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

Related posts:

1. Patio Trellis
2. Arbors – Elegant Design Elements for a Patio or Garden
3. Patio Arbors

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

Related posts:

1. Patio Arbors
2. Trellises – A Garden Favorite
3. Patio Trellis