New Pergola To Provide Shade

A permanent structure is needed to provide shade to an area of decking used for dining. Shade sails will be fitted to provide the shade during summer. The sails could stress the pergola during windy weather in winter so will be removed out of season.

The project is now completed and has provided a useful sheltered area for eating and lounging.

A panoramic view of the completed Pergola

If you have space for a pergola, thoughts for a similar project or would just like to talk over some ideas, please contact me.

Phase one – prefabricating all the parts and sealing the cut edges.

Pergola Parts

Half Lap Joint

Post Joints

Half Lap Joint For Horizontal Beam

Rafter Cuts.

Angle Of Cut

Rafters For The Roof

Hard at it!

Making a Jig for ‘Bird Mouth’ joints.

Making a Jig

Here the sides have been cutout

The assembled jig.

The jig is clamped to the bench and a rafter slotted into place.

Cutting Bird Mouth joints. Here you can see the rafter in position ready to be cut.

Cutting Bird Mouth joints. This shows how the angle of the top of the jig allows the saw to cut the bird mouth.

The end result. Accurate and repeatable.

Upside down, but you can see how the rafter sits on the beam at an angle.

Accurate and repeatable.

And so many!

This shows the top end of the rafter cut using the same principle.

Here two rafters meet at what will be the ridge of the roof.

Again, lots to do but so easy on the jig.

Roof Supports.

This is how the supports sit on the tie beams. The supports hold up the ridge beam.

Roof Supports. The ends are chamfered for a neat finish.

Roof Supports. All done. This is the top end which supports the ridge. Edges are chamfered to shed water.

Support Braces. Each of the posts has two braces for strength and visual appeal to some extent.

Support Braces. Two per post so 26 in all.

Support Braces. Finally each one is drilled at each end using the bench drill.

Once assembled the joints won’t be accessible so it’s good practice to seal them now.

All pieces cut to size, joints made and sealed, delivered to site and ready to assemble.

Phase 2 – assembly on site.

Start off by laying out the poles. I need to make sure I get the right pole in the right position because they have different joints and lengths.

This is the first post. The posts that run along the back edge are mounted through the deck and bolted to a support beam that runs along the edge. These will provide a strong support for the structure. Note the use of a jig to hold the post upright whilst it is bolted. Jigs like this are essential when you work alone.

Second post, also bolted through the deck.

The back row of posts are fitted, this is the first of the main beams to support the roof.

Because there wasn’t a convenient support beam under the deck the front posts are screwed to the deck using metal brackets. The post is held upright using wooden latts and clamps.