Having a pergola on the terrace is not just for the summer. It can also be used in the winter, and even better, it can provide a neater appearance and, at the same time, a corner of privacy, when you want to enjoy the outdoors of your home.
But, how to make a pergola yourself? Are there multiple types that can be created? What do you need to make one? If right now you are thinking of putting it on and you have seen in stores that it is too expensive, perhaps these ideas that we offer you will make the difference and you will be encouraged to do it yourself.
What is a pergola
Before talking about building a pergola on the terrace, you have to know for sure what you are talking about.
A pergola is actually a structure that can be placed both in gardens and on terraces and that allows us to be protected (not 100%, but an acceptable percentage) sun and rain, even cold. It helps us to spend more hours outside the house and enjoy nature at any time of the year.
Moreover, it allows you to have a most intimate and comfortable corner to enjoy alone or with your loved ones.
The pergolas are formed by a structure quite easy to imagine. They are usually made of wood or metal (which can be aluminum or iron), although some also make them masonry to give more consistency (and because, if you see an area where there is a lot of air, this option is the best).
In addition to this structure, it also has a roof often made up of crossbeams so that what is placed (fabric, reed, acrylic, glass…) has a greater consistency.
They can be built independently, but also fixed to the wall. And which is the best? Everything will depend on the space and the use you want to give it. For example, you may want a terrace made with a pergola next to your house, so it is better to attach it to the outside wall. Or you want one next to the pool (with which it will be independent).
How to make a pergola on the terrace
Focusing on this first option that we mentioned, we will help you know exactly how to build a pergola on the terrace step by step.
What do you need
It is convenient that you have prepared all the elements that you will need to build it. That’s to say:
- Structure. It can be wooden or aluminum.
- Cover system. This can be an awning (fixed or mobile), reed, canvas, sheet…
- Fixing elements. Like screws, glue, etc.
- Tools. In the case of drills, hammers, screwdrivers…
Before buying anything
Although we have told you what you need, before you go to the stores to buy it, keep in mind that you must take measurements of what you want to build. In other words, you need to know how much you need of each item so that you don’t have excess or shortage.
And what does that imply? The following:
- You must determine the location Where are you going to put the pergola on the patio?
- You have to measure space that it will occupy, as much in width as in height and in depth.
- You should make sure you have a place to support the structure (both on the floor and on the wall) and that it is well fixed.
It can also be good for you to make a sketch of the look of the pergola as it will help you a lot in knowing the materials you will need.
With these measures, which we recommend you take several times, you can now go to the stores to ask for the items you need.
In general, you will need two poles (in wood or aluminium), which will be fixed to the ground by means of fittings. Then you will need to put the top rails, that we advise you to put them inclined to prevent water from accumulating in case of rain (this can create leaks or break the fabric).
It is preferable to use a beam fixed to the wall on which rest the various crosspieces (this will give more consistency to the pergola).
These crosspieces can be placed with an elegant finish (on the outside of the pergola) so that they make a beautiful effect on their own.
And what about the ceiling? Some prefer to leave it that way, but if you really want it to protect you, you will need a piece of cloth (thrown on the wood and fixed on it to prevent it from flying away), a plate (be careful that in it will be hot in summer and cold in winter), or an acrylic (it’s like clear glass that can be fixed between the crosspieces and which will protect you while allowing you to see the views from above without getting in your way. Of course in summer, although the heat is not the problem, yes it will be the sun because you will not have shade during the day (unless you put it in a shaded area).
Step by step for a pergola on the terrace
Basically, you already have everything you need to get started. But we understand that sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Therefore, here we are going to give you the keys so that you do not make mistakes.
Begin first by the beam that you must attach to the wall. This way you can center the pergola and mark the space it will occupy (both on the wall and on the floor).
The next thing you should do is mark the posts that will support the weight of the sleepers you will lay. It is necessary to measure the distance well so that they are neither short nor too far (and that they do not serve you).
If you have help, try setting up a crossbar while someone else marks the boundary of the crossbar so you know where to put that post.
Finally, you will have to place the different crosspieces and you will have the structure made. Finally, you only have to place the fabric or whatever you want to put as protection to the ceiling and secure it.
As you can see, making a pergola on the terrace is not difficult. Our recommendation is that you make this sketch which will help you a lot to see how it should look and lay the groundwork. Later, with the threaded rod screws (which are the strongest to fix the beam and the posts), and the barraqueros screws for the wood or aluminum area).