Building an outdoor pergola, or overhead covered area, in your yard or garden, can be one of the most beautiful and lucrative additions that can be made to your home. Some might be intimidated by the thought of undertaking a project like this independently, but with careful planning, the right building plans, tools, materials and the most important elements, enthusiasm and motivation, it can be accomplished with complete success!
A pergola can be open and slatted for some protection from the elements or installed with adjustable roof panels for more inclusive protection. Building a pergola to cover a patio or barbecue area can protect you, your family and guests from the heat of the sun. Some even add to the beauty of an outdoor pergola by planting climbing vines and flowers that will eventually cover the pergola and create a stunning display.
Most hardware stores offer do-it-yourself manuals for projects such as this which will provide a variety of instructions and variations of different kinds of pergolas. There are also many reliable websites that you can check out on the web, including the DIY network, Home Depot and many others. But, with creativity, patience and careful planning, you can build your pergola exactly to your own specifications using the following information.
Materials include reciprocating saw, safety glasses, pry bar, miter saw, circular saw, hammer, jigsaw, drill, tape measure, level, lag bolts and washers, galvanized deck screws, ladder, socket wrench with varying sizes of sockets, level, 12′ 4″ x 4″ weather-proofed cedar posts, 2″ x 8″ (or whatever measurement you predetermine for the width of the pergola – these might be 2″ x 10″ or 2″ x 12″) cedar lumber, posthole digger and gravel. Determining how many pieces of the lumber, lag bolts and washers as well as any accessories, such as climbing vines, will depend on each individual project. Drawing your plan out and carefully measuring the length, width and height of the pergola will be the most important part of this process.
To begin, measure where the main supporting posts will be and, using the posthole digger, dig four holes that are 24 inches deep and 9 inches wide. Pour in a small amount of gravel, insert the 4×4 posts (that have been cut, using the reciprocating saw and then the miter saw to the measurements that you have predetermined) and make sure they are level. Then, pour in a small amount of quick-dry cement and let this set for at least 24 hours. Remember, these are the posts that will support the top of the pergola so they should be measured and cut for that purpose before they are set into the concrete.
Next, cut the connecting joist beams (the horizontal beams that will connect the pergola posts) from the 2″ lumber that has been predetermined to be the joist beams. Decorative cutting or angling might be considered for the ends of these beams, as they will be the front and top part of the pergola when it is complete. Use clamps to temporarily hold these in place until the holes are drilled and they are permanently connected using the lag bolts and washers.
Next, cut the connecting beams that will serve as the top slats of the pergola. Evenly space these beams perpendicular to the supporting beams and nail into place using galvanized deck screws. The wood can be stained or painted, according to your preference. If you have chosen to also install the panels to the top of the structure, follow manufacturer directions as to how to install them to the top panels.
And, believe it or not, that’s it! It sounds like a lot, but even for a novice, with careful planning and patience, this project is one that easily accomplished and can add years to your outdoor enjoyment.
Anna K is blogger and freelance writer from Australia.She writes for several newspapers about home improvement topics such as 
