How to build a support arch for climbing plants

Create this stylish arch to frame a favourite piece of garden art and support two climbing plants – it makes the ideal year-round focal point.

You will need: 50mm x 50mm treated timber (approx. 14m), 50mm x 75mm treated timber (approx. 2.5m), 65mm self-tapping exterior wood screws, chalk or pencil, exterior PVA glue, paintbrush, Resene Waterborne Woodsman tinted to Resene Pitch Black, sandpaper, saw, screwdriver, set square, tape measure.

Top tip: This design could also be modified as a free standing garden arch – just ensure the top corners are braced with pieces of 50mm x 50mm timber at 45° to increase rigidity, and extend the height of the arch to 2.5m to keep climbing plants well above head height.

To get the look: Mark painted the background fence with Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Soft Apple.

Handy hint: If you use regular exterior screws instead of self-tapping, you’ll need to drill pilot holes first to prevent wood from splitting.

Instructions

Step one
Measure four 2m lengths from the 50mm x 50mm timber.

Step two
Use the back of the saw or set square to rule a cutting line, as shown.

Step three
Cut the pieces of timber to length.

Step four
In the same way, measure, mark and cut twelve 500mm lengths from the 50mm x 50mm timber.

Step five
Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

Step six
On a flat surface, attach two of the 500mm lengths of timber across the top of the four 2m lengths, as shown. Fix with PVA glue and 65mm screws. Use the set square to ensure corners are at 90°.

Step seven
Repeat, using two more 500mm lengths, approximately 200mm up from the bottom edge.

Step eight
In the same way, fix six more of the 500mm lengths of timber to complete the sides of the support arch, as shown, ensuring they are evenly spaced.

Step nine
Measure, mark and cut the 50mm x 75mm timber into two 1.25m lengths and fix to the front and back top edges of the support frame, as shown.