The garage door is key point of your home, not only because of the curb appeal value of it but because it’s part of your home’s facade and more importantly because it’s an important element of security. However, if you really want to take things to the next level and boost the curb appeal of your home, you might want to consider installing a garage pergola that will add architectural dimension and interesting shadow lines to your garage door.
In this article you’ll find the steps to build your very own DIY garage pergola.
1. Design the pergola to fit the door of your garage. You can call your trusted Clermont garage doors for advice or professional advice.
2. Cut the pieces that you will need to assemble the pergola. Pressure-treated boards for the rafters, pressure-treated balusters for the purlins, etc.
3. Mark lines across the board 1 and 4 inches from its end using a combination square to measure.
4. Place a 1-gallon paint can so that its arc connects the tick mark and the point where the 4-inch line meets the rafter’s bottom edge, then create the curved detail on your rafter tail, tracing along the can.
5. Using a jigsaw, follow the line to shape the tail and continue to use the piece as a template to trace the detail onto the uncut ends of the other boards.
6. Cut the marked tails using one of them to mark and shape the uncut end of the template board. Then, you can and the curved cuts lightly with 120-grit paper.
7. Draw a 45-degree line across one corner of one of the boards using a combination square to d, ½ inch below its top edge, setting the blade at a 45 degree angle. Then, slide the piece along the fence until the mark lines up under the blade holding it firmly in place.
8. With a pencil, mark a reference line on the saw bed at the end of the purlin and cut the corner. Then, position each of the remaining pieces at your reference line, then make the miter, as shown.
9. Sand the purlins and the three brackets with 120-grit paper. Stir the stain thoroughly and brush a thin coat onto all sides of each part. Once the pieces are dry, recoat them and allow the stain to cure.
10. With a drill create a pair of evenly spaced holes near the top and bottom of each of the three brackets. Place the holes at least ½ inch from the edges of the bracket.
11. Apply caulk to the back of the first bracket and hold it in position, flushing to the inside of the garage door casing
12. Use a drill to do a pilot hole through one of the bottom countersinks, and then drive a 3½-inch deck screw through the bracket and casing and into the framing.
13. Plumb the bracket using a level and draw a reference line on the head casing. Then, hold the bracket plumb at the line and drill pilot holes through the three open countersinks.
14. Secure the bracket with three more 3½-inch deck screws, and then squirt a dab of caulk into each screw hole.
15. Cap the holes with ⅜-inch wood plugs to conceal the fasteners, before installing the other two brackets.
16. Gang the rafters together on edge and flush them up at both ends.
17. Use a combination square to mark a spot 6 inches in from each end, and draw a line across the top of the rafters at the mark, at each end.
18. Position the rafters in place and start assembling.
19. Drill pilot holes and secure with 2½-inch deck screws.
20. Align the pergola to your garage door trim and proceed to install it and secure it.
Make sure to buy brackets that are the same width as the casing around your garage door for a seamless look and easy installation.
