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 this 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. 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).

The photos above show how the anchoring kit is used. First, drill holes into your existing deck where the anchors are to be placed. Attach metal anchors with anchor bolts provided. Assemble pergola and place posts into metal anchors. Attach posts to metal anchors with lag bolts or carriage bolts provided. Cover metal anchoring with redwood trim "boots" supplied. The boots are 1x6-inch trim pieces that screw into the posts and are pre-cut to hide all the hardware leaving a finished appearance.

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. (If your installing pavers or other decorative flooring, do not pour concrete all the way up to ground level. Leave the concrete a few inches below ground level to have room later to properly install and secure the pavers or stone work up to the posts.) 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 this 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 Questions?

Have questions about our pergolas? Need to know about customization options? See our Pergola FAQs.

Customer service and satisfaction is always our top priority. For example, a prospective customer emailed asking about our Pergola anchoring kits. Here is the email exchange (customer name changed):

———Email #1———
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 7:04 AM
To: info@oldgrowthagain.org
Subject: Thank you for your interest in Old-Growth Again Furniture

I’m interested in buying just the anchor kit for a 6 post pergola. I’m going to build one myself but haven’t seen any anchors as sturdy looking as yours. Do you sell them separately or do you have an idea where I might find anchors just like yours?

Thanks,
Charlie Smith

———Email #2———
From: Forever Redwood Furniture [mailto:info@oldgrowthagain.org]
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:34
Subject: RE: Thank you for your interest in Old-Growth Again Furniture

Dear Mr. Smith,

We don’t normally sell the anchor kits without the pergolas. They are welded by hand and we include them at a discounted price on our site as a convenience to our pergola kit buyers. If you’d like a set, we’ll make one for you at the discounted price. If you click on any of the pergola photos on our pergola page, you’ll see a larger image of the same photo. Below the photo you’ll find a long list of pergola kit prices and the anchor kit is at the bottom of the list. You can click the “add to cart” button and order it online. If you prefer to order via email or phone, just respond to this email and we’ll either call or send an invoice per your instruction. Allow 2 weeks for ship out.

Thank you,

Raul Hernandez Forever Redwood 33800 Annapolis Rd. Annapolis, CA
95412 Toll free: 866-332-2403 Outside U.S.: 707-495-4955 Fax:
619-374-2462 www.foreverredwood.com

———Email #3———
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:04 AM
To: ‘Forever Redwood Furniture’
Subject: RE: Thank you for your interest in Old-Growth Again Furniture

Dear Mr. Hernandez

Thanks for the quick response. I haven’t finalized plans or scared up a helper yet but hope to begin soon. When things are finalized I’ll be in touch. I’ll keep you people in mind for some other projects I have in mind as well. This was great customer service for someone who is really a non-customer for the pergola. I appreciate it very much.

Thanks,
Charlie