Iron Arbors and Trellises

If your garden or outdoor setting looks bare to you, then iron arbors and trellises can definitely help. These garden features are made for adding dimension and depth. Also, a correctly placed iron arbor and trellis can work as a focal point of a garden, which is something that most inexperienced homeowners tend to miss.

Keep in mind that iron arbors and trellises come in a plethora of varieties. It can be quite challenging to find the right one for you. To help you with this endeavor, this article is going to be an iron arbor and trellis buying guide. Hopefully, after reading this article, you will be armed with enough information to help you choose one that is perfect for you.

What materials should an arbor be made of?

Arbors can be made out of a variety of materials! Consider how you'll use the space as well as the likely elements that your arbor will be routinely exposed to.

Wood: The two most popular types of wood for structural integrity and aesthetic appeal are cedar and pine. Both will stand up to rain and sun exposure---and cedar may even repel some types of bugs from your living spaces.
Wrought Iron: For a rustic feel consider a wrought iron arbor. Its rough black surface will look wonderful next to the delicate curls of flower petals and the slim, spiky grasses outside. A wrought iron arbor will instantly feel like it's been in the space of hundreds of years, buying you instant sentimental appeal.
Vinyl: While vinyl may not have the romance or presence of a solid wood or wrought iron arbor, it is basically maintenance-free. Wood and iron require special treatment to ensure that they do not rot or rust, while vinyl generally takes care of itself in the long term.
Steel: If you're looking for an arbor that will have an industrial vibe or truly stand the test of time, look no further than steel as a base material.

How to determine the right size for iron arbors and trellises?

Generally, bigger gardens will need larger iron arbors and trellises. If you have a smaller garden, you'd want one that is also smaller. While iron arbors and trellises can add character to your garden or outdoor setting, there's still a limit to it. In most cases, homeowners tend to go for something that is really big. As a result, the iron arbor or trellis will "drown out" the rest of the garden. The key to not overdo things is to find the right size.

A straightforward way of finding the right size is by doing some visualization and measuring. The first step is to visualize the location where you want to place the iron arbor or trellis. Then, imagine the appropriate size and take some measurements. Once you have the dimensions, all you need to do is to shop for the iron arbor or trellis that is a good fit for your measurements.

Another thing that you need to consider is the vegetation. Always keep in mind that vines will add volume, making iron arbors and trellises look bigger than they first arrived. Hence, you need to factor in this information before buying iron arbors and trellises.

What are the different arbor designs?

As a mostly aesthetic product --- unless you go for an arbor with productive accessories! --- a large part of what you're buying when you purchase an arbor is its design capabilities. You'll find a large array of differing patterns and designs on the market, including:

Arched Arbors: These types of arbors are extremely traditional and feature a romantic archway in the middle.
Pergolas: For an arbor with a more rectangular silhouette, choose a pergola! Traditionally, these consist of four rounded columns supporting a slatted roof.
Latticed Arbors: A latticed arbor is made of criss-crossed, thin pieces of wood---perfect to support crawling vines and flowers growing over the arbor itself.
Gabled Arbors: Very similar to an arched arbor, a gabled arbor simply has a peak at its top instead of a rounded curve.

What are the different types of arbors?

Would you like an arbor with a built-in bench? What about hooks for flower-pots or double trellises? No matter what you'd like to do with your arbor, there's a specific type that will work best for you.

If you're looking for an arbor with accessories, here are ouse of the most popular kinds:

Attached gates: Want to use your arbor as an entryway for a garden or another section of your property? Use an attached gate to make that statement with style.
Attached planters: Arbors are naturally associated with gardens and greenery, but if you'd like to make that association even stronger, try attaching a planter to the arbor itself! This will work particularly well if you have any plants that need to be elevated or get specific levels of sun that may not be available in your natural planting space.
Attached seats: Sometimes, you're just looking for a place to relax. An arbor can bring that opportunity to you in style with a build-in bench. With natural shade and places to lean your head, an arbor bench may just be the loveliest place to catch your breath we've ever heard of!
Indoor arbors: While most arbors are thought of as outdoor pieces, if you have a need for one that works inside there are models that will work well for you!

Quick tips

Look carefully at the place you'd like to use your arbor, and use a measuring tape to get precise measurements before you buy.
Consider how you use the space. If there aren't any nearby seating opportunities, getting an arbor with a built-in bench, for example, might help maximize use of the space.

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