Free Arbor Designs – Use Sketchup 3D Warehouse

Arbor designs are rather simple, and so unlike many other backyard structures you might be looking to build, often the plans are available for little to no money. Free arbor designs won’t have all the bells and whistles of course, but then again it’s usually the vines we train up on the arbor that make for the real decoration. The arbor itself just needs to be sturdy, and not an eyesore that will detract from the plants that adorn it.

In some cases though, arbors are used more like pergolas in that they are meant to provide aesthetic value with their structure, rather than serve as a trellis. (Though of course, sometimes pergolas are used as trellises as well!) In these cases, you should spend more time looking for a well designed arbor, rather than settle for a simple yet functional one.

Using Google Sketchup to Design Your Own Arbor

One way to go about getting free arbor designs is to design them yourself. This might seem like a difficult task, but it can be rather simple if you have the right tools. Most people aren’t well versed in CAD design, but there is an option for the layman. That option is Google Sketchup.

The great thing about Sketchup is how easy it is to learn, and then to create geometric structures. Google even has an online repository called 3D Warehouse for sketches that other users have created. You can browse through and use ones you like as a starting point or just look at them for inspiration for your own design ideas. There are hundreds of arbor and pergola models already available, and all for free!

If you can’t find something suitable, you can easily download a model that is close to what you want, and then extend upon it or modify it to fit your needs. This can be done in a matter of minutes in some cases, though extensive modifications are likely to take much longer. Certainly there is a bit of a learning curve there, but it’s rather simple compared to most drawing and CAD programs.

Drawbacks to Using Sketchup to Design Structures

While Google Sketchup is rather easy to use, the free version is missing some things which make professional tools more useful to advanced users. There is a paid version of Sketchup that includes more tools and features, but even then it’s not going to be as useful as a professional CAD studio.

However, for most users Sketchup will be just the right blend of ease of use, and useful features. It’s free to download, so why not give it a try?

• Arbor Designs

  • Arched Arbor Designs
  • Eco Arbor Designs
  • Fence Arbor Designs
  • Free Arbor Designs
  • Garden Arbor Designs
  • Gate Arbor Designs
  • Grape Arbor Designs
  • Japanese Arbor Designs
  • Rustic Arbor Designs
  • Simple Arbor Designs
  • Wedding Arbor Designs

• Arbor Construction Materials

  • Metal Arbors
  • Vinyl Arbors
  • Wooden Arbors

• Uses for Arbors

  • Arbors as Shade Canopies
  • Arbors as Trellises
  • Arbors for Decks
  • Arbors for Gardens