DIY Patio Arbor

A patio arbor is a beautiful way to create shade for a patio. Arbors, which are trellis-like structures, provide excellent space for decorative climbing plants for your patio. For additional charm, allow the vines to intertwine around posts. Here are instructions for making your own 100 square foot arbor.

Supplies  

• Shovel


• Gravel  


• Concrete


• Tamping tool


• Tape measure


• Ladder


• Wheel barrow


• Drill


• Carriage bolts


• Hammer


• Nails


• Four 12 feet long 4 x4 inch posts.


• Four  12 feet  2 x 8 beams 


• Six  12 feet by 2 x 6 beams


• Jack hammer (Optional)


• Saw (Optional)


• Square (Optional)

1. Dig four holes 24 inches in depth for arbor supports. If your porch is concrete, rent a jack hammer from a local home improvement store. Use the jack hammer to penetrate the concrete.


2. Fill each one of the holes with at least six inches of gravel and tamp with a tamping tool.


3. Place one of the 12 foot long 4 x 4 in each hole. The posts must be standing straight when erect.


4. Prepare the concrete mixture according to manufacturer's directions in your wheel barrow and fill approximately 18 inches into the holes.


5. Tamp the concrete down and allow it to dry for at least 48 hours.


6. Start by placing your ladder on the left exterior side of the posts.


7. Measure down four inches from the top of each of the posts. Mark the spot. Raise one of the 12 feet 2 x 8s to the spot marked. Have an assistant help you hold the beam in place.  Settle the beam just below the marked line.


8. Drill two holes through beam into the post. Attach the beam to the post using the carriage bolts. Perform the same operation on the opposite end of the beam. 


9. When in place there will be a one-foot overhang of the beam on each end.


10. Both sides should be identical.  Now, install the cross beams over the existing structure. They will run in a grid pattern across the main beams.


11. Position the first beam into place, with assistance. Use the drill to make two holes into the post and through the crossbeam.


12. Attach with your carriage bolts.


13. Continue in the same manner until there is a beam in the arbor's rear and front. The installation will be the same as those for the side pieces.  The top of the arbor will now be an enclosed square.


14. Install the cross members across the square built.  Lay the 12 feet cross beams parallel to the front and back of the arbor boards. Again, there should be a one-foot  overhang. Attach each cross beam to the original square box structure.


15. Place each one a foot apart. There will be five 12 feet 2 x 6s used.


16. To give your arbor additional character, cut each of the end boards on an angle. Use your square to measure each one of the one foot over hang pieces and mark at a 90 degree angle cut with your saw.