AMERICANA FREESTANDING DOUBLE-HEADER PERGOLA User manual

FREESTANDING
DOUBLE-HEADER PERGOLA
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Recommended Tools:
Before You Begin:
Saftey Glasses, Tape Measure, Carpenters Level, Framing Square, Hex Head Nut Drivers, Chalk Line,
Elec. Drill w/ Bits, 5/8" Hole Drill Bit, (Masonry Drill, Bits. & Anchors may be required if securing to
Stone, Concrete, or any other masonry unit.)
1.) Please read all instructions carefully. Check the Bill of Materials for any missing parts, and gather
necessary tools. To prevent scratching of painted materials, place on a tarp, paper, or protective
material.
2.) You may be required to obtain a building permit for this structure from your local building authority.
This product should only be installed in 10, 20, or 30 psf (pounds per square foot) snow load and
90 mph or less wind speed zone (Custom models can be designed for heavier loads). This product
is listed under ICBO Evaluation Report #2621P. You may have to submit two copies of your plot
plan and also a copy of the evaluation report to your local building authority for a building permit.
Contact your local building department for details and your area's snow & wind loads.
3.) Note that this Pergola Kit is not designed to carry additional loads such as hanging heavy plants,
swings, people, or other objects.
4.) Fountain, Patio Stone, & Ferns are not included. Rev'd - 1/18/10

11. 3" x 3" Post
3. Column Cap
(Round & Square Shown)
7. Upper Column Mounting
Plate
14. 2" x 6" Rafter
(Shown Precut for Optional
Designer End Caps)
13. 3" x 8" Header
(Shown Precut for Optional
Designer End Caps)
10. Rafter Bracket
15. 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" Lattice
12. Fluted Column
(Round or Square)
6. Lower Post Mounting
Bracket (Optional)
19. 3/8" x 3 1/2" Bolt w/ Nut 20. 1 1/2" Lag Screw
18. #10 x 2" Stainless Steel
Sheet Metal Screw (SMS)
1. Designer End Caps for
Headers & Rafters 2. End Cap for
1 1/2" Sq. Lattice
17. #8 x 3/4" Tek Screw
8. Lwr. Col. Mtg. Bracket
(Round & Square Shown)
FREESTANDING DOUBLE-HEADER PERGOLA
PARTS LIST ph. [phone]
web www.americana.com
4. Header Splice
(Optional)
5. 3" Post Cap
9. Lag Bolt Insert
16. Lattice Splice
(Optional)

STEP 1
STEP 2
Fig. 1-1 Fig. 1-2
Fig. 2-2Fig. 2-1
#8 x 3/4" Tek Screw
Header Splice
3" x 8" Header Beam
#8 x 3/4" Tek Screw
Rafter Bracket
Header Beam
Length of Header - [(No. of Rafters - 1) x O.C.]
2
Dist. A =
Rafter Bracket
Header Beam
NOTE: Rafter distance on center (O.C.) will most likely be 24"
Pick out the Rafter Mounting Brackets (#10 on parts list). Secure Rafter brackets to header with 4 - #8 x 3/4" Tek Screws
as shown in Fig. 2-2, see Fig. 2-1 for spacing details. If the Header is reinforced, 1 1/2" screws must be used to secure
the Rafter Brackets to the Header.
3" x 8"
Header Beam
Pick out the 3" x 8" header beams (Fig. 1-1). If the header beams require splicing simply insert an equal amount of the
provided header splice into each of the square ends of the header beams and secure with 10 - #8 x 3/4" Tek Screws on
both sides of the splice (Front & Back for a total of 40 screws, see Fig 1-2). Be sure to locate a column under header splices.

STEP 3
Fig. 3-1 Fig. 3-2
Fig. 3-4Fig. 3-3
Determine the best location for your new pergola and mark outer edges by snapping a chalk line the length of your headers
along the outer edge. Turn 90 degrees and snap a chalk line the length of your rafters begining at the end of the previous
chalk line. Repeat to close the square. Locate the center of the posts by subtracting the desired overhang from the over
all dimensions and snap 4 chalk lines accordingly (see Fig 3-1).
Otr. Edge of Horz. Matirial
(Rafter, Header, Lattice) Centerline of
Column
3" Sq.
Post
3/8" x 3 1/2" Bolt
Concrete Anchors
(4 per Bracket)
Heavy-Duty Post
Mounting Bracket
3/8" Nut
3" Sq. Post
Center Line
of Post
24" Min. Concrete
Ground
3" Sq. Post
Rubble Stone (used
to adjust post height
prior to adding conc-
rete)
Depending upon the available surface or local building codes there are three post mounting options.
Option 1 - If your pergola has Heavy Duty Mounting Brackets, anchor them at the intersection of two centerlines, drill 4 holes
for Anchor Bolts, and attach bracket to ground with 4 Anchor Bolts. Then, with 2 - 3/8" x 3 1/2" Bolts, attach post to bracket
(see Fig. 3-2). Note: If installing side post plates, only one bolt is required for the post to bracket connection.
Option 2 - If you plan to bury your post, start by digging a hole approximately 12" in dia. x 30" deep. Place rock 6" deep
in bottom of hole and drop 3" post in. (NOTE: Be Sure there is 8'-0" of post above ground.) Fill hole with a pre-mix of
cement, agragete, and water. Check post on all sides with a carpenters level to make sure it is plum with the ground
(see Fig 3-3).
Option 3 - If your pergola has standard lower mounting brackets, just anchor them at the intersection of two centerlines,
drill 4 - 3/8" dia Holes and embed 4 - Lag bolt Inserts. Now, with 4 - 1 1/2" Lag Screws, attach brackets to concrete
and attach post to bracket with 4 - #10 x 1 1/4" Tek Screws (see Fig. 3-4).
Option 1
Option 3Option 2
NOTE: If installing fiberglass columns, skip to Step 4 after snapping chalklines.
1 1/2" Lag Screw
Lag Bolt Insert
1 1/4" Tek Screw
3" Sq. Post
Lwr. Mtg. Brkt.

STEP 4 - COLUMN SETUP: SQ. or ROUND ALUM. COLUMNS
Fig. 4-1 Fig. 4-2
Fig. 4-3 Fig. 4-4
3" Sq. Post
Column Section
Centerline
of Post
Lwr. Col.
Bracket
Column
Cap
Plastic Lag Screw Insert
Column
Column
3" Sq. Post
Column Section
2" Lag Bolt
Snap two column sections together by fitting tongue into groove and lightly tapping with heel of hand to lock. Once two
sets of two sections are locked together stand them on end and snap the open ends together around a post (see Fig. 4-1).
Anchor bottom of column with two lower column brackets, 6 - Plastic Lag Screw Inserts, 6 - 2" lag bolts into surface, and
6 - #8 x 3/4" Tek screws into column (see Fig 4-2). Once column sections are secure slide the lower column cap in place
and attach to column with 4 - #8 x 3/4" Tek Screws.
Round columns should be snapped together by inserting the small hooks into the large hooks on the long ends of the
column sections. Keep one joint open and wrap the adjoined sections around post (see Fig 4-3). Lock final joint. (Note:
The final joint should be the shortest of the large hooks.) Secure Column to surface with 3 'L' brackets, 3 - Plastic Lag
Screw Inserts, 3 - 2" lag bolts, and 3 - #8 x 3/4" Tek screws (see Fig. 4-4). Once column sections or together slide the
lower column cap in place and fasten to column with 4 - #8 x 3/4" Tek Screws.
#8 x 3/4" Tek Screw
Plastic Lag Screw Insert
Column
Cap
#8 x 3/4" Tek Screw
Lwr. Column
Bracket

STEP 4, CONT. - COLUMN SETUP: FIBERGLASS COLUMNS
Fig. 4-5 Fig. 4-6
Fig. 4-7
Start by applying construction adhesive around lower round surface of cap, and position cap onto column. Measure
overall required length from top of cap and trim bottom of column as needed. Column should be slightly longer for a
snug fit. Position base cap on column, then temporarily stand column in position and plumb with level. With cap and
base in proper position, mark exact mounting location with a pencil. Next, lay column down and continue with proper option.
Before installation, fiberglass columns must be painted. See bottom of page for color matching formulas. TIP:
Before painting, sand column lightly with 120 grit or finer wet/dry sandpaper. Use mineral sprits to remove all dust and dirt.
Option 2 - Buried Posts
If you plan to bury your posts, do so as instructed in Step 3. Once posts are installed, apply construction adhesive to top
of cap and bottom surface of column. Next, the fiberglass column must be hoisted over the post and placed around it (Fig. 4-7).
WARNING: Standard 8'-0" x 8" rd.
fiberglass column weighs approx.
60 pounds. Installation may require
more than one person.
Lowes - Valspar Paint 1 gallon
Exterior/Latex/Semi Gloss/Daylight
Color Matching Formulas
White Wicker
BaseB1-20015 Base B1-20015
101 5 shot 101 18 shot
103 1/2 shot 107 25-1/2 shot
107 4 shot 109 3-1/2 shot
Adobe (Clay) Latte
Base B2-20036 Base B1-20015
101-(1y oz) 45-1/2 shot 101 37-1/2 shot
104-(1y oz) 12-1/2 shot 107-(2y oz) 19-1/2 shot
111-(1y oz) 32 shot 109 17-1/2 shot
Option 1 - Lower Mounting Brackets
If your pergola has standard lower mounting brackets, just anchor them at the intersection of two centerlines (Fig. 3-1),
drill 4 - 3/8" dia Holes and embed 4 - Lag bolt Inserts. With 4 - 1 1/2" Lag Screws, attach brackets to concrete (Fig. 3-2).
Next, apply construction adhesive to the top of cap and bottom surface of column, place post through column, and place
the two onto mounting bracket (Fig. 4-6). Prop up the column and attach post to bracket with 4 - #10 x 1 1/4" Tek Screws
(Fig. 3-2).
Fiberglass Column
Post
Column (w/ Post inside)
Lower Mtg.
Bracket
Column
Post

STEP 4, CONT. - COLUMN SETUP: SIDE POST PLATES
Fig. 4-8 Fig. 4-9
Fig. 4-10
If your pergola has side plates, start by cutting the plates to the proper length. The plates must be 8" less than the post
length above the grade. Next, drill 5/8" diameter holes through the side plates beginning 12" up from the bottom with one
hole every 24" (see Fig. 4-8). Center two side plates per post against the post; the headers will rest directly on top of the
side plates. Anchor the plate's inside face to the post through the holes with #10 x 1 1/4" Tek Screws. Insert the 5/8" hole
plugs into the outside face of the plate (see Fig. 4-9).
When finished, the assembly should look like that shown in Fig. 4-10.
Centerline
of Side Plate
5/8" Dia. Holes
12"
24"
24"
24"
Side Plate
3" Sq. Post
5/8" Hole Plug
1 1/4" Tek Screw

STEP 5
STEP 6
Fig. 5-1 Fig. 5-2
Fig. 6-1
5/8" Hole Plug
Column Plate
3" Sq. Post
Column Cap
Column
#8 x 3/4" Tek Screw
Rafter Bracket
2" x 6" Rafter
Header Beam
#8 x 3/4"
Tek Screw
Assemble upper column cap and secure to column with 4 - #8 x 3/4" Tek Screw. Slide the column plate over 3" post and
insert into top of column cap. Secure plate to cap with 4 - #8 x 3/4" Tek Screws, but be careful not to over torque (see Fig.
5-1). Hoist headers onto top of columns. Be sure to center headers over column measuring the overhang from end of head-
er to center of post. Attach headers to post by drilling a 5/8" dia. hole in outer face of header and secure inner face to post
with 2 - #5 x 1-1/4" Tek Screws. Cover the 5/8" holes with the provided hole plugs (see Fig. 5-2).
Begin anchoring the rafters by centering them over the adjacent headers and measuring the proper overhang from end of
rafter to center of post. Secure the rafters to the rafter brackets with 2 - #8 x 3/4" Tek screws per side (see Fig 6-1).
#5 x 1-1/4"
Tek Screw
Header
3" Sq. Post3" Sq. Post Cap

STEP 7
Fig. 7-2Fig. 7-1
Fig. 7-3
2" Stainless
Steel Sheet
Metal Screw
1 1/2" Sq. Lattice
2" x 6" Rafter
1 1/2" Sq. Lattice
Rafter
Dim. B = Rafter Length - [(No. of Lattice - 1) x On Center (O.C.)]
2
1 1/2" Sq.
Lattice
If the lattice tubes require splice insert the splice into and end of two tubes and secure with 2 - # 8 x 3/4" Tek screws.
(see Fig. 7-1). Layout lattice on rafters seam side up. For lattice spacing details, see Fig. 7-2. Lattice O.C. will most
likely be 4 1/2". The distance from centerline of rafter to end of lattice is equal to "Dim. A" in Fig 2-1.
Finally, secure the 1 1/2" sq. lattice to rafters with 2" stainless steel sheet metal screws (see Fig. 7-3).
#8 x 3/4"
Tek Screw
Latttice Splice

CONGRATULATIONS! ASSEMBLY COMPLETED
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NOTES