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Pergola Projects-How to Implement a DIY Pergola Project with a Plan of Your Choice |
Article Submitted by: Andy Finn
Friday, 30 July 2010
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Pergola projects are easy to implement DIY tasks suitable not just for experienced carpenters but also for novices without technical knowledge. A diy pergola is a relatively simple structure to erect and wood is a pliable material that allows for mistakes and corrections to be made. Pergola projects can vary in budget, size, style and shape, costing from few $hundred to few $thousand, but all saving 50 percent on average over equivalent ready made kits. The only prerequisites to such undertakings are the purchase of a top quality wood, a pergola plan of your choice with all measures and graphics, a helping hand and three to four days off work, say a long weekend. First off, do not save on wood quality, as a top outdoor construction wood will pay itself off over and over again in your life time, passing onto your next generation. Beside, since you are already saving over ready made kits, there is no reason to be tight on materials as they are the first best investment in a pergola project. Woods of choice range, from the most expensive to the cheapest, from tropical red woods, to redwoods, to southern cypress, to western red cedar or cedar in general and finally to pressure treated fir and pine. The most popular woods used for pergola or gazebo construction are cedar, western red cedar and redwoods. Tropical woods are the toughest but also by far the most expensive, while pine and fir are usually treated with toxic arsenate to repel insects but cost half as much as cedar. All of these woods are suitable for outdoor applications as they are naturally resistant to decay, fungi, insects, rain and UVA. Once chosen your preferred wood, get hold of a plan with graphs and measures. There are a variety of designs and styles available for all needs and budgets, they are inexpensive but help you save up to few $thousands over ready made structures. Next, once your friend is available and the time is right, construction can start. It is very important that the pergola future position has had an all clear from your local council for underground electric cables and water or gas mains. Once done that, you can start digging the holes for the foundation posts, usually at 25 inches and at the required distance as for the pergola plans. Lay down a couple of inches of gravel to help drainage, then pour in cement to offer a solid base for the posts to stand on and prevent future moving or sinking. While the cement is setting in, you can save time and start cutting and shaping all the posts, beams and joists with your friend as for the measures and graphics provided. Once the cement has turned into solid concrete, position the posts into the foundation holes and prop them up temporarily with nailed sticks. Adjust their position to find vertical drop and alignment with the help of horizontal lines and weight lines. Then find the right height for the top beams with a bucket of water and a clear hose (water method). The water will indicate the same level on each post, hence will make it easy to find the top level for the beams by adding an identical distance on each. Mark the height and drill the holes for the bolts to be fastened later. Position the pre cut beams with your friend and fasten them to the posts with the bolts inserted into the pre drilled holes. Now the structure is closed, safe and rigid and you may fill in the foundation holes. Next, assemble the joists on top at the right span and proceed to finish off the already made pergola. Use sandpaper and the angle grinder for the task and apply two coats of resin based wood stain to further increase weather resistance while bringing out the beauty and texture of the wood patterns. The project is over, the pergola is ready and you may already make use of it with your friend, celebrating with some well deserved beers. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
About The Author:
DIY pergola projects are not difficult to implement and may save you from few $hundreds to few $thousands. Plans for DIY pergola projects. More on DIY pergola projects.
DIY pergola projects are not difficult to implement and may save you from few $hundreds to few $thousands. Plans for DIY pergola projects. More on DIY pergola projects.
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