You can use structures or frames from an old wooden house or hut that has been demolished to make a gazebo or pergola.
MNH Maju Global Resources Sdn Bhd is involved in demolishing old squatter houses to make way for new developments.
Instead of discarding all the wood, the company monetises those “precious” timbers to make gazebos and pergolas.
According to its managing director Mohd Naim Hashim, the old timbers are more valuable than the newly produced ones because they have stood the test of time and are more durable.
“There are a variety of sizes for gazebos which you can build starting from 16 sq ft all the way up to 144 sq ft, depending on the size of your garden. Material wise, you can opt for balau, cengal, meranti or cengal batu, based on the budget you have,” said Mohd Naim.
He said making a gezebo using the cengal or cengal batu can cost from RM6,000 to RM14,000. However, one can also build a gazebo costing as low as RM2,000 by using a lower grade material.
“Customers should be aware that if the price is cheap, then the durability might be average, too. You want something long lasting,” he said.
When it comes to the roof of the gazebo, instead of zinc or asbestos, which are found in old houses, Mohd Naim suggested the use of Singgora tiles imported from Thailand, which had better cooling properties.
However, if you are considering building a pergola, then no roof is required.
“A pergola doesn’t even require having a bench. It is more of a decorative structure for the garden. Some may use it to plant creepers or decorate it with flowering plants.”