The post and beam structure of a Tulsa covered patio — the vertical posts that support the roof and the horizontal beams that span between them — is the covered patio’s primary structural system and one of the most visible architectural elements in the finished outdoor living environment. Post size, material, and finish, combined with beam proportion and exposure, determine how the covered patio reads architecturally from the yard and from the seating area beneath it. VistaScapes & Design designs post and beam structures for Tulsa covered patios that are structurally adequate for Oklahoma’s wind loads while achieving the visual character the homeowner wants for their outdoor living space.
Post Options: Wood, Steel, and Masonry
Covered patio posts in Tulsa are most commonly framed with 6×6 or 6×8 pressure-treated lumber, which provides adequate structural capacity for residential covered patio loads and is the most cost-effective post option. Pressure-treated lumber posts can be left as exposed rough-sawn material (a more casual, rustic aesthetic) or wrapped in a finish lumber sleeve (cedar, pine, or PVC trim boards) to create a cleaner, more refined appearance. PVC column wraps — hollow PVC sleeve systems that slide over the structural post and are cut and finished to create the appearance of a solid square column — are the most maintenance-free finish option for covered patio posts and are available in a range of sizes from 5-inch to 16-inch nominal diameter. Steel pipe columns (round or square steel sections) provide a more contemporary aesthetic with a slender profile that suits modern covered patio designs; they require painting or coating to prevent surface oxidation in Oklahoma’s outdoor environment. Masonry columns — concrete block posts with stone or stucco veneer to match the outdoor kitchen base — create the most substantial, architecturally integrated appearance but add cost and require the masonry sub to coordinate column construction with the covered patio framing sequence.
Column Wraps and Architectural Finish
PVC column wraps are the most popular post finish choice in Broken Arrow and Tulsa covered patios because they require no painting, no maintenance, and no seasonal refinishing — the PVC surface is factory-finished white or paintable, does not rot, and does not absorb moisture that would cause cracking or splitting. A 6×6 pressure-treated structural post wrapped in a 10-inch or 12-inch PVC column creates a visual mass appropriate for most covered patio spans without the cost of masonry or steel. For homeowners whose home’s exterior is primarily brick, a brick-veneered column — structural lumber post wrapped in a brick veneer skin that matches the home’s brick — creates the most visually integrated appearance between the covered patio structure and the home’s architecture. We discuss column finish options at every covered patio design consultation and recommend the approach that best balances the homeowner’s aesthetic goals with the project’s budget.
Call VistaScapes & Design at (918) 779-1317 for a free covered patio consultation in Tulsa. We’ll design a post and beam structure that is structurally sound, architecturally integrated with your home, and finished to the aesthetic level your outdoor living environment deserves.
