{"id":30995,"date":"2026-10-17T23:35:42","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T21:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/?p=30995"},"modified":"2026-10-18T00:40:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T22:40:35","slug":"how-to-build-iron-pergola-without-welding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/how-to-build-iron-pergola-without-welding\/","title":{"rendered":"How to build an iron pergola without welding"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"product\"><div class=\"product\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An iron pergola can be put up <strong>without welding<\/strong> if the joints between posts and beams are made with bolted connectors. With square galvanised steel tube, connectors and bolts, a 3\u00d73 m freestanding pergola goes together with basic tools and needs no painting afterwards. Here is what you need and how to build it step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2019-12-10-at-20.21.05.jpeg\" alt=\"Freestanding pergola with a StarModul steel frame\" class=\"wp-image-5641\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2019-12-10-at-20.21.05.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2019-12-10-at-20.21.05-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2019-12-10-at-20.21.05-1250x938.jpeg 1250w, https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2019-12-10-at-20.21.05-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2019-12-10-at-20.21.05-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2019-12-10-at-20.21.05-600x450.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Freestanding galvanised tube pergola with bolted joints.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Iron, steel or galvanised steel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When people say &#8220;iron pergola&#8221; they almost always mean <strong>steel<\/strong>. What matters is the protection: untreated steel tube rusts outdoors and must be painted and maintained, while <strong>galvanised tube<\/strong> has a zinc coating that protects it from corrosion. If the joints are also bolted, there are no welds to burn off that coating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Materials for a 3\u00d73 m freestanding pergola<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A freestanding four-post pergola needs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>4 posts<\/strong> in square galvanised tube.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>4 perimeter beams<\/strong> joining the posts at the top.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Purlins or slats<\/strong> in between for shade or to carry a roof.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>4 corner connectors<\/strong> for the post tops and <strong>T connectors<\/strong> for each purlin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>4 base plates<\/strong> with their anchors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>bolts<\/strong> for the connectors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For this size, use <strong>5\u00d75 cm<\/strong> or <strong>10\u00d710 cm<\/strong> tube depending on the roof and your area. The shop has <a href=\"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/structures-kit\/\">3\u00d73 m kits<\/a> with prices: connectors, bolts and, if you want, the tube cut to size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step by step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Choose the spot and the base<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pergola needs a firm base: a concrete slab or pads under each post. Check that the ground is level or plan how to make up the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Set out the posts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mark the position of the four posts and measure both diagonals: if they are equal, the layout is square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Anchor the base plates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fix the plates to the ground with anchors that suit the base. This is the point that takes the most wind load, so do not improvise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Stand the posts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bolt the posts to the plates and plumb them on two faces with the level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Fit the beams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fit the corner connectors on the post tops and slot in the beams. If the pergola will have a roof, give the beams the pitch the roofing needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Add the purlins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fit the purlins with T connectors at the spacing you need for shade or roofing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Tighten and check<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check levels and diagonals one last time and tighten all the bolts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1564\" height=\"908\" src=\"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/10-PORCHALBER14.jpg\" alt=\"Porch with sandwich panel roof on a galvanised tube frame\" class=\"wp-image-19891\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/10-PORCHALBER14.jpg 1564w, https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/10-PORCHALBER14-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/10-PORCHALBER14-1250x726.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/10-PORCHALBER14-768x446.jpg 768w, https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/10-PORCHALBER14-1536x892.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/starmodul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/10-PORCHALBER14-600x348.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1564px) 100vw, 1564px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bolted beams and purlins before the roof goes on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Covered or open?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An open pergola has only beams and purlins, and you can add a sail, reed screening or slats. If you want shelter from the rain it becomes a porch: it needs a pitch, a sandwich panel, metal sheet or polycarbonate roof and a frame sized for its weight. We explain it in <a href=\"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/how-to-build-steel-roof-structure-without-welding\/\">how to build a steel roof structure without welding<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common mistakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Using ungalvanised tube and leaving it unprotected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Standing the posts on tiles or soil without a firm base.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leaving the pergola without bracing in windy areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adding a heavy roof to a pergola designed only for shade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do you need permission?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It depends on your local council. We summarise it in <a href=\"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/regulations-and-permits-for-installing-a-metal-pergola-without-a-permit\/\">regulations and permits for installing a metal pergola<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Design your pergola in 3D<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the <a href=\"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/3d-configurator-metal-structure\/\">3D configurator<\/a> you enter the size, choose whether it has a roof and see the frame straight away with a guide price. If you would rather we prepare it to measure, see <a href=\"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/metal-pergolas-porches\/\">metal pergolas and porches<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can you build an iron pergola without welding?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. With bolted connectors for square tube, posts and beams are joined with fittings and bolts, with no welding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What tube should I use for a 3\u00d73 m pergola?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Square galvanised tube, 5\u00d75 cm or 10\u00d710 cm, depending on the roof and the wind and snow in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does a galvanised tube pergola need painting?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No: the galvanising protects it and, with no welds, there are no bare spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long does it take to put up?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It depends on the size, the base and who builds it. With the material cut and the drawings, assembly comes down to anchoring, slotting together and bolting.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What you need and how to put up a galvanised tube pergola with bolted joints, with no welding or painting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1197,"featured_media":5641,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[565],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-guides"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1197"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30995"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30995\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30998,"href":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30995\/revisions\/30998"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5641"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starmodul.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}