Elegant Cedar Wood Pergola Capped with Copper
This past week, we started looking at a particularly well built cedar pergola, capped with copper flashings and copings. We talked about some of the different outdoor type elements, similar to pergolas, which are often built on well developed yards and sites. We are a deck and patio construction company. We primarily specialize in building decks and patios, but often these outdoor elements like pergolas, ramadas, awnings, gazebos and arbors will add a beautiful and functionally useful extra dimension to an outdoor space.
We didn’t talk much about the construction and assembly of this particular pergola. It’s interesting because the majority of the elements used in the construction are relatively thin and lightweight. Yet, the hardware and connectors used to assemble the pergola are of top quality. Most of these elements are made with stainless steel. In some cases, galvanized lags and carriage bolts can be used in typical deck construction, but we recommend using hot dipped galvanized over electro-galvanized hardware materials whenever possible. Exterior exposure conditions can be relatively hard on typical ferrous hardware. Ferrous hardware is made with alloy based on steel and iron.
In the picture below, you can see that where 4×4 posts have been run grouped in series, the perpendicular boards are bolted to each of the posts with stainless steel hex bolts.
Without specific protection, ferrous metals like steel an iron alloys are susceptible, when used as connectors for decks. Whether it be as fasteners such as screws or bolts or as connecting hardware such as hurricane clips or joist hangers, these materials will oxidize and rust. The galvanization will help, to a degree, but the galvanization is generally a zinc coating. As we mentioned above, the hot dipped galvanized options are generally much stronger than the electro-galvanized alternatives. But, like most things, when there’s a big difference in quality, there’s generally a commensurate cost difference as well and in this case the hot dipped galvanized hardware generally cost much more.
In most cases, stainless steel hardware will perform and resist deterioration even to a higher degree than both eectro-galvanized and hot dipped galvanized ferrous metal connectors. The picture below shows a copper tapping on top of the 1x dimensional lumber used in the construction of this pergola. The wood used in this construction is often referred to as WRC which stands for Western Redwood Cedar.
In most lumber material species, there are a variety of qualities available. Typical number three grade will have lots of knots and twist and warps in the boards. It will also generally have defects like checking which is a type of splitting like cracking in other types of failures. But this would be used for certain temporary types of construction end or possibly longer term types of construction that do not require quality. Should be noted also that almost all types of lumber 10 twist and warp and split or check.
This type of twisting and changing can happen unpredictably, yet it is much more common in the lower quality types of lumbers. However, those lower quality lumbers are generally much more affordable.
Here a high quality WRC Lumber has been used, yet they’ve also went the extra mile to install the copper capping on top of many of the horizontally installed boards. This is double means of protection or resistance to the elements is likely to lead to a longer lasting installation. However, as we mentioned above and in other articles here on our site, these copper and stainless steel elements are very expensive. Copper, currently, is multiples of the cost of just a few years back. Cedar is also a very expensive type of lumber, and unlike some of the exotic alternatives, cedar does not even happen to be highly structurally strong.
In the closer view below, you can see that the copper was bent in the field to be formed to fit the individual dimensions of the lumber.
Overall, has a very interesting aesthetic. It has both strong and Hefty structural bearing and load path elements, yet it has a lightweight lattice work at the top.
The horizontal boards of the pergola, the main purlins, are cut with a Japanese style edge, a graduated taper, yet straight line instead of an architecturally contoured edge.
Use a contractor who understands and cares about doing things right. Always, feel free to reach out to us here at Dupont Decks and Patios. We are happy to help with almost all steps of the deck building and design process. A backyard and outdoor space should make a significant, positive impact on both quality of life and home value. We can help with more than just decks, we also build patios, pergolas, ramadas, awnings, gazebos, arbors, and privacy fences.
Let us know about your ideas and talk to us if you have questions about possibilities. We are happy to participate in improving your outdoor space and quality of life! You can call us at (202) 774-9128. You can find us online at https://dupontdeckspatiosdc.com and you can email us there as well at https://dupontdeckspatiosdc.com/contact-us
