[rem]

Would anyone review this design and give me a gut check. I attached a top and side view of a pergola I want to build. I'm using a 6x6x1'6" insted of a ledger boad to hold 2 2x12x16, sandwiched style. The span between 2 of these is about 14'. Accross the span I'll use either 2x4x16 or 2x6x16. The outside colums are 6x6 posts with Fiberglass wraps and a stone 32" base. I'm putting this on 16'x16'x4" pad and the back of the house is stuco, 2x6 walls. I'll predrill everything and may subsitute a 4x12x16 for the 2x12 sandwich. The 2x12s are cut to be curved. See anything wrong with this idea?

Thanks Rob

 

[Ron6519]

The 2x4's or 2x6's are too small to span the space. They will sink in the middle over time.
Ron

 

[rem]

Pergola

Should I drop the 2x12s to 2x10s and add one more row so they will span?

 

[Maintenance 6]

Not only will they sag, they'll bow and twist and warp all over the place. you need something to tie them together mid span. Maybe two places.

 

[Ron6519]

Should I drop the 2x12s to 2x10s and add one more row so they will span?

If you add another row of support it will cut the span to 7', well within the no sag issue of a 2x6. As Maintenance 6 said, you would also need blocking of some sort to prevent twist.
Ron

 

[rem]

Another design

I've change the design to incude another row and a cross member between the posts. Does this seem like i'm in the right direction?

 

[Maintenance 6]

You realize that your shadow lines are going to vary across the curves. From below the 2x4s on the inside of the curve are going to appear closer together, while the ones on the outside of the curve will look further apart.

 

[rem]

Yeah, good point, I think it gives it some character. I'm one for not always going with the 90 degree cuts or straight lines.

I've been looking at cedar beams insted of the 2x10s. Know of anyone having good luck with say 4x10x16? I'm not sure what all sizes they come in.

 

[II Weeks]

I was thinking all cedar and maybe 2X2 instead of 2X4 or 2X6's. Cedars lighter and will handle the weather better.

 

[Ron6519]

I was thinking all cedar and maybe 2X2 instead of 2X4 or 2X6's. Cedars lighter and will handle the weather better.

You're sort of back where you started. The 2x2's will sag spanning that distance.
Ron
If you put the 2x2's on top of the current setup, it would work.