This construction is good in that it can be built from almost any material and installed anywhere. The main purpose of pergola - protection from sunlight, the creation of shaded space. A literal translation of this term from Latin is a canopy.
Pergolas can be either stand alone or adjacent to any structure, being an organic continuation or a kind of annex. Unlike the common "green" tunnels, they provide shading all year round.
Basic functions of pergolas
- Transformation of the site design, its architectural decoration.
- Reliable support on which climbing plants develop.
- Creation of a recreation area.
- Protection of a certain sector of the territory( paths, areas, pools) from direct sun rays.
Actually, the type of pergola is chosen based on the task it should solve. But the design feature is understandable - several arches located at a certain interval from each other, united by one light roof( canopy, tent, and not necessarily continuous).Or a series of pillars fastened on top of the rails into a single structure with a coating( monolithic or latticed) over the entire area.
Probably, there is no sense in explaining to the respected reader how to mark up the territory, dig holes and correctly mount( with reliable fixation in the ground).These are so elementary things that you can not think of anything new here. From the article it will be much more useful if it considers possible variants of pergolas, their specific characteristics and certain features of the choice of materials.
Screen
One of the simplest structures that is mounted either along the fence of the site( for example, if a fence from the fence and the territory is viewed from the outside) or directly on it( inside) for the purpose of dividing into certain zones.
Canopy
It is mounted either with an adjoining house, or as a separate building. In the latter case, it can provide shading parking for cars, playgrounds, artificial ponds and so on.
Tunnel
Typically, this design is mounted along the garden paths, while protecting them from rain, and "masking" part of the territory, when you need something to hide from an outsider's eyes.
Visor
Usually such light pergolas are mounted to protect the windows of the house located on the most lit side. In this case, you do not have to cover them with curtains( blinds), disrupting the natural circulation of air currents. They can be covered and a bench, having arranged a mini-zone of rest.
Some mounting rules for
- The design, regardless of the raw materials, should give the impression of lightness, some "weightlessness".Massiveness, "monumentality" is unlikely to add to the attractiveness of this element of design. Passion for excessive size of pergola will lead to nothing good.
- There is a limitation in the height of the structure, as it can "sail".Mount the pergola more than 2 - 2.5 m up is not recommended. Before making a final decision, it is necessary to determine the direction of the prevailing winds and their maximum gusts characteristic of the given terrain.
- Correspondence of dimensions with the parameters of the territory and other buildings. Pergola should not make its own shape and size dissonance in the overall design of the site.
How to build a pergola? The question is both simple and complex.
Wood
It can be used both as supports and as overlapping elements. Its advantage is aesthetics. Even in winter, if there is no greenery on the plot, this design will not lose its attractiveness( provided that the material is well processed and assembled).If the pergola is installed on the local area, it is probably preferable.
But one should not forget about the shortcomings of wood. If there is no constant care for her, she will be affected by the fungus or gradually( from moisture) "lead".Consequently, the need for repair, if not capital, then partial will be provided. In addition, even the strictest observance of all rules of wood processing is not a guarantee of its longevity. Such a design, even under the open sky, will last no more than 10 years.
Metal
The material is more reliable, although its cost is much higher. But "iron" is different. For example, if it is possible to organize excavation( digging holes), then you can do with pipes( as poles) of the corresponding section. As an option - screw piles, which are enough to screw into the ground at the designated points.
Disadvantage - for the assembly of the entire structure you will need a welding machine. If individual elements are bolted together, there is no guarantee that under gusts of wind, under the weight of snow, it will not gradually loosen. The second "minus" is the need for regular coloring. Although there is a significant "plus".Such pergolas can be decorated with various metallic patterns made of wire, strip or individual fragments of sheet iron.
Plastic
Polymer pipes as supports can be used for installation of a light canopy of arch type. But as a top coat, cellular polycarbonate is perfect. On sale there are sheets of different sizes, including large ones, and their fastening on the screws does not represent any complexity.
Conclusion from all of the above can be made unambiguous - a single recommendation, scheme, technology, arrangement of pergolas is not. It all depends on the size of the site, its design, as well as the imagination and skill of the owner.
