The issue of ennobling and decorating a suburban area is not at all an easy one. Sometimes landscape twists and turns throw up serious puzzles, which can only be solved by turning on the imagination and introducing exclusive elements.
The most prominent representatives of the latter are garden arches. They can be made in the most unusual shapes and placed in the most unexpected places. We will talk about these interesting architectural inclusions today.
What is it, a garden arch?
The arch is not only original, but also diverse in its functionality. It can be both a pearl of landscape design and an effective component of landing compositions. As for the functionality, the arch can serve as:
1. Support for plants.
2. A bright stylistic touch of the overall architectural design of the site.
3. Strengthening and support of load-bearing pillars (applies to structures located above the gate).
4. A delimiting and zoning element.
5. Frame base for hanging a hammock or arranging a swing.
6. A kind of lamppost, etc.
Decorative arch in the garden
What are garden arches made of?
From what to make an arch, they decide, based on considerations of the harmony of the combination of material with the general design vision of the option for finishing the territory as a whole. The design should fit into the style of the decor of the yard and garden.
The arch should organically fit into the style of the garden
There is no shortage of offers. It remains only to analyze the pros and cons of each.
wooden arches
“Garden arches made of wood do not tolerate wind loads: they can warp or even fall down”
Wooden arches are classified as traditional models. Wooden structures are loved for their relative ease of manufacture, the ability to decorate them in a variety of ways and low cost. A wooden arch is easy to adapt to almost all styles. It can be woven from rods or assembled from lumber.
Graceful wooden garden arch
Of the shortcomings in the first place is a short service life. Next comes the need for enhanced protection against decay and light weight. Even garden arches made of wood do not tolerate wind loads: they can warp or even fall down.
metal arches
The item is strong and durable. It is found in a welded version and more prestigious - forged. The structures are massive and stable, but they are afraid of corrosion, so they need regular updating of the protective layer of varnish or paint.
Metal garden arch
stone arches
Very solid and almost eternal structures, however, they are not applicable in the designs of small gardens and look ridiculous against the background of simple wooden houses. Their appearance on these occasions will bring with it a proportional and stylistic disharmony. To put up such monumental garden arches, you will have to look for a qualified bricklayer.
Monumental garden arch made of natural stone
A stone of any kind can go into work:
1. Natural.
2. Artificial.
3. Brick.
Brick garden arch
The masonry can be left in its original form or plastered.
plastic arches
“When choosing a plastic garden arch, be sure to ask about the frost resistance of the model”
These designs are from the category of modern. They are relatively inexpensive, durable and maintenance-free. In operational terms, you will not find a more attractive offer.
Practical plastic garden arch
Plastic arches are produced in assortment and stylistic diversity. In terms of colors, everything is not so rosy, although the most popular shades can be found. When choosing a plastic garden arch, be sure to ask about the frost resistance of the model. You will know whether it is possible to leave this element of decor to spend the winter on the street or the structure will have to be hidden somewhere in the back rooms.
The plastic arch is easy to move to the desired part of the garden
Combined arches
The mixing of materials is resorted to, if necessary, to strengthen the alliance of the useful properties of the structure or to make it more expressive. It looks good and lasts a long time with an arch with a concrete or stone base, topped with a vault made of budget wood. Massive structures are not afraid of winds, contact with the ground.
Combined garden arch made of wood and metal
arch shapes
Arched structures in modern design differ in the shape of the vault. He can be:
1. Arcuate.
Classic arched garden arch
2. Gable (like a roof).
Garden arch with gable roof
3. Rectilinear.
Rectilinear garden arch
If you need non-standard solutions, then you can install round garden arches that will add creativity to the surrounding space, or semi-arches. The latter are a great way to decorate narrow alleys or passages along the fence.
The semi-arch will decorate the narrow parts of the garden
How to assemble an arch with your own hands
You can build an arch from lumber such as cedar, pine, pressed wood, ready-made sets of treated wood parts, or go to look for timber, boards and battens for a custom project at a local sawmill. Of the tools, it is worth arming yourself with a jigsaw, a circular saw, a drill and a screwdriver.
Scheme of a simple garden arch made of wood
To attach the head rails to the support posts, grooves for fastening are cut out on their tops.
Assembly of the structure starts from the top. After attaching the crossbars, the space under them is decorated with semicircular overlays.
Assembly starts from the top
Installation of garden arches occurs by digging into the ground. For better stability, the depth of the pits should be at least 70 centimeters. The underground part is treated with protective compounds that prevent decay and covered with a waterproof layer of resin. Having installed the arch, they organize temporary lateral supports and pour rubble into the pits. Concrete is poured only after the control of the standing vertical produced by a plumb line. The above-ground part of the structure is treated with stain or covered with wood varnish.
Installing a garden arch in the ground
Make sure that the lumber used for work is well dried, otherwise there is a risk of serious deformation of the creations of your hands.
Finished garden arch
Where to put the arch?
Garden arches are just that element of decor, which, even alone, will be “a warrior in the field”. Separately installed structures will become a very effective point accent, and it does not matter where they will be used: at the entrance to a private territory or in the open spaces of the site. From them it will be possible to “dance” like from a stove, creating a unique design for the rest of the landscape.
Garden arch as a spectacular garden accent
The arch on the garden path will look good, especially if the latter passes through a green lawn. Make it bright, conspicuous, you can snow-white. On a green background, it will look just gorgeous.
Snow-white arch against the background of green lawn
Under the canopy of garden arches entwined with plants, you can equip a cozy swing. A series of such structures can also be placed along the central alley or a single decorative element can be made and sent to a secret secluded corner of the site. Beautiful and functional, because it perfectly protects from heat, calms the nerves and gives pleasure from spending time on a soft sofa.
Cozy garden arch with a swing
Would you like to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages? Then think about stone garden arches. The landscape composition will be truly bewitching and even a little mystical.
Medieval stone garden arch
A separate sub-item is to highlight the justification for using arches when decorating fences in their entrance part, because it is from here that the decor of the rest of the territory begins to set the tone.
Garden arch at the entrance of the fence
Arch integration
"Modern decorative garden arches stand out for their expressive coloring and sweeping dimensions"
It is possible to supplement with arches not only the entrance gates, but also the decorative fence that delimits the garden, and it is not at all necessary that both parts of the composite solution be made of identical material. On the contrary, in such garden arches, the game of textured contrasts is valuable.
Garden arch as part of a fence
The integration of the bench will be justified in the arcuate arched design of forged metal. This will add the final rigidity and aesthetics. Pillows added to the composition and a lantern suspended under the arch will make it possible to have a great evening.
Bench with a garden arch, decorated with a lantern
The arch in the porch area will look unusual. The facade of the house will immediately acquire a prestigious look.
It is also possible to integrate additional elements into the design of the arch itself. This move allows you to expand the functionality of the design. The most successful symbiosis with flower containers. The weight of the earth boxes gives the light garden arches the stability they seek.
Functional arch with flower boxes
Decorative items from this category can replace trellises in a flower bed. You should not look for more original supports for flowers. Graceful arches made of thin metal will be no less relevant here. With their appearance, the flowerbed becomes a two-level one, which automatically makes it a unique component of the landscape.
Garden arches will successfully replace trellises in flowerbeds
Arched openings with floral decor in the wall enclosing the garden will contribute to the perception of the landscape as a painting.
Modern decorative garden arches are distinguished by expressiveness of coloring and scope of dimensions. They do not just give rhythm to the drawing of space, they open up the prospect of its development in a new quality. This is a non-standard technique for decorating a suburban area, however, now it is in service with every designer.
Original garden arch made of tree branches
When integrating arches into the garden landscape, one must take into account the proportionality of their sizes. For example, for a simple portal composition or highlighting a relaxation corner, height and width will not be so important, but if the task of garden arches is to emphasize the beauty of a fountain or a sculptural group, then their proportions are selected in such a way that the so-called “frame effect” is preserved even on a large removal.
Composition of several garden arches
The depth of the arch is directly related to its immediate purpose. For supporting structures, it is usually minimal. If it is planned to place any zone under it, that is, use the arch of the object as a roof, and the space under it as a playground or relaxation zone, then the arch will have to be made deep enough and better openwork, rather than monolithic. The last point is the key to good lighting of the space inside the architectural form.And this technique will also allow you not to turn deep garden arches into tunnels for drafts.
back to index ↑What greens arched elements
Perennials from the curly class, which in their weaves have beautiful curls of an unusual shape, should become a living decor for the arch. The design can be safely drawn up:
- climbing rose;
- clematis;
Arch entwined with clematis
- sweet peas;
- honeysuckle;
- Chinese lemongrass;
- grapes;
- hop.
Landscaping a garden arch with a climbing rose
Conclusion
Garden arches are the most aesthetic elements of landscape design. Their presence will not only emphasize the beauty of the garden, but will fill its space with some mystery. Do not miss the chance to make its territory especially attractive.
Photo gallery - garden arches
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