Digging and Last Spring Freeze

Whether you’re planting spring flower bulbs or digging footings for your pergola, this NOAA map gives an estimate of your last freeze date.

Click here to check out our new Etsy store! Pergoladepot is your one stop source for all your pergola needs. 

Pergola Depot New Website

Our new website is now up! visit us at https://pergoladepot.com for all your pergola needs!

One of our most recent customer photos and testimonials from John in Merritt Island FL. John said "Thanks again for a great product and service"

Step Five, How To Install A Pergola, Top Slats

This is the fifth video in a series of instructional videos taking you through the entire installation process of the Big Kahuna or Sombrero Pergola Kit from Pergoladepot.com. All of our pergolas are pre-cut, pre-drilled, pre-marked, and come with a set of simple installation instructions written so that the "Average Joe" with no construction experience can Install them in about four hours. You choose your size, wood type, end cut, and post length, and we create a beautiful pergola that will look as if an experienced carpenter came to your house and custom built it on site.
www.pergoladepot.com

This is the fourth video in a series of instructional videos taking you through the entire installation process of the Big Kahuna or Sombrero Pergola Kit from Pergoladepot.com. All of our pergolas are pre-cut, pre-drilled, pre-marked, and come with a set of simple installation instructions written so that the "Average Joe" with no construction experience can Install them in about four hours. You choose your size, wood type, end cut, and post length, and we create a beautiful pergola that will look as if an experienced carpenter came to your house and custom built it on site.
www.pergoladepot.com

Step Three, How To Install A Pergola, Rafter Placement

This is the second video in a series of instructional videos taking you through the entire installation process of the Big Kahuna or Sombrero Pergola Kit from Pergoladepot.com. All of our pergolas are pre-cut, pre-drilled, pre-marked, and come with a set of simple installation instructions written so that the "Average Joe" with no construction experience can Install them in about four hours. You choose your size, wood type, end cut, and post length, and we create a beautiful pergola that will look as if an experienced carpenter came to your house and custom built it on site.

This is the first video in a series of instructional videos taking you through the entire installation process of the Big Kahuna or Sombrero Pergola Kit from Pergoladepot.com. All of our pergolas are pre-cut, pre-drilled, pre-marked, and come with a set of simple installation instructions written so that the "Average Joe" with no construction experience can Install them in about four hours. You choose your size, wood type, end cut, and post length, and we create a beautiful pergola that will look as if an experienced carpenter came to your house and custom built it on site.
https://pergoladepot.com/big-kahuna-pergola-kit-installation-instructions/

Great link to a blog post about Pergolas

Common FAQ's about our Pergolas

Here is a list of commonly asked Questions and that we get asked about our Pergolas, and an answer to each of them.If you have any Questions that you do not see listed please contact us at info@pergoladepot.com, or call us at 877-563-0002.

1. What is the difference between a Pressure Treated Pine and Rough Sawn Cedar Pergola?
   • Western Red Cedar is a beautiful light amber color. It has a wonderfully appealing fragrance that adds another dimension to its qualities. Western Red Cedar is also highly resistant to decay, which makes in great for outdoor use. It is lightweight with close, even grain. It is easily worked and can be finished smooth with little effort. Western Red Cedar takes paints and stains very well. Western Red Cedar is used in situations where exposure to the elements is continually severe.
   • Pressure Treated Pine is also very insect and rot repellant, and able to withstand severe elements, but has chemicals added to give it those properties. Pressure treated pine comes with a green appearance. As it dries it will turn to a golden brown, then gray if it is not water sealed or stained.
   
   
2. Will the pergola need to be stained or water sealed?
• The lumber does not need to be stained or water sealed, but as with any lumber it will weather to a gray color if not stained or sealed. To keep the lumber looking it's best we recommend sealing it once the first year, then every 2nd year thereafter. You can purchase a stain and water seal combination from any hardware store that goes on in one application and saves tons of time.


3. Can I stain and water seal the lumber before I install the pergola?
• If you order a Cedar Pergola you can stain the lumber before installation because the lumber is kiln dried. If you order a pressure treated pine pergola you will have to wait about a month to two months after it is installed in order for the lumber to be dry enough to absorb the stain or sealant. It is not recommended to leave the pine pergola parts out on the ground to allow the drying time as this will cause parts to twist and bow. 


4. How long will it take to receive my pergola once I place the order?
• We will have the pergola shipped within ten business days. Then it could take up to 7 business days in transit depending on what part of the country you're in. So all together you’re looking at about 2-1/2- 3 weeks. Custom sizes follow the same guideline. On some occasions during the peak season (Spring-Summer) custom orders could possibly take 12-15 business days to ship, but every effort is made to keep it under 10 business days. 


5. How are your pergolas measured?
• All of our standard size units are measured from outside tip to outside tip. There is always a 1'6" overhang past the post on all sides.


6. What if I don't see a size that will fit my situation?
• We offer custom sizes on all models of pergolas. Just fill out our custom quote request form and someone from our sales department will be in contact with you. Every effort is made to have a quote ready for you within 24 hours.


7. What if I need a pergola that is different from all of the designs you currently offer?
• If you have a drawing or an idea of what you would like, let us know and we would be happy to work with you to see if it can be made into kit form and give you a quote on it.


8.  How does the pergola kit come to my house?
• We custom build a pallet that goes under each kit, stack the pergola pieces on the pallet, then strap the pieces down and build crating around the outside to protect the lumber. The kit will come on the back of a semi truck and will need to be hand unloaded piece by piece. The driver is not required to help unload it, but most will anyway. The whole process takes about 10-15 minutes. Just make sure there is a healthy individual present to unload the lumber.


9. I've ordered my pergola, what happens now?
• You will receive an order confirmation showing the date that your order will ship.
•  Your order will then go to our shop where your pergola will be manufactured.
•  Upon shipment of your order you will receive a shipping confirmation with a link to the shipping company's website and a pro number to use while tracking your shipment. We will also attach the packing list for the shipment, a picture of the crate before getting loaded onto the truck, and the installation instructions.
• The shipping company will then call you (usually once the freight has reached the destination terminal) to set up a delivery appointment. Again, the kit will need to be hand unloaded piece by piece.


10. What do I need to have when the delivery driver shows up at my house?
• You will need a tool to cut the strapping from the crate (scissors or knife) and possibly a screw gun with a Phillips bit to uncrate the lumber. Every kit is crated a little differently due to the different sizes of pergola kits available. Not all crates will need to have screws removed but those that do will usually have 4-6 screws to take out in order to remove the pergola pieces from the crate.


11. Do you offer returns or refunds?
• We do not offer refunds or returns. All of our pergolas are cut to order with options specific to each customer, therefore no returns or refunds are accepted. All sales are final.


12. What happens if there is damage to my kit during shipping?
• 99% of our kits make it to their destination with no damage, but in the rare instance that there is damage, here's what to do:
• If when the driver shows up and you can plainly see that the crate has sustained damage or the lumber is no longer crated, it is best to refuse the shipment. This way the freight will be redirected back to our warehouse where we can then pull the crate apart and inspect each piece. We can then replace the parts that were damaged, rebuild the crate and resend the shipment. We work with the shipping companies on the claim process and you will not have to do anything.Important Note: This is not to be used for returning your order in cases of buyer’s remorse, or for any other reason. All sales are final. If we receive a shipment back with damage your order will take priority in our production schedule and your kit will be reshipped ASAP.
• If you cannot visually see that the crate has been damaged, and upon removing the pieces from the crate you find damage, you must make a note on the driver's delivery paper work. Take pictures of the damageand email them to support@pergoladepot.com. If this is not done we will have no grounds to make a claim against the shipping company and replacement parts will not be sent. Please hold on to the damaged pieces as the shipping company may need to send an inspector out to see the damage. Once we are through with the claim process on our side we will let you know. You will then be able to discard the damaged parts.

Spring is coming, and it's a great time to order a pergola kit for the coming summer months. Before you know it the summer sun will be beaming down on that hot back patio, and you will be wishing you had a pergola to shade you. Our pergola kits are shipped for free in the lower 48 states, and are built from sturdy #1 grade Pressure treated pine or tight knot rough sawn cedar. We will soon be adding vinyl pergola kits to our product line along with pergola canopies, and post base trim to cover the post base brackets used to connect the posts to a concrete patio. Pergoladepot.com, We've got you covered!

Pergola Kits for spring

Be sure to check out our pergola kits for this upcoming spring. Nothing frames in an outdoor room like a Do It yourself Pergola Kit. Order now so you are ready for the warm weather! And remember, all of our patio covers include free shipping!

Our Pergolas will be featured on 2 upcoming episodes of Indoors Out on DIY Network

Tune into DIY Network to see our pergolas being built with the hosts, Dean and Derrick.

Click Here to view the airing schedule for the Omaha Nebraska show!

Click here to view the airing schedule for the Orlando FL show!

Here are a few shots from the Orlando Show, where we helped Dean and Derrick install a 12X20 Rough sawn cedar Big Kahuna Pergola Kit. 

The yard before we began

Dean Squaring up the post layout

Setting the posts

Plumbing the posts

Helping the host install the ShadeFX shade system under the pergola

The Finished Product

Help Deciding Post lengths

When trying to decide which post lengths you need for your wood pergola kit, there are a few things to consider. The most important of which would be what part of the country you live in. Do live in the northern states where the ground is frozen for many months out of the year? Or do you live in the south where the ground never freezes. If you live where it freezes you will want to be sure that you set your posts deeper than the frost line. This will ensure that frost heave will not pop your pergola out of the ground like a cork. The correct depth can be determined by calling your local building code department. We also have a map that shows average frost depths across the country. This map is to be used as a reference only. Your local building code official will know the exact depth to dig to stay in compliance with local codes.  So in essence, warmer climates may be able to use 10' posts, which would be buried 2' in the ground, and colder climates will most likely use 12' posts which would be buried 4' in the ground.

If your pergola will be going on top of a patio you can order the 8 foot post option and add the post attachment hardware to your order. This will connect the posts to the patio and also hold the bottom of the post up 1" from the patio surface to keep the bottom of the posts out of water that may accumulate on the patio. Here is a picture of the post bases that would be provided.


If you will be sinking your posts into the ground you have two different options on how to pour the concrete around the posts:

Option #1. Works in warm climates where

the ground does not freeze.

Option #2 for climates where the ground freezes.

Notice option #2 has a flared bottom. When the concrete is set below the frost line and flared on the sides this prevents the frozen ground that will be pushing on the sides of the concrete from popping it out of the ground. Also the use of concrete form tubes helps this because the smooth surface of the tube will not allow the ground to grab the concrete and pull it up. If you follow these suggestions you are sure to have a shade pergola that will stay put where it was intended to be for the life span of the lumber. Take a shortcut and your bound to have a pergola that is out of level. Frost heave can push posts out of the ground 3" or more if not installed properly. 

  

Looking For a Pergola?

If you've been looking for a pergola, but are not sure about which site to order from, rest assured that Pergoladepot.com is the place. We have established ourselves as one of the top pergola builders in the industry today. Our pergola designs have proven themselves time and time again to be easy to install, and are built with only the highest quality materials available. Our customer service also sets us apart from our competition. With our live chat service and toll free phone line there is always a way to reach us right away. So be sure to check out our pergola kits, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions at all. We are always happy to help.  

Pergola on DIY Network's Indoors Out

Keep your eye on DIY Network's "Indoors Out" as we will soon be installing a 10X20 Big Kahuna Pergola for one of their upcoming episodes.

Shade FX

Pergolas are the ultimate outdoor living accessory. They define space in a way that makes it feel like a room, but without walls. They set the stage for cushioned furniture, coffee tables, ottomans and best of all, memorable parties and events. Till now, that was all a pergola provided, a defined outdoor space, leaving many wanting for sun and rain protection that just wasn’t part of the structure’s design purpose.

If you’ve been among those looking for comfort or protection from the elements at the push of a button, prepare for the awning of a new age! ShadeFX Canopies, has developed a new retractable canopy system that is designed to attach to wood pergola frames. Because it uses one beam (or track) to operate the canopy, it will not jam or bind if the wood frame shifts over time or the seasons. Only ShadeFX uses the new and patent pending ‘monorail drive’ that allows for areas up to 20’ wide and 30’ long to be protected from sun and rain. You can also order a waterproof fabric with welded seams that will protect from even heavy rain and for extended periods of time.

All ShadeFX canopies are made to order using only the finest materials like Sunbrella™ brand awning fabrics, and high strength 6063-T6 aluminum alloy components. When combined with the fact that it operates on a posted pergola frame, the result is a canopy system strong enough to take the winds of seaside locales, urban rooftops, and even Texas.

Visit www.shadefx.com to see a gallery of installations that reflect quality, performance, and outdoor living taken to the extreme in comfort and style. There are three versions available that range from affordable (operated manually) to downright indulgent (remote control motor drive). In all cases we’ll help you get the one that’s right for you. The future of outdoor living is ShadeFX. Ask for ShadeFX and we’ll do our best to make it the lifestyle decision you’ll never regret!

In todays tough economic times it's easy to get caught up in financial woes. Most people are worried about losing their jobs and how they are going to make it if that happens. If you have expendable income try your hardest to help those that may be in fear of losing their jobs by buying products that are made right here in the U.S.A. Pergola Depot is proud to offer do-it-yourself pergola kits that are made in America.

Spring is coming!

With winter getting ready to say good-bye it's time to start your outdoor plans. While these may include hiking and camping, don't forget about your own backyard. Pergola Depot offers a wide selection of do it yourself kits. Pergola Depot started with the philosopy that everyone should be able to afford a beautiful backyard. So what are you waiting for? Order a do it yourself pergola kit that won't break the bank!