How much does a garden arbor cost?

Budget (kit): $75-$200. Mid-range (cedar or vinyl): $200-$500. Premium (custom wood or wrought iron): $500-$2,000+. Professional installation: add $100-$500. DIY: $100-$300 in lumber for a basic wood arbor. Most popular: a cedar kit arbor in the $150-$350 range.

What is the difference between an arbor and a pergola?

Arbor: smaller (6-8 ft tall, 3-6 ft wide). Typically a passageway or gateway. Designed for one or two people to walk through. Often has an arched top. Cost: $75-$500. Pergola: larger (8-12 ft tall, 10-20 ft wide). Covers a patio, deck, or seating area. Designed to shelter a gathering space. Flat-top with rafters. Cost: $2,000-$10,000+. Think of it this way: you walk through an arbor, you sit under a pergola. They overlap when an arbor gets very large or a pergola has a narrow walkthrough design.

Can I build a trellis myself?

Yes. One of the easiest garden DIY projects. Simple fan trellis: 5 stakes fanned and tied. 30 minutes. $5-$10 in materials. Lattice trellis: 1x2 or 1x3 lumber. Cut pieces. Screw together in a grid pattern. 2-4 hours. $20-$50 in materials. Cattle panel trellis: buy a 16 ft cattle panel at a farm store ($20-$30). Cut to size. Attach to posts. Incredibly strong and lasts 10+ years. Tips: use exterior screws. Cedar or pressure-treated lumber for longevity. Pre-drill to prevent splitting.

What are the best climbing plants for a trellis?

Fast-growing annuals: morning glory (full sun). Sweet pea (cool weather). Nasturtium (easy, edible). Perennials: clematis (many varieties, flowers for months). Climbing hydrangea (shade-tolerant). Trumpet vine (attracts hummingbirds). Edible: beans (pole beans grow 6-8 ft). Cucumbers. Grapes (need strong support). Privacy: Virginia creeper (fast, fall color). Ivy (evergreen). Honeysuckle (fragrant). For arbors specifically: climbing roses (classic). Wisteria (dramatic but heavy, needs strong support). Jasmine (fragrant).

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Arbor & Trellis Guide: Types, Cost & DIY Ideas

Lumberama Editorial Team, Garden Structure & Landscape Design Specialists Nov 25, 2026 7 min read

Arbors vs Trellises

Arbor: A freestanding arched or flat-topped structure that creates a passageway or gateway. Typically 6-8 ft tall, 3-6 ft wide. Often placed at garden entrances, walkways, or over gates. Supports climbing plants.

Trellis: A flat framework of lattice or grid for climbing plants. Typically mounted on a wall, fence, or freestanding. Can be any size (2 ft to 8+ ft tall). Used for decoration, privacy, and plant support.

Key difference: An arbor is a walkthrough structure. A trellis is a flat support panel. They're often combined (an arbor with trellis side panels).

Types & Materials

Wood: Cedar: naturally rot-resistant, beautiful grain. Cost: $100-$500 (arbor), $30-$150 (trellis). Lifespan: 15-20 years. Pressure-treated: affordable, durable. Cost: $75-$300 (arbor), $20-$80 (trellis). Lifespan: 15-25 years. Redwood: premium, naturally rot-resistant. Cost: $200-$600 (arbor).

Vinyl: Low maintenance, white or light colors. Cost: $100-$400 (arbor), $30-$100 (trellis). Lifespan: 20-30 years. Won't rot or need staining.

Metal: Wrought iron: classic, elegant, heavy. Cost: $100-$500 (arbor), $30-$200 (trellis). Steel/aluminum: modern, lightweight. Cost: $50-$300 (arbor).

Arbor styles: Gothic arch: pointed arch, romantic. Round arch: classic. Flat top: modern, simple. Pagoda: Asian-inspired. With gate: entrance to garden. With bench: seating area.

Cost

Arbors: Budget (wood or metal kit): $75-$200. Mid-range (cedar, vinyl): $200-$500. Premium (custom wood, iron): $500-$2,000+. Professional installation: add $100-$500.

Trellises: Small wall-mount: $15-$50. Standard freestanding (4-6 ft): $30-$150. Large/custom: $100-$500. Fan trellis: $10-$30. Obelisk: $30-$100.

DIY savings: A simple wood trellis can be built for $20-$50 in materials. A basic arbor: $100-$300 in lumber. DIY time: trellis (2-4 hours), arbor (1-2 days).

Best Climbing Plants

Fast-growing: Clematis: flowers in many colors. Morning glory: annual, vigorous. Sweet pea: fragrant, annual.

Classic: Climbing roses: fragrant, thorny. Wisteria: dramatic blooms (heavy, needs strong support). Jasmine: fragrant, evergreen in warm climates.

Edible: Grapes: fruit and shade. Beans: fast, productive. Cucumbers: great on a trellis. Tomatoes: indeterminate varieties.

Privacy: Virginia creeper: fast, fall color. Ivy: evergreen, dense. Honeysuckle: fragrant, attracts hummingbirds.