Hinged Trellis
By: Nexstar Staff
Updated: February 3, 2012
Materials needed:
Two 4X4s for posts
2 hinges
Wood screws
Sheet of lattice (cut to fit the size you need)
1X2s
Corner brackets
Hook and eye set
Vines that climb by twining (honeysuckle, clematis, jasmine, etc.)
Tools needed:
Post hole digger
Drill
String level
String
Miter cutter
Tape measure
Pencil
Screwdriver
A trellis is a great way to add climbing vines to your landscape. But sometimes it isn't feasible to have a permanently installed trellis where you are trying to grow vines. A hinged trellis allows you to have all the benefits of vines, but with the added benefit of being able to move the trellis so that you can access what is behind it without damaging your delicate plants.
Instructions for building a hinged trellis
Set your posts. Dig the holes for the posts. Set the 4X4s in the holes. It's very important that the front faces of the posts are parallel. You can check this by running a string across the faces and using it as a guide line to make sure the faces are where they should be. In addition, the tops of the posts should be at the same height. You can check this by using a string level. Run the string across the tops of the two posts, with the string level hanging between them. Then read it as you would a regular level.
Build the trellis border. Miter the ends of the 1X2s so that they form a frame around the trellis. This will be used not only for decoration, but also as support for the hinges.
Attach the border to the trellis. You should always pre-drill your holes when working with lattice. Also, be sure and drive the screws in from the back of the trellis, so that the heads won't show. Firm the trellis up by installing the corner brackets.
Mount the hinges. Measure the distance between the centers of the two posts. Subtract that number from the overall length of the trellis. Divide this number by 2. The answer tells you how many inches from each end you should mount the hinges to the trellis. Center the hinges at this point.
Install the hook and eye. Doing this now will provide support for the trellis when you are attaching it to the posts.
Mount the trellis on the posts. Make sure that you center the hinges on the posts, then screw them into place.
Plant the vines. Make sure you use vines that climb by twining, and that do not have "woody" stems. This will allow you to lay the trellis down without damaging the stems of the plants. Go ahead and weave the plants through the lattice work to get them started.
Two 4X4s for posts
2 hinges
Wood screws
Sheet of lattice (cut to fit the size you need)
1X2s
Corner brackets
Hook and eye set
Vines that climb by twining (honeysuckle, clematis, jasmine, etc.)
Tools needed:
Post hole digger
Drill
String level
String
Miter cutter
Tape measure
Pencil
Screwdriver
A trellis is a great way to add climbing vines to your landscape. But sometimes it isn't feasible to have a permanently installed trellis where you are trying to grow vines. A hinged trellis allows you to have all the benefits of vines, but with the added benefit of being able to move the trellis so that you can access what is behind it without damaging your delicate plants.
Instructions for building a hinged trellis
Set your posts. Dig the holes for the posts. Set the 4X4s in the holes. It's very important that the front faces of the posts are parallel. You can check this by running a string across the faces and using it as a guide line to make sure the faces are where they should be. In addition, the tops of the posts should be at the same height. You can check this by using a string level. Run the string across the tops of the two posts, with the string level hanging between them. Then read it as you would a regular level.
Build the trellis border. Miter the ends of the 1X2s so that they form a frame around the trellis. This will be used not only for decoration, but also as support for the hinges.
Attach the border to the trellis. You should always pre-drill your holes when working with lattice. Also, be sure and drive the screws in from the back of the trellis, so that the heads won't show. Firm the trellis up by installing the corner brackets.
Mount the hinges. Measure the distance between the centers of the two posts. Subtract that number from the overall length of the trellis. Divide this number by 2. The answer tells you how many inches from each end you should mount the hinges to the trellis. Center the hinges at this point.
Install the hook and eye. Doing this now will provide support for the trellis when you are attaching it to the posts.
Mount the trellis on the posts. Make sure that you center the hinges on the posts, then screw them into place.
Plant the vines. Make sure you use vines that climb by twining, and that do not have "woody" stems. This will allow you to lay the trellis down without damaging the stems of the plants. Go ahead and weave the plants through the lattice work to get them started.
