How to Build a Copper Trellis Design
The beauty of a copper trellis design gets even more beautiful as each year passes by. Copper is an appealing material because of its distinct color. The color does however change with exposure to the elements as time passes, it eventually will turn to a greenish color as it ages. Many people like it even more because it will then blend with the plants and flowers in its surrounding. When determining if a copper structure is going to be the best choice for your garden, consider how much maintenance and up keeping a material is going to need. Copper is like most other metals which means, it is very durable and will require no maintenance even with many years of providing support for plants and flowers.
In order to assemble most copper trellises you will need a few specialized tools including a soldering torch and pipe cutters. Both tools are easy to master so don’t get discouraged now. Always sketch out a trellis design before purchasing the garden and landscaping supplies needed. You can find free plans for copper trellis designs and other outdoor structures online. Some plans even tell you exactly what supplies you will need to purchase for the project. Alternatively, you can purchase do-it-yourself trellis kits complete with parts and accessories. It is actually fairly inexpensive to build your own copper trellis. Once you have the tools the supplies will be your only expense for any other projects you wish to do in the future. Don’t forget to purchase any t-shaped and elbow-shaped pieces needed for your design. These pieces will make it easier to assemble your project.
Begin by first cutting the copper pipes to size. Take your time and allow the tool to do the work. If you hurry, it could crimp the pipe, making it impossible to use. As you rotate the cutter around the pipe it will begin by scoring the pipe and then eventually cutting through. If you design plan has curves then you will want to do this after cutting. Plumping copper pipes are a little more difficult to bend so you may want to use copper refrigerator coils instead. The material is much softer and can easily be bent into any shape you wish for your design. Keep in mind that once a pipe is bent you will not be able to straighten it back out so take your time and don’t rush the prepping process.
Next you will need a metal or nylon cleaning pad to scour the end of each pipe, about one inch or so. Separate the pipes according to which section they will fit into. Put on some rubber or latex gloves and protective glasses before beginning the next step. You will also want to set yourself up in an open and well ventilated area before you begin soldering and handling the flux. Brush a small amount of flux-a solution on the end that you plan to solder into a fitting. The flux will make the bonds between the pipes and joints much stronger.
Start by assembling the base of the structure first and then work your way up. Make sure you place the pipe and adjust it accordingly before you begin soldering. Try to also begin with the longest pieces which are usually the ones that will provide the main support for all of the other parts. Once the skeleton or backbone of the structure has been soldered you can then begin with the smaller more decorative pieces. Overall, working with copper is very forgiving and any excess solder that is still soft can easily be wiped off with a damp cloth made of cotton.
Soldering is not difficult but it does require a propane torch so if you have never used one of these before it is best to find someone who has so they can show you the proper way to use one. For best results, move the flame evenly back and forth over the joint you are soldering. Take you time to slowly work with each joint and always allow the area to dry and cool before you try to handle it. The joints do not have to be watertight for outdoor structures so you won’t have to worry about that for this project. Once all of the pieces are in place and soldered you should try to stand it upright to make sure the piece is level. It doesn’t have to be perfect especially if this is your first experience working with copper piping.
Installing your finished copper trellis is fairly simple. You can use a piece of rebar to hold it up. If you do this, drive the rebar about 18 inches into the ground and then attach the structure directly to it. You can also attach the trellis to other nearby structures like a fence or wall. This will prevent it from tipping over with the weight of plants later. If you followed the instructions carefully and if your final product is sturdy and stable then you should have no problems with stability later once the structure is installed correctly and in use.