Sorry I am so late coming to your site - you are an inspiration to all, homeowners and advisers alike. For your planting advice, I suggest you call Merrifield Garden Center to see if they will come out your way. They currently have wonderful garden centers in Merrifield and Fairfax (both in Fairfax County) and a new one in Gainesville, but they may come further south to wherever you reside. (www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com) Even if they don't send designers to your area, they are worth a trip to see their huge selection for a day of pleasure and inspiration, or to pick up some plants. Most of my clients are in the Fairfax and greater Washington area, but I am currently living out west below Front Royal, VA on the Shenandoah mountainside - wonderful views. cascio.offsite@gmail.com

I agree with havingfun, thicken the supports and have something growing trailing up them. I didn't even notice there was a pergola until the close up. Right now it blends in too well with the house color, consider painting it a different color. I don't know your usda zone but classic climbers for a pergola include clematis, wisteria, grape https://www.houzz.com/photos/santa-ynez-valley-mediterranean-porch-santa-barbara-phvw-vp~2485412 or go for a modern look You can also hang string lights, planters or something from the beams. Also agree lighten the front door.

Glass balustrades are a decorative architectural feature which also serve to keep people safe. This is best seen today in how they are utilised as a safety and decorative feature of staircases. Advances in glass manufacturing processes have meant that glass balustrades have the potential to add a sleek touch to a 21st-century home. Nowadays, glass is a commonplace element in almost all corporate, commercial and domestic buildings. The production of toughened glass transformed the architectural uses of the material and made the glass balustrade an ideal protective barrier for elevated spaces. When combined with chrome, stainless steel or even fine wood, glass gives any space a sophisticated, minimalist look. Safety First The New Zealand government has strict regulations when it comes to what are acceptable solutions to staircase balustrades. All new structural glass (toughened or toughened laminated) framed barriers complying with B1/AS1 need to have an interlinking top rail combined with an edge support system. Interlinking rails must be designed to resist serviceability limit state (SLS) loads specified in AS/NZS 1170 Structural design actions and B1/VM1 in the event that a glass pane breaks. Frameless glass barriers (no interlinking top rail) must be constructed from laminated toughened or laminated heat-strengthened safety glass with a stiff interlayer designed to retain glass and prevent collapse, if broken. The stiff interlayer must be capable of preventing collapse in the event of a breakage of both panes of glass. The Most Popular Choice As an exterior feature, glass balustrades permit natural light to enter the building and, when used on balconies, present an uninterrupted view of the landscapes. Glass balustrades are just as beautiful inside the house. Their seamless finish complements designer staircases, providing both style and safety. Glass balustrades are low maintenance, requiring little cleaning. Simply spray the surfaces and wipe off the excess water with a microfibre cloth. Trustworthy providers engineer their glass balustrades to meet high standards, ensuring their durability and safety. If you are looking for the newest additions to your home, choose a business that prioritises quality. Visit ackworthhouse.co.nz for a range of first-rate glass balustrades and other interior structures.

We have had a balustrade on our deck rebuilt, as previously it wasn't consented by Council. Our deck is out the front of the house (and on top of our garage) so we opted to continue the weatherboard up from the sides of the garage. We had advice that we have to have a metal parapet capping put on to confirm to building code, and we have, but it's ugly and doesn't go with the rest of the weatherboard style of the house. Has anyone else had to deal with this before? I have seen lots of similar balustrades on decks (that aren't over other structures) with simple wooden capping that looks nice. Just wondering if anyone has a compliant solution that looks nicer. Ours (we needed a building consent) Other peoples (who didn't need a building consent)