6″ PVC Pergola Rafter – Craftsman Tail Cut

6″ PVC Pergola Rafter – Craftsman Tail Cut – The true size is 1 ½” x 5 ½” in various lengths. 

Our rafters do not require painting as we make them by cutting, folding and laminating four panels of PVC.  The four sides of the rafters end up perfectly smooth with no open pores where dirt may build up.

Made from CertainTeed or Versatex Cellular PVC that can be cut, shaped, fastened and finished using standard carpentry tools. They are weather-resistant, and will not warp.   Rafters are UV resistant and do not require painting for protection but readily accept paint to suit your colour pallet.

PVC is the ideal weather-resistant material for Pergola Rafters.  The drawback is that PVC is not rigid and longer lengths tends to sag over time.  Rafters 8 feet or less in length, are made hollow and work well without any rigid structure, as shorter lengths typically do not carry the weight of additional rafters.  PVC rafters eight feet or longer are reinforced with an Aluminum Bar.  We have not conducted engineering tests for load-bearing capacities, but are extremely confident that the rafters with 1 x 3 Aluminum Bars or Tubes inside will not sag under the weight of other rafters.  This holds true for Rafters up to 16 feet long.   For spans over 16 feet, we recommend additional support Posts in between.

Note:  Depending on the length and the overall size of the rafter, the load-bearing requirement, and availability of various materials from suppliers, we may substitute the 1 x 3 Aluminum Bars with Fibreglass Rods, galvanized steel C-Channel Joist, or larger Aluminum Bars.

Options for Rafter Configurations:

-Both Ends Profiled:   The typical Rafter that can be used as a Support Beam or purely Decorative.  PVC Rafters can not be trimmed on-site, we can make them shorter at no extra cost, just contact us.

-Profiled / Closed – Square:  One end profiled, the other end with a finished block end.  For applications where there is no space for a profiled end.  The square end plug is taped in place so that it can be removed for the rafter to be cut to length on-site, then glued back in place.

-Profiled / Open for Mounting:  Chosen when supporting or attaching a rafter to a wall or ledger joist.  the open end comes with mounting hardware to firmly be secured to the wall or ledger beam, the other is profiled and sits on a support beam.  This Rafter can be trim on-site if required.

-Profiled / Open for Connecting:  Used when connecting two or more support beams to form long runs.  One end is profiled, the other is open and has an extended  Aluminum bar that overlaps the connecting beam or rafter.  We also include a PVC cleat to lineup the connection and make it practically seamless.

-Both Open for Connecting (Joining):  Chosen for very long runs, when connecting three or more support beams.   Both ends are open and one has an extended  Aluminum bar that overlaps the connecting beam or rafter.  This also includes a PVC cleat to lineup the connection and make it practically seamless.

Other Available Options:
Pergola Rafters may be ordered in several configurations and cut down to any length.
Rafters come with invisible, perfectly sized mounting hardware for mounting the rafter either on the top of another Rafter or on the side of Support Posts.

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Rafters ordered with open ends come with a aluminum Joining Cleats and hardware
You may choose from any of our Rafter Tail Profile Cuts like Spartan, Napa, Craftsman, or Axis Step.
Additional Reinforcement can be added for heavier load requirements, contact us for options.
Pergola Rafters can be made any size, contact us for a quote.