This airy, sturdy stucture can be
built in just a few weekends.

Materials List

These plans will build a 16 x 20-foot pergola. Use rot-resistant lumber, either pressure-treated or the heartwood of cedar or redwood.

• Eight 4x4 posts, 10 feet long
• Two 2x6 framing members, 20 feet long
• Four 2x6 framing members, 12 feet long
• Three 2x6 framing members, 8 feet long
• Thirty-one 2x6 rafters, 16 feet long
• 2x4 braces, 8 feet long
• Thirty-two 1x4 pieces, 8 feet long (for planter boxes)
• Two 2x2 pieces, 12 feet long (for planter-box frames)
• 4 galvanized U-brackets
• 1/4x3-inch galvanized lag screws with shields
• 2 pounds of 3-inch galvanized deck screws
• 2 pounds of 1-5/8-inch galvanized deck screws
• 1 pound of 1-inch galvanized deck screws
• Wood preservative
• Hurricane ties
• Galvanized 3-sided corner brackets
• Hammer drill for boring into concrete (optional, but it will make the job easier)
• Handheld power drill
• Two 12-foot stepladders (While you are building, the structure will be unsteady, with nothing solid on which to lean an extension ladder.)
• 1 or 2 helpers
• Level
• Miter saw (a power model will make the job easier)
• 4 mm plastic sheeting
• Soil (for planters)
• Plants as desired
• Large sheet of fabric (optional)