How to Attach a Pergola to Your House in 7 Steps

Mark Your Vertical Lines

• Grab your level, and mark two vertical lines—running from your home’s soffits (your roof’s overhang) down to the patio. A typical pergola is at least 9 feet tall.

• Space the two lines at your desired width, which is typically the same length as your patio.

• Take a measuring tape and measure inside the two vertical lines. This measurement will give you the dimensions for your ledger.

Attach the Ledger

• Cut three 2 x 8 beams with a circular saw (one for your ledger and two for the first roof layer).

• Hold the ledger against your house (one person holding each end) to measure notches where four of the second-layer beams will go.

• Take the ledger down. Measure and mark the depth on the ledger with a straight piece of scrap wood (this is where the notches will go).

• Cut out the four notches with a jigsaw.

• Grab your level, drill pilot holes, and attach the ledger to the side of the house with eight lag screws.

• Tighten the screws with a ratchet.

• Add weatherproofing to the ledger—caulk or flashing to keep moisture out and prevent rotting.

Install 2 Posts

• Take two post brackets and line them up with your ledger on the opposite side of your patio.

• Mark the centers of the brackets with chalk and pre-drill 1/2-inch holes at the marks.

• Place expansion anchors in the holes and tighten them with a ratchet (you can also use concrete screws instead of expansion anchors).

• Install a post support inside the bracket to keep the wood post from touching the concrete. This helps prevent rot.

• Take your wood posts and vertically insert them into the post brackets.

• Make sure the post is level before securing it with nails.

• Take a hammer and secure the bracket to the post with heavy-gauge galvanized nails.

• Grab a 2 x 6 beam, attach and screw in temporary stakes and braces to the posts. 

• Clamp the braces to the post to keep the posts vertical for the remainder of the project.

• Ensure both posts are level before proceeding.

Install 2 End Beams

• Take two 2 x 8 end beams and carve notch marks with a jigsaw to match the edge of the ledger beam.

• Take an adjustable clamp and temporarily hold the end beams against the posts.

• Take a drill and pre-drill holes. 

• Take stainless steel screws (or lag screws) and drill them into the posts. Add carriage bolts for additional security.

Optional: you can add two 45-degree braces to the inside corners between the posts and beams for added stability.

Cut a Design in Your Second Layer Beams

Before putting up six second-layer 2 x 8 beams, you may want to add a decorative curve on one end of the beam. This design choice elevates your space and provides visual interest, as the beam overhangs the length of your deck.

• Hand-sketch a design on a piece of scrap wood.

• Cut the design using a miter saw and sand the edges.

• Trace your shape on the end of each of the six beams and cut the beam using a circular saw.

• Cut eight notches using a jig saw on each beam.

• Add the second layer cross beams perpendicular to the first layer, and interlock them.

Add the Third Layer of Cross-Beams

• Grab eight 2 x 8 beams for your third layer.

• Measure and cut six notches using a jig saw. Make sure to cut these notches shallower so your third layer beams are raised above the rest.

• Interlock each of the eight beams to the second layer and use a mallet to keep them securely in place.

• Remove the temporary stakes and braces.

Stain the Wood (Optional)

Depending on your wood, you can add an exterior wood stain to your beams. Apply the stain to the wood with a sprayer, paintbrush, or roller and wipe the excess with a rag. Allow the stain to dry for 24 hours. Apply a second coat if necessary.