Pergola

[ezover]

The better half has asked me to build a pergola on the patio, I thought I would ask for any thoughts or advice from the GJ brain trust before proceeding.

Size is 10 x 10 maybe 10 x 16 if I extend it over the walkway. I want to put a arch in but not sure how to do it. I’ll post a link or pictures tomorrow, I am out of town today.

EDIT: here is a link to the one I wanted to build. it has a arch in it and I can not find the template for the cut. any ideals on how the arch is done.

https://issuu.com/ozcobp/docs/ozco_project__750_-_12x12_pergola_w

 

[Paycheck]

Re: Pergalo

Pergola?

 

[ezover]

Re: Pergalo

Pergola?

Yes, hopefully my building skills are better then my spelling skills

 

[signcrafter]

Re: Pergalo

What advice are you looking for exactly? What material is the patio? Are you sinking the posts in the ground or attaching to the patio? I've done a handful of pergolas and they are pretty simple. Lots of different ways to do it and designs depending on what style you want. Basically just set some posts, run some stringers from post to post, then some cross stringers perpendicular to the main stringers. Then if wanted you can put some lattice or 2x2s or something on top for more shade or looks. Cutting the end details on all the boards is the most time consuming part.

 

[bczygan]

Re: Pergalo

Bill

 

[rockettgpw]

Re: Pergalo

Bill

Geeze Bill you have been busy..

 

[HOTFR8]

Re: Pergalo

Yes, hopefully my building skills are better then my spelling skills

A typo.. Fixed for you.

 

[woodee]

I built one at my last home 3 years ago and used Pergola Depot. I highly recommend them if you don't have the time or skills to custom make your own. It's made to the size you request and they have a few styles to choose from. It comes via freight with all of the materials pre-cut and necessary stainless steel hardware. I didn't have any problems with the fit, and they use good size materials like 6X6 posts. Just fair warning if you order the pressure treated wood, it may come with some fuzzy white mold already forming due to the humidity of the wood during packaging and shipment from Florida. I just used a deck brush and a cleaner to scrub it right off. I also used WoodRX to prestain all of the pieces prior to assembly. WoodRX does not require you wait for the wood to dry out like most stains and I wanted to protect the end cuts prior to assembling.

I also assembled it entirely by myself and rented a hand crank material lift to hoist up the headers with posts. I was extremely pleased with the results and would definitely order from them again.

View media item 94340

 

[Matt M PA]

I work with a client that sells beautiful pergola kits, like woodee shows above. I can't imagine starting from scratch when kits are available.

mysheds.com or horizonstructures.com. They built both my shed and detached garage. They make both maintenance-free vinyl or wood versions in a bunch of styles.

 

[Kaizen]

my neighbor got one from Bjs or Sams club. Not as detailed as some of the above but nice. Took a few hours to put together. If you actually want to build it I'd put as many details as possible on it. The simple 2x6 sitting on top of a beam looks eh. Like bill shows above the multiple levels and trellis' for privacy and vines make them look great

 

[ezriderga]

My wife wanted one, I don't know why, so I ordered this Cedar Pergola kit from Sam's Club last year. It was $1058 delivered and a couple of friends (young) put it together for us in less than a day. It probably would have taken me a week.

 

[rburke65]

Pergola Depot, wow....had no idea. Thanks for this.

 

[ezover]

I built one at my last home 3 years ago and used Pergola Depot. I highly recommend them if you don't have the time or skills to custom make your own. It's made to the size you request and they have a few styles to choose from. It comes via freight with all of the materials pre-cut and necessary stainless steel hardware. I didn't have any problems with the fit, and they use good size materials like 6X6 posts. Just fair warning if you order the pressure treated wood, it may come with some fuzzy white mold already forming due to the humidity of the wood during packaging and shipment from Florida. I just used a deck brush and a cleaner to scrub it right off. I also used WoodRX to prestain all of the pieces prior to assembly. WoodRX does not require you wait for the wood to dry out like most stains and I wanted to protect the end cuts prior to assembling.

I also assembled it entirely by myself and rented a hand crank material lift to hoist up the headers with posts. I was extremely pleased with the results and would definitely order from them again.

View media item 94340

thanks woodee, going to check them out.

 

[ezover]

My wife wanted one, I don't know why, so I ordered this Cedar Pergola kit from Sam's Club last year. It was $1058 delivered and a couple of friends (young) put it together for us in less than a day. It probably would have taken me a week.

seen that kit from sams, are you happy with it?

 

[Falcon67]

I had proposed a pergola on the patio but previous project purchases prevented prompt production. Possibly later.

 

[930dreamer]

I bet a local lumber store has the plans like these shown, and at a lower cost. Is shipping free on the material?

 

[ezover]

I bet a local lumber store has the plans like these shown, and at a lower cost. Is shipping free on the material?

the one I am looking at is just a plan, others that came in a kit form all seem to have free shipping.

 

[woodee]

Mine arrived free via freight...and man was it heavy. The driver and I unloaded it ourselves and I tipped him for the help.

 

[ezriderga]

seen that kit from sams, are you happy with it?[/QUOTE

Yes we are happy with it. It is heavy and is a quality product. It comes with everything you need to assemble it.

 

[rayra]

Judging from the size of the purlins in the OP's link, which appear to be either 2x3 or 2x4s, my surmise is that they used 2x12s for the 'single-seam' crossbeams. Just make a cardboard template to trace out your pattern and cut it out, top 6-7" of one end, bottom 6-7" of the other, transition curve in the middle. And if your frame size is small enough and your budget big enough, you get the 2x12s long enough to span the entire run in one piece, instead of the two in the link.

I wanted something larger like that but already had a roofed patio, so I built a cantilevered 'pergola' section on my new outdoor grill counter, which I just completed in time for our Independence Day cookout

eta
this guy's vid on how to make a trammel and draw a quarter-ellipse pattern for your rafter ends worked out real well for me, made it real easy to cut with a jig and router and make them pretty. As my jigsaw technique ***** mightily.

eta I guess I made things strong enough, my 6x6 main posts stirrup brackets and new 2' deep concrete footings strong enough, as it rode out last week's quakes just fine. Only felt about a 5.0 down here, but they went on a long time.

 

[FIVE_LITER]

Judging from the size of the purlins in the OP's link, which appear to be either 2x3 or 2x4s, my surmise is that they used 2x12s for the 'single-seam' crossbeams. Just make a cardboard template to trace out your pattern and cut it out, top 6-7" of one end, bottom 6-7" of the other, transition curve in the middle. And if your frame size is small enough and your budget big enough, you get the 2x12s long enough to span the entire run in one piece, instead of the two in the link.

I wanted something larger like that but already had a roofed patio, so I built a cantilevered 'pergola' section on my new outdoor grill counter, which I

eta
this guy's vid on how to make a trammel and draw a quarter-ellipse pattern for your rafter ends worked out real well for me, made it real easy to cut with a jig and router and make them pretty. As my jigsaw technique ***** mightily.

eta I guess I made things strong enough, my 6x6 main posts stirrup brackets and new 2' deep concrete footings strong enough, as it rode out last week's quakes just fine. Only felt about a 5.0 down here, but they went on a long time.

That is sweet!

 

[CraigStu]

I have never been able to see the use for a pergola. What is the point of building all that structure to do nothing? Doesn't keep out rain or sun. Why not put a roof up there that will actually do something?

 

[ezover]

I have never been able to see the use for a pergola. What is the point of building all that structure to do nothing? Doesn't keep out rain or sun. Why not put a roof up there that will actually do something?

simple answer: the wife wants it over the patio,

 

[akpingel]

Rayra, that is AWESOME!

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have never been able to see the use for a pergola. What is the point of building all that structure to do nothing? Doesn't keep out rain or sun. Why not put a roof up there that will actually do something?

Historically, they had vines or other plants growing on them.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

If you are going with a 12’ x 12’ or smaller the online kits are pretty good. For 16’ making your own is the way to go. I made this for my house from cedar and steel tubing for about $2500 no labor. A similar all cedar is more than double online. It took about 2.5 days with two guys start to finish including paint and stain.

 

[rayra]

Thanks!

Typically a pergola will have ivy, wisteria, grapevines on it. The structure is typically to support greenery, like an arbor. But here in the southwest the goal is typically something like 50% shade and rain isn't much of an issue.
The boards on mine will give 100% early afternoon shade in about a month. I forgot my south property wall wasn't true E-W. So my spacing math was off by ~17deg. Sort of a bummer as I hit the solstice and the sun was blasting right thru

 

[SRX]

Check out Toja Grid

https://tojagrid.com/

 

[Tduby]

I have never been able to see the use for a pergola. What is the point of building all that structure to do nothing? Doesn't keep out rain or sun. Why not put a roof up there that will actually do something?

Every time I see them build a “pergerler” on this old house I think the exact same thing

 

[ItsNemo]

I have never been able to see the use for a pergola. What is the point of building all that structure to do nothing? Doesn't keep out rain or sun. Why not put a roof up there that will actually do something?

They give partial shade but open air flow. They also give a place to hang things from such as lights, plants, shade sails, speakers, etc.

I have lights and some hanging baskets on mine. Eventually will pick up a removable shade sail if I want full shade on a hot day.

 

[Tunajoe]

I built two on each end of my pool.
Framed up bases with metal 2x4 and then used rock veneer to cover the bases.
Hardest part was finding DF that was straight enough for the long spans.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Partial shade and open airflow are exactly why I put one in. I'll say this: the bigger the better, with regard to shade. When you picture it in your head, you think about the sun straight above it, but usually it's coming in at an angle. And once you get some shade in place, the areas without shade seem that much hotter and brighter.

I also think a curve goes a very long way to making the things look better. I'd wager someone makes a paper template you could use to cut that curve.

I made mine out of steel, and went all-in on the shade coverage. I've had it six years now, and it makes our deck much more useable.

In my case, the deck was going to be stuck in a small space between two garages, the house, and a fence. So a 'beautiful view' was not an option. I had to make it feel like an open space.

My pergola lets air and water through it, but creates something like 70% shade.

The wide angle lens for this picture makes it look huge, but it's 20x20. We use it a lot.

 

[ezover]

I built two on each end of my pool.
Framed up bases with metal 2x4 and then used rock veneer to cover the bases.
Hardest part was finding DF that was straight enough for the long spans.

I like the black hardware, I plan using connectors from this site.

https://ozcobp.com/

we are a little side track with putting this up. we got a new pup, a black lab. we get to raise it for a year then it goes back to be trained as a service dog.

 

[rayra]

Jack that's lovely. That is shade fabric, correct, it breathes? How is that on a very hot day, you get enough flow out the gabled ends?

(and is that Ipe or something made to look like it?)

 

[cdestuck]

I’ve built several and many decks. I highly advise to build out of vinyl or other synthetic material. Wood might look good for a year or two but soon gets ugly, and is forever ajob to try and keep it up. Just my 2 cents on wood.

 

[Tunajoe]

I like the black hardware, I plan using connectors from this site.

https://ozcobp.com/

we are a little side track with putting this up. we got a new pup, a black lab. we get to raise it for a year then it goes back to be trained as a service dog.

I just used basic Simpson strong-tie hardware and welded the 90* side pieces on and then painted them black
I might add I too put black shade cloth over mine.

 

[richzz]

I am planning on building one. The dimensions will be 13' X 20'. I think 6 x6 posts will work but what will I need to span 20'. Thinking double 2 x 10s. Will they be enough.

 

[rick carpenter]

My wife wanted one, I don't know why, so I ordered this Cedar Pergola kit from Sam's Club last year. It was $1058 delivered and a couple of friends (young) put it together for us in less than a day. It probably would have taken me a week.

Hey ezridaga, we just put up the almost exact same one from Sam's a few weeks ago. Ours is 10x14, it was on clearance at $899 and we picked it up. It took us two days due to my wife and I being the ones mostly putting it together and some rather sloppy/soft screws & bolts that I had to go back and forth to the garage to force them to engage properly with a vice and a wrench. A couple of other family members helped a bit as well, and it was all a lot of fun to do. Ours came with an electric cord with gfci mounted to one post. I added in a buried cable to a weatherproof box on that same post. We added the lighting you see around the perimeter.

We're very pleased. Ours has a bar on one short 'wall' in my second pic that I notice you don't have installed.

 

[Alchase]

I have built a few pergolas. This time I went with three separate trellises. Two are 12 feet and one 24 feet. The curve on each 2x6 end, I patterned on a 1x6 and cut with a jigsaw. 16 curved cuts on the ends of the 12 footers and 20 cuts on the 24 footer. Top lattice is 2x2 and the posts are 6x6x12.

 

[ezriderga]

Hey ezridaga, we just put up the almost exact same one from Sam's a few weeks ago. Ours is 10x14, it was on clearance at $899 and we picked it up. It took us two days due to my wife and I being the ones mostly putting it together and some rather sloppy/soft screws & bolts that I had to go back and forth to the garage to force them to engage properly with a vice and a wrench. A couple of other family members helped a bit as well, and it was all a lot of fun to do. Ours came with an electric cord with gfci mounted to one post. I added in a buried cable to a weatherproof box on that same post. We added the lighting you see around the perimeter.

We're very pleased. Ours has a bar on one short 'wall' in my second pic that I notice you don't have installed.

Very nice.