Why are arches needed?
From the photo of garden arches you can see that this decorative element is very functional. Their shape can be anything. Most often, garden arches protrude:
- Plant support.
- A decorative decorative element that complements the style of the site.
- Support for load-bearing pillars.
- An element dividing the territory into zones.
- The basis of a swing or hammock.
Materials for making arches
When choosing materials, it is necessary to take into account the overall style of the site. The arch for the dacha should be combined with other decorative elements.
Wooden arches
Wooden arches are rightfully considered traditional. Combinations of different types of wood allow you to create very beautiful designs. They are quite easy to decorate, and the cost of the finished product is very low.
The disadvantage of wooden arches is their fragility. In addition, they are light in weight, which is why they can sway from gusts of strong wind. Measures must be taken regularly to prevent wood from rotting.
Wood
Wooden models are inexpensive. They are easy to install on site. You can use clapboard for the product; you will also need fastening material.
The finished structure is coated with varnish or paint. To increase its service life, special impregnations are used.
Arches made of stone
Arches made of stone are the most durable. They look great in spacious areas.
You should not make stone arches in small yards with simple wooden houses, as they will look out of place. To install a durable structure, it is better to use the services of a mason.
For production, you can use natural and artificial stones or bricks. If desired, the laid out arch can be plastered.
Above the gate
The entrance lobby is an important part of the landscape; it also forms the impression of the estate. When you are greeted by an original gate with an arched vault, decorated with bindweed, lamps, artistic forging or fancy stonework, your mood immediately improves.
An arch over the gate, if it is of sufficient size, can serve as a canopy and protect guests from the rain when they are waiting for their hosts or saying goodbye to them.
Arches made of plastic
These arches are modern. They are quite inexpensive and do not require special care. The colors of such arches are not very varied, but finding the most popular tones is not difficult. Using such arches is very convenient and simple.
When choosing, you should definitely check the frost resistance of the product in order to know whether the arch can be left outside in the winter.
If the arch is not frost-resistant, it will need to be brought indoors during the cold season. It is very convenient that the plastic arch can be easily moved to another place.
Combined arches
To give the design individuality and improve its characteristics, a combination of various materials is used in the manufacture of arches.
A wooden arch installed on a concrete base looks unique. This design will not be afraid of gusts of wind and adverse weather.
Arch shapes
Arches are made in different techniques in arched, straight or gable shapes.
Standard garden arches are arched. A gable arch resembles a roof in appearance, and the rectilinear upper part is absolutely straight.
To give the site a non-standard appearance, you can install round or semicircular arches in the garden. The latter option looks amazing on narrow passages and alleys.
Ivy
The plant does not require careful care. Soon it will surprise guests and owners with its magnificent view. Ivy creates a green cover to admire.
The shape of the plant can be easily adjusted by pruning. It will help hide a cozy corner in the garden from prying eyes. Ivy looks beautiful even in cold weather.
Self-assembly of the arch
To fasten the pillars and crossbars, grooves are cut out at the tops.
It is better to start assembling the structure from the top. Semicircular nozzles are used to decorate attachment points.
The part that will be dug into the ground should be coated with a mixture to prevent rotting and covered with a layer of resin.
Crushed stone is poured into the dug holes and the finished arch is installed. The free space is filled with crushed stone and the evenness of the structure is checked. After making sure that the installation is correct, the supports are filled with concrete mortar.
To prevent rotting, the part of the structure that is located above the ground must be treated with wood varnish or stain.
It is important that the wood used for making the arch is properly dried. Otherwise, the finished product may become warped.
Zoning
Arches are used to divide the area into functional parts. There is no longer a need to install fences to mark off certain areas.
It is enough to make a small structure that will delimit the space. It is installed between the garden and vegetable garden, in the yard and other places.
Places to install the arch
It doesn’t matter where the arch will be installed, near the house, gate or somewhere on the territory, it will always be a spectacular decorative element. Having installed the arch, you can think through the entire further design of the site.
A garden arch placed on a path running through the lawn looks great. It can be done in subtle shades or bright colors that will contrast with the elements around it.
The swing can be installed under an arch entwined with greenery. In this case, you will be able to enjoy relaxing in the shade of plants even on the hottest day. You can place several arches along the path or make only one for the entire area.
A stone arch will help recreate the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
The most traditional option is to place an arch near the gate.
Arched integration
It is possible to place arches not only near the entrance or paths, but also as an element delimiting individual parts of the site.
It is not at all necessary to make the entire arch from one material. In this case, you can safely experiment, implementing non-standard solutions.
A bench can be installed in an arched metal arch. This will make her more attractive and interesting. To create a romantic setting, it is recommended to add a lantern and a few pillows.
Metal
The most common and inexpensive material, the structures from which are strong and durable. All parts of the structure are assembled from reinforcement and fastened together by welding. A characteristic feature of metal garden arches is their elegant lightness.
The simplest version of the product is metal rods bent in an arc and fixed in the ground. Typically, to give the structure stability, two arcs are used, connected by jumpers made of wire or rod.
Expensive models of metal arches include structures decorated with artistic forging. Such products are made to order; not everyone can create them themselves.
The only drawback of the metal is its instability to moisture. Painting and treatment with special substances are used as protection against corrosion.
Arch near the entrance to the house
An arch installed near the entrance to the house looks impressive. This increases the prestige of the building. You can complement the arch with flower boxes.
In addition, such an element will give the structure additional weight, and therefore stability. In addition, the arch near the porch can be supplemented with benches or lanterns.
Above the barbecue area
A small arched canopy will serve as a reliable shelter from bad weather for an oven or grill. If you expand the canopy, add shelves for storing utensils, a woodpile, a table and seats, you will get a full-fledged indoor barbecue area.
But that’s another story - it’s more correct to call a large arch a gazebo or pergola, because it serves not so much decorative as practical purposes.
Trellis
Trellis can be used as decorative elements. They are placed in a flower bed and climbing plant species are planted nearby.
Arches made of thin metal are often made two-level. Such designs are extremely elegant and unique.
You can make a fence of arches to separate the garden from the rest of the area. It will give a fabulous appearance to the site.
Modern versions of arches can be made in any size and painted in the most incredible colors. They transform the entire area, making it more interesting.
Roses
Delicate fragrant buds will decorate any design. With the onset of cold weather, they must be covered with special material so that the plants do not suffer from severe frosts.
Owners of frequent households choose them because of the aroma and the wide variety of varieties and colors.
Arches with other elements
If you plan to integrate an arch for plants in the garden with a fountain, pond, swing, bench or other elements, you must take into account the size ratio.
It is unacceptable for one element to be very large, and the other, on the contrary, too small. The elements involved in integration must be combined with each other. Ideally, the arch should look like a frame at any distance from the composition.
The depth of the arch will depend on its purpose. If this is a regular supporting structure, then its depth will be minimal.
If the arch is supposed to be used as a roof, then it should be much larger.
Under the spacious arch you can place a relaxation area, playground or swing. It is better that such an arch is not monolithic, but carved. This will allow free air circulation.
Grape
The arch can simultaneously perform a decorative function and serve as a basis for weaving grapes. With the help of this plant, amazing compositions are obtained.
It is worth considering that the structure must withstand significant loads and not deform under the weight of the vine and grapes.
Landscaping of arches
To garden the arches, you can plant climbing perennials near them. Thanks to their vines, the arch will quickly be filled with fancy green curls. Plants located on arches will grow much better than on the ground.
In addition, a garden arch for climbing plants will make caring for them easier. The ideal choice for decorating arches are:
- climbing rose;
- sweet pea;
- Schisandra chinensis;
- clematis;
- hop;
- grape;
- honeysuckle.
Garden arches are a very attractive element for landscape design. With their help they decorate the garden and give it a mysterious atmosphere.
You should not deprive yourself of such decor. There are a huge number of types of arches. They can be free-standing or part of some kind of structure.
If you wish, you can always find a suitable model on sale. If there is nothing suitable there, then you can make the arch yourself or order its production from specialists.
The main thing when developing a design is not to be afraid to improvise. To get some inspiration, you can look at photos of arches in the garden.
Photo of a garden arch
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