Designing a pergola

Pergolas comprise of three parts, support posts, main beams and top beams.
The timber specifications are dependent on the purpose, size and positioning of the pergola.

When designing larger pergolas we recommend using 125 x 125mm posts, this allows adequate room for a 50mm notch in the top of the post.

The main beams are generally 47 x 125mm or 47 x 150mm depending on the span and can be ‘S’ shaped at the ends.

For example, 47 x 125mm for up to a 3.6m span and 47 x 150mm for 4.8m span (guide purpose only).

Top beams can also have ‘S’ shaped ends and notched to sit onto the main beam at approximately 600mm centres. However all this depends on the size of the pergola and the look and feel you are trying to create with your design.

The size of timber used is important so the structure not only is safe but also creates the right balance of timber and compliments its surroundings.