Best options for supporting pergola vines?

Is the vine on the roof going across the rafters or in line with the rafters?
If the latter, then should be self-supporting.

I've seen everything from:

• 2mm wires run across the rafters at 300 to 400mm spacings
• 2.5 high tensile plain fencing wire
• weld mesh 100x100 (gal)
• F62 or F72 concrete reo mesh
• treated pine wooden batterns

and all seem to work fine (for ornamental grape vines.
Even growing these vines across the fascia of a veranda with only a wire stapled (rural fence staples) across the front.

Looking at the many cafes/wineries in the area, wire seems to be the most common method used across the rafters but hey, nothing wrong with gal 100x100 weld mesh if thats what your preference is .

Originally Posted by Bart1080

...
I've seen everything from:

• 2mm wires run across the rafters at 300 to 400mm spacings
• 2.5 high tensile plain fencing wire
• weld mesh 100x100 (gal)
• F62 or F72 concrete reo mesh
• treated pine wooden batterns

and all seem to work fine ...

Until it doesn't.
You must have been looking at mine?
It recently fell down.
Propped it up. Will redo it all in winter when it is nude.

I blame the extension lead for stretching, they don't make em like they used to.

Originally Posted by ForeverYoung

I blame the extension lead for stretching, they don't make em like they used to.

Note for next time: Use a 15A extension lead instead of a 10A lead

Originally Posted by Bart1080

Note for next time: Use a 15A extension lead instead of a 10A lead

but that would have meant filing the earth pin down to fit the GPO.

Here are some pics which may better illustrate the project...

Thanks Metrix, The pergola seems to have survived the previous bouganvilia 'infestation' which was incredibly heavy & dense. I've been thinking of painting it with some sort of wood preserver while the weather is still dry & warm. Maybe capping the beams with some plastic protective tape I have left over from the deck too. Can you recommend a suitable wood sealer or preserver?

Thanks Bart,

On reflection - and it seems stupidly obvious now I'm typing this out - the existing beams with the 3-4 tensioned cables I put up initially, supported the very heavy bouganvilia without collapsing (although the cables did seem to stretch a bit).

So I guess strength is probably not the major issue! I'm probably more concerned with making it look 'nice', preserving the woodwork & making it easier to prune regularly (something that proved impossible with the thorny & downright dangerous bouganvilia)!

Can you actually buy galvanised weld mesh, or does it only come in a 'raw' steel form?

Thanks, Sam.

just Google "100x100 weld mesh"

..***Take note of Metrix's comment as he is right in that origan doesnt fair well with moisture.
Looking at the pics, I'm surprised they are looking as well as they are presented in the pics given they appear unpainted....unless this is a more recent construction?

whats the spacing between the rafters?

Yes - I'm surprised too. I've had a close look and there doesn't appear to be any significant decay etc - but I am in Adelaide where it doesn't always rain!

I used old, salvaged timber so maybe it was a better quality... Anyway I do plan to treat it with something and maybe put some left-over plastic decking capping I have on top.

It was all built about 20 years ago. The rafter spacing is about 1200mm.

Thanks, Sam.