Both arbors and pergolas are eye-catching structures that add shade to your home or garden. An arbor is a structure with a slatted roof and two or four posts. A pergola is similar, but it is larger and can be attached directly to your home.

Most homeowners decide to add arbors or pergolas to their yard because they want to enhance the beauty of their yard space. While these structures are certainly pleasing to look at, they also come with a number of practical benefits for your home and yard.

Here are five reasons why you should invest in an arbor or pergola.

1. Provides a Shaded Space for Outdoor Gatherings

When warm weather arrives, you imagine sitting out in your garden, sharing drinks with friends. But if you plan to spend several hours outdoors, you need a place that can protect you from the effects of direct sun. After all, unprotected exposure to direct sun can cause sunburn, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. That’s where an arbor or pergola comes in.

The advantage to an arbor or pergola is that you can adjust the amount of shading it provides. You do this through the size, spacing, and location of the individual rafters. You can also angle the rafters to protect you from the sun’s harshest rays. There are also operable pergolas available that will adjust light as you prefer.

Along with shading your group from the harsh sun, an arbor or pergola provides a defined space for outdoor gatherings. But rather than an enclosed space, an arbor or pergola is open and seems like a seamless part of the landscape. You still have a view of the sky through the slats or rafters, and you can still feel the fresh air.

You can use an arbor or pergola to create a new outdoor area in your yard or garden. Or you can add a pergola over an existing outdoor space, such as a deck or pool area. You can then enhance your new outdoor space by adding hanging lights, fans, or other features.

2. Protects from Adverse Weather

Another benefit to an arbor or pergola is that it shields you from wind and rain. It also protects your outdoor furniture from weather damage and extends its life as a result.

You may worry that with its slatted roof, an arbor or pergola can’t give you adequate protection from rain. But if you add an all-weather fabric to the roof, you can even use your arbor or pergola during rainstorms.

3. Supports Climbing Plants

Arbors and pergolas have been used to support climbing plants since ancient times. In fact, they were a staple for many gardens in ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Pergolas can be a great location to plant climbing plants such as:

  • Clematis
  • Grape vines
  • Honeysuckle
  • Ivy
  • Roses
  • Wisteria

These plants weave in and out of the pergola’s various structural elements, creating a beautiful framing. Pergolas and arbors are also a great way to display hanging plants like petunias, fuchsia, and geraniums.


4. Increases Your Home’s Value

By adding an arbor or pergola to your outdoor space, you can increase the selling price of your home. Experts estimate that outdoor structures like arbors and pergolas can get you a return investment up to 80% of their purchase price. Today, outdoor structures are increasingly prized by would-be homebuyers. These features can also help you sell your house faster in a competitive market.

Your best bet is to add an arbor or pergola a couple of years before you plan to move. That way, you can enjoy it yourself for a while and still get a solid return on your investment. Your arbor or pergola will also look its best in a few years, since the climbing plants will have had time to grow and weave throughout the pergola.

If you have a tight budget but still want to get an outdoor structure, a pergola or arbor is a great choice. Fortunately, pergolas and arbors are relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to other outdoor structures.

5. Creates an Entrance to Your Yard or Garden

One of the most traditional and practical uses for an arbor or pergola is as an entrance to your yard or garden. You can also place a gate under the arbor or pergola to create a picturesque entrance to your outdoor space.

An open arbor or pergola with an attached gate protects your garden from intruders. Yet the openness of the arbor or pergola still allows passersby to view your yard or garden, adding to your home’s curb appeal.

If you want to add something unique and exceptional to your home or garden, consider an arbor or pergola. Along with beautifying your landscape, an arbor or pergola provides many useful benefits for your family, your home, and your garden.

If you would like to add an arbor or pergola in Missouri, count on the experts at Four Seasons Home Products.