I’m building a pergola with a 2×6 ledger against the house, and 2×6 joists running perpendicular to that, to a beam 12′ away from the ledger. Ledger and joists will likely be mahogany or ipe.
I want to attach the joists to the ledger in a pleasing way. There isn’t room under the eaves to put them on top of the ledger, and I don’t like the look of joist hangers.
I could toenail (or more likely “toe-screw”) the joists to the ledger…would that be strong enough? How many and what kind of nails/screws should I use?
This will be in snow country (Boston), but I doubt that much snow will accumulate on the pergola, even when vine-covered.
Any other ideas/advice?
Thanks – lj