New Pergola Coming Soon!

shucker · February 25

After years of wanting one, I have finally gotten motivated enough to build a pergola over my existing patio. I picked up the materials yesterday and plan to start tomorrow. If all goes well and it doesn't rain, I should be under cover by Wednesday / Thursday. The patio is only 12' x 17', so it shouldn't take long.

Im using standard treated lumber and plan to stain it after it weathers for a couple of months. I'm going with 6x6 posts and 2x8 framing. I'm going to install some transparent corrugated roof panels on top to give me a dry place to egg while still maintaining the open look and feel of a pergola.

Here is a shot of my patio as it lies today. Progress pics to come shortly!

Dyal_SC · February 25

Can't wait to see it! I need inspiration for my patio as well...

Skiddymarker · February 25

Now that's what I call an empty patio, you have "her" all cleared off so you can get at it. I went undercover last year, it is awesome. Look forward to the continuing pictures.

Chubbs · February 25

Perfect patio for a pergola. Look forward to seeing it complete.

Botch · February 25

My "pergola" was installed when I bought this place in '95; 4x4 uprights, 2x4 cross-pieces and cables, and covered with Reisling grapevines. It was great for many years, even waterproof as the vines got thicker, but this last fall the weight really sagged the cables and finally broke one of the 4x4's.

Early this spring I'll be pulling it all out, installing a taller, true pergola, and either another, single-level deck, flagstone, or stamped concrete below. Hope the grapevine will fill it in again over the next 18 years, if it collapses again hopefully I'll be dead by then.

:D

Anxious to watch your progress and see how you do it, may have to copy some ideas! Our "deck" areas are pretty close to the same.

Chubbs · February 25

@Botch, what do you mean by cables. Excuse my ignorance. Bet it looked cook with the vines over it.

Botch · February 25

Chubbs said:

@Botch, what do you mean by cables. Excuse my ignorance. Bet it looked cool with the vines over it.

The 2x4's only went from the tops of the 4x4 uprights, around the perimeter. The previous owner then put in eyebolts every foot or so in the 2x4's, and laced cable in between the 2x4's; great for awhile, but the cables eventually sagged under the weight.

I wanted to get a closer pic, from underneath, but didn't feel like crawling through 2 1/2 feet of snow!

Plano_JJ · February 25

Exciting. Cant wait to see the end result.

Jscott · February 25

Good luck on the install, love to see how it turns out!

sola · February 25

Exciting. Your going to love it. Wife & I bought a new house last spring. Same barren patio. We built a pergola & outdoor kitchen. Spend 90% of our time at home out there. Kids eat breakfast & watch cartoons outside.

shucker · February 25

Thanks for all the comments folks. At this point, I'm going to keep this thing very simple. Basically just a roof to do my outdoor cooking under. If it turns out that we actually use it, I will start adding some amenities like countertops, cabinets, sink, tv, etc.

Today was a productive day. Got everything laid out, set the posts, and got the ledger board in place. Its nice to see this long awaited project getting started and I'm excited to get it finished.

Chance of rain is 100% tomorrow, so it will probably be Wednesday before I can get back to it.

double · February 25

Good days work!

Botch · February 26

Wow, the posts are installed already! That's, in my opinion, the hardest part; it's cake from here on out!

Solson005 · February 26

That's going to be night and day difference when your done! I bet you end up using it quite a bit.. We use our expanded patio more than we ever thought and our pergola just covers our grilling area. We have a shade sail that shades the patio. Can't wait to see the egg in there cooking away!

sola · February 26

What are you going to do for ceiling/roof? We stained tongue in groove for a ceiling & covered it with a metal roof. Really keeps the atmosphere we were looking for. I'll shoot you a pic if your interested.

Since you have a day of thinking.....

Plano_JJ · February 26

Lookin good. When you get that roof on that thing, you will be tripping. We love ours, really got to test it out this weekend since we had some nice weather.

shucker · February 26

@sola - post a pic of your roof if you dont mind. My initial thoughts were to use a clear corrugated fiberglass roof panel to let lots of light in and keep the open air feel. My fear is that the clear panels will require regular cleaning to keep them clear and will most likely yellow over time.

MrCookingNurse · February 26

@shucker
Your fear is correct my son. They will get Nasty quick.

I'd just do tin or something. But that's just me. You wouldn't have to clean it but would lose the somewhat open air.

sola · February 26

I'll get you one when I go home for lunch.

Charlie tuna · February 26

Looking at the layout, i would recommend a good size overhang on the roof panels. That will keep any driving weather off your egg(s) which will be positioned along the outside edge to keep the smoke off the house walls. Also need a few power outlets and a way of getting it across the ceiling to come down the columns to service your starter(s) and temperature controllers....

sola · February 26

My ceiling. Covered with a metal roof. Don't know why the pic is sideways.

shucker · February 26

thanks for the picture @sola. That t&g sure looks nice, but wouldnt give me the look and feel that I had in mind. I think I'm going to stick with the clear panels. May go with a smoke color to try and minimize regular cleaning. :-?

sola · February 26

No problem. Just throwing out ideas we came across when building ours.

TUTTLE871 · February 26

When you are done you will never leave the back yard. Ive had mine for about 3 years and spend alot of time in the back yard.

Charlie tuna · February 26

My hangout -- have a porch alongside my shop with all the needed accessories - shop is a steel building separate from my house - just extended the garage with a designed steel porch.

YEMTrey · February 26

TUTTLE871 said:

When you are done you will never leave the back yard. Ive had mine for about 3 years and spend alot of time in the back yard.

This is what I had planned on doing over my patio. I want to have hop vines growing up and over it as well.

shucker · February 28

After a rainout yesterday, I made some pretty good progress today. The structure is in place. All thats left are the roof panels and some finishing touches involving a little bit of trim. Im also going to build a 5' high privacy panel along the open side to keep my neighbor from drooling over my food. Once I have the building done, it will be time to shop for light fixtures, ceiling fan, speakers, etc.

All in all, the process has gone very smoothly. There are a few things I would do differently now that I can see it in place. But, they are just minor details and overall I am extremely happy. We are really going to enjoy it.

caliking · February 28

@shucker: WOW! It already looks amazing. Care to come by and build me one? I'll provide the liquid inspiration.

Can't wait to see the finished product.

sola · February 28

Very nice job.

Plano_JJ · February 28

Wow man, thats looking real nice. You will love it. All I want to do now is stay out there and cook and I am not even completely through with the setup yet.

shucker · February 28

caliking said:

@shucker: WOW! It already looks amazing. Care to come by and build me one? I'll provide the liquid inspiration.

Sure, lets do it. I've about figured out what Im doing now. Another one would be a piece of cake.

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