Now that I’m just about finished with our deck…… my wife has decided that we should have built a pergola on top. So in hindsight, the 6×6 posts that support the deck and act as the posts for the railing should have been about 4′ longer so I could have used them to construct a pergola. Does anyone know of a good way to extend them? I’ve thought about trimming down the existing 6×6 to about 2 1/2″ and then sliding a hollow 6×6 box beam over the top but that seems like a nightmare. I know Simpson makes a standoff base for concrete. http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/ABA-ABU-ABW.asp#
Any thoughts?
Replies
I'm sure there are Simpson connectors that -- provided you have the help of a creative engineer to stamp them, or a building inspector who won't bust your chops -- will create a satisfactory connection.
But I'm confused on how those 6x6s are coming up through the deck. What is the connection between the deck frame and the post? I'm not sure that through-bolting the deck rim right to the posts is code approved these days.
A lap joint is probably the only way to insure structural integrity and make the joint look nice.
Stack the 6 x 6 extension on top, and sandwich the resulting 2-piece post between 2 full-length 2 x 6's that are applied to the front and back.
You could detail the edges of the 2 x 6's with a chamfer, cove, etc.
Will the pergola be attached to the house on one end? If so, then there's no need to have the posts supply lateral support, so long as the pergola roof is cross-braced.
post extention
Drill a +/-2" dia. hole +/- 12" deep in each and join with a steel pipe. Will be tricky and require a bit of accuracy. Epoxy pipe in post.. Chamfrer the post ends a little to look like a design element to conceal joint. Add other matching groves on the post to further camoflage the joint.
I would use a lap joint 12in in each direction, then through bolt it wil 2 1/2 in lags.