Charlie Pridham wrote:

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...


"Charlie Pridham" wrote ...
One of the Casualties of the strong winds has been our 30' pergola, this
is the second time the 4" tanalised uprights have snapped in strong wind
and I have concluded its just not strong enough!
I have reluctantly decided to build the pillars up in brick but before
I order bricks wondered if any Urglers have used any other method to
create the uprights?
I didn't know for instance whether there are any square section products
like the things you build chimneys out of but in something a bit more
decorative than rough concrete, looking to end up with something
around a
foot square

When we moved here there were square wooden pillars holding up a porch
that runs across the front of the house. They rotted from the inside
within a couple of years and after replacing them a couple of times,
and constantly having to mend them despite using good wood
preservative, we eventually bought stone like pillars from
Haddonstone. Quite expensive but because they last forever without any
maintenance they are actually cheaper in the long haul, at the time
they were cheaper than some hollow glass fibre ones I found.
Alternatively how about using some of those thermal blocks they use
these days to make houses, cement one on top of another, use a circle
cutter down the centre to enable you to cement in reinforcing rods , I
sure your local builders merchant would advise.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK
Couple more good ideas thanks, how well do those thermolite blocks last
outside with frost etc do you know?


I can't imagine Thermolite lasting at all well outdoors. It will soak up
water like a sponge.
My pergola must be at least 10 years old an made from 8" timber uprights
and 8 x 2 horizontals. It does not even move in a gale.

Bob