Before You Start:
Use rot-resistant lumber, either pressure-treated or the heartwood of cedar or redwood. No special tools are required, but a hammer drill for boring into concrete and a power miter saw will make the job easier. Have two 12-foot stepladders on hand. While you’re building, the structure will be unsteady, with no place to lean an extension ladder. You’ll need assistance raising some parts into position, so line up helpers in advance.
What You Need:
The materials list below is for a pergola with planters that’s 16x20 feet. The eight 4x4 posts outline an area 12 feet by 20 feet. The frame that supports the rafters has the same dimensions and rests on the posts. The rafters are 16 feet long and run parallel to the short side, leaving a 2-foot overhang on each long side.
8 4x4x10-foot posts2 2x6x20-foot, 4 2x6x12-foot, 3 2x6x8-foot framing members31 2x6x16-foot rafters (spaced 8 inches apart)12 2x4x8-foot braces32 1x4x8-foot for planter boxes2 2x2x12-foot for planter-box frames4 galvanized U-brackets for anchoring middle posts1/4x3-inch galvanized lag screws with shields2 pounds 3-inch galvanized deck screws2 pounds 1-5/8-inch galvanized deck screws1 pound 1-inch galvanized deck screwsWood preservativeHurricane tiesGalvanized 3-sided corner brackets
Set First Posts
The pergola with planters is constructed by cutting and positioning the corner posts, then setting the overhead framing. The four corner posts form a 12x20-foot rectangle.
Construct the Top Frame
Cut Remaining Posts
Set Posts
Add Braces
Add Rafters
Build the Planters
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