DebbieG
Resourceful Designer
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2007
- Messages
- 50
- Reaction score
- 0
I want to build a 14'x12" Freestanding Pergola on a raised concrete patio outside a doorwall. I plan to put a polycarb clear roof on it to protect the furniture underneath from rain
..all adding to the wind resistance. (the slab sits on top of cinderblock foundation)
There are so different brackets and am hoping someone can view my attached photos of both the brackets and my patio to advise me on which option is best under the circumstances. (Sorry but the picture of the various brackets had to be saved to paint, then I took a picture of the screen because nothing else worked.)
We are on a tight budget for this after what we spent on the new concrete so will be using 6x6 posts with a vinyl wrap (made for privacy fences) to make them look more like columns. The rest of the top will be painted wood.
Some of the taller bracket systems I show are made for vinyl pergola kits and Ive seen videos with them being installed showing that the wood post is cut down within the sleeve and its hollow where the vinyl beams (with steel H insert for stability) come in? I dont understand how all that weight can sit in the slots & Im not sure if I could use the same method with wood coming in instead since I dont really know which is heavier?
It just doesnt seem strong enough considering thats where all the weight is sitting? Am I missing something? (I suppose I could just treat the vinyl covered beams like I would an uncovered wood post and bolt right into the side of it if using the slots isnt an option.)
I would also like to hear from people that have had Pergolas attached in similar conditions with what they used and how its held up.
I live in Michigan, so winters are tough and the Pergola will be on the east side of the house, so at least most storms come from the west.
(ps...ignore the exposed cinderblock -soon to be stucco/stained)
Thanks all!
There are so different brackets and am hoping someone can view my attached photos of both the brackets and my patio to advise me on which option is best under the circumstances. (Sorry but the picture of the various brackets had to be saved to paint, then I took a picture of the screen because nothing else worked.)
We are on a tight budget for this after what we spent on the new concrete so will be using 6x6 posts with a vinyl wrap (made for privacy fences) to make them look more like columns. The rest of the top will be painted wood.
Some of the taller bracket systems I show are made for vinyl pergola kits and Ive seen videos with them being installed showing that the wood post is cut down within the sleeve and its hollow where the vinyl beams (with steel H insert for stability) come in? I dont understand how all that weight can sit in the slots & Im not sure if I could use the same method with wood coming in instead since I dont really know which is heavier?
It just doesnt seem strong enough considering thats where all the weight is sitting? Am I missing something? (I suppose I could just treat the vinyl covered beams like I would an uncovered wood post and bolt right into the side of it if using the slots isnt an option.)
I would also like to hear from people that have had Pergolas attached in similar conditions with what they used and how its held up.
I live in Michigan, so winters are tough and the Pergola will be on the east side of the house, so at least most storms come from the west.
(ps...ignore the exposed cinderblock -soon to be stucco/stained)
Thanks all!