Design Plans for Pergolas

Materials

• Redwood, cedar and pressure-treated wood are common materials for a pergola. Cedar is a popular wood for outdoor building projects because it is straight-grained and will not warp or twist. It is also resistant to rotting, which makes it a good choice for moist climates. A pergola also can be made of metal or vinyl sold in kits. These kits are easy to assemble and last a long time.

Styles

• A pergola may be free-standing or attached to the outside wall of a house or shed, or the rail of a deck. Some pergolas that are attached use the structure for support in a lean-to style. Others are boxed arches through which a path may wind, or they may be attached to a deck and covered with a shade cloth. Planters can be attached to the legs for climbing vines.

Method

• At its most basic, a pergola is four posts with four connecting beams at the top. The primary concern for a pergola is that it can support the weight of vines or plants that are growing from the beams. For lightweight vines such as morning glories, this is not a problem. However, heavy vines such as wisteria need a sturdy pergola to support their weight.

  The four posts should be inserted into the ground for approximately a quarter of their total length. They can be set in place using concrete. The beams may be either bolted to the side or set on top of the posts. Increasing the number of posts and beams will increase the sturdiness of the pergola.