Home 12x24 12×24 Free Pergola Plans

12×24 Free Pergola Plans

by Ovidiu

 

This step by step diy woodworking project is about 12×24 free pergola plans. If you want to learn more about building a large patio pergola, we recommend you to take a look over the instructions described in the article. If you want to build a large shaded area in your backyard, we recommend you to check out these free pergola plans.

Work with good judgement and don’t forget to take a look over the rest of the related plans, as there are many designs and woodworking projects to select from. Work with attention and don’t forget that a good planning will save you from many issues and it will keep the costs within the total budget. Invest in high quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar. Drill pocket holes before inserting the galvanized screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

 

 

Projects made from these plans

Add-image

 

 

It’s that simple to build a 12×24 pergola!

 

 

12×24 Free Pergola Plans

Building-the-balusters

Building-the-balusters

 

Cut & Shopping Lists

  • A – 6 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 144″ long POSTS
  • B – 24 pieces of 2×8 lumber – 36″ long TRIMS
  • C – 24 piece of 1×3 lumber – 8 1/2″ long TRIMS
  • D – 6 pieces of 2×10 lumber – 144″ long SUPPORT BEAMS
  • E – 22 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 144″ long RAFTERS
  • F – 20 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 123″ long SLATS

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One day

Related

 

 

Trim---Facebook-BoxMake sure you follow us on Facebook to be the first that gets our latest plans and for some other exclusive content. Also, follow us on Pinterest to get many ideas for your backyard from all the internet! See how you can Support Us with no extra costs to you. Trim---Facebook-Box-Down

 

 

How to build a large pergola

Laying-out-the-pergola

Laying-out-the-pergola

The first step of the project is to lay out the pergola in a professional manner. Use batter boards and string to make sure the posts will be placed properly. Make sure the diagonals of the pergola are perfectly equal. In addition, use the 3-4-5 rule to each corner of the pergola, in order to make sure they are right-angled.

Anchoring the post into concrete

Anchoring the post into concrete

There are several ways to lock the posts into place. Therefore, you could dig holes in the ground and set the posts into concrete, or you could use post anchors. Nevertheless, taking into account the complexity of the construction, we recommend you to lock the posts into concrete.

Your local building codes should specify a recommended depth for post holes in your area. For a structure like this one, plan on about two-feet in depth, as depth of your hole should be about 1/4 of the height of the wooden post. The holes should have about 10″ in diagram.

Plumbing the post


Plumbing the post

Plumb the posts with a spirit level and lock them into place with temporarily braces, as shown in the diagram.

Fitting the base trims

Fitting the base trims

In order to enhance the look of the posts, we recommend you to fit trims to their base. Build the trims out of 2×8 lumber. Adjust the width of the trims to 6 1/2″. Use a circular saw to bevel cut both sides at 45 degrees. Fit the trims to the posts and secure them into place using 2 1/2″ finishing nails and glue.

Fitting the top trims

Fitting the top trims

Next, you need to attach the 1×3 trims to the top of the trims. Cut both sides of the trims at 45 degrees and secure them into place using 1 1/4″ brad nails. Leave no gaps between the components and add glue for a better bond.

Fitting the 1x1 trims

Fitting the 1×1 trims

If you really want to enhance the look of the pergola, you could add 1×1 trims to the base of the posts. Cut both ends of the trims at 45 degrees and secure them into place using finishing nails and glue.

 

Build the support beams out of 2×10 lumber. Make sure you cut the ends of the support beams in a decorative manner. Smooth the cut edges with attention using fine-grit sandpaper.

Attaching the support beams

Attaching the support beams

After building the six support beams, you need to attach them to the posts. Clamp the beams to the top of the posts, after making sure they are perfectly horizontal. Leave 12″ on both sides of the pergola, so that the beams could be centered to the structure. Drill pilot holes through the beams and through the posts. Afterwards, insert 7″ carriage bolts to lock the components together tightly.

Fitting the support beams

Fitting the support beams

Continue the project by attaching the rest of the beams to the 4×4 posts. Make sure your structure looks similar to the one in the diagram.

Building-the-rafters

Building-the-rafters

Build the shade elements out of 2×6 lumber. Cut one end in a decorative manner and make a few notches to the component, as described in the diagram. Make paralel cuts inside the notches and remove the excess with a damp cloth.

Installing the shade elements

Installing the shade elements

Attach the shade elements to the support beams, as described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the beams and insert 4 1/2″ screws into the support beams.

Fitting the shade elements

Fitting the shade elements

Repeat the process for the other side of the 12×24 pergola. Place the rafters equally-spaced and leave no gaps between the components. Lock everything together tightly.

Fitting the top slats

Fitting the top slats

In order to keep the shade elements equally-spaced, we recommend you to attach 2×2 slats to the top of the pergola. Place the slats equally-spaced, drill pilot holes and secure them to the rafters using 2 1/2″ screws.

12x24 Free Pergola Plans

12×24 Free Pergola Plans

One of the last steps of the woodworking project is to take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, fill the pilot holes with wood putty and smooth the surface with 120-grit sandpaper.

Top Tip: If you want to enhance the look of the project and to protect the stand from decay, we recommend you to cover the components with paint or stain.

 

 

This woodworking project was about 12×24 large pergola plans. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our step by step projects. LIKE us on Facebook and Google + to be the first that gets out latest projects and to hep us keep adding free woodworking plans for you.

 

 

EXPLORE MORE IDEAS FOR:

You may also like

21 comments

dee reid -

what depth do you anchor the 6 posts? i dont see anything in the plans stating what height and the depth of the posts into the ground

Reply
Julian -

Thank you for the feedback. I will add the info to the plans.

Reply
Rachel -

Hi Julian,
I was wondering how to print the 12×24 pergola plans.
thank you,
Rachel

Reply
Julian - Reply
Steve -

Foresee any issues using 4×6 or 4×6 posts for this instead of 4×4? I want it to be a bit more “beefy” looking.

Reply
Julian -

It should work, but make sure you lay out the posts properly.

Reply
Lyn -

How high is this?

Reply
Julian -

The posts are 12′, so if you set them 3′ in concrete, the pergola will be 9′ high. You can adjust the height to suit your needs.

Reply
Jim Franklin -

What would you have to change if you made it 16′ x 24′? Would the 2′ x 10’s be ok for the 16′ span?

Reply
Jack -

You have to change the layout of the postst, first. Then it would require braces for all the posts. The 2×10 would work, but would be safe to check the local codes.

Reply
Hayley -

Is this Sketchup model available for download?

Reply
Ovidiu -

No, I don’t share the model files.

Reply
Arturo Moises -

I like the simplicity of your design. I will follow it and build mine this spring.
I would like to try a different decor for the arch cut at the ends of the support beams and rafters, do you recommend a site where I can find ideas?
Arturo

Reply
Samantha -

Do you make custom plans? We are needing a pergola 30 feet long with an angle roof.

Reply
Ovidiu -

Sorry, but I don’t design custom plans.

Reply
Ralph -

Can this 12 x 24 Pergola be built on an existing deck?

Reply
Ovidiu -

Yes, but make sure you lock the posts to the deck framing at least.

Reply
Tauseef -

What’s the length of 2×2 Slat on the top? Also, where can I download full plan

Reply
Ovidiu -

123″, you can see in the cut list. Please the FAQs: https://myoutdoorplans.com/faq/

Reply
Corinna Mulligan -

Hi – how tall is the pergola, please? Great design! Thank you.

Reply
Ovidiu -

You can adjust the height by cutting the posts to the desired length.

Reply

Leave a Comment