Building A Pergola
 

hey just looking for some answers here... im not exactly building a pergola but what i am building is basically a roof that goes 12 feet out so that i can have some shade in my backyard.



my question is ive got the holes 4 feet deep each and am using sonotubes with cement, ive also purchased saddles to put my 6x6 posts on
these are what i bought- http://www.pylex.com/images/produits/12840_Concrete_U_saddle_P1.JPG

is that a good idea? should i be using them?

If you use saddle you will also need some angle bracing between the roof and the posts. You could use longer post and plant them in the concrete to make them more self supporting. I would use treated 6x6. If you do use sadles and treated posts you need galvinized sadles and all nails or screws must be rated for the treated lumber.

Listen to Neal . . . You need bracing to provide support. Here is a good place to review some important design needs: http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/posts-beams-erecting.html

Here is part of the bracing I used to build a tree house between three redwoods. Notice the long galvanized lag bolts, the 45 degree angles, the strength ...

how do i know if the saddles are galvanized or not?

and how do i know how to look for the rating?

Simply asking your supplier should do the job. The saddle you posted a picture of was painted so it will not do the job. Hot dipped gavinized will be a silver colour with a kinda lumpy finish bolts, nuts washers should all be treated as well as nails, Green deck screws work too.

these are the exact saddles i got:
http://www.pylex.com/images/produits..._saddle_P1.JPG

bought them here:
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/dressed-high-side-post-holder-in-khaki-6-in-x-6-in/971848

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/rebar-carport-saddle-4-inch-x-4-inch-carton-of-12/925663
They do have them , this link is for a smaller one and it's a box of twelve, I hope this helps. I am sure they sell singles and have sizes up to 8" or even 10". The one you have appears to be painted.

so the ones i have now what exactly is the problem with them?

they will be sitting in cement filled sono tubes 6" above the ground.

The copper in the treated wood will eat the steel. My guess is the one you have would be for redwood or cedar.

For galvanized, use Simpson hardware. The labels will indicate the hot dipped saddles. The through bolts and washers/nuts all have to be galvanized too. Same goes for any lag bolts. members not exposed to driven water or snow can be fastened with deck screws or galvanized nails.

I have also gone to extremes with stainless steel screws but they are really expensive.

How about a sketch of your project? Scan it as a jpeg and post the sucker! ;)