Installation Guide

Pergola Installation Guide
ModernPergolaKits.com | 9
Step 6 – Install Rafters
a) Measure from the outside of
one box beam to the other. This
measurement will be divided evenly
depending on the number of rafters
in your kit. Example (Figure 6): If
you have a 16’ wide kit you will have
six rafters and seven spaces. The
measurement from the outside of
your box beams should be around
191". Subtracting 2" will give us the
center to center measurement. 191"-
2" =189". We will then divide 189"
by seven spaces to get 27". This is
the center to center measurement
of each rafter. If you have NOT
trimmed your pergola width this
center to center measurement
will be called out in the CAD
drawing for each pergola size.
b) Using this measurement,
mark the center of each rafter
on each of the beams.
c) Using the fasteners marked "rafter
hanger to beam", and the rafter
hanger tool included with your
kit, install the rafter hangers on
these marked locations. The rafter
hanger tool will ensure the proper
height of each rafter on the beam. If
your kit is attaching to a structure,
please note that these fasteners
are NOT provided in your kit as
they are determined by the type
of structure you are attaching to.
d) If your kit is attached to a structure,
you will want to transfer the same
rafter spacing layout you used
on your outside box beam to the
ledger plate on the structure. To
ensure the rafter hangers are placed
at the correct height it is helpful
to use a stringline attached with
quick clamps to the box beams
next to the structure. If you pull
this line tight under the box beams
it will show the correct line for the
bottom of your rafter hangers.
e) If you trimmed the depth of
your pergola please follow
items 1-2 below, If not
proceed to letter e) below.
1. Measure each opening between
hangers to determine the
rafter length. Write this on
the top of each rafter.
2. Cut each rafter ½" shorter
than this measurement.
f) Using a helper, lift and set each
rafter into place, and attach
with the fasteners labeled
"rafter hanger to rafter".
g) Repeat this step for each
rafter and connection
Rafter Direction
Purlin Direction
Measure Outside to Outside at Post Base
Install rafter hangers in even increments
Figure 6