Pergola designs and plans come in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes depending on your needs. A rectangular or square shape may be well suited for ease of construction and furniture layout, while a triangular shape may be necessary for corners. Smaller pergola-like structures built in walk ways with a sitting bench on a side are commonly referred to as arbors. Proper pergolas are large enough to accommodate a set of chairs and a table where to socialize protected from the sun.
Pergolas can be built free standing in the garden or attached to the house, over a patio, a deck or even over walkways so as to provide repair from the sun rays and to break the monotony of the landscape. Pergola plans come in different sizes and help you save few $thousands over ready made kits, providing you are not tight on materials as top quality woods like western cedar wood can be expensive to purchase at first, but they will pay themselves off over and over passing on to the next generations, if looked after.
Pergolas are striking yet simple structures to build and an ideal testing ground for a novice to get some carpentry experience. Even without carpentry knowledge, a DIY project can easily be accomplished by following basic criteria. Firstly, arrange a long weekend off for the project and ask for the help of a friend to assist you in lifting and moving heavy posts, beams and joists. Secondly, borrow or rent few basic tools like a hammer, nails, nuts and bolts, an electric circular saw, a drill, an angle grinder, sandpaper, lines and a measure tape. Finally, get hold of pergola designs of your choice with all the measures, pictures and graphics you need.
Before you start construction, make sure to have the all clear from your local authority before you dig for the post foundations. Underground utilities such as electric cables or water mains may be in the way, so check properly to avoid nasty surprises. The intended location should also be carefully chosen with an eye on how your future pergola will look like so as to balance the rest of the garden. Pergolas, arbors, gazebos and pagodas have a dramatic visual impact on landscaping, so choose wisely the position for your pergola.
Once sure of the position, just follow the pergola plans. They should be clear and concise, providing clear measures and graphs for you to cut and shape all the parts accurately and assemble them. To save time, do so after you have dug the holes for the post foundations. Pour cement in to give the posts a solid base where to stand and prevent sinking or moving in rainy days. While the cement is setting in, cut and shape all the pieces with your friend, so when it has turned into solid concrete you have the posts and beams ready to set up.
To assemble your pergola, you need to prop up the posts temporarily with sticks, bolt the beams on top at the right height, which you can find using the water method (a bucket of water with a clear hose), close the structure and fill in the foundation holes. Now you can nail the joists on top and smooth down the rugged surface with sandpaper and the angle grinder. Finally, apply two coats of resin based wood stain for further protection and durability. Your pergola is ready.
Now you can lay your pergola plans down and have a deserved rest with your friend and a couple of beers. A DIY project like this can save you $2000 to $3000 over an equivalent ready made kit while increasing property value as well. Your household livability will improve as well, providing family and friends with a cozy meeting point where to gather and socialize in the hot season. For added coolness and coziness, you may train vines up and over the top so as to grow a natural parasol of foliage, reflecting the heat and sun rays.
Pergolas can be built free standing in the garden or attached to the house, over a patio, a deck or even over walkways so as to provide repair from the sun rays and to break the monotony of the landscape. Pergola plans come in different sizes and help you save few $thousands over ready made kits, providing you are not tight on materials as top quality woods like western cedar wood can be expensive to purchase at first, but they will pay themselves off over and over passing on to the next generations, if looked after.
Pergolas are striking yet simple structures to build and an ideal testing ground for a novice to get some carpentry experience. Even without carpentry knowledge, a DIY project can easily be accomplished by following basic criteria. Firstly, arrange a long weekend off for the project and ask for the help of a friend to assist you in lifting and moving heavy posts, beams and joists. Secondly, borrow or rent few basic tools like a hammer, nails, nuts and bolts, an electric circular saw, a drill, an angle grinder, sandpaper, lines and a measure tape. Finally, get hold of pergola designs of your choice with all the measures, pictures and graphics you need.
Before you start construction, make sure to have the all clear from your local authority before you dig for the post foundations. Underground utilities such as electric cables or water mains may be in the way, so check properly to avoid nasty surprises. The intended location should also be carefully chosen with an eye on how your future pergola will look like so as to balance the rest of the garden. Pergolas, arbors, gazebos and pagodas have a dramatic visual impact on landscaping, so choose wisely the position for your pergola.
Once sure of the position, just follow the pergola plans. They should be clear and concise, providing clear measures and graphs for you to cut and shape all the parts accurately and assemble them. To save time, do so after you have dug the holes for the post foundations. Pour cement in to give the posts a solid base where to stand and prevent sinking or moving in rainy days. While the cement is setting in, cut and shape all the pieces with your friend, so when it has turned into solid concrete you have the posts and beams ready to set up.
To assemble your pergola, you need to prop up the posts temporarily with sticks, bolt the beams on top at the right height, which you can find using the water method (a bucket of water with a clear hose), close the structure and fill in the foundation holes. Now you can nail the joists on top and smooth down the rugged surface with sandpaper and the angle grinder. Finally, apply two coats of resin based wood stain for further protection and durability. Your pergola is ready.
Now you can lay your pergola plans down and have a deserved rest with your friend and a couple of beers. A DIY project like this can save you $2000 to $3000 over an equivalent ready made kit while increasing property value as well. Your household livability will improve as well, providing family and friends with a cozy meeting point where to gather and socialize in the hot season. For added coolness and coziness, you may train vines up and over the top so as to grow a natural parasol of foliage, reflecting the heat and sun rays.
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