Pergola in Florham Park, NJ

ROUGH-CUT CEDAR OASIS PERGOLA

Heavy timbers and an expansive adjustable shade system give this custom 16′ x 28′ Rough-Cut Cedar Oasis Pergolaa presence closer to a timber structure than a conventional residential pergola. Delivered and professionally installed in Florham Park, New Jersey, in 2026, the project combines 8×8 rough-cut cedar columns, 4×10 headers, substantial overhead framing, LVL reinforcement, electrical preparation, and a two-section canopy system across a generous 448-square-foot outdoor living area.

The 16′ x 28′ footprint provides enough space to establish multiple outdoor zones beneath a single structure. Dining furniture, lounge seating, an outdoor kitchen, or entertaining areas can be arranged across the long rectangular layout while the open perimeter keeps the space connected to the surrounding patio and landscape.

Rather than the smooth-planed lumber used on some Oasis models, this pergola was crafted from rough-cut Western Red Cedar. The textured surfaces preserve more of the natural character of the wood and complement the oversized proportions of the structural members, giving the finished pergola a distinctly substantial appearance.

That sense of scale begins with the 8×8 cedar columns. This project incorporates posts of different lengths, including two 12-foot posts and two 10-foot posts, allowing the structure to accommodate the specific requirements of the installation while maintaining the heavy proportions of the Oasis design.

Across the columns, substantial 4×10 header beams establish the primary framework. LVL beams were also incorporated into the structure where additional engineered support was required, providing increased structural capacity while allowing the custom 28-foot-long design to be achieved.

Above the headers, heavy 3×8 rafters spaced approximately 24 inches on center extend across the pergola. A second overhead layer of 3×6 top runners, also spaced approximately 24 inches on center, completes the open-roof framework and creates the deep, dimensional appearance associated with the Oasis Pergola.

The entire rough-cut cedar structure received a semi-transparent stain. Rather than hiding the irregular grain and texture beneath an opaque finish, the stain enhances the natural appearance of the Western Red Cedar and allows the rough-sawn character to remain visible throughout the columns, beams, rafters, and runners.

A major functional upgrade is the pergola’s adjustable canopy system. Because the full 28-foot length exceeds the maximum practical span for a single canopy, the shade system was divided into two sections at the center of the pergola. This allows the expansive outdoor area to receive adjustable coverage without requiring one oversized canopy to span the entire structure.

Each section covers approximately 16′ x 14′, effectively dividing the pergola into two independently defined areas beneath the same cedar framework. This arrangement also gives the outdoor space additional flexibility, allowing different portions of the patio to be shaded as needed.

An electrical package was incorporated into the project with rough wiring completed on-site, including preparation for one switch and one outlet. This provides a starting point for integrating lighting or other powered outdoor features into the finished entertaining area.

Mounting brackets and the required hardware were included to secure the oversized cedar columns to the prepared installation surface. Atlantic Outdoors then handled delivery and professional installation of the custom pergola and canopy system at the Florham Park property.

At 448 square feet, this project demonstrates just how substantial an open-roof structure can become. The combination of rough-cut Western Red Cedar, massive 8×8 columns, 4×10 headers, LVL reinforcement, heavy 3×8 rafters, and a split adjustable canopy creates a pergola with the scale and architectural presence to anchor an entire outdoor living space.