Pergula

[john mullowney]

Building a 12 x 12 Purgula over my paver patio
free standing, using 6x6 posts, i am considering putting the 1x6 slats on an angle towards the sun to provide maximum shade

Any thoughts

[Tom Scott]

That depends. I'm assuming the top of your pergula is flat, which would make the slats vertical. It would also depend on your latitude. I'm in Texas, so during the summer when I would want the most shade, the sun is VERY high which would mean that I would get less shade.

[David Thompson 27577]

Mounting the slats on an angle would indeed provide more shade. Adding some vines would do even better.

But I'd worry seriously about using 1X lumber to span 10 or 12 feet. That stuff will be sagging in a few years.

[scott spencer]

I'd use 2x6 for more strength....maybe even 2x8 for more shade. You could always mount them vertically and closer together too....that's a more traditional approach.

[Dave Aronson]

I recently built one. I used 6x6 posts mounted onto post holders with 18" footers. I did double headers 2x8's and 2x6 joists. for shade I ripped 2x4 material in half which produce a good amount of shade. I also added knee braces for stability(not shown in the pictures), I also knotched the joists to fit tight over the headers which helps with stability. I wouldn't go with 1x material. On piece of advice, stain the material prior to building it, much much easier.

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