A metal pergola is an architectural structure designed to support climbing plants and create a natural flowering canopy. A metal pergola can look different, but most often there are designs in the form of several arches or frames connected by upper transverse crossbars.
Metal pergolas are durable and reliable structures
Types and purpose of pergolas
It is worth noting that the ancient Romans made such structures solely for growing grapevines and convenient harvesting. They had no idea how their idea would influence the creative people who turned ordinary supports into an exotic garden spot. Traditionally, do-it-yourself pergolas are made from several arches that are connected by a patterned ceiling.
Such designs instantly transform a garden path into a fairy-tale “land” full of secrets and bright hopes.
Thanks to the variety of shapes and designs of openwork compositions, a pergola can perform the following functions:
- design of a recreation area;
- decoration of garden space;
- reliable shelter from the sun;
- arrangement of a summer dining room;
- a place for solitude after a hard day;
- swing shelter;
- suitable barbecue area;
- benches;
- dance floor and stage.
From this it is clearly seen that a pergola in a country house is an original place for relaxation for the whole family.
Despite the elegance and beauty of such a structure, it is necessary to carefully select the shape of the structure so that it fits harmoniously into the garden landscape.
Modern designers offer various forms of such designs:
- arch;
- elongated triangle;
- awning;
- sphere;
- patterned screen;
- rectangle;
- wide visor;
- corridors of several pergolas.
Let's look at just a few of them.
Awning
Often, such pergolas are attached to a living space and serve as a carport or a playground for small children. A tented gazebo is set up to display various flowering plants. You can also comfortably dine there with your family while the birds sing in the evening.
Patterned screen
This type of pergola is installed along neighbors’ fences to hide from ill-wishers and envious people. A screen successfully divides the area into zones where small children frolic.
Wide visor
In areas with warm climates, such pergolas are often found. They are covered with thick vine branches that protect the house from the scorching summer sun.
Tunnel of arches
Along the garden paths, a complex of several metal structures is installed, the decor of which is a pergola. It is an original shelter and green decoration of the garden.
For a tunnel gazebo, you can use various forms of arches and create stylish landscape designs.
It is also important to note the variety of textures of such structures. A pergola with an openwork lattice can be installed even in a small area of the garden. She looks romantic and attractive. A stone structure is suitable for spacious courtyards built in a castle style. A wooden pergola successfully fits into the landscape of country houses and attracts fans of rustic comfort. In addition, pergolas are made of metal, plastic and reinforcement.
They can be with a rounded roof, with kinks, or fan-shaped.
When choosing a material for covering a structure, the climatic conditions of the area should be taken into account, especially in winter.
Main nodes
Despite the fact that the design is simple, it is necessary to correctly assess the load that plants can create. For our country, the pressure of snow should not be taken off the scale. Especially after the plants entwine the structure. Therefore, all connections and fastenings are made reliable; it is better to play it safe and install corners than to dismantle a blockage of plants and a collapsed arch. In this regard, the supporting columns and beams of the arch must be strong and reliable.
If you plan to build from wood, support posts for a medium-sized pergola use at least 200*200 mm. Beams are made of boards of at least 40 mm thickness. Be sure to make stops and jibs: they will add rigidity. If you build support pillars from brick or stone, they are placed around a pipe - round or square - your choice, but there must be one.
Dimensions
A little about the sizes of pergolas. They must be proportional to the site. If it is small, then the distance between the posts can be one and a half meters. There is no need to do less: taking into account the foliage, only one person will pass through such a passage. For larger areas, a larger width is required - too narrow will appear short.
The standard height of a garden pergola is 2.2-2.4 meters. Then the whole structure is harmonious, and the foliage and flowers will not crush.
How to connect the parts at the top
When building an arch, special attention should be paid to the joints. See the photo for how to make them.
A simple way to connect posts to main beams
For those who are not very good at carpentry, it can be difficult to cut recesses for installing beams. There is a simple and reliable way to do without this work: connect the posts and main beams using a decorative buttress. This is not only a decoration, but also a way to make the connection more reliable.
A beam is placed on top of the support post (rack) and nailed through with nails or long self-tapping screws. However, with lateral forces they can turn out. To eliminate this, after the auxiliary beams have been laid and secured, a decorative buttress is nailed. It holds together three elements into a single whole. Even greater rigidity of the structure is given by a spacer placed diagonally, which is often called a jib.
In the simplest case, a pergola is four posts connected by main and auxiliary beams.
The simplest pergola design
Beam edge decoration
You can slightly diversify the appearance by different designs of the ends of the auxiliary and main beams. Several ways to wash it down are shown in the photo below. So that they all turn out the same, make a template from a small piece. Then you apply it to the workpiece, trace it with a finely sharpened pencil as close as possible to the template. Cut along this outline.
How to make the edges of beams
Cheaper design
The timber for the columns must be of large cross-section, and this is not cheap. The main beams must be no smaller in size, which further increases the cost of the structure. But you can save money if you nail two thick boards on both sides to the racks at the top. How it looks from above, see the following figure.
To reduce the cost, you can use two boards as the main beams
They can be connected with nails and screws, or with bolts. This is even more reliable: bolted connections can be tightened if necessary. Look at the photo to see what such a structure looks like “live”.
Pergola with double boards instead of main beams
Read how to build a wooden gazebo here.
Origin and purpose of the pergola
Initially, back in Ancient Rome, the pergola was used as a purely utilitarian structure on personal plots. It supported the vines, strengthened them and made harvesting easier later. Later, ease of manufacture, functionality and attractiveness transferred it to the category of an element of landscape design.
These days, the extension performs many tasks:
- decorative: serves as a decoration for the landscape due to the shape and plants on it, creates a vertical green area;
- practical: still makes it easier to grow and harvest grapes;
- utility room: covers a garage or utility structures that do not fit into the design concept;
- helps to design a recreation area and protects from sunlight;
- divides the site into zones;
- used to decorate entrance groups (gates, gates, entrances).
The advantage of a pergola is its lightness of construction, which is achieved due to the small amount of building materials used. Most of it is vegetation cover. However, it will not protect you from bad weather and is quite difficult to care for.
Arches are varied in style:
- country, or rustic style : functional and natural, with geometrically correct shapes, a minimum of finishing;
- hi-tech: a reminder of high technology, something cosmic in silhouettes, originality of form and functionality;
- modern: designs are refined and functional again, with clear lines and contrasting combinations;
- eastern: pyramidal roof, concave sides, colors red and brown;
- chalet: a building with a barbecue or stove, reliable and comfortable;
- half-timbered: a practical arch made of the highest quality materials.
It is important that pergolas are combined with the style of the garden as a whole.
What is the importance of a pergola in a country garden?
In early times, pergolas were used both to protect against sunstroke and to make grape harvesting easier.
Later, pergolas became more popular due to their attractiveness and turned into an element of garden decoration, as well as due to their ease of assembly and practicality. In addition, structures made from various materials help in creating arches from plants that serve as “doors” to various garden areas, for example, arches between a garden and a vegetable garden.
In the summer season, a pergola will serve as an excellent gazebo that protects from the sun, dust and wind. Looking at photos of pergolas in different styles, you will see that each of them is attractive in its own way.
Where to install a pergola
The location of the arch depends on its purpose. If this is a place for relaxation and protection from the sun, a pergola is appropriate near the house. For example, a pergola with a swing will be very cozy.
- The building that is adjacent to the house and serves as a canopy should be on the sunny side. There it will become a source of natural shade due to intertwining plants.
- If the trellis fulfills its main task - supporting the grapes, its place can be anywhere: above the path, near the house, or a gazebo in the garden. It will look relevant on every site.
- Good placement of the pergola and by the pool. It will limit the amount of sun, create shady comfort and a beach atmosphere, filling your holiday with bliss.
Support for grapes in the form of an arch and semi-arch
The semi-arched type option is more often implemented in summer cottages, where there is not too much space for growing grapes. In these cases, crop planting is combined with a recreation area, where a canopy provides protection from the scorching rays of the sun. Semi-arch involves planting bushes in only one row. Such supports give the gardener the opportunity to grow several varieties of crops with different ripening periods.
Arranging supports for crops in the form of an arch is much more difficult to do independently. A two-row planting of grape bushes is used. But the arched version requires quite a lot of space. Therefore, it is more suitable for spacious areas where there is enough free space.
Arch support for grapes
Materials for production
Any material that can be found on your site is suitable for making a pergola. Or you can use those types that have already proven themselves to be reliable and profitable for construction.
Wooden pergolas
Light weight and ease of manufacture make wood the most successful and affordable material for construction. In addition, wooden pergolas look most organic and natural in the garden. The racks decorated with carvings will become the highlight of the entire structure. Pine, oak, and larch are suitable for construction.
Stands made of birch logs will add special chic. Whatever you choose, don't forget to treat the wood with an antiseptic.
Metal pergolas
The appearance of such arches is very interesting. Wrought iron extensions look especially elegant. The structure is installed using special equipment, which increases its cost. It is susceptible to corrosion, so it is important to maintain its appearance.
Stone and brick
Such extensions look impressive and reliable if they are built from stone and brick. They attract attention, but can only be installed in large areas.
Brick looks good if this structure continues a number of other structures in the garden made from the same brick.
Combination of materials
Often several materials are used when constructing a structure. The most common combinations are wood and stone, wood and metal.
What materials is the pergola made from?
These structures are assembled from parts made of wood, plastic, metal pipes and polycarbonate. But the most common, of course, is a wooden pergola.
If rough boards are sufficient for old houses, then treated timber will be suitable for more modern buildings. To avoid decomposition, the surface is covered with linotex or nitro-enamel.
Oak beams with brick support are a very attractive option, and birch logs can be used to create a rustic feel.
Do-it-yourself pergola: step-by-step instructions
How to make a pergola yourself? Use step-by-step instructions to build a new structure on the site:
- Mark the area and dig holes 60 cm deep.
- Install the support posts using a level. Wrap the pillars at the base with roofing felt, place them in holes and fill them with concrete for stability.
- Once the mixture has set, staple the side horizontal beams to the supports. Attach the transverse upper crossbars to them with nails at right angles.
- Next comes the installation of the trellis panels: wooden slats are fastened to the posts with nails. Care must be taken that the trellises do not touch the ground, otherwise they will need to be replaced soon due to rotting.
To build a classic pergola, you will need a drawing:
The building can be painted, decorated with carvings or other decorative elements. You can plant plants that will form the final appearance of the arch.
Size
The size of the pergola depends on the budget for its construction and imagination. However, you need to take into account that a pergola that is too narrow and low will get lost in the garden and will not attract the eye. While it is difficult to completely landscape and give a finished look if it is too large. Based on this, the optimal height is 2.3-2.5 m, and the distance between the supports is 1-1.5 m. The length depends only on the design idea.
Form
From the point of view of its shape, pergolas are divided into the following types:
- Rounded. Perfect for implementing the idea of an eastern extension, it has a stylish appearance. A round pergola entwined with climbing flowers looks very harmonious. There are vertical and horizontal protrusions on the walls.
- Rectangular. You can easily make such an extension with your own hands, even without much experience. With the same attractive appearance, it is much easier to construct and requires less cost. The design may include a ceiling made of arcs.
- Fan-shaped. The crossbars diverge from one point. Usually it is a continuation of the terrace and complements the canopy of the veranda. Whether such a canopy is adjacent to the house or exists independently, the site is transformed with its appearance.
- Openwork. It resembles lace fabric, without bulky elements; instead of a roof, slats are laid, along which vegetation then spreads.
- Broken. There are several kinks in its structure that give the design originality.
Options
In modern design, wood and metal are widely used to make pearl. Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of each design option.
Wood
Wooden pergola is most often used for arranging parks and gardens. The construction is made from various wood species. Designs made from:
- oak;
- deciduous;
- pine;
- beech;
- birch boards.
The most cost-effective option would be to use aged wood. They will highlight the Provence style. When using rough unhewn boards and timber, you can create attractive country and classic styles.
There is an excellent compatibility of wood with a large number of other materials. A structure with stone or brick pillars and wooden crossbars will look attractive. Such a canopy will be able to show how advantageous the design looks for bringing to life the style of a chalet or half-timbered structure.
Wood is often combined with metal inclusions. This combination looks beneficial, especially in the Art Nouveau style.
When planning to install a pergola, you need to pre-process the material. Otherwise, the wood will quickly rot and lose its attractive appearance.
Metal
When using metal, you must first contact the services of an experienced craftsman. He will first prepare a drawing based on the customer's taste preferences. After preparation, the master will weld the structure using thin reinforcing rods.
A metal pergola can quickly lose its attractive appearance in unfavorable conditions. For this reason, the surface should be regularly treated to prevent the negative effects of rust. The structure is covered with paint and varnish. In this condition, it can be used in modern, high-tech and other styles.
Color
The color of the building is dictated by the general appearance of the landscape and the color scheme of other buildings on the site. Next, it is important to determine whether the pergola will be a bright, outstanding object, an accent in the garden. Or it should harmonize with the overall picture, fitting into the image. An organic wooden arch or a snow-white festive one depends on the design project.
The use of two materials entails the possibility of combining several colors, but no more than two in total.
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 good fruitfulness of the vine, a lot depends on the correctly selected variety.
Today, the table varieties Vostorg, Nadezhda AZOS, Pleven Stable, Kesha, Biruintsa, Krasa Nikopolya, Dekabrsky, R-80, etc. are considered the best for pergola planting. Among the wine varieties, we can highlight German Kokysh, as well as Armenian and Tajikistan hybrids.
Did you know? During archaeological excavations in Switzerland, traces of domesticated grapevines several thousand years old were found.
Always take into account the survival rate of a particular grape variety in different areas, since not every plant is able to withstand very low temperatures.
Climbing plants for pergola
By selecting plants, you can control the appearance of the pergola in your dacha; the photos will show us how elegant such buildings look. Most often, girlish grapes climb along the lattice of the building. Climbing plants, ornamental vines, and hanging plants are excellent. When choosing flowers, consider how long they bloom and how they fit in with other plants in the garden. The arch is used for roses, wisteria, clematis.
Chinese lemongrass and ivy, honeysuckle and nasturtium, hops and actinidia intertwine beautifully.
A simple design and affordable consumables will allow you to build a pergola with your own hands. A beautiful building will decorate your site and be a source of coolness on summer days.
Where should it be installed?
Before starting construction work, carefully consider where the structure will be located. It can be placed in a central place, favorably shading the area and decorating its appearance.
Some craftsmen recommend making a pergola in order to hide unattractive elements present on the site. Place the structure on a flat or slightly elevated area where you can see a beautiful view.
Experts recommend making the structure away from highways, cesspools, toilets, compost heaps and other sources of unpleasant odors.
What plants are suitable for creating a pergola?
To form a monolithic wall of greenery on a pergola, virgin or five-leaf grapes are perfect. It thrives in both shade and sun and grows very actively. In addition, the bright spring and summer greens in the fall are replaced by crimson shades and noble gold.
To make the pergola in the garden look beautiful and impressive, you should follow some rules:
- For decoration, it is better to use plants suitable for the local climate.
- Use no more than 4 types of plants at the same time, since a pergola that is too colorful does not look very aesthetically pleasing and is difficult to care for.
- It is good to combine flowers with equal development periods. In this option, some plants do not choke the growth and development of others, and a chic hedge is created.
- An excellent option are plants that have long flowering periods or have a repeat flowering phase. Then the trellis will look attractive regardless of the time of year.
Decorating a pergola includes planting hanging plants, which have creeping or creeping stems. These include:
- hanging begonia - grows well in shaded areas;
- ampelous petunia - loves moist soil and sun;
- lobelia – lover of wet places;
- climbing roses are quite unpretentious, but they like frequent watering and a lot of light, they bloom throughout the season;
- bacopa – blooms throughout the season;
- pelargonium (geranium) – resistant to sunlight, can go without watering for a long time;
- the pergola can also be decorated with potted flowers and even palm trees.
To avoid tying up elements of climbing flowers, you can make hooks on sections of the pergola that will fix and guide young shoots.
Overview of species
There are many types of trellises. Let us dwell in more detail on the most popular design options.
Single-plane
Grape bushes are planted in straight parallel rows, so the trellises are placed on one edge of the plants. A single-plane trellis is a simple design in which the pillars are installed in one row, and trellis wire is stretched between them, always in a single plane.
When installing such trellises, it is important that the supports are located at a short distance from each other; the distance from the bush to the support should be 30-35 cm. This arrangement makes it easier to care for the grapes and subsequent harvesting
Biplane
In a two-plane design, the vine, together with young shoots, is located on two planes of stretched diameters. This type of support greatly simplifies the care of developing bushes, and due to the fact that the growth of young shoots increases, it contributes to a significant increase in productivity. Such designs have become widespread in the cultivation of vigorous grape varieties.
However, it is important to keep in mind that a two-plane trellis is used exclusively for staking vines growing in the direction from north to south. If the orientation of the plants is different, one row of grapes will be greatly obscured by the other
Such trellises are placed at a distance of 50-80 cm.
Other
U-shaped structures have become very popular. Similar supports are placed on both sides of the bushes and a wire is pulled on each side. Two supports are placed at an equal distance from the plants and at equal distances from each other - the distance should be 50-60 cm.
V- and Y-shaped designs are slightly less common. Such trellises require the installation of a pair of rows of supports with a slight slope and the presence of wire. In this case, the angle does not have any effect on the parameters of illumination of leaves and branches by sunlight.
It is extremely important that the posts are connected to each other by jumpers - this will prevent them from falling under the weight of the fruit. Due to the optimal tilt of the structure, the grape clusters hang freely, this has the most positive effect on the speed of growth and development of the plant
The dimensions of such a support are selected based on the individual preferences of the winegrower.
L-shaped structures, better known as pergolas, deserve attention. With this design, the planes with the wire are located horizontally, and young green shoots grow along them. The pergola has a height of 2-2.5 m, with plant shoots placed parallel to each other.
When growing grapes on a pergola, gardeners note rapid growth of the vine and an increase in crop yield - this is due to the fact that the leaves are illuminated by the sun throughout the day. Forming a culture on an L-shaped support ensures full air circulation and thereby minimizes the risk of infection by fungi and viruses.
A pergola is often installed in small areas, since it simultaneously solves two problems - it acts as a supporting structure for grapes and at the same time decorates the area around the house. In a short period of time, the vine on the trellis reaches the top of the trellis and creates a beautiful landscape. By the way, a pergola can be used under wild grapes to arrange a recreation area - you just need to decorate the place under the vine with benches, put a small table or hang a hammock.
Some winegrowers prefer T-shaped trellises.
Tips and tricks for using pergolas in landscape design
Experts advise following some recommendations for using pergolas:
- It should be remembered that in winter all the flaws in the structures will be exposed, so the connection and fastening elements must be visually neat.
The choice of color is of great importance:
- brown - fits perfectly into the environment of weaving branches and flowing green foliage;
- white - will create some kind of airy illusion;
- variegated - it will simply be a bright spot against the general background of greenery.
When designing a pergola, you should take into account the strength with a margin, since the plants will grow, develop and their weight will increase. Also, the structure, braided with plants, is exposed to air currents and powerful gusts of wind.
- The closer the roof crossbars are located, the more shade you can get, but the plants will receive less light.
- When installing structures along the walls of buildings, according to the instructions, you should maintain a distance so that the plants do not trail along the walls, especially on the south side, and do not subsequently die from overheating.
A garden pergola is a fashionable, stylish and effective element in the landscape of a garden, park or plot, which, if properly arranged, can become a comfortable and cozy place to relax for the whole family.
Features and techniques of tying vines to a support
When gartering a grape bush, you need to consider the following:
- During work, it is forbidden to bend the branches excessively, so as not to block the access of nutrients to them.
- To tie the vine, it is recommended to use a special wire rope covered with paper.
- To properly tie the bush to the support, you need to pass the garter flagellum in a figure eight. This way the branches will not be damaged by the wire.
- For grapes with buds, laying in an arc or horizontally is necessary.
It can also be used when growing other plants, for example, raspberries and climbing flowers. Therefore, it is useful to master the skills of creating it in artisanal conditions.
Secrets of creating a pergola from wood
You can build such a unique garden decoration yourself from lumber or the following types of trees:
- larch;
- oak;
- acacia;
- pine;
- birch.
Regardless of the species, the wood must be well dried and treated with a special antiseptic.
Where they are located: for the garden, park and other options
Forged pergolas find their place in the arrangement of local areas and gardens . Metal products harmoniously complement the space around mansions, cottages, country houses and country houses . They allow you to create a cozy corner for relaxation, where you can place a barbecue and furniture.
Wrought iron pergola in the garden. Photos Kovan
Forged pergolas, located in gardens and parks, serve as an excellent place to install benches, benches, and swings. Metal products, tightly entwined with plants, allow visitors to a public place to shelter from rain or scorching sun.
Forged pergolas can be installed in the courtyards of multi-storey residential and commercial buildings. This technique will allow you to create a green corner among the concrete jungle.
A simplified method of constructing a leisure area on a summer cottage
Quite often, on the territory of country houses, many people erect a luxurious fence for relaxation - a metal pergola. A photo and an understanding of how to make it will help you gain courage and get down to business. In the simplest version, we will consider the order of work during the construction of this product.
The first step is to draw up a diagram or drawing of the future structure, as well as the amount of material that will be needed for the gazebo.
To make a metal pergola with your own hands, use a profile pipe with a cross section of 25 by 50 mm.
When the calculations are made, select the original plot of the garden and make markings. The next stage is making the frame. To do this, use a grinder to cut the edges of the pipes at an angle of 45° C. After this, they are connected to each other in the form of a square using a welding device.
- Then several planks are added to stiffen the structure. The design and dimensions of the pergola must correspond to the original drawing of the product. Its strength and durability depend on this.
- For the base, two metal profiles are used, connected at an angle of 90°. Small corners are welded to the upper and lower parts of the constructed structure, which is cut at 45°. The rigidity of the structure is enhanced with the help of metal jumpers, which are welded at the same angle (45°).
When installing a metal pergola, it is mandatory to strengthen the load-bearing supports. The process is carried out using concreting using the same method as for a wooden pergola. The evenness of the pillars is regulated by a plumb line and a building level.
Before installing metal parts in the ground, they must be treated with an anti-corrosion solution.
When the supports are installed, proceed to the installation of the roof. The welded structures are lifted and placed on supports and connected one by one. A lintel is added to each corner to ensure the reliability of the pergola. The finished structure can be painted in any color you like.
How to extend the life of a pergola
Unfortunately, like all country buildings, such awnings can only serve for a short time. The tendency for very rapid destruction especially concerns wooden products. However, by carefully following the recommended instructions, you have the opportunity to significantly extend the life of the pergola:
- Do not overload the light, openwork design with an excessive amount of decorative ornaments. Such an overkill will certainly disrupt the original style of the weightless structure.
- It must be remembered that roses, grapes and other climbing plants for a garden pergola require regular care. By timely pruning growing shoots, you can prevent your country decoration from turning into a shapeless bush.
- When installing a pergola yourself, do not forget to take into account the own weight of the grapes. The lack of required knowledge is compensated by the ability to use the recommendations of specialists.
- All necessary preventive work is carried out exclusively in winter, in the absence of greenery to mask the structural details. A wooden pergola is varnished or painted with mandatory antiseptic treatment. A stone canopy does not require special care.
- Excessive watering of grapes and roses can negatively affect the overall condition of the pergola structure for fruit-bearing plants and flowers. A special composition, regularly applied to the canopy parts, can protect the metal from rust and the wooden elements of the product from premature rotting.
Decorative stands for climbing plants
Some craftsmen make small pergolas from rebar on their sites. Their advantage is that such a design can be made of any shape and even collapsible. To do this, washers are welded at the main fastening points and secured with nut bolts.
In addition, such pergolas can be decorated with forged decorative parts. They are often used as a support for climbing plants.
For several centuries, gardeners have come up with all sorts of designs for gazebos, canopies and openwork arches to decorate them with lush greenery and flowers. And today, even novice craftsmen can easily make a pergola for climbing plants with their own hands and install them in the garden.
This structure is a structure that is used to protect the area from the scorching sun. With its help, they create various types of garden landscapes, green fences and even shelters for cars.
To create a pergola, you need to connect several repeating arches with cross beams. In addition, the structure can be independent and adjacent to the building. It all depends on the wishes and preferences of the master. It can even be made from the following scrap materials:
- wooden beams;
- metal fittings;
- plastic;
- plant shoots.
How to make simple trellises for grapes with your own hands.
The simplest (single-plane) trellises for grapes can be made with your own hands from wooden stakes with a diameter of 12-15 cm or metal pipes. The length of the supports is 2.8 m - 60 cm are dug in depth and 2.2 m is the height of the finished trellis. The distance between the supports in the trellis is 3 m. We stretch a wire between the supports - the first at a height of 50 cm from the ground, the rest at a distance of 30 cm from the previous one. The grapes on the first wire will be able to receive heat from the heated ground, but will remain clean after the rain.
The direction of the trellis is from south to north. When planting grapes next to a bush, a pipe is dug to a depth of 80 cm to feed the bush - watering and fertilizing of the grapes goes through it. These trellises are best suited for covering grapes - they can be easily removed from such a trellis and covered for the winter.
But there are more effective trellis designs - two-plane ones, which provide maximum sparseness and illumination of the bushes; a more powerful bush is formed on them and, consequently, the yield increases.
There is no waste in the garden
An original pergola is made from branches using simple materials and tools (an ax and rope). To do this, one of the edges of the shoots is sharpened, then tied with a strong rope and installed in the form of a tent.
The climbing plant will be able to freely climb the structure, creating shade on a hot day.
Stage 5. Decorating the pergola with plants
In order for the pergola to look truly beautiful, climbing plants are planted around it. We have already written about what plants around the gazebo will help decorate it, the information from the article at the link can also be used to decorate the pergola, look at the examples in the photo below:
Also, the look of our building can be perfectly complemented by elements of openwork forging, examples of the use of which can be seen in the photo of forged gazebos below (click on the photo to enlarge):
Arched pergola for the garden
For the construction of the structure the following materials are used:
- metal fittings;
- wooden beams;
- plastic pipes.
An arched pergola is installed as an amazing support for climbing plants to highlight the beauty of the garden landscape. It serves as an excellent entrance or entrance to the yard and a wonderful relaxation area.
Making a trellis for grapes yourself
Both one- and two-plane trellises are installed in the same way. Therefore, as an example, we will consider the more complex of the two options. The “simplest of complex” way to create a two-plane support is to install two metal pipes in a V-shape. We invite you to present our actions in more detail.
A two-plane trellis allows for the most rational placement of the growth of grape bushes. It allows you to place from 4 to 12 sleeves, which, accordingly. increases the amount of harvest
Let's determine the materials for 3 meters of trellis:
- 4 metal pipes 2.5 meters high;
- crushed stone, cement;
- aluminum wire (approximately 30 linear meters per 3 meters of trellis);
- wooden beams for marking;
- tape measure, chalk
According to the materials, we will calculate the installation of one 3-meter block of trellis. Your vineyard will consist of such blocks; you can determine their number at your discretion.
Step-by-step instructions for installing a two-plane trellis for grapes
- In the selected location for the trellis, draw a rectangle with one side 3 meters (length of the trellis) and the other 80 cm (width). Drive wooden beams into the corners of the rectangle.
- Instead of each of the beams, dig holes 40-50 cm deep. The width of the hole should be about 30 cm. The axes of our trellis will be installed here.
- We install metal pipes in pairs. If the distance between the bases of the axes is about 80 cm, then to the top of the pipe it is necessary to expand and increase this figure to 1 meter 20 cm.
- We pour crushed stone into each hole with an axle (about half). We dilute and fill the holes with cement. Now you should wait until the cement hardens.
- It is recommended to pull the first aluminum wire at a distance of 50-60 cm from the ground. For large-fruited varieties, this distance can be increased to avoid the risk of fruit contamination by microbes and diseases. The remaining wires are pulled 40-50 cm to the top.
There are several ways to secure the wire
For better fixation of the wires, many experts recommend welding metal hooks to the axles. This allows you to avoid bends and broken wires during operation.
A support with two planes has certain advantages:
- ventilation of bushes improves;
- sparse bushes receive more nutrition and sun, and produce a larger harvest;
- convenient shelter for grapes for the winter between the planes of the trellis.
An original structure for majestic climbing roses
What could be more beautiful than a “living blanket” consisting of many bright colors. Red or yellow buds exude a unique aroma when entering private territory. It’s even better to enjoy their beauty while sitting in a rose pergola, the photo of which evokes pleasant feelings.
But before you build it, you need to consider the following principles:
- The design must be reliable, since climbing roses are very heavy due to the huge number of buds. Therefore, load-bearing supports are buried in the ground.
- A rose is a majestic flower and it should fit harmoniously into the garden landscape.
- When choosing the size of the structure, you should take into account the area of your personal plot.
- If it is not possible to build a pergola for roses, you can make trellises that can be easily placed near any building.
It is interesting that such a pergola, strewn with many bright flowers, can perform various functions on the territory of a country house:
- an original transition from one area of the garden to another;
- “live” connection between buildings;
- unique landscaping of the veranda;
- flowering alleys of garden design.
To build such a pergola, wood, metal, and sometimes stone buildings are used. Forged structures installed on a stone base look wonderful against the backdrop of the garden. In such a pergola you can spend hours thinking about the meaning of life, reading interesting novels and simply enjoying the surrounding nature.
Selecting the right varieties
Not every type of grape is suitable for creating a beautiful, well-formed arbor. We need frost-resistant, fast-growing, bulky varieties. The “Wild Maiden” grape is a favorite decorative variety among many summer residents. This is a great solution if you don't need berries. It is unpretentious, easy to care for and very beautiful. One plant can occupy an area of up to 20 square meters. It easily climbs without trellises along brick and stone masonry to a height of up to 15 meters. The oblong carved green leaves light up scarlet, crimson, and purple in the fall.
Of the fruit-bearing arbor species, actively growing Amur varieties are frost-resistant (withstand frosts down to -30 degrees). Fruits with a pronounced taste. Unpretentious in care, with strong development and pleasant taste, varieties are “Lydia”, “Valiant”, “Alpha”, “Concord”, “Isabella”. The bushes are undemanding to plenty of sun and tolerate shade well. Universal table varieties that produce a bountiful harvest have proven themselves to be excellent - Prairie Star, Victoria, St. Croix, Timur. They are frost-resistant, but in some regions they need shelter.
You will learn how to select and secure grapes for a gazebo in the next video.
A unique place to watch the skies
The lack of a cozy dacha outside the city is not a reason to give up your homely paradise. It can be installed on the roof of a residential building. In megacities, this type of recreation has been practiced for several decades. Therefore, brave guys set up a pergola on the roof of the house in which they live.
A miniature gazebo made of metal rods against the backdrop of concrete slabs will seem like a real oasis of pleasure. They decorate it with hanging flowers, which exude a delicate aroma and create a light shadow.
During the daytime, in such a “tent” you can watch the clouds, and at night contemplate the majestic stars.
Foundation and supports of a metal pergola
We mark the area with pegs and a cord, after which we dig holes in the place of future supports, the depth of which is 0.7-0.8 meters. At the bottom we create a sand cushion, the thickness of which should be at least 15 centimeters. We clean the metal pipes and treat them with an anti-corrosion agent, after which we weld corners to them for subsequent installation of the roof. Having inserted the pipes into the holes and checking the correctness of their location with a building level, we fix the supports with boards. Pour a mixture of concrete and crushed stone into the pit, leaving the base until completely hardened (5-6 days).
Bonus: ideas for beautiful pergolas for the garden in the photo
Let's finish the article with a selection of photos of interesting canopies.
Types, photos
A wide range of configurations of forged pergolas allows each client to choose the optimal product option. Photos of products demonstrate the differences between types and clearly show the advantages.
For flowers, roses, grapes
The design of a pergola directly depends on the functions it performs. One of the options for these products is permanent - it is a support for various plants and flowers : grapes, roses, honeysuckle, bindweed and others.
The wrought-iron pergola-pergola is overflowing with plants. Kowkaburg Photos
A pergola covered with plants can be a green room for relaxing and spending time, a terrace or gazebo near the house, an impressively designed entrance to a separate area of the territory, and also serve as a frame for paths in the garden.
Pergolas ensure orderly growth of plants , facilitate convenient care of the front garden, and allow you to create a flower garden of almost any size and shape.
Forms
Most pergola models have an arched shape . With the help of such products, it is possible to create an original corridor (tunnel) located above the paths in the garden, park, on the local area or between buildings erected on the territory. Arched pergolas have an attractive design and harmoniously complement spaces of different purposes and styles.
Advice. In order for the structure to look proportional, the height should not be much greater than the width of the pergola. Products entwined with plants look even more down to earth.
Domed pergolas have a bright, eye-catching design , i.e. with an oval roof. They are most similar to gazebos, which makes it possible to furnish them with furniture.
Wrought iron domed pergola with two benches. Reiri Photos
For clients who want to decorate the facade of the house with green plants, there are wall products that can be called half-walled, they resemble trellises .
Forged wall pergola. Photo Favorite
The skill of hot forging blacksmiths allows you to create pergolas of various shapes . The design of such projects is developed by a specialist who takes into account the features of the space.
With benches and benches
A wrought iron pergola located above a bench or bench provides comfort and privacy . In a similar way, pergolas can frame various furniture, for example, a soft sofa, a rocking chair.
In addition, there are models of combined products : the seat and back (if present) are attached to the pergola supports, located between them. A pergola can also serve as a kind of fencing for two benches located along the supports. Pergolas in combined products most often have small dimensions and therefore resemble arches.
Wrought iron pergola with wooden bench. Teremok Photos
Moreover, the piece of furniture in both cases is made both from forged metal and from other materials: wood, leather, textiles. The roof (arch) of such products is often sheathed with polycarbonate, tiles or other material to provide protection from the sun and precipitation.
Construction type
A classic forged pergola is a free-standing structure capable of performing various functions, depending on the wishes of the client and the tasks assigned to the performers.
A wrought iron pergola adjoins the fence. Hotiron Photos
A wrought-iron pergola can be adjacent to a fence or a house , i.e. the structure has one support, on the other side it is attached to a vertical surface. Thus, it is possible to decorate the facade of a building or provide a frame for a path located near a building or fence.
Elements
The design of a pergola depends on the number and type of decorative elements used. Forged pergolas often have a laconic design , i.e. consist of longitudinal and transverse strips assembled into a lattice with a small number of elements. Designs with an abundance of decor amaze the imagination with the complexity of shapes and lines.
Forged pergola of lattice type with compositions of curls and overlays. Photo City of Masters
Regardless of the saturation and density of the pattern, the following forging elements are used to decorate pergolas:
- curls are universal details that harmoniously complement almost any product and design;
- leaves, flowers, grapes go well with living plants of similar or other types;
- overlays perfectly complement compositions of curls;
- Thrust bearings give a finished look to the pergola supports.
Cold and hot forging
Elements for pergolas are produced using hot and cold technologies. The first method is traditional, classical, carried out through artistic forging operations, requiring the master to have taste and extensive skills. In addition, the process is very labor-intensive and complex, which can be seen and understood by looking at the work of a blacksmith at master classes. All these characteristics “make up” the high price of the finished product. An important advantage of the items is their completely unique design.
White wrought iron pergola. Photo Petrovsky style
Cold forging is a method that appeared much later. Cold metal deformation is carried out using a wide range of equipment and tools. The blanks are bent and pressed, and then welded into the finished product. This scheme allows you to save on production and offer customers affordable design solutions.
Types of pergolas
The design of a landscape with a pergola is largely determined by the appearance of this elegant structure. The design can be free-standing or wall-mounted, classic and modern, simple and multifunctional, equipped with permanent furniture, lighting, and dense flooring.
They also differ in material: stone, wood, metal are perfect for permanent structures in classical styles, plastic and metal are more emphasized by modern designs.
According to its main purpose, pergola differs into such types as awnings, canopies, tunnels, screens.
Pergolas and berso
A pergola can easily be confused with a berso. Berso are covered galleries that stretch along paths and alleys. Climbing bushes are planted on both sides. They grow, stretch upward and create a continuous tunnel.
In the late Middle Ages, bersoes were created from elastic willow twigs. Young shoots were intertwined at the tops and connected with thin strips. This is how a living corridor was formed.
A pergola differs from a berso in that it is a more permanent frame structure. And its landscaping is created by climbing plants, and not by shrubs and trees planted in a special way. Although now these lines are increasingly blurred.
Photo: thespruce.com
Photo: tileinfo.ru
Construction rules
A do-it-yourself pergola or a purchased structure should emphasize the overall ensemble of the site. Therefore, the materials for its creation must be selected in accordance with the chosen style. But at the same time it looks light and airy.
You should not build grandiose structures on too small an area or make tiny pergolas on a large area. These two indicators must be interrelated.
The structure cannot be disassembled for the winter, so the material must be able to withstand rain, snow, and winds.
The most reliable supports will be stone and metal, but wood will have to be periodically impregnated with special compounds.
If the site is used year-round, then it is better to make the building attractive at any time of the year. For this you can use openwork trellises and evergreens.
Internal filling
To create additional coziness, garden furniture is placed inside the pergola, hanging chairs and hammocks are hung, flowerpots and garden figurines are placed.
Soft pillows and ottomans will provide additional comfort. It will only be necessary to provide them with protection from rain.
Types of grape trellises
Modern supports have a beautiful shape and decorate the garden. Trellis allow you to zone a plot or create a hedge of grapes. Structures are divided into columnar and arched. The supports are made of plastic, wood or metal. There are one- and two-plane trellises.
Single-plane trellis
The simplest type of design. Single-row supports for grapes are suitable for northern climate zones and regions with short sunny days. The structure consists of 1 plane on which all the green mass is located. The supports are concrete pillars and wooden beams. For better durability, single-plane trellises are cemented to a depth of 0.5 m. The side supports are secured with inclined beams.
Features of single-plane buildings:
- low construction costs;
- easy access to shoots for pruning;
- ventilation and lighting of the plant;
- purpose (for low-growing grape varieties);
- the ability to place vegetable beds or flower beds between the rows;
- the need for timely pruning, otherwise the plant will quickly thicken.
Double row
Used for growing a large number of vines. Two-plane supports are suitable for regions with moist and fertile soil. The grape trellis consists of 2 parallel planes designed for growing one row of bushes.
V-shaped trellis
It is erected by analogy with a single-plane structure. The supports are installed at an angle of 45° opposite each other. The base of the pillars is combined. The distance between the supports in the lower part is up to 50 cm, and in the upper part – up to 110 cm. The recommended height of the supports is 2 m.
L-shaped or semi-arch
The structure is called a pergola - it is a canopy made of transverse crossbars and load-bearing pillars. L-shaped supports are made of wood or metal. A semi-arch takes up little space, so it is suitable for zoning a site. The minimum height is 2.5 meters. Pergolas are difficult to design and build yourself.
Y-post
This grape support is made of metal or wood. The lower part of the structure is in one plane, and then the pillars diverge at an angle of 45–60°. The stands are suitable for well-lit beds. The distance between the pillars at the top is kept to 90 cm. The design is suitable for growing grapes in all regions of the country.
Features of Y-Rack:
- the vines are constantly ventilated;
- suitable for growing vigorous varieties;
- creates shade for the soil.
T-shaped design
The structure is suitable for productive plant varieties. The tied vines are distributed between 3-4 tiers, which promotes uniform illumination of the foliage. The upper supporting strips are fixed at an angle of 90°. The recommended height of the pillars is 160–200 cm, and the total length of the horizontal planks is 150 cm, leaving 3 meters between rows.
Advantages of T-shaped design:
- good ventilation of bushes;
- the garter provides free access to the plant for wasps, bees, and bumblebees;
- high density of growing bushes;
- abundant shade from plants (the soil is always moist).
Arch support
You can grow several varieties of plants at the same time. Arches take up a lot of space, and to harvest from the arches you will have to use a stepladder. It is better to grow frost-resistant grape varieties on such structures. Arches are assembled from reinforcement, wooden planks, and profile pipes.
Features of arched supports:
- suitable for fast-growing varieties with heavy and bulky foliage;
- well illuminated by the sun;
- are expensive.
Decorative trellises for grapes
The structures are used to set up a recreation area at the dacha. Trellis are placed along walls, fences and other barriers to give buildings a more beautiful appearance. Decorative supports are made of wood. They grow wild grapes that do not need pruning.
As they grow, the runs are tied to the structure. Wild grapes are watered regularly. The design of the structure can be anything. Forged structures are considered more durable. Metal gratings are coated with primer and paint to protect against rust.
Pergola features
Arched structures are a composite structure of vertically standing repeating pillars of any diameter connected to each other.
Horizontal boards, elegant gratings, and tightly stretched ropes can be used as connecting crossbars. The roof of the pergola is a small translucent lattice canopy.
Structures can be made of wood, plastic, metal, stone. They are not transported from place to place and are not disassembled for the winter.
What is a pergola?
A classic pergola is a canopy. Climbing plants twine around a frame support of arches and cross beams. This could be a separate structure, an extension to a building, or even a canopy over a window.
Pergolas are used to make separate terraces, corridors, and enclose swimming pools. Their architecture is becoming more and more diverse. And designers create real works of art and shadow drawings.
Photo: verandafx.ru
Selecting a grape variety for growing on canopy supports
There are several criteria for choosing a variety for growing on openwork canopy supports, but the most important of them is winter hardiness. Branches intertwined through the frame cannot be lowered to the ground for shelter from frost.
The following varieties are considered the most winter-hardy:
- "Lydia";
- "Aleshenkin"
- "Lady fingers";
- "Tukay";
- "Isabel".
Caring for these unpretentious varieties is quite simple; they are well adapted to frost and provide dense shade in the summer. In addition to the above-mentioned varieties, structures entwined with wedge-leaved and Japanese grapes look nice. With good winter hardiness, they provide dense shade and beautiful clusters of berries.
Possible types of created garden structures
Pergolas have large and small sizes, they can be free-standing, attached to a building, adjacent to two objects and forming a kind of corridor. Based on the shape and presence of an upper ceiling, structures can be divided into the following types:
- pergolas without overlap - trellises;
- pergolas with an arched top;
- pergolas with a flat top cover.
One of the design types is pergolas with an arched top.
Pergolas-trellises used as screens
The shapes of these decorative structures can be very diverse: often rectangular, square, triangular, sometimes zigzag, round, and can have several levels. If the purpose of this structure is only to create conditions for the growth of climbing plants, then a trellis is the most suitable type. This is a convenient option for annual vines. The grating fabric is made from thin bars, slats, and pipes, which are attached to stronger vertical supports.
Such lightweight structures are used, for example, for annual plants: morning glory and sweet pea. Flowers reach 2.5–3 meters per season, develop well in the vertical direction, decorate and shade the area. Sometimes collapsible structures are made for such plants, which are dismantled for the winter and brought into a storage room, and displayed in the spring.
Often this type of pergola is used for clematis. The flower is perennial, the maximum length of shoots is on average three meters. The result is not only comfortable support, but also a beautiful blooming “wall”. It’s easy to make a pergola for clematis with your own hands. This plant blooms profusely.
If the structure is needed solely to support plants, then you can install a pergola-trellis
It is advisable to make the cells at least 25 cm to ensure sufficient ventilation. Photos of pergolas for clematis with your own hands demonstrate a variety of designs, among which you will certainly have the opportunity to choose the appropriate option.
Pergolas for various types of climbing flowers
Pergolas for roses are widely used. More often these are structures with overlap and fairly powerful supports. This plant has many shoots, greenery, and flowers. It is better to make the cells of the sheathing small, no more than 25 cm, so that the rose weaves along the outside. This is of particular importance if the pergola is covered, especially if it will be used as a recreation area.
Helpful advice! When making a pergola for a climbing rose with your own hands, you should choose the right thickness and shape of the sheathing. This plant does not have tenacious tendrils, so the shoots must be fixed so that they are not blown off by the wind and fall.
A pergola for supporting climbing flowers should have ceilings and massive supports
The difficulty in choosing a suitable design is that it is necessary to maintain a combination of decorativeness and functionality. Photos of pergolas for roses with your own hands will help you make the right choice, allowing you to realize your desire and get the expected result.
Pergola - photo
To make your favorite green corner delight you with grace and elegance, we have prepared this selection of photographs with beautiful examples of pergolas in landscape design. Watch and get inspired!
Photo: krov-torg.ru Photo: davespoolstore.com Photo: thespruce.com Photo: hu.healthyhouseforall.com
Photo: garantanapa.ru Photo: madebymood.com Photo: homeandlivingdecor.com Photo: anandalandscapes.com
Photo: decorinspiratior.com
Photo: backyardvacationoasis.com
Photo: mirlandshaft.ru
Photo: rekvartira.ru
Photo: thespruce.com
Photo: newimagelandscapeandpools.com Photo: westerntimberframe.com Photo: pl.pinterest.com Photo: outdoorlivingtoday.com Photo: remontbp.com
Photo: rickyhil.com Photo: rdlandscape.com
Photo: vivbo.ru Photo: garyduffdesigns.com
Photo: pergolagazebos.com