How to build a pergola?

[goodberries]

I'm not sure if the roof should be straight or slanted. Id love some out the rear so I could create a deck environment. I need to work out the equipment needed so I know the cost and how long it will take..

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @goodberries 

Nice  project you picked out.  I might go for a  sloped  roof I like  that we can  direct the water in the right direction so it is not a  problem.

As a  confident DIYer  and built some custom stuff. I would still  look  for pergola  kits with a  decking  built in or at least  designs to save  re building the wheel or in this  case  the pregola as there are may variables in a design needed to be worked out it is nice to have them sorted ready to  go.

I would google search  for kits and or designs too build too etc.  This  will give you your costing and possibly a  time to complete but  this will  depend on a bunch of factors too.

I have even seen pregolas on gumtree if you are willing to pick them up and move them or partly dismantle them with your mates.

Hope to see you in yours pregola sooner  than later :0)

[JacobZ]

Hi @goodberries,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

The place to start is by checking with your local council what your requirements are in terms of building approval. Roofed structures like pergolas will often require building approval that can only be attained by submitting building plans, so it is worth checking your requirements before planning begins as your plan will have to be in line with your local council's rules.

A roof with a gradient is preferable as it will drain any water from the roof in the direction you want it to. You can also then add a gutter and a downpipe to direct the rain where you want it or have a plumber connect it to the council stormwater system.

Typically, a pergola will use H4 Treated Posts that are concreted into the ground. These posts will support H3 framing timber such as this 140 x 45mm Outdoor Framing H3 Treated Pine. They will then have battens made of H3 framing timber such as this 70 x 35mm Outdoor Framing H3 Treated Pine that the roof sheets attach to. The size and orientation of the pergola will dictate the materials used. I'm happy to offer some guidance on this if you can advise the dimensions of your pergola.

The cost and time to build will be relative to the size, orientation and conditions it is constructed in. It's very difficult to estimate, but I can certainly offer some guidance.

Check out How To Build a Pergola for some general guidance on the topic.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob