DuraTrel Camelot Trellis

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Summary

General Information

Tools Required

Lists the necessary tools for assembling the trellis.

Installation Options

Option 1 (soft ground)

Method for installing the trellis in soft ground conditions.

Option 2 (hard ground)

Method for installing the trellis in hard ground conditions.

Option 3 (permanent installation)

Method for permanent installation using cement.

This document outlines the assembly, usage, and maintenance of the DuraTrel Camelot Trellis, Model #11140 (M). It is designed to be a durable and aesthetically pleasing addition to any garden or outdoor space, providing support for climbing plants or serving as a decorative element.

Function Description

The DuraTrel Camelot Trellis is primarily designed to provide a structure for climbing plants, allowing them to grow vertically and display their foliage and flowers effectively. Its robust construction ensures stability and longevity in various outdoor conditions. Beyond its functional role in supporting plant growth, the trellis also serves as a decorative architectural feature, enhancing the visual appeal of gardens, patios, or other landscape areas. It can be used as a standalone element, integrated into a planter box, or even combined with other structures to create an arbor. The design features multiple cross rails and vertical rails, creating a grid-like pattern that offers ample points of contact for plants to intertwine and ascend. The inclusion of ground anchors ensures secure installation, preventing the trellis from shifting or toppling due to wind or the weight of mature plants.

Usage Features

The assembly process for the Camelot Trellis is designed to be straightforward, requiring common household tools such as a battery or electric drill with a #2 Phillips bit, PVC, super, or crazy glue, a hammer or rubber mallet, and a straight blade screwdriver (if combining with a planter). The instructions are clearly laid out with numbered steps and corresponding diagrams, guiding the user through each stage of construction.

Assembly Steps:

Laying out the Right Post: Begin by laying out the right post (part 2) and inserting the bottom cross rail (part 4) and center cross rails (part 3) starting from 6 inches from the bottom.
Attaching the Left Post: Slide the left post (part 1) over the corresponding cross rails, ensuring a snug fit.
Inserting Vertical Rails: Insert the 58-inch vertical rail (part 5) through the center hole of the cross rails. Subsequently, insert the 55-inch vertical rails (part 6) through the remaining holes.
Securing Components: Once all parts are fully inserted into the posts, use the provided ¾-inch painted screws to screw the trellis together. It is crucial to ensure all components are properly seated before securing them.
Adding Caps: Apply PVC, super, or crazy glue to attach the post caps onto the posts and the arrowhead caps onto the vertical rails, providing a finished look and protecting the rail ends.

Installation Options: The trellis offers three distinct installation methods to accommodate different ground conditions and desired levels of permanence:

Option 1 (Soft Ground): This method involves sliding one 16-inch ground anchor into the bottom of each post, then sliding it up to the bottom cross rail. Two 1-inch self-tapping screws per post are used to secure the post to the ground anchor, with one screw on each opposite side. The trellis is then pushed into the ground. This method can also be used for hard ground if the area is thoroughly drenched with water beforehand.
Option 2 (Hard Ground): For hard ground, measure and mark the ground according to the trellis dimensions. Pound the 16-inch ground anchors into the ground, leaving about 4 inches exposed. A block of wood should be used to prevent cracking the ground anchor during this process. The trellis is then slid over the exposed ground anchors, and two 1-inch self-tapping screws per post are used to secure the post to the ground anchor, similar to Option 1.
Option 3 (Permanent Installation): This option provides the most secure installation. Holes, 12 inches deep, are dug according to the trellis dimensions. Wet cement is poured into the holes, and the 16-inch ground anchors are placed into the wet cement. It is critical to ensure the ground anchors are straight and aligned with the trellis posts. After the cement dries, the trellis is slid over the ground anchors, and two 1-inch self-tapping screws per post are used to secure the post to the ground anchor. This method requires precision due to the limited room for error once the cement sets.

Combining with a Planter Box: The trellis can be combined with a Model #11124 Large Planter Box to create a planter trellis. This involves popping off two 2-inch square post caps from one long side of the planter using a straight blade screwdriver. The trellis is then slid over the planter legs. Two 1-inch painted self-tapping screws from the trellis ground anchor kit (part 8) are used to fasten the trellis to the planter, creating a cohesive unit for plant display.

Maintenance Features

The DuraTrel Camelot Trellis is designed for low maintenance, thanks to its PVC construction. The material is inherently resistant to common issues that plague traditional wood trellises.

Warranty and Durability: The product comes with a 20-year guarantee, reflecting the manufacturer's confidence in its durability. This warranty covers manufacturing defects that result in delaminating, peeling, flaking, corroding, cracking, crazing, or extreme amounts of fading or bleaching that cause the PVC to change from its natural color. This extensive warranty period significantly reduces the need for frequent repairs or replacements due to material degradation.

Cleaning: The PVC material is easy to clean. Regular cleaning with water and a mild detergent can help maintain its appearance and prevent the buildup of dirt, grime, or mildew. Unlike wood, PVC does not require painting, staining, or sealing, eliminating these common maintenance tasks.

Resistance to Environmental Factors: The trellis is designed to withstand various environmental stressors. Its PVC construction makes it resistant to:

Delaminating, peeling, flaking, corroding, cracking, and crazing: These issues are common in materials like wood or metal but are specifically addressed by the PVC material.
Fading or bleaching: While normal weathering will cause any colored surface to gradually fade over time, the warranty covers extreme amounts of fading or bleaching that alter the natural color of the PVC.
Mildew: PVC is less susceptible to mildew growth compared to porous materials, simplifying cleaning and preventing unsightly discoloration.
Pests: Unlike wood, PVC is not susceptible to insect infestations or rot, which are significant maintenance concerns for wooden structures.

Conditions Not Covered by Warranty (and thus potential maintenance considerations): While the trellis is robust, certain conditions are not covered by the warranty, highlighting areas where user care can extend the product's life:

Physical abuse, misuse, neglect, or improper storage: Users should handle the trellis with care during assembly and installation, and store it properly if disassembled.
Improper installation: Adhering strictly to the provided assembly instructions is crucial to ensure the trellis's stability and longevity.
Painting, varnishing, or coating: Applying any substance to the materials voids the warranty, indicating that the PVC is designed to perform optimally in its natural state.
Damage during shipping: While the manufacturer is not responsible for shipping damage, users should inspect the product upon arrival and report any issues promptly.
Damage attributable to atmospheric pollutants, hail, lightning, hurricane, tornado, wind-borne objects, earthquake, fire, casualty, act of God, building or ground settlement, or subjection to stress or weight: While the trellis is designed for outdoor use, extreme natural events or excessive stress/weight beyond its design capacity can cause damage. Users should ensure the trellis is not subjected to undue stress or weight, such as excessively heavy climbing plants without adequate support, or impacts from heavy objects.

In summary, the DuraTrel Camelot Trellis offers a low-maintenance solution for garden enhancement and plant support, primarily requiring proper initial assembly and installation, occasional cleaning, and protection from extreme physical stress or environmental events not covered by its robust warranty.