Pergolas: Finished Project

Finally, a bet coming to an end, amid other last minute weather catastrophes due to this year's severe winter and spring conditions. So let me guide you through our pictures:

After finishing with the pergolas' frame we had to install a wooden sheathing that has been painted with a primer so as to create two smooth sound roof decks that we would later cover with asphalt shingles.

Underneath view of the wooden sheathing installed on the rafters.

Top view. Solid wood sheathing.

Top view of the second pergola.

A bituminous waterproofing eaves membrane was first applied as roofing felt, in order to better protect the sheathing against condensation, as well as against leaking.

Bituminous waterproofing membrane.

Next, it was time for the roll roofing with architectural shingles. Each of these rolls is 10 meters long by 1 meter wide and weights 40 kilos. Architectural shingles are in reality a mixture of asphalt with fiberglass topped with mineral granules that come in a variety of colors.

Getting ready for rolled asphalt roofing.

The first roll of shingles is installed by rolling it out and then driving nails along the eave edge at one end and on top of every rafter, while pulling it taut till you reach the other side. The next course will overlap the first enough to cover the area that is bare of mineral surfacing. Propane gas was used to heat the bottom sheet in order to fix them together. After finishing we went back to secure every rolled out sheet with nails on top of the rafters, along the edges and the overlaps. An asphalt cold-applied based material was used for sealing any small gaps along the joints. Heated asphalt compound had to be applied in one case when we had to secure a transition.

Architectural shingles in place.

Roll roofing is recommended for low-slope roofs.

As a final measure, to secure the durability of the shingles against granule loss and exposure of "bald spots" or cracking, we painted them with professional acrylic paint.

Both pergolas coated with acrylic paint.

Finally, we installed the fascia along the eave edges. Finished!!!

More photos will follow in June, when we officially open, with tables and chairs in place, as well as water in the pool!

DIY wooden pergolas

First of all, Happy New Year, all the best to you and your families. 

Usually we start the year with a photo wishing you Happy New Year but this time things were a little bit hectic. We decided to construct on our own two wooden pergolas to provide extra shade for the coffee house!!! Here are a few selected pictures of our work. We still have a lot to do but the weather is not playing nice at the moment. Lots of rain and strong cold winds, followed by snow on the mountains around the plateau, make it difficult to work outside.

These are the two metal pergolas we want to replace, on the right and left of the coffee house.

Disassembling the first one.

Indoor painting of wooden beams and purlins.

Installing the first ledger board.

Securing the posts and the corbels for the girders.

Girders in place.

Adding the rafters.

The same process will be followed in the second pergola.

Progress of the second pergola up to now.

6 meter rafters for the second pergola.

We will keep you up to speed with as many regular posts as possible, weather permitting.