Pergolas

A pergola is similar to a gazebo or an arbor in that pergolas are outside structures that provide shaded spaces in your backyard or garden. However, pergola designs are generally much larger than the average gazebo or arbor. The average garden pergola is about ten to fifteen feet long and about five to seven feet wide. Decks pergolas and gazebos are generally all lumped together when you are looking at different garden architecture. While you may not have considered a pergola before, take a look and see if it is something you would enjoy.

You can have a wooden or aluminum pergola. Most pergolas are wooden, and if you are looking to find out how to build a pergola, the pergola plans will tell you to use wood. Some pergola kits are for aluminum pergolas, but many are for wood, too. Plans for building a pergola can be found at your local gardening or home remodeling store, or you can find them on the internet. It is very rare to find a pergola plan for free, but if you do find one on the internet, be sure to review the site's credentials. The pergola design you find on that site may be a hoax or it may not be stable and could fall down.

A pergola kit makes creating your own pergola a lot easier. But, of course, if you are looking to build a pergola and have found a specific style, you may not be able to find that style in a kit. If that is the case, you will probably need the help of a garden architecture company or a professional contractor who has experience with garden architecture.

There are tons of purposes for pergolas. They can be used over a door – a pergola over the door to your porch or to your home can add some much needed shade on hot, sunny days. Some of the most popular uses are at pools or outdoor spas. These also provide shade on one area of the pool and a place to relax after swimming. Many people use pergolas in large gardens. If you have a huge garden that can accommodate people walking through it, a pergola adds a nice shady path. Flowering vines and other plants can grow over a pergola and give the impression of walking through a flowering tunnel. Pergolas are particularly nice in Asian styled gardens, though they can work in any garden.