how easy is it to make a pergola??

It was SNOWING here yesterday!! Didnt expect that one although i know it's been cold!I was planning to mow the lawn as well!

Has anyone made their own pergola from scratch and was it easy-ish?? We have decided next weekend its going to get built and looked around loads of garden centres yesterday but either they just didnt have them or the size was wrong. We were looking at a DIY book and looks like the only hard bit will maybe be getting the grooves, channels cut out as we havent got a router and will have to make 2 cuts and chisel it out! Thats apart from making sure all the measurements are spot on, and level of course! Also whats the best way that you have found for keeping the posts in- either good old hardcore and concrete or those spike things you hammer in?

 

there is a post about setting the posts in to prevent rotting , try the search facility for that.
Tanalised timber will last longer than pressure treated,

 

Thanks. am having tanellised anyway. will have a search. have now decided to rent ahnd held auger to get the post holes dug as otherwise we will have a hole about 6 feet across to get down to the depth we want!

 

Like I've said before - you need to change your name - definitely NOT lazy!! :D

 

If you use the spike things set in a bit of concrete you'll not have to make giant holes. The spikes also keep the posts up and out of the soil = much less chance of rotting.

 

Or you could have one made with metal

I know a welder who lives not that far from you :rolleyes:

 

I have never made one, but if your are happy at doing DIY then I am sure it is not difficult. I have always found when doing woodwork the biggest difficulties are having the courage to have a go, and deciding on a design that is simple to make and will do the job. Once you have got that far, the actual execution is relatively simple. If you look at pergolas in garden centres they are pretty simple. As for groves and channels the pergolas made from circular timber do not have anything so sophisticated. Remember it is going to be covered up.

 

thanks for the replies. I ordered the wood and after going through the design again found out that I had forgotten to order the piece for the front! Luckily I was able to tag it on in time! Will post some pictures if it turns out ok

 

can you post your design and cost up on the forum please

 

That's a really great idea - maybe that's something we could ahve as a new area? Practical projects?? I'll put a request up for that - sounds worth while to me!

 

well i can tell you a rough cost now! Its tannelised timber I have ordered ( should have been delivered by now- hope no one nicks it) The design is approx 12 ft long with 3 uprights and 5 maybe 6 crossbeams. I phoned round a few timber merchants and the quote was from �£60 to �£140 for the same thing. Sadly the �£60 person wouldnt have one piece till after Easter so in the end paid �£110 including delivery. add onto that wall bolts of some kind, screws and fixings. about �£20 for post set to concrete them in and �£12 for an auger for the week so maybe the total will be around �£150