How to make garden arches with your own hands - the best decoration of a summer cottage

General recommendations

How to start making a pergola?

Option selection

In order to master the construction of a pergola with your own hands, first of all you need to look at different design options:

• it can be in the form of a canopy, attached to the house or as a separate structure (like a gazebo);
• the roof can be made in the traditional style (square or rectangular), pointed, arched, inclined or as a promenade structure;
• the pergola itself can be built in the Japanese style or in the form of a rotunda, someone likes the corner options (some of the easiest to build with your own hands);
• style solutions can also be chosen different: country, high-tech, modern, east, chalet, half-timbered, etc.

You also need to decide on the material. Everything will depend on your skills and finances. Stone and forged structures are among the most fashionable, sought-after and beautiful options. However, they are mostly made to order by professionals. If you are not a bricklayer or a blacksmith, it is better not to tackle such complex structures. The best option is a tree. It is easy to process, looks rich, allows you to add some zest to the building. Metal is harder to work with.

Pergolas:

Related article: Pergolas in landscape design

Preparation

The next step is the selection of the scheme. Much depends on your skills and abilities. If you have worked with wood or metal before, if this is not your first experience in construction, it will not be difficult to assemble a pergola with your own hands. Someone doesn't even need step-by-step instructions. But beginners should still find a detailed algorithm of actions.

When you finally have what you want in your head, calculate how much material you need, what tools and fasteners you will need to use. Always take an order of magnitude more. As practice shows, let it be better to be superfluous than to go several times to look for something in the shops.

A general list of tools that can be useful for the construction of a wooden pergola:

• manual drill;
• drill and drill for wood;
• pencil / marker;
• paint brushes;
• hammer;
• fine-grained sandpaper / sander;
• hand saw for wood / jigsaw;
• plumb line;
• roulette;
• chisel;
• clamps;
• square;
• building level;
• screwdriver.

Tools for building a metal pergola:

• welding machine;
• Bulgarian;
• building level;
• roulette;
• square;
• pencil / marker;
• shovel;
• galvanized wire.

Seat selection

Tips from landscape designers for placing a gazebo in the garden:

• the pergola in the middle of the site does not look - it is better to choose a place on the edge;
• an excellent option for a small garden would be an extension to the house in the form of a visor;
• for those who want to build a full-fledged gazebo with a barbecue and a table with their own hands, you can choose a corner near the wall or fence, in the shade of large trees;
• it can be an arch for registration of the transition from one zone of the site to another (along a path or alley);
• if there are already climbing plants on the site that lack support, it will be logical to erect a supporting structure next to them;
• you may need to create shading over a car park or playground - in this case, a pergola will also be an excellent solution to the problem.

Try to guess that the weather will be mostly sunny during the work. Always keep in mind the risk of rain in order to protect the material from it (store under a canopy or cover with a water-repellent film).

Features of pergolas attached to the house

The pergolas adjacent to the house are open summer terraces. One part of the beams rests on holders mounted on the wall of the house, the other on beams lying on the support pillars. There are several ways to attach them to the wall. You see the first one in the photo below: a support bar is nailed to the wall, the landing nests are cut out in nm.Additionally, the strength of the connection is provided by corners, which are fixed on both sides.

Beams rest on one side of the pillars, the other on the wall of the building

The second way - special stops are mounted on the wall: steel plates of the corresponding shape.

Fastening beams to the wall

The main construction steps are similar, but have some nuances:

1. Mark the locations of the posts and install them. The pillars are installed at some distance from the house, equal to the width (depth) of the terrace-pergola. The second part of the marking is made on the wall of the house - the second ends of the auxiliary beams are installed there. In the same place, either a support bar or plates are fixed.
2. Attach two boards or a support bar from above to the exposed pillars.
3. Lay auxiliary beams on them, which are attached to the support on the wall with one side.

Everything. What you should get as a result is shown in the picture below.

Schematic representation of an attached pergola from above

You can watch the sequence of actions during the construction of a pergola adjacent to the wall in the following video

On the same type, but with a roof they build verandas. How - read here.

How to make a wooden arch for a garden

An arch, independently made of wood, will look harmonious in a garden of any style. If you wish, you can pick up a garden set for it, thereby creating an ensemble of fences, gazebos, pergolas. Wood as a material is characterized by a relatively short service life, therefore, for the manufacture of wooden pergolas and arches, it is recommended to use sustainable types of wood - larch, cedar. In their absence, the structure can be made of pine or spruce, birch, fir, and before installation, treated with an antiseptic and antiprene, additionally painted or covered with stain, varnish. The reliability of the connections of individual elements is achieved by using screws or dowels, high-quality installation will provide fasteners on steel pin supports.

To make a wooden arch yourself you will need:

• 4 pillars 2-3 m high, with a section of 100x100 mm;
• 2 side beams 0.7-1 m long, with a section of 75x75 mm;
• 2 crossbeams 1.2-1.5 m long, with a section of 20x200 mm.

Pillars are installed in pre-dug pits 0.5-1 m deep, at a distance equal to the length of the side beams and crossbars. To keep the structure securely in the soil, it is recommended that the pillars be concreted. Before concreting the pillars, their part, which will be dug into the pit, should be coated with bitumen and wrapped with roofing material. During the installation of the pillars, one should not forget to check their verticality with the building level. After installing the vertical supports, transverse beams are attached to them, to which, in turn, the crossbeams are attached.

Using this principle of building an arch, you can make bamboo or wicker decorative structures and pergolas from wood. Arches are traditionally used as supports for vertical gardening. Climbing annuals and perennials are planted next to them. In addition, pots with ampelous plants are used for their landscaping. They are usually decorated with structures until the planted vines grow.

How to make an arch from a profile pipe (video)

Self-manufacturing technology:

• trimming the edges of three-meter and four-meter bars at an angle;
• making a spike in the end part of the beams with a thickness of 5 cm and a height of 9 cm;
• processing of all elements of wood with a primer, followed by painting or varnishing;
• marking at the selected place of the rectangle 260x300 cm;
• installation of marking wooden pegs in the corners;
• drilling in accordance with the marking of half-meter holes for the installation of support beams;
• installation of beams, leveling of supports in height by means of a level and a rope;
• preparation of cement mortar and pouring of support posts;
• installation of four-meter beams on spikes on both sides of the racks;
• drilling through holes in the beams and fixing the fasteners on the racks;
• measurements of the upper part of the pergola for the purpose of uniform installation of nine three-meter bars in the form of crossbars;
• fixing the crossbars with fasteners.

Inside the finished pergola, as a rule, items of wicker or moisture-resistant furniture are installed, and vines or curly decorative crops are planted around the perimeter of the building, which will serve as spectacular shading.

Inside the finished pergola, as a rule, items of wicker or moisture-resistant furniture are installed.

How to make a pergola with your own hands

What is needed

Making a pergola from wood requires the following tools and materials:

• hammer;
• chisel;
• self-tapping screws;
• drill;
• hacksaw for wood;
• roulette;
• level;
• clamps;
• Boer;
• timber, slats;
• metal staples;
• cement;
• sand;
• roof kit (sail, mounts, rope);
• glue;
• bolts;
• metal bases;
• primer;
• screws.

Preparation

Before starting construction work, draw up a plan that will reflect the layout of the pergolas and planting roses (and / or other liana-like plants that need support).

To install, select an area with fertile soil, because the plants will need to receive the necessary nutrition. Or prepare a fertile layer 60 cm in size. Plant perennials at such a distance from each other that they do not interfere with the wind around them, preventing moisture stagnation and the spread of diseases.

Pergolas are a decorative element designed to create a single style space. You cannot design a high-tech crate if your garden is a pastoral idyll.

Think about which object the wooden pergola you are creating should lead to: the entrance to the room, the fountain or the original sculptural composition.

It will be useful to read:

Floral arches in garden design
The garden arch will help to add elegance to the space surrounding the house. Visually, it creates an interesting focus, ...

The ways

This article will help you answer the question of how to make pergolas for roses with your own hands.

So, here is a step-by-step instruction on how to easily make a pergola with your own hands.

1. 1. Before you start making a pergola from wood, dig holes (according to the number of posts in the pergola) 80 cm deep in order to secure the bases of the posts.
   2. Remember that the minimum construction width must be 150 cm!
   3. Prepare the molds for the formwork, fill them with cement and place metal tips in them (you can do without metal tips and place the base beam in the cement right away).
   4. We give a couple of days for the cement to set.
   5. We fasten the timber to the tip with screws.
   6. Fasten wooden beams (beams) with screws or self-tapping screws so that sharp corners form at their junction. This is necessary so that the plants can hold.

1. We lay horizontal supporting beams: we simply screw them with screws / connect with metal plates / cut out special grooves in the support posts / use two edged boards instead of a horizontal beam, which are easily attached to the supports with self-tapping screws.
2. With the help of slats, connecting them crosswise or forming another pattern, we make a crate.
3. Cover all wooden elements of the pergola with a primer.

Nuances

When installing a pergola in the country with your own hands, remember the basic principles of this procedure:

• The pergola should give the impression of lightness, weightlessness, delicacy, regardless of the material from which it was made.
• Consider the size of your site and the size of the planned pergola: a small one does not belong in a large garden and vice versa.
• A pergola with your own hands should be strong, because climbing plants quickly increase their mass and become quite heavy. In addition, it must not bend or break under the snow.

• The height of the entire structure should be no more than 250 cm.
• Try to factor in the direction of the winds.
• In late autumn, winter and early spring, the supports of the structure will be decorated only with dark stems of plants, and therefore make sure in advance that all the details of the structure have a presentable appearance and do not spoil the appearance of the garden.
• Wooden pergolas, as well as metal buildings, need to be systematically treated with antiseptics, preventing wood decay (after all, plants need constant watering) and metal corrosion.

Pergola sections do not have to be made of wood with your own hands. You can save time and buy ready-made elements at a garden or hardware store and assemble the structure yourself. There is also a system for ordering ready-made pergolas from specialists.

In principle, it is not so important whether you make this jewelry yourself or buy it. The main thing is that it matches your wishes and site design

Enjoy your garden troubles!

What do you need to make a garden arch from wood?

You will need 4 beams with a square section of 1 x 10 cm, two boards, 4 three-meter slats for openwork walls. The wood should not be damp, otherwise, over time, the arch will warp.

To make a semicircular top, you need a cardboard template. Along its entire length, 4 bars are attached, which form half of an octagon.

Then, using a jigsaw, you need to cut the corners, thereby rounding off the workpiece. You can cut arcs from a solid sheet of plywood.

It remains to collect all the elements of the arch: the base, the posts, two semicircular tops, a rack grille on the side walls and the upper part. To prevent the arch from being blown away by the wind, you need to fix the base with anchors or in another way.

Now it's about planting greenery, which will soon grow around the entire structure. A quick result in landscaping can be achieved with ivy or maiden hail wine.

Openwork garden arches for flowers and plants are made of thin slats and racks. In such designs, the shape of the top is unimportant. The main thing is that they serve as a support for greenery. After fouling, slats and timber may generally be invisible to it.

An arch made of round logs will look interesting. All of them must be the same length, but the cross-sectional diameter may be different.

The thickest logs are cut in half lengthwise and stacked in rows on one side and the other of the path. They will serve as the foundation and must be securely fastened.

The second row of already round logs is attached to the first row in a checkerboard pattern. You can fix it with long screws. This is how both sides of the arch grow upward. A rounding at the top is gradually formed.

Stone and brick arches are heavy structures. To fasten them together, it is necessary to use a concrete mixture.

Such a structure cannot be made independently, especially if it has a complex shape. We'll have to use the services of a professional bricklayer.

But such an arch will be built for centuries, and after it is overgrown with moss, it will resemble a fortress wall.

Step-by-step instructions for creating a pergola

Construction of a wooden structure

The use of wood is a classic version of the pergola. In this case, you will need to purchase cross and support beams, wooden posts, crossbars, you will also need adjustable anchors, self-tapping screws of various diameters, formwork and cement mortar.

The work begins with the designation of the outline of the building being erected. The base is made pointwise, for which they mark the site and dig holes in the corners for laying the formwork. The base is concreted and support anchors are inserted into the slightly set concrete.

Only after the concrete has completely hardened can the installation of wooden racks be started. All such bars and racks are installed strictly vertically in level.The posts should be fastened with hex screws and anchors, which are fixed to the base of the structure you are making.

At the next stage of work, support beams are installed. Such beams can be made from various lumber. You can use block house, curly or roof beams. The support beams should protrude about 30 centimeters beyond the perimeter of the completed structure. They are aligned horizontally and fixed with clamps. You should also drill through holes at the joints of the racks with the beams and additionally reinforce the structure with metal bolts.

Then transverse beams are placed, which are mounted at a distance of approximately 30 centimeters from each other. For their attachment at the ends of the beams, small cuts and guides are made for fixing with anchors or self-tapping screws.

To increase the strength of the completed structure, cross beams should be used, in which the required number of holes are drilled and fixed with long self-tapping screws.

We make a pergola from plastic and metal

Variants of arches are popular, for the construction of which plastic and metal were used. Such structures have a modern and original appearance, so they will be relevant for personal plots, on which the main structure was erected in a modern style.

All construction work is not difficult, you just need to have basic skills in working with welding machines. The connection of all structural elements is carried out by welding, which ensures the necessary strength and durability of the erected open structure.

For construction, you will need the following tools and materials:

• Welding inverter.
• Building level.
• Cement.
• Profile pipe.
• Paints and varnishes.
• Used metal profiled pipes.

All work on the construction of a pergola made of metal and plastic can be divided into several stages.

At the first stage, the parts used are manufactured. You need to cut parts from shaped pipes and metal profiles in full accordance with the existing design documentation, and make a wooden lathing. Manufactured metal parts are treated with special anti-corrosion compounds and painted.

At the second stage, the construction of the pergola is carried out directly, for which support pillars are equipped, which are concreted into the ground to a depth of at least 50 centimeters. After the concrete has hardened and the support is fixed, you can start welding the beams and rafters. Remember only that such work can be started only after the concrete has completely hardened, in which the bearing supports are fixed. It will also be useful to additionally strengthen the structure by installing stiffeners.

Metal pergola and plastic can be made in the form of an open canopy or with a light roof made of plastic. Such a design will not only create shade and allow you to comfortably relax in the open air, but also protect from precipitation, so you can use the pergola from spring to late autumn.

We build a structure from wood

Algorithm for constructing a pergola from wood:

1. According to the drawing, we make markings on our site, marking the parameters of the pergola with pegs.

2. In the places of the peg, you need to dig 4 holes for the support pillars up to 60 cm deep.

3. We install pillars in the pits and fill them with concrete or other bonding mortar. The height of the supports is according to the drawing.

4. We are waiting for the complete drying of the solution and attach the horizontal support beams (50 to 150 mm). The edges of the beams need to be rounded with a jigsaw. Fastening is carried out with screws (screwdriver).

5. Now let's get to the crossbars. We set the required dimensions using a tape measure and cut out the grooves for inserting the crossbars into the support beams. We design the edges of the crossbars according to our idea - they can be curly or simply cut obliquely. The size of the beams is the same as the beams - 50 x 150 mm.

6. On top of the crossbars, we install the top rails (50 by 150 mm) with pre-cut grooves. We also design the edges of the upper crossbars according to the drawing.

7. We attach the slopes to the pillars and support beams at a forty-five degree angle using screws.

The pergola can be used in this form, but it will be more functional (when placing plants) with trellises at the top, around which creeping flowers will twine.

Species variety of pergolas for summer cottages

The pergola is a canopy, the support of which is represented by repeating arched sections, united by means of transverse beams. A garden pergola can be a free-standing structure or part of a building. This design has several purposes, including:

How to choose New Year's gifts for school How not to get sick?

• area zoning;
• decorating the site;
• vertical gardening;
• decorative landscape design;
• camouflage of buildings;
• registration of gates, fences with gates.

The versatility of the structure has made it extremely popular in modern landscape design.

The pergola is a canopy, the support of which is represented by repeating arched sections, united by means of transverse beams

By type and style of construction

In terms of configuration features, all pergolas are represented by the following options:

• tent-type models are used as an effective protection against ultraviolet radiation and a canopy over children's playgrounds or a car park;
• models in the form of a visor are especially in demand for creating a shaded area for windows from direct sunlight;
• models presented by carports are widespread due to their practicality and functionality;
• models in the form of a gazebo can serve as a good shelter from direct sunlight, but cannot become a full-fledged protection from atmospheric precipitation;
• models in the form of a screen conveniently divide the site into separate zones and allow you to delimit spaces with different design styles;
• tunnel pergolas are a classic landscape option, and are used to create a beautiful passage between all structures;
• models in the form of a bench make it easy to arrange a romantic corner on the local area.

Models in the shape of a gazebo can serve as a good shelter from direct sunlight, but they cannot become full-fledged protection from atmospheric precipitation.

By material

Depending on the materials used, the designs performed can be:

• wooden;
• forged;
• metal;
• plastic;
• stone;
• brick.

Of particular interest are combined structures made of several types of building and finishing materials.

Of particular interest are combined structures made of several types of building and finishing materials.

By appointment

Wall-mounted or stationary pergolas, reminiscent of a gazebo in appearance, are designed to decorate recreation areas and are located directly next to the household. Free-standing structures are independent elements of landscape design and are widely used in decorating a garden plot:

• garden pergolas can be round, square and broken;
• pergolas in the interior of a private house can also be presented in different configurations. Most often, openwork type constructions are used in home design.

The second option is very original and represents a part of the household or a semblance of a veranda, on which a pergola is used instead of a roof, the walls look like columns and trellises. When choosing a type, you need to correctly determine the size. Too large and bulky structures in small areas look ridiculous. The wrong choice of height creates insufficient shade, and small structures rarely support the weight of large climbing plants.

What is a pergola?

We recommend that you familiarize yourself

In simpler terms, pergolas are garden arches that were originally built to support climbing vines. They begin their history from the time of Ancient Rome, when the emperors still rested in the shadow of these structures. Pergolas have a lot of advantages due to which they are so popular: practicality, ease of installation, the ability to ennoble the look of the garden and make it sophisticated.

Today, more and more pergolas can be found on personal plots. The classic version of the pergola looks like an arch with lintels about 1 m wide. The design can have different heights - it all depends on the capabilities of the plant for which the pergola is being built (whether it can braid the arch completely). And, as a rule, arches up to 4 m high are built for vigorous plants. The structure created from a series of such arches will look especially exquisite if they are connected with transverse beams. As a result, a real corridor of climbing vines or vines will appear on the site. This is exactly what a classic pergola looks like.

The garden gazebo will become even more comfortable if the structure of the pergola will consist of several supporting arches. In this case, the gaps between them will serve as additional entrances. Arches made of wooden slats look very expressive - they are perfectly combined with green leaves and help to create exactly the atmosphere of comfort that a person needs so much when he is looking for coolness and peace.

Another interesting option is vine-braided canopies. If you choose it, you will not regret it - a real courtyard of the era of Ancient Rome will appear on your site.

But do not think that a pergola for climbing plants is an exclusively decorative element of a personal plot. It can also perform practical functions. For example, with its help, you can zoning the territory, highlighting on it a recreation area, an economic, a front entrance, etc. But even if you just use the pergola in its original purpose, namely as a support for grapes, then it can be of great benefit to the summer resident ... The pergola will greatly facilitate the cultivation of such a widespread culture in our country, and in response to care in the fall, the grapes will thank the gardener with fragrant bunches that will look amazing against the background of a dense carpet of green vines.

If decorative grapes grow on your site, then you can enjoy the view of a pergola intertwined with red leaves of vines all year round.

Metal arch

Not every metal arch can be made by yourself. For example, forged arches for a garden require a certain skill and special equipment.

The simplest option is metal garden arches from fittings. To create such a structure, you will need, in addition to materials, friendly help. Prepare two reinforcing rods with a circular cross-section with a diameter of 10 mm, each about 6 m long. And also, depending on the type of spacers, from 3 to 9 m of reinforcement with a diameter of 6 mm.

The proposed arch for flowers will have the following proportions: a height of about 2 m, the distance between the arches is 30 cm, between the spacers - 15 cm, from the bottom to the first spacer - 60 cm, for deepening into the ground - 50 cm.

Directly on the ground, using a rope (90 cm long) and a peg, you can draw an arc. Then drive metal pegs along the entire length of the furrow with a small interval and bend two reinforcing rods around them with the help of a friend.

To fasten the reinforcing arcs into the arch, we need spacers. It can be either rings or simple crossbars.In the first case, a thin reinforcing bar should be cut, using a hacksaw for metal, into pieces of about 94 cm and, using a pipe bender, bend them into rings. In the second, just cut the rod into pieces a little more than 30 cm.

To fasten the workpieces together, a welding machine or soft but strong wire is used. It is necessary to dig such a structure into the ground to a depth of about 50 cm. For a more durable and reliable fastening, you can first dig in pieces of pipes (with a diameter of about 30 mm) into the ground, and then fix the arch in them. In any case, having previously set the level, the base should be concreted. The last stage is the treatment of the arch with anti-corrosion material and painting.

Look at the photo of an arch made of metal rods.

Stage 5 - plants for the pergola

Despite the fact that the classic wooden pergola for roses
or for grapes it was conceived precisely to support climbing plants, it has long been
expanded its functions and today has become a full-fledged element of the landscape
design and a place for summer holidays.

Nevertheless, floristry is its integral attribute.
Registration of the pergola without fail includes the landing of ampelous
plants. These are plant species that have creeping or creeping stems.

Climbing plants and flowers for a pergola in the country:

pelargonium (geranium). Resistant to the sun, can last for a long time
dispenses with watering;

hanging begonia. Feels good in shaded
corners;

lobelia. Loves wet places;

ampelous petunia. Loves sunny, humid places;

bacopa. Blooms throughout the season;

curly roses. Favorite flowers of almost every woman. Roses,
quite unpretentious in care, bloom during the season.

You can also decorate the pergola with potted flowers or
palm trees that can be brought indoors during the cold season.

As you can see, each of the plants has its own preferences, and
therefore, when choosing them, the location of the pergola and the possibility
organization of watering.

Note. By installing hooks on the pergola sections, you can avoid
tying up climbing plants, it will be enough to guide young shoots and
fix them with hooks.

Which climbing plants to choose for a pergola?

to decorate the pergola, use local
plants that have worked well in the local climate;

it is better to use plants that bloom for a long time
time. Or combine in such a way that they bloom in turn. Then
the pergola will change depending on the season;

different plants should have the same development time. it
will allow you to create a hedge and pre-empt the option when some plants
drown out others;

no more than 4 types of plants should be used. The more
varieties, the more difficult it is to care for them. Again - the variegated pergola has no
very aesthetic appearance;

if the plants need a transplant for the winter, you should
take care of how to remove them from the trellises or cover them for the winter. In general
it is better not to use such plants;

perfect for creating a monolithic wall on a pergola
grapes (maiden or five-leafed). It grows fast, great for
disembarking in a shaded or sunny place. The peculiarity of maiden grapes in
the fact that in the fall it changes color: bright greens are replaced by crimson
autumn colors.

How to choose the right pergola: what to look for when buying

You can make a pergola for the site yourself by looking at the options for step-by-step instructions. But in the absence of time or opportunities, you should purchase a ready-made version. If the choice is not entrusted to the designer, then the following characteristics must be taken into account when purchasing:

When choosing a pergola, first of all, it is necessary to take into account the purpose of the structure.

• dimensions of the structure;
• the quality of the material;
• design features;
• compliance of the structure with the intended purpose.

If an installation service is offered at the same time as a purchase, do not refuse. This way you can avoid the problems of mismatching parts or missing fasteners in the kit.All that is needed in this case is a construction site.

If possible, it is better to entrust the installation of the pergola to specialists.

You can buy a wooden pergola already processed and coated, but it is possible to purchase polished parts of the structure, which will have to be processed and colored independently.

On a note! When buying a ready-made wooden structure, it must be borne in mind that the elements should not be glued. Products of this quality are only suitable for indoor installation.

Even with the most careful processing, over time, moisture will penetrate into the places of adhesion and destroy the joints.
When buying a pergola, you need to pay attention to its size, material and design

Finished metal pergolas are most often collapsible structures. They are easy to transport and cheaper than wooden ones. Installation of products is not difficult, you just need to strictly follow the attached instructions. But some tubular models of pergolas have a drawback: the connection is not at all rigid, the structure staggers, it becomes necessary to fasten the blocks by welding.

If among the ready-made models there are no options that correspond to the desired style of decoration, or the dimensions do not fit the space reserved for the pergola, it is possible to make a structure to order. Creating an individual model will require additional costs, but the site will be decorated with an exclusive building.