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Posts Tagged ‘2″ X 8″ Lumber’

Pergola Plans: How to Build and Design Your Own Pergola

Are you looking for an affordable way to build your own pergola? Well, I’m proud to say that I have successfully built a pergola in my backyard using the best pergola plans available online, and now I want to share my experience with you.

When I first started researching woodworking plans, I found mixed reviews about the products that were available. It seemed that all the customers were happy with the pergola building plans they purchased, but I knew the products wouldn’t be identical, so I purchased the top two on the market and tried them out.

After extensive testing and research, I’m proud to say that only one product stood out from all the rest, and quite frankly took the cake in almost every category…

Ted’s Woodworking Plans

Ted’s pergola plans were extremely high quality and more detailed than anything I’ve ever seen on the Internet. Now lets go over a few tips that will help you learn how to build a pergola.

  • 1. Think About Your Budget and Make a Decision. If you’re planning to build your own pergola, you can generally get away with only spending a few hundred dollars. However, if you want to invest in a contractor the price will likely be around $4,500.
  • 2. Contact the “Call Before You Dig” 811 Number. Make sure to avoid building a pergola without first contacting this number, you must make sure to avoid any utility lines in your area.
  • 3. Always Use Cement. Pergolas are pretty light structures, that being said they can slide fairly easily when it rains. When using pergola plans, always make sure you use cement to avoid any potential soil sliding problems.
  • 4. Rent a Few Tools. Of course you will have some of the tools required like sandpaper or a hammer laying around your house. But you may need to rent or borrow certain electric tools such as a drill, circular saw, or even a angle grinder to cut, drill and finish the project.
  • 5. Ask a Friend for Help. Posts and Beams are extremely heavy objects and potentially hazard to move, so always ask a friend to help with this part.
  • 6. Never Fill the Post Foundation First. Never fill the post foundation without already bolting the main beams on the top. First bolt the beams to allow for adjustments, and then fill in the hole afterwards.
  • 7. Only Use Top Quality Wood. Various top quality wood such as Cedar should be used on every pergola, even though it’s more expensive. It is an extremely smart investment that will easily pay for itself over the years. You are already saving thousands of dollars on building the pergola, so make sure you don’t short yourself on the materials.
  • 8. Choose Your Location Wisely. Always make sure you build the pergola in the right location. If you live in the Northern hemisphere, build the pergola facing the South. If you live in the Southern hemisphere, build the pergola facing North. Vines that climb up the pergola will appreciate this very much.
  • 9. Choose the Right Pergola Plans. Remember, even though pergolas are a fairly easy structure to build, you must find the right plans to complete the project. The square and rectangular pergola are the easiest to build and arrange furniture under once finished.
  • 10. Coat and Strain Your Pergola. While cedar and red woods are generally already resistant to termites, rotting, decay, and UVA, it’s always a good idea to stain your pergola at the end. Wood stains come in all different shades and colors, and makes the pergola have a beautiful shine at the end.

As for the easiest pergola building plans to help you complete this project? Well, Ted’s Woodworking (Pergola) Plans without a doubt takes the cake in every category.

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Advantages of Building Your Own Pergola

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.

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Pergola Building: Simple Tips to Help Build Your Own Pergola

pergola buildingPergola building is a project that anyone can do if they follow the directions. Before you begin building your pergola, you must explore all the unique and stylish designs that are available. Here are six tips that will assist you in finding the ideal pergola:

  • Tip 1: Create a budget

Before you even begin exploring your options, you should formulate a budget. If you are building the pergola on your own, then it should only cost a few hundred dollars. However, if you are hiring a contractor to handle the how to build a pergola project, then you should expect to pay about $4,500. Remember to be reasonable with your budget for pergola plans.

  • Tip 2: Avoid underground utilities

After you have a budget created, you should ensure that you are not building the pergola anywhere near underground utilities.

  • Tip 3: Take shade into consideration

Now, you should begin thinking about how much shade you desire in the area of your pergola building.

  • Tip 4: Take the type of materials used into contemplation

Another tip for choosing the perfect pergola is to contemplate what type of materials you want to be used. For example, wood is the cheapest material to use and it is also very easy to work with. In order to prevent rot, you should only use pressure treated wood. Cedar is an example of wood that lasts for decades. On the other hand, if easy maintenance is highly important to you, aluminum and vinyl may be better choices for materials. These materials are more expensive, though. A little research will go a long way in getting the most out of your money and attaining a stylish pergola building.

  • Tip 5: Consider size

Naturally, the size of the pergola is another very important factor to take into consideration. You wouldn’t want to end up with one too small or too big. Use a measuring tape in the spot you plan on placing the pergola and determine the approximate size you are looking for, so that you will not be disappointed.

  • Tip 6: Shape also matters

Another aspect that is important is the shape of the pergola building. Some shapes you can select from are square, rectangular, triangular, and circular. Square and rectangular shaped pergola structures are easier to build. The triangle and circle shapes are more difficult to find than the square and rectangle pergolas.

In conclusion, when going about constructing a pergola, there are six easy tips that will help ensure that you are fully satisfied with the end results. These tips include creating a budget, avoiding underground utilities, taking shade into consideration, taking the type of materials used into contemplation, considering the size, and contemplating the shape. All of these things are essential to planning the pergola building of your dreams.

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