Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 Sep 22, 2011 3:24 pm What are the pros and cons of timber vs. metal pergola in a full sun and dry location? I'm hearing that timber can split, warp, dry out, delaminate etc. and considering that all of the above goes well with very sunny and dry location, I am having second thoughts re. the materials. However, I don't like metal pergolas mainly for their vulnerability to scratching (especially during construction ) and inflexibility when you want to put a nail into it to hang this or that and perhaps attach some slat screening to the posts ... Any other disadvantages? What do you have and how has it kept? My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Full sun - Timber or colourbond pergola? 2Sep 22, 2011 3:49 pm So long as the timber is maintained well it should last a pretty long time. The Verandah and deck at my out laws is probably 30-40 years old, get western sun every day and has only had 1 post replaced in that time that was a d0dgy one to start with. Only had a roof over it for the last ten years max. Definitely showing signs of age but its not a throwaway. It will probably go another 10-20 years before the stumps/posts start to move too much. It gets 5 coats of decking oil a year ( my job in 2 weeks, yay) Only takes a week to do (one coat per day) Looks good all year around as well. Re: Full sun - Timber or colourbond pergola? 3Sep 22, 2011 4:30 pm Best of both worlds would be timber posts with colorbond roof to protect them That should work. We had timber with shadecloth and it lasted a while but we did pull it down after about 10 years and replaced with metal. For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Full sun - Timber or colourbond pergola? 4Sep 22, 2011 7:44 pm Thanks for your comments guys. Yep, I was told at a metal pergola place that timber pergola would need to be replaced in 10-15 years ! We were going to paint it, rather than stain, and so that would eliminate the need for frequent oiling, but not sure about re-painting (including the roof structure ). We planned light weight sheeting for the roof (polycarbonate-style or whatever it's called). Good point about no-see-through colourbond sheets, but we just don't like them Mclaren, did you replace the timber posts or only the shade cloth? Decisions, decisions ... My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Full sun - Timber or colourbond pergola? 5Sep 23, 2011 8:59 am If you get a good quality outdoor paint it should last 10-15 years on its own. I wouldn't think that 10-15 years is an accurate life span for a well built (with good quality materials) timber pergola. Money may be a factor depending on what timber you planned to use vs colorbond. Ever recycled hardwood is UBER expensive (seems to be in fashion so up the price goes) The key is to make sure that you hand pick your timbers (or get someone who knows timber to do it) as finding straight timber can be hard to do. Re: Full sun - Timber or colourbond pergola? 6Sep 23, 2011 10:49 am Quote: I wouldn't think that 10-15 years is an accurate life span for a well built (with good quality materials) timber pergola. The best combination is timber frame with colorbond/twinwall poly roofing. Use a very very good quality external paint for the timber and it should last you donkeys of years. Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them. Re: Full sun - Timber or colourbond pergola? 7Sep 23, 2011 2:02 pm Thanks guys. I guess it's easier said than done - because of course the pergola will be built by traders, not by ourselves. From experience, traders always select materials (and procedures etc.) that are either the cheapest for them or the easiest to work with (or both). The old problem strikes again - we are not in control. And for something like this, I wouldn't have a clue what timber to use or what is a good piece of timber even if it screamed at me ... One guy quoted for "L.O.S.P. DRESSED KILN-DRIED OIL-BASED TREATED HOOP PINE" and for "90 x 90 LAMINATED POSTS". The other guy wrote "All pergola timber will be L.O.S.P primed pine. Posts will be 113x113mm. Pergola beams will be 190x65mm and 140x42mm. Rafters will be 140x42mm. Roof battens will be 66x42mm. All fixings will be galvanised. " Are these the same thing?? Does that sound good? My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Hi Kristy Around $1.7-1.8m or around $4,600/sqm. if you PM me your email I will send you a break up in a spreadsheet so you can get an understanding of the costs for… 1 9979 Yes i guess this is one of the main reason as i checked one post foundation 4 9997 Cheers. The painted render is a bit chalky to the touch. To prepare the surface for best adhesion, what would you recommend? Also, given that there must be some… 6 8512 |