Perola Idea

Writing about deck railings earlier gave rise to questions about what needs to be done now at this stage of construction to allow/facilitate building a pergola over the front deck.   It appears that in order to incorporate railings into the deck that the pergola supports must be installed now before the deck boards are all secured.   The four posts of the pergola will be the prime supports of the deck railing, including the intermediaries, so each will need the same 30" concrete footing as the deck itself did.

Question remaining is how to span the four pergola posts to create two main beams?  2 X 12'S doubled up?  An actual beam?  If anyone has any idea's please comment here, send Deb or I an email or call us. 

Here is a pic of a pergola we like.