What size of wood do I need to buy?
The wood sizes listed on this page & throughout our website use standard U.S. lumber sizes (where the actual dimensions are a half-inch smaller than the name implies):
- Our 4x4 brackets are designed for "four-by-fours" (actual size: 3.5" x 3.5")
- Our 2x4 brackets are designed for "two-by-fours" (actual size: 1.5" x 3.5")
- Our 6x6 brackets are designed for "six-by-sixes" (actual size: 5.5" x 5.5")
- Our 2x6 brackets are designed for "two-by-sixes" (actual size: 1.5" x 5.5")
If you stick with these standard lumber sizes, the wood will slide right into the brackets and fit perfectly.
Make sure NOT to get "rough-cut" of "rough-sawn" lumber, which is slightly bigger than standard dressed lumber. Rough-cut lumber will not fit into our brackets.
What type of wood do you recommend?
In general, any straight dry lumber will work just fine. Some types of wood may just require a little more maintenance than others. The two most common types of wood to use are western red cedar and redwood. They are naturally insect- and rot-resistant and have natural oils & resins that make them more resilient to the elements. Another great option is pressure-treated pine, as the pressure-treating process makes the wood more weather- and insect-resistant. This is far from a complete list of lumber options; there are many other types of wood that will work great.
What height do you recommend for the posts?
We recommend using 8-foot lumber for the pergola's posts. That said, many of our customers opt for 10-foot posts instead, in which case we recommend adding corner support brackets to make the pergola more stable. Posts should not be taller than 10 feet.
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Do you provide enough screws to fill every hole of every bracket?
Yes, we do. Putting a screw in every hole is technically overkill (and some people would argue that it puts too much stress on the lumber and could cause cracks & fissures in the wood over time). But some customers really want every hole filled, so we include enough screws to fill every hole (plus a few extra). Really, you only need to put 2 screws into each bracket face (using the 2 outermost holes in instances when the face of the bracket has 4 holes).
I need help figuring out what brackets I need. Can you help?
Absolutely! We realize that piecing together the perfect modular pergola can be complex. That's why we have pergola design experts standing by and ready to help. You can reach us during regular business hours at (877) 760-6992. You can also send us an email at support@zenpergolas.com or live chat with us.
Are Zen brackets & other parts covered by a warranty?
Yes. Our steel brackets are covered by a 5-year limited warranty, and our shade canopies & hammocks are covered for 1 year. You can learn more here.
What hardware should I use to secure the base brackets to the ground (and the wall-mount brackets to my house)?
Due to the fact that there are so many different surfaces that you can mount/anchor the base brackets and wall-mount brackets to (along with the fact that HOAs and cities sometimes have unique requirements), we can't advise you on what type of hardware you should use. We recommend that you speak with a sales associate at your local home improvement or hardware store (i.e. Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc.) about what type of hardware they recommend for your specific location and the surface/material you're anchoring the brackets to.
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