After setting and installing posts, we installed 4 beams to support the rafters for the pergola. We used 2×10 Douglas Fir for the high side and 2×8 for the lower side. We wanted it to be stronger in the front since the beams span 14′ between the two outside posts and there are 3 posts in the back.
We borrowed some hefty bar clamps for the job and we couldn’t have done it without them! The clamps allowed us to play with the height and levels of the beams until they were exactly where we wanted them. Since the roof slopes, each pair of beams are not exactly at the same level; the front one is a bit higher to allow for the slope of the 2×6 rafters above. The clamps made it super easy to make adjustments until we got it just right. Our original plan had the front opening almost 8 feet high, but after looking at it from the street we found that it looked too high compared with the adjacent section of the house.
Once we had the beams clamped in position we marked the holes and used a long spade bit to drill two 1/2″ holes for carriage bolts through each of the beams. We then used 1/2″ x 8″ carriage bolts, washers and nuts to secure the beams.
