EASY STEPS TO A MODERN TIMBER PERGOLA

A fresh take on the traditional design, this version features the natural beauty of hardwood decking while the visible bolts give it an industrial feel. Hidden LED lights give you ambient light when there’s no fire to flicker.

Gather your supplies

• Posts 90 x 90mm H4 treated pine

• Stud frame and blocks 90 x 45mm H3 treated pine

• Decking 135 x 19mm spotted gum

• M12 x 50mm galvanised coach screws and washers

• Adhesive LED strip

You’ll also need Post hole digger; spirit level; timber battens; pegs; concrete mix; wheelbarrow; shovel; bucket; tape measure; mitre saw; drill; countersinking drill bit; 100mm batten screws; pencil; clamps; circular saw; black exterior paint; painting gear; nail gun with 30mm nails; 13mm spade bit; 8.5mm drill bit; socket and ratchet; wood putty to match timber; fine sandpaper; decking oil in spotted gum

Here’s how

STEP 1 Use post hole digger to dig 600mm deep holes on the outside of your landscaped area.

STEP 2 Insert each post in hole and make plumb. Use timber battens and pegs to brace post and hold it.

STEP 3 Use shovel to mix concrete in wheelbarrow and use bucket to pour around each post. Let set.

STEP 4 Measure distance between posts for top frames. Build simple 240mm high stud frames to suit, with studs every 450mm. Predrill and screw together frames with 100mm batten screws.

STEP 5 For braces, hold timber diagonally over a gap between studs and mark inside lines of top and bottom plates on it. Clamp to bench; use circular saw to cut along marked lines.

STEP 6 Fit braces between gap in studs. Predrill and screw in place. Alternate direction of braces on either side of frame.

STEP 7 Hold each frame up between posts flush with top. Make level and clamp. Predrill and screw to posts.

STEP 8 Attach pairs of 240mm long blocks to top of opposite side of posts to the frames.

STEP 9 Apply 2 coats black paint to posts, blocks on the outside and underside of frames. Also paint heads of screws and the washers.

STEP 10 Allowing for them to overhang blocks on the posts by 30mm, cut decking boards to length. Make any joins over a stud. Hold against frames flush with top edge and nail to hold.

STEP 11 Mark centre of each board where it crosses a stud; drill hole through board with 13mm bit. Switch to 8.5mm bit to drill pilot hole for coach screws.

STEP 12 Insert coach screws and washers into holes and tighten using socket and ratchet.

STEP 13 Continue nailing and screwing boards across frames and posts to cover both sides.

STEP 14 Use putty to fill nail holes, let dry and sand smooth. Apply 2 coats oil, letting dry after each coat. Touch up painted screws.

STEP 15 Stick LED light strip to inside of decking boards where they overhang frame. Have an electrician supply power source for the lights.

STEP 2

STEP 12

STEP 1

STEP 6

STEP 10

STEP 7

STEP 15

STEP 11

STEP 3

STEP 5

LED LIGHT STRIPS TURN THE PERGOLA INTO A FUNCTIONAL NIGHT-TIME SPACE. DAYBEDS BRING THE COMFORT AND THROWS OFFER A LITTLE EXTRA WARMTH! LAYER YOUR PLANTING TO ENHANCE THE FEEL OF A PRIVATE OASIS.