Parking our car got a little more scenic this weekend with the completion of our carport pergola, or “cargola” if you prefer. Turning a basic carport into an attractive covered entry transformed the look of the house and added useful dimension to the front yard.
We followed pergola plans from Workbench Magazine to simplify the process, but there was still a fair amount of hands-on work. The whole project took roughly 4.5 days, including a half day to pick up materials. The build breaks down into four main stages: 1) the column, 2) the braces, 3) the joists, and 4) the lath. Below I walk through each step, the techniques we used, and the lessons learned for anyone planning a similar DIY carport pergola.
Because our carport had posts only on one side, we started by adding a matching column on the opposite side to create symmetry and provide an anchoring point for the pergola. To secure the post to the concrete floor we used a concrete post base and a hammer drill to create a pilot hole for a wedge anchor. The anchor held the base firmly in place once the nut was tightened. We installed a second metal post base on the ceiling with heavy-duty screws so a 4 x 4 post could be slid in and nailed into place.
The raw 4 x 4 post didn’t offer the finished look we wanted, so we wrapped it in primed and painted boards to create a beefier, column-like appearance. We used two 1 x 6 boards and one 1 x 4 board, priming and painting them before installation, then attaching them with a nail gun. After caulking seams and touching up paint, the column step was complete.
The braces—also called knee braces—were the most involved part of the project. Each brace was built from a single 12-foot 2 x 6 and a few bolts, making them an economical alternative to pre-made options. The braces consisted of four subcomponents: the base that rests against the column, two beams that extend outward, and a decorative arched piece. For the base pieces we cut decorative notches and bored countersunk bolt holes. The beams were straightforward, and to ensure pairs matched perfectly we clamped two boards together when making cuts.
Cutting the arched pieces required tracing a curve using temporary nails and a flexible guide, then cutting with a jigsaw. A jigsaw can be harder to control for perfectly vertical blades, so we sanded the curved edges carefully and primed all brace pieces together after shaping. Assembly required clamps, temporary nails, and 3-inch lag bolts to secure beams to the base and bolt the arch between the beams. Hanging each brace involved one person holding the piece while the other leveled and temporarily nailed it, then driving lag bolts through the top and bottom for long-term support.
Next were the joists, the two long 2 x 6 boards that sit across the braces to form the pergola’s roof framework. We cut decorative curves on the exposed ends and notched the joists to seat them snugly on the braces. After priming and painting, the joists were hoisted into place and secured by drilling pilot holes through the top of the joists and into the brace beams beneath.
The final stage was installing the lath: thin strips across the top that create the open lattice effect. Because we planned to paint the lath immediately, we avoided pressure-treated pre-cut pieces and chose regular 2 x 2 boards that we cut down and sanded at home. We prepared around 50 pieces, primed and painted all sides, then installed them across the joists using spacers to maintain even gaps. The consistent spacing and painted finish completed the look and made the pergola feel intentional and polished.
By the end of day four the lath was fully installed and the carport pergola was complete. The finished structure gives the parking area a charming, framed feeling and enhances the curb appeal of the ranch-style house. It’s especially nice framing the view of the street as plants and seasonal blooms begin to grow.
Cost-wise, doing the pergola as a DIY project was extremely budget friendly compared with custom kits. Our breakdown:
- Truck rental (to get materials home): $19
- Lumber: $112
- Post bases: $23
- Nuts, bolts, & screws: $46
- Materials to reroute gutter & light: $14
- Paint & primer: Already owned
- TOTAL: $214
If your carport already has two columns or if you buy pre-made braces, the project is about 50% easier and can shave off roughly two days of work. Overall, none of the labor was back-breaking and the visual payoff is substantial. We love how the pergola adds character and the potential for flowering vines makes the future look even more charming.
What’s on your outdoor agenda these days? If you’re considering a carport pergola, the four-step approach—column, braces, joists, and lath—makes a manageable blueprint for a rewarding DIY upgrade.