Pergola DIY

Spring is here and it’s been soooo nice to get outside and work on some outdoor projects. Last year we built an entire deck and I’ve been slowly adding some furniture and fun plants. We have these beautiful glass doors and windows and I thought that a decorative pergola above these doors would be the perfect final touch.

This adds so much charm and it’s going to look even better with some climbing plants and vines running through it. It’s the perfect weekend DIY project if you’re looking to spruce up an exterior doorway, window or garage!

MATERIALS / TOOLS

For the pergola I’m using these 1x2x8’ cedar boards to cut down for the very top pieces.

Then I have these 2x4x12’ cedar boards for the two cross pieces.

I found these cedar corbels on Amazon, I love the detailing and they’re the perfect size! These are 6” wide, 8” deep and 12” high.

I have some exterior grade wood screws as well as some Tapcon concrete screws to secure the corbels to the house.

To finish the pergola I’m using this 7” pro fence and deck brush from Fence Armor as well as their semi solid expert stain and seal in the color Barnwood.

STEP 1: CUT LUMBER

I took a measurement of the doors and laid out the corbels on each side of the door to get the measurement of my two long cross pieces. I made sure the cross pieces extended past the doors and the 6” wide corbels.

First, cut the two 2×4’s down to size.

Then cut down each of the 1×2’s. This is going to be a pretty narrow pergola – these lattice boards are only 12” each.

I wanted to add some fun detail to these boards so I cut a scrap template first and then traced the design onto the 2×4’s.

Then cut the ends of the 2×4’s with my jig saw

For the 1×2’s I didn’t want to just leave them straight cut so I cut a 45 degree angle starting about a 1/2” down.

STEP 2: SAND LUMBER

The boards are all cut down to size and now I’m doing a quick rough sand with 80 grit sand paper. I also used some sand paper to hand sand the corbels a bit.

STEP 3: STAIN LUMBER

Everything is sanded down and now it’s time for stain!

I went through and stained the 1×2’s, corbels and 2×4’s

Now that all of the cedar is sanded and stained, it’s time to start assembling the pergola!

STEP 4: SECURE CORBELS

Before securing the corbels, I pre-drilled holes. I will then secure four tapcon screws to each corbel.

I also pre-drilled two holes in the top of each corbel that will go up into the 2×4’s.

I used a special masonry bit to drill into our concrete. I taped off the drill bit so I don’t over drill.

I leveled and marked out each of the corbels then pre-drilled holes into the concrete.

After the holes were drilled I was able to easily secure the corbels with the tapcon screws.

STEP 5: SECURE 2×4’s

I set the 2×4’s in place – made sure they were evenly spaced and then secured two screws going through the top of the corbel.

The 2×4’s are spaced about an 1 1/2” apart – leaving an 1 1/2” gap from the 2×4 to the house.

STEP 6: SECURE 1×2’s

Before securing the 1×2’s – I pre-drilled holes and then started each of the screws to make it easier to install.

I spaced the 1×2’s 4” apart and used a speed square to make sure each of the 1×2’s were set square in place.

Annnnd there you have it!! A beautiful, decorative pergola!

Check out more DIY tutorials HERE!