Here's my newest piece of structure for the garden

14 years ago

Here's my newly finished arbor. It's made out of treated lumber on 4x4x8 treated posts mounted on galvanized brackets bolted to bolts secured in concrete footings.

Materials ran about $175. It took me about 2 days to complete. I've got a New Dawn planted on one side, thinking about planting Parade on the other side.

Eric

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Comments (15)

ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
14 years ago
That is beautiful!! It looks very sturdy but also is aesthetically very pleasing. I'm guessing you have a lot of experience in building structures. Did you construct this according to a plan or just design it yourself? I'm wondering whether my husband would be able to build something similar. He has very little experience but is quite good at figuring things out. Thanks for posting this. I look forward to seeing it when it's covered with roses.

Ingrid
cincy_city_garden
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Ingrid. I designed it myself. I looked around online at some wooden arbors to get some design ideas/inspiration..and also changed some stuff on the fly. A lot of the dimensions weren't pre-established..I kinda just got the tape measure out and did what looked good. I don't have a ton of experience either, although I come from a long line of amateur builders and "tinkerers."

This is only the 2nd structure I've built, which is better than my 1st :)

I'm confident your husband could figure it out.

Eric
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greenhaven
14 years ago
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!! Great job, and congrats. I'm jealous, now; first Rob, then you? :o(
peachiekean
14 years ago
Wow, that is just awesome! I'm in an "envy" state of mind. Beautiful with the nice looking house behind it.
judith5bmontreal
14 years ago
Wow, an amazing job! I'm also looking forward to the pictures when it's covered in gorgeous roses.
Judith
User
14 years ago
I love it! It looks beautiful in the front like that. I only live 1 hour and 40 minutes away.

Hint.
cincy_city_garden
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks greenhaven, peachie, and Judith. I knew I'd get some more enthusiastic responses here than my wife's "It looks nice." ;0

Necessity, or should I say, lack of $400 to buy something comparable is the motivator. I'd been thinking about putting something up for a while, and only built it after I had planted a New Dawn I picked up at Lowes...now I HAD to build something for it :)

Oh, I didn't forget about you redsox. Thank you! I can come up with a materials list and measurements if you like. I'm not ready to jump into the construction biz just yet, although "will work for roses" did cross my mind :)

Eric
User
14 years ago
I'll work on my budget :-)
holleygarden Zone 8, East Texas
14 years ago
Beautiful! I am always amazed how creative some people are - DH and I can't seem to make anything that keeps standing. :O It will look stunning with roses climbing up the sides. Great job!
brother_cadfael
14 years ago
Wow Eric,

Very Nice!

It looks sturdy enough to withstand a hurricane!;^)

'New Dawn' will look superb on there.

I know the "it looks nice" thing from DW... when I built my tripod trellis, my wife asked me if I was going to drill for oil in the back yard... Gotta love em! ;^)

Rob
BC:)
texaslynn
14 years ago
Very, very nice! And it looks substantial, too, unlike those flimsy things sold ready-made. My husband could build one but instead of two days, it would be two months (or two years!!!) Yikes-good thing he's not on here!

You'll have to post pictures, either periodically, or at the "end", of the growth process over the arbor!

Lynn
cincy_city_garden
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Holley, Rob, and Lynn. I'll definitely take some pictures as it gets covered. I got a $3 Parade climber from RU that's big and healthy that I'm going to put in the left side of the arbor in the 2nd picture (New Dawn is on the right).

Eric
rosemeadow_gardener
14 years ago
Your arbour really looks good infront of you house. I look forward to seeing it covered in New Dawn and Parade ! You must be very proud of it when ever you walk near it..
harryshoe zone6 eastern Pennsylvania
14 years ago
Nice job Eric!

I like to make things, but my junk can't compare with your work. My theory is that rustic is nice and imperfections just add to the look. My arbor was built with the hope that the roses will grow quickly and cover it up.

How did join join the cross pieces?
cincy_city_garden
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Harry, and I'd hardly call your stuff junk :) I remember when I saw your arbor with Westerland on it and thought "I could never make that." and probably still couldn't. If you'll notice, most of the cuts/joinery are straight, not angled ;)

The front/back and side top pieces are screwed directly into the posts using 2 1/2 inch deck screws. The 2x4 pieces running along the top are attached with screws into the front/back rails. Everything is attached with those deck screws. Did that answer your question?

Eric