Arbors, also referred to as “pergolas” or “trellises” can be built in various sizes and are most commonly crafted from wood. When placed in a garden, patio or deck, an arbor can provide considerable relief from the sun’s rays. Arbors are designed with a semi-open roof and can either be freestanding or attached to the side of a home over a patio. They are built using vertical wooden beams which support crossing beams overhead. It is important to note that they are not completely enclosed structures- rain and sunlight can still enter to some degree.
Step 1: Corner Posts
For best results and a strong arbor, use 6×6 posts for the supports. Each of the corner posts should be anchored to a concrete foundation using metal anchors bolted into the concrete. When building garden arbors over soil, the posts can be secured by digging a hole, filling it with concrete and attaching the anchors. Until the canopy has been built, secure the posts with wooden beams so that they stay straight.
Step 2: Assembling the Top Posts
Lift a 6×6 post onto each side of the arbor and secure into place by drilling a vertical hole through the horizontal and vertical posts and securing with a lag bolt. The arbor will now consist of four vertical corner posts and two overhead horizontal posts.
Step 3: Rafters
The horizontal end posts will support a number of rafters which will connect the two sides. Space them equally over the top and secure them with lag bolts. Rafters with a cross section of 4×4” seem to be good for a project like this. However, users can vary the size of the rafters to let in more or less light.
Step 4: Shading
To effectively shade the area beneath the arbor, you can place thin strips of wood over the rafters. These thin strips are known as “lath” and the best sizes for arbors are 1×2” or 2×2”. An alternative would be to grow vines on the top of the arbor to provide a natural form of shading.
Step 5: Stain and Seal
Arbors can benefit by the addition of stain and sealer. Staining the wood will change the color of the wood. Sealing over the stain will waterproof the wood to ensure a long lifespan. Sealer can be applied without stain to maintain the original wood color.
