Patio Covers Place » garden arbor

Garden Awnings

Mike — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:58:37 +0000

This is one of those topics where it is fairly self-explanatory to some degree. The thing about awnings is that many are made of the same material while only some have more specific uses. Well, in the case of garden awnings, we are simply talking about a type that is used in a garden space. Now, depending upon where you live in the country or where you are from, you might have different ideas about what a ‘garden space’ is. For some of us, the garden is a place where we grow plants or vegetables. It is hard to imagine that it would serve as a place for get togethers or as a gathering place. However, for some, this is exactly what it is. The outdoor room or garden room as it can be called, is one such place that will become the favorite gathering place for you and your guests.

What you need in order for your space to feel comfortable is the use of garden awnings. Again, because we are mostly referring to the location that the awning will be used and not a specific type of awning, per se, a discussion about basic awning features and functions will work here. For one point of interest, awnings come in a variety of styles and fabrics. What one person calls an awning, another refers to it as a canopy. It really is inconsequential what you call them, as long as you know what you want. And, what you want is something that will provide you shade when you want it and where you need it. In the case of a true garden space, at least in terms of how we see things around here at Patio Covers Place, an awning could really help you to get some great sun exposure when needed and avoid over ‘cooking’ your plants in the intense summer sun.

To some, the term garden awning and garden canopy are synonymous. To some degree, we would agree with this. However, garden canopies are mostly seen as those ‘easy up’ or ‘pop-up’ style structures. These work great for temporary sun protection in a more inconspicuous area. But, if you are wanting to create a nice shaded are for your patio or garden, one of these cheap canopies is not the recommended way to go. It isn’t that there is anything wrong with these types of structures, they just will not give you quite the look of say a garden arbor or pergola would. Again, these are specific structures that you may not be interested in, so a simple canopy might fit your needs quite well. Do your research and determine if what you want is more formal patio awnings, like the retractable or motorized styles or if some of these garden awnings are more your style.

Photo credit

Patio Trellis

Mike — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:54:56 +0000

There is a distinction to be made between the various terms used to describe what are quite similar patio structures. For our purposes here at Patio Covers Place, we will use the terms as described here to discuss these items. You may find that other sites or sources of patio building information use a slightly different nomenclature. In the end, it isn’t critical that there is only one name for something as long as you understand what that item is.

Here, we are talking about the patio trellis. These are nothing more than structures used in a patio or garden space that add dimension, depth and character to the space. Typically, they are constructed of wood, though metal trellises exist as well. In fact, wrought iron trellises or some made with copper can look quite elegant and provide wonderful visual dimension to your space.

A trellis is related to other popular patio structures, the pergola and the arbor. Where we would make the distinction here is that while a pergola is often used as a cover for your patio space, an arbor can be used as a stand-alone structure in a garden space and a trellis is more ‘two-dimensional’. It can certainly be the support for climbing vines and other plants, like both the pergola and arbor as well.

This brings up another term that can be used when talking about such structures, the garden arbor. Garden arbors, are unique in their own right. We would talk about an arbor as a type of smaller pergola. Most pergolas consist of four posts and have beams and a lattice-type roof. They can range in size, but a 10’x10’ pergola could be considered average. A larger arbor could also have four posts, but might be something more like 4’, 6’ or 8’ wide by 2-3’ deep. In other words, you could put a nice garden bench beneath it or have it over your garden or patio entrance. They serve a nice function in this way. Again, like the trellis and pergola, greenery may grow all over it, creating a type of shaded cover all its own.

In the end, don’t get too hung up the name of the patio structure you are wanting. The only way to really find what you want is to do a search. As you are able to refine your search and see the names and pictures of exactly what you are after, then you can make a better decision about it. If that ends up being called a pergola that you want to build, then so be it. If you are looking for more of a ‘background arrangement’, we suggest looking for a suitable patio trellis.

Trellises – A Garden Favorite

Mike — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:00:32 +0000

There are some interesting points of interest in any patio or garden space. One of the ways that you can highlight these are with the use of trellises. As you know, a trellis is simple structure that helps certain garden plants or vines to have support as they grow. These are great because not only do they lend this helping hand to your plants or flowers, but they add another dimension to your outdoor space. A trellis design can be simple or more complex.

Trellises are sometimes used just as mounting places along walls, so they are fairly two-dimensional in some regards. If you want a more three-dimensional or overhead type of structure on which your plants, flowers and vines can grow, then you are looking at getting an arbor. Some of the features of an arbor and trellis are quite similar – so the terms are often confusing. And, in fact, sometimes these terms are used interchangeably.

Here, a homemade trellis wall was made with twigs to create nice piece.

To make matters worse in the confusion department, there are pergolas as well. A pergola is usually a four post and beam structure that is used as a patio cover or other decorative element over a walkway or path. Because arbors are also used in this way, these terms are often used to describe one another. In many cases, a garden arbor is what you’ll hear to describe the structure that goes over your garden gate or entrance to a patio area. An arbor can also be found as a stand alone structure in the center of a garden or patio space, much like a sentinel as a decorative element.

As far as materials used, all of these structures – including the trellis – are usually made of wood. Some great choices include redwood and cedar. At Patio Covers Place, we are big cedar fans. This is because this wood has great outdoor qualities for wear and durability as well as its weathering properties that give it a beautiful silvery gray appearance. In addition to this, cedar can be harvested in sustainable ways, making it a great choice for the environment as well. Redwood is another fine choice for looks and weathering outdoors.

There are other uses for trellises besides simple support members for plants. You can also use one to create some ‘walls’ in your garden or patio space. If you use a smaller trellis of about 3-4’ tall that is rectangular in shape, it can be mounted into the ground to create separate spaces or ‘rooms’. This is a nice feature, because it will add another dimension to your environment there.

We discussed that most of these structures are made of wood, but there are metal and other materials available as well. In fact, vinyl is a popular outdoor material. These can be found in various colors as well. While plastics and other materials like these are not as eco-friendly, if they are used for long periods, they do have some value over more quickly discarded materials. Once again, your needs and design ideas regarding your patio space will help dictate the materials and styles of garden structure you choose, whether that is an arbor or a combination of trellises.

Photo credit

Arbors – Elegant Design Elements for a Patio or Garden

Mike — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:07:49 +0000

There are so many things to like about arbors, that it is hard to pick the first thing that comes to mind. If you are looking for arbor designs browsing the web, then you will come across so many different styles. A garden arbor is a very simple structure, that gives beauty and elegance to any space that is lucky enough to have one.

Even if it is as simple as having an arbor-gate that brings you into your courtyard or patio area, the look and feel is both welcoming and warming. If you have ever experienced this, then you know the feeling. There is just something about walking beneath a vine or flower-covered arbor that brings you into the space you are entering. It makes that space seem like a special place to go.

A great shot of an arbor over a garden bench.

There are different types of arbors, as mentioned. Some are just simple two post and beam structures that have a few stringer beams up top for the support of your greenery. Others are more extravagant creations with many more posts and beams to support a much larger array of flowers and vines. In this respect, an arbor is very similar to a pergola – occasionally the terms are used interchangeably. A pergola is another type of patio cover. Pergolas are usually four post and beam structures with a lattice roof. Often, a pergola is made of wood – though metal and vinyl options are available.

Similar in some respects to the pergola is the gazebo. While the pergola has a more ‘airy’ openness about it, the gazebo is more closed. This is because gazebos have a more formal roof-type structure to them. Like other covers, they can use metal roofing materials or some other traditional type of wooden roof or shingle.

At Patio Covers Place, our preferred choice of wood for outdoor projects is cedar. It is not only a gorgeous looking wood, but has many additional properties that suit it best for outdoor applications. Its ability to age gracefully and be sustainably harvested are two features that immediately come to mind.

Now, there is yet another garden and patio element that confuses this issue – the trellis. A trellis is more of a two dimensional structure, so to speak. Typically, they are made of smaller lumber pieces with lattice work between the ‘posts’. Then, they are often used along fences or as small fences, to allow delicate flowers, vines or other garden herbs and plants to grow on.

The most important thing you can do is find the type of patio or garden structure that will work best in your space. Don’t worry about what it is called. You’ll probably hear many of these names used as synonyms anyway. If you don’t already have a good idea of what you are looking for, you can just browse images online, search in fine home magazines or just look over your fence if you like your neighbors’ ideas. The beauty of this project is that arbors can even be built by hand by the avid DIYer. If you’ve got one in your home, this is a great project to work on.

Photo credit