When you have concluded to add an arbor to your garden, you’ve made an excellent decision. Pergolas give structure to the overall landscaping and are also a great way to create a focal point in your garden by drawing the viewer’s attention to where you want it to go. If you decide to build your arbor, the next step is choosing a set of plans. However, this step can be difficult if you have little planning experience.
The keys to choosing the right plan and creating an arbor that fits your needs perfectly.
Building an arbor of the right size is very necessary. When selecting plans, consider the overall scale of your garden or the area where the arbor will be located. Just as you don’t want a tiny arbor to appear dwarfed by a huge terrace, you also don’t want a giant garden arbor 10 or 12 feet high to be in line with a 3-foot-high.
The styles and designs of garden arbors are as diverse as the architecture of our homes. You should choose something that will fit your home’s style, not conflict with it. For example, if you live in a Tuscan-style house, you don’t need an artisan-style pavilion in your backyard.
Some garden arbors are meant to be seen, while others serve a utilitarian purpose. When viewing plans, consider what purpose your arbor will have. Or should your arbor be built with a gate at the bottom to match the fence and mark the entry point to the patio or garden? Whatever your goal, be sure to keep that in mind when looking at building plans. Read this article to get secret info about building garden arbors.
Since arbors are exposed to the elements, choosing the right type of wood is critical. You don’t want to spend many hours of labor and love building a beautiful arbor only to have it fall apart after a few years. Generally, mahogany is preferred for outdoor structures such as pergolas. Red cedar, for example, is naturally resistant to bad weather and insect infestation. Stay away from pines; while it may be less expensive, it won’t hold up in the long run. Treated wood works well, although there are better options than this if your arbor is near garden plants.
At the end
Try to take on a manageable project for you. If you don’t have much carpentry experience or aren’t very confident in your building skills, don’t go for a complex set of blueprints.
About the Author
