Different
Arbor Designs
There are many
different arbor designs
that come in kit form or you can also purchase
arbor plans. The nice thing about arbor kits is
that they usually come pre-cut or pre-fabricated
and ready to assemble. If you can’t find the arbor
design you want in a kit, you can purchase arbor
plans and construct your own. The nice thing about
building your own arbor is you can make
modifications to the plans to customize your
arbor. A friend constructed an arbor from plans
and he added birdhouses in the top corners.
An
arbor is usually a freestanding structure that can
be used to support climbing vines or provide shade
for a bench or table. It can also provides a focal
point and create an entrance to your garden. Most
arbors have large beams running in one direction
along the top and the smaller boards running
perpendicular to the beams. The amount of shade
provided from the top will depend on how close the
lateral pieces of wood are positioned. With your
arbor design you can also attach the following to
the top to create even more shade or style:
-
lattice
-
bamboo curtain
-
rigid plastic
-
vines
It’s a
good idea to look at a variety of arbor designs to
see which one goes best with your garden and your
budget. Depending on your outdoor arbor design and
plans you can also change the edges of the beams
by doing the following:
- Add
a curve – to soften the edge
- Add
a scallop - this is usually two round parts with
the one top being longer. This gives a pagoda look
- Add
a bevel - usually done by cutting the beam on an
angle
