DIY a Hammock Stand That Doubles As an Outdoor Movie Screen

Make the most of your backyard during the day and at night with this transformative pergola. Simpson Strong-Tie had the opportunity to work with DIYer Jen Woodhouse of The House of Wood on building a transformative outdoor structure for her backyard. Learn how she built this multipurpose pergola with the help of our Outdoor Accents® decorative hardware.

Karissa of the Strong-Tie Blog Team
July 21, 2023

DIY Hammock Stand built by Jen Woodhouse

In planning this build, Jen made sure to check with her local utility company before digging her posts. This was to ensure that she wasn’t going to hit any underground utility lines or cables. Jen also used our Outdoor Accents® Mission Collection® decorative hardware to build her pergola structure.

Outdoor Accents® Decorative Hardware on the DIY Hammock Stand

This hardware gave her outdoor structure a touch of southwestern flair with the arched mission-style profile of the post bases, straps and angles. When assembling the pergola, Jen installed her Simpson Strong-Tie hardware with the Outdoor Accents structural wood screw and patented hex-head washer, the only approved fastener solution for Outdoor Accents connectors (sold separately). The black powder-coated connectors made this outdoor structure easy to build and added both beauty and strength to the project.

Jen using a jigsaw to cut out the curves on the rafters

Tools:

Tape measure
Augur, post hole digger, and shovel
Manual tamper
Level and string
Cordless impact driver
1 1/2-inch Forstner bit
Mallet
Clamps
Wood chisel
Circular saw
Reciprocating saw or chainsaw
Bandsaw
Jigsaw
Safety glasses, hearing protection, dust mask

Jen cutting wood for her DIY project

Materials:

(2) 12′ 6×6 posts
(1) 8′ 6×6 post
(4) 16′ 2×12 boards
(1) 10′ 2×12 board
2×4 studs and wooden stakes
Wood screws
Paver base and concrete mix
Simpson Strong-Tie APDJT Deck Joist Tie Being Installed

Simpson Strong-Tie Outdoor Accents Mission Collection

Below is an outline of the steps Jen took when she built this transformative pergola. She goes further into depth on the build process on her blog which you can read here.

Steps to Build

1. Set the posts in concrete.

2. Cut the beams.

3. Cut the rafters.

4. Trim the post height.

5. Cut the angled knee braces.

6. Paint or stain the pergola parts

7. Assemble the pergola

8. Attach the knee braces

9. Install the hammock hardware and retractable projector screen