Backyard Garden Arbors

Bent wood garden structures and furniture have long been favored by gardeners, naturalist and lovers of the rustic look.

In fact, this very old form of creating garden accents and practical pieces is also a wonderful way to recycle fallen trees and pruning remains.

There are many different methods to build rounded garden arbors from natural materials. When using rough wood, smaller branches can be notched to prevent them from snapping when bent. Of course fresh wood is more pliable than dried wood. If more extreme curves are required, it may be necessary to soak the wood to increase its malleability. The length of time the wood needs to soak depends on how thick it is. Once wood is bent to the desired degree, it should be secured in place until it is dry.

If your prefer a more polished look for your arbor and still want curved wood without notching it, there are other methods that may work, although they do require some specialized equipment and a bit of practice. These methods also involve the use of heat and steam, so use precautionary measures such as gloves to protect yourself from burns.

Bending irons utilize constant, controlled heat to help bend wood against an aluminum or stainless steel bending strap, and are typically used to bend small, delicate pieces. Smooth, fragile wood can also be soaked in sheets and placed onto a cooling form to help it achieve the desired shape as it dries. The form can be as simple as a rack made from plywood and dowel.

Keep in mind that wood from some species of trees is more difficult to bend than other wood. Some of the easiest woods to bend include Indian rosewood (which has plenty of resin to make it pliable) and maple (because it is tough). Mahogany and walnut are less easy to manipulate, while Brazilian rosewood is very hard to bend.

This article will give you a little overview of what woods you can use to build your own beautiful arbors.

Here you are – ready to build yours and you are not sure what material to use. You want it to be a little exotic, and unique – not quite like everyone else’s. Here are some of the wood types you can choose to use:

The Most Durable

Teakwood has got to be among the longest lasting woods that there are. The natural oils of this tree cause it to be highly resistant to insects, and water. Naturally grown in Asian countries, it is a beautiful wood and can withstand weathering beyond the ability of other woods. Teakwood advertisers say that it can last 75 years – without any kind of treatment or finish. While this wood is available – it also is very expensive. If you are in the market for this type of garden arbors, there are a number of places that will sell you various models.

The Cedars – Red and White

Cedar is naturally insect resistant and very durable. Its beautiful red hues of the red cedar will fade, but its durability goes on. The same chemicals that make it resistant to bugs also make it more resistant to rotting than most other woods – therefore lasting longer. It is probably the best wood to use for your garden arbors that are much more economical than teakwood.

Other Woods

Other woods are good and will make beautiful arbors – but will not last as long. Standard pressure treated lumber is good and certainly the most common. This lumber is readily available at any lumber supply – where you can also find plans for your garden arbors.

Other Materials

Other possibilities include using bentwood and bamboo. Through the Internet, you can find many plans for building your own, and kits that you can readily purchase. Yours could soon be decorating your yard, and in a way that only you could imagine.

If you are interested in making your own garden arbor, there are several materials you will need to begin this project.

Placing a garden arbor as part of your landscape can liven things up in your garden or divide spaces for you. The garden arbor can also help to create a certain style to your backyard and there are many styles to choose from. When you choose your garden arbor, the first thing you’ll want to decide upon is the material in which you want your arbor to be made from.

One of the most common materials used to build a garden arbor is wood. There are many options in which to go with, as well as what color you wish to paint it or you can use a stain finish for a more natural look. If a wooden arbor is what you are looking for, you’ll do best to choose one made from teak, cedar, or redwood as they will stand up to harsh weather conditions and are resistant to rotting. You will, however, want to make sure you treat the wood with a protective finish to make sure you prevent it from cracking or fading.

Metal arbors are also becoming more common and they come in various shapes and styles to keep up with the demand for them. One of the main advantages to purchasing a garden arbor made from metal is that it holds up to the weight of the flowers and vines you may grow on it. Keep in mind that while many prefer to keep their garden arbor looking the way it was when they purchased it, you do have the option to paint it, as well. Many will paint there metal arbor’s the traditional white or even be daring and match it to the color of their home or flowers. If you do choose a metal arbor, you’ll want to make sure that it does not rust and you can prevent this with a protective coating that will be safe for your flowers and vines.

Vinyl is also a common material used in the building of garden arbors. The main reason is that is it virtually maintenance-free. You’ll simply want to make sure that it is washed if it becomes dirty looking and most do this on a yearly basis. While the vinyl garden arbor is rarely seen in anything but white, they’ll add a little class and charm to your landscaping.

When it comes to purchasing an arbor for your garden, you’ll have many choices in styles to choose from, regardless of the material you prefer.

They are meant to be pretty by themselves, but there are many different ways to customize yours.

Here are some great tips and ideas for customizing:

* Adding a fence is one of the more simple ways. If you have a large yard you can use a garden arbor with a fence to visually separate your yard into unique areas.
* Roses bring vibrant color to your garden arbor, but it takes some work. First, you need to choose a garden arbor that will support the weight of the growing rose bushes. The arbor needs to be wide enough to allow room for the rose bush to grow. Positioning is important, too. If you are going to add roses to your garden arbor, it needs to be in a position where you can prune them, and where it gets plenty of sun.
* A small gate attached to your garden arbor can be a very inviting way to spruce up your yard.
* Add a bench to either side or underneath your garden arbor to enjoy the serenity of your garden in comfort.
* Planter boxes on either side will add a little color and variety as well as allow you to vary the type of flower. The open containers will help balance the climbing plants on the arbor with the trailing plants in the planters.
* Or you can combine the best of both worlds with a planter box bench. Place it opposite your garden arbor and you have a beautiful outdoor seating arrangement.
* Some garden arbors have side wings to add privacy as well as a cute touch.
* Don’t have room for an entire garden arbor in your yard? A planter trellis a good alternative. The trellis is similar to one side of a full arbor, and can stand in the center of your garden for vertical interest, or off to the side near a wall to define the limits of your space.

No matter what you choose to do with your garden arbor, you’ll find that adding little custom touches make it uniquely yours. Explore all your options and have fun!

When you build your arbor and choose wood for material, the most daunting task you might have is choosing a finish for it.

Although the term finish is used to describe a protective coating, we are using it to describe everything you could use to finish your arbor. The finish you choose for your needs to be durable and, of course, you’ll want it to look like it was done professionally. The following information will help you to decide which finish is right for you.

First of all, the finish you’ll need for your arbor will need to be durable as it will be need to stand up under harsh weather conditions. To make sure the finish you put on your arbor holds up, more than one coat may be necessary.

There are three basic finishes you can use on your arbor. They are stain, paint, and finish. While paint will color the arbor with a protective coating, stain will only tint the wood. There are some stains and finishes that simply change the color of the wood without providing a protective coating. This protective coating is very important to protect your garden arbor from decay.

For the protective coating, you’ll want to use a finish and the most common are varnish and polyurethane, shellac, oil, lacquer, or water-based finish. When choosing one, you’ll want to make sure that it is durable. For example, a polyurethane finish is more durable than a water-based finish and it would be the preferred finish.

When you choose a stain, you’ll have many color choices, as well as if you choose to use paint. Remember, that you do not have to go with the traditional look of wood or the color white on your arbor. Yours can be done in colors to highlight others in your garden and this is your chance to show your creativity and imagination. The most important thing to remember is to choose a finish that will protect it from harsh weather conditions.

With so many styles of arbors available you can pretty much choose exactly what you want when purchasing your arbor.

If you are looking for something to add to your garden, consider adding an arbor. Whether it’s a little romance you want to add or simply decor, there are many styles available to choose or if you are motivated, you can design your own to match your garden style.

The first thing you’ll want to do is to decide exactly what you want yours to be. Is this for artistry only or would you like it to create a separation of one area from another? Will your arbor be used as a place of relaxation or simply an area in which to cultivate more plants?

If your arbor is being used as a transition from one area to the next, you have many choices to go with. You can make it narrower like a doorway or greater in length for a more dramatic effect. However, if your garden arbor is going to be used as a place of relaxation in your garden, you’ll want to make sure you design it will a bench attached or even a small swing-type bench. Whether you sit at the arbor at dawn or dusk, you’ll find this garden arbor will add much enjoyment to your life.

Once you’ve decided the use of your arbor, you can now decide upon a style that will be a good fit for you. In choosing a design, you’ll want to make sure it matches the other detailing in your garden. For example, if you have a more Victorian look, you may want to decide upon the same or if you have gone for a rustic or country look in your garden, the design of your arbor should compliment it.

There are many designs to choose from and if none of them match exactly what you are looking for, you can always change them to one that you like. Be daring and don’t be afraid to do something different. The materials that you use don’t have to be standard either. If you’re going for the rustic look on an entryway arbor, you can even use branches and tree limbs to make your arbor.

The fact is the arbor is to please you. You decide exactly what you want it to do and how you want it to look. Want it to compliment the flowers you placed in your garden? Paint it in hues of purple and pink. Plan it with a swinging seat attached and you’ll have many enjoyable evenings in the garden.

A natural bentwood arbor will look great in your backyard if you have a trees and a more rustic, country style landscaping.

If you’ve decided to build a garden arbor for your landscape and you’re not certain what type you should build, consider building a natural bentwood arbor out of branches and twigs from your own backyard. These are actually quite easy to make and you won’t have to spend a lot of money on materials.

A natural bentwood arbor will look great in your backyard if you have a trees and a more rustic, country style landscaping. To begin, you’ll need to select the branches and twigs you’ll be using to build your arbor. You will want to choose the limbs from trees that are more pliable, such as birch, willow, and mulberry and stay away from coniferous trees, like pines and redwoods as they are not pliable enough.

When you have decided which branches you want, use pruning shears and don’t worry about how thick they are as you’ll be bundling these together. Snap the twigs off the branches you’ve cut and save them for use later. Just make sure you remove any offshoots or leaves that are on the branches. When you’re done, take a couple of the longer branches and use bailing wire to bundle them together. Keep adding more to the bundle, expanding the length until it is approximately 16 feet long. You’ll want four of these bundles and they should be about 4- inches in diameter.

When you have these done, you’ll now want to dig post holes for where each end of the branch bundles will be placed. These should be two to a side about 16-inches apart and each side should be a distance of 4 feet apart. Place a rebar in each hole as when you set the branch bundle in the hole, you’ll be able to secure it. Each hole should be about 18-inches deep. Place the end of the bundle in one hole and bend it down to the hole on the other side. You may have to do a little cutting on the branches if they don’t bend well. Two bundles should go in each hole and don’t forget to secure them once they’ve been bent and placed in each hole.

Use a few branches to place across connect the two bundles on each side as crossbars. When this is done, you can now use other branches and twigs to give your arbor the look you desire. When you add this natural arbor to your backyard, you’ll be surprised by how many compliments you’ll get with your handy work.