Yes, you need to consider how the Pergola is going to be secure against wind - attaching to the deck, regardless of size, will be insufficient, Depending on deck footings you may be able to bolt some posts to the deck joists.

My recommendation is to pour concrete footings onto which the Pergola will be attached and enlarge the deck below to incorporate any additional space. Allow a couple feet to pull away a dining chair from the table. Good luck.

Our Pergola is 8x12, rests on concrete footings and positioned 2-feet inside the patio edge.

I'd put on a header beam on the house and build out from that. will be secure.

Then you run the supports on the side of the decking.

something like this

simiplified version. see the header beam? this one also has a finished deck surround

Also, if you want that wood to last, it's imperitive you coat it w/a good marine varnish. (it must have UV blockers) it can be clear or a slight stain to it. if not, it will discolor within a year.

Thank you Beth! I read that about coating. We’re hesitant to attach to home since I believe it raises property taxes. But we need the pergola secure, so I’ll look into that.

IMO the deck is too small to really be much good for entertaing so I would do the deck all across the back and then have a pergola made to cover it . I think decks are awesome but they need to be big enough to really use and 12 x12 just does not work in my head . I have an outdoor kitchen a dining room and a seating area all on the deck in the back of my house it is 17 x70' it is all used often as we live outside in the nice weahter so kind of used just lke the house .I can actually seat 16 at the tables when put together and seat min 8 in the seating area. So think about how you use the deck and then decide how big it needs to be.

That’s incredible Patricia! The only use we need for our is a 6 seater dining set.

We absolutely won’t be making it larger at this time, or in the near future. We just need advice on putting a small pergola on it. I love, love the idea of a bigger space outdoors to entertain. We just finished a full home remodel. We’re a family of 4 just looking to occasionally dine outdoors. Or sit with a glass of wine in the evening.

Anchor one side of the pergola on the house so you don't require 4 supporting posts. You won't have rafter tails on one side either

For ease of maintenance, I would not select wood as the material but metal or vinyl instead.

Thank you Beverly!

I think I would look at a motorized awning instead

Yes, you have other less expensive options to control the sun. A motorized awning can be ordered in a variety of sizes with a wind sensor.

A sun sail is also an option.

I’d aim for a table for six, so you can accommodate more people when entertaining or kids have friends for a meal and therefore a 14x12 is better.

Thank you all so much!

Yes, we want a table for 6 😍 we taped out dimensions for a table we found and liked and taped our dimensions.

We have a free standing pergola 10x16. Posts are cemented in. But please discern what you want the pergola to do there because you’ll get very little shade and no protection below. I’m researching converting ours to a covered pavilion. I like the shade sail idea above. Could do that under the pergola too for shade.