Driveway Pergola Kits

How Does Installing a Driveway Pergola Carport Work?

There are two ways to install a driveway pergola carport. One is installing on top of the driveway surface, and one is installing off the driveway. Your choice will depend on the amount of space you’re trying to cover. Are you building an outdoor seating area next to your driveway? Or are you creating a carport for your vehicles? If you’re covering your vehicles, measure the size of the vehicles you’d like to cover with the pergola, the seating area (if applicable), and the size of your driveway. If your driveway is just big enough to fit your cars, a pergola that has post to post measurement the same width of the driveway won’t work. In this case, you’ll want to install the pergola posts outside of the driveway edges in the ground.

How do I choose the best driveway pergola size to cover my cars?

To find the size pergola you need for your driveway, start by measuring the width of the space needed to cover your vehicle or vehicles. After you calculate that measurement, add the amount of space you’d like between the vehicle and the inside of the posts. That will be your inside post to post measurement. Next, measure the length of the area where you’re planning to park. This measurement will also be important when you decide on the overall size.

Now that you’ve calculated the amount of space you’ll need around the vehicles, you can browse the different standard size pergola kits available. As an example, here are measurements of our 14×20 freestanding pergola kits with 10’ posts. Our 14 x 20 pergolas have an approximate inside post to post measurement of 10 feet x 16 feet, and have 14’ rafters that equate to the pergola depth and 20’ beams that equate to the pergola width. The width of this size comfortably accommodates two vehicles.

If you know you’re mounting the posts on the concrete parking pad, you’ll want to select that option when you select post height. Post mounting hardware will be included with your kit when it ships, so you can rest assured you’ll have all the necessary wood and hardware to assemble the pergola. When choosing your post height for a pergola you’ll be installing in the ground, make sure you account for frost line and the required post depth you’ll need to accommodate your frost line and that leaves enough room for the vehicles to fit under the pergola.

For assistance in selecting the right size for your pergola, refer to our comprehensive guide on measuring, which provides details on width, length, and height. By planning ahead and taking accurate measurements, you’ll be confident that you’ve selected the proper size for your space.

What tools and supplies will I need to assemble my driveway pergola kit?

Our pergola kits are carefully crated and will include all the components you need to assemble the kit, including the wood components, hardware for assembling the pergola (screws and bolt), optional hardware for attaching posts to concrete footing or slab (mounting bracket and hardware) packing list, and installation instructions. The only thing left for you to gather are your tools and a few helpers for delivery and installation days. For tools, we recommend the following for most standard style and size pergola kits:

• Tape measure, hammer, level
• Ladder (tall enough to work the top of your pergola during assembly)
• Screw gun (a star drive bit is supplied with kit)
• 3/4” Wrench
• For new footings: post hole digger, dry concrete mix, gravel, trowel, shovel and mixing bin or wheel barrow
• For installing rebar into post (if posts going into new concrete foundations): drill, 5/8″ drill bit
• For all kits using post bases on concrete: drill; 5/8” masonry drill bit; and 15/16” wrench
• For Pressure Treated Pine kits using post bases on concrete: you will also need a 5/32″ masonry drill bit, and a #2 Philips bit or #2 Philips screw driver.

For helpers, we recommend 3-4 healthy adults capable of lifting heavy timbers be available to unload and then assemble your new pergola.

If you’re unsure whether or not you have the time and skills for the installation, contact us and we’ll talk through your project and what’s required. If you decide you’d like more help, we recommend finding a local contractor or handyman in your area to assist. If you’re ready to tackle this rewarding DIY project, get started today and browse our most popular sizes for your new driveway carport pergola!