The Surprising Benefit of Building a Pergola in Your Backyard

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

12x20 Pergola - geni.us/kphP 12x16 Pergola - geni.us/6oTG 12x14 Pergola - geni.us/mITJxA Simpson Strong Tie Anchors (1/2" x 4") - geni.us/xkZsBN 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.

[@weldo1948]

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. 😊

[@Peachlover345]

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

[@fizixx]

Yeah man, I thought the same thing. Gads

[@What1zTyme]

Hardest working man in DIY YT Land! Cool!

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

👊

[@kalrobbins2811]

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

[@MAGAMAN]

It's not real cedar. It's some kind of Chinese fir. Read the one star reviews.

[@cascivic]

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

[@DS-fc7ok]

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

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Yep, I actually want to use the top for solar panels but not sure i can get the structure approved for snow load.

[@whattheschmidt]

@@EverydayHomeRepairs Better to design with solar panels in mind from the get go. You can then have a proper angle to capture more energy at the right time of the year, or more throughout the year depending on your goals/needs. Also, there are ways to divert all the water away and keep it as complete rain cover too.

[@kikmedown]

​@@EverydayHomeRepairs Solar is the biggest reason why I would get this pergola kit. I live in Chicago and would definitely wanna know if snow is something that should stop me from getting this.

[@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.

[@johnmarquardt1991]

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.

[@Bigfoot14000]

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.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Where did you get the custom sized sun shades?

[@Bigfoot14000]

@@EverydayHomeRepairs Don't recall precisely where I ordered them, it was some years ago and I have since sold the property. I see that Amazon has several vendors shown. As I recall they were sold in 1 foot incremental sizes.

[@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.

[@MrFrankrizzo5150]

GREAT video Scooter!!!!!

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Thanks!!

[@Ambroseweatherradioandmore]

Scott grate work! 😊❤

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Thanks!

[@zekenzy6486]

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

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@hilbert551]

Looks good, great job. One point though, it will not offer much shade from my hot Texas summer sun without some sort of roof deck or corrugated metal roof.

[@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?!?

[@perryrhodan1364]

🎉

[@joannesmith1287]

I was dong a search and found the same pergola that you demonstrated. So I was glad of that. I am removing a very large tree that is the only shade in my yard. I wanted to add the pergola to replace the shade of the tree. Over time vines will add to the shadiness. I will not be attaching this pergola to concrete but installing in soil. Do you have any suggestions. I don''t want the posts to rot. I know it's a personal choice, but is there an advantage over installing a vinyl pergola over a wood one?

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

I would set sonotubes and fill will concrete for a foundation under each post and also that would keep them out of the soil. I know this is a lot more work but will really help extend the life of the pergola.

[@joannesmith1287]

@@EverydayHomeRepairs Thank you so much for your prompt response.

[@g35silver]

I have an old pergola that's in need of stain or ...something. It's in good shape but just needs a coat of...something. Can you do a video on how to bring an old pergola back to life? Minor repairs, upgrades if any and of course, the best products and methods to stain and/or water seal. Thanks in advance.

[@russ2991]

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.

[@erickmcgraw]

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

[@robertm5969]

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.

[@preluded]

I have a zelkova and I absolutely love it, great tree

[@infinera06]

They grow much taller than that! Think nearly 100 feet!

[@robertm5969]

@@infinera06 nope. Wireless zelkovas (aka Schmidtlow) are a specific cultivar of zelkova that grow very short

[@tjevo4g]

What drill bits do you recommend for drilling cement? Feels like every time I drill holes for Tapcon screws the bits only last one or two holes before they're completely useless.

[@dcavic6157]

I am looking to do this in the near fruture but live in the harsh New England area. Is the wood treated for the elements or would you recommend a wood sealer?

[@totti2k2]

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.

[@jaysongrice]

Agreed! I have never thought they served any purpose for shade or cooling, etc. I guess they can be used to improve porch / deck esthetics but what a waste of money with no practical purpose.

[@jimh1996]

In general I agree, however I have seen pergolas with beautiful climbing plants/flowers that do provide nice shade...of course you have to have the patience for the plants to reach maturity.

[@natersalad889]

Exactly!!

[@Enjoythepour]

Start growing your wisteria now!

[@vinstinct]

I had one in my backyard in my house when I moved in. Eventually covered it with a corrugated aluminum roof. Then took it down completely and got a fully aluminum patio. They don't serve much purpose except for plants.

[@connerjimenez]

Question, were you just at Lowe’s buying some anchors to hang up a red stag mount??

[@dougschadel8094]

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 🙌🙌

[@bfa178]

Just curious because I don’t have the materials in front of me, but could you not turn the bases around so the screws will countersink into them. Again not quarterbacking here just a curious thought.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Thanks for the feedback. I still think the screws would sit a bit proud but will all the other hole options I just went with the recessed solution 👍

[@NorCalNiche]

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

[@frankcampos1251]

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.

[@anpc86]

I eventually want to do somwthing like this as a cat-io with some screen mesh or boundary system of some kind People question the point, ah its for fun.

[@robertt8273]

Why did you anchor the posts last or close to last in this build? I would have anchored soon as I plumbed the structure. Seems like it does not block much sun. Do you then put some kind of roll shade on top of the structure?

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Yeah, I wanted to be able to make small adjustment until the end but if you are confident you could anchor earlier. I should have mentioned but I want to add solar panels to the top of the space to provide some shade and offset charging our EV. Not sure I can get approved for the panels but we will see 🤞

[@robertt8273]

@EverydayHomeRepairs that was my next thought. That is what I would do. I want to do solar so bad but my neighbor to the south has a HUGE oak tree which shades my roof. My yard is not big enough to put them on the ground. The only place is the driveway. Thinking of building a carport and put them there. Still in the research stage.

[@Obtuse94]

​@@EverydayHomeRepairsI know you might say why on EverydaySolar, but do you need approval from an HOA or the city/county?

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

HOA already approved and the city would usually want a construction permit (check snow loads) and electrical permit

[@juanb7527]

Is it strong enough to hold a swing?

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

I would say no since it has all the bolted joints.

[@Sideloader99]

Are you going to put solar panels on it ??

[@perryrhodan1364]

That is an interesting idea!

[@tgirvin1969]

You have a lot of faith in that tabletop...lol...I've seen them shatter with far less pressure, let alone hammering on it!!

[@bread_enthusiast8822]

Can I hire you😂

[@leondennis4659]

I wish they had an 8x10

[@nova31337]

not gonna lie, that bend at 6:38 made me wince. Don't get me wrong, it looks nice. Just one of those things when everything has bolts going everywhere.

[@ChuckP25.]

On a glass table? Come on, Man. Next video - how to buy a new patio table.

[@davepowder4020]

Today, it was confirmed to me that Pergola and Gazebo are NOT exotic cheese flavors!

[@Rangertex2.3]

Expanding anchors definitely the move , however I don’t think this truly needs any. Maybe geographical differences

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Yeah, this thing is definitely not going anywhere with that many large anchors 💯

[@BubbasDad]

Can't let my wife see this video

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

🤫 nothing to see here

[@azpcox]

I dunno. Hammering on top of that glass patio table has me at like a 12 in anxiousness. Had to fast forward. Spoiler- it made it to the end. Whew.

[@markraisner9000]

You need to make, or buy, a work table you can take with you. Working on a GLASS table does not cut it at all!

[@Nayr747]

You could have just planted some trees around the patio which would have not only provided shade but reduced the temperature unlike a pergola.

[@peterpowers4851]

I was really nervous watching him work on a glass patio table.

[@Guywithcrazyideas]

all that money and work for so little shade - I don't get it.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

A lot of people do Pergolas to break up a space, hang lights, or also increase the shade with some type of fabric or sun shade.

[@alternateName600]

according to amazon reviews, these arent cedar.. they are some kinda chinese fir

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Hmmmm 🤔 the product listed 100% Cedar wood.

[@robertm5969]

I have a kit sandbox with similar looking wood. The ad said cedar but the instructions said treated fir. I think it's stained fir.

[@ICoulntThinkofAUserNam547]

Hey just an FYI you may know already... When you post... I cant save to later :(

[@oddshoe28]

on desktop its under save>watch later.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Really, I don't have any setting active that would block you. Thanks for the heads up and I will test on a few different devices.

[@BeugsTheLegend]

All I read in the title was “Do you have a bunch of money to spend on wood but don’t want to get any protection from the sun, wind or rain in return? Well have I got the project for you.” Good video for what it is but pergolas are worthless.

[@MAGAMAN]

That thing was way too short and all those small pieces just mean its going to fail much sooner.

[@Peachlover345]

Yeah I think it should be higher than the windows

[@MAGAMAN]

If it doesn't come with real instructions, I'm not interested. I'm not squinting at some stupid cell phone app to try to set something up.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

It comes with the paper copy as well 👍

[@mr.c6674]

Tablets work too. I used BILT app for patio chairs, and shed. It was pretty darn cool, easy to follow, and detailed. Much better than printed instructions.

[@SometimeAgo65]

As another person commented...Do NOT plant a wisteria vine. They're beautiful but so invasive and impossible to remove once you realize you made a mistake 😕🥴🥱

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

Thanks so much for the feedback!

[@TianaMireyaLilliana]

fixmyproperty AI fixes this. Easy DIY pergola build kit!