Ep 25. The Charleston Houses 2018: Raise the Pergola

The Charleston Houses 2018: Raise the Pergola is the 25th episode of the 39th season of This Old House, a popular home improvement show that has been on the air since the late 1970s. The episode follows the crew as they work on several different historic homes in the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina. The focus of this particular episode is on the construction of a pergola, a type of outdoor structure that is often used as a shaded walkway or sitting area.

The episode begins with a brief introduction to Charleston and its history, as well as the various challenges involved in working on historic homes. The crew then heads to one of the homes they will be working on, a charming old house with a large backyard that is in need of some TLC. The homeowners explain that they would like to add a pergola to their backyard to provide shade and create a more inviting space for entertaining and relaxing.

The crew begins by measuring and marking out the area where the pergola will be located. They then dig holes for the support posts, using a post hole digger and a level to ensure that everything is level and straight. Once the holes are dug, they mix concrete and pour it in to create a solid base for the posts.

Next, the crew installs the support beams for the pergola, securing them to the support posts with heavy duty screws and brackets. They then install the cross beams, which will provide the shade for the pergola. These are carefully measured and cut to size, then attached to the support beams with more screws and brackets.

With the framework of the pergola in place, the crew turns their attention to the roofing material. They have chosen a beautiful fabric that will drape over the top of the pergola and provide shade and a decorative touch. They carefully measure and cut the fabric, then attach it to the top of the pergola with clips and brackets.

The episode ends with a tour of the finished pergola, which looks absolutely stunning. The homeowners are thrilled with the final result, and explain how excited they are to spend time relaxing and entertaining in their new backyard oasis.

Overall, The Charleston Houses 2018: Raise the Pergola is a fascinating and informative episode of This Old House that provides valuable insights into both the history and the modern challenges of working on historic houses. The construction of the pergola is a great example of the care and attention to detail that is required when working on a project of this nature, and the end result is truly beautiful.