Building A Pergola

[jperry1290]

Will a 4x4 post sandwiched by 2 2x8s be good enough for a 12ft span? Good news is I salvaged some of the old pergola to make a hoist for my hard top.

[slvregl]

Re: Building A Pergola

I would think that would be plenty strong!

[Rockbronco67]

Re: Building A Pergola

Thats funny you posted this because this is what my wife wants for Mothers Day. Here is a few pictures on how I am going to build mine. In the pictures there is two different ones.

[jperry1290]

Re: Building A Pergola

yes rockbronco67, thats what style I am going for. I also like the "Mothers Day Gift" idea, I may use that myself

[Spaceburger]

Re: Building A Pergola

use bolts at the main load bearing connections. Grade 5 bolts should be plenty strong. Do not rely on deck screws for loads. Some screws are brittle and will snap in shear.

[Kansas Corey]

Re: Building A Pergola

Saw a quick clip of this on TV the other night. They laid a small diameter (flexible) piece of PVC (looked 12' long) on top of the structure to draw / trace the curved front edge - simply and effective. Looked kinda like the 4th picture that Rockbronco67 posted.

[broncorick]

Re: Building A Pergola

Hey check out www.norcalvinyl.com. You can build it out of vinyl with steel inserts. Its a company I started and sold a few years ago. If you need advise hollar.

[jperry1290]

Re: Building A Pergola

Can the 45 post supports be mongrel on the top instead of under. One of my post is just outside the slider and I don't want to duck every time.