Your Cart is Empty
Two Post Pergolas
Two Post Pergolas
An outdoor wooden pergola is a beautiful addition to any yard. Choose from a variety of styles and sizes that work for your needs. Our Two Post Pergolas are a lovely way to add height and dimension to your yard with little to no maintenance. Pair it with the best porch swing you can find and you are assured to have the most amazing time in your outdoor sanctuary.
Q1: What is the defining characteristic of a Two Post Pergola, and what space is it ideally suited for?
A: A Two-Post Pergola is an attached structure where two posts support the front, and the rear is secured directly to the house wall or fascia.
-
Definition: It is essentially a half-pergola that relies on the adjacent structure (house, garage, wall) for two-point support.
-
Ideal Space: It is well-suited for patios, decks, or balconies along the back of a house. It maximizes the shaded area closest to the home while minimizing the footprint, making it more efficient than a freestanding four-post structure.
-
Weather Protection: Since it is attached, it offers superior protection from rain and sun near the door and often simplifies the running of utilities (like electricity for lighting).
Q2: What is the most critical installation requirement when attaching a Two-Post Pergola to a home?
A:Proper flashing and ledger board installation are paramount to prevent water damage to the home.
-
Ledger Board: The main beam (ledger board) must be securely bolted to the house's structural studs or joists using large structural lag screws or through-bolts. It ensures the structure can support the weight of the roof and any wind load.
-
Flashing:Metal flashing must be installed over the top of the ledger board and under the house siding. It redirects all rain and moistureaway from the joint where the pergola meets the house, preventing water from seeping into the wall cavity and causing rot.Failure to flash properly will lead to severe house damage.
Q3: How does the sun exposure differ between a Two Post and a Freestanding Pergola?
A: The sun exposure is heavily directional and fixed with a two-post design:
-
Fixed Direction: The attached nature means the pergola is structurally fixed relative to the sun's path. Since the roof extends only one way, the deepest shade will always be found closest to the house during the hottest parts of the day.
-
Need for Side Walls: Unlike a freestanding pergola, a two-post structure often needsretractable shades, curtains, or latticework added to the sides or front to block the intense afternoon sun that hits the open side.
-
Shade: The shade provided by the rafters isdenser close to the house and becomes lighter toward the open end.
Q4: Can a Two-Post Pergola be customized with a solid roof, and what must be added to the structure if so?
A: Yes, a two-post pergola can be customized with a solid, waterproof roof (like corrugated metal or polycarbonate panels).
-
Slope Requirement: If adding a solid roof, the structure must be built with a slight pitch or slope (a minimum of 1/4 inch per foot). It is essential to ensure that rainwater flows efficiently away from the house and into a gutter system, preventing water from pooling on the roof.
-
Drainage: A gutter system should be installed along the front beam to collect and divert the runoff water. Without gutters, the runoff will pour off the front edge, potentially flooding the patio area.
Two Post Pergolas
An outdoor wooden pergola is a beautiful addition to any yard. Choose from a variety of styles and sizes that work for your needs. Our Two Post Pergolas are a lovely way to add height and dimension to your yard with little to no maintenance. Pair it with the best porch swing you can find and you are assured to have the most amazing time in your outdoor sanctuary.
Q1: What is the defining characteristic of a Two Post Pergola, and what space is it ideally suited for?
A: A Two-Post Pergola is an attached structure where two posts support the front, and the rear is secured directly to the house wall or fascia.
-
Definition: It is essentially a half-pergola that relies on the adjacent structure (house, garage, wall) for two-point support.
-
Ideal Space: It is well-suited for patios, decks, or balconies along the back of a house. It maximizes the shaded area closest to the home while minimizing the footprint, making it more efficient than a freestanding four-post structure.
-
Weather Protection: Since it is attached, it offers superior protection from rain and sun near the door and often simplifies the running of utilities (like electricity for lighting).
Q2: What is the most critical installation requirement when attaching a Two-Post Pergola to a home?
A:Proper flashing and ledger board installation are paramount to prevent water damage to the home.
-
Ledger Board: The main beam (ledger board) must be securely bolted to the house's structural studs or joists using large structural lag screws or through-bolts. It ensures the structure can support the weight of the roof and any wind load.
-
Flashing:Metal flashing must be installed over the top of the ledger board and under the house siding. It redirects all rain and moistureaway from the joint where the pergola meets the house, preventing water from seeping into the wall cavity and causing rot.Failure to flash properly will lead to severe house damage.
Q3: How does the sun exposure differ between a Two Post and a Freestanding Pergola?
A: The sun exposure is heavily directional and fixed with a two-post design:
-
Fixed Direction: The attached nature means the pergola is structurally fixed relative to the sun's path. Since the roof extends only one way, the deepest shade will always be found closest to the house during the hottest parts of the day.
-
Need for Side Walls: Unlike a freestanding pergola, a two-post structure often needsretractable shades, curtains, or latticework added to the sides or front to block the intense afternoon sun that hits the open side.
-
Shade: The shade provided by the rafters isdenser close to the house and becomes lighter toward the open end.
Q4: Can a Two-Post Pergola be customized with a solid roof, and what must be added to the structure if so?
A: Yes, a two-post pergola can be customized with a solid, waterproof roof (like corrugated metal or polycarbonate panels).
-
Slope Requirement: If adding a solid roof, the structure must be built with a slight pitch or slope (a minimum of 1/4 inch per foot). It is essential to ensure that rainwater flows efficiently away from the house and into a gutter system, preventing water from pooling on the roof.
-
Drainage: A gutter system should be installed along the front beam to collect and divert the runoff water. Without gutters, the runoff will pour off the front edge, potentially flooding the patio area.