Pergola options for base

jonnydeppiwish!

Evening all

We’ve had a new patio laid and we’re looking to erect a pergola (DIY option rather than purchase a kit).

With the four posts. Rather than digging them into the ground with postcrete, we want to put the bases into 4 large plant pots and concrete them into those.

Can anyone see any major disadvantages of doing this? There won’t be much on the roof so wind ‘shouldn’t’ be a problem (we hope 😂).

casper_gutman

One obvious disadvantage is surely that there'll be four massive pots of concrete taking up space on your patio! 

FreeBear

Depending on the quality of slabs and sub-base, bolt down post holders would be a better option.

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Bolt-Down-Post-Support-for-Fence-Posts---100-x-100mm/p/218589

Or if you wanted something concealed and rust proof -

https://www.adnacomponents.co.uk/product/stainless-steel-t-blade-bolt-down-post-support-timber-connector-concealed-base/

Doozergirl

It'll look a bit rubbish, for a start. 

We used something similar to this kit. We spent more on hopefully better quality but this picture is a better demonstration.  

https://tradewarehouse.co.uk/products/diy-pergola-kit-8-pcs-3-way-corner-brackets-post-base-for-4-x-4-lumber-actual-3-6-x-3-6-easy-assembly-durable-design?srsltid=AfmBOoprllNKVQca1dyuNLms_h4zMCfbCSMZZ9usn_K1hZTdtIDPxIQL

Jaybee_16

Is this an option to reduce the base of the post rotting over time?

https://www.diy.com/departments/post-elevator-bolt-down-base-pergola-100-150-200-mm-foot-heavy-duty-galvanised-size-100x100mm-x-100mm/5905359365259_BQ.prd?srsltid=AfmBOorOaEgSYLuZYpLGtJOYjI7UH4MM5CDnay-gPgKcGcSCee43GAVqhoM&gQT=2

jonnydeppiwish!

Thanks for the feedback! Just had a new patio laid so didn’t want to start drilling holes it to it, so looking at options. 

@Doozergirl did you use their pergola kit as well as the bases?
cheers

Eldi_Dos

Can understand you not wanting to drill holes into new patio.

If you go with the "large"planters,a method I would try, is get some 100 mm plastic duct and cut so it is about 50/75 mm below level of planter.Centre it and backfill planter with a John Innes based soil (for weight).Tamping down tight.
Then place suitable length of threaded rod in duct and fill duct with concrete,leave for a few days till concrete has set.
Once set put a couple of nuts and washer on threaded rod so that you can adjust height of posts.Then drill a hole into base of posts and postion over the rods.Once pergol is built top up the planters with more John Innes and plant up.

jonnydeppiwish!

Eldi_Dos said:

Can understand you not wanting to drill holes into new patio.

If you go with the "large"planters,a method I would try, is get some 100 mm plastic duct and cut so it is about 50/75 mm below level of planter.Centre it and backfill planter with a John Innes based soil (for weight).Tamping down tight.
Then place suitable length of threaded rod in duct and fill duct with concrete,leave for a few days till concrete has set.
Once set put a couple of nuts and washer on threaded rod so that you can adjust height of posts.Then drill a hole into base of posts and postion over the rods.Once pergol is built top up the planters with more John Innes and plant up.

Sounds exactly what I want to do! Thanks 🙏 

Doozergirl

jonnydeppiwish! said:

Thanks for the feedback! Just had a new patio laid so didn’t want to start drilling holes it to it, so looking at options. 

@Doozergirl did you use their pergola kit as well as the bases?
cheers

Yes.   Makes it easy and looks quite smart. 

I think ours may be Framola brand.  

Martin_the_Unjust

What about something like this https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7428805?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=13957843-a1cd-47c3-8258-02fb3fc3a085&istItemId=ixilqmxiq&istBid=t&_$ja=tsid:72555%7Cacid:F112AT32%7Ccid:391046087%7Cagid:1196269201836134%7Ctid:pla-4575067907786751%7Ccrid:74766915591746%7Cnw:search%7Cdvc:c%7Cst:umbrella%20base%20weight%20for%209%20ft%20umbrella%7Cmt:be%7Cloc:&cmpid=BPLA01&utm_source=Microsoft_Ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=391046087&utm_term=default&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=1196269201836134&utm_custom2=F112AT32&gclsrc=3p.ds

might look a bit smarter

jonnydeppiwish!

Martin_the_Unjust said:

What about something like this https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7428805?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=13957843-a1cd-47c3-8258-02fb3fc3a085&istItemId=ixilqmxiq&istBid=t&_$ja=tsid:72555%7Cacid:F112AT32%7Ccid:391046087%7Cagid:1196269201836134%7Ctid:pla-4575067907786751%7Ccrid:74766915591746%7Cnw:search%7Cdvc:c%7Cst:umbrella%20base%20weight%20for%209%20ft%20umbrella%7Cmt:be%7Cloc:&cmpid=BPLA01&utm_source=Microsoft_Ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=391046087&utm_term=default&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=1196269201836134&utm_custom2=F112AT32&gclsrc=3p.ds

might look a bit smarter

Thanks but that’s a parasol base, not big enough for 4”x4” post