How to Make an Arbor With a Sliding Cover

Measure and mark the location of each arbor post with a stake. Measure on the diagonal to make sure your post locations are square to each other. Dig post holes with a shovel that are 1/3 the height of the post above the ground. Add 4 inches of gravel to the bottom of the hole. Insert the 4-by-4-inch post in the hole. Pour post-hole cement mix into the hole and add water. Mix and taper the top of the mix to angle away from the post.

Brace the post with scrap wood to hold it upright and level while the cement cures. Use a level to check the post. Repeat for all of the posts. Allow the cement to dry for 24 to 48 hours. Cut the top of the posts so that they are all the same height and level using a circular or hand saw.

Cut sturdy square-style metal wire fencing so that it is twice the height of the posts plus the distance from one post side to the other. Wire the sections together to be long enough to cover the length of the arbor. Staple the fence to the posts with galvanized exterior staples. Wrap the fence up the two front posts, over the top of the posts to the two rear posts and down the rear posts. Use wire cutters to cut archways between the posts. Trim off all wire that may poke someone.

Screw long and large screw eyes 4 inches from the top of each post facing the center of the arbor. Unscrew a turnbuckle to its open position. Measure the length of the arbor between the screw eyes. Cut 1/8-inch cable 12 inches longer than this measurement. Insert 6 inches of cable through one screw eye. Fold the cable end back toward the center. Slide cable sleeves over the two cables and crimp with a crimping tool. Hook the turnbuckle on the opposite screw eye. Slide a sleeve on the cable. Thread the end of the cable through the loop on the turnbuckle. Bend the cable back toward the center and slide the sleeve over the two cables. Pull the cable tight and crimp. Twist the turnbuckle to tighten the cable more. Repeat for the second cable parallel with the first cable.

Measure the distance between the cables. Cut shade cloth or outdoor canvas to this width. Measure the distance between the screw eyes on one cable. Add 6 inches. Cut your fabric to these measurements. Fold the fabric to the back 1/4 inch. Fold the fold to the back another 1/4 inch and sew a hem stitch all around. Fold the top end of the fabric to the back 1 1/2 inches and sew a seam across the width. The width is perpendicular to the cables. Fold the bottom end to the back 1 1/2 inches and sew a seam.

Divide the length evenly in sections from 16 to 20 inches and mark. Fold the fabric face side together at the mark. Measure away from the fold 1 1/2 inches and sew a seam across the width. Repeat this for each mark.

Insert bamboo sticks inside each pocket with the pockets on the top side of the canopy. Attach curtain rings with alligator clips to the cables. Use the alligator clips to close the ends of each pocket keeping the bamboo inside. Slide the canopy cover along the length of the arbor to shade the entire area.