Wood or other material to build top of pergola

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Duane, make a "house" version of trinituner!!!

I think we just did! Just post about it here and if it gets big enough we can start a house&home forum!

[*KRONIK*]

Duane, make a "house" version of trinituner!!!

I think we just did! Just post about it here and if it gets big enough we can start a house&home forum!

this is relevant to my interests!

[l200guy]

I know it is about 10 years later, but how did this stand-up over time Duane?

I built one using greenheart
Paul 684-5350

This is what I did in Google SketchUp




this is the final product (waiting for the grass and plants to grow)









will check unique doors cause I really want to change the front door and get rid of the burglar proofing.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

^ held up well.
I enclosed the garage and added a floor above garage. The pergola survived all of that.
I have to refinish it every 18 months or so cause it’s on the windward side of the house. So sun and rain takes a toll. I’ve been using Helmsman MinWax satin finish.
I changed the screws to brass screws about a year ago.

[VexXx Dogg]

very nice!
I'm seeing PVC pergolas gaining popularity, but I don't like the white at all.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

^ it's harder to keep the stone coral tiles clean than the pergola

[pugboy]

i would imagine given the porosity of them

you lucky with that greenheart
sometimes they fade with sun and mildew also sets in

^ it's harder to keep the stone coral tiles clean than the pergola

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

i would imagine given the porosity of them

you lucky with that greenheart
sometimes they fade with sun and mildew also sets in

^ it's harder to keep the stone coral tiles clean than the pergola

yeah and I dont want to put a stone sealant on it as that makes it look shiny and unnatural

I have changed 2 rafters over the years
The fading in the sun is a real thing - I am yet to find a varnish that will last years.
The MinWax does a good job but every so often it needs sanding and refinishing.
I much prefer the satin/matte finish than glossy

[VexXx Dogg]

Ever considered a marine grade sealant?
that might last long, the problem might be availability or cost

[worksux101]

i would imagine given the porosity of them

you lucky with that greenheart
sometimes they fade with sun and mildew also sets in

^ it's harder to keep the stone coral tiles clean than the pergola

yeah and I dont want to put a stone sealant on it as that makes it look shiny and unnatural

I have changed 2 rafters over the years
The fading in the sun is a real thing - I am yet to find a varnish that will last years.
The MinWax does a good job but every so often it needs sanding and refinishing.
I much prefer the satin/matte finish than glossy

There's a matte stone sealant I got from either Hampton or stonehouse...works great and keeps the coral generally moss free

I did my pergola from zinc rhs, and had corbels custom made from styroforms for the edges.
Used lifetime's clear polycarb sheeting on top but it's only been a few months and looks horrible (there's only a 4" grade across 25' so the runoff must be too slow).
Likely going to use an underceiling to cover the base and use coroplast or similar (the tinted awning material) to create skylights. Anyone knows where I can get? (The coroplast that is)

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

^ I’ll check for it and do a small area to see.

I use a floor attachment on the pressure washer on the coral - works great with minimal effort

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Ever considered a marine grade sealant?
that might last long, the problem might be availability or cost

I used a yacht varnish from Peakes on a wooden butcher block countertop in the laundry room and it turned yellow

[pugboy]

the minwax is good because it is simply an oil finish which soaks in and eventually wears/dries out

other finishes like varnish, poly etc are a layer which dries over and will often flake off or change colour.
to redo is headache as you would have to sand it off.

[gastly369]

Pergola? All I seeing is evo....

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Pergola? All I seeing is evo....

LOL

[worksux101]

Ever considered a marine grade sealant?
that might last long, the problem might be availability or cost

I used a yacht varnish from Peakes on a wooden butcher block countertop in the laundry room and it turned yellow

Use a marine resin and car clear coat. I used that on my pool coping (teak) and it's been holding up well.

The yacht varnish (and the minwax to some extent) need to be sanded and recoated - helps to prevent the yellowing.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Won't that be very glossy?

[toyolink]

Built a few of these over the years both for myself and clients.
I like the look but hate the maintenance.
What I have found is as you get older many of these beautification add-ons seem to be just designed to cause stress.
Many resorts have used these attachments to open dining and lounge areas with varying long term results.
Fading and challenges with coatings are normal.

[worksux101]

Won't that be very glossy?

Not really. You lose the texture of the wood though. I'll post a picture during the daylight

[pugboy]

wood in outdoors is maintenance

the cookin vibes place in woodbrook opp brooklyn bar is on to their 3rd wooden deck in less than 5 years

[gastly369]

wood in outdoors is maintenance

the cookin vibes place in woodbrook opp brooklyn bar is on to their 3rd wooden deck in less than 5 years

And I'm in process of doing a pool deck.. May use the composite wood

[Gladiator]

wood in outdoors is maintenance

the cookin vibes place in woodbrook opp brooklyn bar is on to their 3rd wooden deck in less than 5 years

What about composite wood? they hold up to the weather and requires no maintenance...

[pugboy]

go and see the composite wood that was installed on chaguaramar boardwalk
it is warped all how
maybe it didn’t have a rigid structure below

[worksux101]

Be careful with the composite. There's trex which is good, but most of the other cheaper ones don't last.
Usually there's a rigid steel/aluminum frame below.

I was told the problem with natural wood is that it often isnt dried properly before, so they warp and crack over time. The joiner I used for mine dried it for a month before cutting and installing. He doesnt recommend kiln dried either, which I believe is what timberyard uses.

[GI1978]

Hi Guys,

I just saw this forum and was wondering if anyone can recommend a good contractor who can build wooden or composite Pergolas? I would like to build it in Mayaro and was wondering which material i should use?

@ Duane: Your Reno work on your house is fantastic!

GI

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Hi Guys,

I just saw this forum and was wondering if anyone can recommend a good contractor who can build wooden or composite Pergolas? I would like to build it in Mayaro and was wondering which material i should use?

@ Duane: Your Reno work on your house is fantastic!

GI

Thanks!

For Mayaro I'd recommend composite but hardwood should be fine.
It's not the wood you have to worry about in Mayaro - it's the metal straps, screws, nails etc to hold it together that will rust after just a few weeks.

Paul’s General Woodworking did the pergola for me out of greenheart around 2010
+1 (868) 684-5350

[Cantmis]

Prolas

[nismotrinidappa]

Duane I bought marine spar varnish in peakes. Worked well on a cedar door that was taking rain.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Duane I bought marine spar varnish in peakes. Worked well on a cedar door that was taking rain.

How long now you applied the varnish?
Do they have it in matte or satin finish? Really don't want gloss

[nismotrinidappa]

About a year now. I believe they have matte and satin as well