I saw that at Costco. Push on it - the one at my store at least feels very wobbly. Something to consider. The price is definitely right though and it is nice-looking.

I saw it at the Mission Viejo Costco on Cabot (it might be Laguna Niguel actually). It didn't have stakes into the floor, but I did notice that the "feet" were not moving - it wobbling up by the roof. If you pushed it with your finger, it swayed quite a bit. It's possible that the screws weren't in tightly or something, but I don't know. I'd check it out at a few stores before deciding for sure.

It *looks* like wood, but once you touch it, it's very obviously painted metal with a faux (weathered) finish). For the price though, it's very nice-looking. I think it measured 12x14.

This is another fantastic pergola from Costco

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11160592

Never see anything as beautiful as this one before

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11160592

That one is quite a bit more money than the other one though - might as well get one built in for that price! The one the OP referred to was only $699.

Ha! Actually since my last post, Costco has added a HUGE coupon of $600.00 to this pergola. Now you can get it for $1,999.99; while this pergola was retailed at $3,999.99 before.

As a DIYer, I think building one yourself is not a bad idea. However, you won't be able to find the wood of this pergola in the U.S. This is imported premium shorea, which is much denser and tougher than teak and cedar, and does not have knots at all. It's hard to imagine that you can find marine-grade stainless steel hardware and natural granite stone easily around here.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11169519

I have seen that pergola on display at Costco here in Vegas. Husband is in the contracting business and installs the Alumawood type patio covers and pergolas all the time. BUT to meet building code here, the freestanding style must be steel reinforced and posts set into concrete footer holes for wind load of 90mph. I thought the Costco one was too light weight for our winds, but if properly anchored and not exposed to too much wind, it would be ok. The price is great and maybe some bigger screws would stabilize it more. It looked like a powder coated aluminum which wont fade or rot. For the low price I would go for it. Barb

I realize this thread is old but here goes anyway. I installed this pergola on an exising concrete pad in my backyard yesterday (03/18/07). I anchored it to the concrete using four wedge concrete anchors per pillar. The whole thing sways a lot less when all four pillars are anchored. However, it still sways a little during strong winds or when someone is pushing on one of the pillars with full force. The only way it will be totally sturdy is install L brackets to hold the square footing and pillar together. Right now, the square footings are screwed to the pillars on the underside of the footing. This is the cause of the minimum swaying. Hope this helps.

Try BJ's. They have a really nice Tuscan Style 10 X 12 Aluminum pergola for $599.00. Kind of a distressed tan color. Really nice for the $$$$.

I'm also interested in the Costco Pergola. The idea of not having to worry about termites and special maintenance to keep a wood structure in good shape is very appealing. However, I have some concerns about the capacity of its aluminum top-beams to bear weight. As near as I could tell from looking at the one at Costco, the top beams seem to come in two halves with a "joiner sleeve" in the middle. One of my goals is to place 4'x8' vinyl lattice panels on the top. These would both support some vines and would provide additional shade. Also, I want to hang baskets from these top-beams with fuchsias and other plants growing in them. Does anyone have a sense of how much weight these light aluminum beams can bear without buckling? I'm worried that the vinyl panels, vines, and hanging baskets might weigh them down too much.

the "joiner sleeve" is called a splice. When we build similar structures, it must be centered over a post to meet 90 mph wind load for building code in So. NV. I would never recommend adding anything to the top ( ie lattice) or hanging plants on that structure. It is great for the price, but consider it like an umbrella. It will be subject to wind damage if modified with additional weight.

If you put it within 5 ft of the water portion of your pool, it will have to be grounded.

Thanks, airborne 101, for your great education about it not being a good idea to top-load this type of pergola. So, is there any building material that can be used to create a similar structure that doesn't have the downsides of upkeep and termite-susceptibility that wood has? We've had bad experiences with wood in the past, probably because life gets too busy to maintain it the right way. Any further thoughts about a superior non-wood material for building a stronger pergola?

Hi PB You may be able to buy the coated aluminum product in your area of the US. We use Amerimaxbp.com products. See their website for ideas, but I don't believe they sell to the public. Also see Metals USA, they do sell to Home Depot here in Vegas. However they only sell set sizes and they must be attached to the house, not freestanding structures. And since they charge over $11 a sq. ft for the product and another $4 a sq to install, that is no bargain. First I would research your building codes to see what is required, then search the internet for the products. There is a company out of Cali that sells kits on the net and will provide an engineering report for permits, but I don't remember the name or if they supply a freestanding unit. Frankly a freestander is quite a bit of work for a DIY. DH is about to install one this week, almost $15k in cost. Specs - 36' wide x 16' projection 4 footers 36" cubed which will have steel posts set in concrete. Top is all 3" x 8" headers and rafters with 3" x 3" lattice tubes. That is huge. You may be able to install a small 10' x 10' without footers. Our code here in some areas of S. NV (not all areas) says that less than 120 sq ft of cover doesnt need a permit. HOWEVER we pull permits on all projects and engineering requires footers for any size. We walked away from a small freestander a few years ago because the homeowner didn't want to rip into their pool deck for footers. They got an unlicensed contractor to install a small 10 x 12 on deck and it blew over a couple months later. We got a call from the landscaper who said we were so right....... it needed footers. When installed correctly they have a 90mph to 110mph wind rating, we can get to 60mph gusts here in the desert. Hope this helps some. The coated aluminum products are great for longevity. they just need hosed to keep clean. Never fade or rot or need painted. Have jun with your project. Barb

We purchased one of these with the intent of installing it on a concret patio and kept it in storage for over 3 months before installing it. After opening the boxes and doing the inventory, I found the following statement in the directions: "For outdoor use only. Install on level ground. This pergola cannot be permanently staked or attached to concret floor or platform" Costco at that point would not refund or adjust the purchase, so it's use it or throw it away. After assembly, I found it to be so weak it would sway with the slightest touch or breeze. I have tied the corner posts to guy wires to try to keep it from moving in the wind. It will not last long since we have a lot of wind here in Southern Arizona. I would not recommend this product to anyone. It is without doubt the worst purchase we ever made at Costco.

Costco wouldnt allow you to return it?

You can buy a BBQ and return it 2 years later simply because you didnt like it.

Costco just started a new return policy, at least on electronics (not sure if its on everything), its 90 days. It went into effect this spring.

We also saw the pergola at our Costco here... looked nice but
it too was wobbly and the top cross-beam was sagging quite a
bit. Never know if they just did a half-a#@ job putting them
together for display, though.
We saw one on display at Sears that was also the faux wood
looking aluminum but was a bit smaller (8' x 10') and had a
pretty neat sliding shape that could be pulled down opposite
sides. It seemed quite sturdy and had holes in the base "feet" so you could anchor.
I found it on their online catalog, but the picture isn't great. It looked quite good in person.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sears pergola

We just recently purchased the last one at the Costco in Northridge California.Since it was the display model the assembly instructions are long gone.Does anyone still have the instructions.Thanks in advance.

Incase no one responds with the directions....try calling the manufacturer or look it up online. So many manuels are now downloadable. Good luck.

I am also looking for the installation manual... did anyone who installed it keep a copy that could be emailed to me?

Thanks!!!!!!

I got the manual from the manufacturer... if you still need it I can email it to you!

Who is the manufacture? Does anyone have their email address.
I bought the Costco Pergola installed it over a concrete patio with concrete anchor bolts and brackets to the house facia. I like it and honestly you can't buy the materials alone for the price. It is pretty sturdy but I will have to wait on the high seasonal winds to see how it fairs.
Hope this helps.
BTW Costco no longer offers this pergola.

gcz1969 I was wondering if you still had the manual for the Costco pergola? If so could you E mail it to me? Thank You

I purchased this Costco Pergola a while back and had to take it down and now want to put it back up but we have lost the instructions on how to build it. Does anyone still have them they can email to me or know the company that made this. We now have tons of screws and bolts and have no clue how this goes together. Any help would be hugely appreciated. Thanks :o)

So, it has been YEARS since this post was active. We have this pergola but we dismantled and moved without saving the assembly instructions. Does anyone have a copy they'd be willing to share? How about the manufacturer's name? Any clues? Thanks so much in advance.