Summary: Learn how to build an arbour, make the frame, anchor the frame, clad the frame and fit the roof.
Constructing an arbour in your garden can provide both a shaded area to sit and relax, as well as a decorative garden feature. It is important, however, that the garden is big enough to accommodate a structure of this type, as an arbour can take up quite a lot of space and be too dominant a feature in smaller gardens.
Arbours can be concreted in position or, if constructed on a concrete or paved area, secured with post bases, which can be bolted down onto the hard surface.
Arbour kits are available to buy from most garden centres. To construct your own arbour with the dimensions 2.4m (8ft) high, 1.5m (5ft) wide and 600mm (2ft) deep, you will need treated softwood timber in the following dimensions:
The different components have been given a letter to help you follow the instructions.
The first part of the arbour to build is the seat frame.
Screw the 3 cladding support bars to the rear of the back posts.
With the basic structure of the arbour now complete it needs to be anchored in position.Fixing to concrete:
Using bolt-down post bases:
After sliding the grooved edge over the tongue of the first board. Gently knock it down protecting the end of the board with an off cut.
With the arbour structure now firmly fixed in position it is time to fit the roof.
Protect the plywood by covering the roof with roofing felt. Cut a piece of roofing felt to cover the whole roof and nail it onto the roof with clout nails.
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