Pergolas

About Our Pergola Kits

We make our Forever Pergolas in two size groups: Small Pergolas (under 100 square foot roof) and Large Pergolas (over 100 square foot roof). The small pergolas have 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" posts and 1 3/4" x 3 3/4" roof support timbers (lintels) and rafters. The large pergolas have 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" posts and 5 3/4" x 1 7/8" lintels and rafters.

Because we mill our own lumber full-dimension, our pergolas are overbuilt with much thicker timbers than what is available elsewhere. For example, ordinary 2x6’s after drying and planing are 1 1/2" x 5 1/4" while our 2x6's are 1 7/8" x 5 3/4" (36% more lumber!).

The standard roof overhangs the posts 9" on Small Pergolas and 12" on Large Pergolas. This can be adjusted to meet your needs. The maximum roof span is 20 feet in either direction with a 4 post structure. The maximum span our design allows is 18' 6" on center between posts. Structures over 20 feet in any direction are built with an additional post to support spans from 20 to 36 feet. For example, a 38' x 20' pergola will have 3 posts in the 38' direction (a total of 6 posts).

Standard pergola posts ship 9-feet long. For the Large Pergolas, a 9-foot post attached at ground level will give you a "ceiling" clearance of 8' 4" with 7' 10" clearance under the roof support timbers on the two lower sides (see roof descriptions for more detail). For the small pergolas, the ceiling is 8' 6" with 8' 2" clearance under the roof support timbers. If you prefer a different post height, just let us know.

Our Pergola kits are completely assembled in the shop prior to shipping to be certain everything fits together perfectly. All timbers are notched into one another to fit together tightly. There are hundreds of notches in the larger pergolas. Notching is a labor intensive process that results in a very strong "web effect" that distributes wind and weight stresses throughout the structure.

All hardware is included and it is stainless steel.

Anchoring Your Pergola

All pergolas posts should be attached to the ground. If your set will be attached to an existing deck/patio/concrete slab, you can use metal "Simpson Ties" anchors from the local hardware store. Or, purchase our anchoring kit, which includes everything you need for $125: the metal anchors, lag bolts to attach the posts to the metal anchors, the anchor bolts to attach to the concrete, plus wood trim pieces and the deck screws to attach the trim to the base of the posts to cover the metal for a finished look. Click on the image at left for anchor kit photos and ordering instructions. If attaching to a wood deck, please let us know so we send lag bolts for the wood deck instead of anchor bolts for concrete or stone (make selection at checkout).

If you are building over undeveloped ground, you can do it in one of two ways:

1. Dig 30" deep x 8" diameter holes with a post hole digger. Add cardboard Sono tubing and some rebar, then pour concrete (in snow areas go below the frost line). Attach metal anchors at the top of the concrete pour (to keep the posts out of the weather, pour the concrete about two inches above ground level) and, after drying, bolt the pergola posts to the tie. If you order the anchoring kit, the trim pieces will hide the metal ties at the base of the posts.
2. If you order your pergola in our Mature Redwood (20-year decay warranty) or Old-Growth Redwood (30-year decay warranty), you can order your posts 12"L and bury them directly in the ground with concrete and some rebar. This is structurally stronger than attaching at ground level, but placing pergola posts underground is not recommended if ordering in Young Redwood or Douglas-fir, both of which will decay within 12 years in constant contact with the soil. The Mature and Old-Growth Redwood will be fine underground for decades. (Learn more about our wood grades.)

If you order the anchoring kit, you don't need anything from the hardware store if you are attaching to an existing deck. If going underground, just add the concrete and a bit of rebar.

Read more in our FAQ, including the best grade of wood to choose for your climate.

Pergola Roof Options

All pergola roofs have 3 levels. The top level is either the 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" roof slats in the open roof designs or the lattice panels, depending on your choice. Below the top level are the roof rafters (either 2x4's for Small Pergolas or 2x6's for Large Pergolas) and the lowest level is the double roof support timbers (lintels). The roof support timbers are perpendicular to the roof rafters above them. We notch the roof support timbers to either side of each post for additional structural strength (there are 4 roof support timbers on a 4-post pergola).

The support timbers create 4" to 6" less clearance (depending on whether it is a Small or Large Pergola) when you walk underneath, so these two sides of the pergola are usually considered the "sides" of the pergola. The other two sides with the slightly taller ceiling are usually considered the entry and exit sides. You will be able to specify when ordering a rectangular shaped pergola whether you prefer your roof support timbers on the short length (widthwise) or the long length (lengthwise) of your pergola.

Pergola Finishing Options

All of our pergolas are fully planed, pre-cut, routered, notched, all holes are pre-drilled, and every timber finely sanded. After sanding, there are different finishing options you can choose from:

• We can seal each timber with our standard sealant, a tung and linseed oil based Superdeck sealant. We use a 50/50 combination of semi-transparent sealant no. 1905 (Heart Redwood) and no. 1910 (Natural). Superdeck has UV protection that helps keep the surface color of the pergola looking supple and beautiful for a few years.
• If you are planning to add another stain or sealant, just order your pergola "unfinished."
• Do you want to paint your pergola to match your house? We’ll add 2 coats of oil-based primer to all the timbers so all you have to do is add one coat of color. Choose the primer option that best suits your needs during checkout: if you plan to paint a dark color, order the gray primer, or if painting a light color, order the off-white primer.

Custom Pergolas

We can make pergolas to fit just about any size requirement, and any pergola shown can be customized. Just give us a call or use our contact form to let us know what your vision is, or have your architect get in touch with us. For more information on the process for custom designs, read our FAQ entry that addresses one customer's questions about this and permits.

Pergola Assembly and Shipping

Assembly is best done by two people and usually takes about half a day to a day, depending on size. Take a look at our assembly instructions below for more specific details. If you plan to pour concrete, the project will require an additional half day prior to assembly to square the corners and let the concrete dry.

Pergolas ship in double cardboard boxes strapped to a crate. UPS Freight or another LTL carrier will call a day or two before delivery to set up a 4-hour delivery window. They will deliver the crate with a lift gate truck to your driveway. Once on your driveway, you can cut the straps and lift the individual boxes. If the trucking company shows up at your driveway unprepared with either no lift gate or no pallet jack, it's really not a big deal. Just cut the straps while the pallet is still on the truck and unload the boxes from the truck instead. The individual boxes are packaged under 100 pounds for ease of movement.

If you have assembly questions, email or call us (see pergola assembly instructions below). And, in the unlikely event a part arrives broken, let us know and we will quickly ship a replacement part.

Assembly Instructions for Freestanding Pergolas

Assembly Instructions for Pergolas Attached to Structures and/or Extra Large

Local Delivery and Installation

We can deliver and install your pergola for an additional fee if you are in California. We can also go as far as South Arizona and into Nevada. Please email or call us, or if ordering online, just write in the comment section that you'd like help with the assembly or installation of your order. We will have our assembly team bring your pergola and assemble it on-site. Assembly/installation adds between 8 and 15% to the cost of your order (depending on size, complexity, and distance involved).