How to Build a Custom Arbor
Arbors are a popular fixture, and they are erected in many yards, especially for those who enjoy being outside and entertaining there as well. They are particular favorites of gardeners, who like to build them as sitting areas. With an arbor, the gardener gets to be surrounded by her planting efforts and enjoy her garden's beauty. Arbors can be constructed in a variety of sizes from a single four-post design to accommodate the gardener's ideas. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Hammer
- Hole diggers
- Crushed stone
- Quick-set concrete
- Level
- Screw gun
- Paint or stain
Instructions
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Sketch out your rough design. Include tentative measurements. Select the location. Stand in the location, holding your sketch. Position your sketch at different rotations, and look from different angles to evaluate the views from that location. Use your feet, walking toe-to-heel, to estimate how to adjust the size for the location.
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Double-check the location before digging. Locate and establish the four corners for the arbor. Use a measuring tape to be exact. Use a framing square to square and mark the corners. Drive stakes at the corners. Stand back and do your final evaluation of the location before digging any holes.
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Call the utility company to confirm the absence of underground utilities in the selected area for the arbor construction. Dig the four holes 3 to 4 feet deep. Fill the bottoms with about 3 inches of fine, crushed stone.
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Dig the holes for the posts. Set your first 4x4 post. Use a level to keep the post straight and nail in the post brace to stabilize it. Set your next post and nail the loose end of the brace from the first post to it. Repeat until all four posts are secured and straight in their holes.
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Fill in the holes around the posts with quick-set concrete. Follow the bag directions for proper use. Check for straightness and adjust as needed before the concrete begins to set. Allow the quick-set to completely dry and set before framing the top and adding top slats.
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Nail in the rafters for the slats. Remove the post braces when the concrete dries. Cut and nail or screw in the beams to the tops of your posts. Continue until all four sides are cut and nailed or screwed into place, forming the rafters onto which you will attach the slats for the top of the arbor.
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Use galvanized nails or screws to attach the slats to the rafters, forming a roof. Use 2- to 4-inch spacers to nail in the top slats keeping the slats a uniform distance apart. Paint or stain all the exposed surfaces of the wood. Plan to add seating later, or leave it just as it is and purchase outdoor stools or chairs for it.
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Tips & Warnings
For any outside project, always use weather-resistant screws for longer-lasting weather resistance.
This is an advanced project, and ideally, you will need to recruit one or two helpers to complete it quickly and safely.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit windows,arbor image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com On to the top image by Yuriy Rozanov from Fotolia.com ant hole image by Tomasz Plawski from Fotolia.com roof beams of manufactured log cabin image by Scott Patterson from Fotolia.com
