How much overhang should I have on my Pergola?

Since our Pergolas are not pre-drilled (they come with really slick self drilling screws) you have a little flexibility here.

Say you are setting up a 16' x 18' Free Standing Pergola. 16' by 18' will be the overall dimension and specifically, the 16' dimension is for the 2" by 6.5" Rafters and the 18' is for the 3" by 8" headers/beams and the 2" x 2" lattice slats for the top.

Depending on the style of your end cuts (bevel, scalloped, corbel or mitered) you will have a minimum distance that you will be able to set your posts back. Besides a minimum predicated on the end style, the average set back for the posts is from 12" to 18". I prefer the look of an 18" overhang: it seems just right to me.

So for a 16' by 16' overall measurement pergola, the posts will be inset 18" from the corners. Your posts will form the inside dimension of 13' (16' minus 18" on each side) by 15' (18' minus 18" on each end). This will give you the 18" that you are after. Again, you have flexibility here since the holes are not pre-drilled.

Robert
www.pergola-patio.com