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PergolasThis page describes the basic steps involved in the construction of a pergola attached to the side of a house. This is the most common type of pergola . The principles shown here apply to nearly all forms of pergola construction and there is a wide range of literature which describes in detail the various designs. Halfords supply all the necessary timber components which are dried after treatment for maximum stability. All timber is CCA treated for protection against termites and decay and the components come as a complete kit together with metal fittings. These step by step assembly instructions allow anyone with basic carpentry skills to build a good looking and properly constructed pergola.
A wide range of deck design books is available from the Sydney Building Information Centre at 525, Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW and TABMA Leaflet No. 28 (available from Halfords) provides useful additional information. Make sure you have council approval for your project and that any post holes are clear of power, gas, or telephone services. Sketch your Pergola layout on the Planner Chart (available from Halfords). This will allow Halfords to calculate the required quantities of timber and hardware. Accurately mark out and peg the post positions on the ground. Make sure the pegs are in lne with and parallel to the building and set at equal centres. Check diagonals are equal to make sure the layout is square. Blocking
Setting Posts  Decide whether to dig post holes or mount the posts on post anchors. (See this page)
 Stand the posts, set vertically and hold in position with temporary bracing. When the posts are in position mark the height for fitting the beams. Use a tight string and string level or water-filled clear plastic tube. Draw a line showing where the lower side of the beam will fit. Temporarily hold in position with nails or clamps whilst drilling bolt holes in both beam and posts Bolt the beam to the posts. (See Drawing No.6.)
 Mark the beam height on the wall of the building, using the same methods. Drill the ledger bearer, hold or prop in position so the top of the ledger will be at the same height as the top of the beam. (Note: the ledger and the beam may not be the same width) Mark the masonry through the pre-drilled holes, in the ledger, remove and drill for masonry anchors. Fix ledger to wall.
 Beams can be bolted directly to the face of the upright posts or rebated in as shown in the left hand sketch.
 Install bracing to stabilise the frame. Drawing 6 shows a bolted brace but nailed alternatives can be used.
 Put the rafters in position after angle cutting the ends. Set the outside rafters at the same distance from each end.of the Pergola. Fix at both ends of every rafter with Trip-L-Grip connectors.  Alternatively attach to fascia as shown in Drawing 9, using Trip-L-Grip fasteners to fix rafters at the the beam and Joist Anchors to fix the end abutting the fascia board. Depending on depth of rafter it may be possible to check out a section for the guttering.
 Alternative pergola structures can be built on the principles described in this leaflet such as the free standing pergola shown in Drawing 10a above and the deck pergola shown in Drawing 10b below. 
Before starting to build your deck make sure you are informed about the safe use of treated timber and recommended construction methods by reading Halford Information Leaflets, Numbers 10 and 11 |
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For more detailed information on setting posts in concrete or anchoring them to existing concrete slabs, footings and rock please see this