A good site for a self build project

Hi,

I rather suspect there is plenty enough expertise here for this so maybe a site link is unnecessary.

I want to build a circular pergola from pressurised roofing timber ( it's the only lumber I have available at present), so as I can grow even more roses and clematis up and over it.

I want a highly scented seating area for high summer evenings, and I need the gradation in height between lawn and tall oak tree.

It isn't a large area only about 10ft in diameter, and I intend to gravel the floor-allowing self seeders to encroach on it.

I don't want it to look new at all. And it absolutely must be achievable by a novice, I can knock things together but I am no carpenter.


Any ideas?

 

If it's to be circular, how are you going to arrange the horizontal rafters?

Emanating, over 360°, from a central pole?

Or, just going straight across with each rafter being a different length?

 

Circular would be really difficult - Octagonal would be much easier

You might get away with 3in square for upright supports, 4in square would be better. 4x2 should for the rest

 

I'd agree that octagonal would be best, cutting curves in wood is tricky and there's a huge amount of waste.

With something octagonal, you can make a lot of equal "cuts" and then put it together, so less chance of mistakes.

Here's some ideas.

http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=octagonal%20pergolas&rlz=1W1ADFA_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

 

I have een looking over some of the designs,

circular is probably out of my skill level, octagonal, or rather, hexagonal(-that is 6 sides right?) is probably the better option.

Circular is possible if I mix the media-using plastic tubing, and drill holes through the perpendicular struts to thread them through but that rather destroys the "old-looking" idea, unless I can find some way of creating an effect using paints.

I will keep searching, I was thinking of a birdcage look, my carpentry skills whilst not bad aren't exactly worthy of the title craftsman.

Thanks for the assistance.