How to Build Arbors Over a Deck

An arbor provides gentle shade over a deck.

If you want to create a visual separation between your deck space in the rest of your yard, building an arbor over your deck is a good option. It allows you to define your deck space without enclosing it. An arbor offers an advantage over a pergola because it can cover the entire deck, and because it has added support to withstand the elements. Building an arbor is a time-consuming task, but it can add aesthetic appeal.

Things You'll Need

• 6-by-6-inch pressure-treated lumber
• 4-by-4-inch pressure-treated lumber
• 1-by-10-inch pressure-treated lumber
• Post hole digger
• Concrete mix
• Steel post brackets
• Copper flashing
• Copper nails
• Drill with ½-inch bit
• Galvanized nails
• 10-by-½-inch lag bolts
• 7-by-½-inch lag bolts
• Circular saw
• Carpenter's level
• Carpenter's square
• Trowel
• Tamper
• Crushed gravel
• Tubular fiberboard

Instructions

1. Remove the siding where the arbor will connect to the house. Cut two 10-inch square ledger boards from the 1-by-10-inch lumber, and use lag bolts to connect them to the house. Remove the siding directly above these boards, and attach copper flashing, sliding it up at least 3 inches behind the siding. Bend the flashing over the top and front of the ledger boards.

2. Dig post holes at the opposite end of the arbor, about 6 inches beyond the edge of the deck on both sides. The post holes should extend below the frost line, which may be as much as 4 feet below the ground. Also, the holes should be at least 18 inches in diameter.

3. Fill the holes with 4 inches of crushed gravel. Use a tamper to pack the gravel down. Cut a section of tubular fiberboard long enough to extend to 6 inches from the surface of the gravel, and 4 inches above the surface. Nail a piece of scrap lumber to each side of the tubular fiberboard and suspend it over the center of the whole, making sure the top of the fiberboard extends 4 inches above the ground surface. Check that the form is level.

4. Pour concrete through the fiberboard until it reaches the top of the form. Level the top with a trowel and install a 6-inch post bracket. Allow the concrete to cure for one week. Remove the fiberboard form and fill in the hole with dirt.

5. Cut two sections of 6-by-6-inch lumber to the height of your arbor, and attach one to each bracket. Cut a piece of 6-by-6-inch lumber to connect the two along the front of the deck, and two more pieces to connect these posts to the side of the house. Connect the beams to the brackets mounted on the side of the house. Connect the front and side beams to the posts using 10-inch lag bolts.

6. Cut cross beams from 4-by-4-inch lumber. Cross beams should be placed across the side beams at 12- to 16-inch intervals. Connect to the cross beams with 7-inch lag bolts.

References

• HomeTips.com: How to Build an Arbor or Pergola