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How Do I Build A Pergola

Join The Top Supports And The 45 Degree Boards

How to Build a Pergola over a Patio

Are you still with me? Lets be honest, I would have skimmed all that if it were me. Or maybe I would slam my laptop closed and run way screaming Math! Noooooooo!

This step is best accomplished with three people. Or two very determined people I guess. We had to hold the 45 in place while also holding the top 2x4s and setting them in place. We set them with screws, then went back after everything was attached and bolted them in.

Notch The Lattice Boards

For a flawless look and a tighter fit, notch the pieces of 2-by-6 boards so that they can rest on and within the 2-by-8 beams. Create two notches using a jigsaw at each end, each notch 1/2 inch deep. After cutting the notches for one 2-by-6 board, test it at various points down the length of the beams. If it works, use this as a template for cutting the eight other 2-by-6 pieces of lumber.

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Know The Pergola Permit Requirements For Your City Or Town

When it comes to building codes, a rule of thumb is to follow the most local-to-you requirements because they incorporate state-level rules. If your city or town has no specific code, you should follow your county or state permitting requirements. In most locations, the local building official will have the final say on your plan and permit approvals. The local building department will likely have a checklist of the various local agencies/officials that need to sign off on a project in your neighborhood. In some places that could include environmental checks or historic preservation regulations.

Attach The Rafter Tails

How to build a pergola on a patio

Once the stain is dry, screw the tops to the tails with 2-1/2 in. deck screws and fasten them over the tops of each flat rafter and beam end. Then screw K in place from the backside of F1.


Note: Youll need to cut the tail top short on the assemblies that project from the corners and screw them in place from the backside of the front beam.

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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.

Metal Braces Secured To Stone Or Concrete Surface

Install Corner Posts and Support Beams

Secure metal braces to the stone or concrete surface for your corner posts. The next task is to cut four 2×8 support beams. Using a jigsaw, decorative features can be cut into the ends. When attached to the corner posts, the beams should be even and level.Use galvanized carriage bolts to secure the support beams to the corner posts. Countersink them on both ends so they will be flush with wood. Use #10 screws to secure the crossbeams to the support beams and the slats to the crossbeams.


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How To Build A Pergola Adding The End Beams

We will add the first layer of beams, the outer beams . We will sandwich the 6 x 6 with two 2 x 12 beams. We know we want the overall height of our pergola to be at about 10 feet so we need to have the bottom of our 2 x 12 at 9 feet. Mark each post on both sides at 9 feet. The easiest way to attach the 2 x 12s is to place a scrap piece of wood at the 9 foot mark and either hammer it in or hold it with a vise. I suggest hammering it in. This piece of scrap wood will give you a brace to support the beam while you attach it to the 6 x 6. Dont forget to measure to make sure your 2 x 12 is centered.

Once the 2 x 12 is in place drill through the beam and post with a paddle bit and attach the beams to the post with a lag bolt, washer and nut.

After all four beams are attached to the 6 x 6s trim any of the 6 x 6 above the 2 x 12s off with your reciprocating saw.

Build A Patio Pergola Attached To The House To Extend Your Living Space To The Yard A Diy Pergola Creates A Room Outside For Entertaining And Gathering

How to Build a Pergola Over a Patio Video

See how we built our patio pergola to help define the perfect gathering space for our family. We partnered with the Home Depot to turn our long side patio into a oasis on a budget.

A pergola attached to the house was the perfect solution to create an outdoor dining and kitchen area. Todays post shares the DIY pergola build.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

We wanted to share our patio pergola project in September. We bought the wood, made the plans, then the rains came! Oh my goodness, it rained and it rained and it rained! I dont ever remember that much rain in September.

The first month of fall is usually so nice. Not too hot, but still almost like summer. I think because I really wanted to build a big project outside, this year it decided to rain instead.

We managed to sneak in an evening of building and installed all the posts before it was too dark, but then when we had another day to build, it was raining again.

I am pretty sure our neighbors thought we were crazy. All we had were three half-painted posts coming out of our patio for weeks.

Thankfully, the first day of October, the rain stopped. It was cold, but I would much rather build in the cold than the heat so we got to work.

With the help of my father-in-law, we were able to get almost the entire 20 x 11 patio pergola built in 6 hours of work. Then another day of finishing up and painting and the DIY pergola is done!

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Mount Post Bases For Pergola Posts

Have two adults lift each leg while one adult slides a LINX Unifit or Post Base under the post. Slowly drop post into place. Attach screws. Square and level the post base. Measure and align all posts. Plumb all upright posts

Anchor the LINX UNIFIT or Post Base Kit to the ground and substructure below. Affix post base to substrate per local building codes. Fasteners for anchoring the pergola posts in place are . DecksDirect recommends using GRK Rugged Structural Screws for post installation on wood or composite decking material, or the Caliburn XL Concrete Screw for mounting the pergola posts on concrete or stone material.

Learn more about the basics of deck framing and building in the and put that building knowledge to good use with Pergola and Porch backyard shade structures for your DIY build!

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Secure The Pergola Supports

My design calls for the weight of the pergola to be sustained by the house itself rather than the pergola. The weight of a full pergola would be enough to crack paver stones, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Alternately we could dig out the pavers and create footings, which would be more than we wanted to do on this property.

I should add that we stained all of the boards before attaching them. Except the 45s. I dont know why we didnt do the 45s first. Something to do with timing.

Take a look at how gorgeous this color is. Its Brown Mahogany water based stain by General Finishes. I love these stains and really cannot say enough about them.

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Diy Tiered Pergola Plans

A tiered pergola would simply mean one with multiple rows. This special one has three tiers giving you and your family enough space to explore and decorate. The tutorial will show you the basic structure of the pergola. If you do not understand the video, you can seek professional help from a woodworking expert.

How To Install Pergola Post Caps

How to Build a Wood Pergola

With your pergola, for all intents and purposes, complete, its easy to move on without putting this finishing touch on the pergola posts. But, weather and harsh sunlight being what it is, the tops of your pergola posts are bound to show signs of damage in a relatively short amount of time without capping off the tops. Installing caps on your pergola posts is so easy, you can literally do it in minutes including the sawing off of excess pergola post height. Its worth it, completely.

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We hope you find this reference article for how to build a modern two-tone pergola useful. Enjoy your construction project! It will be worth it in the end.

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Now that you know all about pergolas and how to install and build them, lets check out a few designs and options available for purchase. The Oasis pergola has a design which perfectly blends aesthetics and function. Its simple and modern and it measures 14 ft in width x 10 ft in depth which is plenty of space for lounging, chatting and entertaining guests. On one side it has a built-in bar and on the opposite side theres a built-in bench.

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How To Build A Pergola Adding Cross Beams

Next decide if you want to put an angle on these beams or leave them flat, we added a 45 degree angle. You can either cut this with a miter saw or use a carpenter square to draw a 45 degree angle and cut it with a skill saw. If you want something a little more ornate then you can use your jig saw to cut the pattern.

Once your 2 x 12s are cut out and your 2 x 6s are cut, place the 2 x 6 in the cut out hole of the 2 x 12. It may take some adjusting, a little extra cutting of the slot and some hammering to get the 2 x 6 in place. Once it is in, nail or screw it in. Repeat this with all the 2 x 6s.

Diy Or Manufactured Kits

If you feel that you would like all the cutting and measuring done for you, take a look at some of the wonderful pergola kits available in wood, metal and vinyl.

I’ve tried to include the best pergolas kits across a range of price points, to help you make your choice, introducing new ones, where possible, as they come onto the market.

There are so many to choose from that you are sure to find one that is perfect for your garden.

Kits even come with retractable awnings and canopies. Ideal for shading from the mid-day sun, or extending those balmy evenings meeting with friends.

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Build Your Outdoor Pergola

Depending on your pergola type it might be built a little differently. Some pergola legs are hollow and need to be placed over mounting posts while some are solid wood and need to be placed directly into the footing holes. With the correct footing in place, insert any wooden mounting posts for the pergola. If you are using solid wood then place your pergola legs into the footing holes.

Any bolts or fasteners for the wooden mounting posts or legs should also be secured at this step.

With support posts or legs in place, your pergola is ready to be built. Continue to build your pergola as instructed by the manufacturer and then take care to secure the fitting.

If at this point you realize you should probably hire a hardscaping company to help with installing a pergola over patio pavers please give us a call.

At Sequoia Stonescape, were passionate about hardscaping. With over 10 years of experience, our family-owned company would love to help. Get in touch with us at . Weve got an eye for practical solutions and can help you create beautiful outdoor esthetics for your backyard.

Changing The Pergola’s Dimensions

How to Build a Pergola Attached to Your House | Mitre 10 Easy As DIY

This pergola takes full advantage of 8-foot-length boards, resulting in very little wasted wood. However, you can change the proportions of the pergola in any way you choose. For example, you can create a long, narrow walkway pergola by cutting the upper 2-by-6 boards in half, thus halving the pergola’s width. Add more 2-by-8 beams, vertical posts, and 1-by-3 boards to add as much length as you wish.

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How To Stain And Seal A Pergola

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While this step might seem to be out of order, placed here before the actual installation of your pergola posts, it fits in perfectly here. And this is why: Staining a pergola isnt easy when the pergola is already built. Youre suspended on a ladder, up high, trying to reach all four sides of each board, jamming your arm or face into whatever fresh stain youve just done as you move onto the next board. Its possible, but its a pain. Much MUCH easier is this method: stain all lumber prior to building the pergola. Youll need to touch-up at the very end, of course, but not a ton.

Option 1 Cost Of A Pergola Kit

Buying a pergola kit is one of the best ways to build a DIY pergola however, it is often more expensive than building one from scratch.

The average cost of a pergola kit could span anywhere between $400-$800 and usually has a cover that retracts.

It is essential to keep in mind that this is the cost of an aluminum pergola, as the price increases if you use wood.

Because of the steep cost of lumber and other materials, a wooden pergola kit could cost upwards of $1200 for a pergola spanning 10 square feet. One of the most popular types of wood used is often an expensive product however, it is one of the most durable.

The type of roof used for your pergola also plays a significant role in the price. For example, a 10-16 square foot cedar pergola with a pitched or lattice roof could cost anywhere between $5,000 $8,000.

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Types Of Permits You May Need When Building A Pergola

If you do need a permit, city and state regulations will determine which materials you can use or avoid. They will also cover structural integrity rules and give you minimum construction standards to follow. The purpose of these permits is to make sure projects are completed safely, especially if theyre of greater risk than others.

Depending on your city and state, you may need more than one permit. Two commonly required permits when building a pergola are a planning permit and a building permit.

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Essential Diy Pergola Finishing Touches Installing The Bottle Opener

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The final step to the perfect pergola, and one often overlooked by the novice, is to install a durable, good-looking bottle opener on one of the posts, preferably at a height and location that doesnt require leaving ones chair to use. After that, its just a matter of moving the patio furniture and grill under the freshly-screwed joists , and kicking back in your home-made shade with a fat, juicy burger and an ice-cold beer.

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