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DH and I are going to build a pergola on a concrete slab next to our pool cage. We are planning to use pressure treated lumber and maybe cover a part with lattice. It's mostly to shade an area for potting table and barbecue grill.The (4x4) posts will be mounted on top of the (existing) concrete slab and we are looking at various options including something called the Titan Post Anchor. http://www.ideas-for-deck-designs.com/titan-post-anchor.html
I wonder who has used this product or anything similar and can give us some suggestions?
The only advice I can give is to make sure you make it BIG enough - everyone I know who has one wishes they had mad it bigger to start with! Good luck! Samantha
And it's FL.
So you need an anchor that can handle a BUNCH of wind.
I wouldn't use an 'above concrete' anchor only here in Ohio.
Well OK maybe if I guy wired it down too.
I'd go thru the concrete.
But I tend to over build.
You're Welcome.
I was thinking this morning that maybe others down there in FL or the Gulf have tried an anchor that works especially well. I.E. has stood the Hurricane or Gale test.
Maybe someone on the FL Forums could direct you to a product.
I have used anchors similar to those you linked but only on decking.
The problem w/ a trellis or pergola is the lateral movement.
You've got a lot of weight, high in the air wanting to move side to side.
That's a lot of strain on the anchor.
Is there a heavy structure you could bolt the top too?
Like a wall.
If not by cutting into the concrete and burying the posts in the ground your structure would be more stable.
Check your local building codes.
They will give you an idea of the minimum your area needs for the structure.
I have three of these structures we call entryways.
They are now vine covered. I stand on the front ones to put up the Holiday lights.
They are 3' in the ground in tamped gravel.
Way overbuilt.
They could be twice as wide w/ the same stability.
Think Post and Beam construction when you think pergola.
Ric
Dutchlady, when I built a porch to cover our patio, I used 6x6 treated posts for the outside supports. They were also sitting on an existing concrete slab so I just squared up the structure and marked on the concrete exactly where the posts would sit with a Sharpie marker then moved the posts, drew an X inside the square I had previously drawn to find center, drilled into the concrete with a masonry 5/8 inch bit about 3-4 inches deep, inserted 8-10 inch piece of 5/8" rebar into the holes, drew the X on the bottom of the posts, drilled into the bottom of them at center deep enough for the rebar to fit and stood the posts up over and down onto the piece of rebar. They haven't moved a bit, although I really don't get too many hurricane force winds here!!!
I have personally never used that particular product. I would be curious to hear what you think of it if you happen to use it. One of our deck experts helped us write an article about Pergolas. It talks a lil bit about what they are, but then goes into some of the key elements to building them. Take a look, hopefully it gives you a little more insight?
We have completed our project; thanks everyone for their suggestions.
The Titan post anchors seem to work well and are prettier than the usual post-bases. The drilling was the hard part but the instructions were very clear.
We haven't yet decided on whether we will be covering the top, maybe the part over the grill, with a lattice.
We are awaiting final signing off of our pergola by the City inspector... fingers crossed.
I found a couple of nice pergolas on a site that offers many outdoor living products. Hope this is helpful in giving you ideas. The site is http://www.oneclickoutdoorliving.com
