Pergola construction

[sharonb]

I am a garden designer and wish to include a pergola without any rafter overhang ie it will look more 'boxy' than normal. I assume the rafters would be notched to slot over the beam (some would also go directly on top of the posts) but they would need some sort of fixing to make sure they don't move. What should I specify? Can anyone help please? Sharon

[Pablo]

If the wood is notched then screws will be fine. If it's not then timberlocks should do the trick. As a designer do you not a have a list of vetted contrators who could put you right on any queries you have.

[matt h]

pergolas now require building consent as they are considered tobe roofed structures.. size of pergola is also restricted to other main building attributes so beware:(

[Dave_L]

Really Matt?? We put a big one up at a care home a couple of months ago!

Oh well, we only put the thing up at the customers request.

[sharonb]

This subject came up recently in the Garden Design Journal. Someone in Cambridge was caught out - orginally told they didn't need planning permission and then planning office said they did. I think it may depend on style of pergola. From the picture it looked like theirs had a tiled roof but my one has no roof and will be covered in time by plants.

[lutonlagerlout]

if its a flat roof detail they are called joists ,you can get joist clips which are galvanised,
if it is pitched roof detail (pointed)they are called rafters normally there is a cut called a birdsmouth which any chipie worth his salt will do automatically which ties the rafter to the wall plate

LLL