Dilema on a Pergola! Any lumber experts? Please help!

4 years ago

Hi! So I am attaching a pic of a Pergola I feel in love with. We hired a contractor unfortunately on a hasty decision with summer around the corner. I showed him the pic and he said it looked like 8 x 8 beams, quoted me on a 15' by 25' ft size pergola, we agreed and he began extending my concrete floor and digging 6 - 10 x 10" holes. When he showed me the wood he quote, was not even close to the aspect of this one! Was rough and cheap looking. Unfortunately, after doing my research and to achieve this look, would have to use VG Douglas Fir or Cedar and for solid beams that size is crazy expensive (especially at the moment) ! Another suggestion that my contractor said he could do is to cover or wrap around 6x6 redwood cheaper beams with the douglas fir or cedar. Any experts around here with suggestions that can help me guide my contractor to achieve this look as far as wood type and if wrapping beams around might me a problem in the future? Or what do I have to be on top of to make sure he puts them together appropiately. Please help! With the holes areday dugged in my patio I have no other option but to find a solution!Thanks a million...

Featured Answer

3onthetree

4 years ago

You don't say what wood was purchased, but I assume treated Southern Yellow Pine. You also don't say if you can afford the Doug Fir or Cedar and want it no matter, or just want to simulate the natural color or woodgrain of timbers.

But, you can easily wrap columns, the beams/braces/runners/trellis not so much without causing proportion problems and logistics in doing so.

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Comments (12)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
A picture of something with no context is useless . I need to see your house and where you are planning this IMO a very heavy looking pergola and would not work well on many homes and IMO even too heavy in the pic you show.
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Almajess
Original Author
4 years ago
Hi Patricia! It is going to be a total free standing rectanular Pergola (not attached to the house paralle to my house... will attach pics...
Almajess
Original Author
4 years ago
And yes 3onthetree, we are shooting for either VG Doug Fir or Western Red Cedar after lots of research... we know wood is skyrocket right now but we decided to invest in our backyard and make it as an investment.... we saved on other things like I'm doing my own landscaping, no designers, etc...
Almajess
Original Author
4 years ago
Almajess
Original Author
4 years ago
Almajess
Original Author
4 years ago
Almajess
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you both for trying to help and look forward on seeing what you think... THXS :)
3onthetree
4 years ago
I don't understand, your last comment basically says you want and can afford the DG, so replace all the wood, case closed. You gain some span capabilities with DG, but with a pergola it probably won't make a difference.
Almajess
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes, I think we decided to spend on the wood instead of the wrapping chepa one... afraid wont be well done... We got a quote on a RED WOOD CEDAR WRC #2/BTR APPEARANCE, waiting on the DOUG FIR quote... if they are around the same price, which one would you suggest better using? Read a lot Cedar best for pest and lasts longer, but Doug Fir stronger... let me know your thought and really appreciate your help :)
3onthetree
4 years ago
Personal preference, so I couldn't tell ya for your project. But the Vertical Grain DG will become more brownish-red over time if left natural, and can't remember if Western Red Cedar is more pinkish or reddish than even Eastern Red Cedar. But you look like you are Southeastern LA area, so Redwood is a 3rd choice common in Cali? Get samples to verify your selections if the prices don't dictate it for you.
Almajess
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you! They offered me a Douglass Fir about half the price of Red Western Cedar and Ended up choosing the Cedar… I did research and they told me DOug Fir tend to bend and look crooked and that Cedar is better…. I’ll let u know how it will come! Thank U