Covered Pergola

mloc123

Has anyone ever built a covered pergola using twinwall polly?

How did it turn out and how well did the polly age? I always assume it will discolour and go green... generally look pretty crap after a few years.

karlitob

mloc123 wrote: »

Has anyone ever built a covered pergola using twinwall polly?

How did it turn out and how well did the polly age? I always assume it will discolour and go green... generally look pretty crap after a few years.

Neighbour has it. Looks ****e.

MayoForSam

I'm building one right now beside our house, I'm going with clear corrugated perspex for the roof, less liable to discolor compared to TW PC and will let in more light. I can always replace the sheets in a few years if they begin to show signs of wear and tear or even remove them completely if our summers start to improve

mloc123

MayoForSam wrote: »

remove them completely if our summers start to improve

:pac:

Interested in seeing some pics if you upload them along the way

An Ri rua

Our homeplace had the plastic and while it worked well for years, they had climbing roses growing up and that has started to bulge the plastic, resulting in pooling water.
I'd definitely go perspex as we will be replacing shortly.

fred funk }{

An Ri rua wrote: »

Our homeplace had the plastic and while it worked well for years, they had climbing roses growing up and that has started to bulge the plastic, resulting in pooling water.
I'd definitely go perspex as we will be replacing shortly.

I've just finished one here at home. I went for 16mm triple wall polycarbonate for some extra strength and for the extra €100 I think it was worth it.

fred funk }{

Here's a picture

listermint

Genuinely why not glass . I think the prices are probably comparibble but one product offering far longer life and transparency.

fred funk }{

listermint wrote: »

Genuinely why not glass . I think the prices are probably comparibble but one product offering far longer life and transparency.

For me it was ease of installation. I put the roof on pretty much on my own and could take it down in no time to replace if needed.

mloc123

fred funk }{ wrote: »

Here's a picture

My other question is... Does it block much light coming into you back room?

Fine Cheers

Just finished a lean-to and put clear solid polycarbonate sheets on it. We have debated the options here on several threads. Solid poly not cheap but simple to install. Not that easy to get up in place (3m x 2m sheet) but sheets can be ordered cut to size. Check out Dave on TodayFM who did a pergola at back of house and posted a lot of photos and videos on Insta. I went with the solid purely for aesthetics.

mloc123

DIY KING wrote: »

Just finished a lean-to and put clear solid polycarbonate sheets on it. We have debated the options here on several threads. Solid poly not cheap but simple to install. Not that easy to get up in place (3m x 2m sheet) but sheets can be ordered cut to size. Check out Dave on TodayFM who did a pergola at back of house and posted a lot of photos and videos on Insta. I went with the solid purely for aesthetics.

Any links to suppliers... Or a ballpark figure?

fred funk }{

mloc123 wrote: »

My other question is... Does it block much light coming into you back room?

I was really concerned about blocking light but I can safely say there's very little difference.

I put lights front and back of each post and at night they brighten up that whole area.

fred funk }{

mloc123 wrote: »

Any links to suppliers... Or a ballpark figure?

I bought mine from goldstarplastics and found them the cheapest around. I paid about €500 delivered for 16mm triple wall clear. 2 sheets of 2.1m wide x 2.3 fall.

Fine Cheers

365 Plastics Ashbourne or Print Solutions Dublin. I used the latter who I found very helpful sent me small samples to help decide. Both supply the multiwall and all accessories. Both have decent websites.
And remember YouTube is your friend.

Cerco

Did you build this from scratch or were you able to get the timbers cut and ready for assembly?
Looks impressive.

Fine Cheers

Nice project there in pic.
You'll buy standard lengths from your local builders providers and cut yourself to suit.

Are the uprights 6” ?

fred funk }{

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Are the uprights 6” ?

Yes. Think they were 8ft lengths.

fred funk }{

DIY KING wrote: »

365 Plastics Ashbourne or Print Solutions Dublin. I used the latter who I found very helpful sent me small samples to help decide. Both supply the multiwall and all accessories. Both have decent websites.
And remember YouTube is your friend.

Find them more expensive than goldstar.

fred funk }{

fred funk }{ wrote: »

Yes. Think they were 8ft lengths.

Brilliant, looks exactly like a project I’m planning for. Mind if I ask how you attached it to the wall of the house?

fred funk }{

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Brilliant, looks exactly like a project I’m planning for. Mind if I ask how you attached it to the wall of the house?

Bolted a 7 x 2 to the house and the 4x2 rafters on joist hangers. I'll stick up more pics later.

I'm not a professional so its s DIY job so I'm sure I haven't done everything perfectly.

Oh I’m definitely not a professional either!! Joist hangers is what I was looking at doing alright…

Care to put a ballpark cost on the timber? I assume you didn’t get it in Woodies or similar!

fred funk }{

Think the timber was about €250 but found a big variation in prices so shop around. I got mine from wood industries in rathdrum in wicklow.

Price also included the 3 shoes for the posts.

Another thing, I bought a self levelling laser and I couldn't recommend it enough. Made the job so much easier.

Cerco

Two more questions if I may:
Is the timber pressure treated?
Did you need any flashing at the back wall?

fred funk }{

Cerco wrote: »

Two more questions if I may:
Is the timber pressure treated?
Did you need any flashing at the back wall?

Yes, pressure treated and cut ends also treated where cut.

I used bostik flashband for the flashing. I have very small dashing so had to knock that off first. I then used the bostik flashband primer on the wall first then rolled the flashband on. I used a heat gun to help it stick which seemed to have worked great.

Looking at the entire job the flashing is probably where I could have done it a bit better. I was on the roof doing it and it started to rain so rushed it. Its fine but have a few creases and bubbles.

Cerco

That’s great Fred. Thanks and well done !

Fine Cheers

What is the finish to your existing wall ? The tape can be tricky against a rough finish such as dry dash or rough cast. As mine is part of a car port type installation for a gym I needed it weathertight so have chased the wall for a proper flashing. For a pergola I think a decent mastic is sufficient depending on the substrate. How important is it to be absolutely 100% water tight given the ends are open i assume ?

fred funk }{

DIY KING wrote: »

What is the finish to your existing wall ? The tape can be tricky against a rough finish such as dry dash or rough cast. As mine is part of a car port type installation for a gym I needed it weathertight so have chased the wall for a proper flashing. For a pergola I think a decent mastic is sufficient depending on the substrate. How important is it to be absolutely 100% water tight given the ends are open i assume ?

Its very small dashing. I knocked off all the stones from the dashing and left a rough stoney surface. I then painted that with the bostik primer, its like liquid bitumen. Rolled on the flashing with the help of a head gun and rolled it on, not a drop of water has come down through it.

Fine Cheers

Nice one. Sounds similar to Flashband tape ? How far up the wall did you go and how far onto the poly ? You seem to have a good slope too but no gutter ?

fred funk }{

DIY KING wrote: »

Nice one. Sounds similar to Flashband tape ? How far up the wall did you go and how far onto the poly ? You seem to have a good slope too but no gutter ?

I got 225mm so did half in wall half on roof.

I wasn't sure about a gutter and don't like the look of them but I allowed for one if I want to put one on. I left a 60mm over hang of the poly so I can easily install one if needed. We have the ground slabbed so any water runs down into the drain but if you had grass it could be a problem.

Any chance you have a full inventory of what you need to do such a thing Fred? I have a very similar arrangement out back, except my patio is 3m out and 3.6m left to right . I was thinking of extending it and putting the pergola the full length of the house otherwise it would only be a 3x3 ish

skilachi

Best way to remove dashing?

Curly head

Check out Enviroclad Systems Kilkenny. They do a lovely job with integrated eve gutters. Expensive but everlasting and maintenence free. Looks great.

fred funk }{

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Any chance you have a full inventory of what you need to do such a thing Fred? I have a very similar arrangement out back, except my patio is 3m out and 3.6m left to right . I was thinking of extending it and putting the pergola the full length of the house otherwise it would only be a 3x3 ish

When I get a chance I'll do my best to do a list.

fred funk }{

skilachi wrote: »

Best way to remove dashing?

When the timber was bolted to the house (called a ledger board I think) I held an off-cut off one of the timbers on top of it and ran the angle grinder on top of that so I'd have a consistent straight line right across the top. I then knocked off the dashing with a bolster.

skilachi

You didn't remove the dashing for the ledger board?

fred funk }{

skilachi wrote: »

You didn't remove the dashing for the ledger board?

No. Its very very small dashing, not the marble size stuff used years ago.

Fine Cheers

Here's a photo of my incomplete poly lean-to.
I have chased the wall for the flashing which I hope to fit shortly.
The second photo is the finished article on the adjoining rubber roof.
I personally don't think you need to go to this trouble - the flashband tape or a decent mastic joint might suffice depending on exposure.
My poly is currently 5mm off the dashed wall and is not letting any rain and it's not sealed yet !

listermint

DIY KING wrote: »

Here's a photo of my incomplete poly lean-to.
I have chased the wall for the flashing which I hope to fit shortly.
The second photo is the finished article on the adjoining rubber roof.
I personally don't think you need to go to this trouble - the flashband tape or a decent mastic joint might suffice depending on exposure.
My poly is currently 5mm off the dashed wall and is not letting any rain and it's not sealed yet !

Nice job on the rubber.

The 5mm gap will let water in and rot the timber out in no time. Guaranteed. Especially when it's fixed to concrete for extra water retention. Plus it might cause ingress into the render of the house. Take no chances with water on your building envelope.

Calahonda52

listermint wrote: »

Nice job on the rubber.

The 5mm gap will let water in and rot the timber out in no time. Guaranteed. Especially when it's fixed to concrete for extra water retention. Plus it might cause ingress into the render of the house. Take no chances with water on your building envelope.

My poly is currently 5mm off the dashed wall and is not letting any rain and it's not sealed yet !
Puzzled

listermint

Calahonda52 wrote: »

My poly is currently 5mm off the dashed wall and is not letting any rain and it's not sealed yet !
Puzzled

I took from it that he's chased the small slit in render but hasn't got round to putting in lead or flashband yet

Fine Cheers

Pressed aluminium flashing will be installed this week. Just thought lead was too challenging and not keen on the mess that tape could leave behind on dash and poly if needed to readjust etc.
Anyway my point is that for a pergola that is open on 3 sides, the OP may not need to go to this trouble.
Absolutely some method of sealing is required. If using mastic make sure its compatible with the poly, low modulus usually i think.
Need to consider what it will look like from underside too perhaps ?

loyatemu

what thickness of polycarbonate is that, you can stand on it? Really looks like glass.

Fine Cheers

6mm solid clear with UV coating both sides.
Joists at 600mm ctrs.
That's why I went with it to look like glass.
I used 2 no. 3m x 2m sheets (ex stock) to max value and no cutting required as it suited my needs exactly. Didn't need any glazing bars or strips.
Very strong and you can stand on it certainly where the joists are. For fitting the flashing I will lay out some small sheets of ply onto an old blanket and walk on them.

mloc123

DIY KING wrote: »

6mm solid clear with UV coating both sides.
Joists at 600mm ctrs.
That's why I went with it to look like glass.
I used 2 no. 3m x 2m sheets (ex stock) to max value and no cutting required as it suited my needs exactly. Didn't need any glazing bars or strips.
Very strong and you can stand on it certainly where the joists are. For fitting the flashing I will lay out some small sheets of ply onto an old blanket and walk on them.

Would love to see some pictures of the whole structure. The poly looks great, it really is like glass.

Bargain_Hound

Waiting to order some clear Poly from that place in Ashbourne mentioned earlier in this thread. Wasn't sure if they were the cheapest but seems they are (And they offer a order to size/cut service). Not interested in the double wall, ideally want something that replicates glass, so 4mm or 6mm poly should hopefully achieve that.

Looking to cover a small free standing pergola at our backdoor mainly for some winter coverage (Not looking for completely water free).

skilachi

Are they 4x4 posts or 6x6.?

Bargain_Hound

skilachi wrote: »

Are they 4x4 posts or 6x6.?

They're only 4x4, it's only a small area (3x2m pergola). Very solid considering. The boots are anchor bolted to concrete base underneath the paving.

listermint

Bargain_Hound wrote: »

They're only 4x4, it's only a small area (3x2m pergola). Very solid considering. The boots are anchor bolted to concrete base underneath the paving.

Whens the sauna / hot tub going in.

Bargain_Hound

listermint wrote: »

Whens the sauna / hot tub going in.

We're way too overlooked for that to happen