DIY Network

Adding a Pergola From "Weekend Landscaping" episode WKL-313

In this episode of Weekend Landscaping, host Jessie Mack Burns tackles giving a poolside lanai a much needed makeover (figure A). By adding a pergola structure to the existing porch, installing exterior lighting and finishing the area off with plants and sleek new furniture, this once drab poolside area is made in to a contemporary, fun space (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

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The degree of difficulty for this project is a 4 on a scale of 5, with 5 being the most difficult. If you are an intermediate do-it-yourselfer, doing this project with a helper should take you about 19 hours over one weekend to complete.

Materials used in this episode:

Pneumatic nail gun, nails
Speed square
2x6 boards
2x4 boards
Spacer
Lag shield
Brackets, washers, bolts
Ratchet
Measuring tape

Project: Pergola

• Adding a pergola made the porch functional, yet also beautiful. First, we cleared the lanai to make room for all of the projects.
  

  Figure C

• Redwood was chosen to use for the structure. The wood is very durable for outside structures. Many pieces were cut for the rafters, posts and fascia. (Fascia is horizontal boards attached to the rafter ends of eaves). To keep with the pergola look and feel, the ends of the wood were cut at an angle (figure C).
  

  Figure D

• Once the boards were cut, we joined the pieces together to run the span of the pergola structure. The purposes of these pieces were to dress up the existing fascia and to add a place for the rafters to sit (figure D). Tip: Using a pneumatic gun makes this a lot easier and quicker.
  

  Figure E

• To attach the fascia pieces to the posts, we measured the overhang and height of the posts (figure E). Then, we nailed the pieces in place.
  

  Figure F

• Once the pieces were together, we attached 2x6 rafters on to the fascia (figure F). Tip: Use a spacer to help ensure equal distance between each rafter.
  

• Note: Be sure to take exact measurements so your new posts can mirror where the old posts were.

• The rafters allow for filtered light because vines can be planted to grow and wrap around them. When the rafters were in place, we added a couple of shorter 2x4s to the top of the pergola to give the illusion of more posts.
  

  Figure G

• Finally, we lag-bolted new columns to the concrete to ensure the structure was stable (figure G).
  

  Figure H

• We stained the pergola with a natural redwood color (figure H). Oil base, exterior, transparent stain is best on outdoor redwood.

  Time elapsed: 13 hours
  

  
  

  RESOURCES :
  

  Furniture

  Description: Bubble Club sofa & armchair; designed by Phillippe Starck
  Model/Color/ISBN#: #1766 & #1767 wax white
  Dimensions: 31.5" H x 77" W x 31.5" D x 17.5" seat height; 31.5" H x 41" D x 30" W x 17.5" seat height
  Approximate retail price: $736, $507
  

  Description: Pankotto Bench; designed by Bruno Rainaldi
  Model/Color/ISBN#: #3818 dark grey
  Dimensions: 17.5" H x 66.5" L x 15.5" D
  Approximate retail price: $350
  

  Distributor:
  Design Within Reach
  Website: www.dwr.com
  

  Floor Covering

  Description: Floor carpet tiles; 100% nylon face Model/Color/ISBN#: AX5179 Orange; Seafoam; Cream; Cocoa Dimensions: 19.7" x 19.7" Approximate Retail Price: $11/tile

  Distributor:
  Design Within Reach
  Website: www.dwr.com
  

  Pots
  

  Description: Tall Flared Cone Planters (set of 3)
  Model/Color/ISBN #: #5-6060-GM
  Dimensions: (largest) 44" H x 25" outside diam, 22" inside diam.
  Approximate Retail Price: $500
  

  Description: Zinc square planters (set of 4)
  Model/Color/ISBN #: #5-8520 Black
  Dimensions: 18" x 18"
  Approximate Retail Price: $116
  

  Distributor:
  Asian Ceramics, Inc.
  Website: www.asian-ceramics.com
  

  Redwood Stain
  

  Description: Superdeck Semi-Transparent Deck & Siding Stain
  Model/Color/ISBN#: #2312
  

  Distributor:
  Duckback Products, Inc.
  Website: www.superdeck.com
  

  Soil Amendments
  

  Description: Gardner & Bloome Organic Potting Soil
  

  Distributor:
  Kellogg's Garden Products
  Website: www.kellogggarden.com
  

  Tools
  

  DeWALT Industrial Tool Col
  Website: www.dewalt.com
  

  Plants
  

  Monrovia Horticultural Craftsmen
  Website: www.monrovia.com
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Adding a Pergola
  	Pergola Final Touches