Landscape structures can provide cover from sun and rain, a framework for climbing plants, a fairytale garden gateway, or an inviting meeting or meditation place.
Landscape structures will unquestionably enhance your outdoor living. Arbors offer the framework for climbing plants, and fairytale gateways for walkways and garden paths. A quaint gazebo is both visually attractive and an inviting conversion room. A pergola offers shade from sun and cover from rain. Pavilions provide an enticing environment for events and entertaining while protecting from rain and sun. No matter your choice, a garden structure will add beauty and usefulness to your landscape.
There is, understandably, some confusion on how these landscape structures differ in appearance and use. Though the definitions overlap, there are some clear distinctions that will help you define the right structure for you.
Arbors are a small framework that serves as a gateway over a walkway or quiet garden resting place that supports climbing plants. Flowering vines and grapes make good plants to bring life and color to your arbor. A small bench may be placed underneath to offer a shady spot to relax and enjoy your garden. Arbors vary in style but often incorporate arches creating a very attractive structure.
Gazebos have a circular shape, often an octagon, with a closed, peaked or domed roof and a porch like floor. Designed for small groups, often including built-in benches for relaxed conversation, Gazebos are built to be a feature attraction of any landscape. Because of this they are often extravagant in their design and detail. Truly a luxurious addition to any landscape.
Often synonymous with a patio cover, pergolas are generally simpler in design then arbors and gazebos and are typically attached to your home or are free standing, four post structures. Customarily with a flat roof of slats or beams and set over a patio, pergolas are large enough to cover a variety of outdoor furniture and equipment. Because of their simpler design they are more open then gazebos while still providing some protection from the elements with more visibility and access to your surroundings. Like arbors, pergolas are often built to host climbing plants.
The largest of prevalent landscape structures, pavilions, are commonly used for events and entertaining large groups. The size can vary widely but they typically have roofs similar to a house with a simply post structure and no walls much like a pergola. Because of their size they are less common on typical homesites but are found in parks and large homesites where there is the space and need for hosting large groups. Size and roof structure are the primary differences between pergolas and pavilions. If you see a structure with a flat roof covering a set of patio furniture it will most likely be a pergola. If it has multiple tables similar to a banquette hall and a pitched roof, it would be considered a pavilion.
No matter what structure you prefer, Reynolds Landscape can incorporate it into your landscape plan. Contact Us here with any landscape need.
