Best Screws To Use for a Pergola in 2026

Here's how to install screws for your pergola when you're building a pergola attached to your house, attaching a pergola to a brick house, or working with a pergola attached to your house framing:

• Use Simpson SDWH Timber-Hex for heavy-duty ledger boards: space every 16 inches into studs, no pre-drilling required with SawTooth point, 316-grade stainless for coastal areas

• Use Simpson SDS Heavy Duty for standard ledger boards: 5-inch screws for 2x4 framing or 7-inch for 2x6 framing, spaced every 16 inches with Z-flashing above to prevent water damage

• Use Simpson SDWS to connect posts to beams: #10 or #12 diameter, 5-6 inches long, minimum 3-4 screws per connection, toe-screw at angles to stop wobbling

• Use Simpson SD Connector to install rafter hangers: Drive through every hole in joist hangers, 1.5-3 inch lengths, use 316 stainless within 5 miles of coast

• Use Eagle Claw 304-grade for trim work: #10 x 2-1/2" to 3" with T25 Torx for fascia, purlins, and lattice on a pergola roof attached to your house

Why Use These Screws for Attaching Pergola to House?

• SDWH Timber-Hex gives and SDS Heavy Duty keeps your ledger from pulling away when wind hits

• SDWS stops posts from shifting when people lean on the structure

• SD Connector prevents rafters from separating when you load up with vines or hanging plants

• Eagle Claw keeps trim boards from splitting or showing rust stains on visible surfaces

Best Screws For Building a Pergola with Deck

A pergola on a wood deck requires fastening through deck boards into joists below. Here's how to install a raised deck with a pergola, a deck and pergola, or an attached pergola on your deck:

• Use Simpson SDWS to attach post bases to joists: 5-6 inch screws through deck boards and 3 inches into joists, 4 screws per base, add blocking between joists if posts don't line up

• Use Simpson SD Connector to install blocking between joists: 3-3.5 inch screws driven through joist face into blocking ends

• Use Simpson DWP or Eagle Claw to reinstall deck boards: 316 stainless for an above ground pool pergola, 304-grade for general DIY deck pergola

Why Use These Screws for Pergola on Deck?

• SDWS prevents posts from pulling through deck boards when wind creates uplift forces

• SD Connector locks blocking in place so it doesn't shift

• DWP or Eagle Claw keeps deck boards from splitting or showing rust stains when you reinstall them around posts

Best Screws for Building a Pergola on Concrete Slab

Setting up a pergola on a concrete slab requires concrete anchors for your pergola slab attachment, then screws for wood connections. Here's how for a pergola on concrete slab or anchoring a pergola to concrete:

• Use Simpson Strong-Bolt wedge anchors to secure post bases to concrete: 1/2-inch diameter, drill 3-4 inches deep, 4 anchors per post base, torque to 25-45 ft-lbs

• Use Simpson SD Connector to attach posts to metal bases: 4-8 screws through bracket holes into posts, use 316 stainless for pool areas

• Use Simpson SDWS for framing above concrete: Same as house attachment for beam-to-post connections

Why Use These Screws for Pergola on Concrete?

• Strong-Bolt wedge anchors prevent posts from tipping over in storms

• SD Connector stops posts from twisting in bases

• SDWS keeps the entire structure from sliding across the concrete when wind pushes sideways

Best Screws for Attaching a Pergola to Garage

A pergola attached to your garage follows house attachment specs with garage door clearances. Here's how for a pergola attached to your garage or an above garage pergola:

• Use Simpson SDWH Timber-Hex or SDS Heavy Duty for ledger boards: Same as house (16-inch spacing, 5-7 inch lengths), keep 6 inches above garage door

• Use Simpson SDWS for structural connections: Same as house for a pergola between your house and garage

Why Use These Screws for Attaching Pergola to Garage?

• SDWH or SDS Heavy Duty keeps the ledger from pulling away from garage walls when wind hits

• SDWS prevents the pergola from interfering with garage door operation while maintaining solid connections

Best Screws For An Attached Pergola on Shed

Most prefab sheds can't support pergola loads unless they have solid timber framing. Here's how for a garden shed with pergola, a pergola shed, or a shed with attached pergola:

• Check the structure first: Needs solid 2x4/2x6 studs (metal, vinyl, resin sheds can't support weight)

• Use Simpson SDWS if your shed has solid framing: Same specs as house attachment for ledgers and connections

• For prefab sheds: Build a freestanding pergola next to your house instead of attaching it to the shed walls

Why Use These Screws for Attaching Pergola to Shed?

• SDWS prevents the shed from collapsing under pergola weight

• SDWS also stops walls from bowing out when you add shade cloth or plants

• Lastly, SDWS keeps connections solid even if the shed shifts on its foundation

Best Screws for Freestanding Pergolas

Freestanding pergolas work for when you're building a pergola next to your house or when structures can't support attached loads. Here's how for free standing pergola bracing:

• Use Simpson SDWH Timber-Hex or SDWS for post-to-beam connections: #10 or #12 diameter SDWS, 5-6 inches, 3-6 screws per connection depending on post size, or SDWH for heavy-duty applications

• Use Simpson SDWS (5.5 inch) to attach free standing pergola bracing (diagonal 6x6) to posts and rafters: Pre-drill holes 2 inches from brace ends, recess screw heads for a clean look, 2 screws per connection point at 45-degree angle

• Use Simpson SD Connector for metal brackets: Fill every hole in angle brackets and post caps

• Use Simpson Strong-Bolt to anchor post bases to concrete footings: 1/2-inch wedge anchors, 4 per base, footings 24-36 inches deep

Why Use These Screws for Freestanding Pergola?

• SDWH or SDWS prevents the entire freestanding pergola from racking (leaning to one side) in strong winds

• SDWS diagonal bracing stops side-to-side movement that causes structural failure over time

• Strong-Bolt anchors stop posts from pulling out of footings during storms

• SD Connector keeps connections tight so the structure doesn't wobble every time you bump into it

How to Choose the Best Screws for Your Pergola

The fasteners you choose determine whether you're proud to show off your work or secretly worried about what happens when the next storm rolls through.

Here's what actually counts when you're choosing screws for your pergola building plans.

1. Pick the Right Thickness

Go with hefty screws for structural connections. Here's what you need:

• Post-to-beam joints: Screws with at least 0.19-inch shank diameter (think 3/8-inch lag bolts for your pergola territory)

• Trim and decorative work: Standard #8 to #12 screws work fine

• Why thickness matters: Thicker shanks spread the load across more wood and don't snap when you're cranking them down

2. Match Material to Your Environment

Match your screw material to where you live. Corrosion resistance matters big-time if you're near the coast or putting up an above ground pool pergola:

• Most yards: Stainless steel (304-grade minimum) stops rust stains on visible wood and works great inland

• Near ocean or pools (within 5 miles of saltwater): Upgrade to 316-grade stainless or you'll be dealing with corrosion within a couple years

• Budget option: Hot-dipped galvanized screws cost way less but they'll leave rust streaks on light-colored lumber over time

• Wondering about timber? If you're picking the best wood for a pergola, cedar and redwood are less corrosive but still need exterior-rated fasteners

3. Check the Load Ratings

Don't trust screws that don't publish their load ratings when you're building your own pergola:

• Building codes require this: IRC/IBC codes require structural fasteners to have tested pull-out and shear strength numbers

• Red flag: If the box says "structural" but doesn't include ICC-ES reports or actual load values, those screws aren't approved for pergola framing—don't risk it

• Budget tip: This is especially important when you're looking at the cost to build a pergola or cost of installing a pergola and trying to save money

4. Go Long Enough to Grab

Longer screws aren't just better—they're mandatory for certain connections in your pergola builds:

• Ledger boards: Need at least 3 inches of penetration into wall studs (5-7 inches total screw length)

• Post connections: Need 5-6 inch screws

• Concrete work: Concrete anchors for your pergola require 3-4 inches embedded in the slab

• What happens if you go short: Short screws create weak spots that fail when wind hits

5. Pick a Head That Resists Stripping

Choose drive types that resist stripping when you're installing a pergola:

• Hex heads: Work best for high-torque jobs like ledger boards

• Torx (star) drives: Give you precise control for trim work without camming out

• Phillips heads: Strip constantly when you're driving long screws into dense wood—skip these for structural stuff

6. Match Screws to Your Wood Type

Verify your screws have proper coating compatibility with treated lumber, especially important for easy diy pergola projects:

• The problem: Pressure-treated wood has copper compounds (ACQ) that eat through regular steel and zinc-plated screws in 2-3 years

• The fix: Look for screws marked "ACQ-compatible" or just go with stainless steel which doesn't react with wood preservatives

• Natural wood: Cedar and redwood are less corrosive but still need exterior-rated fasteners

7. Thread Design Is Critical

Thread design is critical for different connection types in your pergola construction plans:

• Deep, aggressive threads: Give you maximum pull-out strength when you're toe-screwing posts to beams (end-grain connections)

• Finer threads: Work better for side-grain and don't over-torque or strip the wood

• Speed tip: Partially threaded shanks install faster than fully-threaded designs

Buy Expert-Approved Screws for Pergolas Direct and SAVE

Whether you're attaching a pergola to your house, working on a deck and pergola project, installing a pergola on concrete, or building a freestanding pergola, we have the right fasteners for your project.

A typical 10x12 foot pergola builds eats through 200-300 screws just for framing, not counting trim. Running out mid-project means delays and paying more for rush shipping than you would've spent stocking up from ATC Construction Fasteners in the first place. 

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