Is the blazing sun or the untimely rain stopping you from spending time in
your beautiful garden? A pergola is the best solution to the problem. A
pergola is a type of shelter that can be placed in the outdoors. It is a
protection from the forces of nature and is also a way to beautify your
garden or surroundings. This way, a pergola can add sophist action,
beauty and also provide you with a place to sit comfortably and enjoy
the surroundings.
However, installing a pergola can be a little heavy on the budget so the
best possible option is to build a pergola by yourself. It may seem
like a daunting task, but it can save you a lot of money and can be a
fun recreational activity that you can do with your family.
Things to Get
Getting the required things in order to build a pergola is the first
step towards building your own pergola. We can worry about how to build
it later.
Before you go shopping, take appropriate measurements of the area where
you want to build a pergola. This will help you in getting the right
size and type of pergola. The different types include different designs
and of course different types of wood used in making it. Cedar, one of
the more expensive types of wood, is also the most durable and lasts the
longest. However, any type of pressure treated timber will be good
enough.
Secondly, you will need to get bags of cement, saws, paints and a nail
gun. A tape measure should be bought for precise measurements and get
extra pieces of timber as a safety measure.
How to build?
If you are wondering how to build a pergola from all the material you have
bought, stop worrying. Take a deep breath, it is not as hard as it
seems. Start with a particular plan. The following guidelines can help.
First of all, you need to set up the base of the pergola. This is
easiest to do if you set up a square or rectangular pergola. If you plan
on building a large pergola, a proper solid base would be required
which will consist of a cemented platform. However, for a simple, small
scale design, the ground can also be used as a base and you can get the
basic shape with the help of stakes so that you just know where you will
be installing the roof of the pergola.
Make holes the size of the wooden posts you have bought. Ideally they
should be between two to four inches in diameter. Prepare the cement
mixture in a separate container and then pour it into the holes. The
anchors of the wooden posts are placed in the holes and held in place
until the cement dries.
If you want to paint the posts, now is the time. After it dries, place
the wooden posts in their anchors and tighten the bolts. That is
followed by the most daunting task, which is instant.
If you want to know how to build one,start by placing the cross members
of the roof on the upper portions of the wooden posts. These will have
headers, which are similar to anchors. The middle board is added last
for increased stability. Check and double check whether each and every
header is in place and then let the whole setup dry.
After a few days, your pergola will be ready to provide you with the
shelter, and there will be the added satisfaction of having built it
yourself as well as saving many dollars.
