Arches

Varieties of pergolas

Pergolas are often used to grow vines.

The history of graceful lattice structures, such as pergolas, dates back to ancient Rome, where they played the role of trellises for garters of vines. Later, the adaptations were transformed into air arches, densely braided by climbing plants, although to this day they are used as a support for grapes.

Pergola is a great addition to garden design

Today, there are several main types of garden structures:

A screen pergola is the simplest device, which is a vertical lattice made of wooden slats of the required height and width. Used as a support for garden climbing plants (cultivated and wild grapes, roses, honeysuckle, clematis, etc.). It can be installed along the boundaries of the site or on its territory for the purpose of functional zoning.

Pergola - the screen serves as a support for climbing plants

Pergolas can be attached to the house as a canopy

With the help of a pergola - a tunnel, you can create a shady alley

A swing pergola is a great option for quiet swinging in the shade of climbing plants

Pergola - the gazebo does not block the view, but at the same time creates a feeling of comfort and separates the space for relaxation

Pergola - trellis can serve as a fence

Benefits of beautiful metal products

Wrought iron arches have many advantages that serve as positive features for various categories of clients:

high technical characteristics: reliability, durability, resistance to wear, mechanical damage, weather phenomena - are important for customers who value practical projects that will last for many years;

beauty, grace, aesthetics, presentability are the main features for buyers who prefer original solutions that attract attention and demonstrate their exquisite taste;

functionality of products, a variety of shapes, colors, textures and styles are important for almost everyone.

In addition, forged arches have the ability to withstand significant weight loads, while maintaining their original appearance. The constructions ensure the orderly growth of living plants. But the attractiveness of buildings does not depend on the presence of flowers and grapes on them. Art objects always look great, at any time of the year.

A wrought iron arch made in white. Smithy Photos

Wrought iron arches do not need special care. Special paints used to treat products after manufacturing provide a high level of protection.

An important advantage is the ease of self-installation of the structure. There is no need to fill the foundation to mount the arch. You just need to find a flat area, dig two small holes (30-50 cm deep) and install the structure.

Building a metal pergola

The peculiarity of using metal as a building material is that it is more reliable and requires less maintenance. The metal is immediately primed, then painted. With a high-quality coating with good paint, this will last for several years.

With a tree more hassle. In our climate, we have to renew our coverage every year. Therefore, it is better not to use varnishes: they crack, turn white, come off in parts. To renew the coating, it is necessary to clean everything, then re-coat. Therefore, it is better not to use even the best varnishes for open garden or outbuildings. For the processing of wood on the street all year round, there are oils to which color is added. They do not give shine, but they perfectly protect the surface from climatic influences. The worst thing that can happen is a little fading. For re-treatment, the surface must be cleaned of dirt and dried. You can paint. Drying "to touch" is usually a couple of hours.Convenient, beautiful, reliable.

The difference between the metal is also in the assembly method. This is either welding or bolting. Everyone chooses the method himself. Due to the fact that the corrosion resistance of the painted metal is quite high, it can be simply concreted. Therefore, there are fewer difficulties with installing pillars. It is more difficult only to work with him because of the mass. But there are drawbacks everywhere.

And the variety of metal pergolas is, perhaps, even more than wooden: you can forge it, make bent forms. Metal is combined with stone, brick, wood. An awning is pulled over a metal frame, wicker mats are laid, roller blinds are fixed. See the examples in the photo gallery (it expands to a full tap if you need it).

The pergola itself is not visible under this carpet. It is built like a gazebo: a frame made of pipes is welded, everything else is plants. By the same principle, you can make a gazebo for grapes.

How to connect metal and wood

Rolls of mats were fixed on a metal pergola. Adjust the degree of openness at your discretion

Another rose arch is the garden pergola that we see most often.

This is the pergola, which we call the "arch for flowers or grapes

Another example of using an awning. The main highlight is in contrast

Another combination of wood and metal, but the design is different, a different feeling. Such a pergola can be arranged on an open balcony.

Forging elements are always relevant. Plants overgrown over time will turn this pergola into the most comfortable place.

Combination of metal and polycarbonate. Both materials allow for curved shapes. Even a slight nonlinearity turns a banal canopy into an interesting addition.

Light pergola above the entrance - an awning is stretched over a metal frame

Clear geometric lines, powerful columns, simple and stylish

Posts and main beams made of metal, auxiliary beams made of wood

Read how to make a metal gazebo here.

Application rules in landscape design

The arch will fit into the compositional solution if you follow the rules for the design of arched frames:

the unity of style provides for the harmony of all elements; it is better to use homogeneous materials, paints, decor;
a competent choice of green spaces, a visually stationary arch should remain decorative in winter;
when decorating, you need to know the measure, two or three details are enough, combined with each other;
when determining the size of the arch, it is important to take into account that green spaces are growing, the optimal width is 1.3 m, the height is 2 m, so that there is a free passage;
in order for the arched frame to fit into the existing landscape, it is advisable to make a drawing on the photo of the site, where all the details are visible;
when choosing annual plants, the growth rate is considered the main factor, so that the arch is more likely to be braided by curly stems, the structure looks complete.

An integrated approach will help you avoid unnecessary costs and save time.

A wide variety of plants can be used to decorate garden arches.

Simple tubular arch decorated with clematis

A suite of arches entwined with decorative ivy

Fairy garden with round wooden arches

The main requirement for the frame of the garden arch: strength, durability, aesthetic appearance. The flaws of an unattractive design will not hide green spaces. Firstly, it takes time for growth, and secondly, the vines will only emphasize the asymmetry of the arc, the curvature of the supports. The arch creates a special flavor and becomes the central object of the landscape composition. If we take into account the degree of illumination of the site, the attendance of the corners of the garden, there will certainly be a rational place for installing an arched frame.

Wooden arches of an interesting design can be used to separate the garden from the garden part of the site.

Although there are no strict canons in garden architecture, the arch must comply with a single design concept.

Other types of arches

Arch made of plastic pipes

Other arches are made according to exactly the same principle. For example, wooden arches are made from timber. It is a simple and inexpensive structure. Thanks to the natural material, it fits well into the design of any garden. To build such an arch, you need 2 vertical frames, 2 inclined and 1 horizontal part. All this is connected with wooden crossbars using nails. The finished structure is dug into the ground, primed and varnished.

Plastic arches are made of plastic pipes. Such arches are considered the easiest to manufacture, they are easy to assemble and disassemble. If you want to make yourself a structure of this type, then you need to take into account that plastic is not able to withstand low temperatures, therefore, such structures are often made collapsible. Such an arch is decorated with annual plants.

Forged arched structures and pergolas are very popular. Such arches look very elegant and will decorate your summer cottage all year round. Moreover, they are durable and resistant to different weather conditions. To make your stay in the garden more comfortable, you can make an arch with a bench. In this case, you can enjoy the beauty of your garden while sitting under the arch. As you can see, there are a lot of options, you just need to put in effort and imagination, then your garden will look like a real embodiment of your ideas.

You may be interested in the answers to other questions that are discussed on our website:

• How to improve a personal plot
• How to make an alpine slide
• How to plant flowers correctly
• How to make a decorative fence
• How to make a live gazebo

Step-by-step instructions on how to make a pergola with your own hands

The sizes of pergolas and gazebos are chosen solely based on the desires and capabilities of the owners of the site, however, there are several general recommendations that can greatly facilitate the design of such buildings. The height of the pergola to ensure sufficient vertical space should not be less than 2 meters, however, if it exceeds 2.5 meters, it is worth organizing additional pinching of the racks by digging them into the ground and filling them with a layer of concrete mixture up to 50 cm. This is to make the tall structure more stable and better withstand the inevitable wind loads. The depth to which the racks are dug in should also not be less than half a meter. Spans (distances between posts) should not be less than 70 centimeters, so that a person can pass from either side, and more than 3 meters, so that the beams do not bend and break under the snow load in winter or under the weight of plants in summer.

Before building a pergola, it is necessary to calculate the size of the pergola, as well as calculate the number of beams and pillars that can withstand the load

Drawing of a wooden pergola

It is advisable to start the construction of a pergola with the creation of a drawing or sketch, which allows not only to fully and clearly imagine the dimensions of the structure and the general scope of work, but also to rationally organize your actions, and also to avoid mistakes in them. It is recommended that you draw or hand-draw views of the building from the front and side, as well as from above (in plan), indicating all dimensions. Also, in the top view, it is worth making a binding of one or more corners of the pergola to existing objects (i.e. indicate the distance to these objects).

It is necessary to prepare a drawing of a pergola or take a ready-made one from the Internet

The construction technology is individual for each project, however, there are a number of recommendations that will make the pergola assembly process much more rational and, as a result, simple and fast. To begin with, you need to make the racks and the elements directly connecting them, mark the site for construction and dig holes into which the already made racks will be installed. If it is decided to fill the base of the racks with concrete, do not forget to pre-saturate them with a waterproof compound, and after installing, burying and tamping the soil, additionally fix the structures until the concrete hardens in order to avoid tilting them. Immediately after installing the racks, it is necessary to mount the elements connecting them as carefully as possible (as a rule, these are transverse and longitudinal, less often diagonal beams). After that, you can start making the rest of the elements that carry a decorative function. It is advisable to mount them from top to bottom so that the already installed parts of the structure do not interfere with the work.

It is possible even for an inexperienced builder to build a pergola with your own hands, the main thing is to follow the instructions and calculate its dimensions and materials

There are two types of treatment of wooden structures with paints and varnishes: painting and impregnation. Their most significant differences are the materials used and the order of work. Wooden structures are impregnated with wood stains and special oils. A significant advantage of this type of processing is that the material penetrates deep into the solid wood, which provides reliable protection against moisture and other harmful environmental factors, however, the impregnation of the parts must be carried out in advance, before assembly, since it takes a certain time for the stain to dry (or polymerize the oils). Painting, in turn, is done after the installation of the structure and, as a rule, does not cause any particular difficulties. However, to avoid dripping, paint surfaces from top to bottom.

In order not to suffer with staining at a height, it is better to paint the beams before installation.

Selection of varieties for planting

Not every grape variety is capable of producing a good harvest when planted vertically. Therefore, if you are hoping for a good fruitfulness of the vine, a lot here depends on the correctly selected variety.

Today, table varieties Vostorg, Nadezhda AZOS, Pleven stable, Kesha, Biruintsa, Krasa Nikopolya, December, R-80, etc. are considered the best for forming on a pergola. German Kokysh, as well as Armenian and Tajik hybrids can be distinguished among wine varieties.

Did you know? During archaeological excavations in Switzerland, traces of a domesticated vine several thousand years old have been found.

Always consider the survival rate of a particular grape variety in different areas, since not every plant is able to withstand very low temperatures.

What to make a pergola from

The modern market has a significant assortment of materials that can serve for the construction of pergolas, below are the most popular expedient ones:

Wood is perhaps the most popular, versatile, affordable and, importantly, environmentally friendly option. This material is easy to process, light enough and strong enough, and is great for building a pergola with your own hands.

The disadvantage of this option is, perhaps, only its low service life (untreated wood is susceptible to drying out and decay, as a result of which the aesthetic appearance is lost), but today there is a sufficient number of various paint and varnish compositions that will ensure the durability of wooden structures, as well as emphasize the texture of the tree or give it the color you want.

Wooden pergola - environmentally friendly and perfect for climbing plants

The wrought iron pergola is very robust, great for Gothic-style gardens

Stone pergola with columns gives antiquity

Plastic pergolas are very light in weight

Types and design features

When selecting material for a grape gazebo, take into account the varietal characteristics of the culture, the size of the site and the characteristics of the soil. For the construction of a pergola, a variety of materials are used today - wood, metal, plastic and stone.

Classic wooden

The wooden structure is the most popular type of pergola for grapes. The tree is easy to handle, besides, it is quite a budget option. Pine, oak, aspen or spruce wood is suitable.

The structure of the tree is perfectly combined with the vegetation, and the grape branches are happily formed on it. Such a gazebo has an attractive appearance and harmoniously fits into any environment.

Wooden pergolas can deteriorate due to regular watering of the grapes. The process of wood decay is impeded by such solutions as drying oil, kerosene, resin. A solution of copper sulfate also helps to prevent damage to the wooden structure.

Important! Regardless of the type of wood, lumber for the construction of a pergola must first be thoroughly dried, and then carefully treated with a proven antiseptic. And in order to extend the life of the structure, such processing should be resorted to annually.

Made of metal

Metal is the next most popular pergola material. True, the cost of metal can be higher than for wood, and besides, it is more difficult to mount it with your own hands - you will need the skills of a welder. But there are also significant advantages: the metal is more durable, and it will be easier to care for such a product.

There are even more options for metal structures than wood. It is quite possible to build simple metal pergolas in the form of gazebos or awnings on your own. Often, metal is used simply as part of a wooden building.

Did you know? There are about 10 thousand grape varieties in the world.

Plastic

Plastic is the cheapest and least effective material. But due to its qualities (lightness, the ability to create a structure of absolutely any shape) and availability, this material is most in demand today.

Ready-made plastic pergolas with the required parameters can be purchased at specialized retail outlets. Despite the fact that the plastic pergola does not always fit well into the garden landscape, over time, the foliage will completely hide the unsightly structure.

Of stone

Stone is the most difficult material in terms of construction, but at the same time, stone pergolas are the most durable - they will stand in your country house for many decades. Such a long service life is undoubtedly worth the effort.

Individual stone columns can serve as design elements and at the same time be a support for the vine. The stone building will become a real work of art and will transform the personal plot.

How to forge with your own hands: drawing, making from a profile pipe and not only, installation

To create a forged gazebo with your own hands (regardless of metal processing technology), certain skills are required, as well as equipment and tools.

Reference. The relevant skills can be acquired by mastering the forging operations or by completing training in blacksmithing at an educational institution, independently, at master classes. Depending on the level of knowledge gained, the performer will be able to embody projects of varying complexity in metal.

To make a gazebo, the performer needs to buy the following materials:

• shaped pipes with a wall thickness of at least 2 mm .;
• round bars for making patterns;
• corners;
• skates for the roof.

The preparatory process should continue with the development of the sketch.Beginners are encouraged to borrow ideas from the Internet, where a large number of different drawings with all sizes are presented.

A wrought-iron gazebo canopy. Citadel Photos

In addition, it is necessary to prepare a site for the installation of the structure. To do this, you need to align the relief. In the highlands, the soil is cut, in the lowlands, it is poured.

The production process begins with the manufacture of the roof. It is necessary to take a professional pipe 20X40, cut it, assemble it using a welding machine and electrodes.

Attention. A gable roof has the simplest form in execution. The assembly must be carried out on a flat surface; a square is used to maintain the correct geometry of the corners.

The assembly must be carried out on a flat surface; a square is used to maintain the correct geometry of the corners.

The next step is to mark the site for the installation of the pillars. The number of supports is most often four. Measure the diagonals to avoid errors. After that, the performer needs to dig holes, put pillars in the resulting wells and drive them into the ground to a depth of 80-100 cm. This will require a sledgehammer and a level to maintain the exact dimensions.

Gazebo fences can have various shapes. Lattices have a laconic design, which are advisable to decorate with forged elements. Thus, the master needs to buy or make the gratings himself, weld the selected parts to them and attach the resulting parts of the fence to the posts.

The roof can be attached to the base either in parts or as a whole. It all depends on the skill of the performer.

Painting a forged metal frame is an important step, since the quality and duration of operation depends on it. After all, corrosion has a negative effect on appearance and durability.

After the performer makes and paints the metal frame of the gazebo, you can start arranging the floor, which is made of wood boards or tiles. The first option is simpler and more affordable, but the boards must first be treated with a special agent against harmful environmental influences.

Important! The floor should be equipped with a downward slope from the center, which will prevent the accumulation of water in the gazebo.

The final stage is covering the roof with wooden boards, metal sheets, tiles, ondulin. Everyone chooses the material independently. You should also attach the drips.

The gazebo is ready, if necessary, it can be supplemented with benches, barbecue, walkway.

With the correct execution of all stages and following the instructions, making a forged gazebo with your own hands (link to the section about homemade products) is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.

How to make a wooden pergola yourself

A self-made pergola made of wood fits perfectly into any landscape design, can be used in the country as a canopy to protect from the sun, serve as a decorative transition from home to a gazebo or an aesthetic structure that covers technical buildings, for example, a barn. For their manufacture, it is recommended to use pine, oak or spruce wood.

The wooden pergola consists of several arches connected by transverse wooden fixtures. Their shape depends on individual preferences and the stylistic solution of the garden; it should be in harmony with all other buildings. To increase the service life of the pergola, it is necessary to treat the entire structure with an antiseptic and antiprene, wrap the part that is dug into the ground with a waterproofing material or use a kind of metal glasses from pipe scraps with fittings welded to them.After fixing them in the foundation, the support pillars are simply inserted into these glasses.

To make a pergola made of wood with a height of 2.2 m, you will need:

• timber 100x100x3000 mm - 8 pcs.;
• longitudinal beams 50x150x4 500 mm - 8 pcs .;
• cross beams 40x100x2700 mm;
• slats 40x40x4000 mm - 20 pcs.;
• slats for trellis 20x30 mm;
• self-tapping screws 0.8 mm, screws, nails, corners 40x40 mm;
• materials for the preparation of mortar for the foundation.

The installation of a pergola made of wood begins with leveling the site where it will be installed, preparing pits for burying support pillars or trenches for pouring the foundation. A pergola created to support climbing annuals can be installed without a foundation. For more reliable and stable pergolas, it is recommended to equip a strip or pile foundation, use metal anchors.

To install a pergola made of wood without a foundation, you need to follow these steps.

1. With a garden drill, make grooves in the soil equal to 1/3 of the height of the beams at the same distance from each other. At their bottom, equip a sand pillow.
2. Treat the timber with a protective impregnation. For this purpose, you can use resin, machine oil. Wrap with tar paper or roofing felt.
3. Make roof grooves at the top of the support rails.

4. Install the support pillars in the prepared grooves, check their verticality, and then concrete.

5. After the concrete has hardened, attach the horizontal beams to the supports using corners and self-tapping screws.
6. To equip the roof, install and fix crossbeams on horizontal beams at the same distance.
7. Make trellis panels from the strips and attach them to the support posts with self-tapping screws at a height of at least 15 cm from the soil surface. This will prevent their rapid decay.
8. Decorate the pergola by painting or varnishing it. If desired, you can equip it with lighting, decorate with fabric canvases, install a fountain, sculpture, fireplace inside, and plant climbing plants outside.

Installation of a pergola will effectively decorate the garden, cottage, creating a romantic mood. Using the photo instructions, it will not be difficult to make such a structure with your own hands from wood.