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  • 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).
    Photo

    Figure A

    Photo

    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.

      PHOTO

      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).

      PHOTO

      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.

      PHOTO

      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.

      PHOTO

      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.

      PHOTO

      Figure G

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

      PHOTO

      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: