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ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS FOR 2x1 DOUBLE ATTACHED PERGOLA

Assembling a Zen pergola is fun and easy, even for novices with little or no building experience. You and a helper (or two) can easily have it assembled in 2-3 hours (longer if your pergola includes roof rafters and/or a privacy wall). You won't need any speciality tools, either... just a drill, tape measure, level, ladder and chop saw (aka table saw or miter saw).

Zen pergola kits include everything you'll need to assemble your own backyard pergola except the following (which you'll need to purchase locally from a building supply or home improvement store):

1. Wood (lumber)
2. Anchoring hardware

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
  • Never leave your pergola unattended before installation is complete and the pergola is secured to the ground.
  • Follow instructions precisely to avoid injury to yourself or others.
  • Avoid scratching or bending the Zen pergola brackets to protect against potential rusting.
  • Safety glasses and safety gloves are encouraged during installation.
  • Avoid installing your Zen pergola during inclement weather including rain, snow or windy conditions.
  • In the event that you have pieces missing, please contact us at support@zenpergolas.com.
  • You agree to hold ZENPERGOLAS.COM and any authorized dealers free of any liability for improper installation, maintenance and repair of any ZENPERGOLAS.COM products.
5-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

ZenPergolas.com warrants all products to be free of any defects in material or workmanship upon arrival of such products. ZenPergolas.com further warrants all products to be effective and adequate when used in accordance with design limits and when installed and maintained properly for a period of five (5) years after receiving such products.

When damage or defects are brought to the attention of ZenPergolas.com, ZenPergolas.com may choose, at their sole discretion, to repair damaged or defected parts OR to send out an entire replacement part at zero cost to the customer. ZenPergolas.com is not responsible for time or costs involved to install replacement parts.

All warranty obligations of ZenPergolas.com shall be limited to five (5) years against manufacturing defects. Any such remedies that are made shall constitute  ZenPergolas.com's sole obligation and sole remedy of purchaser under this warranty. In no event will ZenPergolas.com be held responsible for incidental, consequential, or special loss or damage, however caused.

PREPARATION

You'll need the following simple tools to assemble your Zen pergola:

Tape Measure & Level
Drill
Ladder
Chop Saw

STEP 1. ASSEMBLE ROOF

Step 1A

Step 1A

Lay out two 6x6 posts (actual dimensions 5.5" x 5.5") along with two 3-arm brackets and one 4-arm bracket, as shown in this image. The vertical arm of all brackets, which have less holes than the other arms, should be facing down.

Step 1B

Step 1B

Slide the outside ends of the posts into the 3-arm brackets until the posts fill the entire arm (channel) but will not interfere with the vertical post (which will go all the way to the top of the bracket). Secure the posts to the brackets with the provided screws.

Slide the inside ends of the posts into the 4-arm brackets such that the posts fill the arms (channels) but will not interfere with the vertical arm (which will also go all the way to the top of the bracket). Secure the posts with the provided screws.

See the screw diagram below.

Step 1C

Step 1C

Lay out 3 posts next to the open bracket arms of the 2-post structure you completed in step 1B above, as shown in this image.

Step 1D

Step 1D

Slide the posts into the 3-arm and 4-arm brackets until the post fills the entire arm (but not so far that it will interfere with the vertical post (which will go all the way to the top of the bracket). Secure the posts to the brackets with the provided screws.

You have now completed the roof assembly.

Screw Diagram for 3-Arm Post Brackets

Screw Diagram for 3-Arm Post Brackets

The 3-arm post bracket should be oriented such that the arm (channel) with only 2 screw holes per side is at the bottom (for the vertical post going to the ground).

Each 3-arm post bracket in your kit includes 12 stainless steel screws. See the screw diagram to the right to see which 12 holes the screws should go in. (Additional holes are for attaching accessories.)

STEP 2. INSTALL VERTICAL POSTS

With the assistance of 2 or 3 helpers, lift the side of the roof assembly that has the two 3-arm brackets and the 4-arm bracket. Slide a 6x6 post into all three of these brackets until they hit the tops of the brackets. Secure the posts to the brackets using the provided screws (see screw diagram above).

STEP 3. INSTALL BASE & WALL MOUNT BRACKETS

Step 3A

Step 3A

With the assistance of 2 or 3 helpers (and using ladders as necessary), lift the three roof beams and set the pergola frame against the wall to which you'll be attaching the beams. Use a level to ensure that the roof is level and the posts are perfectly vertical.

Now use a pen or pencil to lightly trace:

i) the inside edges of the vertical posts (on the ground); and

ii) the left, bottom and right edges of the horizontal beams where they touch the wall to which you will be attaching the pergola.

Step 3B

Step 3B

Move the roof assembly a few feet out of the way. Set a 6x6 base bracket in each of the 3 spots you marked. Attach the base brackets to the ground using appropriate anchoring hardware (not included).

The type of anchoring hardware you'll want to use depends on what type of secure base (foundation) you're attaching the base brackets to (i.e. concrete footing, cement pad, deck footings, etc.). Ask a professional at a building supply or home improvement store what type of anchoring hardware they recommend.

Step 3C

Step 3C

On the wall to which you'll be attaching the pergola beams, line up the three 6x6 wall mount brackets with the marks you made in Step 3A (making sure to account for the thickness of the brackets). Attach the three wall mount brackets to the wall using appropriate anchoring hardware (not included).

The type of anchoring hardware you'll want to use depends on what type of secure base you're attaching the wall mount brackets to. Ask a professional at a building supply or home improvement store what type of anchoring hardware they recommend.

STEP 4. SECURE POSTS & BEAMS TO BRACKETS

Put a person on each corner of the pergola frame, as well as a person in the middle. Simultaneously slide the 3 vertical posts into the base brackets as you also slide the 3 horizontal roof beams into the wall mount brackets, all from above.

Then secure the 6x6" posts to the base brackets and wall mount brackets using the provided screws. The pergola frame is now complete.

INSTALLING ROOF RAFTERS, PRIVACY WALLS, CORNER SUPPORTS & SIDE RAILINGS

If your pergola kit includes a roof kit, a privacy wall kit, a corner support kit and/or a side railing kit, click the appropriate link(s) below for step-by-step installation instructions: