Chris Sentovich

Building custom homes for more than 24 years, Palomar Builders prides itself on building each project with the care and quality homeowners expect, with the value and affordability they prize.

Palomar Builders co-owner, Jeb Allen, knew that attention to detail and high-quality finishes would be important to the success of Palomar’s newest community, Salt Creek Heights, in Redding, California. Allen wanted to set the standard with the development’s first home and decided that a set of two pergolas would connect with the natural surroundings as well as beckon people from indoors to enjoy the outdoor space. The best material for the project, he discovered, was redwood.

“We use only high-grade construction materials, and when it comes down to premium exterior living space, there is nothing better than redwood,” said Jeb Allen, co-owner of Palomar Builders.

The first home built in the new Salt Creek Heights development in Redding, California includes two, Humboldt Redwood Durango style pergolas overlooking a custom pool.
Chris Sentovich The first home built in the new Salt Creek Heights development in Redding, California includes two, Humboldt Redwood Durango style pergolas overlooking a custom pool.

The backyard of this first home features a custom-designed pool. As Allen considered the options for defining the space around the pool, he knew the pergolas would help draw attention to space. Some other builders, though, would use materials like composite or aluminum. “The real redwood brings the texture, a different feeling, a richer sense,” Allen explained. “It’s more inviting if you’re standing inside the house and look out the window to see the redwood pergolas, and further in the background see some of the gorgeous natural surroundings that just perfectly frame the scene.”

Allen reached out to Meek’s Lumber and Hardware, also located in Redding, to find the redwood for the project. Humboldt Redwood was chosen for its aesthetic appeal, as well as the ease with which it supported the custom, sophisticated design.

Outdoor living was a key consideration for the Salt Creek Heights development; the community features a centrally located 13.9-acre public park, pedestrian connection to an existing trail network, and over half of the site is protected as open space.
Chris Sentovich Outdoor living was a key consideration for the Salt Creek Heights development; the community features a centrally located 13.9-acre public park, pedestrian connection to an existing trail network, and over half of the site is protected as open space.

Redwood also underscored some of the sustainable features promoted within this community. With solar panels, programmable irrigation system, and high-efficiency water heater, the homes already feature products that support sustainable living. Modern forestry practices, including those of Humboldt Redwood, mean that more redwood trees are grown each year than are harvested and additional protections are put in place around old growth stands, flora and fauna, and water courses, to name a few. Redwood is naturally strong and durable, making it the ideal building material for weekend DIYers and career pros like Palomar Builders.

The first pergolas were so well received by the homeowners, Allen ordered another eight and plan to offer them as a design option when customers visit the Palomar design studio to create their dream homes. “Based on our experiences so far, we can see that more of our customers will appreciate the durability, beauty, and sustainability of the redwood timbers used in these pergolas,” Allen explained.