I've built a few pergolas and one carport in my time. They are essentially the same, except a carport has a roof of some kind.
Two pergolas in England and three in Spain and one carport in Spain.
It's been interesting, what with the variation in the quality of materials and different construction methods.
Although it was a long time ago, I recall that building such structures in England was relatively straightforward.
In Spain, less so.
[Photo courtesy of Homebase]
What you need
[Anticuable] [Rusticos Juan Garcia] [Maderas Menga]
[Union Ferretera]
Check out this online video on building a carport by BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology):
¿Conoces la Cuenta y Tarjeta Joven BBVA?
My pergolas
The first pergola I built was at our house in Thelwall (Warrington) in around 2004 using reclaimed timber, with my teenage son, Tom, as my helper.
The second was at my house in Latchford (also Warrington) following my redundancy, divorce and nervous breakdown.
Once again, my "labourer" was my son Tom, who had just finished his A-Levels, was at a loose end and needed to earn money. That was in 2008.
Pergolas in Spain
In between times I built, alone, the best pergola I've managed to date. That was on the reconstructed terrace of a house I bought in Ronda in 2003 to do up and put on the market as a holiday rental.
Over a couple of years, I had help with the renovation of Casa Blanca from friends and family: Alan Shepherd, Amy Whitelock, Jeryl Whitelock, Johnny White and Tom Whitelock.
[Photo courtesy of Booking.com]
Ultimately I had to sell Casa Blanca to fund the purchase of a house in Latchford (q.v.) in 2008. As a result of the renovation and the state of the housing market at that time, ie (before the world economic crash in 2010), I made a significant capital gain.
I also built a pergola for clients who had employed me to renovate their house.
Three years ago I built a carport at our domicilio just outside Ronda with the help of my friend Michael.
That does a great job in protecting the paintwork from the searing sun, which acts like paintstripper.
[Photo by Paul Whitelock]
Currently I am building a pergola at the house.
We have a terrace outside our bedroom, which needs more shade. So I am building a pergola for the grape vine and the bougainvilla to grow over, which will give us much needed shade in this suntrap, which has vicious sun all day long.
(awaiting photo)
Conclusion
Pergolas and carports are great, aren't they? Fun to build and a definite asset.
© Pablo de Ronda
Photos:
Booking.com, Homebase, Paul Whitelock,
Links:
The Houses That Jack Built - Eye on Spain
The houses that Jack built! - Secret Serrania de Ronda
¿Conoces la Cuenta y Tarjeta Joven BBVA? - BYOT
Thanks:
Alan Shepherd, Amy Whitelock, BYOT, Jeryl Whitelock, Johnny White, Tom Whitelock,
Tags:
Alan Shepherd, Amy Whitelock, Anticuable, Booking.com, BYOT, carport, Homebase, Jeryl Whitelock, Johnny White, Latchford, Maderas Menga, Montejaque, Paul Whitelock, pergola, Ronda, Ronda, Rusticos Juan Garcia, Thelwall, Tom Whitelock, Union Ferretera, Warrington