Has anyone made their own pergola?

jonnydeppiwish!

As the title, has anyone? If so, did you use pine or oak? Currently looking to make my own as even green oak is 30% less than the cost of a pine equivalent from dunsters etc.

Thanks in advance!

twopenny

I haven't but remember back in the day Geoff Hamilton on Gardeners World did. He was great at DIY on a budget.

It's probably in one of his books.

I got too frustrated with a search that need grit and determination to get beyond trying to sell you something but given a wet day would be worth searching for.

goldfinches

Try his "The Ornamental Kitchen Garden" published by the BBC both the blurb and the reviews say it includes instructions on making a pergola among other things.

Quorden

Little surprised that green oak is cheaper than pine but if that's the case then it's go with the oak, it's pretty much maintenance free.

That being said, have just finished a pergola for my lad and just went with treated softwood as when I looked the oak was a lot more expensive and now it's complete the maintenance is up to him. Got all my wood from UK Sleepers.

rob7475

Treated softwood will be fine and with regular maintenance should last at least 15 years

casper_gutman

I built my own. Like others I used pressure treated softwood. As rotting of timber in the ground seemed the most likely failure mode I used incised treated fenceposts rated for in-ground use. In fact I also secured them using galvanised steel bases concreted into the ground so no timber is buried. Hopefully this will help too.

jonnydeppiwish!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81955431#Comment_81955431

Green oak is cheaper from a lumber yard than the softwood kits

casper_gutman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81956224#Comment_81956224

Ah. That makes sense. I didn't use a kit. I used sawn pressure treated softwood timber which I cut to size myself then treated the cut ends.

Eldi_Dos

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81956224#Comment_81956224

If you are wanting to give the Oak a aged look, before climbers grow up the Pergola, make a mix of natural yoghurt and water and brush over the timber a few times before planting up.

This will give a 'food source' for moss and lichen's to establish on the wood.

twopenny

Ah I knew that's what was missing from the pergolas I've seen in gardens.

The aging gives them a soft look, loved and welcoming. The spotless new ones look like 'oh look I've bought a pergola from the garden centre ' but each to his own.

I watched Geoff Hamilton cottage gardens yesterday and he always did the things he made in true MSE way. That's why everyone loved him.