How do I Build an Extended Dragon Pergola?

Download or purchase plans either online or at a hardware/lumber store. You can find free plans under this article's references.

Dig a hole for each support 12-foot post. Holes should be 16" deep. You need a minimum of four. Following manufacturer's directions, mix quick-dry cement in a container. Pour in half the hole and set in the beams. Pour in the remaining cement. Use a level atop a post to guarantee the post stands straight. Let the cement dry.

Cut four pieces of wood with a circular saw. Sand to smoothness. Drill them into the four posts. Use a level to to keep them straight. These support beams are the base for the arced beams.

Lay out a curved beam template on 10 foot wood lengths. Trace with pencil and cut accordingly with a jigsaw saw. You should havae an arced beam at each corner and one in the middle of each support beam. Repeat the process, using a new template, to create the smaller rafters that connect to the end of the beams and extend of the vertical posts. Sand to smoothness.

Drill one arced beam into a support beam at a corner of the structure. Drill the second arced beam in the support beam midway between two corners. Then attach the two arced beams together at their opposite ends. This will create the center of the pergola. Repeat the process until you attach all arced beams to support beams and each other. Drill rafters into the end of each support beam.

Paint or stain the pergola. Let dry according to manufacturer's directions.