Feature Project: Accessible Garapa Decking & Enclosed Aluminium Pergola in Waihi
Creating beautiful, accessible outdoor living spaces with custom hardwood decking, aluminium handrails and an enclosed pergola.
For this recent project in Waihi, our clients wanted to transform their outdoor areas into spaces that were not only beautiful but also safe, accessible and easy to enjoy as they got older.
The project involved multiple new Garapa hardwood decks, a custom aluminium pergola fully enclosed with sliding glass doors, and carefully designed steps and handrails to make moving between the house and garden easier.
With accessibility at the heart of the design, every detail was considered, from generous steps and supportive handrails to recessed sliding door tracks that create a flush, trip-free transition onto the deck.
The Client's Challenge: Creating an Accessible Outdoor Space
Our clients wanted to make the most of their outdoor areas while ensuring they remained practical and comfortable to use for years to come.
With several doorways leading outside, accessibility was a key priority. They needed wide, easy-to-navigate steps, sturdy handrails and smooth transitions between the house and decking, without raised door tracks creating potential trip hazards.
They also wanted a sheltered outdoor living area that could be enjoyed in different weather conditions, without compromising on natural light or the connection to the garden.
The challenge was to bring all these elements together into one cohesive design that balanced accessibility, durability and appearance.
Our Solution: Garapa Hardwood Decking & Thoughtful Access
We installed three new Garapa hardwood decking areas, each designed around the home's existing entrances and outdoor layout.
Front entrance deck: A welcoming new entrance with a warm, natural timber finish.
Main living area deck: A spacious 5.5m x 3.8m deck extending from the living area, with a generous full-length step down to the garden.
Laundry entrance deck: A practical landing with wide steps on three sides and custom aluminium handrails for additional support.
Garapa was chosen for its natural beauty, strength and durability. Its warm golden-brown tones provide a lovely contrast against the white aluminium features while creating a consistent finish across the property.
Particular care was taken with the main deck's construction. The existing concrete required custom framing, and additional structural support was incorporated beneath the sliding doors.
One of the most important details was recessing the sliding door tracks into the deck structure, allowing the joinery to sit flush with the decking surface. This minimises trip hazards and makes moving between the spaces much easier.
A Custom Enclosed Aluminium Pergola
The centrepiece of the transformation is a custom-designed aluminium pergola, fabricated locally in our Tauranga workshop.
Featuring an Appliance White powder-coated aluminium frame and clear roofing, the pergola creates a bright, sheltered space that feels connected to the outdoors.
To make the area even more versatile, we enclosed the pergola with aluminium-framed glass joinery, including a triple sliding door, double sliding door and fixed window.
The sliding doors allow the space to be opened up on warm days while providing shelter when the weather changes.
Aluminium was an ideal choice for this project, offering a strong, low-maintenance structure that won't rust and is well suited to the coastal conditions of Waihi and the wider Bay of Plenty.
The finished pergola provides a lovely extension to the home's living space, designed for comfort, practicality and year-round enjoyment.
The Finishing Touches: Handrails, Steps & Accessibility
Sometimes it's the smaller details that make the biggest difference.
At the laundry entrance, we fabricated and installed custom powder-coated aluminium handrails to provide extra support when navigating the steps.
Generous step dimensions, carefully finished deck edges and flush sliding door tracks were all incorporated to make the outdoor spaces easier to move around.
These practical features complement the overall design rather than standing out as accessibility additions, creating a finished result that feels both considered and cohesive.
The Finished Result
What was once a collection of separate outdoor areas is now a beautifully connected and accessible extension of the home.
The new Garapa decks provide welcoming access from multiple entrances, while the enclosed aluminium pergola offers a bright, sheltered space for relaxing and enjoying the garden.
By combining our decking expertise with in-house aluminium fabrication, we were able to deliver the different elements of the project as one coordinated transformation.
Most importantly, the finished spaces have been designed around how our clients live, making everyday access easier while creating outdoor areas they can enjoy for years to come.
What Our Clients Had to Say
We're always pleased to hear that our customers are happy with the finished result, but it's especially rewarding when they recognise the care and hard work of our team.
"The team have all been so pleasant to interact with. The ‘boys’ applied themselves and laboured under very hot sun on some occasions. They all have a great work ethic. My new deck, the well designed pergola and the other parts that make up the whole are all very well crafted. I am very pleased with what each person in the team has delivered."
It's feedback like this that makes the hard work worthwhile!
Planning a Deck or Outdoor Living Project in the Bay of Plenty?
Whether you're planning a new hardwood deck, a custom aluminium pergola or simply want to make your outdoor spaces more accessible, our team can help.
At Deck & Fence Co, we design, fabricate and install custom outdoor solutions across Tauranga, Papamoa, Mount Maunganui, Waihi and the wider Bay of Plenty.
Get in touch with Joe and the team to discuss your next project.
Deck & Fence Co 📞 07 543 5205 🌐 www.deckandfence.co.nz
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