The Extra Fancy Backyard Build
Thanks to these pergola plans available from ana-white.com you can have a fancy pergola to enjoy in your yard. What distinguishes it from other garden pergolas is the attached seating area. It might seem difficult to build at first, but there are plenty of elaborated instructions on the building process so you shouldnt have a problem.
The most important thing you have to remember about this wooden pergola with a roof is that it needs a stable foundation.
The Modern Classic Blueprint
Design Confidential provides free woodworking plans to assemble a classically modern pergola. They estimate that it will cost between 200 and $300 to build this outdoor structure.
A somewhat sedate option compared with the other fancier alternatives weve seen, its built using a tape measurer, a jigsaw, a drill, square, sander, a nail gun and a kreg jig. This DIY furniture plan includes the finished dimensions, the tools youll need to build it, the lumber measurements youll need, a full materials list that includes carriage bolts, deck screws, rafter ties, wood filler, paste wax and finishing supplies.
They recommend that you pre-finish and pre-drill the lumber to ensure the finished product is watertight and that it assembles easily. In terms of selecting the best wood for this outdoor project, they recommend you go with either redwood or cedar to ensure the lifetime durability of the structure.
If you want to get fancier, you can use a jigsaw on the outer edges of the rafters to carve designs and ornament your pergola. This plan has very specific instructions regarding pergola post footing options, helping you figure out how to dig the footing holes, treat and lift the posts, aligning them evenly and securely so that they withstand the outdoor elements for the long-term.
Gorgeous Diy Louvered Pergola
Having a pergola doesnt mean that yours has to look like everyone elses. This beautiful DIY pergola has louvered sides and it is so unique. This one fits at the end of a deck but you could use the plan to create a free standing pergola if that is what you want. It is definitely not like all of the others, although it is just as easy to build as a traditional pergola.
Plans: flexfence
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Pergola Ideas That Will Add Style And Shade To Your Backyard
You don’t need to travel far for a relaxing outdoor retreat.
Creating an outdoor space that’s cool and comfortable can be a bit of a challengeespecially if there aren’t any trees to block out the hot summer sun. Thankfully, it’s easy to install a pergola that provides shade and style. We found free plans for building your own pergola, as well as fun decorating ideas for existing patio and porch covers. Just be sure to look into whether or not you’ll need a permit for your project before you get started, and consider hiring a professional for tough builds.
No wonder the National Association of Landscape Professionals listed pergolas as one of 2019’s top trends. Usually made of wood or composite material, as in this California space designed by Emily Henderson, the structures not only lend sophisticated style to an al fresco sanctuary, but they’re also available with additional features including roll-down windows, space heaters, and lighting and sound systems.
Edison bulbs and potted plants look beautiful hanging from this pergola made of cedar wood, which is “naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insect attacks.”
The Simple Backyard Curved Plan
If you dont want to bother with complex pergola plans and you have only basic woodworking knowledge, this simple backyard pergola is just what you need. The builder uses Google Sketch software to design his wooden pergola shade, and he advises that you do the same. There is also a video of the building process for your convenience.
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Easy Diy Free Standing Hurricane Resistant Pergola
If you live in an area where hurricanes occur, you definitely want to take a look at this DIY free standing pergola. It is resistant to hurricane winds! Even those of us that dont live where hurricanes happen could use this one. Its really sturdy and so easy to build. You can use whatever type of wood that you like, although it will need to be pressure treated to withstand the weather.
Plans: ronhazelton
+ Pergola Plan Designs & Ideas
A pergola is a garden structure with a trelliswork roof that creates a shaded passageway, outdoor sitting space, or walkway.
They are built from vertical posts and frequently include an open lattice for trained vine plants. The word pergola originates from the Latin pergula which loosely refers to a projecting eave .
These decorative yard designs are frequently built from wood, though there are fiberglass, vinyl, aluminum and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride options available as well.
Their roofing grid can remain open are be covered with weather-resistant canvas or vinyl sheeting for enhanced outdoor protection. They can also be either freestanding or attach to the side of your house.
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Out Of The Woods: How To Build A Pergola Using Peeled Poles
I’ve built many outdoor projects using trees cut from my forest. Although building with peeled poles can be challenging because of their irregular shapes, using foraged wood will cut down on your costs and create a unique addition to your homestead. If you can find it, cedar is great for outdoor building because it lasts 15 to 20 years without rotting. Choose the straightest poles you can find for your pergola posts, with a top diameter no smaller than 4-1/2 or 5 inches. For the best results, peel the bark off of the poles using a drawknife . The biggest challenge with cedar poles is preparing flat, aligned surfaces for fastening beams and other parts. Use a hatchet or an axe to create flat planes for joinery. Deck screws are the best way to secure small branches and limbs, while carriage bolts work best for poles larger than 2-1/2 inches in diameter.
Attach Lattice To Finish The Construction
Prime the columns, and then paint them with a good-quality exterior trim paint. Dont use paint on the rest of the DIY pergola; instead, roll and brush the wood portions with solid-color stain.
Cut and nail the 1×4 fascia strips flush to the top of the beams and in between each pair of tails. Next, screw the 5/4 lattice strips across the rafter tops, letting them project 3 in. past the fascia.;Evenly space them across each section. Add more if you’d like to increase the shade below.
Now cut the sub-base pieces from treated 2×4. Screw the corners together with 3-in. deck screws. If you havent already done so, fit the patio stones back against the footings and glue the subbase to the patio surface. Then screw the molded base to the sub-base and caulk the seams with acrylic caulk.
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Frame In An Outdoor Bar Or Kitchen Area
A DIY pergola can be the border for your new outdoor bar and kitchen and a welcome cover from the sun. Pergolas frame in any size space you envision for your backyard entertainment space.
Building a pergola on top of an existing patio is one of the easiest ways to build diy privacy.;A freestanding wooden pergola is a low maintenance way to provide shelter over your outdoor terrace and kitchen.
The Windsor Shade Shelter Idea
This freestanding pergola shade is made of redwood, and it will cover an area of 96 square feet , but you can customize it to your preference by adding additional louvers and most. But the rafters shouldnt span more than 6 feet.
If you want, you can build this pergola shelter next to your house to keep your home cooler in the summer.
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The Backyard Roof Design
If you want a video walkthrough, this design comes with a helpful instructional video guide. The printable instructions cover how to build out this shady structure and even customize its dimensions for the best fit.
We found that the instructions were particularly helpful with the initial difficulty of installing vertical posts that are all the same height.
Indeed, the thorough design plans provided by Mother Earth News cover the installation of the pergola posts, how to make pyramid cuts, how to place the cross beams, shaping the lap joints, raising the roof boards, installing the lattice panels, and applying the finish.
They used peeled polls from foraged wood, though they remarked that this can be a little bit difficult because this found wood can be irregularly shaped.
Cut Posts With A Jigsaw
Transfer your mark completely around the post using a combination square thats set from the bottom of the post. Cut the post with a 10-teeth-per-inch wood blade in your jigsaw. Youll need a fresh blade for every post you cut. We found the jigsaw a lot safer, quieter and less dusty than a circular saw. This composite polymer is only about 1/2 in. thick but pretty hard, so expect to eat up a new blade on each column.
Note: To make cutting the columns easier, lay them on sandbags or mulch bags to keep them from rolling or vibrating as you cut.
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The Diy Network Design
If you want to add style and architectural character to your garden, you can try this simple wooden pergola. The plans are for a 6 x 8 feet pergola with 4×4 rafters, which are pressure-treated for durability and longevity.
Since the overhangs of the pergola extend up to 20 inches, take that into account when you choose a building spot. And keep in mind that the network of rafters and beams over little protection against the sun.
Set The Beam Over The Pergola Columns
Next, slip the molded base over the top of the column and then slip the capital on as well. Its best not to fasten these in place until the project is nearly completed.;Measure the length of the front and back 2×10 beams , making them 3 in. less than the outside of the column tops, cut them to length and walk it up the ladder.
Note: If you have a column that wont quite straighten up, you can have someone push it straight up and down and then fasten it in place with the steel brackets from above.
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Diy Pergola With Corner Planters
I love the design of this DIY Pergola. Not only is the pergola itself beautiful, but it also has planter boxes in each corner. You can add your favorite flowers to this one and make it even more beautiful. This is so perfect for the flower garden or anywhere in the yard that you want to add some décor. Its a pretty easy DIY pergola to build, too.
Plans: bhg
Outdoor Kitchen Island With Pergola
This is a snazzy little set-up. If you are quite the entertainer and have an outdoor kitchen then this would work great for you.
The plans show you how to construct a kitchen island and then a pergola attachment that will help shield you from the sun while you are cooking. This would be an awesome addition to any outdoor back patio or deck.
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What Is A Pergola
A pergola is an outdoor structure composed of four beams. Wikipedia reports that Pergolas were inspired by Italian Renaissance masonry, it may or may not have shade or a roof of some sort. It can be open or closed to protect you from the elements, depending on the layout; generally, pergolas have two to four open sides.
Pergolas can be made out of a variety of different materials, most commonly wood, aluminium, and steel. These are large structures that can fit multiple people or cover a wide space as if to define an outdoor living area or act as an extension of your home. They can also be combined with latticework or trellises to create a shaded walkway or pathway.
While similar, pergolas are different from arbours. The Spruce suggests that arbours are small and simple structures that are used to decorate or support vines. They often have curved arches, and can be freestanding or attached to gates/fences as decor.
Gazebos are closely related, but also have some major differences. Patio Productions report that gazebos will always have a closed roof and are round in shape. They provide much more shade and protection compared to pergolas. They also usually have both flooring and a roof.
Pergolas, on the other hand, are square or rectangular in nature. It may have its own floor, or use another surface as its base. Its breezier and more open than a gazebo, since most, if not all, the sides are unobstructed.
Easy Diy Pergola Swing
I love this pergola that houses a porch type swing. The entire thing is a DIY project and it is so much easier to build than you may think. If you have ever wanted a swing in your flower garden, this is the perfect way to get one. Or, if you dont have a porch large enough for a traditional porch swing, this pergola will give you the swing that you have always wanted.
Plans: ryobitools
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Simple Diy Pergola For Backyard
This standalone pergola is ideal for placing anywhere in your backyard. Based on a simple enough blueprint, the key to perfecting this structure is anchoring its wooden posts in the ground with cement. This will ensure that the frame is firmly fixed and remains so for years to come.
Although you can use any type of wood to build this pergola, redwood will take its durability up a notch by providing weather as well as termite-resistance.
How To Build Your Pergola The Simple Steps To Success
Over the years, we ended up creating quite a few more pergolas for friends, neighbors and family. Below, we share the simple secrets and tips we have learned over the years to create a beautiful structure that lasts. All of course, with keeping an eye on the budget!
Here is a look below at our biggest keys to success, step by step:
#1 Choosing;The Right Lumber
Building a strong, attractive pergola all starts with choosing the right lumber. One thing we have learned is that 4 x 4 posts are simply not strong enough to hold up over time. Nor is wood that is 1 inch thick or less for the top of the structure.
We use;only 6 x 6 treated posts, and 2x treated lumber for building our pergolas. Although there are thinner and less costly options, the thickness of 2x lumber gives the piece massive long-term strength and durability.
As for what type of wood to use, we have found treated lumber to be the most economical and durable choice. By far! Cedar is an option, but the cost of cedar is astronomical. And in many cases, cedar will still warp and twist.
Treated lumber has come a long way in the past few years. Its also extremely versatile. It can be left to weather to a natural grey patina, or painted or stained to match existing colors. And it builds one beautiful, strong and affordable pergola!
What Does It Cost To Build Your Own Pergola
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Set Posts In Concrete
As you dig your holes, put the soil in a wheelbarrow and find a place to relocate it away from your site. Save any gravel or sand to reinstall pavers. You may need to move a post slightly. We shifted one post near the house to create an entry along the steps.
Reconnect your layout string to make sure the holes are aligned. Cut your forming tubes and insert them into the holes. Level the tops of the forming tubes until theyre flush with the patio surface. If you mix the concrete on site, youll need about five bags of Quikrete or Sakrete concrete mix per hole, for a total of 30 bags. Add your 60-in. posts and pour concrete around them.
As you set your posts, reposition your string line about 1-3/4 in. to allow for the post thickness and then align the posts with your string line as you pour in the concrete.
Note: If you have a post thats 1/2 in. out of whack, dont sweat it. Youll be able to align the tops of the columns later when you install the overhead beam. Once the posts are embedded in concrete, let the concrete harden for a minimum of two days.
Adapting The Free Pergola Plans
The example design is just that, an example, with easy to change elements to suit your own unique style preferences and situation. Simple or elaborate, large or small, build it as you wish!
The free pergola plans will still work for any shape or size, even if the look is significantly different – using thicker wood, making rafter tails longer, changing the shape of the structure and the decorative rafter tail ends, having rafters running in only one direction and closer together, using a raised rafter style, or having rafters sitting fully on top of the supports. There are so many things you can do.
See;Adapting The Plans;for more ideas and details.
Here is one that has been adapted from the free pergola plans, with raised rafters, and purlins for extra shade…
Ray adapted the corner pergola plans to fit around his pointed decking area.
Many people make the changes in this way and create amazing structures. The instructions for making a triangular pergola are freely available.
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