Building a Freestanding Pergola on Your Backyard

Building afreestanding pergola have at least four posts and like their name says, stand without being attached to any other structure or wall. They are typically located independent of any anchored surface like a deck or patio and therefore require the posts to be sunk into post-hole footings or to have the posts surface mounted to concrete footings. Be sure your freestanding pergola is properly anchored for worry free enjoyment. Anchoring pergola posts to paving stones is not an acceptable method of anchoring.

Advantages of Free Standing Pergolas

The advantage of building a freestanding pergola is there are no limitations on total size, height, or orientation. There are however always limits to the span of the beams. Unless you are working in structural steel (and we do work with that quite often), spans should be limited to twenty feet between posts to avoid special orders and special prices that go with extra-long lumber. Also, the larger the pergola, the higher the rafters should be to keep things in proportion. We are aware of a homeowner that had a 20’ X 20’ pergola made using an 8’ clearance. From a distance it looked like a coffee table. The homeowner had it raised and put on taller posts to fix it. Don’t let that happen to you.

If you want to put your freestanding pergola in the corner of the yard, is there a minimum amount of space needed between it and the property line? This is usually called the ‘lot line setback’. Permits are sometimes a bigger concern with a freestanding pergola because it is more likely to block a neighbor’s view if it is in the yard instead of attached to your house. If it is a big area you are covering the pergola will be higher, so the neighbor could be more inclined to complain.

How to build a freestanding pergola?

Determine where to sink the pergola's six support posts after checking for gas, water, or electric lines. Drive a stake and string at the first corner. The six-by-six posts must be aligned perfectly straight and parallel to each other. Position a large layout triangle along a two-by-two at the pergola's front edge. Stretch string to the back corner, ensuring that the angle at the front stake is 90 degrees. Align a stake at the back corner. This pergola/arbor design is rectilinear.

Lastly, dig six holes within the chalk lines with a posthole digger, making them slightly deeper than 3 feet. Building codes in this hurricane-prone area require that holes be at least 3-feet deep to keep the posts stable in high winds for building a freestanding pergola that works best for your home.