Home Improvement Ideas Outdoor Structures Pergolas, Arbors & Trellises How to Build a Pergola for a Dreamy Outdoor Getaway Follow these steps to build a beautiful pergola as a perch for climbing plants, to finish off a concrete slab, or to create an airy outdoor room. By Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 28, 2023 Close Photo: Ed Gohlich Project Overview Working Time: 12 hours Total Time: 12 hours Skill Level: Intermediate Estimated Cost: $150+ Rather than spending thousands of dollars to tear out a concrete slab and refill it with topsoil, learn how to build a pergola. A backyard pergola attached to the house or a freestanding DIY pergola can be completed in two or three weekends. Pergola materials are also relatively inexpensive. Both open and covered pergolas provide a beautiful setting for backyard barbecues, firepits, hot tubs, and more. DIY pergolas are also ideal for climbing plants, creating an area of dappled sunlight that's ideal both relaxing and entertaining. You can make it as shady as you like by adding climbing plants and creepers, or topping off the structure with fabric. The four corners of the pergola can also be anchored with planter boxes. We'll show you how to prep and assemble a DIY pergola that's perfect for outdoor living. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Tape measure Polyurethane glue Posthole digger Carpenter's level Shovel Backsaw Miter saw Circular saw Clamps Drill Saber saw Chisel Hammer Materials Wood: 6x6 posts, 2x10s, 2x2s Concrete mix Deck screws Bolts (if attaching to an existing structure) Gravel Instructions How to Build a Pergola The following steps detail building instructions for a DIY pergola. Customize your structure with additional pergola design ideas, paint, or stain. Marty Baldwin Plan Pergola Design and Dig Holes for Posts Plan to sink posts at least 3 feet into the ground for a freestanding backyard pergola. For example, an 8-foot-tall pergola needs posts at least 11 feet long. If possible, bolt some of the posts to existing decking posts or similar strong structural members. Using a posthole digger or an auger, dig the postholes at least 30 inches deep or to the depth required by local codes. Shovel several inches of gravel into the bottom of each hole and insert the posts. (You'll cut them to height later.) Marty Baldwin Set Pergola Posts Brace the pergola posts temporarily, so they are plumb. Use 3- to 4-foot 2x4s or 2x6s at the bottom and 1x4 or 2x4 angle braces anchored to stakes. Getting the posts both plumb and placed at the correct depth may require some shifting, but it won't be readily visible if you are off an inch or so. Combine water and bagged concrete mix and fill the postholes. Work the mix up and down with a stout stick to remove all air pockets. Overfill each hole so rainwater will run away from the DIY pergola post. If your building site allows you to anchor posts to an existing structure, do so using bolts. Take time to ensure the pergola posts are perfectly plumb. I’m a Home Editor Who Refinished My Deck This Weekend—Here’s What I Wish I’d Done Differently Marty Baldwin Cut and Install Roof Beams For a basic garden pergola, the frame supporting the pergola roof consists of doubled 2x10 beams. These four beams create the solid structure supporting the notched rafter pieces. Prepare for installing the beams by cutting the posts. Mark the cutoff lines on the posts, and be sure to account for the 2x10 beams before finalizing the height of the posts. Cut the posts with a reciprocating saw. Measure the distance between the posts at the top and miter-cut 2x10s for the outer beam pieces. It's okay to bend the posts an inch or two if they are not equidistant. Working with a helper, place each beam piece so it aligns with the top of each post, and attach them by driving three 3-inch deck screws into each joint. Measure and cut the inside beam pieces. Laminate them to the outside beams using polyurethane glue and 1-1/4-inch deck screws driven every foot. Marty Baldwin Determine Roof Design A basic pergola roof consists of notched 2x10 lower rafters set perpendicular to the upper rafters. Generally, the lower rafters are 2 to 3 feet longer than the arbor width, and the uppers are 2 to 3 feet longer than its length. The rafters often have decorative ends. Develop a pattern for your rafter ends using a freehand drawing or use a purchased or borrowed pergola plan. The design can be as simple or intricate as you would like. 22 Pretty Pergola Ideas to Update Your Outdoor Space Marty Baldwin Add On On top of the lower rafters, cut a notch for the upper rafters to fit into. Cut notches on the bottom of the upper rafters for every lower rafter. Place all rafter notches an equal distance apart. Cut the notches first with a circular saw, then a saber saw. Clean out the corners with a hand saw and chisel. As you work, check that the notched rafters will fit tightly together. Marty Baldwin Raise the Roof Next, notch the rafters. For the lower rafters, notch the bottom of each end so the rafters will fit over the beams. The notches should be 3x2 inches. Marty Baldwin Add Finishing Touches (Optional) If your DIY pergola wobbles, stabilize it with angled braces. Apply two or more coats of stain, finish, or paint to the pergola for long-lasting style. 22 Pretty Pergola Ideas to Update Your Outdoor Space Peter Krumhardt How to Build a Pergola Planter If desired, you can anchor the four corners of your pergola with planter boxes. To build the four planter boxes around the pergola posts, attach 1x4s to 2x2 framing with 1-5/8-inch screws. Butt-join the corners, line with 4 mil plastic sheeting held in place with staples, and cover with 1x4 trim pieces. Top it off with a 1x4 ledge and fill it with soil.