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A freestanding backyard pergola on four set posts, dressed with ripped 1x8/1x10 post cladding, mitered post caps, and decorative-end 2x4 and 2x2 roof slats.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short cleats | 16 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" | Treated 2x2 | ☐ |
| Long cleats | 16 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 6 1/2" | Treated 2x2 | ☐ |
| Post cladding, narrow side | 8 | 3/4" × 6 1/2" × 30" | Treated 1x8, ripped to width | ☐ |
| Post cladding, wide side | 8 | 3/4" × 8" × 30" | Treated 1x10, ripped to width | ☐ |
| Post cap trim Longest-point measurement, both ends mitered at 45° off square, not parallel. | 16 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 9 1/2" | Treated 1x4 | ☐ |
| Post cap moulding Cut to fit around each post cap. | 4 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 12" | Exterior moulding, 3/4" x 3/4" | ☐ |
| Roof boards, first layer Ends cut in a decorative pattern of your choice. | 8 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 140" | Treated 2x4 | ☐ |
| Roof boards, second layer Ends cut in a decorative pattern of your choice. | 9 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 140" | Treated 2x2 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Treated 4x4 post, 8-12 ft Length depends on how much is buried or set in pier blocks. | 4 each | ☐ |
| Post brackets or pier blocks | 4 each | ☐ |
| Treated 2x4, 12 ft | 8 each | ☐ |
| Treated 2x2, 12 ft If unavailable, rip three treated 2x6, 12 ft boards into three 2x2s each on a table saw. | 9 each | ☐ |
| 2x2, 8 ft Furring strips are fine here — purely cosmetic post cladding. | 2 each | ☐ |
| Treated 1x4, 8 ft | 2 each | ☐ |
| Exterior moulding, 3/4" x 3/4" | 2 each | ☐ |
| Treated 1x10, 8 ft | 3 each | ☐ |
| Treated 1x8, 8 ft If treated stock isn't available, sealed untreated boards work since this cladding is fully covered and vertical. | 3 each | ☐ |
| Galvanized finish nails, 2-1/2" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Exterior wood screws, 3" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood glue, exterior | 4 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Level, Post Hole Digger, Tape Measure. Materials: Treated 4x4 post, 8-12 ft, Post brackets or pier blocks
Set the four posts in the ground, spaced exactly as designed, and check the diagonals to confirm they're square before the foundation sets. The posts need to stick up 107" out of the ground — longer if using buried pier blocks.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Hammer. Materials: Treated 2x2, 12 ft, Galvanized finish nails, 2-1/2", Wood glue, exterior
Attach the short cleats to all four posts with 2-1/2" galvanized finish nails and glue. The bottom cleat should sit just above the brackets holding the posts to the ground.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Hammer. Materials: Treated 2x2, 12 ft
Add the long cleats to complete each post's cleat frame.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Table Saw. Materials: Treated 1x10, 8 ft, Treated 1x8, 8 ft, Galvanized finish nails, 2-1/2"
Rip the 1x8 boards down to a 6-1/2" width and the 1x10 boards to an 8" width on the table saw. Nail the ripped boards to the cleats to hide the post and its foundation hardware inside a clean square column.
Tools: Hammer, Miter Saw. Materials: Treated 1x4, 8 ft, Exterior moulding, 3/4" x 3/4", Galvanized finish nails, 2-1/2", Wood glue, exterior
Miter the post cap trim at 45° around the base of each post cap and attach with finish nails and glue. Measure and add the moulding around each cap for a finished look, using 1-1/4" finish nails and glue.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Jigsaw, Level. Materials: Treated 2x4, 12 ft, Exterior wood screws, 3"
Cut all the roof board ends into a decorative pattern of your choice. Screw the first roof boards up with 3" exterior screws, checking with a level that they sit level across the posts.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: Treated 2x4, 12 ft, Exterior wood screws, 3"
Check the diagonals of the structure again. Once they match, rest two more 2x4s on top of the existing ones, to the outsides, and screw to the posts. Add the remaining 2x4s spaced 22" apart, using brackets, pocket hole screws, or long screws predrilled and countersunk from the top.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Treated 2x2, 12 ft, Exterior wood screws, 3", Wood glue, exterior
Space the 2x2s across the top and screw them to the 2x4s (and to the posts where present) with 3" exterior screws and glue, fastening to every 2x4 crossing beneath for the most support.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Exterior wood screws, 3"
If the structure has any wobble, cut and screw in corner braces at the post-to-roof joints — this adds a surprising amount of rigidity for very little material. In high snow-load or high-wind areas, upgrading to 2x6 roof boards and notching the joints adds further strength.