Ideas for Pergola Cover repair

[WallsGa]

House we bought has a Lowe’s pergola on the back stoop. The cover did not come with it, or the cross bars used to attach the cover to the rails.

I found a replacement cover and rigged up some dowels to attach. Problem is I had to join 2 dowels together to cover the length. Over time the connection point has worn and failed. I need to find either a 105” long wood dowel (not readily available at Lowe’s or HD) or a metal bar solution. I would like some weight to them so the wind can’t blow the cover around so easily.

Pictures of the hardware are below. Any suggestions from the crowd?

Current set up with dowels:



Image from the producer website:

 

[DanKATL]

I've seen conduit used. It's available in decent lengths and is easy to cut.

 

[imawoodsman]

10foot EMT for the win

 

[Medic1957]

Sounds redneck, but you could use the right diameter PVC and fill them with pea gravel before gluing the other end cap. That should give you plenty of weight.

 

[DanKATL]

10foot EMT for the win

Looks like 3/4", shouldn't be more than $20 or so for two 10 footers.

 

[WallsGa]

The current one I have in there is 1.5 in. Smaller would be just fine though.

 

[WallsGa]

Sounds redneck, but you could use the right diameter PVC and fill them with pea gravel before gluing the other end cap. That should give you plenty of weight.

That's not a bad idea either.

 

[Allsmiles]

I was thinking pvc with iron pipe inside. Instead of pea gravel, I would use sand.

 

[DanKATL]

The current one I have in there is 1.5 in. Smaller would be just fine though.

The price jumps for anything over an inch, I'd go see which gives the appropriate rigidity. You can also jam a dowel inside to help with that if it's too flexible; but I'd think you'd want it to not be 100% rigid.

https://www.lowes.com/pl/conduit-conduit-fittings/conduit/emt/4294653947-410898329959

 

[canut]

I second PVC, add some sand or gravel for desired weight, add end caps, then paint the exposed ends to match the fabric or hardware.