In this video I'll show you how you can build a free standing pergol. The first big tip is use the straightest best looking wood you can find. Also it would be best to let the wood stand out for a while to let it do what ever it may do, ie. warp, curl, split or what ever. With a pergola the wood is really just floating there. It's not really nailed in from all four corners that would hold it in place from warping or what ever. Thats another reason why I like using cedar. With cedar if it looks good now, it will look later.

OK, the biggest question I'm always ask is how the heck to you make the scroll on the ends. This is the design that can really make or break the pergola appearance. In this video I had what I wanted it to look like in my head so I just drew it out with my eyes closed, funny I know but very true. Knowing it would look a lot different once cut out I cut one to try.

 All looked good to me, so it was time to start cutting. My choice is a Bosh barrel grip jig saw with a rough cut wood cutting only blade. The rough cut blade will make a more aggressive cut witch means it would be a lot easier to cut those curves.

place the rafters at 16 inches on center for a nice look, but for better shade you may like to try 10 or 12 inches on center "apart" .

Hey don't forget this one. Pergola are awesome looking if built right. but even the best carpenter can screw this one up. Think sun, yup in what direction does the sun rise and set is how you would like to set the rafters to be perpendicular to the sun. This way you will let the pergola make the shade. Otherwise it would be just for looks, I mean that's OK but why not make some nice shade while your doing the planing.

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