How To Layout a Pergola Site on a Concrete Slab

Let’s say you have gone through all the steps for preparing your site for your pergola as covered here. Your yard may not big as the one picture above, but in the majority of examples people are looking for techniques and instructions on how to secure a pergola to a concrete slab since most patios are laid out with concrete, particularly the ones attached directly off the back of a house. So let’s cover those basic steps.

It really does take two people so please don’t try to do this on your own. Everything needs to be straight and level and true to ensure that your pergola is as sturdy safe and durable as possible. Start out by measuring to find the center of the concrete pad. You want to make sure you center the pergola on it properly.

Then measure from the center out 1/2 of the width projection of the pergola. Repeat on the other side and then use the same method for the length projection dimensions. Mark all the spots. Using a chalk line, connect the marked spots and draw out a perimeter. If building a square pergola, remember to check the diagonal measurements. They should be the same from corner to corner. Adjust the corner marks as needed.

And there you have your post locations! Bolt in your concrete base brackets and you are ready to put up your posts and get to the heavy lifting.

 For more information on the next steps to take to build your own pergola, please click here and check out our step by step guide. We’ve gathered everything we’ve learned from thousands of hours of personal experience, consultations with contractors and research in online builder forums. We’ve made all the mistakes, and even made up a few new ones! Hopefully, you wont have to do that. With the right information at your fingertips you might even have some fine with your do it yourself pergola adventure.

Curved Roof Pergola Design

Curved roof pergolas are a luxurious design edition to any yard or patio. The elegant lines are truly no more difficult to build than a regular straight edge. There are many beautiful kits you can find such as the one in the photo above from Forever Redwood. They come complete with step by step instructions on how to build it along with all the attachment hardware needed. Boards are cut and stained according to the design you want and marked so that you are pretty much just putting slot A into tab B.

However, if you want to build the pergola yourself, a curved roof design is also an option and you shouldn't be deterred from working with the bowed roof pieces. From the example above you can see that redwood is an excellent choice for a pergola and will bend very nicely. Don't worry! You don't need to do any bending. A good lumberyard will be able to provide you with the curved pieces according to your required dimensions.

Notice that the ends of the curved rafters are kept with a straight cut. This is also true of other kits we've found as well. Once you have pieces curved and measured out for the correct arc, you really don't want to mess with cutting fancy edges at that point. Some designers think any fancy edges are overkill and it certainly does keep the focus on the graceful lines if you keep it simple. But the example above also looks beautiful with the fancy edges reserved for the straight beams and top level of rafters.

The curved roof might be a little bit more cost, but we promise it will not add extra work to your building project. In the end, it would be something that will provide an even more unique look to your pergola design.

A Pergola Design for a Small Yard

When looking around at pergola designs it is important to keep in mind that you can really create just about anything you want even if you have a smaller or oddly shaped yard. The picture above shows an example of a 3 post triangle pergola design that fits perfectly in a smaller, narrow yard. It adds character and style and shade to the patio area without overtaking the yard or making it look too small.

The key to planning this yard started at the beginning with proper site preparation before choosing which pergola they wanted to build. It just takes a little imagination to picture potential placement and design. The posts are actually secured in the ground with concrete footings dug in since the flagstone would not be strong enough to hold the pergola in place. 

Since they were digging into the ground they had to avoid any water or utility lines which most likely influenced the placement of the pergola. At the point they could have tried to squeeze in a more traditional sized four post design, but since the space is small meaning the beam spans wouldn't be that long anyway, there is no issue eliminating one post creating a triangle instead. With two layers of rafters there is still plenty of shade provided.

It is always a great idea to spend some time at site like this one to learn everything you would need in order build your own pergola that will last for years.

Quick history of the Pergola

Centuries ago the pergola was built in European gardens and walkways to provide partial shelter, shade and a place to grow flowering vines and fruit bearing trees. Their popularity in the Mediterranean countries soared during the Renaissance. The Italian word "pergola" actually means "a close walk of boughs".  Just outside of Florence the Medici Villa of Il Trebbio still displays an original pergola from the 15th century.

When Charles VIII of France invaded Italy in the late 1400s, the use of pergolas spread out into the French countryside and by the 1600s a signature point of any French nobility's garden would be a gathering place under a pergola.

What is not as well known is that pergolas were also being built in the garden's of the wealthier residents of Egypt as well. Ancient Eqyptian gardens regularly featured grape vines trained up the posts of pergolas. Fruit trees such as pomegranates and figs also intertwined along the support to create covered walkways. Pergolas also surrounded garden ponds as another means to escape the searing desert heat.

There is no mystery as to why the pergola is still a highly desired addition to any backyard landscape design. They add an element of style, romance and sophistication while also providing practical uses such as shade and plant support. Find out how to build a pergola in one weekend and start enjoying your yard in a whole new (old world) way!

Draw your own pergola plans

There is nothing stopping you from drawing your own pergola plans. The best way to start this is off is to first read the following articles:

1. Five steps to following before building a pergola
2. Site preparation to build a pergola

They are very easy to read, short summaries of what you need to do to choose your site and begin planning the pergola design that will work best for your yard space.

Most back yard pergolas are in the 8-12' range of dimensions. In most cases, if you create a span of anything more than 14' then you may need to add another post to the design to prevent the beam from sagging. Remember that the posts and beams are supporting the rooftop rafters and slats so you need to make sure you don't create something that will not bear that weight over time. Unless you are a professional contractor or experienced carpenter, it is always best to consult with a local lumberyard or home improvement center to get advice on such topics. For instance, the material type you choose could be the final determination on potential for sagging.

There are also many great DIY forums online where you can post questions and get answers from professionals and experienced deck and pergola builders. The point is - all of this advice is free! Once you've gathered the information you can get out some graph paper and start drawing out your own pergola plans complete with dimensions that are specific to your design needs.

If you are wary of starting off your own drawings, you can always grab a set of free pergola plans and just adapt those to match what you want to build.

Pergola Kits

The idea to build your own pergola is great, as long as you are confident in your ability to draw and/or follow pergola plans and have some basic woodworking and construction skills. But, if the idea of such a do it yourself project is not appealing, then perhaps you should look into purchasing a pergola kit. While this is a more expensive route to take, you can find pergola kits that are not cost prohibitive at all.

The advantage to a pergola kit is that much of the assembly and all of the measuring and cutting has been done for you. You will still need to spend about one day with a friend to assemble and install the pergola, but there are complete instructions included and all you will need is a ladder, drill, leveler and measuring tape. This would be a much simpler project for you to tackle.

For instance, the Luxor Pergola Kit pictured above can be found in the main Pergola Kit store selection. This kit which features some very lovely post trim pieces to provide a more elegant style is less than two thousand dollars. When you order a pergola kit, you tell the manufacturer how you intend to secure the posts and they will include the proper hardware necessary to fit your needs.

Whether you choose to build your own pergola or you purchase one of the many pergola kits or accessories available, the ultimate goal is the same. A pergola adds style, ambiance, and shade cover to any outdoor space and is something you will enjoy for years to come.

Build a Pergola Tips & Tricks

So you are thinking about building a pergola which is probably why you landed here. In our do it yourself pergola post we wrote about a great survey and email series that will get you started on your way AND will provide you with a discount code on the essential building guide.
 

Here is a sneak peak of the seven email topics that will be sent out to help you get started on your own DIY pergola project:

Tools and Hardware Needed to Build

Most of the tools and some of the hardware you need are probably already in your garage or tool shed. Even if you do need to buy then, you will find they will come in handy for more than just this pergola project. *A checklist of tools and hardware will be listed*

Securing Posts

This topic covers how to determine post sizing and how to secure posts to a deck, concrete slab or in the ground. General guidelines will be provided for each. As always, local building codes should be the final source for all considerations.

Building Permits

Always keep in mind that you can have two possible sources of regulations in your area, Homeowner’s Associations and City Building Codes. Information on the possible impacts of both will be provided.

Material Selection

Price is typically the driving point when looking at possible material types for your pergola so we will cover the four most popular material types according to price as well as durability and style.

Design Ideas

The possibilities for pergola designs are endless. We cover some of the most commonly used and provide some ideas that could spark your imagination beyond the typical uses. 

Cost

This is the bottom to it all. Should you buy a kit to save building time and labor? How much would that be? What about if you do choose to build it yourself using a plan? How inexpensive can that really be in comparison? We’ve got that covered for you.

Additional Features

Even the most basic pergola can have a few little details added on for some added style and personality or to enhance its use. These additions can still keep within a budget very easily. We will cover a few of these ideas to get your creative juices flowing.