Mark, then cut this length with a miter saw. Measure, at your center marks, from the inside edge of your frame to the inside edge of your center beam to determine the rafter length. Step 2: Measure and Cut Your Rafter Boards We’ll use the ratcheting strap until we install the first rafter on the right-side section. You can see here how the center beam is straight now. Don’t be afraid of a little creaking or complaining of the wood. Watch this center beam closely you don’t want to overtighten it, as that will cause the opposite problem. Now begin ratcheting the strap tight, which will pull the center beam straight. Don’t wrap the strap around the part of the beam that will connect with the rafter. The other end of the ratcheting strap will loop twice (it’s only shown once here, but you’ll want to do it twice) around the center beam, just slightly off-center, then hook to itself. Once the screw eye is secure into the center of the wall-mounted frame, hook one end of a ratcheting strap into the screw eye. We chose the center point because we will install our center rafters first, and the rafter will cover the hole once we remove the screw eye. To install a screw eye, get it started into the board with your hands, then use a screwdriver through the eye to tighten it. So, our first order of business is to straighten it.Īt the center point on the wall-mounted frame boards, we installed a (temporary) screw eye. We can’t install rafters to a center beam that’s not straight. Unfortunately for us, our center beam boards are a bit bowed. ![]() If you have a center beam, as this pergola does, you’ll want to find the center on each side. ![]() How to Install Pergola Rafters without Bracketsīefore you begin installing your pergola rafters, find the center on your perpendicular frame boards. Instead of metal brackets, we’ll be securing our rafters to the frame using screws and pocket holes. ![]() The installation of each rafter is fast, the connection is secure, and it will last as long as the bracket method but for a lower cost. That’s why the method we’re using is a win-win. Of course, construction isn’t all about the aesthetic appeal – you also want the finished product to be safe and secure. However, because you need to place brackets on each end of each board, they don’t provide a clean, modern aesthetic. They’re graded for outdoor use and provide a secure way to hold lumber in place. Metal brackets are popular for rafter installation. In this tutorial, we will show you a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to install pergola rafters without brackets.Īs a recap, here are the steps we’ve completed so far: While rafter installation can be time-consuming, the steps are repetitive. Installing pergola rafters is one of the last steps to finishing a DIY pergola.
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