Nowadays, more and more people are installing pergolas. However, compared with installing pergolas in the garden, people hope to find a more attractive installation solution.
Finally, people turn their attention to their own roofs or terraces, which are not only novel in style but also have excellent views.
However, is it safe to install pergolas at such a high position? Then let’s talk about whether it is safe or not!
Understanding the Structural Needs
Assessing the Deck’s Load Capacity
I think it is possible to install a pergola on a raised deck!
But you need to determine what material the raised deck is made of? And what is the load-bearing strength of the raised deck?
1,If the material of the raised deck is wood, I don’t recommend it very much.
Because the wooden deck is fine at the beginning, but once a long time, its problems will also appear, and the load-bearing strength will also be reduced, for example: the wood begins to fade or bend.
- the wood begins to fade or bend.
- Rainwater can cause the wood to swell or mold.
- In humid climates, insects will become a problem.
- Loose screws. The pillars are twisted.
Even if you are not tired of solving these problems, there is still one thing you need to consider, that is, its maintenance cost.
For example: regularly apply wood wax oil or anti-corrosion paint to the terrace, and frequently check to make sure the drainage design is good enough to ensure that the drainage pipes are not blocked, and regularly deworm to prevent termites from corroding the wood, etc.
These short-term costs are not high, so what about the long-term?
OK, let’s assume that even if you are willing to spend a lot of money to solve these problems, can you be sure that the structure of the terrace will remain the same as before?
I don’t need to say more about this! Think about it yourself!
Oh! By the way, even if it is a wooden terrace, it depends on what kind of wood you use! Some woods can be harmful! Please refer to the wood toxicity and allergens chart
2,If the material of the raised terrace is metal, I highly recommend it.
However, the metal should also be selected with some surface treatment, such as powder coating or anodizing ,so that it can be used for a long time, and its maintenance cost is also lower.
In addition, the structural strength of the high-priced terrace made of metal is undoubtedly extremely strong.compression resistance, bending resistance and wind resistance are far superior to wood.
Especially in high-altitude structures, metal frames can provide more stable support, are not easy to deform or fatigue, and ensure that the entire terrace remains stable and safe during long-term use.
In addition, surface-treated metal can effectively resist outdoor wind, sun and rain erosion, greatly reducing the frequency of later maintenance, which is both worry-free and cost-saving.
It is precisely because of these advantages that I recommend using this material to build an elevated terrace.
3,If the material of the elevated terrace is concrete, I also strongly recommend it.
I don’t need to say more about this!
After all, our houses are also built with concrete materials. Our houses can be lived in for a long time and used for decades.
Moreover, we can jump and jump on the second floor of the concrete house, and store all kinds of heavy sundries. This is enough to show the durability and load-bearing capacity of concrete materials.
Therefore, it is the most suitable terrace material for installing heavy-duty aluminum pergolas! No objection!
Importance of Local Building Codes
In addition to evaluating the load-bearing capacity of the deck, we also considered local regulations on installing heavy-duty pergolas on elevated terraces!
For example,
1,In the United States:
Three levels of building regulations at the state/county/city level
Most areas stipulate that: size (such as area exceeding 100–200ft² / 9–18m²), height (exceeding 10–15ft / ~3–4.5m), fixing method (whether attached to the building), foundation type (whether there is a foundation) determine whether a building permit is required
For example, in Texas: Regardless of size, many cities (such as Dallas, Greater Austin, etc.) require the application of a building permit.
HOA / Community Rules：
- Homeowners Associations may restrict materials, colors, roof styles, or even ban metal roofs
- California Civil Code Section 801.5: HOA cannot reject solar pergolas if they are structurally certified
Municipal Example：
- Los Angeles: Pergolas that are free-standing on the ground and are ≤120ft² and not attached to the property generally do not require a permit; otherwise, setback requirements and a building permit are
- Chicago: Pergolas that are fixed to rooftop decks and attached to the main structure require a permit and structural drawings.
2,In the Canada：
Generally, small pergolas/pavilions with an area of less than 30m² and not attached to the main building are exempt from building permits.
If attached to an apartment, condominium or multi-family building, approval from the property management or developer is also required.
You can read this article to find out what freestanding and attached are!
3,In the Australia：
Terrace pergolas with an area of ≤25m² and no main building attached can be considered as “development-free” and do not require a permit. However, they still need to meet the area and height restrictions.
4,In the Saudi Arabia/UAE etc.：
Pergolas for apartments, terraces or sky terraces require approval from the property/developer. If electrical or plumbing is involved, the corresponding electricity or plumbing license is also required.
As for how to understand the standardization of your location, here are some steps I have sorted out:
- First check the local building/municipal regulations: whether there are any permit requirements for terms such as area, attachment method, foundation type, etc.
- Consult the property or HOA: understand restrictions such as color, material, appearance, etc.
- If necessary, submit engineering drawings and structural calculation reports, and apply for corresponding licenses (construction, electricity, waterproofing).
- Hire a professional contractor or engineer to help ensure compliance, save time and avoid fines.
Perolas weight measurement:
Regarding the measurement of the weight of the pergola, it is impossible to determine it, because the material and model weight of each pergola supplier are uncertain.
As for the weight of our Progolas pergola, even if we are a manufacturer, we cannot be 100% accurate.
The reason for this is partly because most of our products are customized, and partly because different models have different numbers of columns, resulting in different weights.
The best we can do is to make a rough estimate and make a measurement based on the highest weight.
For example, our latest 2117 aluminum pergola has a size of 3Mx4M, which is equal to 12 square meters. Each square is about 73 pounds, and 12 square meters x73 pounds is equal to 876 pounds.
With this as a reference, the load-bearing structure of our elevated terrace must have a strong enough static load capacity. In addition, there must be extra space for activities to ensure free movement.
After all, you can’t just put a pergola in this terrace, you must have other activity spaces.
For example, a viewing area, a fitness area, an area for children to play, etc.!
Another thing is: the larger the elevated terrace, the more uniform the force area of the pergola, and the more stable the load-bearing structure!
Moreover, under a fixed load of 876 pounds, we recommend that the structural load-bearing capacity of the elevated terrace per square meter should not be less than 250-300 kg/square meter (about 50-60 psf).
This not only fully covers the weight of the pergola itself, but also ensures that the structure does not deform or lose stability in extreme weather, extending the overall service life and ensuring safety.
At the same time, on the elevated terrace, the column foot of the pergola column must be firmly connected to the main load-bearing beam of the terrace through bolts, and the corresponding waterproof treatment should be done to prevent later risks such as water seepage and structural loosening.
Installing a Heavy-Duty Pergola on an Elevated Patio (Step-by-Step Guide)：
OK, after the above three conditions are met, we will then install the heavy-duty pergola on the elevated terrace.
Hahahaha, the next step is classic: you need to move all the components of the pergola to the terrace, which will facilitate your subsequent assembly.
1，Install the columns:
First, connect the column feet of the pergola columns to the load-bearing columns of the terrace with bolts, so that the stability of the pergola can be better determined.
2，Install the beams and columns：
After installing the four columns, it is time to install the beams. You need to place the four beams on top of the columns in sequence, and then use bolts to fix the positions of the columns and beams again.
3，Install the blades：
First, clamp the blades in the grooves of the two beams, and so on, until all the blades are installed.
4，Install the motor：
Install the awning machine of the pergola above the long beam, and remember to connect the wires so that it can operate normally.
5，Test whether the blades and motor are connected correctly：
Use the remote control to adjust the top of the pergola normally to see if the roof of the pergola can be opened or closed or adjusted electrically.
- If it works normally, it proves that there is no problem with the line installation.
- If it does not work properly, you need to recheck the line connection.
In summary, whether it is safe to install a pergola on an elevated terrace depends on the material your terrace is made of and the load-bearing strength of the terrace.
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