How to Build a Wooden Pergola
A wooden pergola adds an artistic feeling to most any garden. These covered structures typically stretch along the path of a garden. With the right set of tools and a fair amount of building experience just about anyone can design and build their very own wooden pergola.
What You'll Need:
- 4-inch by 4-inch lumber for posts
- 6-inch by 2-inch lumber for the rails and rafters
- Wood screws and bolts
- Power drill
- Pencil
- Saw
- Hammer
- Shovel
- Concrete
- Wood preservative
- Stakes
- Construction string
- Level
- Measuring tape
- Sturdy ladder, at least 6-feet tall
- Determine where you want to install the pergola posts; you’ll need to refer to the guidelines in the pergola kit. Ensure that you allow headroom of 7 ½- to 8-feet so that you can easily walk underneath when there are hanging plants.
- You’ll need to use the stakes to mark holes 1-foot in diameter. This is where the posts for the pergola will be located. Generally, pergola posts should stand 3-feet across from each other for the width of the pergola. They will need to be 6-feet apart for the length of the pergola. Lastly, dig the holes so that they are 2-feet deep.
- Place the posts in the holes and use a level to ensure that they are standing upright. You’ll need a helper to hold the post level while you fill the hole with wet cement. You’ll want the mixture to be wet enough to bond while remaining crumbly in texture, resembling homemade cookie dough. Ensure that you leave a few inches at the top.
- You can use a stake to pack the concrete down into the hole. Ask for a helper to continue to hold the post level. Once the cement is packed, it will need to be level and about 3-inches from the top of the hole. Repeat this process for each post.
- Allow a day or two for the concrete to set in the holes.
- Bolt the two long side pieces of the pergola onto the posts. Consider using a ladder to get a better angle toward the top of the posts. For larger pergolas, you’ll have a set of rafters that go across the pergola to lend support between posts. Put the rafter piece over top the post. Use a pencil to make a mark where you plan to cut it so that it will fit over the post. Using a saw cut the notch and position the rafter in place. Starting from the top, secure the rafter to the side piece using screws.
- Ensure that the structure is secure. Apply an outdoor wood protecting finish and allow it to dry completely.