Pergola Bracing for Existing Deck

How do you add a pergola over your existing deck without adding posts that extend all the way to cement bases? Here is a solution that I came up with that I feel really good about. Comment below with your ideas.

[@rolibhamilton426]

I am just starting out with my own handyman business and this was a project I was asked to do. They wanted a pergola on a 12’ x 12’ deck that already had a railing and I was trying to find the best way to add it. This helped me immensely and that is the perfect idea. Thank you!!!

[@kevingreen7418]

How did your project turn out? Any pictures?

[@paulrhodes3094]

I know this is two years old but to those people saying joist hangers you need to pay attention. The deck is cantilevered and the spot where you’re asking for hangers is the rim. It isn’t load bearing. It is hanging on the joist tails. But I do agree in dropping the new post to the bottom of the joist, adding blocking and lag or carriage bolts.

[@jhrcoffice2537]

How is the deck handling the stress of the additional weight? With 4 posts and additional 2x8 at the top it has to be at least 600lb. I also noticed your existing deck joists don't have joist hangers. I would strongly suggest adding them. Screwing the screws into the bottom of the column does not work very well for wind proofing. I would suggest dropping the columns to the bottom of the frame(cutting through the decking) and using carriage bolts to secure them instead.

[@quantumx5727]

My thoughts exactly.

[@38SUPERDURANGO]

That's an accident waiting to happen. With no joist hangers. Never too late to add them.

[@davebona9592]

Ok totally agree, I am securing my posts directly to the structure of the deck with a shit ton of bracing and strapping.

[@Sunnyside--Up]

Exactly! Thank you for re-assuring my thoughts as well because this video, every time I come across in my searches gives me the shivers each time.

[@nickcross2684]

I would’ve ran them lower. All the way to the bottom of the joist. Then block from the side. Wayyyy stronger. Just like doing a rail. You basically have a newel’d post

[@Pure3nrg]

Block from the side? You would have used THREE 2x10s to sandwich the joist (assume 2x10 joists) then use a bracket, not sure what block from the side means?

[@nickcross2684]

@@Pure3nrg you only “neweled “ the post. Look up post blocking. Trust me there is a way stronger way to do this. It’s Hard to explain like this. This wouldn’t meet code where I live

[@davebona9592]

@@nickcross2684 your basically putting post to bottom of joist then using blocking to transfer lateral movement to entire structure of joists.

[@raulcastro1336]

so the pergola post is attached to the deck board by 2 lag screws from the bottom up into the post and the triple boards goes under the pergola post to carry the weight covering up the lag screw?

[@oneofakindlifestyle]

Thank you this helps me a lot. 🥳

[@sagittariusmax5419]

just had my deck done and want to put a gazebo. how do you secure the gazebo post unto the deck when you dont have access underneath the deck to out blocking.

[@TheAdrianRubio]

Curious to know how you went about this. I have a rooftop deck I want to put a pergola on but don’t have access underneath it. Wondering what I could do to secure it in.

[@DuAuskenner]

Awesome! Just subbed

[@karar302]

Is it still standing?

[@SpiritofaHandyman]

Sure is!

[@daveleaverdl]

Watching this in 2023. Read comments. I'm from UK our regs are so different to what I'm reading. People barely use hangers on deck frames and we have no issues lol. Sounds like yours are over engineered. My deck has couple old screws In

[@zm3111]

I agree with the over engineered .. a lot of people are building and doing these things for other people too so they definitely want to make sure and over doing things for safety .. I’m in Ontario Canada, joist hangers cost $2 each obviously that can add up but really not a big expense on the overall project for the benefit it brings, it is also code and might as well. However I do think 3-4 screws on each end of joist would be fine for 50+ years or more

[@daveleaverdl]

@@zm3111 yeah if I was doing for a client I guess. I've taken the old deck up now I didn't do that was just saying you know it's done crap and it was actually quite difficult to remove even though just screwed with pants screws. I've gone for 2x6 with 3 6.7x150mm landscaping screws per joist end. Feels solid as

[@rafaelsanchez6388]

Hi, this is something I been thinking doing on my deck but I have a question do you think in the future will be a problem with the building department of the town? And also are you attaching the pergola to the house building like is your deck?

[@rafaelsanchez6388]

Thank you in advance and good luck with your project

[@SpiritofaHandyman]

Either the building department will approve it right away, tell you to tear it down right away, or they will not notice

[@inivg3436]

Can you please explain how did you attach the post to the deck? I understand you added the 2x6 below to join two join but how the post is actually attached to the deck. Kindly explain. Thank you.

[@SpiritofaHandyman]

We screwed in 6" lag screws from beneath the deck and that holds the beam down (should a strong wind sweep up).

[@readmusicstudio6481]

@@indidginus I did not but that is a great idea

[@1967onebob]

hopefully you have factored in the total weight of the pergola and movement that strong winds will cause. I would definitely get an engineer stamp before I build.

[@dam8072]

Yolo

[@boondock1223]

So the extra wood on the bottom of the deck is to support even weight between the two joists? What would you suggest if I wanted to secure a metal gazebo post that doesn't align with the joists of the deck?

[@SpiritofaHandyman]

I would put some joist bracing between joists to help distribute the weight over to the joist on either side

[@boondock1223]

@@SpiritofaHandyman how would you secure an aluminum post to the deck if it isn't aligned with one of the joist? The base of the post has 4 holes to screw the post down.

[@boondock1223]

@@SpiritofaHandyman also thank you for responding! Appreciate it immensely!

[@SpiritofaHandyman]

@@boondock1223 I would add some blocking between the joists so it deflects that weight to either joist

[@j.peaceo1031]

Unsound.

[@tylersmith293]

Yikes.