Patio and pergola installation

[woodlot]

Yeah, What GT does after its taken off the stack at the lumberyard can be pretty amazing. I lag railing posts to the framing on decks with 1/2" lags to the point of sinking the rounded head into the wood. I come back three weeks later to retorque. Usually 1/2 or more lossen up to the point that I can turn the nut by hand. Amazing but true. I won't buy any more GT wood than what I can install that or the next day. Store in the shade and stacked as much as possible.

 

[VABlue]

Thanks Woodlot, now I have all of the 2x6's and 2x4's I need for the top structure of the pergola. I was going to get the drain tile in and covered first, but I'm scared of the PT moving around on me!

Question: what is the best way to attach the 2x6's across the four 2x10 joists? I plan on notching them 1.5" to sit down over the joists, but otherwise don't really know how to attach them properly. I doubt glue is enough, and have thought about drilling in dowel rods to help the glue. Is that enough, or am I stuck with hurricane straps (which I'd rather stay away from due to looks)? Would a framing nailer be useful in the long run? Any help is appreciated...

 

[Defective]

I would either toenail the 2x6s on or use long lag screws. I wouldn't glue them as I've rarely seen glue work worth a darn on PT lumber.

 

[VABlue]

I had planned on getting the drain tile in and covered with dirt this weekend, but decided to get on with the pergola instead. I used seven 2x6x12' to go across the 4 joists, and have five 2x4's to put over the 2x6's. I got the 2x6's shaped this morning, then cut some grass while waiting for the mid-morning sun to leave the pergola area. This let me get the 2x6's notched and placed on the joists. I'll come in next weekend with a framing nailer to permanentize (new word) them. Here's some photo's...


The little 2305 ready for work


Loaded up, secured, and ready for transport - 7 2x6x12'; 5 2x4x12'; and 150# of sand below the lumber in the bucket


Craziness - getting the first board up for marking. Too much work, I need to be smarter and safer!


Notched... I used a circular saw to cut into the board on both sides then chiseled it out


One down, 6 to go...


Finshed up


Another shot

It was too hot to do anything else, so I'll resume next weekend with the framer and 2x4's. Maybe then I'll get to the drain tile? BTW, the other boards were much easier to get in place by putting one end on a joist and climbing the step ladder with the other end. I spaced them at 20" and fit the seven pretty well.

 

[VABlue]

I noticed the brush gaurd on the tractor after finishing with the beams and cleaning up. I had swept off the grill after mowing and forgot to put it back up. Glad nothing got damaged!

 

[woodlot]

Wow, that looks fantastic! How did you end up fastening the perlins? That's a tricky one. Maybe a long screw, like a Timber-Lock, from the top? (predrilling a must!) I bet pocket-screws from below would work too.

 

[VABlue]

Thanks... I haven't fastened them, yet. I was going to get up there with a framing nailer but have since reconsidered and pretty much decided on the screws from top. I'll need to get something to fill in the holes, though.

 

[woodlot]

Nah, you don't need to fill the holes. Just go to a good lumber yard and look at thier ss screws. You should be able to find some 5 inchers with a washer-head, drive 'em flush and your done. Just don't ask how much they cost.

 

[VABlue]

"Just don't ask how much they cost."

That sounds ugly...

 

[flusher]

Thanks... I haven't fastened them, yet. I was going to get up there with a framing nailer but have since reconsidered and pretty much decided on the screws from top. I'll need to get something to fill in the holes, though.

I use Simpson hurricane brackets for that job. Makes it easy. Some folks don't like the look of these brackets. But I figure that the bolts holding the main frame of the pergola are in plain sight, so why not these brackets.