How to Build an Arbor Design
- 1). Call your local utilities before you dig to have your utilities flagged. This is for your safety so that you do not accidentally hit a gas or power line, and also releases you from liability if you hit a nonflagged utility line. Most communities have a single number to contact all of the service providers. The service providers usually have five business days to flag the property. Keep this in mind when you start your project.
- 2). Dig four holes a minimum of 24 inches in depth, or the depth of the freeze line for your area of the country. You can call your local permit department for the depth of the freeze line where you live. This is important so that your arbor will not move due to freezing. The hole should be large enough to allow a minimum of 3 inches of concrete around the post. A post hole digger works well for this. If your design calls for a lot of post, you can rent a gas operated post hole digger from your local rental store.
- 3). Pour at least an 80-pound bag of concrete around each of the posts. Use a two-by-four to screw between the four posts on the outer edge of the post about 4 feet high. The two-by-fours need to be cut to the dimension of the outside edge of each post. Refer to your plans for this dimension. This will ensure that the four posts are perpendicular to each other. Level the posts using a carpenter's level. Use additional lumber to brace the post as the concrete dries. Pour water into the holes and soak the concrete. Let the concrete dry overnight.
- 4). Clamp a straight two-by-four to the shortest post so that the other side runs past the adjacent post. Place a carpenter's level on top of the two-by-four and temporarily clamp the other side in place. The two-by-four should be set at the height of the post according to your plans. Adjust the two-by-four so that it is level. Mark the post with a pencil to establish the line to be cut that will level the post. Repeat this step for each of the other three sides of the arbor. Use a circular saw and framing square to cut the top of the post. If the posts are too big to cut all the way through, use a handsaw to cut the remaining material. Use a stepladder to reach the top of the post.
- 5). Clamp the top of the two-by-eight beams across the top of each post according to your plans. Drill two holes through the two-by-eights and the post. Use an electric drill and a drill bit the size of the carriage bolts specified in your plans. Before drilling, place the carpenter's level on top of the beams and check to make sure they are level. Insert the carriage bolts through the holes and tighten the washer and nuts to secure the beams in position. Repeat this step for the other two posts. A socket wrench works best for this.
- 6). Run the two-by-four rafters perpendicular to the beams spaced according to your set of plans. Attach these to the rafters with exterior wood screws screwed at 45 degrees. A screw gun makes this much easier than using a regular screwdriver.
- 7). Cut the trellis to fit between the two posts. Attach the trellis frame to the post using exterior wood screws. Use a table saw or circular saw for this step.
- 8). Paint or stain according to your preference.
Source...