State Vs County Vs City Requirements
One of the most common areas of confusion when it comes to patio cover permits relates to managing multiple jurisdictions. There are state codes, county codes and city codeswhich one do you follow? The short answer: the most local requirement. State building codes are usually the most general. They set the standard for minimum safety requirements. Cities and counties often establish their own permitting rules, but those requirements can only be more stringent than state code local municipalities are never allowed to loosen the rules. If youre within a city that has its own permit standard, you must follow your city-specific rules. If your city has no specific code, then you must adhere to county permitting requirements.
A good rule of thumb is to look for city requirements. If you find none, then review your countys rules. If again you come up with nothing, default to the state requirements.
Make Your Garden Grow With The Right Tools Soils And Accessories
Turn your yard into the place to be with everything you need to make your garden grow nice and green. You might be asking yourself, where do I begin? Perhaps you need a trellis to define your garden and add some privacy to your space. Looking to add a little extra colour to your yard? Why not try planting some tulip bulbs or wildflower seeds? You could also try experimenting with growing your own vegetables from our wide selection of seeds.
Make your yard an extension of your home with charming garden accessories and ornaments. You’ll also want garden tools to keep living things healthy. Pruning tools for trees and bushes and various types of soil for planting fruits and vegetables to reap at harvest time. Visit your local garden centre for all your outdoor needs, including outdoor lights to illuminate all your hard work.
Amp Up Your Backyard Contest Entries
Simpson Strong Tie Project Ideas
Examples of Pergolas and Party Pavilions from the Simpson Strong Tie website
The Ambient Pavilion
16′ x 18′ Douglas Fir Pavilion
The Ultimate Hangout Pavilion
14′ x 20′ Douglas Fir Pavilion with Lean-To Pool Shed
The Cabana Pavilion
24′ x 30′ Pine Pavilion with Hot Tub Enclosure
The Classic Pergola
10′ x 14′ Douglas Fir Pergola
The Dining Pavilion
12′ x 16′ Douglas Fir Pavilion
The Farm Pavilion
14′ x 25′ Pine Pavilion with added Bathroom & Shower Room
The Japanese Pergola
10′ x 10′ Hemlock Pergola with Shou Sugi Ban ‘Burnt’ finish
The Log Cabin Pavilion
16′ x 26′ Douglas Fir Pavilion with 1 1/4″ x 7″ Douglas Fir Log Siding
The Louvered Pavilion
14′ x 16′ Douglas Fir Pavilion with Shade Louvers
The Modern Pavilion Pergola Combo
12′ x 24′ Douglas Fir Pavilion & Pergola Combo
The Pavilion Duo
14′ x 24′ and 10′ x 10′ Douglas Fir Pavilions
The Pirate’s Pavilion
12′ x 28′ Douglas Fir 3-Gabled Pavilion & Pergola Combo
The Screened-In Pavilion
10′ x 12′ Screened-In Hemlock Pavilion
The Slanted Pavilion
12′ x 16′ Douglas Fir Pavilion
The Tiki Bar
8′ x 8′ Pine Tiki Bar
The Traditional Pavilion
18′ x 26′ Douglas Fir Pavilion constructed with traditional Mortise-and-Tenon Joinery
The Triangular Pergola
14′ x 14′ x 14′ Douglas Fir Triangular Pergola
The Folksy Pavilion
16′ x 14′ Douglas Fir Pavilion
Pool Lounge Pergola
10′ x 18′ Douglas Fir Pergola
Wedding Arbour
11′ x 12′ Pergola and 17′ x 17′ Pavilion, both Douglas Fir
The Whole Package
Backyard Bar
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Free Pergola Planner Software
If youre feeling creative take our free Pergola Planner Software for a spin. Pergola Planner, released as a companion to our Deck Planner Software, is an easy to use pergola design program. Pergola Planner allows homeowners to upload an image of their house or backyard so they can see what the finished pergola could look like. Watch the Pergola Planner tutorial for a quick introduction to the software. Design your dream backyard today!
Diy Backyard Building Kits
As an authorized Simpson Strong-Tie dealer, Townsend Lumber is now pleased to offer DIY Backyard Building Kits using Simpson Strong-Tie Outdoor Accents decorative hardware available at Townsend Lumber.
With Outdoor Accents decorative hardware from Simpson Strong-Tie, you can bring both elegance and structural strength to any outdoor living structure. The Mission Collection® features an innovative hex-head washer and fastener combo, so youll get the look of a bolted connection that installs as easily as driving a screw. And the black powder-coat finish ensures an eye-catching appearance.
With Townsend Lumbers ethically-sourced local Canadian lumber and Simpson Strong-Ties Outdoor Accents hardware, youll have a safe, beautiful backyard structure that lasts for years to come.
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Expanding Our Outdoor Accents Decorative Hardware
It started with a simple question: How can we bring our commitment to building safe, strong structures to the our customers outdoor spaces? From that idea our Outdoor Accents® decorative hardware solution was born.
Outdoor Accents brings both elegance and structural strength to any project you might dream up for your backyard. We offer two distinct decorative hardware lines to fit the aesthetic of your outdoor living structure. Our Mission Collection® features connectors that add a hint of Southwestern flair, while our Avant Collection features connectors with straight edges and chamfered corners for a clean and timeless contemporary design. Continue readingExpanding Our Outdoor Accents® Decorative Hardware
How Pergola Planner Software Helped Turn My Parents Patio Into An Oasis
This past summer, my parents and I were talking about some of the latest home improvement projects that they had going on, and the topic of providing more shade for their backyard patio came up. For the last couple of years, theyd been looking into different ideas of what to do with this space, including sketching out on notebook paper layouts and particulars that would be nice to have. Theyd tried portable patio umbrellas and various other ways to shade this area and had come to a decision that it was time to add a permanent structure that would serve as both a backyard shelter and an aesthetic complement to their home.
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Plans And Materials Report
Pergola Planner Software highlights the critical connections for building a strong, safe outdoor structure and recommends appropriate hardware based on the customized design. When the design is completed, a full output report is generated that includes a Bill of Materials needed to build the pergola.
Pergola Planner Helps A Boy Scout Support His Community
Boy Scout Porter Shively shares a pergola he built for his community to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He built this project using Simpson Strong-Tie® Pergola Planner Software.
Im a junior at William Harrison High School in West Lafayette, Indiana. Im a wrestler at the school, very active with my Boy Scout Troop, and volunteer in our childrens program at church. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, playing Minecraft, and hanging out with my friends. After high school, I plan on getting a degree that will allow me to work toward becoming a zoologist.
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X 12 Pergola Without Knee Bracing
This sturdy 10 x 12 pergola is a great addition to almost any outdoor living space. Its built with Simpson Strong-Tie® connectors and fasteners, including Outdoor Accents®decorative hardware and the MPBZ moment post base. The innovative design of the post base greatly reduces the need for knee bracing.
Do I Need A Permit To Install A Pergola
Patio covers are a fantastic way to freshen up the look of your backyard. Not only are they an attractive visual centerpiece, they provide much needed shade to make a back patio more livable. However, before you rush to your local lumber store or dig your first footing, youll have to get your permits squared away.
Heres what you should know to make sure your new patio cover meets code requirements.
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Double Angled Roof Pergola Kit
Create and build to your size and space with the GRID 30 Double A-frame Pergola Kit! It adds onto the single pergola kit with two QUAD 30 and a PEAK QUAD 30 that allows you to extend the size of your pergola structure and accommodate a larger space.
Toja Tip:
- See sizing chart for reference of wood. We advise consulting with your local building codes.
- Ensure lumber is fully inserted into the bracket cavity, resting on metal tabs for proper installation.
The GRID 30 Collection was designed and developed to allow you to build an angled and peaked roof pergola. GRID 30 brackets are not structural brackets or intended to have fixed roofs, customization or anything outside the intended and indicated use of pergola as shown. For anything outside our recommendation, we advise consulting with an engineer. Always check your local building codes, HOA, and municipal requirements in advance of building as they vary by city/state and region.
Your Dream Backyard Starts Here
As a leader is structural wood connectors, Simpson Strong-Tie is a perfect partner to help you build a safe and strong outdoor structure that will last for decades. With this free web-based planning software, you dont have to worry about complicated downloads or managing licenses. Just design your pergola, print out your permit submittal pages and materials lists, and go. We even include a Dealer Locator tool to help you find material suppliers within your area for your materials.
Note: Pergola Planner Software requires , Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Apple Safari browsers that are run from a desktop or laptop. The software will not run on mobile browsers or devices.
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Unmatched Quality From The Truss To The Foundation
With nearly 60 years of field and R& D experience, Simpson Strong-Tie® timber connectors are manufactured to the industry’s highest standards. From framing angles to straps to heavy-duty joist hangers, we offer the most diverse product line so that you have the right product for the job.
Simpson Strong-Tie® connectors offer unmatched quality with laboratory and field testing, and are backed by our uncompromising commitment to customer service. As the company that built the connector industry, you can count on Simpson Strong-Tie® to work closely with builders, engineers and building officials to deliver innovative, building code-compliant solutions to help build safer, stronger structures economically. Download the Structural Connectors Overview Flyer.
Pergola Build Using Simpson Strong Tie
- Any comments on the plans/engineering?
- I plan to use rough Douglas Fir – any concerns?
- I plan to either apply a few coats of seal, or primer and paint. Should I do this before or after it is built? Any reason to go one way or the other?
- The pergola will go in front of my pool equipment , which will also serve as a hub for my outdoor wifi access point, irrigation controller, and low voltage transformer for lighting. So I will need a back wall to the pergola. Some kind of horizontal slat wall would be easy, but I would like to have the option to mount a TV on the wall. Recommendations on the construction of such a wall?
- Any other watch outs or general guidance? Unsolicited advice welcome
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Peaked Roof Calculator For 4×4 Lumber
Take advantage of this lumber calculator to help guide you with your peaked roof pergola build from the GRID 30 Collection. Just enter the length/span of lumber to determine the length/span for lumber required for peaked roof . Enter the length of lumber to determine the total overall height of your build.
Attached Or Freestanding: Different Requirements For Each
If your patio cover is attached to a house or structure, in most cases, you can often attach posts to existing concrete footings. However, if you plan to install a freestanding pergola, the code requires you to dig concrete footings to ensure stable support. You wont be able to attach your posts directly to an existing concrete slab.
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Yes A Permit Is Required For Patio Covers
First and foremost, you do need a permit to install a new pergola in your yard. Like all home improvement projects, the permitting process aims make sure that construction is safe and stable. It might be tempting to try to get away with not obtaining the correct permit, but you should never cut corners. Lack of a permit will come back to haunt you in serious ways when youre ready to sell your house or, worse, if your pergolas structure fails.
X 16 Attached Patio Cover
Are you thinking about adding patio cover that attaches to your house? We have plans for that. Enjoy outdoor get-togethers under this attached patio cover. Building this structure with Outdoor Accents® code-listed decorative hardware will give it beauty and long-lasting strength.
This three-post trellis comes in handy for modest outdoor spaces. Its triangle shape fits nicely into the corner of a backyard and provides an attractive and physical gathering space.
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