RioOutdoors 4F-WDC User manual

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Installation Instructions
4F-WDC
4x4 Floating Wall Mount Double Cubic Pergola Kit
Pergola Kits
WARNING: If the information in these instructions is not followed exactly, weakening or failure of the erected
structure may result causing property damage, personal injury, or loss of life.
All brackets designed and sold by RioOutdoors.com are to be used for building pergolas only and are not to be used for
other structure construction purposes.
• Thoughtfully engineered
Brackets eliminate all wood-
joinery skills requirements.
•Skills required: leveling
ground, drilling pilot
holes and driving lag
screws into lumber.
•Easy lift and place U-
channels eliminate need
for lifting equipment.
Super-easy assembly
work.
•Self-aligning design
squares up structure
automatically.
•Estimated Assembly
Time is less than 2-hours
(not including deck).
Figure 1: Items included in the kit, (

 ).
Items not included in this kit: wood, tools, some hardware.

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Table of Contents
1.1 SAFETY AND WARNING INFORMATION ..............3
1.2 TOOLS REQUIRED...................................................4
1.3 CONTENTS OF KIT #4F-WDC...................................5
1.4 OPTIONAL DECK SUPPORT BEAM BRACKETS .................5
1.5 LIST OF MATERIALS THAT YOU WILL SUPPLY,OR ARE
RECOMMENDED................................................6
1.6 FLOATING SYSTEM...............................................7
1.7 STUDY THE POSTS LAYOUT REQUIREMENTS...................9
1.8 SIDE ELEVATION DIAGRAM .....................................10
1.9 ASSEMBLY WORK OUTLINE .....................................11
1.10 ASSEMBLING FLOOR CORNER 2-WAY ELBOW BRACKETS 15
1.11 ASSEMBLING THE FLOOR 2-WAY EXTENSION BRACKET . 18
1.12 POSTS INSTALLATION ........................................... 22
1.13 POST-TOP BRACKETS INSTALLATION ........................ 23
1.14 4X4HEADERS INSTALLATION ................................. 26
1.15 POST TOP 2-WAY EXTENSION BRACKET INSTALLATION 28
1.16 WALL MOUNT BRACKET AND HEADERS INSTALLATION .. 30
1.17 INSTALLING DECK BOARD SUPPORT BEAMS ................ 33
1.18 INSTALLING DECK BOARDS .................................... 34
2.1 CONDITIONS ...................................................... 37
2.2 EXCLUSIONS....................................................... 37
2.3 LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY ..................................... 38
2.4 HOW TO OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE ..................... 38
Proper pilot hole diameter and hole depth for various lag screws and wood types
Lag Screw Type
Wood Type
Pilot hole drill diameter and hole depth
¼” X 1-1/4” Lag Screw
McMasterCarr.com SKU 92351A546
Soft Wood 3/32” drill bit diam., 1-1/4” depth
Hard Wood 3/16” drill bit diam., 1-1/4” depth
3/8” X 3” Lag Screw
McMasterCarr.com SKU 92351A636
Soft Wood 11/64” drill bit diam., 3” depth
Hard Wood ¼” drill bit diam., 3” depth
A properly sized pilot hole must be drilled before you attempt to drive lag screws into any pergola lumber member.
See Table, below. Driving lag screws into lumber, without first drilling a pilot hole, can prevent the lag screw from
driving fully into the wood or can lead to crack formation while driving the lag screw in, or later, as the wood dries
naturally. This can result in a weakened pergola structure.

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GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 SAFETY AND WARNING INFORMATION
1.1.1 Building Permit & Inspection Requirements
We recommend that you consult with your local building permit office and obtain advice and any required building permits and
inspection approvals from the local building inspection department or the local jurisdiction having authority over building codes.
1.1.2 Other Cautions
CAUTION: Adhere to all safety requirements. Wear safety glasses/goggles when working. Wear safety gloves
when handling brackets, hardware, and lumber. Wear hearing protection when using a circular saw, miter
saw, table saw, or hammer drill.
INSTALLER: Leave this manual with the consumer. CONSUMER: Retain this manual for future reference.

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1.2 TOOLS REQUIRED
Listed below, are common tools required for pergola projects. These tools are not included in this kit. Your pergola project may
not require all tools. Select and acquire the tools for your project from the “Required for” column in this table.
Description
Tool Purpose
Required for
Reference Image
Tape
Measure
Measure and verify
lengths. All pergola types
Framing
Level Verify Level/Plumb All pergola types
Hammer
Drill
Drill holes in concrete
pads or concrete
footing for securing
floor anchor brackets.
Drill pilot holes for lag
screws.
All pergola types
Ratchet
Socket
Driver
Drive lag screws into
Pergola lumber
members.
All pergola types
7/16” Hex
Socket
Drive ¼” X 1-1/4” Hex
Hd. lag screws. All pergola types
9/16” Hex
Socket
Drive 3/8” X 3” Hex Hd.
lag screws.
Raftered pergola (single,
dual, quad headers)
3/32” Drill
Bit
Drill pilot holes for ¼”
lag screws in soft
wood.
All pergola types
11/64” Drill
Bit
Drill pilot holes for 3/8”
lag screws in soft
wood.
Raftered pergola (single,
dual, quad headers)
½” X 4”
Masonry
Drill Bit
Drill ½” X 2” deep holes
in concrete pads or
concrete footings.
Surface Mount styled
pergola
#2 Phillips
Screwdriver
Bit
Attaching pergola
rafter ties to rafters
and headers.
Raftered pergola (single,
dual, quad headers)
Circular
Saw/Miter
Saw
Cut headers to length;
cut rafters to length. All pergola types
Jig Saw
Cut rafter tail designs.
Raftered pergolas
Image not available.
Crescent
Wrench
Tighten down nut on
concrete anchors. FLOATING Pergolas Image not available.
Hammer Various. All pergola types.

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1.3 CONTENTS OF KIT # 4F-WDC
The contents of this kit are shown in the table, below. Before you begin your project, take an inventory of all items that you
received from us. If any items are missing, contact us directly via email at [e-mail]. Include your name and
shipping address and your order number, if available. We will respond within 24 hours with a resolution to your problem.
Item SKU #, Description
Item Qty
Item Image
4x4 Post-Top/Floor 2-way Elbow Bracket
SKU# 4C2L 4
4x4 Post-Top/Floor 2-Way Straight Extension
SKU #4SE 2
4x4 Wall Mount Bracket
SKU# 4WM 4
¼ x 1-1/4” SS Lag Screw
McMasterCarr.com SKU 92351A546 76
1.4 OPTIONAL DECK SUPPORT BEAM BRACKETS
If you wish to build a wooden deck as the floor for your floating pergola, you may wish to use our deck beam support brackets,
SKU #24BS. This bracket can support 2x4 or 2x6 beams. You can order the required number of brackets at RioOutdoors.com.
Deck Beam Support Brackets (Qty 2 every 24”)
RioOutdoors.com SKU# 24BS
6 for 8 ft.
8 for 10
ft.
10 for 12
ft.

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1.5 LIST OF MATERIALS THAT YOU WILL SUPPLY, OR ARE RECOMMENDED
This is the list of required materials which are not included in this kit. You will acquire these items locally for your project. Use
this table to help you calculate your total project budget.
Item Description Item Qty
Item
Cost
($)
Total
Item
Cost
($)
Item Image
4x4 Post Lumber (You
determine length) 3
4x4 Header Lumber (You
determine length) 4
4x4 Floor Floating Lumber
(You determine length) 4
¼” X 1-1/4” x 7” Wood
Shims One Pack
Landscape weed control
fabric As Required NA
Tape, for marking drill bit
depth 2” NA
Grand Total Cost ($)
NA

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1.6 FLOATING SYSTEM
1.6.1 What is a floating system?
Floating means that the vertical posts for the pergola are secured to 4x4s that are laid on the ground and floating; employing 2-
way elbow brackets to secure the posts to the floating floor 4x4s. You may choose to create a wooden deck within the pergola
walls. To do so, you must add 2x4 beams every 24” to support the deck boards. You may toenail the 2x4 beams in place or
choose an easier and more precise mounting method using our 2x4 Beam Support Brackets (SKU# 24BS, available at
RioOutdoors.com).

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1.6.2 Floor Leveling and Preparation.
Plan to assemble a floating wall mount pergola against a wall where you can excavate and create a level platform, at least, the
overall outer dimensions of the pergola. If soil type is sandy, soft, or wet, you must consider adding concrete blocks or pier blocks
under corners of pergola to prevent sinking into soil.
1. Excavate enough dirt to create a flat and level platform.
2. Spray Roundup weed killer herbicide on the excavated area to prevent weed growth inside your pergola area.
3. Lay thick weed control fabric over the entire pegola platform. Overlap the fabric at least 6 inches where they join. Use U-
shaped lanscaping fabric nails to anchor the fabric to the ground.
Alternatively, you can excavate deeper, about 3 inches, lay the weed control fabric at the bottom and fill the excavated
area on top of the fabric with gravel up to your desired height.

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1.7 STUDY THE POSTS LAYOUT REQUIREMENTS.
First, study the posts layout requirements. Spend some time planning, yourself, so you are fully familiar with the final size you
desire for your pergola.Determine the exact location for each pergola post based on your pergola size. We have designed our
pergola systems to eliminate the need to cut any 4x4 post or header members. Plan accordingly to minimize your work
requirements. The length of the headers you select will determine the final overall size and the location of the post centers.
Header #1 Length (in.)
Dim A (in.)
96
98
108
110
120
122
132
134
144
146
Header #2 Length (in.)
Dim B (in.)
96
99 7/8
108
111 7/8
120
123 7/8
132
135 7/8
144
147 7/8
Header #3 Length (in.)
Dim C (in.)
96
99 7/8
108
111 7/8
120
123 7/8
132
135 7/8
144
147 7/8

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1.8 SIDE ELEVATION DIAGRAM
Based on the height of the post used, the diagram below provides the side elevation profile for this pergola system.
POST HEIGHT
DIM A
DIM B
96
96
92.5
108
108
104.5
120
120
116.5
132
132
128.5
144
144
140.5
Dim A, above, is the height of the post used. Dim B is the inner ceiling height of the pergola. Dim B is measured to the bottom
surface of the header member.

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1.9 ASSEMBLY WORK OUTLINE
Follow these steps in sequence to assembly this wall-mount floating pergola. Refer to individual instructions on how to install
each bracket.
1. Assemble the four floor lumber members, the two corner 2-way elbow brackets, one 2-way extension bracket, and two wall-
mount brackets. See sections 1.10 and 1.11.
2. Move the floating floor assembly against the wall to its intended location.
3. Level the floating assembly and support the four corners and the middle 2-way extension joint using concrete blocks or
gravel so the assembly remains level.

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4. Secure the wall-mount brackets to the wall using appropriate 3/8” hardware. See section 1.16.
5. Install the three posts and secure them to the corner 2-way elbow brackets and the middle 2-way extension bracket. See
Section 1.12.

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6. Install the two post-top 2-way elbow brackets and the middle 2-way extension bracket and secure them to the posts. See
section 1.12.
7. Install headers between the two posts and the middle 2-way extension bracket and secure them to the post-top 2-way
elbow brackets and the middle 2-way extension bracket. See section 1.13.

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8. Raise and place one post to wall header on the open U-channel on one end post.
9. Raise opposite end of the header up until it is level. Mark the bottom and side profiles of the header on the wall.
10. Remove the header and set on the ground.
11. Align one wall-mount bracket with the marks you made on the wall.
12. Secure the wall-mount bracket to the wall using appropriate 3/8” hardware.
13. Repeat the same procedures and mount the second wall-mount bracket to the wall.
14. Place one header between each post top and the wall.
15. Secure the headers to the post top 2-way elbow brackets and the wall-mount brackets using ¼ X 1-1/4” Lag Screws per
instructions in section 1.16.

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1.10 ASSEMBLING FLOOR CORNER 2-WAY ELBOW BRACKETS
1. Starting in one corner, slide one 2-way elbow over two adjacent 4x4s so the U-channels in the 2-way elbow bracket wrap
over the 4x4s.
2. Place two shims under each 4x4 near the 2-way elbow.
3. Push 2-way elbow bracket downward until the horizontal part of the U-channels touch the 4x4 top surfaces.
4. Slide 4x4s all the way in towards the center square tube in the 2-way elbow bracket.

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5. Wrap a piece of electrical tape around the drill bit, spaced 1-1/4” from the drill bit tip. This will act as a hole depth
indicator when you drill each pilot hole. Pilot holes should be drilled at least 1-1/4” deep. A little bit deeper is acceptable
but do not drill less than the required 1-1/4” depth.
6. Drill 3/32 X 1-1/4” pilot holes through the lower holes in the U-channel’s sides, on both visible and not visible sides. Only
use the lower holes to anchor the floor 4x4s to the U-channels.

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7. Drive one ¼” X 1-1/4” SS lag screw through the pilot holes you drilled.
8. Repeate steps 6 and 7 for the other side of both U-channels.
9. Repeat Steps 6 to 8 for the other corner.
10. Remove all shims from under the 4x4s.
11. Tap top of 4x4s with a hammer to settle the 4x4s into the ground fabric.
12. Using a 4 foot framing Level, check top surfaces of all 4x4s to see if they are level. Use shims as you see necessary to level
all three 4x4s that are sitting on the ground.

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1.11 ASSEMBLING THE FLOOR 2-WAY EXTENSION BRACKET
1. Move to the opposite end of the floating 4x4 which runs along the length of the pergola.
2. Slide one 2-Way Extension Bracket over the end of the length-side floating member. Butt the square vertical tube against
the end of the 4x4.
3. Slide one wood shim under the 4x4 from each side to prop the 4x4 upward.

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4. Hold the 2-Way Extension bracket tightly against the 4x4 end and top face.
5. Drill a 3/32” X 1-1/4” pilot hole through the bottom 5/16” hole on both sides of the U-Channel which is over the 4x4. Drill
through only the bottom holes.
6. Using a Ratchet driver and a 7/16” socket, drive a ¼” x 1-1/4” Lag Screw through the pilot holes you drilled. Tighten the
lag screws.
7.

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8. Slide a floating 4x4 on the other end of the 2-Way Extension bracket.
9. Place two shims under the 4x4 to push it upward.
10. Drill a 3/32” X 1-1/4” pilot hole through the bottom 5/16” hole on both sides of the U-Channel which is over the new 4x4.
Drill through only the bottom holes.