Sorry, but I can't see a bit of rebar on each leg ever being strong enough to support a heavy timber arch with a climber on it. First windy day and it would be cowped, as it would be really top heavy. It's why I suggested the metal spikes. They're at least reasonably sturdy.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
This is what I was thinking... You could do something similar using a steel spike as suggested if the post can sit far enough into the socket to be secure.
Thank you for the helpful diagram owd potter! I'm not sure I have adequate equipment to do the half jointing bit, would this be something I could get made to measure somewhere? If so, this would be ideal. Thanks all for other suggestions, if this isn't something I can get hold of I think in the morning I'll try putting it a few feet in front of the steps as suggested and use metal spikes to keep the height as much as possible. Unfortunately, I've put it all together so I don't think they'd accept a return
Hi Erasha. It's a relatively simple but strong joint requiring a hand saw and woodchisel to create. I would think that you could get a saw mill or timbers merchant to cut the joints onto the post extensions, problem is that you need to create the mating side onto the arch legs. On reflection I think I would set the posts into concrete too, rather than drive them as spikes. Either way use treated timber in the ground Best of luck...
Is there nowhere else you can sight the arch @Erasha? I appreciate this is what you'd set out to do, but if it doesn't work with the steps because of the height, you're always compromising, and the important thing is to have it secure. @owd potter's suggestion is excellent because the back half is secured to the steps, but any joint is a weak point, and these things are very heavy. There's also nothing worse than a randomly plonked arch, so they always need careful siting so that they fit well with their surroundings, and connect to the planting/hard landscaping nearby. It's worth thinking about it for a little while longer. The only other alternative is to buy another one, secure that on the patio at the top of the steps, and then link the two arches with timber to give a pergola/walkway look. However, that's an expensive option, it may not suit your purpose, and you'd still need to check the height at the bottom would work.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The legs of the arch look as though they are around 3inches square. What you could do is bolt extra legs on to the sides of the existing legs. Make them as long as you wish - I would reckon you would need to concrete them in about 18 inches and overlap the existing legs by about 24 inches. That way you can set the arch just out from the steps if you wish. Or if you want it hard up against the wall, bolt the back two legs on to the wall and make extensions only for the front two legs. Planting will soon cover the tops of the new posts.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
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First windy day and it would be cowped, as it would be really top heavy.
It's why I suggested the metal spikes. They're at least reasonably sturdy.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You could do something similar using a steel spike as suggested if the post can sit far enough into the socket to be secure.
It's a relatively simple but strong joint requiring a hand saw and woodchisel to create. I would think that you could get a saw mill or timbers merchant to cut the joints onto the post extensions, problem is that you need to create the mating side onto the arch legs.
On reflection I think I would set the posts into concrete too, rather than drive them as spikes.
Either way use treated timber in the ground
Best of luck...
I appreciate this is what you'd set out to do, but if it doesn't work with the steps because of the height, you're always compromising, and the important thing is to have it secure. @owd potter's suggestion is excellent because the back half is secured to the steps, but any joint is a weak point, and these things are very heavy.
There's also nothing worse than a randomly plonked arch, so they always need careful siting so that they fit well with their surroundings, and connect to the planting/hard landscaping nearby. It's worth thinking about it for a little while longer.
The only other alternative is to buy another one, secure that on the patio at the top of the steps, and then link the two arches with timber to give a pergola/walkway look.
However, that's an expensive option, it may not suit your purpose, and you'd still need to check the height at the bottom would work.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...