Pergola Plans

A pergola provides shade and décor to outside spaces. The rafters are an important part of the design but are not the support of the structure. It can be a focal point of your landscaping. Pergola comes from the word pergula in Latin and it simply means ‘protective covering’.

It can be so much more than a protective covering or shade for you while you are outside. If you choose to do it yourself then you can save a lot of money and have the pride of a creative piece in your yard. Here are some tips to build your own pergola with these plans:

• The first thing you need to do is measure and mark the location for the four posts. This is the location where the pergola will stay and it is important to choose accordingly. This is to support the roof and a vital part of the structure. Square the end posts’ location. Now secure and post base anchors to the concrete pad. This task needs a hammer drill to secure the anchors to the concrete with screws that came with the anchors. If you are not using concrete then the holes need to be deeper and covered with dirt.

• Now cut four 2 by 6 inch pieces of lumber to the length needed for the top. Use the table saw for this task. Allow for extra length to hang over on both sides.

• Create a curved template out of cardboard. Trace the patterns on the lumber. Cut the pieces out with a jigsaw.

• Clamp one of the boards three and a half inches from the top of the pair of posts with the curved end facing down. Make sure it is level. Screw these into the posts. Clamp a second board and repeat. Secure it in the same way.

• Now cut four cross beams for the pergola plan out of the 2 by 6 inch lumber. Use the curved template to cut the corner out of the lumber. This can be tricky and you need to be careful so that you will not waste materials when you complete this task. Take your time to get it right before you cut. Use a dabo blade or a jigsaw for this task.

• Slide a pair of cross beams on the first set of beams on each side. Drill pilot holes through the wood on top. Use long screws to go through the wood and posts.

• Create additional cross pieces from the piece filling the procedure you followed with cross beams. It is important to space evenly.

• Use lumber scraps to create four square pieces to use as post caps. Secure these caps in with screws.

• Your pergola project is now complete.

If you followed the pergola plans correctly you are now an expert on pergola building because you have the finished product in your yard. Now you know how to build a pergola and you can amaze your friends and family with your superior skills.

The best part is you did not spend a lot of money because you did it yourself. Now you have a masterpiece in your yard without spending more money than you needed to spend.