Pergola - Tools and Materials

Finding Tools and Materials

Do check out the Fantastic Offers Page first, as I list many bargains on both tools and materials there.

So - there are 3 ways that you can source tools

• Online
• Local DIY Store
• Local specialist store

Almost all items on the tools and materials list can be found easily and cheaply online. Buying this way does tend to be considerably cheaper (tools especially), delivery is prompt and it saves a trip to the various stores to collect items. However, it may be more convenient to source from a local store.

Included below are some 'Important Notes', which give links to places, where you can source items locally. These notes also give suggestions on which tools are best for a range of jobs, which materials to use etc. and safety issues - no, you mustn't build this pergola in your slippers. This has also been known to happen!

Either way, there should be no problems finding the equipment you need.

How to use the tools and materials lists

2. Print the relevant lists and put them in a folder with the pergola plans and the rafter tail end template of your choice.

You can find a ready-made rafter tail template - here

3. Take a look at 'Adapting The Plans' to check if there are any adjustments you would like, or need, to make.

4. Read the ‘Important Notes’ below.

5. Tick off any items that you have or can borrow on both the tools and materials list.

6. Decide which items you need, or wish, to buy.

Buying Tools and Materials

1) Click on the relevant tools and materials list and print it out if you wish.

2) Enter the item name in the search box.

Buying from a local DIY store or local specialist store:

Find a store near you from your local directory:

Yell.com
BT Directories.co.uk

It could be a timber yard, builders merchant, agricultural and commodities supplier, a DIY store or mixture.

You can phone to check that they have the items in stock.

Buying online and from a local store:

This can often be a practical solution. A good local timber merchant should have all the treated timber you require.

Important Notes - Tools

You could build the pergola using simple hand tools but will save a lot of time and effort if you use powered tools.

Especially useful is an electric drill – either corded or cordless.

One of my favourite tools is my reciprocating saw. It saves a lot of time and effort cutting the rafters. They come in both mains and cordless, but the mains-powered is preferable, as the batteries soon run down with the cordless type.

Cordless V. Corded Tools:

Cordless tools are great because you can use them anywhere and there are no cords to get in the way. Many jobs can be done with a cordless tool.

For more heavy-duty jobs, a corded tool is handy because generally they are more powerful, especially when using the hammer drill action for jobs such as drilling masonry.

Chuck with a Key V. Keyless Chuck:

The chuck is the part at the end where the drill bit or screwdriver bit fits. I go for a keyless chuck every time. It saves hunting for the key, and the drill and screwdriver bits are easier to change. However, over time, a keyless chuck may lose its grip a little.

Tip – if you buy a drill with a chuck and key, tie the key around the cord, a little way from the drill and hopefully that way you won’t lose it! However, it is rare that you see this type now.

My Recommendations:

Use a power tool if it is going to save you a significant amount of time and energy. Many people have said that the reciprocating saw was their best investment.

If possible have a cordless drill and a corded drill; the first for general use, and the second for more heavy-duty jobs.

When doing a job where you need to keep changing the drill bits and screwdriver bits, use the corded drill to drill holes and the cordless drill to screw screws in. It saves a great deal of time changing the drill bits and screwdriver bits!

Safety:

Always take great care when using power tools.
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
Don’t use in the damp or rain.
Use a circuit breaker where you plug the tool in.
Keep children and pets well away from the work area.
Concentrate! – stop for a break regularly and don’t work when you are feeling tired.

Important Notes - Materials

If you would prefer to put your posts in with concrete, go to ‘Adapting the Plans’ for futher detailed information.

Length of wood:

The length of the rafters will depend on how wide and deep you wish to make your pergola. You can easily estimate the lengths you will need.

Measure, on the ground, how wide you want your entrance be – let’s say 6’. Add 18” for the rafter tail ends, which gives you 7’ 6”, so you should easily be able to get each rafter out of a 8’ plank.

If you want to build the pergola more or less according to the plans, then you will need 8 planks of wood at 8’(3.200m) long.

Avoid extending the width, or depth, of your pergola to over 6’, with only 4 posts.To extend the length or depth of your pergola to more than 6’ go to ‘Adapting the Plans’

Type of wood:

You can use any type or colour of wood but it must be tanalised / pressure treated to stop it rotting. (The pergola that I built in my garden has lasted for 20 years and is still going strong). Use a cut end preserver to prevent the effects of weathering. You can paint this onto the cut ends before you attach to the structure, or do it afterwards.

Un-planed wood fits into metposts exactly. If you would prefer a smooth ‘finish’ to the wood, it will have to be ‘planed’. However, this has a marked effect on the finished size and therefore will be too small to fit into the Metposts. For ‘planed’ wood, I would suggest using concrete to put the posts into the ground.

If you wish to give your pergola a more ‘chunky’ feel, using thicker wood, or would like to use planed wood, go to ‘Adapting the Plans’

Trellis panels:

The use of trellis panels is optional. You don’t need to have any or you could have 2 or 3. You would have 3 if you wanted to sit under the pergola, where it would act as a shady retreat, such as a seated arbour.

To learn more about how to do this visit ‘Adapting the Plans’

The height of the trellis panel will usually be 6’. As the panels usually come in widths of so many feet, you would generally go for a 4’, 5’ or 6’ wide panel.

Buying wood:

Try to buy all of your wood from the same place if you can, whether it is off the Internet or from a local supplier.

All Set?

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