Small pergola

The pergola is a legacy of Italian Renaissance gardens, originally garden paths overgrown with twisted vines. Today the term is often used for seating with some kind of slatted covering. The pergola can be used as a garden path; it can bring two parts of the garden together; it can be used to link the street and the entrance; or to mark the transition between the house and garden. A pergola covered with vines, Virginia creeper, climbing hydrangea or hops becomes a wonderfully shaded space. A pergola with climbing roses is a local attraction.

Pergola
The pergola can be lined with a low fence to help climbing plants. If you want rain protection, it can be fitted with a lightweight roof. It can be made 2.55 metres wide between the posts to provide space for a car, or smaller, for example 1.7 meters wide.

Angle the tops of the posts in the direction of the bearers for good water drainage. Screw bearers directly to the posts, or drill and bolt using washers. Use bolts if you are planning a watertight roof. Nail or screw the pergola roof beams to the bearers (not through the end grain), or use a steel bracket.