Many homeowners can see the benefits of installing a pergola on their property. Aside from its outdoor aesthetic appeal, a pergola can create a natural living space where you can enjoy a nice day outdoors. When designed correctly, a pergola in your yard can cast enough shade in the area on its own and even more shade with a retractable patio cover. 

However, with natural elements like strong winds and earthquakes, it’s not enough to just add a pergola to your backyard and call it a day. To protect your installation, you should keep your pergola anchored over the pavers on the ground. There are multiple ways to handle how to anchor a pergola to pavers, so choose which ones best fit the aesthetic and positioning of your pergola. 

Ways to Anchor Your Pergola to Pavers

You’ll need the help of a professional to anchor your pergola to the pavers. However, if you’re curious to know how to anchor a pergola to the pavers in your backyard, here’s the general process. 

First, after adding the pergola’s post footings on the ground, you’ll need to drill into the pavers to secure these posts. Next, brackets are added to secure each post. Finally, concrete is plastered around each post’s base as an added measure of stability. 

This is the most common way of anchoring your pergola. Unlike setting the posts in soil alone, pavers are attached to the ground, which gives your posts a solid foundation against natural elements that could damage or cause the entire structure to collapse. 

Install Post Footings Underneath the Pavers

You can opt to attach the post footings to the ground for a stronger foundation. Doing this gives your posts more stability, and your pavers become an added layer of stability to your pergola. Additional concrete placed at the top of your pavers ensures a strong hold over the post.

Your installer will have to remove the existing pavers over the area each pergola post will be. Fresh concrete will be added, and the brackets of the post footings will be installed before the concrete dries. The pergola post can then be attached to the footings, and then the pavers re-installed around the post. 

Install Post Brackets on the Pavers

If you don’t want to remove or change your pavers, you can instead install post brackets on the pavers and then attach them to your pergola posts. These brackets fit into the legs of your pergola and then have holes that you can use to screw the bracket into the paver. 

While you can do this with a DIY method, keep in mind that improper installation can lead to risks. If you don’t have the right drill bit or have very brittle pavers, you could crack or damage the paver attached to the bracket. This can compromise the stability of the leg, which cancels out the whole point of anchoring your pergola. You also need a specific type of screw that can effectively hold the weight of the pergola onto the paver without damaging it. 

Add Concrete to the Pergola Legs

For those who aren’t able to remove their pavers or drill into them, you can opt to add concrete to the base of each post to weigh each leg down. This is an option for those who are renting and aren’t allowed to damage or perform permanent changes to the backyard. 

You’ll need to place each leg of the pergola in a large container, like a bucket, planter, or any shape that can hold concrete. Next, fill up the container with concrete and let it dry and cure. 

Attach Weight Bags

This is only an option for temporary pergolas for special events in your home. This method will only work for lightweight pergolas, so this will barely have an anchoring effect on heavier pergolas that need more permanent solutions. 

Using a weighted bag or a bag filled with sand or dirt, tie each of the posts with a couple of weight bags. This should be good for regular days that aren’t too windy but don’t expect this to be an effective long-term solution against the elements. 

What Happens If I Don’t Anchor My Pergola?

Failing to secure your pergola puts your structure at risk over time. Here are some potential risks if you don’t anchor your pergola.

• During inclement weather with storms and high winds, it’s possible for your pergola to collapse, especially during heavy storms that can displace the soil where the posts are. 
• On particularly windy days, you may notice your pergola sway in the wind. This can be worrying when you or a household member is underneath the pergola. 
• It’s possible for your pergola to collapse. If the pergola is attached or close to your home, it could cause structural damage to your property. 
• You’ll have to pay to re-install your pergola, which can be costlier than simply anchoring it. 

Pergolas Crafted for Stability and Style

Now that you know some of the ways how to anchor a pergola to pavers, you may want to hire a professional to install them for you. Pergolas add style and comfort to your backyard. However, if you want to protect your structure from damage from natural elements, it’ll need to be properly anchored to the ground. 

With the skills and experience of the builders at Nortex Fence & Patio, you can expect the highest quality from your pergolas. Our team can design and install pergolas and ensure that they’ll stand strong against your area’s natural climate and elements. Let your households enjoy the comforts of a pergola that’s safe and sound in your home. 

Call our consultants today at 972-382-7800 or fill out this contact form to get a free estimate.