Build pergola on existing deck
Hi all, Now, I have found quite a lot of examples of building a pergola on an existing deck. Some designs require digging proper footings and filling with concrete while others say it is sufficient to brace the pergola posts against existing joists. One thing I have noticed from most of the examples I have seen is that they are raised decks. Mine on the other hand has been built directly on the ground. I will post some pictures and measurements when I get home but the home inspector said it was on a good foundation. From what I have seen it looks like there a number of footings set in concrete and then 2 x 8 or 2 x 10 joist fixed to these. I think in most places the joists actually rest on the ground directly, but I will double check that. Now I want to build a free-standing pergola, i.e I don't want to put a ledger on the house. The deck is quite large, about 35' x 15' and I want to have the pergola cover all of the deck. We have no shade on the back of the house. Now obviously it would be a bad idea to attach the posts directly to the surface of the deck but at the same time I don't really want to dig new footings for them. I am hoping that I would be able to drop the posts through the deck and brace them against the joists. Maybe even have them rest directly on the ground whilst being attached to the joist? So a few questions... 1. Can I attach the posts to the deck as described above 2. I want to use 4x4 posts, I think that should be string enough 3. What is the maximum span I should consider between posts for the beams if I am to use 2 x 8 PT beams 4. The deck is not square (2 corners cut off if you like, so 5 sides) so I plan to use Simpson Hangers to connect the beams to the posts. Therefore I was going to use a single beam rather than two beams in parallel. Are there structural advantages to parallel beams or is it just aesthetic? 5. If 4 is not a good idea how should I attach the beams to the posts given that my deck is not simply four right angles. As mention earlier I will post some pics and measurements. Thanks in advance! Mike Here are some pics The joists are 2 x 8 and are through bolted to the 6x6 posts, with a joist on either side. The deck is 14' deep and there are three sets of parallel joists evenly spaced. Also the posts seems to be spaced about every 4 or 5 feet. You're right about making it free standing. However, you need the footings. I would remove some of the boards, install the footings replace the boards.
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