How to Create Archways Without Walls
Arches without walls are used as focal points for wedding ceremonies, party decor and gardens. Arches are often decorated with balloons for parties or receptions. For weddings arches are usually decorated with greenery and flowers. Florist foam may be attached to the arch to provide anchor points for the floral stems. In the garden, arches without walls are used as a transition from one location to another. The construction of an arch without walls is post-and-beam-style. A major concern with this type of design is stability. Therefore, building a sturdy base is essential to prevent the arch from toppling. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Four 4 by 4 posts
- Plywood
- Carpenter's pencil
- Heavy string
- Hammer
- Nails
- 2 by 6 lumber
- 2 1/2-inch deck screws
- Wood glue
- 2 by 4 lumber
- 3/4 by 1 1/2 lattice strips
Instructions
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1
Design your archway. 'Form follows function' is a true adage when it comes to archway design. Consider first how and where you will use your archway without walls.
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2
Plan to stabilize your archway. If your archway is used outside, posts or rods may be inserted into the ground to a depth sufficient to anchor your archway securely. If your archway is used indoors, the base will have to be wide enough to stabilize the archway.
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3
Measure the height and width of the clearance needed for your archway to function according to plan. If a bride and groom will stand inside the archway, the archway will have to be wide enough and tall enough to accommodate two individuals standing inside the arch. If the archway will be used for passage of one person, the width may be narrower. While measuring take into consideration the type of decorations, if any, that will be attached to the arch.
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4
Cut 4 posts from 4 by 4 lumber to the desired height for the sides of your archway. This measurement should be at least 6 1/2 feet to provide clearance for an individual to pass through the archway.
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5
Draw the arch. You may do this step on the ground or on a floor. On a sheet of plywood, measure the width of your archway. Measure to the middle of the width and mark with a pencil. Drive a small nail part of the way into the plywood on this mark. Tie the end of a ball of string to the nail. Unwind the string until it is half the length of the width of your archway. Add a couple of inches to the length and cut the string. Tie this end of the string to a pencil. The pencil should touch the outside width dimension if extended in either direction. Holding the pencil straight up and down, draw an arc from one outside point to the other.
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6
Move the nail up 4 inches. Draw an arch parallel to the first arch. Cut out the plywood arch and use it as a template.
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Lay 2 by 6 lumber on your template and determine where to cut the lumber so it can be pieced together to form the arch. Create two of these arches, with cuts at different locations.
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8
Lay the pieces of the first arch together and check the match with the template. Make adjustments as needed. Repeat the second arch. Spread wood glue on the first arch. Arrange the second arch on top of the first arch. Fasten top pieces to back pieces with deck screws. Allow glue to dry before handling. You will need two completed arches.
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Cut 4 lengths of 2 by 4 lumber to the desired depth of your archway. Screw one length between the tops of two posts and the another length between the tops of the other two posts. Screw a third length between the bottoms of one side of the two arches. Screw the fourth length to the bottom of the other side of the arches.
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10
Attach lattice strips to form the top of the arch. Space strips evenly. Attach lattice strips to each side section between posts.
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11
Mount the arched top to the post constructions. For use indoors, nail 2 by 6 boards to the bottom of the posts for each side, with 2 by 6 boards extending 12 inches beyond the each side in both directions, creating a stabilizing base for your archway. For use outdoors, attach post brackets to concrete blocks and then attach to the posts.
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Tips & Warnings
When drawing your arc for the top of your archway, extend the pencil and string straight up to the top and draw from the top down to one side, then extend the pencil to the top again and draw from the middle to the other side to ensure a symmetrical arc.
Make certain you have a level surface for your archway.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit arches du Bara Kaman image by jharela from Fotolia.com
