Thread: Attach Heavy Beam to Brick Pillar- How?

Sounds reasonable. What type of roof are you putting on, or are you using shadecloth?.

No roof, just battens.

With no sheeting/roofing your loads will be a lot less so it would all seem reasonable. This then begs the question; why not just use a 4 x 2, why such a big beam?. I assume its to fit in with the existing structure/style. What is the distance from the house/structure?. (Sorry to be nosey)

Don't really need a roof as it's just to give some shade protection and still let the breeze in, besides I think some of the plastic sheeting type roofs look ugly. I can always add a roof later if need be. I was looking a big beam (240x45) because of the large 5m span but your right if I go with a centre post I could use a smaller beam. As for its location the back of the pergolla will butt against the house and one side will be against an existing pavillion (hence the pillars).

I find a lot of those plastic roof sheeting stuff are really hot in summer. You can feel the heat pumping out of them. If you put sheeting on you may have to look at gutters depending on your council. A friend rolls the shadecloth out in summer and takes it off in winter. A 6 x 2 may do it for your beam.

The shadecloth sounds like a good idea, otherwise might end up growing a vine on it. In terms of timber what do you recommend. CCA Pine or I;ve heard this pink primed stuff is good. I'll be wanting to paint it so I guess the pre primed would be best.

I have never made a pergola out of anything other than jarrah or steel so can't help there. I would say that lots of pergolas are put up and are only painted from below so the tops of everything rots/gets water in etc even jarrah. I'd paint as much as possible before you develop an erec...before you put it up