A Solid Bespoke Solid Oak Pergola To Beautify Your Garden

With origins dating back to medieval times, the aesthetic appeals of a pergola are timeless.

They’re a simple yet effective design to add a focal point to outside spaces. A pergola has upright posts that join to horizontal top plates. We can add cross members on the roof to further enhance the structure.

It’s common for customers to use pergola posts as a trellis and decorate them with climbing plants, such as climbing roses or ivy.

This method not only adds natural charm, but the vegetation increases protection against the sun while boosting privacy.

Yet, with its rich oak texture and bold design, a solid oak pergola is a powerful addition when left undecorated.

Here at Oak Timber Structures; we offer the best quality bespoke pergolas to fit any size garden and to suit varying needs.

Whatever the shape, whether it be rectangular, triangular to fit flush into the corner of a smaller garden, or multi-bay pergolas to create romantic walkways, we've got you covered.

From a tranquil space for outside dining to a mindful spot to relax, you'll find that a solid oak pergola becomes useful for a multitude of purposes. Whatever the use, you and your guests will revel in the awe-inspiring wonder of a solid oak pergola.

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Oak Pergolas in All Shapes and Sizes

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Oak Pergolas Vs Oak Gazebos: What's The Difference?

The fundamental disparity between a gazebo and a pergola is the roof shape.

A pergola has horizontal flat top beams on top of the structure, whereas a gazebo has a pitched roof. The design of a pergola ensures sunlight can enter through the top.

For customers wanting an exposed area to relax, a pergola provides an open-top alternative.

You can further enhance this open topped style with decorative climbing and trailing plants up the beams and onto the top of cross members, producing a natural shaded area underneath, aswell as a unique aesthetic.

How To Use The 3D Oak Pergola Designer

At Oak Timber Structures, the only limit is your imagination. The 3D online designer ensures designing a unique solid oak pergola for specific needs is simple. The following section details how each website control sculpts the pergola design.

For any pergola shape or size outside the limits of the online 3D pergola designer, we'll make them too. We offer a bespoke service, so there's no pergola out of bounds. If you think it up, then we'll make it. In this scenario, email in the drawings and we'll advise and produce a quote. We love to see your ideas.

Shape

Here’s a summary of each shape available to select through the 3D online pergola designer

Rectangular
The rectangular choice covers everything from a standard square pergola to longer walkways. Once selected, opt for the standard 3x3m bay dimension, or adjust the width, height and length to suit.

Corner Fit
A corner fit pergola is a right-angle triangle. By meeting at a 90-degree angle, a corner fit pergola positions into tight spaces such as where a house meets a garden wall or where two garden fences meet.

Triangular
Triangle pergolas are ideal for covering a sector of decking or patio. Customers can adjust the width and length, as a result, creating varying isosceles triangle shapes. This is a great option for building a contemporary solid oak pergola to match existing decking or patios.

L-Shaped
L-Shaped pergolas can create a nook in the corner of a garden or add grandeur when placed over pathways. Whatever the purpose, every dimension is adjustable to suit.

Bays

The number of bays refers to the spacing between the upright posts.

As standard, a one-bay pergola is 3x3m with measurements taken from the outside of one post to the adjacent post. We sometimes refer to this as the overall footprint. By adding another bay, the length of the pergola increases by 3m.

Although we consider the 3x3m bay measurement the standard size, even when using these dimensions, we make every pergola from scratch.

For more specific dimensions, all measurements, including height, width, length and distance between posts, are adjustable.

Remember, we’re here to help, and if there are any specific dimensions you’d like advice on, we’ll talk through the options and offer a quote.

Footings

The number of bays refer to the gaps between the upright posts. As standard, a one bay gazebo is 3 metres wide by 3 metres deep, measured from the outside of one post to the outside of another, so the overall footprint. For each bay you add, it increases the width of the overall footprint by another three metres. Every oak pergola is made bespoke from scratch, so the sizes here are just examples. If you have specific requirements get in touch for a quotation. Any measurement can be altered: height, width, length, the distances between the posts etc.

The weight of solid oak is enough to make sure our pergolas don't need fixing or bolting into the ground. But, for further protection, there are options. This section covers the primary choices for where posts meet the ground.

Normal Posts
Select normal posts if there are no plans for footings and the posts are to stand on the ground foundations. The weight of the pergola will hold it in place but to prevent the posts from kicking out, you should install steel rods/rebars into your foundations for your pergola to stand over, note the pergola should not be resting on these rods but rather sheathed over them which will require a hole to be drilled into the base of each post.

If you are looking for a solution to elevate your pergola, our customers have had success with simpson strong tie footings. Available in a variety of options, these footings are intended to secure your structure and raise it off the ground to prevent standing water and extend the longevity of your pergola.

Staddle Stones
Staddle stones are an easier to install option. These non-porous reconstituted stone feet protect against standing water. Measuring 23cm tall, they come complete with a metal bar protruding out of the top.

It's a simple case of drilling a hole in the bottom of the posts to sit the pergola on top. Note, similarly to rebar installation mentioned above, the rod should not be supporting the structure but be inserted into the base of the posts to prevent them kicking out.

When selecting this footing option, we'll measure the oak posts so the overall height isn't affected by the height of the staddle stones.

Into Ground
The last option is into the ground, which provides more length onto the pergola posts. Select this option for cementing part of the structure into the ground. Designers sometimes specify into ground for pergolas that stand in public places or in grass areas with foundations.

The additional length as standard is 600mm, if you’d like to specify this length or for any help with footings, call us on 01889 597283 or send a message through our contact page.

Thickness

The thickness refers to the cross-section size of the upright posts, and the main beams, or 'top plates' running horizontally. The larger in size your pergola, the thicker you would normally have the posts to keep it looking proportioned. However, you will achieve a "chunky" look by choosing thick posts on a small pergola, or a more "elegant" look by choosing thinner posts on a larger pergola.

The slats across the top, or 'crossmembers' usually stay the same at around 75 x 150mm regardless of the thickness you choose for your posts.

The thickness is the cross-section size of upright posts and horizontal main beams, sometimes known as top plates.

As a general rule, the larger the pergolas, the thicker the posts. This is to make sure the pergola looks in proportion. However, the post thickness is largely down to preference.

Thick 200mm posts on a small pergola offer a striking and dominant presence. On the other hand, thinner 150mm posts on larger pergolas offer more sleek and elegant visuals. The other option is a post thickness of 175mm, which is the middle ground option between the two.

The cross-members on the top of the pergola stay the same size regardless of post and beam width.

Crossmember settings

Profile

The profile refers to the style of the ends of the main horizontal beams, or 'top plates'. Square is standard, without any shaping, often chosen for a minimalist look. Chamfered and Rounded are often chosen to give a more modern look to the pergola, and customers that chose the Ornate profile say it appealed to them with a more traditional Eastern styling.

Cross members are the timbers that fix at a right angle to the top beams.

The profile is the style of the ends and there are four options to select from.

Square is a standard profile style with the ends of cross members squared off. Featuring no shaping, this profile is ideal for a minimalist appearance.

A chamfered profile has the corner edge cut off at a 45-degree angle. Chamfered styling offers fewer sharp edges and more detail to the pergola.

Carefully cut, rounded profiles offer a smooth rounded edge to the cross members and give the pergola a more modern touch.

Ornate profiles are the most decorative cross members. With delicate carvings, these cross members boast Eastern styling.

The 3D designer recommends the number of cross members depending on the size of the pergola. To use the recommended amount, click ‘Set To Recommended’.

There's an option to increase or decrease the amount. The more cross members, the less the gap between them, resulting in more roof coverage. Likewise, fewer cross members result in more space between the cross members for increased exposure.

The overhang relates to how far the cross members protrude from the top beams. 0.5m is the standard overhang, but any measurement from 0m to 1m is selectable.

There's also an option to have no overhang on one side. This allows pergolas to stand flush against fences and walls.

Crossmember joint style refers to how the crossmember connects to your top plates, select the notched option if you would like the traditional style of pergolas where the area that meets your top plates its notched out to sit ontop and continue each crossmember to your selected overhang and chosen profile.

For a more modern aesthetic you can select the dove-tail control which will add a dovetail joint to the end of each crossmember to sit flush with the top plates.

Expertly Crafted Oak Garden Pergolas

All solid oak pergolas are bespoke and catered to individual sizes and specifications.

The foundation of what makes our solid oak pergolas great is the natural properties of oak. As one of the most popular construction hardwoods, oak has inherent strength and beauty, hence its use in construction for decades

Yet, what sets us apart is the quality grade of oak we use. At Oak Timber Structures, we only use QPA and QP1 grade oak, which is the highest grade available for construction.

This results in our solid oak pergolas having no structural defects, such as large dead knots or holes, and other flaws that appear on lower graded oak, such as heavy wane and sometimes even wood worm holes.

Using only the highest-grade fresh sawn or air dried European oak, our skilled artisans sculpt every solid oak pergola with attention to detail, using their collective years of skill and knowledge.

For connecting beams and posts, we use traditional mortise and tenon joinery. Overtime oak will lose moisture and start shrinking across the width known as moisture movement, our skilled staff prepares the pergola for this eventuality during the fabrication process and use it to our advantage to tighten joints.

Having performed a trial assembly to ensure all measurements and joints meet our strict quality control standards. We pack the pergola into kit form ready for delivery.

How Your Oak Pergola Will Arrive

Oak pergolas arrive flat-packed in kit form for you or your builder to assemble. As shown in the image below.

Oak is heavy, so it's advised to have person-power on hand to help move the pergola. To make for easy assembly, hiring a Genie Lifts will hold the oak beams in place during construction.

The above link directs to a genie lift for hire site. A pergola's size and weight will dictate which model genie lift you'll need. If you need the weight of the heaviest piece then give us a call.

The genie lift hiring company will advise what model of genie lift best suits your project.

All the joinery woodwork is complete, so it's common for customers to hire general builders to assemble the structure, rather than carpenters. Some customers even erect the pergolas themselves.

All of our oak is supplied untreated. It isn't a necessity to treat a solid oak pergola. On average untreated oak has a service life of approximately 20 years, although its not uncommon for a much longer service period. Left untreated, the oak will develop a rustic silver hue, a rustic aesthetic most customers want.

Nonetheless, there are treatments to reduce the silvering process and to make the oak pergolas more water repellent. For treatment ideas, read 'Maintaining An Oak Structure.'

More About Our Solid Oak pergolas

Overall Size

The overall pergola height will vary depending on clearance height and post thickness and crossmember joint solution. Here's how to work the overall height of the pergola.

For this example, we'll use the standard clearance height of 2.3m.

• Add the post thickness to the clearance height of 2.3m. This is because we make the horizontal top plates the same thickness as the posts and they fix horizontally onto the upright beams.
• So, using a post thickness of 175mm as an example, the height without cross-member stands at 2.475m.
• Then add an extra 100mm for cross members. Note that the crossmembers are notched into the top plates. So, the overall height is 2.575m. For dove tailed crossmembers, this additional 100mm wouldn’t be added as the crossmembers sit flush with the top plates.

To summarise: 2.3m (post height) + 1.75mm (post thickness) + 0.1m (cross members) = 2.575m or 2.475m for a dove tailed pergola.

Crafted by skilled artisans, everything we make is bespoke. So shorter and taller heights aren't a problem.

Recommended Fixings

We recommend using one screw on the end of each cross member when fixing to the frame. Always use stainless steel screws. Oak contains acids known as tannins, and when iron comes into contact with tannins, it erodes the iron and leaves black streaks down a solid oak pergola.

Why Buy Your Pergola From Oak Timber Structures Ltd

Here at Oak Timber Structures, our team has accumulated over 100 years of experience in the timber industry. Such knowledge is indispensable for creating a bespoke oak pergola. Furthermore, we use our years of experience to help customers accomplish any oak pergola. We are here at every step.

• High Quality oak products
• High Quality customer service

We are proud of the quality of our oak structures. From the grade of the European oak to the intricate detail in craftsmanship. We strive for the best in both product quality and customer relations.

The strongest and most elegant oak structures start with the best timber. But that's just the beginning. Working with timber, especially oak, requires skills and expertise. Bespoke to order we craft each oak pergola to the highest standards.

Our passion for oak is at the heart of our inspiration. As Steve Jobs once said, "...the only way to produce great work is to love what you do".

Our innovative pergola 3D designer and pricing matrix offers a tailored buying experience designing a bespoke oak pergola. Watch your new timber pergola design take shape as you alter dimensions and specs.

Kiss goodbye to random quotes. With instant and transparent pricing, you can watch the cost change as you alter the design. It's yet another way we strive to innovate and establish a tailored buying experience for our clients.

Our 3D Oak Pergola Designer

We're proud of the world's first web-based 3D oak pergola designer. There's no software download or high-tech computers needed.

Embedded into our website, all that’s needed are an internet connection and web browser. So, on a smartphone, laptop, or any other device, you can design an oak pergola in the comfort of your own home.

The innovative 3D oak pergola designer makes designing easy. By specifying all aspects, oak pergolas take shape in real-time. As the oak pergola evolves to specific needs, the pricing updates.

Why not create a bespoke oak pergola with our online designer located at the top of this page?

Go to the pergola designer.

How To Order Your Oak Framed Pergola

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Ordering from Oak Timber Structures is straightforward. Nevertheless, our team is on hand to help throughout the process. Here are the simple steps to order a bespoke oak pergola:

1. First, create the oak pergola using the designer or send drawings to contact@oaktimberstructures.co.uk.
2. For online orders, click ‘Add to Basket’.
3. Navigate to your shopping basket where you can checkout securely online. We accept all major credit cards excluding American Express (as image). If you run into any checkout issues, please contact us using the online chat or call us and we’ll talk you through the process. Alternatively, you can order over the phone.
4. We then produce technical drawings for you to sign off and gain approval from a structural engineer if needed. CAD drawings take approximately 2 - 5 working days to produce.
5. If you are unhappy with an aspect of the drawings, we encourage you to call and seek advice from our helpful and friendly staff. They’ll revise the drawings accordingly and send them back to you for re-approval.
6. Once signed off, we add your structure to the production queue and create it according to the stated lead times. During this time, many people use the approved drawings to get their groundwork in place if required.
7. Our skilled team assembles the oak pergola to make sure there are no issues. This also allows us to code all components for seamless assembly. We then dismantle the pergola and organise it into transportable kit form.
8. If you're running behind schedule, we're happy to store your structure for up to 2 to 3 weeks at no extra charge. Please note that we limit storage time to this. As green oak dries, it shrinks. Shrinkage is normal. In fact, our skilled staff prepares your structure for shrinkage to fuse joints, making them tighter and more robust. Yet, joints can become misaligned and harder to assemble, so it's important to limit storage time.
9. We schedule delivery by liaising with you once your bespoke oak pergola is complete.