| I recently had a nice visit at a friend of mines new | | | | have in constructing your new arbor. |
| house she was especially proud of her arbor while I | | | | You will need to start with the support columns they |
| was imagining a traditional trellis type arbor over a | | | | can be any design you like from the standard square |
| path like you might see at a wedding. I was surprised | | | | 4x4 pressure treated wood to elaborate columns it |
| to see an immense patio that was 14 feet wide and | | | | just depends on your taste and pocket book. A |
| 22 feet long the Arbor was supported by 6 round | | | | header piece is secured across the top of the |
| columns that where painted white. Cross pieces | | | | columns, this header will support the joists that will |
| made of 2 x 8 cedar where also painted white. The | | | | cross the arbor and create the "roof." The choice of |
| entire arbor was covered with different species of | | | | materials include Cedar or Redwood these species of |
| Wisteria which has a beautiful bloom in colors from a | | | | wood are naturally rot resistance and will last many |
| white to a dark purple. | | | | years with out any maintenance the same is true |
| An arbor is on choice for creating shade for a deck | | | | with pressure treated wood which is commonly used |
| or patio other options would include a retractable | | | | fro building decks. If you plan on painting your arbor |
| awning, a covered roof or a temporary solution such | | | | you could use standard untreated wood however |
| as an umbrella. The arbor I believe requires the most | | | | you will always need to keep a goodcovering of paint |
| care and maintenance to keep up but also provides | | | | to protect the wood. |
| the best solution for most homes. | | | | There are many choices of climbing types of ivy |
| Building an Arbor is not an extremely difficult task | | | | available for covering your arbor from the |
| you will want a little help. You will want to check with | | | | aforementioned Wisteria to Boston ivy, Clematis and |
| your local township for any permits that may or may | | | | some Hydrangea also climb. Your climate and soil |
| not be necessary for area. The next step is to | | | | types will limit your selection. You can mix and match |
| measure ad draw a picture of your patio or area that | | | | to get flowers that bloom at different times of the |
| you want to cover with your arbor. Take your | | | | year or for a straight ivy look. Whatever type of |
| drawing and any pictures of what you want your | | | | climbing plant you choose at some point you will need |
| arbor to look like to your local home store, most | | | | to get out the pruning shears and go to work even |
| home stores have professional on staff that can tell | | | | when they are young you will need to help out the |
| you exactly what you will need for materials for the | | | | ivy to train it to grow where you want it. |
| job they can also answer any question that you may | | | | |