What Size Of Wood Is Used For Build Pergola

Here's our pergola dimensions guide with how to mensurate, standard dimensions for posts, rafters and ceiling.
Wood pergola with fireplace and outdoor furniture There are few key things that need to be planned for when preparing to build a pergola. Basically information technology is like building a room outside without any walls. This means you lot need to figure out the desired height, length and width. Not only that but you also need to have into account how much lawn space y'all have to ensure you're not crowding the infinite.

How to Mensurate for a Pergola Design

To measure for a pergola yous need to know how much available space you have to identify the pergola. Making certain it isn't besides close or too far from the other structures in the yard, and where the routes are to get to and from the pergola.

With the material selected there could be a few size restraints, but based on the available infinite, and the desired size, match up the closest sizes available in the desired materials. If there is not anything even remotely close, there are custom options available.

For more help creating your layout check out 1 of the pergola design software programs to help visualize your ideas.

Standard Pergola Dimensions

Traditional white pergola in backyard The standard size for a pergola, which is typically what you will observe in any premade kits is a few different sizes. There are usually a few means to put these together equally well based on how you want the pergola to look in the long run. The standard size is about 13 anxiety by 19 feet in total. This size typically refers to the size of the rafters that continue the top of the pergola.

The posts are recommended to be well-nigh 1 human foot and 6 inches in from the end of the rafters. This makes the post to mail service dimensions about 10 feet past sixteen anxiety, which is about the size you will become to use. Annihilation larger than this standard size could result in needing more posts than the standard 4.

While this is a standard size, each manufacturer will likely take a few different kits in dissimilar sizes, so bank check beneath for other mutual sizes if this standard does non piece of work for your space.

What Sizes Do Pergolas Come In?

Pergolas come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Commonly pergolas can run anywhere from 8 feet by 8 anxiety, to 20 feet by 20 anxiety. That gives a big range of options, especially since they do not fifty-fifty need to be squares if that is not the desired artful.

Additionally, just because these are the mutual sizes of a pergola does not mean you are unable to create something different. There are limitless custom options for specific spaces. Notice what fits all-time for you lot.

What Size Should Pergola Rafters Be?

Modern pergola with narrow wood rafters and plastic cover for rain protections Modern pergola with outdoor sectional couch and java table.

The size of the pergolas rafter is what volition give the amount of desired shade, and also weighs the pergola downwardly, making the posts demand to be able to hold the weight of the desired rafter size. That being said, the size can vary in length, thickness and even quantity. Even the textile tin can change the sizes of the rafters.

Typically the rafters could be two inches by half-dozen inches, 2 inches by 8 inches, or i.5 inches by 7.25 inches. The length of the rafters exist as long as you desire the pergola itself to be. The longer the rafters, the more yous need.

Pergola Post Size

Pergola kit with decorative posts and canopy Pergola with awning.

The sizes of the posts are pretty of import, as they are what hold the unabridged structure upwards. The size varies based on a few factors. The factors are: the height of the ceiling, the weight of the overall pergola, the placement of the posts, and the quantity of posts that are to be used.

A standard pergola will about often use six 10 half-dozen inch posts for support. A very pocket-sized pergola may use four x 4 inch posts as long as it has less than 4 to 6 feet between posts. As a full general rule of pollex the depth of pigsty you utilise for your posts should be approximately 1/iv of the tiptop of your post. The diameter of the holes should be no less than 10 inches wide, with larger 6″ posts requiring 12″.

Some pergolas are attached to an existing structure, meaning there will exist less posts, and a lot of the weight is taken off due to the attachment to the home or outbuilding. The posts do withal demand to be weight begetting.

The typical length (As described below) will be most 9 feet or 11 feet depending on the desired ceiling height (Which a little extra to assistance support the top and to exist dug into the ground). The thickness of the posts are going to depend on the materials you are using, as some need to be thicker than others to agree the weight. They also tin can exist larger if certain designs or carvings are going to exist detailed on the posts. These can be weight bearing and withal beautiful!

Pergola Ceiling Superlative

Modern pergola with wood and metal ceiling The height of pergolas typical are about viii feet to 10 feet tall. This is pretty standard heights for whatever enclosed areas like rooms, garages, etc. While the ceiling itself will be at the 8 or x feet it is ever important to recollect that the structure on top besides takes upwardly space. Typically since pergolas are outside structures, this does not pose any complications, but if being attached to another structure it is of import to have into account if the tiptop beams and rafters line upward with the structure you are attaching information technology to.

Pergola Design Materials

Modern metal pergola with stacked stone support posts=and fire pit Modern metal pergola with burn pit.

Another of import matter to program for is the material that can be used and what you would like to utilize. Some materials are meliorate for certain areas weather wise or terrain wise. Check into the local recommendations and requirements in your surface area. Once you know your options based on what you are allowed to utilise, and then yous tin can pick which y'all like best.

Some popular pergola materials you can utilise are as follows:

Aluminum – Aluminum is extremely strong, some say near indestructible, with minimal maintenance.

cPVC – Cpvc is a flexible fabric that is also stiff and durable. This material is oftentimes used in commercial situations.

Fiberglass – Fiberglass is low maintenance and quite durable. Fiberglass does non demand as many back up posts as it gets larger.

Vinyl – Vinyl is quite inexpensive while still retaining a high quality and advent.

Woods – Just a standard treated pine woods can exist used in a lot of situations, this gives a natural look and is usually pretty sturdy. Woods does deteriorate over fourth dimension though.

Visit this gallery page to come across more pergola ideas.