Pergola Installation Basics

A pergola offers versatile shade and sun protection. You can design your own or purchase a kit to assemble at home.

Using a tape measure and speed square, mark the center of each post base. Pre-drill and use concrete screws to fasten each post base to the patio or deck floor.

Posts

The posts in a pergola are the vertical structure that supports the rest of the structure. They can be set directly into the ground or on a concrete slab or footer. Those that are set in the ground should be treated for ground contact and secured with metal post anchoring hardware.

Those that are on top of a concrete slab or footer should be notched at the bottom and have their base covered with concrete to prevent water from collecting in the area under the deck. This is especially important if you live in a climate that freezes and could cause the concrete to expand and pull the posts up.

For any type of post, you will need to dig a hole that is a minimum of two or three times larger than the diameter of the post and back fill it with soil as soon as possible after setting the posts. If you are planning to build a pergola on a concrete slab or footer, choose the option that includes mounting hardware when ordering your kit.

Beams

If you’re not building a custom pergola, most kits come with the wood beams and hardware you need to build the structure. This greatly simplifies the project for a homeowner, but it still requires that you know how to use certain tools and have a few helpers.

If your pergola is going to be attached to the house, make sure that its foundation is strong enough to withstand environmental forces such as high winds and heavy snowfall. If it’s not, you may need to consider a more robust structure like a metal pergola.

After a few days of careful work, you’ll have a sturdy frame that can support climbing plants or other garden structures. You can also add a canopy to provide shade, and add lights and other decor to elevate the ambiance of your backyard space. It’s a great place to relax and unwind after a long day. To finish the job, you’ll need to sand down the edges of the posts and apply stain or paint as desired.

Rafters

In this section of the project, you’ll build the rafters that give the pergola its shape. They provide part-shade, part-sun shelter in a traditional lattice pattern that lets vines and creeping plants fill the space below.

To begin, firmly clamp the post base to your patio. Then use a hammer drill and 5-inch carbide bit to pre-drill a hole in the center mark on your patio. With a ratchet and appropriately-sized socket or impact gun, tighten the Titen HD concrete anchor, fastening the post to the concrete surface.

With the rafter tails cut, you can now install the rafters. Take your time and work carefully to keep the rafters perfectly square, perpendicular, and aligned with the girders. Use a level or right-angle triangle to help you get the job done. When you’re finished, toe-nail each rafter to the girders.

Lattice

The cross beams, called lattice, atop a pergola offer support for twining vines like wisteria or roses, as well as a classic look. They can be tacked or screwed to the posts, or hung from brackets. They may be arranged in a crisscross or checkerboard pattern, but more commonly they create the iconic pergola look of louvered panels.

Aakre recommends not letting the lattice touch the ground. This can create a moist, dark environment that fosters rot and encourages disease. Instead, he often installs spacers that sit between the ledger and rim joist, allowing for a 1/2-to-5/8-inch gap to allow water and air to circulate. He then covers the space with a water-resistant barrier membrane and metal flashing.

Many homeowners choose to cover their pergolas, providing additional shade and protecting their furniture from rain. Some also add a ceiling or fans. Others add lighting to make the area more usable. Some use a retractable shade canopy for maximum protection.

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