How to Build a Pergola

Find the Perfect Pergola Designs, and Build Yours

Learn how to build a pergola in your garden, and add value with pergola designs that enhance your garden style.

Depending on your soil type, drainage and whether you’ll find bedrock close to the surface of the soil, here are some ideas for building your pergola.

I use a system of rebar pieces pounded into the ground, and a post with a hole drilled up the center of it set over top. This eliminates the problem of digging and pouring footings of cement, and also as an added bonus, is somewhat flexible under stress.

With careful measurements (as always) and string lines to make sure your posts will be square and plumb to each other you can pound the rebar into the ground.

Make sure you have each one exactly the right distance into the ground.

The holes in the posts will be slightly less than this height.

The end of the wooden post should be held off the ground by a few centimeters, ensuring that it won’t rot in contact with the soil.

Once each of the rebar pieces is in place, and the uprights installed over them, plumb each one – you can use a spirit level for this. Attach some cross members to hold it all together, and then add the top sections. Each piece has to be firmly attached in several places to resist wind movement.

Flooring can be simple, such as soil cement, or diy patio blocks, flagstones or poured concrete. Plant climbing vines at the foot of each post to climb up and eventually cover your perfect outdoor pergola. (This link opens in a new window)