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Pergola with Planters

This airy, yet sturdy, structure is a terrific way to finish off a concrete slab, making a wonderful trellis for climbing plants and a perfect place for enjoying the outdoors.

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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.


What You Need:
  • 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)

Continued on page 2:  Building the Structure

 

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