The pergola is a widely used structure in the garden; it is a support built for plants, which allows them to develop in such a way as to form a screen against sunlight. Often the pergolas are placed on large terraces exposed to the sun, but these structures can also be built in the middle of the garden, to repair an access path to the house, or the area dedicated to the barbecue or afternoon rest. Typically the pergola does not have a cover, because for this purpose one or more climbing plants are developed above and around it. Climbing plants with deciduous leaves are often chosen, in this way the screen against sunlight is formed only in spring and summer, while during the colder seasons the sunlight is allowed to penetrate, heating the area.

The arbor can be of different sizes and materials. The most typical pergolas are made of wood, this is also because this material allows you to create a correct harmony with the plants that grow around it. If you want, you can also build a pergola in metal or masonry, obtaining a much more durable product. The structure consists, roughly, of 4 load-bearing columns, on which horizontal beams are placed, more or less angled, in order to create a flat surface on which to develop the foliage of the climber chosen as a screen against sunlight. To have a very durable pergola, regardless of the material with which it was decided to make it, it is important to isolate the columns from the humidity of the ground. In general, it is not necessary to apply for a building permit for the construction of a pergola, as it can be considered a temporary structure. In the case of masonry pergolas, or very large pergolas, it is advisable to ask for information at the technical offices of the municipality of residence.

The pergola is put in place to shelter an outdoor area from the scorching summer light. If the shading is necessary throughout the year, plants with evergreen leaves are preferred; if, on the other hand, protection is required only during hot summer days, then it is advisable to plant deciduous plants near the structure. Most climbing plants have the advantage of developing very quickly, creating extensive vegetation that covers the entire pergola, even in a single growing season. Among the plants that are classically used to cover a pergola we find the trachelospermum jasminoides, or false jasmine, an evergreen with white flowers, intensely perfumed; bougainvillea is also widely used, especially in areas of Italy with mild winters. One of the deciduous plants preferred by those who build a pergola is the Canadian vine, which in autumn takes on a particularly decorative red-orange color. Many other plants can be used, such as wisteria, ivy, different species of clematis, climbing roses, passion flower.

Pergolas have very different prices, which depend on the size and material chosen. In DIY stores, pergolas are available in assembly kits, which are very practical and in some cases even cheap. To create a small arched wooden pergola with a depth of around 60-70 cm, on which to grow a beautiful climbing rose, you spend less than 100; It is worth remembering that at this purchase price of untreated wood, which must then be painted with a suitable impregnating agent, to prevent humidity from quickly ruining the material. If you want a deeper pergola, with a square shape and a side of about 3 meters, you will spend figures close to 500. This is for wood; if you intend to build a masonry or metal structure, the cost increases dramatically, but it must also be taken into account that these materials can last many years, without the need for maintenance. Wood, on the other hand, needs to be treated periodically, at least once every 5 years.