Cedar pergola span
Hi All, I have a few larger then our usual pergola builds coming up and trying to minimize my support to the out corners. How can get 18ft span out of 2x8 or 2x10. I'v gone as far as 16ft with 2x8 dbl's but with 4x4 block sandwiched in between which matched the outside 4x4 corners were the cedar was attached to the non notched 4x4 post also have notched and filled in the space with a block as well to keep it locked up. I was expecting to have call backs for saggy cedar but still no call backs and still keep in touch with clients.
Remember I'm in the city so we keep the designs very simple and clean here.
Feel free to post picts I'm sure we would all appreciate some deck****.
Thanks
Yanni
www.citydecksinc.com
Remember I'm in the city so we keep the designs very simple and clean here.
Feel free to post picts I'm sure we would all appreciate some deck****.
Thanks
Yanni
www.citydecksinc.com
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
I typically use 2 2x12's installed as you install your 2x8/2x10's to span that distance.
Why not use 4x material?
4x6-8?? Any picts.
I was worried about being too bulky/ top heavy. Can I assume your using6x6 post.. yes?
Here's a 4x6 I'm currently using on a 12ft span it come as a 16ft length and was much stiffer than I thought it would be.
![Tree]()
If you take as an example 1- 2x10 Cedar with a LL @10 PSF and DL @ 10 PSF you can span that 19' with Deflection Limit @ L/360
I don't think it will be a problem going 18'-20' with a double 2x10 for the beam... But also keep in mind how much shading you want to have, and how will you run your rafters 12",16",18" OC etc. The more lumber you use on top, the more lateral force the structure will take.
With that said, the bigger the span the less points of bracing you will have. On 18' span you will have bracing at 4 corners, everything in between will move and cause friction when wind hits. The best way to go about this is to break up that span and will have a more sound structure that will last a long time and that would be also in the best interest of your clients.
Good luck
I don't think it will be a problem going 18'-20' with a double 2x10 for the beam... But also keep in mind how much shading you want to have, and how will you run your rafters 12",16",18" OC etc. The more lumber you use on top, the more lateral force the structure will take.
With that said, the bigger the span the less points of bracing you will have. On 18' span you will have bracing at 4 corners, everything in between will move and cause friction when wind hits. The best way to go about this is to break up that span and will have a more sound structure that will last a long time and that would be also in the best interest of your clients.
Good luck
I think that you could span double 2x10's that far, but you are stretching the limits. Try to limit the # of knots in the cedar.
I've pretty much gone to 3x or 4x material for my pergola's, I think it looks much better and adds just a tiny bit more strength and stiffness.
I've got to find a ad blocker or I'm done here, to small of screen.
I've pretty much gone to 3x or 4x material for my pergola's, I think it looks much better and adds just a tiny bit more strength and stiffness.
I've got to find a ad blocker or I'm done here, to small of screen.
We used 4x material for that span. 10 or 12 IIRC.
Let me see if I can get a photo to post:
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Let me see if I can get a photo to post:
White one is 4x12 (I think or 4x10) the brown one is 4x8.
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This probably has nothing to do with your question- I just like posting pics of it 
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Ninja it's got everything to do with if it's badass....
This probably has nothing to do with your question- I just like posting pics of it
the brown one is more my style. did you put 2x4 on top?
White one is 4x12 (I think or 4x10) the brown one is 4x8.
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Looks like a 3x6 from that pic.
CITY DECKS INC said:
looks good:thumbsup:
Sorry that was meant to say 4x6
CITY DECKS INC said:
Here are a couple that are similar to your span requirements, maybe 16'.
And one to show up Ninja.
And one to show up Ninja.
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good one up. how did you get the arch big red. and yes the screen is getting smaller.
Nice. But the one I posted was the first one i ever did (the only one too)
(the only one too)
redwood said:
He ordered glu lamb pre cambered. Right?
CITY DECKS INC said:
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
