I'm planning a relatively small pergola to cover the walkway running next
to the front of our house. The pergola will be 20' long by 6' wide at the
top. The posts will be 5' o.c. widthwise and I'm hoping the city (Raleigh,
NC) will allow me to span them 10' o.c. lengthwise. I have to submit a
plan since it's over 12' long. My wife says to build two 10' sections so
we don't need a permit but I don't know how that would look.

I would have liked to build from redwood but it's almost five times the
cost of treated. The lumber guy says cedar would be about the same price
and cypress almost impossible to get. I'm familiar with Ipe but don't want
the hassle of working with that rock hard wood. Any other options that
might be cheaper than redwood and look nicer than treated?

Any helpful advice welcome. Thanks.

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Mac Cool