The wooden pergolas They have a series of advantages that make them highly demanded. In general, they are structures that are designed to be able to relax and spend some relaxing time alone or with family and friends. They are perfect to protect us from the sun when the high temperatures arrive. In addition, a protection has been applied to the wood to be able to be outdoors and withstand the direct impact of the sun’s rays, rain or high relative humidity conditions. If you decide to do it and install it on your own you can save a lot of money and in this article you will see the essential steps to follow to build a wooden pergola.
What should I take into account to build a wooden pergola in the garden?
To build a pergola in your garden, there are a series of tips that you should consider and that are detailed below.
1º Evaluation of the place
Before starting, it is important to make a complete inspection of the land, since each soil has its own particularities. For example, we could be talking about unevenness or deformities that we would have to find a way to equalize.
In addition, the type of surface on which our pergola will rest must be taken into account:
- Lawn: they will be installed on poles on which the columns of the structure will sit.
- Earth or stone: the posts will be cemented so that the pergola is level.
- Cement or concrete slab: it is advisable to use anchors and gravel inside the holes where the posts will go so that the post is never in direct contact with soil moisture.
2nd Modeling
The modeling will consist of using a 3D design software to design the pergola. There are many programs that can help us, such as AUTOCAD or similar software that is free or online.
The most important thing is to create a kind of plan that details all the measurements and pieces with which you are going to work. Keep in mind that a bug could ruin our project.
If you are not sure how to make a design from scratch, you can always download some example models and adapt it to your situation.
3º Preparation of tools and materials
At this point all those tools and materials that we are going to need according to the model or plan that we have made.
For example, it is very important to have a machine to cut wood. The problem is that they are expensive and it can be a bit absurd to buy them if they are only going to be used on this occasion. As an alternative, we can resort to renting machinery to cut wood.
In this way, we can have a quality tool for as long as we need it and paying what is fair, since the investment is going to be much less than buying it.
Another alternative would be to buy a wooden pergola making kit. Its main advantage is that all the pieces that make up the pergola are machined. All posts and pillars will have been designed in such a way that they can fit together, making the structure as robust as possible. Additionally, these kits also include the hardware and screws needed for mounting.
On the other hand, the problem with kits is that the measurements are predefined and may not fit the available space. Therefore, we can always adjust them with our wood cutting machineor we can buy all the materials independently to build our pergola.
4th Assembly
For the assembly of the pergola, all precautions must be followed and individual protection equipment must be used to work in maximum safety conditions. For example, to cut wood we must wear protective glasses and to handle wood it is also important to use gloves, since in this way we will prevent splinters from sticking into us.
On the other hand, when assembling our pergola:
- If it is a kit, you just have to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- If it is built from scratch, the best thing is that we make a plan with all the steps to follow and that we number the pieces. In this way, we make sure that we do not miss anything important.
As it is probably too laborious and heavy a job for just one person, it is very important to use a friend or family member as a support person. This way we will avoid carrying more weight and forcing the posture at certain times, avoiding important injuries.
5º Review, maintain and enjoy
When we have finished assembling the pergola and check that everything is as planned, we must check that all the joints are firm and resistant.
In addition, it must be taken into account that a protective treatment will have to be applied to the wood. It is recommended that it be every 2 years (5 maximum). Before applying any treatment, check that the wood is dry.
It is also advisable to thoroughly clean the entire surface every 6 months to remove dust and dirt.
What type of wood should you use to build your wooden pergola?
In the market you can find two types of wood for the construction of pergolas and it is important to know how to differentiate them:
- Sawn timber: Sawn wood comes from whole pieces obtained directly from the tree. It is an economical wood but not recommended for wooden structures that are going to support a lot of weight for the following reason: this wood may contain internal structural faults such as knots, rot, etc. These hidden flaws make it less resistant when it comes to bearing weight.
- glued laminated timber: It is the most used in Spain. It is characterized in that the beams are made by joining planks generated in specialized factories and under quality control. This feature prevents internal structural failures.
In short, now that you know the 5 essential steps to build a wooden pergola And what is the wood that you should use, you just have to get down to work to be able to enjoy it as soon as possible, what are you waiting for?
If you have found this practical guide useful, do not forget that you can find many more guides on DIY and decoration on and on .
