How to Build a Pergola Gate Topper

If you have a gate, you probably already know that the supporting posts are affected by wet weather. The gate and the fence swell, and the moisture pushes the posts together. You can fix that problem by building a pergola top over the gate. Not only will it keep the posts straight, but it will add a decorative look to a plain gate. Read on to learn how to build a pergola gate topper.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drill with 7/8-inch spade bit and 1/4-inch bit
• 1/4-by-3 1/2-inch galvanized carriage bolts
• 1/4-by-3-inch galvanized lag bolts with washers
• 2 1/2-by-3/4-by-18-inch slats
• Nails
• Wood stain or lacquer (optional)

Prepare the Boards for the Pergola Gate Topper

1. Measure the width of the bottom of the gate. Measure the distance between the support posts at the top of the gate. If the top distance is less than the bottom, saw a piece of 2-by-4-inch wood to the exact length of the bottom distance.

2. Angle the cut board between the support posts near the top of the gate opening. Use a hammer to knock it upward until it's between the very tops of the opening and it's level. It will push the tops of the posts out to where they should be.

3. Take two 2-by-6-inch boards and use a table saw to cut them to 24 inches longer than the width of your gate opening. With the table saw or a band saw, rip the board edges to take off any rounded corners, taking off as little wood as possible. These boards will be the topper boards.

4. Cut angled pieces off the bottom edges of the two 2-by-6-inch boards. The angled piece should be 2 inches up the 6-inch sides and 5 inches along the length of the boards. Make sure the corners of the two boards are cut exactly the same.

5. Mark the middle of one of the 2-by-6-inch boards 2 inches up from the bottom with a finishing nail. Make two more marks, 14 1/2 inches from each end of the board and 1/4 inch up from the bottom. Use one of the ripped pieces to make an arc that goes over the center mark and under the two outside marks, and trace it with a pencil.

6. Use the table saw or a jigsaw to cut the arc from the board. Use that arc as a guide to cut an arc from the other 2-by-6-inch board. Nail the cut out pieces to the top of each board, just above where it was cut out. Use a router to gently curve the outer corners on both boards.

7. Make four 2-by-4-inch boards to increase the height of the supports. Calculate the length of the boards by measuring the height of the gate support posts, subtracting that number from 84, and adding 16 inches. Cut the boards to the resulting length, and cut one end of each board at a 45-degree angle.

Put the Pergola Topper Together and Attach It to the Gate

8. Drill holes in the extension boards for the lag bolts with a 7/8-inch spade bit drill. Make 3/8-inch deep holes at 3 inches and 9 inches from the angled ends of two of the boards, and at 3 1/2 inches and 9 1/2 inches from the angled ends of the other two boards. Use a 1/4-inch bit to cut all the holes the rest of the way through.

9. Attach a matched pair of extension boards to one of the topper boards. Use two 1/4-by-3 1/2-inch bolts for each extension board, and bolt them together so that the inside of the flat end of each extension board is 12 inches in from each end of the topper, and on the inside of the topper board. Repeat with the other pair on the other topper board.

10. Bolt one topper to the front side of the support posts with the 1/4-by-3-inch lag bolts and washers through the two drilled holes. Make sure that the extension board goes 1 foot down the support post. Attach the other topper to the back side of the posts the same way.

11. Utilize the table saw to cut 2 1/2-by-3/4-by-18-inch slats to go across the topper. You should space them about 1 to 1 1/2 inches apart, so cut as many as you need for your topper. Place them across the topper so that they extend the same length on both sides, and nail them into place.

12. Remove the 2-by-4-inch board you used to keep the tops of the posts apart.

13. Stain the extensions and the pergola topper to match the gate.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use any type of wood you'd like to make the pergola top. If you use the same kind of wood as you used in the fence and the gate, the pergola will look better. Teak is the hardiest wood, but it's very expensive. Cedar and redwood are much less expensive and still resistant to most weather conditions.
• See a variety of different pergola styles at the All Tex Exteriors website.
• Always use appropriate safety gear, including goggles and gloves, when working with wood.

Resources

• See different pergola designs.