THIS IS LIVING

Everyone loves a bit of alfresco time, so why not take it to the next level and create an outdoor living space for relaxing and entertaining? A roofed pergola protects you from the heat of the sun and gives you a spot to shelter outside when the weather’s a bit on the wet side. Give it a modern outlook by re-laying a paved path in a modern pattern and choosing an eclectic array of garden plants.

PROJECT BUILD THE PERGOLA

For you to note

Check with your local council on pergola size and position regulations, before you start building.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Determine positions of posts along the front of the pergola. Lift pavers and dig 800mm deep holes at post positions using a post-hole digger.

STEP 2 Cut wall plate to go along extent of your pergola. Determine height of wall plate, which here allows the roofing to fit under the fascia on the house. Hold against the wall, make level and screw into the wall studs using 125mm batten screws. Use two screws per stud. Use masonry anchors for brick walls.

Sit uncut posts into holes at each end of pergola, make plumb and temporarily brace. Mark level of top of beam on