Rustic cedar arbors blend with nature to offer homeowners a visually appealing focal point. Arbors situated within the line of sight help to break up the monotony of bare yards and embellish uninteresting pathways. They are strong enough to hold hanging plants and offer a place for vines to flourish. Cedar arbors are rot and termite resistant and last for years. Choose rough hewed, three-inch diameter corner posts, square or rounded, at least eight-feet long. Two-by-two inch slats may replace two-inch diameter poles. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Cut boards for the arbor. Cut four two-by-four boards four feet long. Cut eight poles four feet long. Cut six poles three feet long.
2. Dig holes to set up the corner posts. Place the holes four feet apart for the width of the arbor and three feet apart for the depth of the arbor. Dig holes about 12 inches deep and four inches across. Layer the bottom with about two inches of gravel.
3. Place corner posts. Mix concrete according to manufacturer's directions and fill the holes to ground level. Place a pole in each hole, plumbing the poles to ensure they are straight. Nail two-by-four boards to temporarily box in the bottom of the poles until the concrete dries.
4. Remove the bottom boards after the concrete dries and use them to box in the top of the arbor's edge.
5. Place a two-by-four board at the top of the arbor on the front and back sides attaching the boards with three-inch deck screws. Place the remaining two-by-four boards at the top on each side of the arbor. The sides will have a six-inch overhang because the arbor is three-feet deep.
6. Place three two-inch diameter poles, three-feet long at intervals of choice down each side of the arbor. Attach with deck screws.
7. Attach the roof. Attach the eight four-foot poles to the arbor's top frame, front to back, using three-inch deck screws. The poles will extend beyond the frame of the arbor about six-inches on each end.
Tags: corner posts, deck screws, feet long, four feet, two-by-four boards, about inches
