on the weatherproofing you do not see.
The visible finish is only the last layer. Fasteners, flashing, slope, caulk, coatings, and substrate repair determine how exterior work performs.
Moisture control
We look closely at penetrations, seams, thresholds, and slope so water is directed away from vulnerable parts of the house.
Heat-ready materials
Paint systems, decking, trim, and exterior assemblies are selected with Houston sun and humidity in mind.
Clean tie-ins
Transitions to the existing home are planned carefully so new work feels integrated, not attached as an afterthought.
07 — ProcessFour phases.
Four phases.
Sixteen months, on average.
One crew per project, start to finish. The same people who frame your kitchen are the ones who set the tile and hang the cabinets. No handoffs. No strangers in month seven.
Phase 01 / 04
Brief
01
Brief
A long conversation, in your home. We walk every room, measure what matters, and listen before we offer a single idea. Observation first.
Weeks 1–4
02
Drawings
Full plan sets and shop drawings — every cabinet measured on site, every joint specified on paper. Nothing goes to production without a drawing.
Months 2–4
03
Build
Our in-house crew handles framing, cabinetry, tile, and finish work. Same people, start to finish. No handoffs, no surprises.
Months 4–14
04
Sign
We sign the inside of a drawer face when we leave. Initials, date, and a number you can call for the rest of the house's life.
After keys
Houston exteriors
Designed around shade, storms, and year-round outdoor use.
Houston homeowners ask a lot from exterior spaces: weekend gatherings, summer shade, storm-season durability, and curb appeal that still feels refined.
- Houston
- Cypress
- Katy
- Sugar Land
- Pearland
- The Woodlands
We discuss HOA expectations and permitting where the scope requires it.
Common questions
What clients ask us most.
Honest answers to the questions that come up in every first conversation about this type of work.
Consultation
A site walk before a scope.
Exterior projects need eyes on the property. We review exposure, access, drainage, tie-ins, and material goals before narrowing the work into a responsible plan.
- Walk the exterior and document existing conditions
- Discuss durability, shade, and finish goals
- Confirm scope, access, and approval path
11 — Contact
Tell us about the home.
StudioHouston, Texas
Serving Greater Houston
Serving Greater Houston
HoursMonday–Saturday
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
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