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Deck Designs
Deck Pergola

Building a pergola on top of your deck can provide shade, privacy, and a beautiful design feature. You will have to decide how large of a footprint the pergola will cover, what materials you will use, and how much shade you want to create. Some pergolas are free standing being supported on all sides by posts. Other pergolas are attached to the house on one side with a ledger board. If you do choose to attach to your house make sure you use flashing to prevent water from entering the house wall. The principal parts of a pergola are the support posts, the header, the rafters, and an optional canopy layer. Because this structure will not be used for a floor or roof it essentially needs only to support its own weight. Attachment is still important to prevent the pergola from blowing off the deck during storms. You should bolt each post solidly to the deck frame using 1/2" lag or carriage bolts. The header can be notched and bolted to the tops of the posts. Installing bracing or railing between posts can add additional lateral strength. The rafters can be notched to fit over the top of the header and secured using nails or screws. You can also use hurricane ties but they are often not desirable to look at. You can vary the spacing and size of the rafters to achieve the desired appearance and amount of shade. The taller the rafters and the smaller the spacing the more shade you will receive. Many builders cut decorative tails on the ends of the rafters and the headers for style. Rafters typically overhang the header by 16" or 24". Also consider the spacing between posts. Thinner rafter material such as 2x6 can start to sag for longer spans. You may also consider installing a canopy of thinner material such as 2x2's or lattice over the top of the rafters for even more privacy and shade. Some people even train vines over the top of the pergola for a living canopy. Spotted or diffused sunlight is often the desired result. Pay attention to the site conditions to determine the configuration of the pergola. What time of day will sunlight and heat be the biggest problem?

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