vita Cardiff VA42089 User manual

7.5 x 7.5 Cardiff Pergola
ASSEMBLY GUIDE
Ver 1.5 06/16/2022
www.wearevita.com
211 Campbell St.
Sarnia, Ontario,
N7T 2G6

Table of Cont e nts
2Cardiff Pergola Instructions
3
Cardiff Pergola
Introduction& Overview……………………………................................................………. . . . . .
Pergola Materials Overview………………………. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pergola Materials Breakdown……………………….....................................…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pergola Additional MaterialsList………………………………. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wood Post Layout & Installation for In-Ground Application………………………………. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wood Post Layout & Installation using Steel Post Base for Concrete or Wood Surface………………………
Vinyl Column Assembly and Installation Over Wood Posts………………………. . . . . . . . . . ………………….
Rafter Installation . …………………………………………. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ………
Main Support Beams Installation
Rafters Installation
Shade Slat Assembly
Shade Slat Installation
PAGE
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
12
13
Decorative End Caps and Post Caps Installation
15
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Int ro duction & O ve r view
3
Cardiff Pergola Instructions
Getting Started
First off, allow us to say thank you for the investment you have made in one
of our fine pergola kits. This kit is designed to be assembled and installed
ideally by two people with basic carpentry knowledge and tools. Do not
attempt alone, especially during the installation stage.
When assembling components place on a non-abrasive surface (i.e. shipping
box) to avoid scratching. We recommend a 15’x15' (4.5m x 4.5m) area for
unobstructed assembling. You should not need to use excessive force when
assembling any components.
Planning & Preparing
Because this project is made to stand independent of your home, you can
either locate it near your house or let it stand alone in the garden. By keeping
it unattached from your home you will not have to deal with moving existing
gutters or matching eave heights. If you plan to build your pergola close to
the house, please keep the outer extremities of the pergola a minimum of 4
inches back from your eaves.
What looks like the toughestpart of this project is actually the easiest, the
graceful, solid-looking columns. We’ve designed these columns to simply be
slipped over treated 4x4 wood posts that are either embedded in concrete or
directly mounted to a concrete or wood surface.
See pages 7, 8 and 9 for more details.
It is critical before you start, to consider the current slope of elevation
where the pergolaisplanned - if there is any. Also utility or sprinkler line
location is important to identify prior to excavating holes if necessary.
You should also check to verify local building codes, ordinances, neighbour-
hood covenants, or height restrictions regarding this type of structure.
Restriction of Use
This product is not designed to carry additional
weight loads such as swings,people or other
objects.
Please take the time to read this
instruction guide thoroughly prior to the
construction of your pergola. If you have
any questions, feel free to contact our
technical dept by calling 1 800 282 9346 (Mon
to Fri 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. EST).

Cardiff Pergola Materials Overview
4Cardiff Pergola Instructions
5
1
3
2
1. Post Caps (4) - 10735-1
2. Posts (4) - 11123
3. Main Support Beams (2) - 11122
4. Rafters (5) - 11124
5. Beam and Rafter Decorative End Caps (14) - 10700-1
6. Shade Slats (7) - 11125
7. Shade Slat Decorative End Caps (14) - 10271
4
6 7
93 1/4 in
236.7 cm
82 in
208.3 cm
84 1/2 in
214.6 cm
92 in
233.7 cm
90 in
228.6 cm
82 in
208.3 cm
82 1/2 in
209.4 cm
90 in
228.6 cm
9 1/2 in
24.1 cm
20 in
50.8 cm
1071/4 in
272.4 cm
1071/4 in
272.4cm

Check Boxes (Total of 4)for These Contents
In the event of missing or defective parts please call our customer service
department at 1 800 282 9346 (Mon.to F ri.8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST)
5
Cardiff Pergola Instructions
1. Post Caps (4) - 10735-1
2. Posts (4) - 11123
3. Main Support Beams (2) - 11122
4. Rafters (5) - 11124
5. Beam and Rafter Decorative End Caps (14) - 10700-1
6. Shade Slats (7) - 11125
7. Shade Slat Decorative End Caps (14) - 10271
4” x 4” x 92” (10.2 x 10.2 x 233.7 cm)
2
.875”x 3“ x 93”
(2.2 x 7.6 x 236.2 cm)
1.5” x 4.5” x 93”
(3.8 x 11.4 x 236.2 cm)
1.5” x 4.5” x 93”
(3.8 x 11.4 x 236.2 cm)
6
4
3
157
Cardiff Pergola Materials Breakdown

Pergola Additional Materials List
Hardware (in plastic bag)
All Screws Included with this Kit are Self-Auguring.
A. 1 1/2” (38 mm) Self-Auguring Stainless Steel Screws (35) - 20005
(to lock Shade Slats to Rafters)
B. 2 1/2” (64 mm) Self-Auguring Stainless Steel Screws (10) - 20009-1
(to lock Rafters to Main Support Beams )
C. 2 1/2” (64 mm) Self-Auguring Stainless Steel Screws (16) - 20009-1
(to lock Posts to Wood Posts )
D. 3” (76 mm) Self-Auguring Stainless Steel Screws (32) - 20007
(to lock Posts to Main Support Beams & Rafters )
E. Tube of Vinyl Glue (2)
- 20000
Extra Materials You will Need
(Purchase separately from www.wearevita.com or retailer of our products)
If Mounting Pergola on Concrete or Wood Deck (not intended to be
installed on concrete pavers, patio stones, or interlocking bricks)
F. 4x4x5’ (8.9x8.9x60 cm) Pressure-Treated Wood Posts (4)
(purchase at local
building center)
G. 4x4 Steel Post Base Kit (4) (purchase from local building center)
Consult the Post Base Kit instructions for hardware requirements, as they
pertain to your application.
Be sure to purchase a flush-mount style Post Base Kit as the wooden posts
will need to be installed up against the inside of the vinyl posts.
If Mounting Pergola in Ground
H.
4x4x8 (8.9x8.9x244 cm) Pressure-Treat ed Wood Posts (4)
(purchase at local building center)
I. Concrete Ready Mix (4) (purchase at local building center)
Tools You Will Need
• Level
• Hammer
• Tape Measure
• String Line
• Wood Stakes (4) (temporary support for string line)
• Step Ladders (2)
• Cordless Drill
• Pencil
Tools You May Need
• Circular Saw with Fine Tooth Blade
• Framing Level
• Framing Square
I
CONCRETE - Ready Mix
Not to Scale
6Cardiff Pergola Instructions
Purchase Separately
Purchase Separately
H
Purchase Separately
F
D
A
E
B C
Purchase Separately
G

Wood Post Layout & Installation
forIn-Ground Application
Measure and mark out the location of the pergola posts using
string line and temporary wood stakes. Diagonal distances must
be the same to ensure a square installation. Adjust string lines
accordingly. The inside corner of the string lines will be the post
location.
1
This pergola can also be installed ona pre-existing wood or
concrete surface using the steel post base kit and a 4x4
wood post (sold separate).See page eight for more details.
Post locationandplacement is the most critical step in the
overall installation process. Please double check for the
possibility of any underground utilities suchas sprinkler, gas
or telephone lines.
STEP ONE
After you have determined where the posts will be located,
excavate 10” (25 cm) diameter x 36” (91.5 cm) deep post holes.
After holes are dug and cleaned, place the 4x4 wood post into
a hole ensuring it’s level and square to string lines. The final post
height should be no more than 60” (152 cm) out of the ground.
If a post is higher because of obstructed excavation of
footings, please cut down in height accordingly.
Repeat for all four posts.
1
2
3
STEP T WO
Install Wood Supporting Posts Directly into the Ground
4
82 1/2 in
(209.6 cm)
82 1/2 in
(209 .6 cm)
10”
(25 cm)
36” (91.5 cm)
60” (152 cm)
1
2
3”
(8 cm)
3
7
Cardiff Pergola Instructions
116 5/8 (296.25 cm) in from corner of wood post to corner of wood post.
Fill the vacant hole with pre-mixed concrete all the way to
within 3” (8 cm) of the top of the hole. After the concrete has
set, backfill the 3” (8 cm) space with soil/sod.
Overhead View

8Cardiff Pergola Instructions
Wood Post Layout & Installation
Using Steel Post Base
for Concrete or Wood Surface
Measure and mark out the location of the steel post bases using
measurements shown aside. Note that measurements are center-to center.
For dimensions between the wood posts, refer to the previous page.
Fasten the steel post bases to your concrete or wood surface and to the
wooden posts according to the manufacturer’s instruction.
Note the orientation of the “open face” fo the post bases.
1
OPTIONAL STEP
86 in
218.4 cm
86 in
218.4 cm
1
Overhead View
2
2
60” (152.4 cm)

Vinyl Column Assembly & Installation
Over Wood Posts
9
Cardiff Pergola Instructions
3
Using a step ladder guide the top vinyl columns over the
wood 4x4 posts down into position.
*Ensure the holes at the top of the posts are orientated
correctly for future beam and rafter placement as per
illustration.
Finally, adjust post heights accordingly to ensure future level
installation of beams and rafters as necessary. If slope is severe
causing a height difference between the posts, you may need
to trim down the bottom of two or more of your posts as
necessary.
Secure the posts to the wood posts using 2 - 2 1/2” (64 mm)
screws at 8” (20 cm) up from the bottom on 2 sides, and 2 more
approximately 36” (91 cm) high on 2 opposite sides.
1
STEP THREE
2
2
Slope?
3
8“
Ensure that holes at top of column
are orientated correctly for
future beam and rafter placement.
*
1
36“
*
*
*
*

Rafters Installation
With a helper, slide the two rafters through the TOP holes in the
posts as shown. Make sure the notches in the rafters are both
facing down.
1
STEP FOUR
1
10
Cardiff Pergola Instructions
At this stage, the columns should be properly
installed as per the following illustration,
with the columns 82” (208 cm) apart.
82 in
208 cm
82 in
208 cm
Notch
TOP Hole
TOP Hole

STEP FIVE
11
Cardiff Pergola Instructions
Main Support Beams Installation
With a helper, slide the two main support beams through the
bottom holes on the posts as shown.
The beams should overhang the posts equally (1.5 inches, 3.8 cm).
Lock the main support beams and two outside rafters to the
posts using eight 3in (76 mm) screws for every post as
shown. A total of 32 screws will be needed for this step.
1
2
1
BOTTOM Hole
2

Rafters Installation
12
Cardiff Pergola Instructions
STEP SIX
Place the remaining three rafters onto the beams as shown.
The spacing between the rafters should be 20 inches (50.8 cm),
but don’t worry for now as the shade slat installation will
automatically space them out accordingly.
1 1
Shade Slat Assembly
STEP SEVEN
Pressure fit the shade slat end caps into place as shown.
Note the orientation of the notches as they should be facing
down.
Repeat for all 7 shade slats.
1
Notch
2

STEP EIGHT
13
Cardiff Pergola Instructions
Shade Slats Installation
With a helper, place two shade slats at each end, 9 1/2” (24.13 cm)
away from the posts as shown aside. The notches in the shade slats
will spread the rafters apart accordingly.
Fasten the RAFTERS onto the beams using two, 2 1/2 in (64 mm)
screws for each rafter into the beams as shown.
1
2
1
2

14
Cardiff Pergola Instructions
STEP EIGHT (CONT’D)
Lock the outer two shade slats onto the rafters using a 1 1/2 in (38 mm)
screw for each intersection between the shade slat and rafter as
shown. A total of 10 screws will be required for this step.
33
Install the remaining shade slats - at 9 1/2” (24.13 cm)
spacing between them - ONE BY ONE
(i.e. place one shade slat and lock it to the rafters).
Do not attempt to place all the shade slats before locking
them into the rafters as this will be difficult to accomplish.
4

STEP NINE
15
Cardiff Pergola Instructions
Decorative End Caps and Post Caps
Installation
Apply a small bead of vinyl glue to the inside of the decorative
end caps and attach them to the beams and rafters as shown.
Hold the end cap in place for 30 seconds to allow the glue to set.
Install the post caps as shown.
1
2
2
1
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