Both arbors are
nearly identical except that they are reversed front to back. This is a brand
new style of arbor -- completed in August 2007. Outside of
the stainless-steel fasteners, the arbors are 100% plastic. The framework is
ivory colored high-density polyethylene solid plastic
PrimoPlank and the canopy is
tan colored hollow PVC 2x4s with flush-capped lower ends.
The arches,
circular top ridge and continuous circular purlins underneath are all
power-flexed and this is the key to maintaining rigidity. The
straight lath pieces on top are all supported by the flexed framework.
Although the
frame was constructed from solid plastic, it is rigid and does not flex or
sway when pushed from any angle. That's because of its unique design. The
stiff PVC lath arranged radially provides many narrow triangles throughout
the canopy which makes the canopy fairly ridged. The continuous arches between
the posts provide horizontal rigidity to the entire structure. The
vertical rigidity comes from using metal-reinforced high-density 4x4s for
posts.
Because the arbor
is all plastic, there is very little maintenance involved in maintaining
its pristine appearance -- It just needs an occasional hosing down because
flying birds have no toilet training. However, placing this kind of arbor
beneath any tree is not a good idea because sap will adhere to the PVC
canopy lath and will require rubbing down with paint thinner to remove.
Now, let me point
out here that someone can't just build this kind of arbor from the ground
up. Nor does one build it in mid-air without temporary framework. That's
where Mr. Deck's trade-secret construction methods come in.
This style
arbor is not at all easy to erect. So be forewarned not to try this
on your own; if it were straight-forward and easy to construct, I
would be offering this style arbor as a do-it-yourself kit and
minimizing my participation in its construction.
In
fact, it takes the experience of having put one of these up
beforehand to be able to erect one without a lot of trial and error
in getting all the curved springy plastic pieces aligned correctly
and the inclined radial lath pieces to point exactly to the
center. It also takes a lot of special clamps and proper tools. So
this style of arbor cannot be handed-off even to an experienced
contractor who lacks this first-time experience.
Take note
of the PVC-cable-based construct in the center which by design keeps
the truncated canopy from unfurling under all the stress of that
bent solid plastic frame. An engineering solution is to just
periodically cable
the circular ridge to a central point likes spokes in a wheel. What you see here is an
architectural solution which trumps the engineering one. That
cabled architectural construct in and of itself is a copyrighted design
element of MR. DECK's and may not be duplicated without license.
The panorama shot
above highlights the spectacular dusk setting for this pair of unique
radial arbors. It shows the under-lit canopies with spots pointed both
into the canopy and downward. When the sky darkens, both canopies glow on
the top side because the sides of the radial lath light that up too.
|
Here's how to
figure what one arbor like this would cost you:
Take the
smallest rectangular area that would contain the arbor regardless of
whether it's round or open in the center, then multiply by $40 per
sq. ft. If the arbor has a grid style skylight in the center
add another $45 per sq. ft. for its rectangular containment.
These figures
apply to arbors whose perimeter is no higher than 8 feet and
whose center doesn't exceed 12 ft. in height. This price is the
basic cost and excludes any
costs of providing drawings, permits and permit procurement.
Lighting is
extra, and given an accessible electrical hookup, would add $200 per
support post. The arbors in this project have one or two 100-watt
halogen swivel spot light lamps on each post – they are UL
wet-certified and can point to anywhere within the interior of the
arbor. The lights are controlled by a single dimmer switch, one per
each structure. A few of the spot lights were directed upward in
each arbor to light-up the canopy from the underside at night. At
night the viewer sees a canopy that just glows.
Note how you
do not see any electrical conduit.
|
