Here's a simple plan to construct an archway to span a walk or driveway.  The ones below span just over 20 feet.

This page was updated December, 2009.  Please read to the bottom to see how we have perfected anchoring the arches)

The arch is made with 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe (painted green), anchored at each end, and wrapped with lights and garland.  The first time I built it, I tried to cheap out and use 3/4 inch pipe.  It held for a few hours, but eventually lost its' structural integrity and collapsed.  Even if I could have anchored it more to make it stay, I seriously doubt it would have lasted the season.  3/4 inch might work well on a small arch though.

Start by calculating the length of pipe needed.  If the arch is to be a semi circle (as the one above), multiply the diameter (length of span) by 3.14 and divide by 2.

Example:

• The arch above is 20 feet across.
• 20 * 3.14 = 62.8
• 62.8 / 2 = 31.4 feet

Therefore, 31.4 feet of pipe, will give me a height of exactly 10 feet (half the span).  If you want to calculate a non semi circle arch, you're on your own, because that's all I can remember from high school math class.

I have had A LOT of people ask A LOT of questions I should answer here.

When buying the pipe, the regular PVC will do.  You do not need 'schedule 40' pipe.  Buy the pieces with the flared ends. (Look closely at the picture below left to see what I mean).  The PVC connectors tend to break or pop apart.  1 1/2 inch pipe works great for a 20 foot span or greater, don't try to flex it down to a 10 or 15 foot arch.  Try pipe a bit smaller.  I grease the ends to make the disassembly go a bit smoother.

Feel free to email me with any question before you buy your materials.

  To secure the arch to the ground, take a 3 foot piece of rebar or redi rod and pound it 1 1/2 feet into the ground at each end of the arch.  It should be on a slight angle towards the center of the arch.

If you need to route power from one end of the yard to the other, this is a great way to hide the wires

Depending on the size of the arch, sliding the pipe over the rebar might be a 2 person job.  Walk the 2 ends  towards each other, and one at a time, slide it down over the rebar.  The arch will free stand at this point, but I always tie all the arches together and anchor the end arches to stop them from swaying in the wind or under snow load. 

Lastly, I run 4 continuous pieces of garland from one end to the other (124 feet total), securing with tie wraps every foot or so.  Then simply wrap mini's around and around until you're dizzy.  I wanted my arches mostly white, but with some color, so I wrapped 200 colored lights under the garland, then wrapped another 400 whites on top.

Email me if you need any more info.