How to Build a Deck Arbor

A homemade arbor that could be placed on your deck

An arbor is an attractive addition to your lawn or garden that creates a small area of shade. It normally has open walls and a lathed or raftered roof. If you don't have room for it in your garden, however, you can just as easily place one on your deck or patio. As most decks are made of specific woods, buying similar woods or wood stains for your arbor is a must. With the right tools and a little patience, you can set up your 4 x 6 foot arbor on your deck in under a day. Any size or shape arbor can be constructed using the same steps--only the dimensions would change.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• 4 post bases
• Drill
• 4 6 foot x 6 inch x 6 inch posts
• 4 anchor screws
• Level
• Ladder
• 2 6 foot x 6 inch x 6 inch beams
• 4 lag bolts, 1/2 inch x 10 inches
• Socket wrench
• 6 4 foot x 4 inch x 4 inch rafters
• T-square
• 12 lag bolts, 1/2 inch x 7 inches
• 16 washers
• 7/16-inch drill bit

Instructions

1. Map out where you would like your arbor. Figure out where you want to place the arbor on your deck and mark out a 3 x 5 area with a measuring tape. You need to use 1 foot less on each side's measurement so that you keep a stylish overhang on your arbor roof.

2. Place anchor bases in each of the four corners of your mapped out arbor. At the bottom of the anchor bases is a hole where you can screw in your anchor screws. Mark the spots on the deck with a pencil.

   Depending on the thickness of your deck, you may also want to use anchor bolts, which would need four extra nuts and washers. If you can't get under your deck, your best option is to use anchor screws. If you can slide under your deck, try to use bolts.

   When placing the bases, you will put them on the boards that make up the deck (the deck floor). When situating the bases, try to get them as close to the center of the deck board that they are sitting on. Do this so that you don't chip or split the wood. After making the marks, take the anchor bases away.

3. Drill a small pilot hole into the deck at each of the four marks. The pilot hole should be made with a drill bit that is smaller in diameter than your anchor screws. Once the four holes have been drilled, place the anchor bases back on top of them and screw in the screws with a washer, into the holes, securing the bases to the deck. If you would rather use bolts, put the bolts in the holes (larger holes will need to be made), get under the deck and tighten the nuts to them.

4. Place your 6 x 6 inch posts into the anchor bases/bracket. Use your level to make sure that the posts are perpendicular to the deck. Once they are, screw the base of the post into place with screws; screws should be provided with the bases. There should be 1 to 2 screw holes in each of the anchor base's sides that you can screw through, securing the post to the anchor base, and keeping it all in place. Screw as many screws in as you have holes in the anchor bracket. Do this for all four posts.

5. Use your ladder to climb to the top of the arbor and place a 6 x 6 inch beam atop two of the posts and let it rest there. The beam should span the two posts that make up the 5-foot side of your arbor. Since the beam will be 1 foot longer than the width of your beams, make sure to split the difference and have 6 inches of overhang on each end of the beam. The structure should look like the symbol for "Pi." Once in place, hoist the other beam onto the top of the remaining two posts and center it as well.

6. Drill two 9-inch holes into the top of each of the beams. Drill the holes so that they go through the beams, and enter the center of the posts below them. Do this for both beams. Once done, screw your 10-inch lag bolt into the hole (with a washer). Use a socket wrench to tighten it. As this is being done, it should be fastening the beam to the posts securely and prevent it from falling down.

7. Hoist your six rafters to the top of the structure. Position the rafters so that they lay perpendicular to the beams. Situate them, level them, and make sure they are square with the beams. Try to space them out so that they are each 1 foot from one another.

8. Drill two holes into each of the rafters when they are in place. Drill a 6-inch hole straight through the rafter, and into the beam below it. Once a hole is drilled at each crossing of beam and rafter, insert a 7-inch lag bolt and washer. Use a socket wrench to tighten it in place. After your rafters are complete, you can stain the structure, add some laths (cross beams that lay on top of the rafters--parallel to the beams--that provide slightly more shade), or you can leave it alone and enjoy sitting under your new deck arbor.

References

• Home Tips: How to Build an Arbor or Pergola