How to Build an Arbor to Cover a Hot Tub

Map out the rectangular area around your hot tub where want your arbor to be positioned. For this guide, a simple 3-foot-by-5-foot arbor will be constructed, but the measurements can be altered according to your needs (the overhanging beams will actually expand the arbor to 4 feet by 6 feet.) Use your T-square and measuring tape to ensure that the corners are set at 90 degrees.

Place your four post bases at the corners of your rectangle. Have them pointing outward so that their open slots are facing away from the hot tub.

Make a mark in the concrete where the anchor bolt hole needs to go--it is in the central hole of the post base. Move the post base out of the way.

Use your electric hammer-drill to drill a hole in the concrete where you previously marked. Make sure that the drill bit that you are using is the same diameter/size of the anchor bolt you are going to use. Do this for every corner. Replace the post bases in their proper spots.

Place the anchor bolt into the holes of the post bases, and then into the concrete hole. Once in place, use your socket wrench to screw it into place--this will expand the tip of the bolt, securing it in its proper alignment. Do this with all four bases.

Set a 6-foot-tall post into one of the post bases. Use your level to make sure it is straight up and down, perpendicular to the ground. Once that is in place, nail two braces onto two sides of the wood--they should angle out from the post and connect to two wooden stakes in the ground, firmly securing the posts in place. Repeat this process for all four posts.

Place your 6-foot, 6-inch-by-6-inch beam across the top of the two posts making up the 5-foot side of your arbor frame. Make sure it's level and that there are 6 inches of overhang on each side of the beam. Do this twice, once for each side of the arbor.

Use a 7/16-inch drill bit to make a 9-inch hole through the top of your beam, and straight down into the center of your post. Do this for both posts on which the beam rests. Repeat this process for the beam on the opposite side. In all, four holes should be drilled.

Place a washer and a 10-inch lag bolt into each of the holes created in Step 8. Use a wrench to tighten them into place.

Place the 6 4-foot rafters perpendicularly across the two beams, 1 foot apart from each other. They will connect the two sides of the arbor. Use a level and your T-square to ensure everything is symmetrical.

Again using a 7/16-inch drill bit, drill a 6-inch-deep hole down through each of the rafters and into the beams. Do this for both sides of each of the rafters. When you have completed this step, you should have 12 holes drilled into the 6 rafters.

Place a washer on each of the 7-inch lag bolts and screw them into the holes created in Step 11. Use a wrench to tighten them into place.

Add your 2-inch-by-2-inch laths by laying them perpendicularly to the rafters. Use as many as you feel the need to, but 12 is usually a good number for this size arbor. Space them out evenly, so that they are approximately 4 inches apart. To attach them to the rafters, simply drive 3-inch screws through the laths and into the rafters.

Remove the scrap wood braces from Step 6 and pull up the wooden stakes. Stain/seal your arbor with wood sealant or a weather-protection varnish. This will keep the wood from rotting or warping due to the moisture and heat from your hot tub. Let it dry, and enjoy your shaded hot tub.