How To Design And Build A Pergola That Lasts!

If you can get things level and square and have a basic understanding of power tools, then designing and building a pergola is definitely something you can tackle with ease.

Pergolas add that warm, room-like feel to your outdoor space, making it feel like a cozy extension of your home.

These structures give you 25-60% shade, which helps cool down your deck or patio, keeping it about 5 degrees cooler than the surrounding air temperature. You can relax in your backyard, soaking up the sun with extra comfort, even when it's blazing hot!

How To Design Your Own Pergola

To know what’s the best pergola design for your property, start by choosing your materials and figuring out the roof design, making sure it matches well with the style of your home.

The structure of a pergola usually has interlocking rafters, with the lower ones crossing the upper ones. This design helps block the sun and makes the whole building stronger. Cuts can be added to the ends of the rafters to give them a unique look.

Lattice is a great way to enhance your pergola design. It adds texture, provides more shade, and supports climbing plants such as flowers or vines. This feature can really make your pergola unique. 'Secondary beams' are parts of a structure that help support bending loads, but the name might change depending on the context.

If you're unsure where to place your pergola on your backyard, here are important things to consider to find the perfect spot:

• Provide shade where your yard needs it most.

• Divide a huge backyard into defined areas.

• Set up to frame and take advantage of gorgeous views.

• Perfect for outdoor dining sets and patio furniture.

• Create a sitting area and provide visual interest in your garden.

• Create a meeting space near fire pits or water elements.

• Create a private sanctuary with plants or curtains.

How To Build A Pergola Step By Step

The first thing you'll need to know before building your pergola is how large you want it to be. For this guide, we're building a spacious, freestanding 16 x 16 pergola with posts in the ground.

The last thing you want to have is a gas leak and an electric spark, so before doing any digging, call 811 to find where your utilities are located.

Materials:

• (4) 6x6x12 pressure-treated wooden posts for the corners

• (4) 2x8x16 beams for main support

• (11) 2x6x16 rafters

• (22) 2x2x16 purlins

• Concrete for post holes

• Gravel for post holes

• SDWH TIMBER-HEX stainless steel screw

• 3½" stainless steel deck screws

Tools:

• Post hole digger or power auger

• Level

• Tape measure

• Circular saw

• Drill with appropriate bits

• Wrench set

• Ladder

• Mason's line

Step 1: Layout and Post Holes

Start by marking the four corners of a 16'x16' square where your pergola is going to be placed.

Set up the batter boards approximately 2 feet away from each corner. Use mason's lines to keep your layout nice and square. Make sure to check the diagonal measurements to verify.

At every corner, make a hole that is 24 inches deep and 12 inches wide. The holes you dig will be the base for your pergola posts.

Step 2: Set Posts

Put 6 inches of gravel in each hole to help with drainage. Next, put a 6x6x12 post in each hole, making sure they are perfectly vertical and exactly 16 feet apart. After you have everything in place, carefully pour concrete around each post to fill the holes.

Let the concrete set for 24 to 48 hours before moving on to the next steps.

Step 3: Install Main Support Beams

Once the concrete is fully set, make notches in the posts at a height of 8 feet. The 2x8 beams will fit into these notches. Put the 2x8x16 beams on top of the posts going both ways to make a square shape. Attach these beams to the posts with SDWH TIMBER-HEX stainless steel screw by drilling through the posts into the ends of the beams.

Step 4: Add Rafters

Place marks for the rafters every 16 inches apart along the beams. Put the 2x6x16 rafters up straight across one group of beams.  You can fasten these rafters using joist hangers or by driving stainless steel deck screws at an angle to secure them in place.

Step 5: Install Purlins

Put the 2x2x16 purlins across the rafters, making sure to space them 16 inches apart from each other. Fasten each purlin to the rafters below with stainless steel deck screws.

Angle the purlins away from the direction of the sun. This gives you longer periods of shade as the sun shifts across the sky.

Step 6: Finishing

After installing your pergola, make sure to smooth out any rough areas on the wood by sanding them down. Next, use a stain or sealer designed for outdoor use to keep the wood safe from weather damage.

Weatherproof Your Wooden Pergola

Weatherproofing your pergola not only keeps it looking great, but it also keeps water damage and wood rot from happening.

Make sure to use materials that can take on the weather right from the start. Choose pressure-treated wood as it is highly resistant to decay, rot, and insect damage. For fasteners, choose stainless steel screws as they’re highly resistant to rust. Use 304-grade stainless steel screws for pergola construction in moist environments, and the 316-grade for coastal areas.

There are a number of ways to weatherproof your wooden pergola. Besides sealants and stains, you can add a plastic or vinyl canopy. This approach may cost more initially, but it may be cheaper in the long run than regular sealant reapplication.

Another weatherproofing option is fabric covers. These waterproof covers allow airflow and are made of acrylic canvas. But, they don't offer extra shade and need to be taken down during bad weather.

By using these weatherproofing tips, you can relax in your outdoor space without worry, knowing your pergola is in good shape for decades to come.

FAQs on How to Design and Build a Pergola

How big can you build a pergola?

Pergolas usually come in sizes starting from 8x10 feet for intimate spaces to 20x20 feet or even bigger for larger outdoor spaces. Here are a few important things to think about:

• Local zoning laws and building codes

• Size of your outdoor space

• Intended use (dining, lounging, entertaining)

• Your budget

A 12x16-foot or 14x18-foot pergola is a good size for most homes because it gives you enough room and functionality.

How much overhang should a pergola have?

The perfect overhang for a pergola depends on how it's designed and what it's used for, but it usually falls between 12 and 24 inches. Factors that affect how big the overhang is:

Style choices
Shade needs
Structural integrity
Protection from rain or sun

Keep in mind that bigger overhangs might need extra support to stay stable.

How to attach a pergola to an existing deck?

You can attach a pergola to an existing deck by extending the pergola through the deck boards to integrate it into the deck framing. Make sure the posts rest on top of the cross beams while connecting them with L brackets, and then reinforce them.

Should a pergola be the same size as the patio?

A pergola doesn't need to be the same size as the patio, but it should be close. Here are things that you should consider:

• Covers about a third to two thirds of the patio area

• Planned use (for eating, relaxing, etc.)

• Amount of shade wanted

• Balance between the house and the patio

• Building codes in your area

The best size will depend on your wants and how your outdoor space is designed as a whole. Most of the time, a pergola that covers 50 to 75% of your patio gives you the right amount of sun and shade.