Building a pergola around a raised deck?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Building a pergola around a raised deck?
My home has a garden level basement, so my kitchen walks out to a small deck about 5.5 ft off the ground. Deck height in total with railing about 8.5 ft off the ground.
I have a stamped patio Rebar enforced concrete 4" thick. I am looking to custom make a pergola and avoid anchoring it into the patio, because I would rather not drill into the patio (in case I decide to remove the pergola), and I read it's best to have at least 6" thick concrete if anchoring a pergola to it. So I plan to anchor the posts outside the patio. My issue is the front left of the pergola will come by the deck. I am having trouble finding any examples of how a pergola would be built into an existing structure like this.
I was thinking bringing the front left post down next to the deck, so it rests on the patio, but anchor it to the deck 6x6 post. I would imagine I wouldn't have to worry about the patio cracking over time due to weight on this one corner correct? Otherwise I would have to restructure the railing and bring the post down in between the railing.
How would I deal with mounting the pergola near the deck?
I may just do a cantilever pergola, or 3 legged with a triangular shape, but looking to get thoughts for a 4 legged with my scenario.
Pictures:



I have a stamped patio Rebar enforced concrete 4" thick. I am looking to custom make a pergola and avoid anchoring it into the patio, because I would rather not drill into the patio (in case I decide to remove the pergola), and I read it's best to have at least 6" thick concrete if anchoring a pergola to it. So I plan to anchor the posts outside the patio. My issue is the front left of the pergola will come by the deck. I am having trouble finding any examples of how a pergola would be built into an existing structure like this.
I was thinking bringing the front left post down next to the deck, so it rests on the patio, but anchor it to the deck 6x6 post. I would imagine I wouldn't have to worry about the patio cracking over time due to weight on this one corner correct? Otherwise I would have to restructure the railing and bring the post down in between the railing.
How would I deal with mounting the pergola near the deck?
I may just do a cantilever pergola, or 3 legged with a triangular shape, but looking to get thoughts for a 4 legged with my scenario.
Pictures:




Last edited by Eaglei22; 03-02-18 at 04:48 PM.
#2
Well, I don't know exactly what kind of pergola you are picturing, or how big it would be. Maybe you could expound on that, or post a picture of what you are going for... as well as a size... (like how far is it from the house to the planters). Or maybe draw on your overhead photo to show your proposed outline.
If your building inspector allows it, one option might be attaching a ledger to the house. And then if your posts land outside the stamped area you could set them on sonotubes. (Round concrete form for piers) you would check your layout carefully (checking for square, etc) to locate the pier, then use post bases that are embedded in the concrete.
If your building inspector allows it, one option might be attaching a ledger to the house. And then if your posts land outside the stamped area you could set them on sonotubes. (Round concrete form for piers) you would check your layout carefully (checking for square, etc) to locate the pier, then use post bases that are embedded in the concrete.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the reply XSleeper. I am just in the brainstorming steps, so I am trying to weigh my options. I will sketch something out over the patio and then update. I envision bringing the pergola up to about where the stairs start heading down on the deck. But I wanted to get an idea of what my options were for pillar in that area before I started figuring out the exact details.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Something like this design,
https://images.homedepot-static.com/...om-64_1000.jpg
Here is a general idea of where I would like it to sit:
https://images.homedepot-static.com/...om-64_1000.jpg
Here is a general idea of where I would like it to sit:

#5
Here is one I built last fall... it was also an existing deck that they wanted to add a pergola to. Nothing fancy, she wanted all square cuts, just some shade.
I ended up cutting nice tight 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 holes in the guard rail so that my 4x4s could slap up next to the existing ones, which I connected with ledgerlok lags.
I think I would try to talk you into completely covering your deck and grill area too.
I ended up cutting nice tight 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 holes in the guard rail so that my 4x4s could slap up next to the existing ones, which I connected with ledgerlok lags.
I think I would try to talk you into completely covering your deck and grill area too.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Looks good! Gives me some idea. My concern for mine, is sitting on the deck and seeing the top of the pergola and taking away the openness, but if i cover the deck and patio, i will need to sit it pretty high off the deck. So, that would make the height pretty tall from the patio (if i understand you correctly).
What is your opinion on the cantilever pergola? Im trying to make it look elegant too, but im stuck, with the offset deck. So im starting to lean toward that as well.
What is your opinion on the cantilever pergola? Im trying to make it look elegant too, but im stuck, with the offset deck. So im starting to lean toward that as well.
#7
You would probably need to make it two tiered. Not crazy about it all being high enough to give you 7 or 8ft of headroom on the deck. That would make it what, 12-13' off the patio?