Hi,
I partially built a pergola last year and put in place an extra post (1) for future expansion, alongside the existing posts (2,3)
I now want to add a new cross beam (5) between the posts to continue the work.
I think that the normal approach would be cut the existing beam (4) above post 2, so that both beam 4 and 5 rest on post 2.
The problem is that I actually added a final rafter to beam 4 beyond post 2. I could remove that rafter and cut beam 4, but I am wondering if I could just join beam 4 and 5, by bolting timber either side and using M12 bolts and timber connectors. The overlap on the beams would by 300mm either side (i.e. the timber pieces marked in blue would be 600mm long).
I am not too concerned about the aesthetics, as I plan to encapsulate the cross beam anyway, and also feel that I could probably get a stronger join, but joining away from the top of the post as I can put a long piece of timber on both sides. There is just the issue that the join is not supported underneath.
The posts are 100mm square and the cross beams and rafters are C24 (47 x 150) and approx 4 metres long. The span between the posts is 3 metres, and beam 4 currently hangs approx 400mm over the end of post 2.
There isn't a roof on the pergola at the moment, but I might want to put a polycarbonate roof on a some point.
It feels like the join would be perfectly strong enough, but would appreciate any advice.
I partially built a pergola last year and put in place an extra post (1) for future expansion, alongside the existing posts (2,3)
I now want to add a new cross beam (5) between the posts to continue the work.
I think that the normal approach would be cut the existing beam (4) above post 2, so that both beam 4 and 5 rest on post 2.
The problem is that I actually added a final rafter to beam 4 beyond post 2. I could remove that rafter and cut beam 4, but I am wondering if I could just join beam 4 and 5, by bolting timber either side and using M12 bolts and timber connectors. The overlap on the beams would by 300mm either side (i.e. the timber pieces marked in blue would be 600mm long).
I am not too concerned about the aesthetics, as I plan to encapsulate the cross beam anyway, and also feel that I could probably get a stronger join, but joining away from the top of the post as I can put a long piece of timber on both sides. There is just the issue that the join is not supported underneath.
The posts are 100mm square and the cross beams and rafters are C24 (47 x 150) and approx 4 metres long. The span between the posts is 3 metres, and beam 4 currently hangs approx 400mm over the end of post 2.
There isn't a roof on the pergola at the moment, but I might want to put a polycarbonate roof on a some point.
It feels like the join would be perfectly strong enough, but would appreciate any advice.
