How to Build a Patio Arbor
Patios provide peaceful spots in a yard or garden for reflection and social activities. However, many patios are uncovered and exposed to direct sunlight. In the heat of a summer day they are unbearable to sit or stand on. In order to shade your patio, consider building a small patio arbor to cover it. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 4 4-by-4-inch weatherproof, treated posts (10-11 feet in length)
- 4 2-by-6 weatherproof, treated boards (10 feet in length)
- 10 2-by-4 weatherproof, treated boards (10 feet in length)
- Outdoor wood screws (at least 2"1/2" in length)
- 90-degree steel brackets
- Cement
- Electric saw and drill
Instructions
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1
Dig four post holes (2 feet deep) around the edges of your patio. A patio arbor can be built only around a small patio (roughly 9 feet by 9 feet). If your patio is large and its design makes it possible, take up some of the patio material and dig holes inside the patio at a distance no greater than about 9 feet from each other (anything much longer will put too much stress and weight on the cross beams). Many patios form a rectangle, so vary the distances between posts to create whatever proportions you desire.
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Place the 4-by-4 posts inside the holes. Make sure that the tops of the posts are at the same height by attaching boards between them and measuring with a level. Fill the holes with cement and hold the posts in the cement as close to level as possible until the cement is dry.
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3
Cut two of the 2-by-6 boards so that they are long enough to extend at least one foot beyond the edges of the posts when attached. Screw these to the posts on opposite sides of each other so that the top edge of the board meets with the top edge of the post.
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4
Cut and attach the other two 2-by-6 boards so that they line up with the tops of the posts. You should now have a sturdy structure with all four posts attached to each other with 2-by-6 boards.
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5
Cut the 2-by-4 boards at a length at least 1 foot longer than the sides on which they will rest so that they protrude beyond the edge of the structure. Place the 2-by-4 boards on edge so that they run in one direction on top of the arbor. Vary the spacing of the boards depending on the total amount of shade desired, but place at most one every 8 inches. Attach the 2-by-4 to the 2-by-6 by either screwing down diagonally from the top or by connecting with a steel 90-degree angle bracket.
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6
Test your patio arbor for stability and strength. If the arbor seems week or moves in any way, do not allow anyone to stand underneath it. Consult a professional for help in strengthening the arbor. If the 2-by-6 beams start to sag under the weight of the 2-by-4s you need to remove some of the 2-by-4s until all boards are straight.
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Tips & Warnings
Attach chicken wire for climbing plants to grow on your patio arbor.
Never stand under an arbor you suspect to be wobbly or weak. Never operate power tools unless trained to do so.
