Suncast Free Standing Pergola User manual

Free Standing Pergola
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Quality Control Number:
Numéro de controle de qualitié:
Número de control de calidad:
© 2011 Suncast Corporation, Batavia, IL 0660110
Includes instructions for 8' x 8', 8' x 12', 10' x 14',
10' x 16', 12' x 16', 14' x 14', or 14' x 20' pergola

2
CAUTION
 •Pergolanotintendedforuseinextremeweatherconditions.
 •Do notstand,sit,orstoreitemsontopofpergola.
 •Handlecarefullyinextremetemperatures.
 •Repairorreplacebrokenpartsimmediately.Call1-800-444-3310forreplacementparts.
 •Suncastisnotresponsiblefordamagecausedbyweatherormisuse.
 •Atregularintervalsinspectyourpergolatomakesurethatassemblyintegrityhasbeenmaintained.
 •Periodicallycheckthatthelocationyouhavechosentosetyourpergolaisstilllevel.
 •Avoidexcessheatfromanyauxiliarysource.
 •Anyadditionalholesdrilledintopartscouldcauseunsafeconditions.
 •Followmanufacturersafetyinstructionswhenusingladder.
 •Do notanchortopaverbricks.Foundationmustbeasolidsurface.
 •Exercisecautionusingalawnmower,edgetrimmerorotheryardequipmentnearpergola.
Before You Begin...
• Consult your local authorities for any permits required to construct pergola.
  Priortotheconstructionofyourpergola,checkwiththelocalbuildingcodeofcialtoreviewany
requiredpermitsorbuildinglimitations.
• COMPLETE SITE PREPARATION AND FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION BEFORE
UNPACKING ALL PARTS.
  Alevelandsturdyfoundationisrequiredbeforepergolaconstructioncanbegin.
• Read instructions thoroughly prior to assembly.
Thiskitcontainspartsthatcanbedamagedifassembledincorrectlyorinthewrongsequence.
• Please follow instructions.
IfyouhavequestionsorconcernswiththisproductDO NOTreturntostore.
Assemblyquestions?Missingparts?Call1-800-444-3310.
• Assistance is required.
  Duetothesizeoftheparts,atleasttwopeoplearerequiredtohandle,tandsecurepergolacomponents.
• These instructions cover a 14' x 14' size pergola.
  Theassemblyprocessisthesameforeachpergolasize,butsomestepswilldifferslightly,dependingon
thesizeyouhavepurchased.
• Foundation mounting hardware varies with each application.
  Readmanualrstandcontactyourlocalbuildingsupplyretailerforrecommendationsforyourapplication.
• If you live in a high-wind area, you may want to purchase the high-wind brackets (C), sold
separately.

3
8'
8'
Tools Needed for Installation
Pergola Safety and Care
• Washpergolawithgardenhoseormilddetergentsolutionandsoftcloth.Do notuseastiffbrushorabrasive
cleanerasthatcoulddamagepergola.
 •Hotitems,suchasrecentlyusedgrills,blowtorches,etc.,mustnotbeusedinornearthepergola.
Assembly Day Tips
• Complete site preparation and foundation construction before unpacking
parts and beginning assembly.
• Take care when removing vinyl parts. Other parts are packed inside them.
• DO NOT attempt to assemble on a day with strong winds.
• DO NOT attempt to assemble on days when temperature is below 32 degrees.
• Set aside appropriate amount of time to completely assemble pergola.
See the chart below for approximate assembly times.
8x8 8x12 10x14 10x16 12x16 14x14 14x20
5 hours 6 hours 6 hours 7 hours 8 hours 8 hours 9 hours
• Make sure you have assistance nearby to lift and secure parts in place.
• Wear light duty work gloves while assembling pergola.
• If you have questions on assembly, please call 1-800-444-3310.
Note: This product contains parts that are used in different orientations to construct the pergola. Please take note
of the orientation of the parts shown throughout this instruction manual. Failure to follow instructions could result in
damage to parts. Suncast is not responsible for replacing parts lost or damaged due to incorrect assembly.

4
Temporary
Beam Holder
Temporary
beam holder
x2
Wood block
x2
Wood peg
x2
BB
CC
DD
Optional high-wind
bracket
G
E
Large base
trim ring
A
H
I
C
B
4x4 wood post
Top square
post sleeve
Post cover
Foot bracket
D
Round trim ring
F
Top trim ring
Vinyl column
Parts
Pergola
Size A B C D E F G H I
8x8444444444
8x12444444444
10x14444444444
10x16666666666
12x16666666666
14x14444444444
14x20666666666

5
Beam sleeve
J
7' Wood beam insert
K
Beam trim
M
1' Wood beam insert
L
Rafter collar
O
Rafter sleeve
N
7' wood rafter insert
P
Rafter trim
Q
Shade trim
S
Shade splice
T
Shade
R
Parts
Pergola
Size J K L M N O P Q R S T
8x8 4 0 8 8 6 0 0 12 8 16 0
8x12 8 4 8 8 9 0 0 18 16 16 8
10x14 8 4 8 8 18 9 9 18 20 20 10
10x16 8 4 8 8 22 11 11 22 20 20 10
12x16 8 4 8 8 22 11 11 22 24 24 12
14x14 8 4 8 8 18 9 9 18 28 28 14
14x20 12 8 8 8 26 13 13 26 42 28 28

6
3/16" Concrete
drill bit
1/4" Wood
drill bit
Rafter clip
#8 1" Screws
5/16" x 4" Structural stainless
steel white pan head screws
2 1/2" Stainless steel
white pan head screws
V
W
Y
Concrete screws
1/2" x 4" Concrete
screws/bolts
Washers
Z
AA
EE
X
U
FF
Hardware
Pergola
Size U V W X Y Z AA EE FF
8x8 1 1 18 128 72 17 8 16 25
8x12 1 1 18 204 96 17 8 16 37
10x14 1 1 18 208 124 17 8 16 37
10x16 1 1 26 244 152 25 12 16 45
12x16 1 1 26 248 176 25 12 16 45
14x14 1 1 18 216 164 17 8 16 37
14x20 1 1 26 320 242 25 12 16 53
Note: These pieces shown at actual size.

7
Site preparation, unpacking, and platform construction
(MaterialsNOTsuppliedwithPergolaKit)
Note: Site preparation and platform construction and Support Post Installation steps may require professional
assistance to be installed correctly.
Pleasereadallmanualstepsthoroughlybeforestartingthisproject.
Note: Site preparation and platform construction are required for this pergola. Placing the pergola on the ground
without any type of foundation is not recommended. Suncast is not responsible for replacing parts damaged or
property lost due to construction without a foundation or platform.
Completethesitepreparationandplatformconstructionbeforeunpackingparts.
To prepare your pergola site, follow these steps:
1)Consultyourlocalauthoritiesandneighborhoodassociationforbuildingcodesandcovenantsbefore
beginningfoundationorerectingpergola.
2)Consultyourlocalbuildingsupplyretailertoassistyouindeterminingthebestfoundationorplatform
methodforyourapplication.Thebuildingsupplyretailercanalsohelpyoudeterminewhatanchoring
hardwareyouwillneedoncethefoundationorplatformmethodhasbeendetermined.Bringthismanual
withyoutotheretailersotheycanseethescopeoftheproject.
3)Beforeanydigging,checkwithlocalutilitiestodeterminelocationofburiedcables,pipes,etc.
4)A four inch thick concrete slab or concrete piers are recommended as the foundation.
 -Ifawoodplatformischosenasthefoundation,useexteriorgradewood.
Note: DO NOT erect pergola on paver bricks. Foundation must be a solid surface.
Ifyouplantoerectthepergolaonanexistingdeck,consultlocalauthoritiesforbuildingcodesandmakesure
thatthestructureissoundandcanholdtheadditionalweightofthepergola(seechartbelow).Consultlocal
buildingsupplyretailertodeterminethebestmethodandhardwareforyourapplication.
5)Preparingthebuildingsite:
 -Thegroundshouldslopeawayfromthefoundationareatoprovidedrainage.
 -Thefoundationsurfacemustbeatandlevel.
 -Followlocalbuildingcodesforapropervaporbarrier.
For installation on concrete pillars:
UsingthechartprovidedonPage8,markthelocationofthecenterofeachpost.Prepareaholethatis16
inchesindiameter,adjustingthedepthasneededfortheareaofthecountrythatyouarein.Forexample,
becauseoffrostissues,thenorthernpartoftheUSrequiresadeeperholethanthesouthernpart.Makesure
thatthenishedheightoftheconcreteisexactlythesameforallofthepostfoundations.
8x8 8x12 10x14 10x16 12x16 14x14 14x20
335 lbs 405 lbs 565 lbs 745 lbs 865 lbs 683 lbs 985 lbs

8
Specs for post and beam layout
B
(beams)
A (rafters)
C
B
(beams)
B
(beams)
A (rafters)
C
Six post layoutFour post layout
Propersitepreparationrequiresthatthelayoutissquare.Usethemeasurementsonthechartprovidedto
determinethecorrectspacingoftheposts(A&B).Thediagonalmeasurement(C)willensurethatthepergola
issquare.
Note: The measurements on the chart are from center to center of the posts.
4x4 Post wrapped
w/ vinyl column
Shades @ +or- 12" apart
2x6 Rafters @ +or- 16" apart
Post D
Post C
Post A
Elevation A
Elevation B
Post A & C
orientation
Post B & D
orientation
Post B
2x8 Beams
Top size in
feet
Rafter length
including ends
in inches
Beam length
including ends
in inches
# of posts # of double
beams
Depth (A)
in inches
Width (B)
in inches
Diagonal (C)
in inches
8x8 106 114 4 2 74 74 104.65
8x12 106 158 4 2 74 118 139.28
10x14 130 182 4 2 96 142 171.41
10x16 130 204 6 2 96 82 190.03
12x16 154 204 6 2 120 82 203.21
14x14 178 182 4 2 144 142 202.24
14x20 178 261 6 2 144 110.50 263.77
Specs and Dimensions

9
Elevations
ELEVATION A
ELEVATION B
Hollow shades
4x4 Post
8' 9"
8' 9" 7' 6"
Vinyl column
Foundation by others
Foundation by others
Beam trim
Shade trim 2x6 Rafters w/ wood fillers
2x8 Beams w/ wood fillers
Rafter trim Hollow shades
Shade splice
1' wood filler
inside beams
2x6 Rafters w/ wood fillers
Shades secured w/
2.5" screws
Rafter clips secured
w/ 1" screws
Rafters secured to
beams w/ rafter clips
Beams (& 1' filler) secured to
post w/ 4" structural screws

10
Thepostwiththehigh-windbracketshouldlookas
pictured.
Attachthehigh-windbracket(C)usingthescrews
thatwereremovedinStep1.Thehigh-windbracket
usesanadditional14screwsthatareincluded.
3
CA
Slidethehigh-windbracket(C)ontothebottomof
thepost(A),makingsurethatitissnugagainstthe
bottom.
2
C
A
Ifyouhavechosentopurchasethehigh-wind
brackets(C),removethescrewsintheexisting
brackets(B).Setbracketsasideandsaveallscrews
forlater.
x10
1
B
A
Optional High-Wind Bracket Pre-assembly

11
Markeachpostlocation.Eachmarkwillbethe
exactcenteroftheposts.
1
Positionpost(A)andfootbracket(B)overmarkand
traceholesinbracket.
2a Standard bracket
B
A
1
2
Forhighwindareas,positionpost(A)andhigh-wind
bracket(C)overmarkandtraceholesinbracket.
1
2b Optional high-wind bracket
2
C
A
Support Post Installation
Usingthechartonpage8,determinepostlayout.
XX' X"
XX' X"
35

12
Optional
high-wind bracket
(1/2" drill bit)
(not included)
3b
4
A
A
5
1
1
2
EE
Drillholesusingthe3/16"concretedrillbit(V)
provided.
Forhigh-windareas,usea1/2"concretedrill
bit(notincluded)todrillholesaminimumof5"deep.
Positionwoodposts(A)sothattheyareparallel
witheachother.Usingastring,alignthetopsof
theposts.Thiswillensurethatwhenthebeamsare
attached,theywilltproperlyagainsttheposts.
Note: The bottom of the posts may not be perfectly
parallel. This is common and will not be visible once
the vinyl columns are in place.
Positionwoodpostoverholesandplumbusinga
fourfootlevel.Ifneeded,usesuppliedwashersto
plumbposts.Note: The vinyl column covers bracket,
this is your last opportunity to secure and plumb the
posts.
3a (3/16" drill bit)
Standard bracket
(3/16" drill bit)
V

13
Usefourconcretescrews(Z)tosecure.Tighten
securely.Do notproceedwithpostcoversuntil
allwoodpostsareplumbandmountedsecurely.
x4
6c Optional high-wind bracket
AA
Repeat Steps 2-6
for remaining posts.
7
Useconcretescrews/bolts(AA)tosecurebrackets.
Tightensecurely.Do notproceedwithpostcovers
untilallwoodpostsareplumbandmountedsecurely.
Asanoption,additional1/2"x4"concretescrews/
bolts(AA)canbeinstalled.
6a
x4
Z
x2
6b Optional bolts
AA

14
Slidethelargebasetrimring(E)overthetopofthe
columnuntilitrestsontheconcretesurface.
Slideroundtrimring(F)downcolumnuntilitrests
ontheraisedledge.
Slidevinylcolumn(D)overwoodpost.Fitlower
portionofvinylcolumnoverwoodspacers,until
coverrestssecurelyonconcretesurface.
10
E
11
F
Unpackposttrimboxesandpositiontrimcloseto
eachpostintheordershown.
9
E
G
F
H
8
D
Post Trim Installation

15
Slidetopsquarepostsleeve(H)overwoodpost.
Repeat Steps 10-13
for remaining posts.
14
Slidetoptrimring(G)overcolumn,makingsurethe
roundedpartisfacingdownandthesquarepartis
facingup.
Thisishowthetopposttrimshouldlook.
13
H
12
G

16
Hooktemporarybeamholder(BB)ontopofthe
squarepostsleeve,facingdirectionofpost,which
willbesupportingtheoppositeendofthebeam.
Repeatforoppositepost.
16
CC
DD
1
22
Thisishowthetemporarybeamholdershouldlook
whenitispositionedtoholdthebeamduringbeam
installation.
Insertwoodblock(CC),makingsurethetwoholes
inthewoodblockarefacingupward.Insertawood
peg(DD)ineachhole.Repeatforoppositepost.
15
BB

17
Slide7'woodbeaminsert(K)outuntil6"oftheller
pieceisexposed.
2
19
1
Re-attachonesideofthelogoplate.
6"
18
K
Keeplogoplatewithscrews.
1
17
2
J
K
Unwrapbeamsleeve(J)withtheSuncastlogo.
Unscrewlogoandremove.Setlogoplateandgold
screwsasidetobereattachedlater.
Beam Assembly

18
21
1/4"
23
L
L
J
J
3"
3"
x2
22
X
X
Measure3"fromthespliceonbothsides.Fasten
two1"screws(X)onthetopofbothbeams.
Measuretheplacementoftheexistingscrewin
thelogoplateandtransferthemeasurementto
theotherendofthelogoplate.Insertandtighten
remainingscrew.
Unpack1'woodbeaminserts(L).Slidewoodbeam
insertintohollowendsofbeamsleeve(J).
Woodbeaminsertshouldbeushwithendor
recessed1/4".
20
1
2
J
Slipoppositebeamsleeve(J)overwoodbeam
insert.Liftlogoplatewhileslidingbeamsleeve
underneath.Theseamshouldbesnugwheretwo
sleevesmeet.

19
25 7 1/4"
Measureandmarkaline71/4"infromtheendof
beam.Repeatonotherendofbeam.Note: Bottom
edge of beam is determined by the logo plate
orientation.
Repeat Steps 17-26
for remaining beams.
27
5"
1 1/2"
26
U
Measureandmarkholes5"and11/2"frombottom
ofbeam.Predrillholesmakingsurethatthehole
thatis11/2"fromtheedgeistowardsthebottomof
thebeam.
24 6"
X
Fastena1"screw(X)onthetopedgeofbeam,
6"fromtheendofthebeam.
Note: Top edge of beam is determined by the logo
plate orientation.

20
29
Centerthebeamonthetwoposts,makingsurethat
anequalamountofbeamprotrudespasteachpost.
Usingthepre-drilledholesthatyoudrilledinStep
26,drilla1/4"pilotholeintothepost.Thepilothole
shouldgothroughthepostvinylsleeveandintothe
wood1/4".
30
U
31
W
Makesurethatthebeamisrestingontopofthe
vinylcolumnandpressedsecurelyagainstthe
4"squareposts.Securewithtwo4"panhead
screws(W)throughthebeamandintothepost.
Repeatonoppositeendofbeam.
28
J
Positiontwo8'stepladdersnexttotwoposts.
Doublechecktheorientationofthetemporarybeam
holdersandmakesuretheyarepositionedto
supportthebeams.EnsuretheSuncastlogois
facingoutwardandplacethebeam(J)ontothe
temporarybeamholders.