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How To Install A Pergola On A Concrete Patio

Attach The Rafter Tails

How to Install Pergola Post Bases On A Concrete 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.

Let’s Review Your Traditional Footing Options

1. Post set in hole on flat concrete footing. Back filled with soil or cement.

2. Post set in hole with pyramid concrete footing. Back filled with soil or cement.


3. Flat footing with concrete pier and concealed post base.

4. Flat footing with concrete pier and common post base.

5. Bell form footing with concrete pier and concealed post base.

Site Preparation For An Outdoor Structure

Careful site preparation is necessary to ensure the stability and long-term enjoyment of your outdoor structure. Proper site preparation techniques depend on the size and type of structure youre installing.

You may choose to have the company that builds your structure prepare the site or hire a contractor to handle this task. However, depending on the structure, you could save a significant amount of money by handling at least some of the prep work on your own.


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How To Build A Pergola: Pergola Kits

If you are planning on building your own patio cover and are not an experienced contractor or handyman, you might want to consider a pergola kit. You can shop online or at a local home improvement center or garden center to find wood or vinyl pergola kits for as little as $300. These kits come with everything you need other than the tools so costs can be kept to a minimum if you are providing the tools and labor. Keep in mind that this price is for a small, entry-level pergola and that prices increase as you look at larger sizes, custom kits, or pergolas with additional options, such as a fabric cover. Higher-end kits can easily cost upwards of $5,000.

Putting together a pergola kit is usually a one-day project if you have someone who can lend a hand.

Depending on the size of your pergola and the type of structure, you may need a permit. If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association, you will likely need to get approval before you begin your build.

How To Build A Pergola Over A Concrete Patio

112 reference of Deck Over concrete patio metal

One of the best things you can do is build a solid pergola in your backyard. This can provide additional shade and ambiance to your house or a good attachment.


If youre looking for the right instructions on how to build a pergola over a concrete patio, Ill show you how. However, we know youll need a few covers and tools to begin.

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Plumb The Posts And Attach To Post Bases

Now to start making the pergola take shape!

We’re going to start by raising and plumbing the posts. At one of the corners, place a post in the post base, but laying down on the ground. Pound in a wooden stake about 6 feet away from the post base next to the laid-down post, and another one 90 degrees around the post so that you can brace from both sides. Take two of the spare 2x4s, and attach each at each of these stakes with a single nail for now, and lay them down also.

Stand the post up and grab one of the braces you previously laid down, and bring the brace around into contact with the post. Using the 4-foot level, plumb the face of the post aligned with the brace. Once satisfied with the plumb-ness of the post, use a nail to tack the brace in place.


Grab the other brace, and repeat the steps above to plumb the post from the other direction. Double check that the post is still plumb in both directions, then go ahead and drive another couple nails into the brace at either end.

Now, take your drill with a drill bit slightly smaller than the HeadLOK screw, and pre-drill holes to match those in the post base. Drive in the HeadLOK screws into these holes. For these particular post bases, there are four holes total, with two on each side. At this point, your post should be secure top and bottom and shouldn’t move when casually jostled.

Building Detached Pergola On Concrete Need Advice

You could probably use the same type thing without the J-bolts welded to the base plate bottoms. 1/4″ steel plate 12″x12″, have two sleeves welded going up the sides of the post about 18″ with 3 – 1/2″ holes drilled in them for bolts to go thru the post. In your case drill 4 -1/2″ holes, one in each corner of the base plate for wedge anchors to be installed into the concrete.

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Mark Top Tenons Cut Tenons And Chamfer Edges

The tops of the posts need to be cut into a tenon to hold the secondary beams. To do so, measure down from the newly-cut top of the posts to the depth of the secondary beams, in this case 7-1/4″ for the 2×8 boards. Make a mark and square it across the width of the post with a speed square. Transfer this mark all around the post.


Next, measure in from one face to the thickness of the secondary beam, 1-1/2″ for these. Mark this for the full depth of the beam, which I did with a combination square, but which you can easily do by making two marks and connecting them with a straight edge. Do this for both opposing faces of the post to establish the cut lines for the tenon.

Using the circular saw, set it to cut the depth of the secondary beam , and make a cross-cut to establish the shoulder of the tenon. Roll the post and make the same cut on the opposite face.

Reset the circular saw to its maximum cut depth and roll the post 90 degrees to begin cutting the cheeks of the tenon. You want to stop when the saw blade meets the shoulder cut that you previously established. Don’t over-run the shoulder cut, or your joint will look quite bad. Make the other cheek cut on the same side of the post, then roll it to cut the cheeks on the opposite face. Finally, finish the cut with the reciprocating saw.

Pergola Installation Mistake No : Are You Up To It

PERGOLA CONCRETE FOOTINGS ~ Winter Install of Footings in Paver Patio

Our pergola kits are easy to install, with plans that are carefully written. But for some, researching how to install a pergola isnt the same as actually installing a pergola. All of these pergola installation tips and instructions wont help if you or someone working with you isnt ready for the physical challenge of assembling it.

Not to worry! Were here to help you with that dream pergola so you can enjoy the best installation possible. If you dont feel that youre up to installing it yourself, or staining the wood once its up, we have resources to help you, including a list of pergola builders near you.


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Measure Your Soffits To Determine The Diy Pergola Column Centers

If pergola designs include building close to the house, first measure the projection of your eaves. Keep the center of the posts nearest the house at least 7 in. farther from the house than this measurement to accurately position the column centers near but not too close to the house. Drive remote stakes an equal distance from the house, attaching a string to help mark and align the outer post locations.

To keep the posts in alignment, stake your post locations using remote stakes with a string. With the stakes driven beyond the work area, youll be able to undo the string while you dig and then reattach it later to check for alignment. To check for left-to-right placement parallel to the house, just measure the distance from one of the remote stakes and write this measurement on a notepad. To make sure the layout is square, adjust the diagonal measurements of the postholes so theyre equal.

Prescriptions For A Perfect Pergola

Building a custom pergola, gazebo or patio cover is one of the best ways to enhance an outdoor living space. Beginning your project with a few simple construction tips in mind and the right hardware on hand can go a long way toward making your job easier, and toward creating a pergola thats both structurally sound and stylish. Here are four tips on how to build your perfect pergola or other backyard structure.

1. Anchor with Accuracy


Securely anchoring your wood post bases into the concrete slab is the first step toward building a safe pergola. Unlike cast-in-place anchors, which are placed in wet concrete and thus difficult to adjust once the substrate has set, anchor bolts allow for more accurate placement. You can measure, mark and adjust where the anchors will be set on the surface of the finished slab, ensuring a square footprint.

2. Do Away with Dust

A quick tip for making sure your adhesive is properly mixed: squirt some onto a piece of scrap cardboard until you see an even, consistent color. Then its ready for use.

3. Stay Square, Pursue Plumb

While using anchor bolts instead of cast-in-place anchors helps you achieve greater placement accuracy, our Outdoor Accents® adjustable post bases offer an additional level of precision. The innovative slotted hole in the bottom of the base allows you to move the piece around and adjust it into position.

4. Brace for Success

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What Is A Pergola

A pergola is an outdoor structure generally used to cover or provide shade over a patio, walkway, or other outdoor living area. The structure includes vertical posts or pillars supporting beams with rafters or latticework. The roof section of a pergola may be left open or may have a cover that is permanent or operational, such as a retractable fabric shade. Pergolas with an open roof structure are sometimes adorned with vines, such as wisteria or bougainvillea, which provide shade and visual interest.

Pergolas are most often made from wood, metal, or vinyl. The pillars supporting the beams are sometimes masonry. The structure can be freestanding or it can be attached to a house or other building.

Take Measurements For Proper Sizing

How To Install A Pergola On A Paver Patio at Home ...

After youve decided on the potential placement of your new structure, its time to take some measurements. Youll want to measure the length and width of the area to narrow down your size options. You should also look at how the potential height of a structure will affect other elements in your yard.

Be sure to factor in any space you might need to walk around the structure to other areas of your yard or garden.

Based on the area you have available, you should be able to narrow your size choices for the structure youre considering.

For maximum entertainment value and room to grow, choose the largest structure you can easily accommodate in your space. Over the years, weve learned that most never regret purchasing a larger structure, since there are always more ways to use it, once you have it.

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Make The Lattice Strips

Now cut the 3 in. wide tail tops from 5/4 decking to make parts J. Round over the cut ends with a hand plane or a router. Rout a 1/4-in. round-over on each edge to make the lattice strips. Ease the edges of the tails and the tops with 100-grit sandpaper and then apply a solid-color stain. Make sure the treated wood pieces are dry to the touch before you pre-stain them. If they feel cool, let them dry in a shady spot for two days before applying the solid-color stain. Rushing the process could cause the stain to blister or roll off.

Critical Requirements For Digging Pergola Footings

Minimum Diameter

Dig a hole twelve to twenty-four inches in diameter. The diameter will be determined by how large the footing or pier size is.

Use a clam shell digger and a pry bar to help loosen stubborn rocks or cut roots if required. Alternatively rent a two-man twelve inch gas powered auger.

Large 24″ diameter bell formed footings usually require a front or back end loader with a hydraulic auger to get the job done. This is what was done for the job shown in this photo.

FROST CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRADITIONAL FOOTINGS

If you experience seasonal freezing temperatures, make sure you dig your holes about twelve inches deeper than the average frost depth.

This might mean 48″ or deeper depending on your climate.

This ensures that the pergola posts never heave and displace the structure unevenly. The hole in the photo shown here was 60″ deep.

Back fill holes or around forms

As soon as the hole is properly dug, set your post or the footing. If you are just dropping a pergola post into the hole, back fill soil around it after having made sure it is plumb.

If you plan on having a cement footing under the post, you will need a day for the cement to set up before you can place the pergola post on top. But as soon as you have your post in place, back fill around it while plumbing it vertical.

Lastly, if you are using forms for a concrete pier, be sure to back fill soil around the forms as soon as you have them set in place.

cover the tube forms from rain or debris

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Pergola Installation Mistake No : Whats A Pergola

It sounds elementary, but remember, the only stupid question is the one not asked. One of our top pergola installation tips is to know the definition: A pergola is an outdoor garden structure with columns and cross beams forming an open roof. The roof can be covered or left open between the beams, and it can be either freestanding or attached to a larger permanent structure .

What about shade? Its a misconception that a pergola offers shade it only does if youve placed a roof element on top of the cross beams. If youve left them open, there wont be shade. Many people use pergolas to grow flowering vines and hanging gardens, in which case the plants provide some shade especially with climbing vines like the Perennial Sweet Pea or the Virginia Creeper. Not to worry, our designs will tell you the type of shade each pergola provides, and there are pergola covers and shade sails you can add thatll make your pergola everything you want.

Adding Anchors To Concrete Base Footing

DIY Overview: A Pergola on Concrete Patio in 3 Days. Its Possible!

Step 1. Dig a hole in the spots for the columns of the pergola. You have to make each hole at least 6 8 inches in diameter. Each hole should be six inches deeper than the frostline in your field.

Step 2. Place a cement tube on the bottom of pit. Cut off the tube from five inches above floor level. Fill the room underneath the concrete shape with small stones.

Step 3. Make a concrete mix for this by following the instructions on the mixs box. This will produce wet concrete.

Step 4. Fill the form up till the top with wet concrete. Both sections of the pergola must be level and perfectly squared. Most post anchors have an upper, lower and middle section, with a horizontal plate in the middle. This piece of metal should be flush with the top of the fresh cement.

Step 5. Let the concrete dry. Place the top board on the horizontal reinforced concrete plate. Another person can keep the post square and level while you drill the holes for nuts and bolts to firmly fasten the post in the floor.

Step 6. Pass the bolt thru the posts and secure them using the appropriate wrench. Make absolutely sure that the post is straight so it can fit properly.

Apply it for all remaining pergola posts.

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Now Let’s Install Pergola Footings The Faster Easier And Less Expensive Way

We are going to build this pergola without having to dig footings or pouring cement. This method will use a footing system called the .

It is a hybrid helical pier and surface resting load plate. It will distribute the weight of the pergola to the footing’s load plate and the soil but it will also be securely anchored and embedded in the soil.

This means you will enjoy some of the load bearing and stabilizing properties of a ground anchored footing without the cost, time and effort associated with digging holes and pouring cement.

Get The Tools you need

We are going to build this pergola much faster and easier.

These pergola footings are going to be set on the Deck Foot Anchor which is a combination of a helical blade for anchoring to the soil and a large load plate that will distribute the weight of the pergola to the ground.

First, get the tools you need such as a spade for removing the sod, an impact wrench , a 12mm six point socket or an adjustable wrench. With these tools at hand, you will ready to go.

Remove Sod and organic material at locations of pergola footings

Find the exact locations for each pergola post and use triangulation to do so.

Using string and batter boards to layout a right angle triangle to get started. If you use the Rule of Thumb and make a 6′ by 8′ triangle with a 10′ diagonal you will have a right angle to measure each footing location.


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