Building a Pergola

The pergola‘s classic silhouette complements any landscape. But building one takes planning and careful consideration to the surrounding garden space.

If the structure is positioned right next to your home, it would need to match the roofline and be able to handle rainwater without standing water. It should also have a shady canopy to protect against excessive sun exposure.

Materials

Pergolas are a beautiful way to add shade and visual interest to outdoor living spaces. They can define passageways, accent focal points, cover patios and walkways, and more. The versatility of a pergola allows it to fit into almost any outdoor design plan.

A freestanding structure such as a pergola is easy to construct. First, mark out the space where you want the posts to go using chalk, tape, sand or whatever works for you. Dig the holes for the foundation posts, being sure to follow regional building codes regarding frost line depth. Once the holes are dug, add gravel to level them.

Then, lay one of the 47x150x4800mm sawn and treated timbers square on top of each of the posts. Using two wafer head screws, secure the timber to the post. Repeat with the other posts.

Design

A pergola is a great way to add interest and structure to an outdoor space. They offer a beautiful focal point and can serve many purposes from providing shade to creating an intimate space for entertaining.

Pergolas can be freestanding or attached to a home or other structure. They can be made of wood, aluminum, cPVC or fiberglass. If you choose to use wood, it should be treated and sanded regularly to protect against rotting. Using aluminum or cPVC eliminates the need for regular sanding and requires minimal maintenance.

A basic pergola design includes a roof consisting of notched lower rafters and upper rafters that are set perpendicular to one another for solid support and shade. The ends of the rafters can be customized to create custom curves or blunt, streamlined angles for an enhanced look. Some pergolas also include a latticework to give flowers or vines something to climb on. Adding a trellis wall or curtains adds privacy and additional shade as well.

Layout

Once the footings are in place, dig holes for the wooden posts. Make sure to dig them at least 24 inches deep for stability. Fill the holes with fast-drying concrete mix and let them set according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Use stakes and string to mark the location of the pergola’s posts, ensuring that the corners are square. Next, install the girders that connect the posts to each other.

The rafters then sit atop the girders. Use a combination square to mark the points where the rafters intersect with the girders, and pre-drill each point. Cut the rafters to length using a circular saw, and if your design calls for decorative ends, then make those cuts.

To help keep the rafters level and centered on the girders, take a cue from pro framing contractors and use temporary cross-braces to bridge the rafters over the girders (nailed in at each end). The braces will also help to ensure that the structure stays rigid and straight during construction.

Installation

To get the most enjoyment out of a pergola, it’s important to follow recommended guidelines for height and spacing. This ensures that people can walk underneath the structure without feeling constrained or obstructed. It also helps ensure that the pergola is sturdy and visually appealing.

Traditional pergola designs feature an open roof to balance shade and sunlight. The gaps in the roof also allow for fast-growing vines to grow through the structure, providing additional shade and beauty over time.

If you want a quick, easy-to-install option, consider a precast pier. These stackable concrete sections lock together and sit in holes filled with tamped soil. They’re less expensive than poured footings and require far less labor than mixing concrete. A chamfer bit in a hand router can be used to ease the corners of the posts, which provides both a pleasing aesthetic and protection from splinters should someone accidentally bump into them. Adding a polycarbonate roof to the pergola further enhances the structure’s functionality and helps block UV rays.

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