Pergola build Green oak

Manged to get a bit done a couple of days ago , this is one section what need picking up to lean on the house for now, need to make another one of these to fit opposite . its bloody heavy I can just about pick it up on my own but I doubt I get it up all the way and probably end up doing my back in attempting it .

One of the bracing section isn't attached yet another problem , I measured up the internal holes for the small racket set but I can't get enough heft to pulled the wood in fully. Just need a larger drill bit so a larger socket will fit . Some pieces are quite difficult to cut the 6x6 are , struggled to get the curve on the braces hoped I could do it with the Circler saw but nope then the jigsaw which was comical barely scratched it , borrowed a small band saw not the easiest to do but they've come out well .

 

Looks good @Perki .

 

@Loofah I am bolting with coach screws , internal for the braces you can just make the holes out on pic 1 I'll be plugging these holes , and I am going to make some oak capping for the exterior bolts you can see.

I'll bribe one or 2 friends with some oak cut offs to help me lift it up , its keeping it held up safely and keeping the other side up while attaching a rafter to clamp them together potentially a major problem

 

Are you fixing it to the house wall @Perki .

 

We did this earlier in the summer, albeit in alu. Twice Two 3x4m pergolas, recommended personnel 3. Shame....there were only us two. Judicious use of me and stepladders to hold up critical bits while OH screwed here, there and everywhere I wish you luck and every success...it will be magnificent when it's done!

 

Stood it up today and attached the other bracing , I did try attaching the bracing on my own while it was up very difficult and I didn't quite get it right , but a friend turn up which made it much easier its fitted on perfect . This is where this piece will stay now it will not be attached to the wall, the wall its not strong enough. I'll make another exact same as this for opposite.


@Loofah I got the wood from the Luxury Wood company they were the cheapest I could find. The wood isn't perfect ( garden/landscape grade ) which they do state on the website like knots and bark which I have on a post which I am not to pleased with but can't complain , I've just been picking at it and it looks like it may come off soon. I had one piece what did have a bit of rot I did ask for a replacement which to be fair they did replace it no question they are based about 100 mile from me. I would recommend them though cause they were a lot better priced than other places online, it cost me about £570 including delivery think the next best were OakMax at around £710 which I think is similar grade timber. Structural grade timber I'd probably be looking at over £1000. If you want some pictures of other pieces let me know.

 

@noisette47 Thanks I'll need all the luck I can get I were going to ask you about your two wisterias Black dragon & multijuga I like both which one would you recommend ? Multijuga does look special with the longer flowers. It one of the main reasons I am building the pergola I want another wisteria

 

Somehow I had a feeling it was going the other way round, with the overhang going in the opposite direction from t he wall.
If its not fixed to the wall and kind of free standing I think its going to need a lot more bracing than just the ones at the top.

Surely its the house wall?
It must be strong enough.

 

You are correct @pete all the top piece will be facing away from the wall, I'll be notching the top rafters to fit on top. They'll be 5 4x4 rafters on top of this section one on top of each post and 3 in the middle . I'll not sleep tonight now you telling me its not going to work

The house kind of a prefab made of orlit concrete blocks / sheets cladding with a concrete frame work built after the war, it should of been knocked down in the 80s I believe . Anyway about 10year ago the housing association did external insulation using Kingspan and then pebble dashed ( yuck ) I'd need a rather large bolts to get to the concrete and if I messed it up it may pull down a large section of kingspan or worse a concrete panel

 

Like you read my mind just on about this to Pete. What else would you like to know ?

 

I may use a odd L bracket but the idea is not to use anchors just the sheer weight of it will hold it in place . The one section in the picture will be around 150-170kg it does stand up on its own now bit scary leaving it though