How to Build a Trellis

By Jennifer Stimpson, This Old House magazine
How to Build a Trellis Photo:  Kolin Smith

Shopping & Tool Lists

Supplies You Will Need:
1. Cedar or pressure-treated 2x4s for the frame. Keep in mind that two adjoining trellis panels will share one vertical frame piece.
2. Cedar or pressure-treated 1x1s for the stops that hold the lattice.3. Cedar or pressure-treated lattice fencing comes in 4-by-8-foot sheets. If you're building more than one panel, get both straight and diagonal lattice.
4. Cedar or pressure-treated 2x6—to cap the tops of the panels.
5. ¾-inch gravel for drainage in the postholes. Four 50-pound bags will be enough.
6. 1 5/8-inch self-tapping deck screws
7. 3-inch self-tapping deck screws
Tools You Will Need:
1. circular saw
2. Speed square
3. straightedge
4. combination square
5. chisel
6. handsaw
7. drill/driver
8. 2-foot level
9. posthole digger
10. digging bar
11. shovel
12. small hand tamper
Open

Introduction

A wall covered with climbing vines may benefit the fairy-tale suitor who scales it to reach his true love, but in the real world the twisting tendrils will wreak havoc on your house's siding. Better that you create a buffer between the foliage and the facade with a garden trellis. Not only will it provide the plants with a more appropriate host, but it will also give you something better than a blank wall to look at when summer's greenery fades. Here's how to turn lattice fencing and 2x4s into such a three-panel focal point. Put it in place, and invite your garden to new heights. Just don't extend the invitation to any Prince Charmings.

Cedar lattice and lumber from Woodway.

Steps

Helpful Info:
Video: How to Use a Post Hole Digger
Skill Builder: No-Splinter Sawing
Article: Easy Care Roses
Article: Coming Up Roses
Step By Step: How to Build a Branch Trellis in a Pot
Skill Builder: How to Build a Wire Trellis
Gallery: Good Climbers