Question

This might be a silly question ( well it is) but what is the point of a wooden pergola? Not being rude! I think they look great and we decided we would build one. But then I'm thinking, why? They don't provide shelter from rain or shade from the sun. What is their purpose, other than to look nice?  

Answer 1

I totally agree with this post! Never understood it!  

Answer 2

We have ours over pond with Reed on top keep sun off  

Answer 3

We put a roof on ours and use it all year round

Answer 4

Climbing plants. Or you could partially cover the roof

Answer 5

They are great for holding the big sails to give shade

Answer 6

We grew grapes on ours

Answer 7

Ours is covered , so no rain  

Comments

@host23 what's that white bit on the side? I like it

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You mean this

Answer 8

We had one and we grew various sweet smelling climbers over it. Provides shade from the sun and smells amazing. Another one we have has grapes on and is very pleasant to sit under, it provides shade too x

Answer 9

You can grow plants up them and drape fabric from them for shade.  

Answer 10

Grow pretty plants like wisteria up it

Answer 11

Ours is pegged to the washing line and then the ground does give a lot of shade as I don’t have pergonia yet

Answer 12

I’d want climbers on it and it would give dappled shade  

Answer 13

I'm growing plants over mine for a shady spot to sit x

Answer 14

Im going to grow Whisteria up mine

Answer 15

Was wondering the same myself lol

Answer 16

We are going to put a pull accoss shade on ours on runners

Comments

@cineaste @ronald492 I thought of that - pulley system?  

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Probably just a stick! Low tech us!  

Answer 17

It's a very expensive way of growing climbers!  

Answer 18

In a sunny position you grow climbers up them and over the top to give dappled shade. Things like rambling roses, clematis, wisteria it even a vine in the right climate.  

Answer 19

Mine is going over the pond with wysteria or jasmine to provide shade

Answer 20

Were having one over our pool our daughter is allergic to the sun so it will be covered over the top etc x

Answer 21

Love mine , they play the part in your garden

Answer 22

My hubby made ours about 15 years ago we have Passion flower all around it which gives great shade / colour when it flowers I love my little cosy corner it’s my favourite part of my garden , got solar lights around it and it’s the perfect place for me to chill with a G&T in the evening ☺️

Comments

@ap35 that’s gorgeous x

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@sandysandye thank you  I love it , can’t really understand why some people think they are pointless. ah well each to their own x

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Ours is kind of a quarter one with a trellis. Not a great photo (from last year). I like the lights you have going up the legs.  

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@sandysandye looks fab  

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@ap35 it looks a bit better this year as the climbers are more grown but I think it needs more twinkly lights!  

Answer 23

They're beautiful for growing climbers up, to provide shade on a hot day. They're not compulsory  don't buy one if you can't see the point!  

Answer 24

Ours is a pergola deck and we used to have outdoor bean bags on it, but too old for them now so we have two chairs and a small table. Because it looks like we won't be going to Turkey this year I have decorated it with loads of hanging Turkish eyes. We also have it well lit up with solar lights, but are in the process of giving it a good clean at the moment and then going to put up some new lights.  

Answer 25

Put a roof on ours to make it more usable in all weathers

Answer 26

I have been wondering this

Answer 27

Our wisteria grows over ours  

Comments

@szabadka wow! Is that just 1 wisteria? And how long ago did you plant it?  

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Oh shit. just starting to grow one. Wow beautiful. but didnt know that they grew that big

Answer 28

My dad wanted to build me one and I was like but why?  

Answer 29

Its great if like me you just have a small garden as you can plant up the way, hang pots etc. I roofed mine x

Answer 30

Are they meant to grow like ivy over or something more desirable. I know what you mean though!  

Answer 31

I think they are a lovely garden feature, wish i had room for one.  

Answer 32

These are all lovely- maybe I should be looking at alternatives- I'd like something with sides I think

Answer 33

Partial shade and partial wind break. Both can be enhanced by using as a structure for climbers. Made well they are aesthetically pleasing.  

Answer 34

Nice looking.  

Answer 35

I tend to think they are largely pointless unless there are climbing plants growing over them! I would grow a grapevine over it if I had one

Answer 36

We just built this. furlough project. put in climbers so hopefully we will have a pretty area when they grow. better than a brick wall!  

Answer 37

I have roof on mine

Answer 38

Great for garden parties in all weathers too if roofed. I use it for all occasions x

Comments

@tranquil hi I'm looking at getting a stove outside was it expensive to do

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@corrinecorrinne4308 Stephens it wasnt cheap, a little luxury. I cant remember off hand but worth every penny. Will ask hub in morning x

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@tranquil thank you I'm dying to know how much roughly it will cost

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@corrinecorrinne4308 Stephens a local installer /supplier did it. No harm in getting a few quotes. No probs and had it 3 yrs now I think x

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@tranquil oh brilliant yep it's something I really want outside thank you xx

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@tranquil love your stone its so welcoming

Answer 39

The only stupid question is the one that isn’t asked.  

Answer 40

I thought myself  they look nice and I think it's to grow plants over to provide shade but in this country we don't get that many hot days x

Answer 41

I have a roof on mine.  

Answer 42

Eddy Thankse

Answer 43

Getting one made soon. Think I'll have to put some sort of roof in place - far too much rain in this part of Ireland! Had originally hoped to ger a grape vine to grow overhead, but to enjoy it all year round, will have to cover it (or part of it). Any ideas please?  

Comments

@eridanus5 mine is open with a vine and clematis wound into wires under the beams but a large green tarpaulin gets put over it for parties etc and tied down with bungy clips. Takes 10mins and great for rainy bbqs best of both worlds.  

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This was it 6 years ago getting built

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@dimmick stunning!  

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@dimmick please tell me how and what you planted did you have them in pots and clip them in place on wood or ? So beautiful  

Answer 44

Wisteria, Montana Clematis, Honeysuckle and Jasmine are stunning, climbing and hanging but the smell is amazing xx ❤️

Answer 45

We put bamboo sides and a roof on ours. I love sitting in it when it rains and it's a great party room.  

Comments

@woodland why lots of Elton johns lol

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@isentropic171 it was my birthday and I love Elton John so that was the theme  

Answer 46

This is mine I love it, it does provide shade too. We may add a roof in the end but it’s fine atm!  

Answer 47

We have put external roller blinds on ours which can be dropped or drawn across the roof for shade  

Comments

@carduaceous688 good idea! @towardly3

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@fingertip I like that idea. Xx

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@carduaceous688 we did the same

Answer 48

A pergula is to give hight and interest to a garden and is for plants not people

Comments

@sheepshead71 as I have a very small garden mine is for people and social gatherings :)

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@sheepshead71 all these people thinking they have pergolas, while they're smuggling gazebo's  

Answer 49

We have this log burner underneath and loads of solar lights it’s so relaxing

Answer 50

They use them to add height and interest. Can be used for some shade too. I want one for the last of my climbers. Wisteria looks lovely hanging.  

Answer 51

They give height to the garden and can be used for all climbing plants.  

Answer 52

I have grapevines grow up mine .  

Answer 53

Put a roof on it

Answer 54

Ours provides dappled sunlight which means I can go outside! I’ve very fair skin  

Answer 55

My dad grows his grape vine on his.  

Answer 56

You grow climbers up the legs and that provides the shade.  

Answer 57

Adds structure to the garden, I find flat gardens very boring.  

Comments

This was replaced last year when we stripped out and redid the garden so the climbers had to be cut back but they’ll be back up and over in a year or two. This was how the pergola did look when the wisteria and grape vine were up and over

Answer 58

My husband has started to build ours ready to put hot tub in! But neighbours complained to council saying it was too close to their boundary! Had back fence built up so their dogs can’t jump up on wall barking every time we go out, which they should of of done themselves if they were responsible dog owners!  

Comments

@vargas444 Catherine Davies-Oliver how high is the fence and did you need planning for the fence?  

Answer 59

You add planks on the roof, different widths apart to make shade whilst leaving 'roof' open to still enjoy sun etc. Dad has one in Spain and adds or takes away slats depending on weather etc

Answer 60

It's garden sculpture

Answer 61

Great for climbing plants

Answer 62

Grow climbers this is my outdoor dining space, lots of shade from the wisteria and jasmine

Comments

@rozanne94594 beautiful. X

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@rozanne94594 beautiful

Answer 63

A swing!  

Answer 64

I've always said this. "What is it for? " Never got it , never will x

Answer 65

I think it began as a structure in warmer climates for vines and foliage to grow up and over for shade.  

Answer 66

I had a beautiful one with clematis and wild yellow roses growing all over it with a patio and table and chairs it was lovely to sit under when sun was shining

Answer 67

We had one it was here when we moved in - We never understood the purpose of it so we dismantled it and used the wood to build raised beds for veggies. Made the garden and house much lighter and brighter too.  

Answer 68

Not a clue! I turned mine into a chicken coop  

Comments

@melgar3 Bruce oooops! I'm not allowed any more hens!  

Answer 69

They do add to a garden but I wanted a roof then sides on mine cause I thought what good is this to me  

Comments

@tineid9145 this is lovely

Answer 70

Much the same about most things - what’s their point, but look nice.  

Answer 71

I love sitting under mine and place a large green tarpaulin over the top if I have get togethers/parties so it can be used in all weather. Mine was to try make my garden look bigger and grow up the way as it has restricted planting space.  

Comments

@dimmick beautiful garden

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@dimmick that looks awesome.  

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@dimmick stunning !  

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Thanks this was it 6 years ago. New build house tiny garden that's why I wanted a pergola to add interest growing up the way. Myself and bro in law built it x

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@dimmick beautiful- I could sit there happily

Answer 72

We grew grapes

Answer 73

To give that Italian look. grow something pretty on it. And drink the peroni

Answer 74

Added a roof onto ours for a private area for our hot tub  

Answer 75

I think they add some interest to a flat space, they create a room without taking up too much actual room, they are great for climbers and like most things in a garden they are frivolous and pretty.  

Answer 76

Just that, look nice, trail amazing plants plus lights, my goal

Answer 77

Well, I watched a programme where they built a traditional pergola next to an open door extension and instead of putting the wooden beams straight on top they were at an angle opposite to the sun direction of the garden. I think that is the reason behind the initial invention if that answers yours question, basically to provide shade for the majority of the day .  

Answer 78

Grow some pretty plants up it? ‍♀️ I'm not a gardener!  

Answer 79

Every one bangs on about the Karen's in this world, but ladies and gents we have the No 1 @fingertip right here

Comments

@vlad67 I can't decide if this is taking the mick or a compliment!  

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@fingertip take it both ways if you like, looks like you already have

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@vlad67 hmmm but which is it?  

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@fingertip for you darling a compliment  

Answer 80

Ive seen some people drape like material over them for shade x

Answer 81

I would love one. Pity they are so pricey.  

Answer 82

Thank you for asking this; I've been wondering how they can be used, too, and have loved seeing everyone's pictures!  

Answer 83

So spiders have somewhere to hatch the eggs.  

Answer 84

Originally are for growing vines, I. E Grapes

Answer 85

My cousin has 9ne and has loads of plants climbing up it mainly wisteria it's beautiful and the wisteria gives it the shade z

Answer 86

It’s a great question. They were used as walk throughs to homes as a cooling area on hot days in Rome centuries ago where they’d grow grapes up keep the heat off the house. In Japan they are more to frame a view I think.  

Answer 87

Mine has a roof, it’s the only seating area and it’s shaded.