How To Build A Pergola With Simpson Strong-Tie’s Outdoor Accents Decorative Hardware Line
Hi friends! I’m excited to be back to share how we built this gorgeous pergola with Simpson Strong-Tie’s new Outdoor Accents decorative hardware line. If you’d like to read about how we built the floating deck, click here.
And we made a video! I’d LOVE for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel here. Check out the video below and read on for details on how we built this beautiful pergola.
If you recall, we built this floating deck and pergola for our neighbors, who also happen to be a fellow military family. This deck and pergola is our welcome home gift to their deployed soldier! I’m so thrilled to work with Simpson Strong-Tie – I just love partnering with companies that give back to our brave men and women in uniform. What an incredible blessing it is for us to be able to give our neighbors this beautiful new outdoor space that they can enjoy for years to come!
I’m sharing all of the details on Simpson Strong-Tie’s brand new blog, Building Strong. This is Part Two of a two-part tutorial.
The new Outdoor Accents decorative hardware line is a total game-changer. It made building this pergola straightforward and simple. Gone are the days of trying to hide those unsightly galvanized steel brackets. These black, powder-coated connectors are decorative and structural! The structural screws and hex head washers create a beautiful, bolted look and don’t require any pre-drilling to install.
These were the parts we used for the pergola:
Okay, enough talky talky… let’s see some eye candy, shall we?
Be sure to stop by the Building Strong blog for more details, watch the video, and subscribe to my YouTube channel!
*This project is sponsored by Simpson Strong-Tie. All efforts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.
Jen – the pergola is absolutely stunning! Thanks for all the details. We actually need to fix ours. We moved into a house where the pergola was built to low and we can’t open the living room Windows. I’m sure we will be able to use your plans to figure ot out!! Great job!! Thanks for sharing.
I am trying to build a pergola like structure and make an opening in the center for a door facing. I wanted to add 2 screen doors to it to open in the center like saloon doors. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi I love the pergola well done would it be possible to get the list and measurements of all the things u use to make the deck and pergola as were looking at making one thank u
Hi Scarlett,
Thank you! The pergola measures about 14.5 feet by 16 feet. I intentionally did not provide an exact measurement list because most likely, your measurements may vary. We did purchase 16 foot boards for everything though, if that helps!
Curious, had you considered a sailcloth overhead to protect in bad weather? I was watching a yard crashers on tv.. and they even had it remote controlled and the cloth would ride rails across the top. It was so cool. But even using a wand attached would be cool too!
Beautiful! Please share where I can find the leaf rug and the striped cushions. Thank you so much! Hoping to build a pergola this summer!
Thanks Kelley! Oh, goodness… I can’t remember where I bought the rug, but my go-to rug sources are Overstock and RugsUSA. It’s an indoor/outdoor rug. The striped cushions are from Ballard Designs. Hope that helps!
Jen,
Such an amazing job! Do you have a ballpark figure of the lumber cost for the project? I know it varies across the country on prices but I’m sure a lot of people looking at this would like to know.
Hi Michael,
I did a poor job of keeping up with the expenses of this project, but if I were to guesstimate lumber costs alone, I’d guess around $2500-$3500. We used pressure-treated pine, which was the most cost-effective option. Hope that helps!
Jen, Thanks for sharing! I will soon have a cobblestone patio and this pergola would be perfect over it. I’ve watched the video and read the post, but do have one question: Where do you use the 90degree angles?
Hi Emily,
Great question! We intended to use the 90º angles on each horizontal slat on top of the pergola, but ended up not needing them. They would have mainly just been decorative and not really structural, so we decided to leave them out at the last minute. Thanks for reading and watching!
Beautiful pergola. How did you hang the lights?
Interested in building this also! Absolutely stunning! Are plans available for this? We are trying to figure
Out what materials are used for the center brace?
Love that table and chairs. Can you say where you got them?
Thanks Melody! I think I got the patio set from Wal-mart!
Jen, trying to get my material list together. I was hoping you could elaborate on what you tied the center brace down with which looks to be two 2x6s. Thanks.
Hi Nick!
I believe we used the Simpson Strong Tie 90º brackets. Each of the rafters are also screwed down to that center brace as well. Good luck on your pergola!
Hi Jen
Do you have a material list and build plans for the pergola?
Beautiful, where did you find the string lights
Hi Jen,
I love this and am planning to try this out soon. However, can you confirm if a 4×4 will be ideal also instead of the 6×6
Hi Oba,
Thanks for the message! Unfortunately, I can’t speak to whether a 4×4 would work or not. I’d recommend consulting a structural engineer to ensure your pergola is built sound and safe! Sorry I can’t be more help!
Looking forward to building my own pergola, but am having problems visualizing how you drilled the holes for the screws on the knee braces. I would appreciate if you wound enlighten me.
Trying to determine the length of the braces
Hi there how big is the pergola??
That pergola and floating deck look awesome and the structural screws really do make a difference aesthetically.
This design is simply simple and elegant. Great work.
I saw somethin similar to this designed by the top Home interiors Bangalore. It was excellent like this
Jen check out Ozco Products. Simpson took the idea for these from them. I have used Ozco for over 8 years and find their product superior in finish and heft. They have a lot of innovative connectors. They are based out of Texas. Nice job. Pergola looks great.