We are very grateful to our customer for providing us with the installation steps of the outdoor pergola, and he has added a lot of instructions in the process of build pergola design. We have rearranged the content to make it more comfortable to read.

Dear Mr. Bob, the extension of the concrete carried out a few years ago has been laid, and it is not easy to nail down the fixed columns of the pergola. The roofline is a little complicated. Because he didn’t want to give up the roof warranty or cause damage… Or put it on your body. I was sceptical until we explored all possible avenues. Therefore, overall planning begins with how to build a pergola.

Build Pergola Design In Your Garden

Before delving into consumables, keep in mind that you may need to adjust the length of the frame according to the size of your area. Also, even if our size is larger, we will use the 10ft x 10ft example, which is easiest for you to convert the wood length to the size you want to build. You can use any type of wood you like. It just depends on the look and feels you want to use. Our arbour is made of wood-plastic material.

One. Determine The Size of The Build Pergola Design

The first thing you need to know is how long you want the pergola to be. As I said, we’ll take the 10 x 10 example as an example. The next question we need to answer is to bury the pile in the ground or attach it to the concrete. If possible, I recommend that all four columns be placed underground.

Measure and mark the positions of all four pillars, which, according to our 10 x 10 example, should be 10 feet tall.

Two. Set The Pillar Of Outdoor Pergola

We’re going to use 6 x 6 columns, hopefully 10 feet high. Therefore, for piles anchored to concrete, you will need 10 feet 6 x 6; If you sink them into the ground, you need 12 feet 6 by 6.

If you sink them in the ground, dig a hole with a 2-foot excavator and a shovel. Place the post in the hole and pour in a bag of concrete. Soak in water. Now, take your grade and make sure your column is level. Once secured, fix each 2 x 4 on at least 3 sides, pin them on 6 x 6, and then fix 2 x 4 on the ground.

If you want to connect them to concrete, place the concrete going into the ground first. Next, place your pile anchors where they go and secure them with some expansion screws. You will need to use a hammer drill and a masonry drill to drill in advance. If a hammer drill is not available, a regular hammer may be used, but when drilling, be sure to hammer up and down to help improve the performance of the bit. Next, attach 6 x 6 to the column anchor. This depends on the column anchor you are using, so follow the instructions that come with the column anchor. Now level the column and support it with 2 x 4.

Build Pergola Design In-Your Garden Steps

Three. Add The End Beam of Build Pergola Design

We will add the first layer beam, the external beam (or support beam – 2 x 12’s). We’re sandwiched between 6 x 6 and 2 x 12 beams. We know that we want the total height of the outdoor pergola to be about 10 feet, so we need to put the bottom of the 2 x 12 at 9 feet. Mark each column 9 feet on either side. The easiest way to connect a 2 x 12 is to place a piece of wood on a 9-foot marker and hammer it in or secure it in a vice. I suggest hammering it in. This piece of wood will provide support for you as you connect the beam to 6 x 6. Don’t forget to measure to make sure that 2 by 12 is centred.

When the 2 x 12 is in place, drill through the beam and secure it with a paddle board bit, and fasten the beam to the upright column with pull bolts, washers and nuts.

After installing all four beams onto the 6 x 6 trim panel, close any of the 6 x 6 above 2 x 12 with a reciprocating saw.

Four. Add The Beam of Build Pergola Design

Determine how much space is needed between the beams. If you’re planning to plant jasmine or other plants in your pergola, I recommend setting them closer together. 12 inches is good. Measure and mark where each beam will arrive by placing an X. I also suggest that the beam be recessed into 2 x 12. Mark areas that need to be cut out to allow the beam to recede. It needs to be 5 inches deep and 1 inch wide. Cut 2 x 12 with a reciprocating saw and a curve saw.

Next, to decide whether to Angle these beams or keep them flat, we added a 45 degree Angle. You can use either a mitre saw to cut, or a carpenter square to draw a 45-degree angle and use a skill saw to cut. If you want something fancier, you can use a curving saw to cut patterns.

You cut out the 2 x 12 hole and you cut out the 2 x 6 hole, and you put 2 x 6 into the 2 x 12 hole. It may take some tweaking, a little extra cutting of the slot and some hammering to get 2 x 6 in place. After insertion, tighten with nails or screws. Repeat with all 2 x 6.

Five. Cross Support

Just cut one end of 2 x 6 (or wider, I use 2 x 10) at a 45-degree angle to the length you want, which for us is 4 feet. It is then nailed or screwed to the inside of each of the 6 by 6 and one of the 2 by 12. This will increase the stability of the structure.

Six. Add The Top Beam of The Build Pergola Design

Once again, determine how far away you want the 2 x 2 parts to be, and if you grow something on the pergola, I suggest 12 inches. Mark where all boards should go and nail them or nail them to the top.

Outdoor Pergola Building Case

Seven. Complete The Installation of Pergola

If you want to paint the arbour, you can fill any hole in the recessed board with a little wood putty. Otherwise, paint, polish or leave the wood as it is.

Now invite your friends over and enjoy your new pergola! It is not difficult to see how to make an outdoor pergola. There is a unique sense of achievement after the completion of the construction.