Easy Weekend Privacy Pergola Beginner Friendly Plans

By Built by Bec Designs

Tired of having zero backyard privacy? You don't need to spend thousands of dollars or tackle a complicated build to create a secluded outdoor oasis. Thanks to a simple modular bracket system, building this DIY privacy pergola is basically like playing with giant adult Legos! Here are the exact step by step plans and a foolproof cut list so you can build this yourself this weekend—even if you are a total beginner.

Difficulty easy

Tools

Kreg Tools

Materials

Wood Products

2 4x4x10' Pressure treated , 3.5" x 3.5" x 120"
6 4x4x8' Pressure treated , 3.5" x 3.5" x 96"
11 1x6x7' Cedar fence pickets , 5/8" x 5.5" x 72"
2 2x2x8' Pine boards , 1.5" x 1.5" x 96"

Hardware & Supplies

4 Metal 4x4 deck brackets (should come with screws)
4 Metal 4x4 pergola brackets with stiffeners (should come with screws)
1 10 x 7 pergola sail
1 Outdoor paint/stain
50 2" exterior screws for 2x2
50 1 1/4" exterior screws for cedar fence pickets

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Cut List & Parts

4 Upright posts, 3.5" x 3.5" x 96" pressure treated , You shouldn't have to cut these pieces
2 Shorter cross beam, 3.5" x 3.5" x 65" pressure treated
2 Long cross beam, 3.5" x 3.5" x 113" pressure treated
2 Wall slat supports, 1.5" x 1.5" x 84" pine
11 Slat wall boards, 5/8" x 5.5" x 65" cedar fence pickets

See Full Cut List & Parts

Directions

1

Cut the short cross beams to size with a circular saw or track saw.

Tip: Mark all 4 sides of the beam with the dimensions you need and make shallow cuts on all 4 sides. Make sure the beams are properly supported when cutting.
2

Cut the long cross beam pieces to size the same way you did in step 1.
3

Start by screwing the shorter cross beams into the pergola brackets and the posts as shown in the photo.

Tip: lift both sides up with 2 people and screw the deck brackets into the deck or concrete before the next step.
4

Put the long cross beams into the pergola brackets and screw them in.

I suggest getting a pergola kit with stiffeners so you can add them on each corner of the pergola. It will help keep the wood from bowing.
5

Cut the 2x2 slat support so size
6

Screw the supports into the wall you want the privacy wall to be as shown in the picture. Use 2" exterior screws and the Kreg hammer drill.
7

Cut the cedar fence pickets to size.
8

Screw the slats into the slat supports with 1 1/4" exterior screws. The slats should have a 2.35" gap between each one. Cut a piece of scrap wood and use that has a spacer.
9

Sand, paint and stain and you've built a Pergola!