Wooden Arbor

Learn how to build a simple entry arbor. Relatively cheap cost, and quick assembling time!

You will need the following:

• 4 8 ft 2x4s Pressure Treated
• 4 8 ft 1x4s Pressure Treated
• 13 42 in 2x2s Pressure Treated
• 1 lb 3 in Deck Screws
• 1 lb 2 in Deck Screws
• 1 lb 1.5 in Deck Screws
• 1 lb 6D Galvanized Nails
• 1 Quart Exterior Water Seal
• 4 1 ft Deep Concrete Piers

Tools:

• Drill
• Miter Saw
• Jigsaw
• Hammer

Measure a 4 feet length between posts, and a two feet width between each one as well. The arrangements of your posts should resemble a rectangle with length 4 feet and width 2 feet. If you purchase any wood piece larger than the specified measurements, cut it using a miter saw.

Trace your Korbel pattern on each corner of the 1x4. Then, using a jigsaw with a 6-in circular saw blade, slowly cut through each tracing, thus creating the Korbels, One option is to cut out one Korbel and use the piece to trace others on every other corner. If you do not have a jigsaw, then use a circular handsaw to cut out the Korbel. It is important that you do this step before assembling the Arbor because once you screw in the 1x4s, you cannot cut your Korbels off the overhang. This step should occur on a plywood working desk- the lumber must be clamped down to the desk, and the edge in which the Korbel is to be cut should be overhung beyond the desk.

Angle the posts in a 4x2 rectangle mentioned above in step 2. Angle the way that you want them to be oriented. The length and width of the arbor aren't fixed. However, if you do decide to change the width of the opening of the arbor, it is recommended that you keep the rectangle dimensions in a 2:1 length to width ratio.

Using a drill, screw each 1x4 on each side of the 2x4 post, thus having the post wedged in between the 1x4s. Make sure that there is a 2 ft overhang on each side of the arbor. After screwing in each of the 4 posts to the 1x4s, start screwing in the 2x2s with an 8 in overhang on each side of the top. Start at the edge of the two feet overhang, and continue this pattern of all the 13 with equal 5 inch spacing in between. Use a spacer (a 5-inch wooden block) to make sure that spacing is accurate.

Once your arbor is completed, spray your arbor with exterior water seal, to protect any leaks or cracks in the rain. Also, insert each of your posts into a concrete pier, and set your arbor in the location you desire. If you desire, you can paint the arbor, but you should do it before you use water seal or insert it in the piers.