Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Building A Pergola
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langer
05-31-05, 10:11 AM
Hello all!!
I am thinking of building a pergola over an existing concrete slab and have a few preliminary questions before I begin. The existing patio is 20'x30' and is 4" thick. I envision the pergola spanning a 20'x20' section. This will be 10' away from the house.
1. Will I need to create footings (cutting into the patio) for the posts, or can I use some sort of anchor device attached to the patio to support the posts?
I live in Southern Wisconsin (if this info helps).
2. Are there guidlines for how many support posts that I will need for the structure? My early plans have 9 posts (3x3x3) (Meaning a post every 10 feet). Will this be enough? Should they be 4x4's or 6x6's?
3. Any recommendations for tye of wood or hardware to use? I really like the look of natural pine (treated with a polyurethane) and black hardware.
Thanks in advance for your input!!
I am thinking of building a pergola over an existing concrete slab and have a few preliminary questions before I begin. The existing patio is 20'x30' and is 4" thick. I envision the pergola spanning a 20'x20' section. This will be 10' away from the house.
1. Will I need to create footings (cutting into the patio) for the posts, or can I use some sort of anchor device attached to the patio to support the posts?
I live in Southern Wisconsin (if this info helps).
2. Are there guidlines for how many support posts that I will need for the structure? My early plans have 9 posts (3x3x3) (Meaning a post every 10 feet). Will this be enough? Should they be 4x4's or 6x6's?
3. Any recommendations for tye of wood or hardware to use? I really like the look of natural pine (treated with a polyurethane) and black hardware.
Thanks in advance for your input!!
lefty
06-01-05, 05:57 AM
Yes, you will need to cut the concrete and dig footings. Probably 42" deep to get below your local frost line.
Freestanding, I would use 3" square steel posts and embed one in each footing. Drill a 1/2" hole about 6" up from the bottom of each post and slide a 15" long piece of rebar thru the hole, roughly centered so that about 6" is exposed on each side. Plumb the posts, fill the footings with concrete, stake the posts so they will stay plumb, and let them cure for a couple of days.
Post spacing depends on what you use for beams and rafters. Ask your local bldg. dept. to show you a span table and explain it to you. You can base your design on that, BEFORE you start cutting concrete.
Freestanding, I would use 3" square steel posts and embed one in each footing. Drill a 1/2" hole about 6" up from the bottom of each post and slide a 15" long piece of rebar thru the hole, roughly centered so that about 6" is exposed on each side. Plumb the posts, fill the footings with concrete, stake the posts so they will stay plumb, and let them cure for a couple of days.
Post spacing depends on what you use for beams and rafters. Ask your local bldg. dept. to show you a span table and explain it to you. You can base your design on that, BEFORE you start cutting concrete.