Installation Guide

7
Site preparation, unpacking, and platform construction
(MaterialsNOTsuppliedwithPergolaKit)
Note: Site preparation and platform construction and Support Post Installation steps may require professional
assistance to be installed correctly.
Pleasereadallmanualstepsthoroughlybeforestartingthisproject.
Note: Site preparation and platform construction are required for this pergola. Placing the pergola on the ground
without any type of foundation is not recommended. Suncast is not responsible for replacing parts damaged or
property lost due to construction without a foundation or platform.
Completethesitepreparationandplatformconstructionbeforeunpackingparts.
To prepare your pergola site, follow these steps:
1)Consultyourlocalauthoritiesandneighborhoodassociationforbuildingcodesandcovenantsbefore
beginningfoundationorerectingpergola.
2)Consultyourlocalbuildingsupplyretailertoassistyouindeterminingthebestfoundationorplatform
methodforyourapplication.Thebuildingsupplyretailercanalsohelpyoudeterminewhatanchoring
hardwareyouwillneedoncethefoundationorplatformmethodhasbeendetermined.Bringthismanual
withyoutotheretailersotheycanseethescopeoftheproject.
3)Beforeanydigging,checkwithlocalutilitiestodeterminelocationofburiedcables,pipes,etc.
4)A four inch thick concrete slab or concrete piers are recommended as the foundation.
-Ifawoodplatformischosenasthefoundation,useexteriorgradewood.
Note: DO NOT erect pergola on paver bricks. Foundation must be a solid surface.
Ifyouplantoerectthepergolaonanexistingdeck,consultlocalauthoritiesforbuildingcodesandmakesure
thatthestructureissoundandcanholdtheadditionalweightofthepergola(seechartbelow).Consultlocal
buildingsupplyretailertodeterminethebestmethodandhardwareforyourapplication.
5)Preparingthebuildingsite:
-Thegroundshouldslopeawayfromthefoundationareatoprovidedrainage.
-
Thefoundationsurfacemustbeatandlevel.
-Followlocalbuildingcodesforapropervaporbarrier.
For installation on concrete pillars:
UsingthechartprovidedonPage8,markthelocationofthecenterofeachpost.Prepareaholethatis16
inchesindiameter,adjustingthedepthasneededfortheareaofthecountrythatyouarein.Forexample,
becauseoffrostissues,thenorthernpartoftheUSrequiresadeeperholethanthesouthernpart.Makesure
thatthenishedheightoftheconcreteisexactlythesameforallofthepostfoundations.
8x8 8x12 10x14 10x16 12x16 14x14 14x20
425 lbs 490 lbs 650 lbs 795 lbs 925 lbs 795 lbs 1005 lbs