Adaptable Layout Pergolas

This article will show you how to use our P008 Pergolas Plan. It is by far the easiest to use pergola detail around. It is also adaptable to all the following arrangments of pergolas shown in the photos in this article.

The trouble with typical pergola plans and details for pergolas is they are predicated on square or rectangular layouts. Sure, rectangular pergolas are nice, however they are often not the kind of pergola layout we really envision.

What if the deck has a cut off corner? How do we develop plans for pergolas that just stop and start? Like this?

On these Pergolas we simply decided where we wanted to place the posts (in a pattern), with the supports not more than 10 or so feet apart.

Between the clustered supports we added a bench so that in the summer you can sit comfortably in the garden with a beautiful vantage of the entire yard.

These Pergolas were lit from below to give a nice ambiance at night.
Planter Pots were added within the pergolas to make them green.

We even made the pergola trelliswork into gates to allow easy access in a few spots.

Now, say you had a grape vine climbing on metal poles and wanted to do something a bit more decorative... say like the pergolas shown below.

With a very similar layout to the pergolas shown above, this one was built with 3 pods in a straight line. Angled rafters were placed to support this pergolas grape vines. This pergola bears on the masonary wall and the pergola posts.

This plan is the basis for all the photos shown in this blog entry.

Using this pergolas plan details you can create any number of layouts and of just about any size. You could do a 6' long and 2' wide pergola, it could be 12' x 12', and it could cover an L shaped area or even a football field.


Pergola Plan P008 will give you a material list, designer's notes, full size templates, details and notes on the trelliswork sample layouts and stain guide.

When you want to build a pergola on an existing patio or deck in a weekend-- this is the plan to use.

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For more information on this plan click Pergola Plans P008 Pro



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DIY Pergolas as an Entrance to a Yard

Pergolas of this type are very Traditional in North America. Similar to what would be deemed a Lath House in some parts of the world. It features a large laminated curve (that can be deleted if too difficult to achieve). Pergolas like this can be used as an entrance to a yard or portion of a yard.
This Do It Yourself Pergola Plan walks you through the process of building the P121 Pergola. Ideally suited to the entrance to a yard or a separation hedge between two parts of a property it utilizes internal benches to serve as a nifty little hideaway spot in the garden.

These Pergola Plans include Step by Step Instructions, Material list, Cut List (to tell you which piece comes from what stick of lumber), Full size Templates, Curve Templates, Two options for benches (high back and flat), as well as a stain application guide to make it nearly maintainence free. (5 years without staining if you follow the instructions).

This pergola can be stretched slightly by adding to the center of the curve, or stretching the bench areas--but do it equally and maintain the balance of the structure.

The arch is about 5' as is, and the structure is roughly 7' deep, 9' high and 9'wide.

The best part about Plans for Pergolas from GardenStructure.com is that they offer Support by Email while you build! If there is ever anything that isn't crystal clear, send a note with a description and you will receive an answer normally within 24 hours.

Buy this DIY Pergola Plan from GardenStructure.com now!

BTW, if you have a builder locally they can supply this structure installed.
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How to Build Pergolas on Existing Decks pt.1

When you want to add a pergola an existing deck the first consideration is whether the deck will support the additional weight.

Aesthetics is the second Concern. What will it look like? What style will suit the home? How much do you leave and what do you change? What details should we use?

This house was in a planned community near Guelph Ontario. Anything we did required drawings to be submitted and approved by a planning comittee. We do hundreds of designs like this. It all comes down to rules. My rules dictate Balance, openness and steering towards the best view.

I suggested the best course of action here was to open the deck to a patio eventually to add more capacity for gatherings, however phase one will update the tired builders deck with new rails, bigger steps and a pergola... and all within a few thousand budget.

These clients expressed a desire for low maintenance without rebuilding everything. I advised them that without changing the decking so that it could be pre-stained they will have to do that every couple of years. However, by pre-staining the new rails and pergola portion, even pressure treated materials should last a few years without needing recoats. Pre-staining is a lot of work and many people choose to do this portion themselves--rather than hiring us to do it. Compared to a typical stain job on a deck it is about 3x the work. For more on pre-staining click here.

We anchored the posts and assembled everything on site. This pergola is open in the center to make it feel more like a courtyard. The larger wrap around steps make it feel less closterphobic and allow more of the view in to the living room as well. The details are simple and understated--there is nothing worse than a deck that entirely upstages a home. Too much is a tragic mistake in Exterior Design.
Plans for this pergola and deck project are easily adaptable for size. Most homes are slightly different in layout and this plan can be used on a straight or L shaped rear wall alike.

They show the details for the deck platform, pergola supports, anchoring into the understructure, the trellis screens, simple handrails and the pergola--along with rafter tail templates. Simply transfer them onto hardboard and use them to layout the full size cuts. We won't make you work from graph paper.

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P012 Pergola Plans

Pergola plans P012 is popular among people with large yards.

This project can be built from Pt, Cedar, Redwood, Cypress or combinations of any of the above.

It is reccomended for areas that suffer from sustained strong winds over 100mph if hurricane clips are used. The large braces and footings in concrete bases 4' deep help it to resist racking and layover.

These plans can be stretched to 12' between supports using the same size materials to make it about 14 x 40' or build a single 10' x 10' section with a simple trelliswork within 2 sides. It could also be adapted to 40' x 40' in intersecting rows.

The plans contain detailed drawings and cutaway details to show how everything is assembled.

16 pages 11 x 17" Sheets of Elevations, Layout Plans, Total Material List and full size templates for making the knee braces and beam - rafter cuts easily, as well as designer's notes and a stain guide to help durability.

This is a plan that should be attempted by experienced or pro-woodworkers. There are many cuts to be made, some tapers as well as ripping on tablesaw. Structures of this capacity should last more than 30 years before significant repairs are required.

We will cover some much more simple pergola projects later on.If you are looking for a much more simple project try P008 pro pergola plans or P132 pro pergola plans.

This plan is available at Gardenstructure.com for $19.79 + 3$ postage BUY NOW

To view all the pergola plans from GardenStructure.com

Pergola Plans page 1 Pergola Plans page 2

Pergolas

Pergolas are all about adding vertical interest and drawing the eye. This pergola is viewed from the neighbor's vantage. It makes you want to investigate. There is nothing more inviting than well designed pergolas.

You can view the most creative and inspired pergolas at our portfolio of pergolas.

You can view our Diy Pergola Plans here.