I'm looking to put up a freestanding wooden garden structure,
sort of a cross between a small arch and a full size pergola, set
into my lawn to grow climbers over.

A local supplier offers what they describe as rose arches (scroll
down)

http://www.george-walker.co.uk/categ...nd_Rose_Arches

and the next to largest size seems about right, though they have
an odd way of describing its size, and when asked what lengths of
timber are on their cutting list seem strangely unable to answer
the question.

That, ready made and pressure-treated, seems a reasonable price.

SWMBO would like nice curved corner braces, so that the overall
effect is more like

http://www.notcutts.co.uk/forest-garden-large-ultima-pergola-arch/arches/notcutts/fcp-product/16708
or
http://www.notcutts.co.uk/supreme-pergola-arch/arches/notcutts/fcp-product/16054

neither of which are as deep as I am looking for.

I have found corner braces sold separately, but they are
comparatively expensive for the larger size.

http://tate-fencing.co.uk/product/corner-brace/

I know it would be possible to make them myself, though I don't
have a powered saw for curve cutting, and treating the timber
suitably and to match could also be difficult.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Plant amazing Acers.

Chris J Dixon presented the following explanation :
I'm looking to put up a freestanding wooden garden structure,
sort of a cross between a small arch and a full size pergola, set
into my lawn to grow climbers over.

A local supplier offers what they describe as rose arches (scroll
down)

http://www.george-walker.co.uk/categ...nd_Rose_Arches

and the next to largest size seems about right, though they have
an odd way of describing its size, and when asked what lengths of
timber are on their cutting list seem strangely unable to answer
the question.

I'm not sure what you are asking, but....

They give the width between the verticals, the width you would walk
through and the depth, how long front to back. The one dimension absent
is the height.

Likely the would not have details of the cutting lengths because they
will likely buy it in from a supplier.

The add on corner braces look as if they just bolt into place, so
should fit. Better might be tenon fixing.

On 17/10/2017 20:22, Chris J Dixon wrote:
I'm looking to put up a freestanding wooden garden structure,
sort of a cross between a small arch and a full size pergola, set
into my lawn to grow climbers over.

A local supplier offers what they describe as rose arches (scroll
down)

http://www.george-walker.co.uk/categ...nd_Rose_Arches

and the next to largest size seems about right, though they have
an odd way of describing its size, and when asked what lengths of
timber are on their cutting list seem strangely unable to answer
the question.

That, ready made and pressure-treated, seems a reasonable price.

SWMBO would like nice curved corner braces, so that the overall
effect is more like

http://www.notcutts.co.uk/forest-garden-large-ultima-pergola-arch/arches/notcutts/fcp-product/16708
or
http://www.notcutts.co.uk/supreme-pergola-arch/arches/notcutts/fcp-product/16054

neither of which are as deep as I am looking for.

I have found corner braces sold separately, but they are
comparatively expensive for the larger size.

http://tate-fencing.co.uk/product/corner-brace/

I know it would be possible to make them myself, though I don't
have a powered saw for curve cutting, and treating the timber
suitably and to match could also be difficult.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Chris


I saw one being built/constructed while on holiday earlier this year,
the chap building it had set 4 fence posts in the ground (I assume in
concrete) and was fitting trellis panels to it. It was only part
finished but looked quite good. It was over the gate into the front
garden. While I didn't examine the panels, they seemed to be the like
ready made ones you see in Wickes etc.

--

Suspect someone is claiming a benefit under false pretences? Incapacity
Benefit or Personal Independence Payment when they don't need it? They
are depriving those in real need!

https://www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud

On 17/10/17 20:22, Chris J Dixon wrote:
I'm looking to put up a freestanding wooden garden structure,
sort of a cross between a small arch and a full size pergola, set
into my lawn to grow climbers over.

A local supplier offers what they describe as rose arches (scroll
down)

http://www.george-walker.co.uk/categ...nd_Rose_Arches

and the next to largest size seems about right, though they have
an odd way of describing its size, and when asked what lengths of
timber are on their cutting list seem strangely unable to answer
the question.

That, ready made and pressure-treated, seems a reasonable price.

SWMBO would like nice curved corner braces, so that the overall
effect is more like

http://www.notcutts.co.uk/forest-garden-large-ultima-pergola-arch/arches/notcutts/fcp-product/16708
or
http://www.notcutts.co.uk/supreme-pergola-arch/arches/notcutts/fcp-product/16054

neither of which are as deep as I am looking for.

I have found corner braces sold separately, but they are
comparatively expensive for the larger size.

http://tate-fencing.co.uk/product/corner-brace/

I know it would be possible to make them myself, though I don't
have a powered saw for curve cutting, and treating the timber
suitably and to match could also be difficult.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

What do you mean by "freestanding"? I assume you mean that it isn't
fixed to a house wall in some way. If you decide to have it standing in
the middle of a garden, be aware that after a few years of climber
growth it will offer a lot of resistance to wind. The uprights will need
to be embedded in a decent lump of concrete or fixed with Metposts or
something similar. If you try to fix it by surface mounting on paving
stones they will need to be mortared properly (not dot'n'dab!) to a good
hardcore base.

Many years ago I put up a small frame made of 2 x 3" treated softwood.
It had four 8' uprights in a square of 3' sides, and four crossbeams at
the top extending about 2 feet either side. The uprights were in
postcrete to about a foot deep. I grew climbers on the uprights until
the crossbeams were well covered. In a severe gale one day, only about 3
years after construction, all four uprights were snapped off at the
base, just above the postcrete! That should give you some idea of the
forces involved, and the need for proper construction.

--

Jeff

Harry Bloomfield wrote:

Chris J Dixon presented the following explanation :
I'm looking to put up a freestanding wooden garden structure,
sort of a cross between a small arch and a full size pergola, set
into my lawn to grow climbers over.

A local supplier offers what they describe as rose arches (scroll
down)

http://www.george-walker.co.uk/categ...nd_Rose_Arches

and the next to largest size seems about right, though they have
an odd way of describing its size, and when asked what lengths of
timber are on their cutting list seem strangely unable to answer
the question.

I'm not sure what you are asking, but....

Simply the lengths of the beams and rails.

They give the width between the verticals, the width you would walk
through and the depth, how long front to back. The one dimension absent
is the height.

Likely the would not have details of the cutting lengths because they
will likely buy it in from a supplier.

If you read the text they say "All rose arches are made to
order". I have visited the premises before, and they do
manufacture on site.

When I emailed to find out the overall dimensions, they told me
there was a 300 mm overhang, as is common on pergolas, but when I
rang and checked, they measured one at around 140 mm, which makes
quite a difference.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Plant amazing Acers.

Jeff Layman wrote:

What do you mean by "freestanding"? I assume you mean that it isn't
fixed to a house wall in some way. If you decide to have it standing in
the middle of a garden, be aware that after a few years of climber
growth it will offer a lot of resistance to wind. The uprights will need
to be embedded in a decent lump of concrete or fixed with Metposts or
something similar.

Having had difficulty with spike Metposts hitting stones, I plan
to use the concrete-in type, to give security without the rot
risk of directly concreting the timber..

Many years ago I put up a small frame made of 2 x 3" treated softwood.
It had four 8' uprights in a square of 3' sides, and four crossbeams at
the top extending about 2 feet either side. The uprights were in
postcrete to about a foot deep. I grew climbers on the uprights until
the crossbeams were well covered. In a severe gale one day, only about 3
years after construction, all four uprights were snapped off at the
base, just above the postcrete! That should give you some idea of the
forces involved, and the need for proper construction.

That is interesting. Were there any signs of decay at the point
the posts snapped? My site is reasonably sheltered, how is yours?

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Plant amazing Acers.

Chris J Dixon Wrote in message:
Jeff Layman wrote:

What do you mean by "freestanding"? I assume you mean that it isn't
fixed to a house wall in some way. If you decide to have it standing in
the middle of a garden, be aware that after a few years of climber
growth it will offer a lot of resistance to wind. The uprights will need
to be embedded in a decent lump of concrete or fixed with Metposts or
something similar.

Having had difficulty with spike Metposts hitting stones, I plan
to use the concrete-in type, to give security without the rot
risk of directly concreting the timber..


Good idea. I'd get the hot dipped galvanised kind that project
above the soil to attach the posts. More money but virtually bomb
proof for rest of your days...

--
Jim K


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

Tim Streater wrote:

In article , Chris J Dixon
wrote:

I'm looking to put up a freestanding wooden garden structure,
sort of a cross between a small arch and a full size pergola, set
into my lawn to grow climbers over.

Screwfix has a number of garden arches too.

Thanks, but hey are pretty much the same ones that most outlets
will sell you.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Plant amazing Acers.

Brian Reay wrote:

I saw one being built/constructed while on holiday earlier this year,
the chap building it had set 4 fence posts in the ground (I assume in
concrete) and was fitting trellis panels to it. It was only part
finished but looked quite good. It was over the gate into the front
garden. While I didn't examine the panels, they seemed to be the like
ready made ones you see in Wickes etc.

I have looked at building from scratch, but it can easily end up
costing as much as a ready-made one, plus the problem of cutting
into pressure-treated wood.

If I want to cut the curved brackets (or add decorative shaping
to the beam ends), I guess I might need a jigsaw. As I have no
particular need for one otherwise, it might still be cheaper to
pay for the expensive set I found.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Plant amazing Acers.

On 18/10/17 12:04, Chris J Dixon wrote:
Jeff Layman wrote:

What do you mean by "freestanding"? I assume you mean that it isn't
fixed to a house wall in some way. If you decide to have it standing in
the middle of a garden, be aware that after a few years of climber
growth it will offer a lot of resistance to wind. The uprights will need
to be embedded in a decent lump of concrete or fixed with Metposts or
something similar.

Having had difficulty with spike Metposts hitting stones, I plan
to use the concrete-in type, to give security without the rot
risk of directly concreting the timber..

Many years ago I put up a small frame made of 2 x 3" treated softwood.
It had four 8' uprights in a square of 3' sides, and four crossbeams at
the top extending about 2 feet either side. The uprights were in
postcrete to about a foot deep. I grew climbers on the uprights until
the crossbeams were well covered. In a severe gale one day, only about 3
years after construction, all four uprights were snapped off at the
base, just above the postcrete! That should give you some idea of the
forces involved, and the need for proper construction.

That is interesting. Were there any signs of decay at the point
the posts snapped? My site is reasonably sheltered, how is yours?

No decay at all - the posts had been in only 3 years. The site was only
5 metres of so from the back (north-facing) wall of the house. I think
the problem isn't so much the strength of the wind in one direction, but
that buildings cause it to swirl in different directions. This
introduces torsional forces as well, and those added to the direct ones
put paid to the frame. I replaced the frame with 4" square uprights.
These were fixed into metposts rawlbolted to the concrete. Those hadn't
moved after another 10 years (when I moved).

--

Jeff