How to Build a Pergola

A pergola can add a sense of structure and style to your backyard. It’s a great place to entertain guests and enjoy the outdoors.

The design options are endless. From sleek modern aesthetics to timeless traditional charm, you can find the perfect louvered pergola for your home and landscape.

An open roof pergola is great for framing a view or adding shade, but it doesn’t provide privacy. Adding lattice walls or planting fast-growing vines up the posts enhances privacy.

Design and Style

A pergola can be bought as a kit and built as a do-it-yourself project, or it can be custom designed by an architect or contracted out to a contractor. Often, the size of the structure, its complexity and the homeowner’s DIY skill level will determine who builds it.

Pergolas are often covered with a roof, which offers protection from rain and sun. Alternatively, it can be left open for a breezy, airy feel. Some homeowners also add a retractable shade system, which provides optimum coverage at the touch of a button.

For a more natural look, the pergola can be allowed to grow Boston Ivy or similar climbing plants on it. These natural elements give the structure an organic charm that attracts butterflies and other insects. During the day, this eye-catching outdoor structure is the perfect place to entertain friends and family, or simply relax with a cup of coffee and a good book. However, when the sun sets, a pergola can truly shine with plenty of lighting and hanging decorations.

Materials

Whether your pergola is attached to your home or freestanding, the materials used to construct it make a huge difference. With Arizona’s semi-arid climate, it is important to choose durable materials that stand up well to the elements.

Cedar, redwood, and Douglas fir are all great choices for their natural beauty, resistance to rot and moisture, and longevity. They also emit an appealing fragrance. Western red cedar is particularly sturdy and takes paints and stains beautifully.

Wood offers a natural charm that complements traditional and rustic designs. It also allows for more customization, including painting. If you prefer a low-maintenance option, consider choosing pressure-treated pine or other wood infused with chemicals to resist insect and rot damage. Aluminum is another popular choice for its sleek, modern style. It is resistant to rust and corrosion, and can be powder coated for additional protection. Lastly, fiberglass is lightweight and durable, requiring very little maintenance. It is often available in bright shades that offer a clean, formal appearance.

Functionality

Pergolas not only offer a place to relax and entertain, they can also function as an architectural focal point for landscape designs. When combined with a dining area, comfortable seating and perhaps an outdoor TV, homeowners can transform their pergola into a hospitable backyard getaway.

As the name implies, one of a pergola’s primary functions is to provide shade. It shields loungers from the harsh sun, keeping them cool and comfortable throughout the hottest parts of the day. A retractable shade canopy or slatted timber screening can increase the amount of shade offered, while polycarbonate roofing sheets let in light but block out harmful UV rays.

Some people use a pergola as a framework for climbing plants and vines, which add beauty and further shade. While others utilize the space for decorative items like hanging plants or lights. Whether attached to your home or freestanding in the yard, a custom pergola creates an extra “room” well-suited for dining, relaxing and entertaining from spring through fall.

Installation

Pergolas are typically anchored into the ground with concrete or wooden posts. Those who prefer to avoid drilling into the ground may choose to build a custom base for their pergola, which is a great option for those with limited outdoor building skills.

Before you begin construction, clear the area where the pergola will stand and construct a solid, level base for it to rest upon. Once the base is in place, install the posts, ensuring that they are properly spaced.

Next, cut the two-by-eight beams for the first roof layer that parallels the house. Notch the ends of these to support four of six second-layer beams that butt up against the end of the first-layer beams.

Watch the weather forecasts closely. Be prepared for unexpected changes, as the changing climate can impact the materials and construction of your pergola. For instance, coastal homes should be aware of the possibility of salt spray and heavy winds.

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