D. On Concrete Installation
1) Square the posts based on the pergola size.
2) Place, square and trace each concrete mount.
3) Using a hammer drill at a 3½” depth, drill the traced anchor holes
with a ½” masonry bit.
Do not
to rush this step, as it could
compromise the integrity of the concrete surface.
4) Place the ½”x4½” wedge anchor into the each drilled hole and tap them
into concrete using a hammer, making sure to leave 1” of the anchor
above the concrete.
5) Place the concrete mount over the installed anchor mounts. Install the
washer and nut to each anchor. Use a ½” deep socket to tighten the
nuts. Do not over tighten.
6) Assure the post is level (vertically and horizontally) and that the concrete mounts are matching
in height by using one of the rafters (see below).
Lay the rafter across the tops of two of the concrete mounts.
Place a level on top of the rafter to determine if the mounts are
at the same height as each other. If the post heights are not
the same, you will need to choose the lowest concrete mount to
base the height of the other posts.
Based on the level, adjust the rafter (by holding it) so that the
level shows level.
Place a mark on the taller concrete mount where the rafter is sitting at
the level position.
Measure the distance from the mark to the top of the concrete mount.
This is the amount you will need to trim off of the vinyl posts (from the
bottom).
7) After leveling, cut the vinyl posts accordingly from the bottom, then place
the post skirt over the vinyl post.
8) Place the vinyl posts over the concrete mounts and secure the post skirt to
the vinyl post with a 1 ½” self-tapping screw and screw cap.
Section 2: The Headers & Rafters
A. Header Installation
1) With the help of an additional person, position the 2”x8” headers into
the routed slots in the vinyl posts. Make sure there is at least a 5 1/2”
overhang from the end of the header to the post on each side.
B. Rafter Installation
1) Position the end 2”x6” rafters into the routed slots on the vinyl posts.
Make sure there is at least 3 1/2” overhang from the end of the rafter to
the post on each side.
2) Looking down into the installed vinyl post at the rafter, drill a 1” hole.
3) Place a self-tapping screw into the hole to secure the rafter to the header.
Repeat at each post.
4) To get equal rafter spacing for the remaining rafters, preset the rafters in the
rafter support brackets before making any cuts or securing any brackets.
The rafters will extend at least 5” past the header on the outside. Adjust the
spacing of the rafters as necessary.
5) Once the rafters are spaced evenly, use the #10x1” self-tapping screw and
screw caps to secure to the single-beam rafter supports and onto the header.