Pretty cool idea and much easier to install than a standard Pergola with a lot more lumber. Someone commented that it it pretty pricey, on the face of it, it can seem true, but if you were to price out a standard purgola with such nice metal hardware to connect your lumber, the price would also increase significantly. This kit just seems like a great simple solution with a lot less parts to worry about such as extra beams, rafters and lag bolts. Thanks Handydad.
You usually get threat warnings in advance. Just pop off the shade with a few buckles and throw it in the shed. Without the shade, the wind will have nothing to grab.
This is interesting! Can it be installed on composite deck floor? Also, our deck is elevated on the first floor, wonder if it’s safe to use this system.
Yes, lots of people have installed these on decks. You need to be sure the feet are supported by wood framing, not by decking alone. So you might need to add some blocking underneath depending on where the feet land.
The tarps seem like they leave gaps. I’m about 10 inches small in diameter. But it seems like it would work cause then I’d have no gaps once I tighten the shade. Is that right?
You can get one using 6x6 posts if you feel 4x4 isn’t enough. Either way, I’ve never heard of one blowing away. Secure it down properly and it’ll be fine.
We just finished building one of these yesterday. However, all the straps from the shade are hanging down and it distracts from the look. I notice in your video that yours started out this way as well, but it was all cleaned up at the end. Did you cut them or have some other solution? I'm worried about cutting them because then if you ever need to take it off and put back on, there won't be enough strap to pull with...
Thanks for a nice video! What stain (brand and color) did you use to stain PT wood, and did you have to wait until staining? Seems to be two different schools out there whether stain new PT vs have to let dry. Also, these were 4x4s right? I am considering using 6x6. The longest free hanging length I'd have is 16', do you think that would work with 6x6?
Im thinking about buying the Toja kit soon. Any idea how the shade sail holds up in the wind. This one looks close to the house next door, mine would be wide open and its windy where I live. Thanks in advance.
You’d need to contact TOJA to see if they’ve done any testing, but my opinion is that the screws would probably pull out before the fabric rips from wind. No worries for normal winds, even in coastal areas. But if a storm is expected, it takes five minutes to take the shade down. Do it while you’re tying your patio furniture.
Hey there, HandyDadTV, got a question for you: I just bought this system and am in the process of building it. I'm painting my posts white to match our deck railing. Anyhoo, my question: I wanted to hang a hammock chair off of one of the top posts. It's an 8ft post and I was planning on attaching the hanging hook about 2 feet in from one of the sides. Do you think the Toja grid bracket and the 4x4 would handle this? Thanks!
It’s absolutely sturdy enough for the sail shades and certain accessories like lights. You wouldn’t hang a hammock on it, and although I’ve seen people put metal roofs on them, I wouldn’t trust 4x4s to hold a snow load. But it would be fine in a warm climate without snow. They now make these components for 6x6 lumber as well, if you really want more stability.
Thanks for proving that this can be assembled prior to installing the shade as I intend to erect my structure today and it is blowing like a $#)@&%$#. Will be installing b myself after all and I think it is better to work from the bottom up. Cheers
@@handydadtv Do you remember what brand/size hot tub this was?? Im house shopping and found a similar bkyard space and need a tub that wont take up the whole deck!
Bad idea to plane the wet posts to fit the brackets. It will shrink even more when dried. TOJA even specifically says to not use wet wood that it must be dried first.
Try check at HD or Lowes to see the outrageously expensive prices!!! If someone knows of a place I can get it for less, please, let me know. I would appreciate!!!!
They have scratch and dent sales. I picked up a 4x4 set last week for $300 CAD from the Toja store. They posted in Facebook Marketplace. That might be a local thing only, though.
Pretty cool idea and much easier to install than a standard Pergola with a lot more lumber. Someone commented that it it pretty pricey, on the face of it, it can seem true, but if you were to price out a standard purgola with such nice metal hardware to connect your lumber, the price would also increase significantly. This kit just seems like a great simple solution with a lot less parts to worry about such as extra beams, rafters and lag bolts. Thanks Handydad.
Good shade sails are expensive as well. Thanks for the comment!
HandyDadTV although I like your classic build better.
Thanks.
Thanks for the new idea. Only concern would be a tornado/thunderstorm which is quite common in TX.
You usually get threat warnings in advance. Just pop off the shade with a few buckles and throw it in the shed. Without the shade, the wind will have nothing to grab.
Great work guys.
Thanks 😊
Great job! Amazing the amount of privacy!!!
Thanks, you kept your word, comes spring indeed...
Have you noticed any leaning or instability once the wood dried? I would assume there were gaps created once the posts shrink.
Nice idea with those privacy screens on the side. I'm interested.
They are really popular! Tons of options. handydad.tv/shoptoja
Did it become a little wobbly once the wood dried because of planing it to make it fit the joints?
No. The screws hold it tight.
This is interesting! Can it be installed on composite deck floor? Also, our deck is elevated on the first floor, wonder if it’s safe to use this system.
Yes, lots of people have installed these on decks. You need to be sure the feet are supported by wood framing, not by decking alone. So you might need to add some blocking underneath depending on where the feet land.
Note to self - use cedar posts for pergola
LOL
very cool , simple to build !
Looks great! Since that’s in Jersey though, I wonder how the tarp is going to hold up in the winter with the weight of snow?
The tarps come down in the Fall.
The tarps seem like they leave gaps. I’m about 10 inches small in diameter. But it seems like it would work cause then I’d have no gaps once I tighten the shade. Is that right?
The gaps are good for wind. Plus the shades may stretch. Contact TOJA for the best practice in this regard.
How sturdy is this type of framing system. I fear wind will get the best of it. I plan to frame mine off the back of my house using the 12x16 kit.
You can get one using 6x6 posts if you feel 4x4 isn’t enough. Either way, I’ve never heard of one blowing away. Secure it down properly and it’ll be fine.
I added 4x4 2 foot long gussets on to each corner, made a world of difference - mine is in 3 sections each section being 10 feet by 10 feet
I’m sure it made a difference, but technically not needed because the corner brackets are strong enough.
We just finished building one of these yesterday. However, all the straps from the shade are hanging down and it distracts from the look. I notice in your video that yours started out this way as well, but it was all cleaned up at the end. Did you cut them or have some other solution? I'm worried about cutting them because then if you ever need to take it off and put back on, there won't be enough strap to pull with...
Sorry I didn't show that! We just wrapped them around and tucked the end under.
Hi, Great looking pergola. What would you use to anchor it to a concrete slab?
They make a bracket for the bottom called Grid Solo. You can see what they look like on handydad.tv/shoptoja
Thanks for a nice video! What stain (brand and color) did you use to stain PT wood, and did you have to wait until staining? Seems to be two different schools out there whether stain new PT vs have to let dry. Also, these were 4x4s right? I am considering using 6x6. The longest free hanging length I'd have is 16', do you think that would work with 6x6?
I was looking too, around the @2:40 mark you see the measurements, and they are indeed 4x4s.
Any experience with it and rain? I live in Miami where we get a ton of rain.
The tarps aren’t solid. No puddling. No sagging.
Im thinking about buying the Toja kit soon. Any idea how the shade sail holds up in the wind. This one looks close to the house next door, mine would be wide open and its windy where I live. Thanks in advance.
You’d need to contact TOJA to see if they’ve done any testing, but my opinion is that the screws would probably pull out before the fabric rips from wind. No worries for normal winds, even in coastal areas. But if a storm is expected, it takes five minutes to take the shade down. Do it while you’re tying your patio furniture.
Great
Just got my kit. Plan to install on my deck and need help! Do you assist in these still?
No sorry. Good time to throw a kegger!
Seems pretty pricey given that you have to still purchase the lumber
Most of them come with pretty large shade sails which can get pretty pricy. Also a premium for it being easier to build than a standard pergola.
What is that furniture u have under that pergola
What kind of hot tub is that? And what’s the price on those?
I don’t know. It’s not my house.
Hey there, HandyDadTV, got a question for you: I just bought this system and am in the process of building it. I'm painting my posts white to match our deck railing. Anyhoo, my question: I wanted to hang a hammock chair off of one of the top posts. It's an 8ft post and I was planning on attaching the hanging hook about 2 feet in from one of the sides. Do you think the Toja grid bracket and the 4x4 would handle this? Thanks!
I honestly don’t know how to answer this. I’m no engineer, but I’d try it and see how much the wood flexes. Be careful.
HandyDadTV thanks for the zippy reply. Great videos btw!
would you say the grid system was just as sturdy as a normal 4x4 post pergola? It doesnt look super sturdy...
It’s absolutely sturdy enough for the sail shades and certain accessories like lights. You wouldn’t hang a hammock on it, and although I’ve seen people put metal roofs on them, I wouldn’t trust 4x4s to hold a snow load. But it would be fine in a warm climate without snow.
They now make these components for 6x6 lumber as well, if you really want more stability.
Dude, I’m totally addicted now because I have a hot tub
It’s a nice solution.
How effective are the side panels as a windbreak?
Really good wind break. Which can be good and bad, depending on the heat.
How difficult was it installing the top section once the vertical posts were already in place?
We installed one top piece at a time and didn’t backfill the posts or screw the brackets until the whole thing was plumb, level, and square.
What kind of fireplace is that?
Propane. No idea of brand. Sorry.
What is the longest span you can use with this system?
Their widest shade sail fits a 12-foot span. You can combine two units to do 24-foot but you’ll have a post.
does the pergola look weak now that the wood has dried?
No not at all! It helps to crown the boards so they naturally curve up when they are installed. Then they’ll settle straight instead of sagging.
Thanks for proving that this can be assembled prior to installing the shade as I intend to erect my structure today and it is blowing like a $#)@&%$#. Will be installing b myself after all and I think it is better to work from the bottom up. Cheers
Would love to see it done. Send pictures to chris@handydad.tv
@@handydadtv Do you remember what brand/size hot tub this was?? Im house shopping and found a similar bkyard space and need a tub that wont take up the whole deck!
Sorry it wasn’t my house.
How have the shade sails held up?
Yes they’re doing great after two years.
toja parts can be posted to malaysia?
Check handydad.tv/shoptoja
Bad idea to plane the wet posts to fit the brackets. It will shrink even more when dried. TOJA even specifically says to not use wet wood that it must be dried first.
Yeah I know. But all PT lumber is wet because lumber yards leave it outside. And since this was ground contact, we needed to use PT.
@@handydadtv if we’re installing one on top of a raised deck would we not need PT? I thought I’d need to use PT for any outside application. Thx
@Leah - Use PT or cedar.
Try check at HD or Lowes to see the outrageously expensive prices!!! If someone knows of a place I can get it for less, please, let me know. I would appreciate!!!!
They have scratch and dent sales. I picked up a 4x4 set last week for $300 CAD from the Toja store. They posted in Facebook Marketplace. That might be a local thing only, though.
Will it hold snow???
No. It comes off in the fall and goes back up in the spring.
Bad idea everyone. The wood will dry and shrink leaving gaps in the future.
Gaps where? That thing will last decades.
doing so many things wrong, but thanks for the video!