A pergola is too big and you really want to know how to build an arbor? Then this is your page.Okay maybe you're thinking of how to build an arbor instead of a pergola cause the pergola is just too big for your needs. Well let me say this, it's so much easier and quicker to build an arbor and you can put them practically anywhere in your yard. They can be placed on a path or in a cozy garden or in a corner of your yard that you're planning to make into a cozy garden as soon as you finish building the arbor. They can have flower boxes, benches or shelves built right in so there's no need to have a separate bench unless you want one. Arbors are wonderful little additions to any yard or garden and making one will only take a day or so, require few tools and best of all, you'll love looking at it from the deck or sitting underneath it while sipping some lovely tea. This picture is a before arbor added and as you can see, the space really needs something to complete the picture. An arbor would look really good here, don't you think?
The empty space in need of an arbor. The bench looks so lonely and unprotected
The supplies needed for this project vary according to the size but here are some general guidelines: To see the tools page, click here. The first thing you need to do is decide the location of the arbor. That being done you can break out the wood and tools and get started. Most arbors are generally 4' wide and 2' deep and 8' tall. Of course they can be any size you like as you may be very tall and need more height or you may be very short and don't want to feel like you're looking up at a cathedral, the choice of size is entirely up to you. They are wonderful little spaces where you can put flowering vines that creep up the side to create shade or build in a bench for a sweet spot to sit and admire you're yard. You can pre-build most of the arbor on the ground and then connect it together a section at a time. The arbor needs to built so that it will not blow over in a strong wind so you will have to bury the posts in the ground or anchor them to the ground with some sort of post anchor. If you are going to bury them please add at least a foot to the length of the posts. Check with your local building dept. for depth requirements.
Pre-cut and assemble as much as possible
Assemble the sides and lattice
Assemble as much as possible before installing
Let's get started on how to build an arbor.
Lay two of the posts on the ground and connect them together using the short beams. You'll need to connect a short temporary beam to the lower end of the post so that the posts won't spread when you lift them. Do the same with the other two posts. Turn the one set posts on their side so that they are "laying" vertically (think of a ladder on its side, see picture 3 above) then do the same with the other set. Now you can connect them with the long beams. Once that is done you can stand the whole arbor up and position it exactly where you want it. If you have holes for the posts, make sure that you have measured correctly so that the posts align with the holes.
Once you have raised the arbor you need to secure it to the ground. You can use spiked post holders or L-shaped brackets and concrete screws depending on your situation. That being done you can start attaching the smaller crosspieces to the top and sides if you haven't done so already.
Now that all of the wood is attached and the arbor secured, you can stain or paint it to your liking. Woo hoo, you just built an arbor, now get yourself a drink and enjoy the view.
This pretty picture is complete with the arbor added I built this arbor at my shop. To save myself the trouble of on-site issues, I pre-cut, pre-drilled and stained the pieces so that I had all of the tools and materials necessary and I didn't have to run back to the shop if I forgot something. The transportation of the parts was the most difficult part and it was not that difficult at all. Everything fit into my van in one trip.
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