Build a Pergola With Canopy
Draped with weather-resistant fabric, this attractive pergola creates cool shade.
General Instructions
Cut and label the parts as needed, using the Cut List and Cutting Diagram as guides and adjusting for fit. We built our pergola on top of an existing concrete slab and used bolt-downs anchored with lag screws. Consult with a Lowe's employee if you are building your pergola on another surface.
- Install the posts as shown in Figure 1.
- Lay out a 9- x 10-foot grid on the area designated for the pergola to mark the position of the bolt-down brackets for the four (01) posts.
- Insert the (01) posts into the bolt-downs, and anchor them with 2 1/2-inch lag screws.
- Wrap the posts as shown in Figure 2.
- Cut the (02) narrow wraps, and attach them to two opposite faces on each (01) post using adhesive and nails.
- Check the width of the (01) posts and (02) narrow wraps, and rip the (03) wide wraps to match that measurement.
- Attach the (03) wide wraps to the remaining faces of the (01) posts using adhesive and nails.
- Add trim to the posts as shown in Figure 3.
- Rip enough 1 1/2-inch-wide stock from the 1 x 12 decking to fit around all four (01) posts. Cut a 1/2-inch bevel for the (04) crown trim along one edge of the stock.
- Miter cut the (04) crown trim, and attach it to the top of each post assembly with adhesive and nails.
- Prepare enough 7 1/4-inch-wide stock for the (05) base trim, making sure there is enough to fit around all four (01) posts. Cut a 1/2-inch bevel along one edge of the stock.
- Miter cut and attach the (05) base trim to the post assembly with adhesive and nails.
- Prepare and install the short and long beams as shown in Figure 4.
Note: Each beam is basically a box built with a 2 x 4 top and bottom, and a 2 x 6 front and back.
- Build the first long beam assembly with the (06) long top beam, the (07) long bottom beam, the (08) long inside beam, and the (09) long outside beam using adhesive and deck screws. Repeat to create the second long beam assembly.
- After building the long beam assemblies, miter cut each of them to length.
- Repeat using the (10) short top beam, the (11) short bottom beam, the (12) short outside beam, and the (13) short inside beam to create the short beam assemblies.
- Attach the beam assemblies to each other, and then to the post assemblies using adhesive and deck screws.
- Build and attach the rafters as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Note: Each rafter assembly is built with a 2 x 4 top and bottom, and a 2 x 6 middle. The top and bottom pieces are positioned flat, and the middle pieces are placed vertically.
- Cut the (14) rafter bottoms, the (15) rafter middles, and the (16) rafter tops to length.
- See the full-size pattern for the ends of the (15) rafter middles.
- Assemble each of the rafters, making sure the three components are centered. Attach with adhesive and deck screws.
- Starting 12 inches from one end of each rafter assembly, and 3/4 inch down from the top of the 2 x 6, drill five holes at 30 inches on center with a 3/4-inch Forstner bit.
- Attach the rafter assemblies to the beam assemblies using adhesive and deck screws.
- Add the fabric supports as shown in Figure 7.
- Cut the 1/2-inch black pipe 3/4 inch shorter than the two outside 2 x 6s on the rafters.
- Spray-paint the pipe black, and allow to dry.
- Insert the fabric support pipes, leaving an equal distance from the face of the rafter on each end.
- Secure the pipe in place with adhesive.
- Fill the outside holes with spackling or other filler. Allow to dry, and sand smooth.
- Touch up the spackling with a color that matches the decking.
Pergola Illustration
Pergola Cut List
Part
|
Material
|
Size (in inches)
|
Quantity
|
| (01) posts |
4 x 4 TSYP |
3 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 80 |
4 |
| (02) narrow wraps |
1 x 12 |
3/4 x 3 1/2 x 73 7/8 |
8 |
| (03) wide wraps |
1 x 12 |
3/4 x 5 x 73 7/8 |
8 |
| (04) crown trim |
1 x 12 |
3/4 x 1 1/2 x 72 1/2 |
16 |
| (05) base trim |
1 x 12 |
3/4 x 7 1/4 x 72 1/2 |
16 |
| (06) long top beams |
2 x 4 |
1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 120 |
2 |
| (07) long bottom beams |
2 x 4 |
1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 120 |
2 |
| (08) long inside beams |
2 x 6 |
1 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 116 |
2 |
| (09) long outside beams |
2 x 6 |
1 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 120 |
2 |
| (10) short top beams |
2 x 4 |
1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 108 |
2 |
| (11) short bottom beams |
2 x 4 |
1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 108 |
2 |
| (12) short outside beams |
2 x 6 |
1 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 108 |
2 |
| (13) short inside beams |
2 x 6 |
1 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 104 |
2 |
| (14) rafter bottoms |
2 x 4 |
1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 123 |
4 |
| (15) rafter middles |
2 x 6 |
1 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 141 |
4 |
| (16) rafter tops |
2 x 4 |
1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 144 |
4 |
|
Finished Dimensions
Height: 8 feet
Depth: 12 feet
Width: 9 feet
|