New England Arbors VA84045 - Manual (Page 7)

Wood Post Layout & Installation
for In-Ground Application
Measure and mark out the location of the pergola posts using
string line and temporary wood stakes. Diagonal distances must
be the same to ensure a square installation. Adjust string lines
accordingly. The inside corner of the string lines will be the post
location.
Please Note:
Should you decide to moderately modify the dimensions of your
pergola from the standard kit size, a circular saw with a sharp
fine-tooth blade is all that you need to cut, shorten or modify the
vinyl components. The steel stiffeners for the main beams and
rafters can be cut down using either a hacksaw or a motorized
cutting device designed to cut steel.
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This pergola can also be installed on a pre-existing wood or
concrete surface using our bolt down bracket system with
a 4x4 wood post (sold separate). See page eight for more details.
Post location and placement is the most critical step in the
overall installation process. Please double check for the
possibility of any underground utilities such as sprinkler, gas
or telephone lines.
S T E P O N E
After you have determined where the posts will be located,
excavate 10” diameter x 36” deep post holes.
After holes are dug and cleaned, place the 4x4 wood post into
a hole ensuring it’s level and square to string lines. The final post
height should be no more than 84” out of the ground. If a post
is higher because of obstructed excavation of footings, please
cut down in height accordingly.
Fill the vacant hole with pre-mixed concrete all the way to
within 3” of the top of the hole.
Repeat for all four posts.
Please Note:
Some 4x4 pressure treated posts can be larger than 3 1/2 x 3 1/2
square due to twisting or cracking. We have allowed a tolerance
for this in the internal one way and two way 4x4 wood post guides
(see page 8). However in extreme cases you may need to shave down
the top of the 4x4 wood post slightly to get the vinyl post started
over the wood post. Before installing your wood posts in the ground,
please check to confirm this and correct at this stage if necessary.
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2
3
S T E P T W O
Install Wood Supporting Posts Directly into the Ground
4
111 1/2
111 1/2
10”
36”
84” (Maximum)
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2 3”
3
7 10 x 10 Flat Top Pergola
Overhead View
157 11/16 from corner of wood post to corner of wood post.
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