Pergola build Green oak

Oh wow, I didn't think any houses of that kind of construction still existed, I see your problem.

As for bracing I'd be inclined to try to sort out some means of cross bracing at the back side where the house wall is.
I just think the bracing at the top will not be enough for such a heavy structure and in time it could become a bit rickety, if you get my meaning, there will be shrinkage going on and movement could become a problem.

 

I see , i'll have to have a look when near completion how stable it is and think about how much it may move when its got plants on top .

 

House construction internal to external thin breeze block - orlit panel - kingspan ( screwed ) - pebble dash dunno if acrylic render was used. Yes windows were done a while back its concrete lintel around doors / window more aless un drillable even with a sds drill its rock hard . Can't remember how the windows were fitted I were a teenager then. Don't know the cost housing association did it then I heard £17K but that included other work as well. The house seems to stay warmer for longer but the biggest benefit is that it protects the orlit panels and extends the life of the house . My house was done next door is original still orlit panels on the exterior

 

It depends entirely on whether you want to be able to walk under it easily when it's flowering and also afterwards when the seed pods have formed Multijuga really does have 1m long racemes, so the seed pods dangle for the rest of the year unless you cut them off when pruning. The flowers of Black Dragon, being double, seem to last a bit longer. It would also show frost damage less, being a darker colour. Multijuga has a very sparse second flowering but I've never noticed a second flush on BD. I couldn't choose between them, and being greedy I 'd plant both Archaeologists would find my remains buried under 10m of stems and foliage some years later

 

Got another section done over the weekend with a bit of help lifting and moving it , had a lot of teething problems with wood being different lengths and thickness or with slight bends/bows in it.


Its nice and firm left to right doesn't move at all but moves quite a lot back and forth banging against the house ( only if you shove it ) it were quite windy yesterday and barely moved . I am praying when I attach a bracing piece from the top rafter ( top of post ) to the legs its going to take the movement out I'll be doing that next . Then another section added to the left

 

Yes the bracing in the opposite direction should stiffen it up.

 

Nearly done now I've ran out of wood to do the last bracing bit in the middle and I need to plug the holes in the braces with dowel and it need lifting to put on some load baring plastic packers under the legs to get it off the ground, other than that its more a less done . Its took much longer than expected the weather hasn't helped and a few problems have occurred like bowed wood / rotten, after having a good look at every piece of wood I would be hesitant in recommending Luxury wood. The bark fell off as well but it look fine adds a bit of character as everyone likes to say to me . And the ground wasn't quite as level as I thought some the two legs on the end of the house side will have stone packer to lift it, it didn't look right with a slope on it .

I am quite pleased with it although it has been hard work but it come out well in the end. Plants now I am leaning towards wisteria Multijuga and probably Clematis Sweet summer love and 2 roses which I haven't made my mind up yet.


The oak caps I made yesterday to cover bolts they quite neat just need weathering .


A few neighbours have been trying to tap me up to make them one or they know someone who wants one but I am all pergolad out this year .

 

You've done a good job there @Perki ,it looks really good.

 

That is looking great, Cannot wait to see what you do next. Great work!

 

You've made a grand job of that Perki.

 

Oh Perky well done ,it looks fantastic!!!

It's going to look even more fabulous when the plants are added..... can't wait to see future updates.

 

It's wonderful, you are very clever. Pity I live too far from you, you could have put my name on your list of people wanting one, haha
I'm looking forward to seeing it with plants now, it's going to look great next year.

 

Beautiful job done, Perki. Just a word to the wise re. the Wisteria...The row of arches that I have the W.f. Multijuga growing on was perfectly aligned and level. It isn't now! The trunk is big and heavy and the main branches seem to 'pull' their supports as they twine. If you are able to plant yours in the centre and train main branches evenly on either side, there'll be less chance of the Wisteria pulling the pergola askew. Tie them to the wood, don't let them twist themselves around it!