So you want to know how to build a pergola for your deck or patio. Well this is the place you were looking for
You've come here to learn ow to build a pergola. well, a pergola is basically a framework of lumber or plastic that creates dappled sunlight on your patio. It does not completely block all of the light or create a "room" outdoors but it does make your patio a very nice place to be at any time of the day or night.
The pergola can be attached to your home or freestanding. There are a variety of ways to cover it to make more shade. Check out a "living" pergola canopy here.
The size can be whatever you need from a 6' by 6' for a small area to a 25' by 25' to cover your entire patio. The freestanding types need to be anchored to your patio in some way so they won't blow over in heavy winds or big storms. The style that attaches to your home should also be secured to the patio to prevent creeping or walking. That's when the support posts move a little bit at a time when the winds blows hard and eventually they can walk right off the patio which I don't think you want!
If you're looking for how to build a pergola but looking for something a bit smaller for a cozy garden spot see our page on arbors.
- A ladder or two, if you're using a helper
- A set of box wrenches, sockets or an adjustable wrench
- A level
- A drill driver with extra bits
- An auger or post hole digger
- A helper
- A stud finder
- A tape measure
- Some concrete mix for buried posts
You'll also need some connecting hardware:
- Joist to stringer and joist to ledger connectors
- Post or column to deck connectors
- Box or two of deck screws
- Large lag screws (long enough to penetrate the ledger and the siding on your home)
Visit the Tools page for more information on some of these mentioned.
Let's get on with building it yourself...
The first step in how to build a custom pergola is deciding where you want it to be.
Do you want it close to the house by the back door? Maybe you'd like it further out from the house so that your view of the whole yard is better. This is totally up to you and your family and of course the location of the patio itself.Most of the ones I have seen are near the house so that you can walk outside with your favorite beverage and have a seat by the fire or watch the kids playing or just look at your yard.
Once you decide where you want to put the pergola, you need to decide the size and if you're attaching it to your house or not. These are monumental decisions but they need to be thought out because once you build this fabulous addition, it's hard to move and they all factor in to how to build your pergola.
Okay here we go!
I'm going to give you an overview on how to build a pergola for your home but you will need a set of plans or detailed instructions to complete this big project.
I will say that this project does require two people at times but a lot of the work can be done by yourself. That being said, let's begin.
So now you need to know how to build a pergola and you need to know what to do right? Well you need to make a sketch or use the set of plans you just purchased.
Once that is done you need to buy the lumber and hardware. Many home improvement stores will cut all of the lumber for you if you buy the plans from them otherwise you will need to make all of the cuts yourself.
The cutting is not difficult unless you've decided to make a fancy edge, then in that case you may need a jig saw to make the cuts
The pergola that's attached to your home is easier than the freestanding one in that it needs two less legs but it does need to be attached to the house by a big board, called the ledger.
In this area of how to build a pergola, you'll need your helper to hold one end of the board while you attach the other end to the house.
Only put in one screw on your end at this point so that you can can level the board from the other end. Once you have the one end secured, you can then have the helper level the board and secure his end. Now you can put in the second screw on your end. Make sure that the board is level, this is VERY important.
Once the ledger is up and level you should put in at least 4 more screws to make sure it won't pull out. Place the screws so that they hit the studs and also make sure that they are somewhat evenly spaced.
An example would be: If the ledger is 20' wide, I would put screws every 4' not including the ends, so that would mean you would have 12 screws spaced 4' apart from end to end.
Then, using your helper, you need to attach the main stringer to a post. The post needs to be secured to so that it will not fall over, you can do this by attaching a diagonal board to each side of the post so that it won't tip over. Picture a peace sign with three legs touching the ground and one long leg going upward to connect to the main stringer.
Please check your local building code to assure that the posts can be above ground but attached versus buried in the ground. If you can have posts above ground you'll need to attach them to your deck or patio using post brackets. The brackets are basically U-shaped pieces of steel with holes for attaching to the decking and to the posts. If they need to be buried they usually have to be buried about 2' to 4' so that they will be below the local frostline. The further north you are the deeper the frostline, in general.
The maximum distance between posts should not be more than 10' as most standard boards cannot span that far without major deflection (bending downward) and will eventually fail over time without added support posts.
As I said earlier, the wider the pergola, the more posts you'll need. I'm going to assume a 20' width and 10' depth for this page. This would mean three posts spaced 10' apart.
Once you have the posts in place and secure, you can attach the stringer that will connect each post to the other. This is the time to attach the main stringer to the center post. Once you have the main stringer attached to the main post and secured, you can now attach the posts to each other using the same size stringer board.
Attach the posts to each other and also attach the posts to the ledger. You should now have a basic framework set up and ready to attach all of the remaining stringers to the boards running between each post.
Using the hardware you have, attach each stringer from the ledger to the stringer that runs between the posts.
If you've ever seen the John Hancock building in Chicago you'll notice the diagonal bracing, this is something that you will have to have to make sure that the pergola is stable.
The bracing is just some boards that run from the main stringers to the posts to make sure that when the wind blows, the framework doesn't collapse.
You need to cut some boards at a 45 degree angle and attach them to the posts and main stringers.
The freestanding style of how to build a pergola is very similar to the attached style but with two or more posts instead of a ledger.
The following is how to build a pergola for a deck :
The first thing you need to do is decide exactly where you want the posts to be. Once that is done you need to secure the posts to the deck, patio or dig the holes for them. If you're on a raised deck then you'll need to place the posts so that they are next to the deck joists under the deck surface. This is where you'll connect the posts. Using a small piece of the post, place the piece on the deck and trace around it to mark the place where you'll cut out the hole for the post to go through.
Do this for all the posts you're using. Now using a 1/4" drill bit, drill a hole in the inside corner of the tracing. Using the jigsaw and a wood-cutting blade, cut out the hole. You can now place the full post in the hole and secure it to the joist using at least two 1/4" bolts, washers and nuts offset on the diagonal. Do this for all the posts.
By the way, every other year you should restain your deck. Follow our advice here.
The following is how to build a pergola for a patio or in-ground:
The posts need to be located as in the above example. If you are on a patio (concrete only, pavers or bricks need the posts to be buried as the bricks or blocks will not hold the posts in place) you'll need post to concrete connectors under each post.
If you're burying the posts, check with your local building codes to make sure how deep they need to be. Once the holes are dug and the posts placed and plumb, you need to add concrete to the hole so that the posts will not move.
The deck or patio posts will need to be secured together with some temporary stringers and you will definitely need some help holding the posts plumb (straight up) until they're connected. The buried posts will have to set until the concrete is hard.
Once you have two posts connected to the patio and each other you can now attach the third post. This triangular design is the most stable and will allow you to attach the fourth post without much help. The three posts should stay up without holding them in place but to be sure they don't fall over, have your helper hold them until the fourth post is secured. See, how to build a pergola isn't that hard is it?
Now that the the posts are secure and the ledger is secure, you can now add the stringers at 16" to 24" on center. Once all of the boards are in place and secured you can string some rope lights or mini lanterns to your new pergola and enjoy a nice evening under the stars. Woo Hoo!
If you'd like to visit the paver walkway page, click here.
The pictures on this page are of the pergola I built in 2005, it's attached to the house and is staggered to fit the patio. I also installed mini-lantern lights for the evening.
As beautiful as they are, pergolas won't give you a lot of shade.
Take a look at some
shading options
to block out even more sun.
Now you can enjoy sitting on your deck in the midday sun or the evening and also have a very nice place to gather with your friends and family for a little party celebrating your newly built (by you) pergola. Enjoy!
Add a trellis to a side or two for some climbing plants.
