In the article we will talk about the history of the emergence of pergolas, we will tell you what they are, how to build and arrange such a building according to all the rules. The information will be useful for summer residents, owners of country houses and even apartments. Yes, the compact pergola can also be placed on the balcony. But first things first.
Pergola – what is it in simple words
According to Wikipedia, the word “pergola” comes from the Italian “pergola” and the Latin “pergula” – a canopy, an extension. This value is still relevant today.
Pergolas were built during the heyday of the Roman Empire, but then they had only a pragmatic purpose – to support the vine so that the brushes did not lie on the ground.
Nowadays, the pergola is most often a wooden lattice canopy in the shape of a square or semicircle. It is customary to braid the walls and roof with climbing plants, creating a resting place, protected from the sun.
What is a pergola for?
Depending on the design features, the pergola can perform one or more of the following functions:
- An independent element of landscape design, decoration of the territory;
- Support for climbing plants or flower pots;
- A canopy for the porch and front door (and green plants serve as protection from the sun);
- Resting place – free-standing light gazebo of open type;
- An arch tunnel that will decorate the garden path or cover the unremarkable elements of the site (farm building, compost pit, etc.)
As you can see, the pergola will not be able to protect you from bad weather and rain, but it will completely cover you from the sun and please the eye.
Types of pergolas
Pergolas are classified by type of canopy, size, shape, design and style. Therefore, for any landscape design, you can choose a suitable version of this elegant structure.
By type of canopy
This criterion takes into account the form in which the canopy (roof) of the pergola is made. By the type of canopy, it can be:
- Traditional – the usual shape of a square or rectangle, flat grating at the top.
- Pointed – the canopy is shaped like a classic gable roof of a house.
- Arched – a canopy in the form of a semicircular arch. This is the most popular option when the main task of the building is to become a support for plants and flowers.
- Promenade – pergolas resembling bersot as much as possible (those same covered galleries stretching along paths with planted plants on both sides). But the promenade pergolas are a permanent frame structure, consisting of several repeating arches, which are interconnected by transverse beams. And the decoration is not shrubs along the walls like bersot, but climbing plants.
- Sloped – one side is made lower and the other is higher, so the canopy gets a slope. More often, such options are found in the case of an extension of a pergola to a house, but a free-standing structure can also be inclined.
- In the oriental style – a pergola-gazebo in the form of a pagoda. A wooden four- or more pitched roof is made with concave sides and raised edges.
By size and shape
When considering the size of the pergola, consider the area of the site. So, an overly spacious building will take up a lot of free space and look out of place in a small local area. Conversely, a pergola that is too small will be invisible in a large ennobled area.
As for the form, the pergolas are:
- Rectangular or square – simple laconic buildings for recreation.
- Round is an interesting, but more difficult option to perform. The round pergola can be made in igloo, dome or rotunda style.
- Elongated – used as a place for walking, protected from the sun. Usually these are promenade-type pergolas.
- Corner – installed when you need to save free space.
By design features
The design of the pergola is a real space for imagination. Depending on the main purpose, you can install the following types of pergola:
- Awning. The main purpose of such a building is to protect from the sun. Therefore, usually a pergola tent is installed over a playground, a parking lot or a summer recreation area.
- Canopy. This is practically a pergola tent, but it is not a stand-alone building, it is attached to a house, garage or bathhouse.
- Visor. Attached to the house, protects the adjacent wall from the sun. The sun’s rays make their way through the lattice canopy, but this only gives the house a special charm.
- Screen. Installed when it is necessary to beautifully and in an original way to zone the site. It can fence you off from neighbors, create cozy zones on the site, or just be its decoration.
- Tunnel. Garden paths and walkways are decorated with pergolas-tunnels.
- Pergola marquise. This is a combined version of two popular summer cottage designs. From the pergola she took stationary supports, and from the awning, a sliding canopy.
- Alcove. A gazebo in the form of a pergola allows you to create a cozy place to relax and shelter not only from the sun, but also from inclement weather. Such a building does not look as light and elegant as a pergola with an open canopy, but it is more practical.
In the form of a pergola, you can also arrange a canopy over a garden swing or a barbecue area, especially if the issue of saving space is especially acute. The green corridor of pergolas, stretching from the entrance to the site to the porch of the house, also looks interesting. For this option, they equip several pergolas-arches, connect them with guides and surround them with climbing plants.
By style
If you are striving to decorate the landscape of a summer cottage or a country house, then pay attention not only to the design features, but also to the style options. Basic Pergola Styles:
- Classical. The structure consists of a sturdy bar with a lattice overlap. Minimalism and elegance are at the core.
- Country. Country style is always cozy and environmentally friendly, and this should be taken into account when building a pergola in this direction. Use natural colors, natural materials and a minimum of finishes.
- High tech. High-tech pergolas have the most unusual designs. Original forms and stylish furniture are appropriate here. You can install an electric bracelet, arrange underfloor heating or make bright lighting.
- Oriental. They are made in the form of an open or semi-open gazebo with lattice walls and a volumetric pagoda roof. In the design, you can use bright colors (red, yellow, orange) if the Chinese philosophy is close. Or natural shades and a minimum of decor, if you want to create the atmosphere of Japan.
- Modern. The Art Nouveau pergola is made from contrasting multi-colored materials, columns and bold decorations.
- Mediterranean. The severity of forms and clear geometry are ideally softened by climbing green plants and flowers. Rattan furniture, large flowerpots, stone paths nearby are especially appropriate.
Pergola materials
It is important to choose the right material for your pergola. The choice depends on where you want to place it, what main function it will perform and what loads it will be subjected to.
Wood or thermal tree
The most logical and expectedly popular material for the construction of a pergola is natural wood. This is not surprising. Such buildings are beautiful and practical. The wooden canopy will fit into any landscape, it can be decorated in any style. The only thing to remember when building a wooden pergola is that it is a sensitive material that requires mandatory protection in the form of pretreatment.
If you want to mess around with processing, then give preference to a thermal tree. It is also a natural material, but made in a special way. As a result, such material is much more durable, less prone to decay, practically not afraid of moisture and does not require regular processing.
Stone and brick
The stone pergola is a massive luxury building that will not lose its attractiveness for many years. The disadvantage of such buildings is that the lightness that is inherent in pergolas made of other materials is lost. Usually, I lay out the columns or the base of the pillars from brick and stone, and the rest of the elements are made of wood or forged metal.
Metal
Metal pergolas look stylish and modern, especially with elements of artistic forging. A big plus is that such a building is truly durable and practical. But there is also a minus – a full-fledged foundation will be required to hold the heavy metal structure.
If you want both lightness and metal, then choose aluminum structures. It is convenient to adjust the ready-made swivel lamellas, turn in the desired direction when the sun changes its direction. But this option usually serves as a simple canopy, and is not planted with plants at all.
Plastic
Not the most stable and practical option, but in some cases it helps out well. Plastic pergolas are lightweight and inexpensive compared to other options. They can be easily assembled and disassembled at any time. It is as convenient as using a garden awning.
A small plastic arch pergola is ideal for a balcony, with its help you will create a real greenhouse without having a country house or summer cottage.
Combined option
In the manufacture of pergolas, combinations of materials are often used. For example, stone pillars and wooden canopy, brick base and metal frame. Wood-metal options are no less popular, when all the supports of the structure are made of metal, and the lattice elements are made of wood.
Where to install the pergola
The place for the pergola will directly depend on its main purpose in the personal plot. Here are some popular ideas:
- On a separate site. It is relevant when you want to organize an area for relaxation, family tea drinking or work in the fresh air.
- By the reservoir on the site. If you have a pond or pool, you can install a pergola next to it without hesitation. Under the canopy, you can place sun loungers and armchairs, and relax without fear of sunstroke. A building in a Japanese or Chinese style will look especially advantageous near the water.
- In the form of an extension to the house. This will save space and darken the porch and adjoining wall.
- Along the garden path. Here, the pergola will act as an element of the zoning of the site, create a decorative passage and a place for walking in the shade of plants.
- Above a garden swing, bench or barbecue area. The result is a full-fledged recreation area – beautiful and functional.