Easy Install: 10′ × 14′ Cedar DIY Pergola Kit
A Cedar Pergola That Turned a Kentucky Backyard Into a Retreat
This outdoor retreat in a Kentucky backyard is one of our favorites. The homeowners did a fantastic job installing their cedar DIY pergola kit, finished in a premium, UV-protective Rich Cordoba timber stain. Their choice of outdoor furniture, fireplace, and brickwork invites you to come outside and stay awhile.
Below are a couple of testimonials from this project. We’re grateful — it’s our clients’ word of mouth that gives us more opportunities to build, bring families closer together, and add to the beauty of America.
What the homeowners had to say
“My husband and I were looking at building a pergola and happened upon Western Timber Frame in our research. And the journey began. We emailed, called, and talked about exactly what we wanted. After also speaking with other pergola builders, we were sold on them. The workmanship is beautiful and as sturdy as our house. We waited patiently for a couple of weeks as our custom pergola kit was being put together. It arrived before we expected, and we were impressed with how neatly the kit was prepared. The construction was super easy. My husband and I, along with the help of his 72-year-old dad, had it up in three days. The dovetails were top notch. Once they slipped into place, they were not going anywhere. Tight! The hardware was very high quality and came in its own little Rubbermaid tub. Their service was personal and professional. I highly recommend Western Timber Frame for any of your outdoor building needs.”
— Teri Mullins, Google review
“We researched quite a few sites and talked to many people before investing in a Western Timber Frame pergola. What sold us was the dovetails! The ordering process was quite simple. It arrived in a nice bundle. We were able to put up our pergola with only three of us. It was amazingly simple.”
— Teri Mullins
The Dovetail Difference®
The Dovetail Difference® on a Western Timber Frame DIY pergola kit slides down into a beveled, mitered cut for a tight, clean finish — with the structural center of the post left intact.
The dovetails Teri mentions are what make Western Timber Frame a leader in innovative timber-frame design. The patented Dovetail Difference® is stronger and more durable than traditional architectural timber-frame joinery. The idea of timber framing without nails or glue is built on architectural principles designed to last for generations.
The Dovetail Difference® was designed by Hyrum Thompson, owner of Western Timber Frame, blending old-world timber-framing craftsmanship with modern technology for a stronger, more durable design that’s also easier and faster to assemble.
Clients have told us their kit went together much like a set of Legos or Lincoln Logs — and was just as fun to put together. The comparison is really about ease of assembly; the interlocking mortise-and-tenon design is a bit more intricate than a childhood toy.
The Dovetail Difference® mortise-and-tenon joints are beautifully beveled. As they interlock, the allowance for the natural expansion and contraction of the timber is hidden inside the joint, so it holds a tighter fit than a standard timber-frame joint. The result is a more attractive appearance and a stronger structure — an heirloom, showcase masterpiece.
Drop-in-Rafters™ Make Assembly Easy
Hyrum designed another key feature of a Western Timber Frame pergola kit: the drop-in-rafter layout. The rafters are pre-cut with the Post-to-Beam™ application and pre-fitted beforehand for a fast, enjoyable installation. In most cases — even with these massive timbers — it’s easier to assemble than a typical hardware-store DIY pergola kit.
Because the beam that supports the rafters is already marked and slotted, you don’t have to measure anything or figure out the spacing. The drop-in-rafter layout also helps prevent warping and twisting of the rafters year after year — all the hard work is done for you by our experienced craftsmen. Below are a few more photos the homeowners sent us, along with the specs for this kit.
During installation
Ready for a Family Get-Together
A pergola kit is a perfect way to build family time into the busiest of lifestyles. The backyard becomes a central place to gather — eating together, hosting friends and neighbors for a BBQ, and enjoying an afternoon in the fresh air.
See our cedar pergola kits section for more about cedar wood, kit construction, and installation.
Western Timber Frame has handcrafted custom timber structures in Payson, Utah since 2008, with more than 7,000 built and shipped nationwide.
