Garden Structures-Different Landscaping Structures to Suit Any Need

A household livability and property value can be significantly increased with the addition of different garden structures, depending on budget, space and suitability. The most common landscaping structures are pergolas, arbors and gazebos. They all share similar traits but also differ in purpose and look.

Pergolas consist of a totally open structure made up by four or more supporting posts upon which the main beams are fastened. Cross beams (or joists) are then assembled on top at the desired span so as to look like a deck frame without the boards nailed on top. Pergolas could not be simpler, yet their visual impact in a garden or on a front patio is striking. To add a touch of style, joists are usually built with an over hang, projecting out of the main posts so as to confer an elegant look, unlike a deck frame.

The term pergola comes from Latin Pergula, meaning projecting eave, and it was first introduced in Italy as an ingenious supporting structure form Grape Vines. Wealthy people used to build pergolas with heavy, stone pillars upon which a sturdy trellis frame provided hold for the Grape Vines to climb and spread out over the top, giving both shade and a supply of berries.

Today pergolas are built with vinyl, aluminium or woods, they can be either purchased as ready made kits or built as DIY projects as they are becoming increasingly popular for socializing at home while adding a touch of coziness and style. While Grape Vines are still and always will be popular in temperate or Mediterranean climates, Bougainvillea, Morning Glory, Honeysuckle and English Ivy are few of the options available today to train vines up a pergola.

Wood pergolas are the most alluring of all, though they require top quality woods for construction to withstand the elements. Redwoods, western red cedar, southern cypress and pressure treated fir and pine are the most common woods used for all garden structures, as they are naturally resistant to decay, fungi, sun rays and insects. They may also be beautified with the application of a resin wood paint for further durability and to bring all patterns out in a shiny gloss.

Arbors are very similar to pergolas in that they share the same basic structural layout of few posts, main beams and cross rails, but they are much smaller and placed over walkway with an optional side bench so as to join two adjacent areas and break the monotony. Too small for effective furnishing layout, arbors are more ornamental features than useful structures like pergolas or gazebos, but help add a touch of style and a shady corner where to relax, as vines can also be trained on them like on pergolas. Partition trellises may also complement an arbor to increase the sense of privacy. Like pergolas, they may be purchased ready made or built the DIY way with the same materials.

Gazebos share with pergolas and arbors the open sides, but they have a complete, closed roof on top to protect from the rain, while pergolas and arbors only protect from the sun. Gazebos are usually built circular, octagonal or hexagonal. They may have benches or sofas laying around their sides for people to gather and socialize but can also be built square like pergolas, just with a roof on top. The sides can be semi closed with partition trellises or completely closed with mosquito blinds so as to repel insects while letting the air in.

Large gazebos can also be seen in public parks as main stages for brass bands to play, while smaller, private gazebos serve the same socializing purposes as pergolas and, like the two structure above, can also be built with a DIY project or bought outright.

All these garden structures are quite expensive to purchase as ready made kits, often times costing several $thousands, especially pergolas and gazebos. Providing only top quality woods are used as above, a DIY project can slash the budget by few $thousands. Find out how to build a DIY pergola. Browse through these pergola designs for more ideas.

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