My Asian Style Pergola (Almost!)

by John Harford
(Crossgates, Leeds, UK)

I purchased the Asian Style Pergola plan from this web-site and it is well worth the money.

You do have to read it a few times to fully understand the construction but everything you need is there.

I used adjustable bolt down post supports purchased from Amazon, and these made it super easy to adjust the post height to make up for unevenness of the ground. I managed to do all the construction myself and without a number of quick release clamps it would have been difficult.

The only thing I struggled with were the curved rafters.

Firstly I was only able to source 9" wide planks, so the measurements in the plan had to be adapted and it wasn't particularly straightforward. When I came to cut the curves my jig saw just would not keep vertical and the cuts were terrible (although the carved tails I did were great). In the end I just used straight rafters , which although do not give the full Asian effect, I am still very happy with the result. Measuring and cutting the roof rafters is the most tricky bit and measure twice, cut once is a must!

All I have to now is source a better finial and fashion little wood surrounds for the base of the posts.

This was a really rewarding project and adds so much to our garden!

Hopefully as I get plants to grow up the pergola the effect will only be enhanced.