Easy DIY Pergola Build | Easier Than You Think!

I was looking to do a Pergola Build and I was almost finished gathering all the materials and prices when I found a kit on Amazon that was Cedar and cheaper than the pressure-treated lumber I was planning on purchasing. I decided to give it a go and see how good (or bad) the overall finished product was and if this was a smart move or one I would grow to regret. I will share the full build, any modifications I made, and my end recommendation if I recommend this kit for your own outdoor needs.

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DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[EverydayHomeRepairs]

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[Peachlover]

Very brave piecing together the wood on a glass table. The table didn’t break lol

[weldo]

Another clear video! I just completed this exact product. I’m a retired contractor and built a few of these from scratch. I was impressed with most of this kit, especially with the BILT app. The center support column in this kit was solid wood and my column bottom plates were a better design. I did encounter several issues!

The pergola was built adjoining the kitchen door, which had a step down to the patio. The structure installed directly on the concrete only had a clearance height of 6’ 5”. The company (good customer support) did not have any taller columns and said we would have to install it on concrete foundations. Moreover, the patio had a varying slope for drainage. We built round concrete columns with each being a different height.😢 We maintained a small slope for a roof cover that meant our columns were slightly out of plumb.

I was impressed with the precision of the substructure. However, the joist and the purlins had many misfit pilot holes! Also the purlin joints were not staggered, which is a problem. The structure does have strong load carrying capacity and wind loading. Covered it with a polycarbonate roof and it looks great. Love seeing your craftsmanship. 😊

[johnmarquardt]

Looks great. Suggestion: Do not plant a wisteria for extra shade cover. I have a cedar pergola that's probably 30 years old and near the end of it's life -- the wisteria that pulled on it, the carpenter bees that drilled holes in the wood and the gray squirrels that have eaten the wood have pretty much destroyed it. It will be taken down this fall/winter but I really like the shade it gives - this may be its replacement.

[cascivic]

Yardistry is great... Built the 12x14 gazebo from Costco this summer it was a bear but it's rock solid and looks beautiful

[WhatzTyme]

Hardest working man in DIY YT Land! Cool!

[kalrobbins]

The pergola looks great! Definitely going to look at the 12 x 14 model!

[DS-fcok]

Love it. Folks can even put some fabric or a shade sail on top for extra shade if needed. Well done.

[gizmobowen]

Thanks for the video. I was in the same situation as you and really wanted to design and build my own pergola. It got to be too much so I punted and bought an aluminum gazebo instead. I like the shade it gives, but it still radiates a lot of heat in direct sun. A pergola definitely doesn't give the same shade, but it looks nicer and if you hang some curtains on the sides you can still get a bit of shade. It also could be used as a trellis to have vines growing on the top to add shade. I'll have to check out the link to see if I need to make a change.

[Bigfoot]

I built a similar structure from scratch years ago on a south facing deck. Also ordered custom sized sun shades with grommits along all edges. One covered the entire top of the structure, three were installed on the open sides with PVC pipes along the loose lower edges. These could be rolled up individually as the sun shifted, or left up or down as weather allowed. Worked great and the sun shades were very inexpensive, lasted for years.

[tottik]

I never understood the point of these pergolas. My parents have one next to their pool. It serves no purpose for shade or for the after noon FL showers lol They bought covers for it before, but strong winds would tear them up. Just build a gazebo, more useful imo.

[russ]

I bought this kit in the winter, put it up over the spring. The quality of mine is not nearly as good as he says his is. Wood splits easily, is extremely soft even for the type it is, and any staining and water resistance is very streaky and hard to put on. The plastic feet can split in intense sun (here in SW New Mexico). I also had to add more cross pieces on top to get a decent amount of shade. Overall, I'd give it about a 6/10, and regret buying it.

[JeffKoenig]

Solar pergola next? I've been looking for something like that with an adjustable angle so you can just attach a bunch of bifacial solar panels on top.

[zekenzy]

Great video. Thank you for sharing. it looks beautiful and nice ^_^

[robertm]

Suggestion for those who don't like pergolas: consider planting wireless zelkova trees about 15-20' from your house.

They grow up to 37' wide and only about 20' high. They are perfect shade trees for planting near the house as they're wide enough to completely shade an area close to a home, but short enough to not cause damage if they were to fall.

[emcsquare]

Scott- I've got an idea. I'll order one, have it delivered and you can come and set it up for me. ~

[pyromethious]

One advantage of the hollow posts would be that you could run electrical inside it.
What is that table's glass made of? Transparent Aluminum?!?

[dougschadel]

Looks great but the winds by me would destroy it or any cover I try to put on it. I don't even think you broke a sweat lol. Up in ten hours heck yeah 🙌🙌

[frankcampos]

Do they make a version that attaches to the house instead of posts on one side? I want to install one on my 15’ x 29’ patio but would like to attach to the house. That way it doesn’t count against my outdoor structure square footage limit in the city ordinance.
Or do have another video that would show how to do it.

[NorCalNiche]

Drilling a pilot hole makes a screw hold around 20% better / stronger