12×16 Freestanding Pergola
A 12×16 open-lattice pergola for a larger patio or lounge area — framing drawings, cut list, and materials BOM.
Open this pergola in the 3D designer, change the footprint, post height and pitch, and price it as you go. The framing drawings, cut list and full quantities are $99 once, when you're ready to build.
Covered Area
192 sq ft
Post Layout
12′ × 16′ (post centerlines)
Post Height
8′
Roof Pitch
1/12
Design Wind
115 mph, Exposure B
About This Design
The extra four feet on this 12×16 pergola turn a shade structure into a real outdoor room — long enough for a dining table on one end and a lounge grouping on the other. The framing is the same freestanding post-and-beam system used across the catalog, engineered under ADR 027 for knee-braced connections and a proven rafter span.
No walls, no shed behind it — just posts on a poured pad, sized to carry the open lattice roof and whatever vine or shade cloth you add later.
Key Features
- 12×16 open-lattice roof on 6×6 posts
- Rafter tails and knee braces sized by the pergola engineering ruleset (ADR 027)
- Surface post foundation on a poured slab or existing pad
- Full cut list and materials BOM through the same framing engine as every plan
Build Notes
Set posts on a poured slab or an existing pad, then run the beams and rafters per the framing drawings. Knee braces at each post-to-beam joint are part of the load path, not decoration — do not omit them.
The BOM covers posts, beams, rafters, and hardware. Concrete for the pad is priced separately or supplied by others.
Best For
Right-sized for shading a patio, deck, or outdoor dining area. Want a solid roof instead of open lattice? See our carport plans.
Engineering Notes
The framing engine checks this pergola's posts, knee braces, footings and roof uplift at 115 mph, Exposure B — the ASCE 7 basic wind speed across most of the interior United States. It is not a stamped design: a higher wind zone, an open or coastal site, or a jurisdiction that asks for sealed drawings needs a local engineer to review it.
- Knee-brace force 779 lb on the 4 width braces (transverse wind) at 115 mph Exp B — use 5/8" through-bolt at each brace end 4.375″ from the brace end (1056 lb, single shear, wet-service wind).
Interactive 3D Preview
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 12×16 pergola cost to build?
The materials estimate on this page is computed live from the plan's BOM: posts, beams, rafters and hardware. Concrete, footings by others, and any electrical are accessories outside the BOM.
Do I need a permit for a 12×16 pergola?
Freestanding accessory structures are frequently exempt below a jurisdiction's square-footage threshold, but setback and height rules still apply. Confirm with your local building department before building.
What materials are included in the 12×16 pergola plans?
The plans include framing drawings with a cut list and a materials BOM covering the posts, beams, rafters, purlins, fasteners and hardware, plus the interactive 3D preview. A freestanding pergola does not come with the multi-sheet printable permit plan set — that set draws a building's walls and foundation, which a pergola has none of. Bring the framing drawings to your building department if your jurisdiction requires a permit.
