Pitched Pergola design choice- truss or suppoted ridge beam?

Hi,

I am going to build a pitched pergola on a raised deck at the back of my house. It will all be constructed out of treated pine. The pitched span is 5.3m (the pitch runs parallel with the wall, ie the ridge beam is perpendicular to the wall) and the length is 4.2m. I have a concrete tiled roof.

I am not sure whether to use a supported ridge beam (with a roof extenda bracket secured to the stud wall at one end and a post at the other) or trusses? Could someone who has experience with either of these point out the advantages and disadvantages of both methods?

I am leaning towards the supported ridge beam, due to the fact that I can bolt it in place and then measure up the rafters in situ. I have no experience with truss design or fabrication so the A frame method seems a bit daunting.

Any help would be appreciated.
:2tsup:


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