News: What is a Luxury Pergola Kit? Everything You Need to Know

22/05/2024

At Oak Timber Structures, we pride ourselves on our solid oak luxury pergola kits. Homeowners and contractors alike use our high quality kits to adorn amazing outdoor spaces across the UK.

But what is a pergola kit, anyway? In this article, we’ll reveal everything you need to know. Read on to learn the key information so you can decide if the ready-to-assemble approach could be for you.

What is a Pergola Kit?

A pergola kit is a set of materials and components needed to build a pergola. We cut the parts bespoke to your designs, pre-pack them into a flat-pack kit, and then we can send the package to your location. Upon arrival, it’s just a matter of assembly. Whether standard sizes or complex designs, we make each design from scratch. So, our kits are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and with features custom-built to suit your requirements.

What Does a Pergola Kit Include?

Our pergola kits include all the necessary parts for assembly. Included is:

• Pre-cut oak wooden beams to create the frame such as the upright posts and top plates complete with the joinery work.
• Oak dowels that’ll hold the structure together alongside the mortise and tenon joints.
• Any other extras you order such as crossmembers and staddle stones.
• A Parts Identification Drawing for guidance.

With the crossmembers, it's common to fix these with stainless steel screws to strengthen the structure. It's important to use stainless steel because other materials such as iron corrode causing stains. We don't include stainless steel screws or any of the tools required for assembly in the kit.

Are Pergola Kits Easy to Assemble?

We’ve done the tough part. You don’t need to worry about the precise cutting of beams or carving intricate joints. Simply use the Parts Identification Drawing to match the corresponding parts and fix them together.

That means you don't need to use a carpenter. A general builder can assemble our pergolas with ease. We’re big on quality control too. By performing a trial assembly at our base, we make sure parts are ready for assembly.

But, assembly isn’t one size fits all. So we'd be lying if we said anyone can assemble them. More complex designs need more know-how. Also, larger pergolas will need more hired hands, especially if you don't have access to a Genie Lift.

This brings us to the next bit... tools. Having the correct tools can make light work of the process. Genie Lifts help installers move heavy oak beams into place at hard-to-reach heights by hand. Also, T-bars help clamp the joints before pegging them together. If you're wondering what other tools can be helpful, check this article here on the Top 5 Tools for Building an Oak Structure.

Can You Install a Pergola Yourself?

If you’re proficient at DIY and have tools available, you could assemble our pergolas without contractors. Just remember, be realistic. Oak is heavy, so especially without a Genie Lift, you’ll need help. And needless to say… always follow health and safety protocols!

If you have concerns, we'd recommend using a professional builder. A pergola is one of the lighter structures, so often you don’t need much in the way of footings. Still, a professional can offer catered advice and inspect an existing patio, giving you peace of mind.

They’ll also have the know-how to get the pergola up and running in no time. In fact, professionals love the reliability and the ease of assembly of our pergolas. So much so we've become a go-to for renowned contractors.

Is it Cheaper to Build a Pergola or Buy a Kit?

Choosing a kit is a cost-effective approach to owning a high-quality pergola. Especially assuming you want a pergola made from oak. Oak is a hardwood with many nuances, crafting beams and joints requires specialist tools not to mention plenty of skill gained through years of experience.

Opting for a kit can save you a significant amount on installation costs. While hiring a carpenter to construct a custom pergola can double the expenses, a kit allows for DIY installation or quicker, less expensive, assembly by a general builder.

There are many factors at play here, so here’s what to consider when choosing between a kit or building your own pergola:

• Cost of Building Materials

  If building a pergola from scratch, you'll have to buy the materials. This can be costly when purchasing just a few beams. Plus, when tackling cutting, there's no room for error. It's also worth noting that oak has different grades, so if you don't know your oak, you could pay over the odds for low-grade beams.

• Labour Costs

  Labour costs for building a pergola from scratch can be higher because you’ll need a skilled carpenter and specialist tools to carve oak. With DIY pergola kits, assembly is more straightforward with joinery work complete.

• Time Investment

  If you don't know a carpenter, you'll have to spend time trawling the web, and scouring reviews to find one. It's time-consuming! Even more so if you’re building from scratch. Then you'll have to find time to design and construct a custom pergola yourself. By leaving it to the professionals, you’ll save time leaving you with the assembly of a pre-made kit.

Although a kit might seem slightly more costly, the convenience and ease of installation are priceless. Furthermore, when it's all added up, it often means lower overall costs when considering time and labour.

Not forgetting, without the skill set, you could incur hidden costs from mistakes. Whereas, a pre-made pergola kit is complete and ready to go.

The Advantages of DIY Oak Pergola Kits:

Our oak pergola kits have many advantages. Here are some standout points for why using a pergola kit from Oak Timber Structures is the way to go:

• Cost:

  We’ve shown that buying a kit is a cost-effective way to own a luxury pergola. But let’s dig deeper. You’ll stumble upon cheaper alternatives such as metal or low-grade wood pergolas. Keep in mind… cheaper options won’t have the highest quality of materials or craftsmanship.

Cheaper pergolas are flimsy and won’t stand the test of time. Meaning you’ll end up shelling out for replacements, eventually. High-grade oak is a tried and true outdoor timber, and alongside our craftsmanship, you can enjoy it for years to come. Our kits compromise no quality so in the long run, they’re a smart investment.

• Customer satisfaction:

  Of course, quality products are at the core of what we do. But we also maintain a great relationship through transparent pricing. Using the Online Pergola Designer, you can see the cost update in real-time. Input your desired features and sizes and see the quote change according to your specs.

• The Art of Design:

  The Online Pergola Designer is also a straightforward means to design a bespoke pergola. You don't need architects, simply visit the website and start designing yours, our designer restrictions ensure it will be structurally sound and ready to assemble.

• Convenience:

  A kit is all about convenience! It's the easiest way to have the highest quality pergola standing proudly in your garden. Pre-cut and packaged will save you time and hassle. No hiring specialist tools to cut oak, no employing a carpenter, no scouring hardware stores sourcing materials. On that note, sourcing oak is a passion and we make sure we craft each of our products from the highest construction-grade oak.

• Easy Assembly:

  We mark each piece on a corresponding Parts Identification Drawing. This guide shows where parts attach. Prepared beams and posts come complete with joinery work. So assembling the oak pergola kit is straightforward. Assuming you’ve got extra hands and helpful tools, assembly is reachable for homeowners. At the very least, a builder will find it a breeze to put together and it won’t be a drawn-out process.

• Delivery:

  Our location in the Midlands is handy. Based in Staffordshire, UK, we can deliver throughout Britain. You can pick up your kit or add our delivery service to your order to make life easy. You can choose between standard or HIAB-assisted delivery. With a HIAB, a crane will unload the pack to save some of the heavy lifting. Using our delivery service makes sure the kit arrives in good condition and saves you from going back and forth to builders' yards.

• Bespoke Designs:

  One key reason people want to make a pergola from scratch is to customise the design. That’s the cornerstone of what we do! Whether you choose a pergola with a standard size or something more complex, the handcrafted-from-scratch approach remains the same. This allows you to customise your pergola for your space. Whatever the size, shape, or style, we have you covered.

Conclusion

So what is a luxury oak pergola kit? In general, it's a convenient package with the pergola parts included. Our pergola kits aren’t just any old wooden pergola though. They’re a pre-packaged kit containing a high-quality pergola we craft using a great deal of skill and attention to detail using only the best European oak.

With the easy-to-follow assembly instructions, your pergola kit turns into an epic structure. Whether covering garden furniture in a small seating space or a huge L-shaped design, we’ll make any type of pergola. Once assembled, you and your guests can't help but admire the craftsmanship and sheer timeless beauty of the oak beams. Your garden pergola will offer durability, style, and value for your home.

Want to know more about our Oak Pergola Kits? Check out the pergola page and begin making your kit. Use the Online 3D Pergola Designer to sculpt the dimensions to fit your garden space. Want some inspiration? Then browse through the gallery to see the unique designs and see how they transform spaces after assembly.