My Pergola - It only took 2 Years!

[danieldd]

This isn't exactly garage related, so I included a picture with the Pergola overlooking the detached garage I had built last year. I had started on the Pergola over 2 years ago, but when I started the garage, the Pergola went on the back burner. After finishing out the interior of the garage, I had to start back working on the Pergola to get all that lumber out of the garage as it was getting in my way.

Since I live in the city, I had to get a permit for the Pergola. I was taken aback by the inspection department when they wouldn't let me simply anchor to my existing concrete patio. I was required to cut a 20x20 inch square for each of the four posts and dig down 12 inches. They then had to inspect my holes so I could fill them up with concrete again. These were essentially to become piers for the pergola. I then purchased some Titan post anchors (http://www.decksdirect.com/titan-wood-post-anchor.html) to anchor the posts to the newly made concrete piers.

It took 4.5 hours to construct the Pergola using my son, my brother-in-law, me, and my wife - who was supervising. Here are some pictures:

 

[danieldd]

Here are a couple more pictures after we primed the pergola and got rid of the Spa. FYI, we bought the spa new in 2001, used it every year until 3 years ago when I drained it and let it sit. I sold it for $200.00 - Worst investment of my life. I paid $9K new. Now, if you ask my wife, it was well worth it. Glad its gone.

Speaking of painting the pergola, the wife kept asking me why I didn't paint it before I put it together

It indeed was a royal pain to paint all those multitude of corners once it was assembled!

 

[FJ 432]

Nice job. What type of wood?


And yes painting a pergola is a major pain. I know of what I speak.

 

[danieldd]

Pressure treated Yella wood. I had it kiln dried..

I can't get western red cedar in this neck of the woods (Alabama).

 

[kelzamos]

Nice job. I had to laugh thinking about you on the roof taking pictures and what the heck the neighbors were thinking! Again, well done.

 

[brownbagg]

ok what the purpose of it, if it rains you still get wet

 

[danieldd]

ok what the purpose of it, if it rains you still get wet

Good question. Actually, it serves no good purpose other than something pretty to look at. The plan however, is to put transparent polycarbonate panels on top to provide shelter from rain and also to provide filtered shade - but that may be sometime next year...

 

[scab]

So, $9,000 spread over 9 years....Assuming you used it, on average, once per week and subtracting the $200 you received for it, you would have spent $18.80 every time you got in. Even if you got laid in it every time you used it, I'm not sure if you won out on that deal...after all, your wife probably would have screwed you for free at least once a week....

At any rate, the pergola looks good, nice work.

 

[cslye]

You know really stands out in that photo is that BGE stand you got there.

Oh and nice job on the pergola too

 

[koditten]

I thought this was going to be a flooring thread? I just figured you posted it in the wrong section. I only clicked on it because I thought some goof installed laminate flooring for his garage queen car to park on boy was I wrong.

Nice job. I hate carpentry work too.

KO

 

[danieldd]

So, $9,000 spread over 9 years....Assuming you used it, on average, once per week and subtracting the $200 you received for it, you would have spent $18.80 every time you got in. Even if you got laid in it every time you used it, I'm not sure if you won out on that deal...after all, your wife probably would have screwed you for free at least once a week....

At any rate, the pergola looks good, nice work.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I thought this was going to be a flooring thread? I just figured you posted it in the wrong section. I only clicked on it because I thought some goof installed laminate flooring for his garage queen car to park on boy was I wrong.

Nice job. I hate carpentry work too.

KO

Will pergola hold up to welding splatter ?

Looks awesome! I like the curved details. I'm not sure I would have mentioned that project to the city!!

 

[sam_i02]

frameless, semi-clear solar panels on top would be cool! Something I have been thinking of doing. Great work!

 

[McFarmer]

Very nice, are all those intersections cross lap joints ?

 

[gahrajmahal]

Great job on the pergola, thanks for posting it up! No shame in admitting to the two year timeline. Life and $$ gets in the way of finishing projects quickly.

I have a favor to ask since I am working on an elevated deck that is similar to your pergola. I too had to excavate 3 holes 36" deep through holes in the blacktop driveway. That took a lot longer than I thought. My request is a close up photo of your angle bracket attachment points where they attach to your posts. It appears you have finished them off with trim. Also the method you used to weave / overlap the beams where they cross over / through each other. I will probably copy your arch end cut as my original beam had a more elaborate ogee cut I did not want to duplicate. Thanks again, looks great!

 

[danieldd]

Very nice, are all those intersections cross lap joints ?

Only the outer ones are - I guess for rigidity purposes. All of the inner ones are **** joints, held together with three screws each. I must have spent close to $60.00 in just screws..

 

[danieldd]

..... My request is a close up photo of your angle bracket attachment points where they attach to your posts. It appears you have finished them off with trim. Also the method you used to weave / overlap the beams where they cross over / through each other. I will probably copy your arch end cut as my original beam had a more elaborate ogee cut I did not want to duplicate. Thanks again, looks great!

I used these, (if this is what you are referring to):
http://www.decksdirect.com/titan-wood-post-anchor.html

The outer boards were notched so that it would go together like a lincoln log set. I cut a 1.5 inch wide notch and half the depth of each of the intersecting boards to lock them together, then used a 4 inch screw to keep them locked. I used the plans for this pergola from woodcraft. You can find it here: http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2060202/19392/buildtosuit-pergola-plan.aspx

If I can find the file for the plans, I can send it to you.

 

[pattenp]

Is there a design reason that the perimeter boards on opposing sides are not at the same level? First picture corner.

 

[thoraudio]

I'm surprised anybody around here (Alabama) actually made you get a permit and inspection for that.

Looks great by the way.

 

[the gypsy]

ok what the purpose of it, if it rains you still get wet

A pergola is Italian to the best of my knowledge, and its purpose was and still is to allow vines to grow up the post and spread across the top to create a shady area for those hot sunny days. Nowadays people use it as a decorative structure. Go figure?
Oh I forgot to mention how nice it is when it fills with beautiful grapes, that you can pick and eat at will.

 

[danieldd]

Is there a design reason that the perimeter boards on opposing sides are not at the same level? First picture corner.

Dunno. Probably purely for aesthetic reasons only..

 

[creativecars]

I like it... Its only 730 days, not too bad. I like having an air conditioner in the garage too.

 

[tdkkart]

Here are a couple more pictures after we primed the pergola and got rid of the Spa. FYI, we bought the spa new in 2001, used it every year until 3 years ago when I drained it and let it sit. I sold it for $200.00 - Worst investment of my life. I paid $9K new. Now, if you ask my wife, it was well worth it. Glad its gone.

You forgot the $50-75/mo in electricity to keep the damn thing hot and water churning. Been there, done that, another one that's glad it's gone.