When you have put up the rafters your gable pergola essentially takes shape. But to completely build a pergola you need to finish off the framework with barges and ridges.
You can think of barges and ridges as the components that complete the outline of your pergola and give it a more polished look. The ridge and ridge cap are installed across the peak of the pergola, where the top of the rafters converge. Structurally the ridge and ridge cap protect the roof from dirt and other material that may get in through exposed sections. Aesthetically they round off the design and provide a clean look.
The barge and barge cap are installed along the rafters at the end of the gable. Like the ridge and ridge cap, barge components provide both protection and visual appeal.
Watch the video and see how barges and ridges are installed. You’ll also find step-by-step instructions for installing barges and ridges in a previous article we posted in the Softwoods blog.
Check out how to install pergola beams. Or watch how to install vertical and starburst struts.
