Here’s a summer project designed to
keep you cooler on even the hottest of days. The classical columns support an
overhead wooden lattice that works like a big shade tree, letting only a
portion of the sun’s radiance shine through.
What looks like the toughest part of this
project is actually the easiest—the graceful, solid-looking columns.
They’re not wood at all but a hollow-core composite material with amazing
structural strength and durability. We’ve designed the project so you
simply slip these columns over treated 4x4 posts embedded in concrete. When
screwed to the wooden posts, these columns provide a stable, solid base for the
overhead lattice framework.
These paintable precast columns are available by special order
at home centers. They come in a wide variety of diameters and heights and
architectural styles. Expect to pay about $200 or more for each column.
Pressure-treated dimensional 2x8s and
2x10s make up the majority of the upper framework, and the decorative end
pieces are cut with a jigsaw from our pattern. The whole project can be built
in a couple of weekends, with another weekend for staining and painting.
You’ll spend about $2,400, including the cost of the columns.
We built our pergola over an existing
stone patio; that saved a lot of patio work. If you’re planning to
install a patio as part of your overall project, you’ll need to allow
extra time.
FIG. A PERGOLA DETAILS
Click image to enlarge.
Click image to enlarge.
Shopping List
|
ITEM
|
QTY.
|
|
Pressure-treated 4x4 x 10' posts
|
3
|
|
Pressure-treated 1x4 x 8' post wraps
|
8
|
|
Pressure-treated 1x4 x 8' fascia
|
7
|
|
Composite polymer columns with bases and
capitals
|
6
|
|
Pressure-treated 2x10 x 16' (E)
|
2
|
|
Pressure-treated 2x10 x 14' (F1)
|
2
|
|
Pressure-treated 2x10 x 12' (F2)
|
1
|
|
Pressure-treated 2x10 x 10' (decorative
tails)
|
4
|
|
Pressure-treated 1x6 x 12' ledger strips
(G), ripped to width
|
2
|
|
Pressure-treated 2x8 x 8' rafters
|
16
|
|
Pressure-treated 5/4 x 6 x 10' decking
ripped to 3" (tail tops)
|
8
|
|
Pressure-treated 5/4 x 6 x 14' decking
ripped to 3" (lattice)
|
9
|
|
Pressure-treated 2x4 x 10', ripped to
2-1/4" for subbase
|
3
|
|
60-lb. bags of dry mix concrete
|
30
|
|
Concrete forming tubes (2' lengths)
|
6
|
|
Construction adhesive
|
2 tubes
|
|
3" exterior screws (zinc plated) No. 12
size for posts
|
48
|
|
3" deck screws
|
5-lb. box
|
|
2-1/2" deck screws
|
5-lb. box
|
|
1/2" PVC pipe
|
6'
|
|
90-degree 1/2" PVC elbows
|
6
|
|
Stain and paint of your choice
|
|
|
Auto body filler
|
|
|
Simpson A21 steel angle
|
6
|
Cutting List
|
KEY
|
PCS.
|
SIZE & DESCRIPTION
|
|
A
|
6
|
3-1/2" x 3-1/2" x 56" treated posts
|
|
B
|
24
|
3/4" x 3-1/2" x 32" treated post
shims
|
|
C
|
6
|
7-1/2" x 96" round columns
|
|
D
|
12
|
1-1/2" x 5-1/2" round discs
|
| |
|
(column inserts)
|
|
E
|
2
|
1-1/2" x 9-1/4" x 185" front and back
beams
|
|
F1
|
2
|
1-1/2" x 9-1/4" x 145-1/2" side
beams
|
|
F2
|
1
|
1-1/2" x 9-1/4" x 142-1/2" center
beam
|
|
G
|
4
|
3/4" x 1-1/2" x 142-1/2" ledger
strips
|
|
H
|
16
|
1-1/2" x 7-1/4" x 91-3/4" flat
rafters
|
|
J
|
23
|
1-1/16" x 3" x 33" tail tops
|
|
K
|
23
|
1-1/2" x 9-1/4" x 17" decorative
tails
|
|
L1
|
8
|
1-1/16" x 3" x 153" lattice strips
|
|
L2
|
1
|
1-1/16" x 3" x 134" center lattice
strips*
|
|
M
|
4
|
3/4" x 3-1/2" x 91-3/4" fascia
strips*
|
|
N
|
18
|
3/4" x 3-1/2" x 14-1/2" fascia
strips
|
|
P
|
24
|
1-1/2" x 2-1/4" x 12-1/4" sub- base (under
molded base)
|
