The pergola creates comfortable partial shade and can also serve as a supporting element for climbing plants, such as grapes and a number of others.
This material presents step-by-step instruction building a pergola with your own hands. It is based on a design of medium complexity, which can be easily simplified if necessary.
This pergola diagram shows the main connecting points and dimensions individual elements designs.
Installation of columns
The columns we use were purchased at a hardware store. They are hollow PVC pipes with a decorative base and capital.
To install the columns, you need to prepare the base. To do this, holes are dug at least 60 cm deep with a side of 30 cm, then pipes of the appropriate diameter are installed in them, which will act as formwork.
Columns 1.5 m high from 100 mm timber are placed inside the pipes. Columns are aligned in advance taut thread and are poured cement mortar or concrete. Then you need to wait a couple of days for the concrete to gain the required strength.
The height of the columns can be adjusted individually. They are turned upside down (so that later the bottom can be trimmed, not the top with the capital) and placed on posts, after which it is determined how much each of them needs to be shortened.
To cut PVC columns with a jigsaw, use a saw blade with 10 teeth per inch.
The top of the columns are closed with wooden plugs, which are installed with glue.
In accordance with the diameter of the column, you will need to screw the pads to the posts.
After that, the columns themselves are put on the columns and secured with 75 mm self-tapping screws through pre-drilled holes.
Top assembly
Capitals are placed on top of the columns, after which the outer beams (50x250), marked in the diagram with the letter “E”, are installed, which are secured with steel corners.
Two beams F1 and a middle one F2 (50x250 mm) are attached to them using corners and self-tapping screws. After installing these three beams, 25x50 mm guides are screwed to them over their entire length. Self-tapping screws should grab the guides every 20 cm.
Cross bars (50x200) are installed on guides and attached to the main beams on each side with three self-tapping screws.
Manufacturing of sidewalls
The sides are cut according to a template from a board of the same size as the crossbars (50x200). Then the planks are screwed onto them from above, and the entire structure is attached to the beams and cross members using self-tapping screws.
After placing the sidewalls, installation is carried out upper slats. Their number can be arbitrary depending on how shady you want to make the area under the pergola.
Finally, you should make ventilation holes in the column caps and install a PVC pipe with an angle fitting in them on the sealant.
Before painting the pergola, do not forget to putty and sand the heads of the screws.
Landscaping of personal plots always occupies one of the main places in the thoughts of the owner. When the house is built and planted, you want to have a place where you can have a great rest. This is where buildings come to the rescue, which you can create in a short period of time and do it yourself. Let's look at how to build a pergola with your own hands, get acquainted with step-by-step instructions and photos of the most beautiful structures.
What is a pergola
Pergola literally means an extension or canopy, which fully reflects its content. It is a structure of sections that are interconnected by crossbars. It can be made free-standing or stationary, in the form of a terrace.
Did you know? The first pergolas appeared in southern Italy in the 19th century. They were used to support vines and thus create a place for daytime rest.
Despite the variety of types, the pergola has distinctive features:
- Repeating sections.
- Supports and arc elements.
- Lattice ceiling.
Types of canopies
Garden pergolas are used to support various climbing plants. Despite the huge number known forms and species, only a few “official” ones are highlighted: awning, screen, canopy, arch or tunnel.
Important! To prevent the building from being blown away by the wind, it must be installed in accordance with the wind rose. In addition, its height cannot be higher than 2.5 meters.
By size and shape
Pergola structures come in the following sizes:
- Sadovaya. Presented lightweight design small in size, which is placed on the site to create support for climbing plants or grapes.
- Arched. Similar structures are built near the gate or porch, thus emphasizing the entrance.
- Small. It has the appearance of a visor and is used for small areas.
- Big. It is considered a full-fledged architectural element. Often have complex roof and several sections.
Based on materials
Pergola material can be the following types:
- Wooden. The most popular building material similar designs. All thanks to accessibility and ease of processing.
- Forged. They are made for decoration, but such structures require some skills in working with metal.
- Metal. Steel is most often used as the most durable material. Requires good foundation and experience working with a welding machine.
- Plastic. Such designs are modular and affordable. However, they have a short service life.
- Stone or brick. They look solid, but they require a large area.
- Combined. The structure is created using two or more types of materials. The most popular are wood-stone, wood-metal.
The best place to place the structure in the country
Having decided to build a pergola at your dacha with your own hands, it is important not only to read the instructions for its creation, but also to decide on its location.
This decision has not only aesthetic, but also practical significance. Since the main thing the purpose of such a building– creating an atmosphere of peace and relaxation, then most often such canopies are placed at the maximum permissible distance away from the road and other disturbing objects.
In order to properly place a pergola, you should consider some tips from professional landscape designers:- On small area It is recommended to break it down and lay a circular path, and it is better to place this building in the far corner. In this case, covering the area will help.
- An alternative would be to install a canopy at a distance of a couple of meters from the entrance to the house. With this arrangement, it is better to choose a building in the form of a veranda.
- If neighboring buildings are located close to each other, it is recommended to build a pergola with closed sides. Front side placed right in front of the house.
- When the plot is more than ten acres, the scope for creativity increases. It is recommended to place the canopy centrally in an open, sunny area. You can plant climbing plants around it.
Important! If you want to emphasize the elegance of the canopy, you can place it in an empty corner zone, close to the entrance to the site, on the border of the garden strip or against the backdrop of a pond. In these places he will definitely not go unnoticed.
Using these rules, you can successfully place not only a canopy, but also other objects on your site.
How to make a pergola with your own hands: diagrams and drawings
After familiarizing yourself with the features and types of pergolas, you need to have information on how to make a pergola with your own hands, and the proposed step-by-step instructions will become an indispensable assistant. 
Made of wood
To build a classic wooden pergola you will need following materials : supporting and cross beams, crossbars, racks, adjustable anchors, tubular formwork, self-tapping screws different sizes, cement, sand, gravel.
- Work begins with contour symbols future pergola. In the corners, formwork is buried in pre-prepared holes so that they are all on the same level. A small amount of concrete is poured into the holes. While it is not completely set, anchors are installed.
- After the concrete has completely hardened, they begin to install wooden racks. They take bars for them the right size and using a level, place them vertically, fix them in two directions using hex head screws made of wood.
- Then they start installing support beams. Here you will need to purchase boards, the size of which depends on your tastes. It is important to take into account that they must protrude 30 cm beyond the perimeter of the building. Before fastening, they are leveled horizontally and only then secured with clamps. Finally, drill through holes at the junction of the beam and the rack and insert the bolts.
- Install transverse beams from boards. They must be straight. The amount of light depends on the distance between them. Most often, the gaps are 30 cm. For fastening, two cutouts and guide holes are made at both ends. Now everything is fixed with long self-tapping screws.
- Finally, cross beams are attached, which increase rigidity designs. Holes are also drilled on them and fixed.
Important! For building correct design you need to know that in order to check that all angles are right, you should take into account one rule: “3-4-5” (32+42=52). If something happens, you need to make adjustments immediately.
After all the work, the structure is covered with several layers of varnish.
Made of metal and plastic
You can make pergola arches from metal yourself. Like wood, metal is made only after a preliminary drawing future design and designations of the contours of the building.
In addition, working with metal requires some skills in working with a welding machine. You will need profile pipe, cement, building level, welding material, paints and varnishes.
All work is divided into several stages:
- Cutting out parts. Parts are cut from profile pipes, the diameter of which varies depending on the length of the product. You need to make all the parts that will be needed for construction. To prevent the parts from corroding in the future and the entire structure from collapsing, everything is treated with paint.
- Fixing supports and installing rafters. The support pillars must be fixed in the ground, the depth of the holes must be at least 50 cm. A gravel cushion is poured onto the bottom of the recess, and then it is poured a large number of concrete. After it dries, a support is installed and concrete is poured to the edges of the pit. Rafters and crossbars are welded to the top of the support only after the concrete has completely dried. The last to be installed are stiffening ribs, which will provide strength to the structure.
A small pergola can be made of plastic; most often such structures are created to support light climbing flowers. Arrangement of the building
Creating a pergola at the dacha with your own hands according to the instructions ends only after decoration. Most often they decorate the canopy with living
Which are connected by a lattice ceiling. The shape of such structures is very elegant. Pergolas were famous in the Roman Empire. Their main task was to support the vine. This article will talk about how to make a pergola with your own hands.
Types of pergolas depending on the material used
Pergolas can be made from the most different materials. The main thing is that they fit harmoniously into landscape design personal plot.
Wooden pergolas are the most popular because they fit into almost any exterior. They look aesthetically attractive. The benefit of a wooden pergola is the fact that you will need very little time to build it.
It is known that hardware very durable. Therefore, if you need a durable pergola, it is better to choose metal for this. At proper care entwined with plants, the wrought-iron lace structure will last for many years.
Fundamental luxury pergolas are made from stone or brick. However, such buildings look good only on large areas. In a small area such a structure looks ridiculous.
Such pergolas are not durable, and therefore are not particularly popular. Fit into the exterior plastic building very difficult. However, if they hide under the greenery, then this is possible.
The above materials are used in combination with each other. For example, wood goes well with metal and brick or stone.
First, let's look at the most common type of pergola - made of wood. So, to build it you will need: tape measure, ruler, a circular saw, pencil, chisel, hammer, plumb bob, drill with light drill, paints and varnishes for woodworking, hand drill, building level, 4 bolts with square heads, 5 bags of quick-drying cement, washers, nuts. In addition, you cannot do without lumber:
- 4 beams 50×100×4000 mm.
- 4 beams 100×100×3000 mm.
- 9 beams 50×100×3000 mm.
Note! Lumber yards often sell raw wood. If this is the case in your case, then you need to dry it first. The fact is that paint does not go well with raw wood, as the boards can twist.
The cutting location is determined as follows: you need to retreat 120 mm along the length of the beam and 50 mm in height. The same manipulations should be carried out with four beams having dimensions of 50 × 100 × 4000 mm. The photographs clearly show how to do this.
To install longitudinal crossbars in beams measuring 100×100×3000 mm, you need to make recesses. To do this, measure 90 mm from the edge and draw a line. The recess depth should be approximately 25 mm. To speed up this process, secure the beams with clamps, as shown in the photo. The cutting depth should be set on the circular saw, for example, 25 mm. Then many cuts are made from the marking line towards the edges of the beam.
As a result, you should end up with a large number of partitions that can simply be broken with a hammer. Process the resulting indentations with a chisel. Carry out the same manipulations on the opposite side of the beams.
Note! All wooden elements should be processed to avoid their damage during the operation of the pergola.
Now is the time to mark the area where the pergola will be installed. You need to use pegs and rope to mark out a 2.6x3 m area. Using a hand drill or shovel, if you don’t have a drill, dig holes 1 m deep in the corners of the intended area. Then install stands in them. In this case, the cuts in the racks should run along the long sides of the markings. To ensure that the installed racks are level, check each step with a water level. If necessary, the holes can be filled in or, conversely, deepened.
To make pergola installation work faster, fill the holes with quick-drying cement. After the solution has hardened, the beams, which are 4 m each, need to be installed in the cut-out recesses (in the support posts). The edges of the beams should protrude about 40 cm beyond the supports. The parts need to be secured with bolts and nuts, but before that screw drill Through holes should be made so that they go through 2 beams and a rack.
Cross bars in the amount of 9 pieces must be evenly distributed along the length of the structure. To fix them on the pergola, each crossbar should be secured in turn with a clamp, and then screws should be screwed into the corners.
Inside such a pergola you can arrange a seating area by placing a table with chairs. To make the structure more shaded, it can be covered with a special mesh or colored fabrics. You can also plant climbing plants near the pergola, which over time will completely entwine it.
A pergola-bench looks very good in a small area. It takes up little space, but at the same time fits organically into the landscape design. With proper distribution of all decorative elements in the yard or garden, a pergola-bench may well become its highlight. So, before building a pergola-bench, you should purchase the following materials:
- Bars for racks 5×10×180 cm – 4 pcs.
- Bars for making the frame of the seat and back 5×10×162.5 cm – 4 pcs.; 5×10×46 cm – 3 pcs.; 2.5×10×27.5 cm – 13 pcs.
- Boards for making rafters – 5×20×180 cm – 2 pcs. and 5×5×84 cm – 9 pcs.
- Planks for making a seat – 2×10×162.5 cm – 6 pcs.
- Bars for the grill – 5×5×135 cm – 4 pcs.; 5×5×41 cm – 4 pcs.; lattice 135×34 cm.
To carry out wood processing work, you need to purchase the following tools:
- Hacksaw.
- Drill with drills.
- Jigsaw.
- Carpenter's pencil.
- Roulette.
- Chalk cord.
- Level.
- Safety glasses and gloves.
Note! Before you begin to connect wooden structural elements together, they need to be treated with a layer of stain.
First you need to install the racks. In their upper part, it is necessary to make recesses for the subsequent installation of rafters in them. How exactly these notches are made has already been said above.
Next, the seat frame is attached to the racks, which is made from 5x10 cm bars. When making the frame, it is important to make sure that all the corners are right. To connect the seat frame with the posts, you will need to drill guide holes and then screw 6 cm long self-tapping screws into them.
Note! During the work process, the vertical and horizontal lines need to be checked with a level from time to time.
Now you should attach the backrest to the rear pillars. To do this, you can make horizontal guides from 5x10 cm bars; they will become the basis for attaching the vertical slats.
A tenon should be made at the ends of the racks, and grooves should be made in the horizontal guides corresponding to the holes in the racks. The guides can be secured using galvanized self-tapping screws. To make the connection points more reliable, they can be additionally secured with waterproof glue by coating the groove of the stand or the tenon of the guide.
The pergola posts in the lower part gained stability due to the backrest and seat. Now is the time to install the rafters. To make curved rafters, you will need 5x20 cm bars. Mark the cutting line with a pencil and complete the workpiece using a jigsaw. The cut edge must be processed. To do this you will need medium grit sandpaper. After making the rafters, they need to be treated with stain and secured to the racks in pre-prepared recesses.
Then you need to install the seat on the frame, attaching 2x10x162.5 cm planks to it. This is done using galvanized self-tapping screws. In this case, the planks should be distributed so that there is a gap of 5 mm between them.
In order for the pergola to have a finished look, you need to install a lattice on its sides. To do this, make a frame from 5x5 cm bars and secure it to the racks using self-tapping screws. Install the finished grille inside the frame. It can be secured with finishing nails.
To provide greater shading for the pergola-bench, small bars can be secured to the roof rafters with self-tapping screws, as shown in the drawing.
That's all construction works finished. It remains to pay attention to details. For example, you need to fill cracks and holes from screws with wood putty. After the putty has dried, you need to sand it wooden surfaces fine-grained sandpaper. To improve the external performance of the pergola, it needs to be covered paint coating in several layers.
Working with metal requires some skill and skill. To make a pergola from it you will have to use welding machine. If you know how to work with it, then we suggest you familiarize yourself with the technique of making a metal pergola. You will need a profiled pipe, cement, a welding machine, a building level or plumb line, and paint and varnish materials to protect the pergola from corrosion. All work can be divided into several processes.
First you need to cut parts from profiled pipes. You will need support parts, roof beams, stiffeners and crossbars. Depending on the load and length of the pergola, the diameter of the pipes ranges from 4 to 10 cm. To avoid destruction of the finished structure from corrosion, all parts must be painted. The pergola looks great in green, white and black.
Note! White color visually makes the building lighter and airier. Metal constructions look quite massive, so by choosing White color, you can minimize this effect.
To fix the support pillars in the ground, you need to dig holes 50–60 cm deep. The bottom must be covered with a sand and gravel cushion. Then pour a small layer of concrete and let it dry. Afterwards, the end of the profiled pipe is installed on the resulting bottom and the hole is filled with concrete.
Note! The supports must be positioned strictly vertically. You can check this using a plumb line or level.
Rafters and crossbars need to be welded to the supports on top. Stiffening ribs should also be welded to them so that the structure ultimately turns out strong.
In order for climbing plants to cover the pergola well, a metal wire with a diameter of 4–5 mm can be passed between the supports horizontally. Once your pergola is ready, it’s time to plant climbing plants near it. You can install a table and chairs inside the pergola, thus creating a good place to relax in the shade of green spaces.
If you want to decorate the terrace near your house with a pergola, then doing so is quite simple. It is worth noting that such a structure looks quite impressive. So, the construction of such a structure looks like this:
- A 15x5 cm support beam needs to be attached to the wall of the house. The rafters of the pergola roof will rest on it. The length of the beam depends on the height of the structure, as well as the distance between the supports. Anchors are used to secure the beam. They are inserted at a distance of 50 cm from each other.
- In order for the rafters to be well supported on the support beams, cutouts need to be made in them, as in the case of the construction of a pergola-bench and a classic wooden structure. This technology has already been mentioned earlier in this article. In addition, you can use and Alternative option fastening the rafters - use U-shaped brackets. They need to be secured to the top edge of the wall beam. This is done using nails. The number of staples used depends entirely on the number of support beams.
- In accordance with the markings carried out in advance, the pergola support beams should be installed. They are usually concreted in dug holes. Typically, 12×12 cm or 15×15 cm timber is used as support beams.
- The roof rafters should protrude 15–30 cm beyond the edges of the support beams. finished design looked more elegant, the edges of the rafters can be processed by making curly bends on them.
- Cross members can be installed on the rafters. For this, thin boards with a cross section of 10x2.5 cm are used. Their ends should also protrude beyond the support beams by about 30–40 cm. The edges of the crossbars will have a finished look if you make a bend or a figured ornament on them. They are secured using U-shaped brackets or rectangular cuts in the rafters. It is worth noting that the first option is easier and faster to implement.
- To make the pergola more durable, you need to install cross braces. They are secured between the roof rafters and support beams. Spacers are cut, as a rule, from timber of the same cross-section as the rafters. Installing spacers during operation can protect the structure from deformation and even destruction in windy weather.
So, this article examined several technologies for constructing pergolas made of wood and metal. Drawings will also be provided below, which will help you clearly see the processes of manufacturing and installing pergolas. If you have questions on the topic, write them to our expert. You can supplement the information provided by leaving a comment on the article.
Video
In this video, you can clearly see the process of making a pergola.
Under the word “pergola”, which is strange to our ears, there are various arches for a wide variety of climbing plants. Initially, they were built in southern countries as a support for grapes. And the word itself has Italian roots ( pergola - canopy, outbuilding), where the vines supported the knocked together bars. The simplicity of the design makes it easy to make them yourself, and in this article we’ll talk about what it is and how a self-made pergola will decorate your yard, cottage or garden.
What are there
In ancient times, pergolas were not only found in vineyards. Similar structures, only on a larger scale, were made in courtyards to protect from the scorching sun. The hottest midday hours were spent under them. They were more like canopies, one part of which rested on the wall. Their design remains the same, the materials have changed: now a pergola can be not only wooden, but also metal, concrete and even plastic.
Canopy-pergola near the house made of grapes - dense shadow even at noon
In addition to being a useful structure - supporting vines and creating shade - it is also beautiful. The architects appreciated this. Gradually, pergolas migrated to the gardens of the nobility. Only there they had a more refined form and were used expensive materials right down to the marble columns and beams were made in elaborate shapes. Not only and not so much grapes were climbing over them, but ornamental plants, roses, bindweeds and vines.
They also make it in the form of a gallery, blocking it from the sun all the way from one building to another. These arcades serve as a support for perennial vines and climbing varieties of roses. Where they cannot survive due to the harsh climate, annual bindweeds can be used; they are no less decorative; the flowering period can be selected so that flowering continues throughout the warm season.
In the modern sense, it is more like a canopy or an open summer gazebo, which instead of a roof has a network of beams along which plants climb.
And this too. This is more like summer gazebo for a pleasant pastime So, with the help of a pergola, you can decorate the entrance to the house - it’s a canopy that looks good even without plants, and when they grow it will be even more comfortable
A modified pergola is also an arch on which flowers or grapes rest. If we say “arch,” then most often we mean a metal product with a rounded upper part.
An arch for grapes is also a pergola, only with a modified shape of the upper part. An arch for a climbing rose is the same pergola. But the mass of the rose is less than grapevine and they still make it for her wooden structures
Hang flowerpots on top hanging plants- and the arch becomes even more elegant. Powerful columns are entwined with vines - a protected garden
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 you build an arch, Special attention need to be given to connection nodes. See the photo for how to make them.
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 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.
Beam edge decoration
Diversify it a little appearance possible at the expense different designs ends of 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.
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.
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”.
Step-by-step assembly instructions
First of all, you need to decide how you will attach the support pillars. If your pillars are made of larch, there are no questions, you can simply bury them in the ground. With other wood, everything is more complicated: direct contact with the ground is extremely undesirable. You can, of course, treat the ends of the posts buried in the ground with antibacterial impregnation such as SENEZH or Senezh Ultra, and put them to work for a couple of hours.
The second option is to make a concrete pile with an embedded stud (or several studs, depending on the size and weight of the structure). Attach the stand to the stud with a gap of 5-8 mm.
Another way is if the site is concreted or a covering is laid on it. Then they take metal bearings. Most often they are found in the form of an inverted letter “P”, attached to the surface of the site. The post is secured with bolts through these plates. This type of fastener is suitable for a garden where the error will be covered by plants. If construction is taking place in an open area, other bearings are used.
Once the installation method for the posts has been selected, all wood that will be used in construction is covered. protective composition- antibacterial and insect repellent. Formulations must be intended for use on outdoors(not for internal use, but only for external). After processing, you can begin construction:
That's it, the wooden pergola is assembled with your own hands. You can see the assembly sequence in the following video.
Features of pergolas attached to the house
Pergolas adjacent to the house are open summer terraces. One part of the beams rests on holders installed on the wall of the house, the second - on beams lying on support pillars. There are several ways to attach them to the wall. You can see the first one in the photo below: a support beam is nailed to the wall, and landing sockets are cut out. Additionally, the strength of the connection is ensured by the corners, which are secured on both sides.
One side of the beams rests on the pillars, the other on the wall of the building
The second method is to install special stops on the wall: steel plates of the appropriate shape.
The main construction steps are similar, but have some nuances:
- Mark the locations of the posts and install them. The pillars are installed at a certain distance from the house, equal to the width (depth) of the pergola terrace. The second part of the marking is made on the wall of the house - the second ends of the auxiliary beams are installed there. Either the support beam or plates are fixed there.
- Attach two boards or support beams on top to the exposed posts.
- Place auxiliary beams on them, one side of which is attached to a support on the wall.
All. What you should get as a result is presented in the picture below.
You can see the sequence of actions during the construction of a pergola adjacent to the wall in the following video
Verandas are built using the same type, but with a roof. How - read.
Building a metal pergola
The peculiarity of using metal as building material is that it is more reliable and requires less maintenance. The metal is immediately primed and then painted. At high-quality coating good paint will last for several years.
Wood is more of a hassle. In our climate, we have to renew the coating every year. Therefore, it is better not to use varnishes: they crack, turn white, and come off in parts. To renew the coating, you need to clean everything off and then recoat it. Because even the most good varnishes for outdoor gardens or outbuildings It's better not to use it. For processing outdoor wood all year round There are oils to which color is added. They do not provide shine, but perfectly protect the surface from climatic influences. The worst thing that can happen is that it will fade a little. To re-treat the surface, it must be cleaned of dirt and dried. Can be painted. Touch drying usually takes a couple of hours. Convenient, beautiful, reliable.
The difference between metal is also in the assembly method. This is either welding or bolted assembly. Everyone chooses the method themselves. Due to the fact that the corrosion resistance of painted metal is quite high, it can simply be concreted. Therefore, there are fewer difficulties with installing pillars. It is only more difficult to work with it because of its mass. But everywhere has its drawbacks.
And the variety of metal pergolas is, perhaps, even greater than wooden ones: they can be forged and bent into bent shapes. Metal is combined with stone, brick, wood. An awning is pulled over a metal frame, wicker mats are laid, and secured roller blinds. See examples in the photo gallery (it opens to full faucet if you need it).
Under this carpet the pergola itself is not visible. It is built like a gazebo: the frame is welded from pipes, the rest is plants. Using the same principle, you can make a gazebo for grapes. Another arch for roses - garden pergola, which we see most often This is the pergola that we call “arch for flowers or grapes” Light pergola over the entrance - an awning is stretched over a metal frame Racks and main beams are made of metal, auxiliary beams are made of wood
Small architectural forms set the style in the garden, decorate it, and make your stay in it comfortable. One of the types of MAFs are pergolas. This is the name given to a structure that consists of a series support pillars with a lattice roof. The main purpose of pergolas is to serve as a support for tall, powerful vines. This design can be adjacent to the house and replace the terrace, “hide” from the heat garden path or serve as a resting place.
Pergola materials
To build a pergola, the same materials are used as for the construction of a gazebo. It can be wooden or metal. It is also possible to combine materials. For example, the support pillars can be made of brick, concrete or stone, and the roof can be made of metal or wood. There are unusual options in which the roof is made of ropes or bamboo. The shape of the pergola roof can be single-pitch, gable or arched.
A wooden or metal pergola (see photo) can be purchased ready-made and simply installed on the site. But if standard solutions are not suitable, you can build a pergola with your own hands.
Where can I place it?
A pergola is a powerful vertical accent. Therefore, before you start building a pergola with your own hands, it is important to decide on its purpose, location and size.
To prevent the pergola from looking like an alien element, you should not place it in an open space among flower beds and lawns. It would be more appropriate in a garden among trees and shrubs. If the pergola is simply located above the path and does not carry any functional load, it is advisable to place some fascinating object behind it (a flower garden, a fountain, a sculpture). A pergola, resting one edge on the house or capable of hiding an unsightly facade, sheltering from the heat and becoming a favorite vacation spot.
To make the pergola look proportional, it is important to correctly calculate its size.
A classic pergola should be about 6 m wide and 2.5-3 m high. Moreover, the length of the structure should be greater than its width.
In internal space pergolas, you can put a bench, arrange sculptures or arrange a flower bed for shade-loving plants. But on a standard six hundred square meters, such a design may seem ridiculous. Therefore on small areas The width of the pergola can be reduced to 2-2.5 m and the height slightly reduced. 
Construction
When building a pergola, it is important to understand that this design must be strong enough to withstand the weight of vines and gusts of wind. The simplest way making a pergola with your own hands - install support posts and stretch twine between them. This design can only withstand grassy vines. A more noble look will have a design made of ready-made arches installed in a row and covered with a trellis lattice. Ready-made arches and trellises are sold in garden centers.
Well, those who know how to work with a saw, drill and hammer can make wooden pergola with your own hands.
To work, you will need timber for support pillars with a cross section of 80*80 mm, a board for beams and sheathing. Before starting construction, all wood must be treated with a moisture-repellent compound. After this, the location of the future structure is marked on the ground.
Support posts can be installed in in the right place and concreted, or can be installed on a pre-concrete site using metal anchors. After they take their place, support beams are attached to them. The beams can be secured using screws or using the tongue-and-groove method. The sheathing boards are secured perpendicular to the support beams. The pitch for the sheathing boards is chosen depending on the size of the entire structure.
In order for the resulting standard design turned into a unique object, just paint it in suitable color And .