pergola build

jaykoi · 17-10-2011, 04:48 PM

hi i did a search and other than doghouse's post i couldnt find much about what size wood i need to make a pergola to go over my pond .
the pond is (or will be ) 8'x6' so how far would i need to overlap as intend to cover it with netting to stop leaves from nextdoors trees . and what thickness of wood is best for the uprights and beams
cheers j

Doghouse Riley · 17-10-2011, 07:02 PM

It depends on how much weight it is likely to take.

The pergola by the side of the pool has 3" X 3" uprights.
The two main beams are 16' X 4" X 3"
The cross pieces are 3" X 2"

The two uprights are sufficient to take the weight without bending but the construction is anchored to the garage with three of these brackets I made to accommodate the garage guttering.

I actually had to rebuild this three or four years ago as the beams and cross-pieces were originally 3" X 2" but twenty years of supporting an ever growing wisteria was making them bend. The whole thing now will easily support my twelve stone.

The hand rail as are the two cross-pieces below it, are decking balustrades.

This one on the back of the house has 4" X 4" uprights, the beams are 16' X 6" X 2" but because it's such a long span the front beam is doubled up either side of the uprights with two long bolts connecting each end.

The cross-pieces are 3" X 2". Again, this will take my weight if I need to get on the flat roof. The whole thing is quite rigid.

If you're buying the timber from a wood yard, I'd recommend you go to pick out the wood you need, this avoids "the banana option," some suppliers don't care if the wood you order over the phone is a bit bent.
I keep the bases of the posts off the ground, they sit on half bricks screwed to them and to the patio and I made "elephant's feet" plinths round the bricks from mortar to avoid the bottoms of the posts rotting.

jaykoi · 17-10-2011, 07:06 PM

thanks mate thats brilliant , i will be mounting mine to the sleepers and it will only be about 5' above them ,
i know what you meaan about banana wood , seen a lot myself at the wood yard lol
j

freddy · 17-10-2011, 07:26 PM

That Acer is looking good DR

markf1fan · 17-10-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freddy

That Acer is looking good DR

yes well agree with you on that freddy, awesome looking acer for sure.

Doghouse Riley · 17-10-2011, 08:42 PM

Thanks for that, it's twenty-five yeas old now. It gets a trim with shears now to keep that shape, but I'll thin out the "skirt" for next summer, as it 's got a bit thick and doesn't turn down enough, it's looking a bit like a drinks umbrella in this photo.

freddy · 17-10-2011, 08:59 PM

Well, I can see myself with a few "drinks" under there

faz201283 · 17-10-2011, 09:45 PM

i just finished mine weekend gone, i work on building sites and got 95% of my timber for free so i got what was there

if its taking any decent weight id go for at least 4x4 up rights, i used 6x4 and its very sturdy, also these should be concreted in at least 600mm, again i like to OTT on things and sank 800mm into the ground, i then used 5x2 for cross beams (joists) i also hung all of them on joist hangers as theres room for the the timber to shrink and expand without causing any problems with the rest of it

i covered mine with a clear tarpaulin which works great but if you want to stop leaves your gona have to net all of it, top sides front back ......

jaykoi · 18-10-2011, 05:11 PM

thanks thats a great help , now to plan and order wood

j

jaykoi · 27-10-2011, 08:11 PM

im planning to go 6m long by 3m wide , how far apart should i put the beams to make it look correct , dont want to many/not enough
cheers j