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ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS FOR QUAD FREE-STANDING 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 (5.5" x 5.5" actual size) with a 4-arm bracket between them and a 3-arm bracket on each end, as shown in this image. (The vertical arm of all brackets should be facing down.)

Note: Do this step twice, as you will need two of these 2-post structures.

Step 1B

Slide the two posts into the middle 4-arm bracket until the posts fill the entire 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 4-arm bracket with the provided screws.

Now slide the 3-arm brackets onto the other ends of the posts. Again, the post should fill the entire channel but should not interfere with the vertical post (which will go all the way to the top of the bracket). Secure the posts with the provided screws.

Note: Do this step twice, as you will need two of these 2-post structures.

Step 1C

Step 1C

Set one of the 2-post structures aside to use later in step 1K.

Lay out three more 6x6 posts next to the three open arms (channels) other 2-post structure that you completed in step 1B above, just as shown in this image.

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Step 1D

Slide all 3 posts into the open channels of the two 3-arm brackets (on the ends) and the 4-arm bracket (in the middle). The posts should fill the entire channel but should 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.

Step 1E

Step 1E

Lay out two more 6x6 posts with a 5-arm bracket between them and a 4-arm bracket on each end, as shown in this image. (The vertical arm of all brackets should be facing down.)

Step 1F

Slide the two posts into the middle 5-arm bracket until the posts fill their entire channels 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 5-arm bracket with the provided screws.

Now slide the 3-arm brackets onto the other ends of the posts. Again, the posts should fill the entire channel but should not interfere with the vertical post (which will go all the way to the top of the bracket). Secure the posts to the 4-arm brackets using the provided screws.

Step 1G

Step 1G

Lay out the completed W-shaped structure (which you completed in step 1D above) next to the completed 2-post structure (which you just completed in step 1F) as shown in this image.

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Step 1H

Slide the 2-post structure onto the ends of the 3 posts of the W-shaped structure. Each of the 3 posts should fill their entire channels but should not interfere with the vertical posts (which will go all the way to the top of the brackets). Secure the posts with the screws provided.

Step 1i

Step 1i

Lay out three more 6x6 posts next to the open channels (arms) of the two 4-arm brackets (on the ends) and the 5-arm bracket (in the middle) as shown in this image.

Step 1J

Step 1J

Slide all 3 posts into the open channels of the two 4-arm brackets (on the ends) and the 5-arm bracket (in the middle). The posts should fill the entire channel but should 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.

Step 1K

Step 1K

Retrieve the 2nd of the two 2-post structures you completed back in step 1B. Lay it out next to the 3 open posts of the main roof structure as shown in this image.

Step 1L

Step 1L

Slide the brackets of the 2-post structure onto the 3 posts. Each of the 3 posts should fill their entire channels but should not interfere with the vertical posts (which will go all the way to the top of the brackets). Secure the posts with the screws provided.

You have now completed the frame of the roof.

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 BASE BRACKETS

Step 2A

Step 2A

Set the roof assembly exactly where you want your pergola to stand. Use a pen or pencil to lightly trace the inside edges of the vertical arms of the 9 brackets.

Step 2B

Step 2B

Move the roof assembly a few feet out of the way. Set a 6x6 base bracket in each of the 9 spots you marked.

Step 2C

Step 2C

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 3. INSTALL VERTICAL POSTS

Step 3A

Step 3A

With the assistance of a few helpers, lift one side of the roof assembly. Slide a 6x6 post into all three of the brackets on that side until they hit the very top of the brackets. Secure the posts to the brackets using the provided screws (see screw diagram above).

Step 3B

Step 3B

With the assistance of a few helpers, lift the other end of the roof assembly. Slide a 6x6 post into the 3 brackets in the middle of the roof structure (two 4-arm brackets on the outside and one 5-arm bracket in the middle). The posts should hit the very top of the brackets. Secure the posts to the brackets using the provided screws (see screw diagram above).

Step 3C

Step 3C

With the assistance of a few helpers, slide a 6x6 post into the final 3 brackets (two 3-arm brackets on the corners and one 4-arm bracket in the middle). The posts should hit the very top of the brackets. Secure the posts to the brackets using the provided screws (see screw diagram above).

Step 3D

Step 3D

Put a person on each vertical post. Simultaneously slide the 9 vertical posts into the 9 base brackets. Then secure the 6x6" posts to the base 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: