How to Build an Arched Arbor

An arched arbor is often used to wrap vines up and away from the house or the ground. This protect the plants and makes your garden appear elegant. An arched arbor can be made by anyone who understands simple woodworking, with the exception of the actual arch itself. Follow these steps to build an arched arbor.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Decide what size arbor you need to build. Think about this in three dimensions. A common size is 56 inches wide, 45 inches deep and 144 inches tall. That will be the finished size if you follow these steps exactly.

2. Build one side of the arched arbor at a time. Attach pressure-treated 2-by-4 boards to pressure-treated 4-by-4 boards by designing mortise and tenon joints. Secure the joints together using wood glue. Screw them together by first countersinking holes through the lumber and into the joints then drilling in galvanized wood screws. Repeat with the other side of the arched arbor then let it dry.

3. Make the lattice panels by first designing channels to hold the lattice. To do this cut a 2-by-4 board down to 1.5-by-2.5 inches and then cut to the necessary length to match the rails and corners. Cut a dado into the wood making it twice as wide as the lattice is thick. Trim the lattice to fit to each corner post and each side rail. Slip the lattice in to the channels.

4. Perform the building of the wood floor. Frame up the floor using pressure-treated 2-by-4 boards. Countersink the holes for the screws then secure the joists to the 4-by-4 boards. Install 5/4-inch pressure-treated deck boards. When building the wood floor remember that about 2 feet of the posts will be dug into the ground. Fasten the deck boards down using wood screws.

5. Hire a contractor to build the arch because it's very complicated. You can also buy a pre-made arch or use straight 2-by-6 inch boards to save a lot of money.

6. Assemble the arch by creating tenon joints at the top of the corner posts. The tenon joints should fit the mortise joints on the arch. Secure the joints using wood glue and clamps. Countersink holes then drill wood screws through both sides of the joints. Allow to dry then wrap in 1-by-6-inch pressure-treated pine. Insert the top rails.

7. Paint and install the arbor. Dig holes where the posts are going to go into the ground. Put the arbor in the holes then fill with 6 inches of crushed rock. Flatten the gravel then pour concrete in the hole. Check for level and allow it to dry for several days.

Tips & Warnings

• Build the lattice into an elegant design such as basket weave or 45-degree angles.