How we built our Pergola and decking
 This page provides detailed instruction and step-by-step photographs illustrating the design and build of a large garden pergola.
Why a Pergola? The first photo shows the proposed location for the pergola in 1999. The adjacent walls really drove home the level of bareness encountered after the clearing operations. The garden was in need of rapid height and something to break up the vast expanse of wall. The garden's main south-facing wall runs along an east-west axis and the prevailing westerly winds would tear across it before turning into a highly destructive 'tornado' within the high walls. Creating a large pergola in the corner would create the height we needed and help to baffle the worst effects of the wind. The photo right shows how the 9m timbers were transported with the aid of neighbours.
  Having chosen upon 'a pergola' the solution was not quite so straight forward. A flood of questions followed: How Big? What shape? What style? How many supports? What size and type of timber, and just how much shading to create? This last point needed the most thought since we only wanted to create the structure for its own sake and did not wish to restrict the light reaching plants that would be planted against the walls. A plan was proposed and approved by 'management' (Aileen and Tanya). Pressure treated timber was ordered throughout. Work began on the pergola in April 2000.
    With some pieces measuring over 30 feet (9m) an 'articulated vehicle' was put together to transport the timber through the gardens with the kind help of neighbours. The timber was then relocated and sorted in order of lifting. Next, the post timbers were put aside and work began on transforming them from plain-looking posts to Greek-like columns.
    The DIY process of erecting the pergola depended upon the first three posts being braced by the walls. Once these were upright, simple triangulation with additional bracing from the walls would provided a solid structure upon which successive timbers could be added.
The following day, began with some serious head-scratching, due entirely to the puzzle of single-handedly lifting two 4" x 12" x 20' beams onto 9' high posts over a 10' deep tank of water. It was potentially dangerous. At best, any mistake would mean a cold swim, but worse would surely happen if any beam followed anyone in to the water. Almost as much time was spent on levelling and bracing as getting the 6.1m (20') beam in to position over the waterfall, giving a total width of over 10m (33'). But, eventually we got it in using the ladders as 'lifts'.
  Having 'practiced' with the smaller beams it was time to take on the 7.5's (24'6"). It had taken just over two hours to position the first 6.1m beam over the waterfall. In sharp contrast the 7.5's 'flew up' in just under 25 minutes each!
The pergola makes an instant and very noticeable difference by 'breaking up' the expanse of wall. The cross-bearers are few and far between so the structure does not create sufficient shade to deter sun-loving plants in the far corner. One of several additional bonuses of the pergola we did not envisage was the difference it makes in bringing the far corner 'closer'. At the back of the waterfall is Garrya elliptica 'James Roof' so that its long tassles mimick the waterfall in winter.
  The Decking is made of 38mm timber laid over an open timber frame, itself located over the original tank that we suspect was filled with the remains of the peach house. The decking, handrail and pergola have been integrated in such a way as to provide additional rigidity to each. The result is a deck which is strong enough to support garden tractors without flinching. Two timber widths were used to provide additional interest plus the ubiquitous lump of blue slate as a stepping-off stone.
  The completed Pergola during its first summer in 2000. The two braces on top are not a structural necessity, but they do break up the pergola's otherwise flat table top appearance.
The pergola has pride of place in the east garden surrounded by and nestling among various Pittosporum, Hoheria, Banksia, Phyllostachys, Akebia, Rosa banksii, Michelia, and Garrya. In 2005 two wisteria macrobotrys were planted up the pergola to take full advantage of its size.
The progress made in this garden is such that we have a constant stream of visitors returning just to see what's been accomplished since their prious visit.
Summer 2005: illustrating how the pergola has nestled in and become an integral part of the gardenscape.
|
))
))
))
))
))
))
))
))
))
))
))
))
))
))
))
))
))