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.

Pergola Designs Catch Your Eye

If you are interested in building a pergola in your yard and you have started searching for information on these back yard structures, I'll bet you are suddenly aware of how many there are in your own neighborhood. Once you know what you are looking for, you notice them everywhere. I took the above photo after going on my typical Sunday morning trail run and realizing that the house I passed every week had not one, but two pergolas in their yard!

The unique pergola designs along with their color and that there are more than one really caught my eye. The attached pergola above the patio closest to the house is a pretty common design. However, the free standing polygon in the corner of the yard with five posts is really quite unique. It does a great job of highlighting the unusual shape of the yard itself. The home owner's have placed their barbeque and seating out under that pergola allowing them a more open vantage point away from neighbors.

I think this yard showcases how much you can use your imagination when planning the pergola design you want to use. It is entirely possible to change up the shape, size and color quite easily. The best thing you can do is go out in your yard and look at the ground to determine the best and easiest place to secure posts either by digging in the ground or placing them in concrete brackets.In the example above what is not visible is that they added another concrete slab to that back corner so that both of their pergolas are placed in brackets. Using concrete is a great way to ensure that your pergola base is level and steady.

One other thing to consider in the placement of a pergola is the roof line. You want to check from the various places in your house and yard that the top of the pergola wont block any views you want to keep. Unless you are just automatically attaching the pergola to the house over an existing patio, you also might want to sit out on the spot where you intend to place the pergola to see if your neighbors look down on you or if your own view is going to be what you want.

However you choose to design your pergola, you will be pleasantly surprised at how many resources you can find to guide you in building this very easy back yard project.

Everything you need to know about do it yourself pergolas.

Have you been wondering about these backyard structures called pergolas? You see them everywhere across the country. Pergolas started out mostly on the east coast and in the south but their popularity has spread thanks to home improvement TV shows and, of course, the internet! Once you know what they are, you realize how many you have seen in your own neighborhood.

The picture above is of a pergola build over an entry gate. It's a fairly large one with three rows of supporting posts for a total of eight. Two in the front and then two rows of three on the inside of the gate. The roof line is very simple with just one layer of rafters and single beams spanning the posts.Since it really isn't providing a lot of shade, this pergola is primarily there to create a dramatic visual effect. It sure does that quite well! The use of the darker paint to match the trim on the house and the gate makes it really stand out especially among the lush green landscaping surrounding it.

On the surface, you might look at that and think it had to be quite expensive to build. However, it really is not at all that high priced and it is also much simpler to build than you might think at first glance. A great resource for information on everything pergolas can be found here. Take a quick survey and you will be given a code for a set of free pergola plans. You will also be enrolled in a very informative email series that will answer a lot of the questions you will have about building your own pergola. But, the best part is the discount link you will receive to the Guide to Building a Pergola in One Weekend. There you will see exactly how you can built any type of pergola - even one like the photo above - for less than $1000 and using just a few days of your time.