Abackyard pergola attached to the houseor a freestanding DIY pergola can be completed in two or three weekends.
Pergola materials are also relatively inexpensive.
The four corners of the pergola can also be anchored with planter boxes.
Credit: Ed Gohlich
We’ll show you how to prep and assemble a DIY pergola that’s perfect for outdoor living.
Customize your structure withadditional pergola design ideas, paint, or stain.
For example, an 8-foot-tall pergola needs posts at least 11 feet long.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
If possible, bolt some of the posts to existingdeckingposts or similar strong structural members.
Shovel several inches of gravel into the bottom of each hole and insert the posts.
(You’ll cut them to height later.)
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Set Pergola Posts
Brace the pergola posts temporarily, so they are plumb.
Use 3- to 4-foot 2x4s or 2x6s at the bottom and 1x4 or 2x4 angle braces anchored to stakes.
Combine water and baggedconcretemix and fill the postholes.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Work the mix up and down with a stout stick to remove all air pockets.
Overfill each hole so rainwater will run away from the DIY pergola post.
If your building site allows you to anchor posts to an existing structure, do so using bolts.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Take time to ensure the pergola posts are perfectly plumb.
These four beams create the solid structure supporting the notched rafter pieces.
Prepare for installing the beams by cutting the posts.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Cut the posts with areciprocating saw.
Measure the distance between the posts at the top and miter-cut 2x10s for the outer beam pieces.
It’s okay to bend the posts an inch or two if they are not equidistant.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Measure and cut the inside beam pieces.
Laminate them to the outside beams using polyurethane glue and 1-1/4-inch deck screws driven every foot.
The rafters often have decorative ends.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Develop a pattern for your rafter ends using a freehand drawing or use a purchased or borrowed pergola plan.
The design can be as simple or intricate as you would like.
Cut notches on the bottom of the upper rafters for every lower rafter.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Place all rafter notches an equal distance apart.
Cut the notches first with acircular saw, then a saber saw.
Clean out the corners with a hand saw and chisel.
As you work, check that the notched rafters will fit tightly together.
Raise the Roof
Next, notch the rafters.
For the lower rafters, notch the bottom of each end so the rafters will fit over the beams.
The notches should be 3x2 inches.
To build the four planter boxes around the pergola posts, attach 1x4s to 2x2 framing with 1-5/8-inch screws.
Top it off with a 1x4 ledge and fill it with soil.
