DIY PERGOLA STRUCTURE WITH SWINGS

courtesy of Remodelaholic.com
Designed by Lauren and Brett Ashworth of Little White House Blog
Find the original tutorial and more details at http://www.remodelaholic.com/build-diy-pergola-tutorial-firepit-swings/
These instructions are provided for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a professional if you are attempting any projects of which you are unsure. Take all safety
precautions when using power tools or other dangerous objects and read the instruction manuals before using any device of which you are unsure. Remodelaholic is not
responsible for any injury or damage sustained while attempting to duplicate projects or tutorials. All projects are done at your own risk.

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TOOLS

Measuring tape
4 ft. level
mason's line
marking paint
speed square
reciprocating saw
corded drill
12" long 1/2" bit
skill saw/circular saw
drill driver
rotary level (optional)
auger
post hole digger

MATERIALS
(based on an 8 foot diameter firepit and a 24 foot diameter pergola)

(17) 6X6X12 foot pressure treated pine beams

(10) 2X10X12 foot pressure treated pine beams
(2) 2X6X12 foot pressure treated pine beams
Two corbels
Quick setting concrete (two bags per post)
Approximately 100-125 stone landscape blocks
Liquid Nails Landscape Adhesive
(12) 1/2"X10" eye bolt with nut
4" exterior decking screws (5 lb box)
(5) Glass bulb string lights (optional)

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STEP 1: Prepare the area

Choose an area on your property to begin building your project. Place a stake in the center of your build
space. The layout of the circular design of the fire pit and pergola will be referenced from this point.

Using a tape measure, determine the radius of your fire pit and pergola from the center stake. Mark the
exterior points using orange marking paint. **The materials specified on this tutorial are based on the
measurements required for our exact project. (4 ft. radius on our fire pit and 12 ft. radius on our pergola.) You
can modify the design per your own preference.**
To mark the points: tie a string around the center stake. Stretch the string out to the length of your first radial
mark. (Ours was at 4 ft.) Hold the string tight and using your paint, walk in a full circle marking the entire
circumference for your fire pit. Repeat process at the next radial mark to create boundary markings for the
pergola portion of the project. (Ours was 12 ft.)
This design requires eight 6X6X12 wooden posts spaced 12 feet apart to anchor the pergola. Use a 2X4 cut to
12 feet in length to determine and mark where you will need to set your posts.
To mark your post locations: determine where you want your pergola entrance to be and place the 2X4 there
on the outermost circle. Each end of the 2X4 must be touching your orange marks. Mark each end where the
2X4 is placed. Pick up the 2X4 and rotate it around the circle by placing one end where your last marking is.
Once you've circled all the way around, you should have eight intersecting marks along the outermost circle.
These points are where you will place your posts.
Using an auger, dig your post holes approximately 3 feet deep. Use a post hole digger to remove any
remaining dirt the auger may leave behind.

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STEP 2: Installing posts

Place a 6X6X12 wooden post in each post hole. One flat face of each post should be facing the center of
pergola, directly towards the fire pit.
Using a level, level your post as much as possible. Each post will require two bags of fast setting concrete
mix. Pour concrete bags around the base of the post and add water per the product directions to stabilize the
post. Using a level, level the post in both directions before the concrete sets. Repeat steps for each post.
Cut your posts to desired height or to the height of the shortest post. Ours posts are 9 feet tall. To do this, use
a rotary laser level to ensure that all the heights of all the posts are level. (If you do not own a rotary laser
level, you can make an affordable water level to achieve the same result. You can find tips on that HERE.) Use
a speed square to mark square lines on all four sides. Using circular saw, cut along the lines on each side of
the post. Then, use a reciprocating saw with a woodcutting blade to finish cutting the remaining wood.

STEP 3: Installing the fire pit

Dig a trench around the circumference of the fire pit approximately as deep as one of the stone blocks you're
using to build the pit. This will anchor the fire pit.
To create the first row of stones for your fire pit, begin laying your blocks tightly together. It's ok if the back
edges are farther apart. You can adjust them based on the design you prefer. Spread liquid-nails landscape
adhesive one top of the first row of stone blocks. Begin layering your second row of stone blocks, making
sure to stagger the seams. Repeat steps until fire pit is as tall as desired. You can also use a curved fire pit
kit like Justin and Cassity did here.

STEP 4: Prepare anchor posts and install beams + top plate

The following illustrations demonstrate how to cut the top of the anchor posts so that you can install the
beams that span from post to post. (You will hang your swings from these horizontal beams.)
Measure and mark the top of each beam according to the measurements on the illustration.

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To create your own exact measurements for the next step, set your beams on top of the cut posts making
sure to align the interior edge of the beam with the corner of each post. From the underside of the post, use a
pencil to mark the the angle to the bottom side of the beam. This will ensure that the beams and post will fit
tightly together.

To secure the top beams, use 4" long deck screws from the outside into the pie shaped section of the
support post.
The last step to complete the pergola framing is to cut and install the top plate that caps the beams. These
plates are mitered so that they meet evenly in the corners over each post. Measure, cut and place your plates
according to the illustration, overlapping the joint.

Secure the top plates with 4" deck screws, and also place screws through the top plate into the beam about
every 10".
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STEP 5: Installing swings

Using a corded drill with a 12" long and 1/2" bit, drill the holes to place your eye bolts for your swing
hardware. You will need to find the center of each pergola section and your measurements will depend on the
length of your porch swings. We used six 6 foot porch swings that we purchased from a local craftsman.
Install eye bolts and secure your porch swings in each opening.

STEP 6: Create the bar/storage area

In the opening directly across from the pergola entrance, we chose to create a multi-purpose bar area that
also serves as an area for wood storage.
To create this feature, we divided the distance between the two posts into thirds and placed two 6X6 posts
cut to 5' tall to support the bar top. Use an auger or post hole digger to create the hole for the two support
posts. Place a post in each hole and use a level to level the posts in each direction. Stabilize them using quick
setting concrete according to concrete directions. Next, trim 1.5" off of the the front and rear facing sides of
the two bar posts. (5.5" depth) *See Illustration*

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Cut and install two 2X6 beams to fit

between the two main support posts.
They will rest on the two bar posts
for support. Attach each beam
securely to each post with screws.
Attach a corbel to both bar posts
beneath each beam for additional
support.

We used two 2X10 beams as our

upper and lower level bar top
surfaces. Trim each end of the 2X10
beams to fit tightly between the two
outside support posts. The angle of
these cuts will vary based on the
dimensions between your posts and
the angle at which they are
positioned. Place each beam
horizontally across the span of the
bar area and use a level to level the
beam. Secure both beams using
screws.

Once you've finished placing your

outdoor seating as desired and
stocked your firewood, you are ready
to enjoy your own slice of outdoor
heaven!

STEP 7: Finishing
Once you've allowed ample time for
your pergola to acclimate to its
surroundings and for the wood to dry
out, we recommend that you seal or
stain all wood surfaces using a water
proofing product. (Two consecutive
dry weeks is the standard
recommendation.)

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DIY Pergola Structure with Swings - page 8 of 8

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Add-on: Removable Outdoor Screen

Our next proposed addition to this space is a removable outdoor screen that will hang in the opening above
the bar area. We plan to host our family and friends for outdoor movie screenings and gatherings. Below is an
illustration of our plan.
The screen will be comprised of a rectangular wooden frame with outdoor fabric stretched and secured to the
rear facing side. It will hang in the bar opening by turn buckles and will be designed to be easily removed and
stored when not in use. The estimated cost for this addition is approximately $125.

Outdoor Movie Screen Proposal - Front View

Outdoor Movie Screen Proposal - Rear View

Finished! Send us a picture @Remodelaholic #imaremodelaholic on Facebook and Instagram

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