Peter A. Kirsch-Korff

Builder of Fine Wood Arbors, Decks, Fences, Gates & More

Los Angeles Pasadena Hollywood Hills Hancock Park Malibu

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Wooden Garden Arbor Pergola Patio Cover Builder - Los Angeles Pasadena

Wood Arbors, Pergolas, Patio Covers & Trellises

I specialize in creating fine custom and high end wood garden arbors, pergolas, patio covers and trellises which reflect the style of your home. Below is more information about the type, style and pricing for the structures I design and build.

Design Guide Pricing Information Related Links Portfolio Photos

Design Guide for Arbors, Pergolas & Patio Covers

This design guide provides arbor design ideas and information on how to develop a great design, select the best location and create a budget for your structure.

Types of Structures

There are several types of outdoor structures you can have built:

an arbor is an open beamed structure set in a garden that is designed to support plants
a pergola is traditionally a covered walkway but now also refers to an open beamed structure used for dining and entertaining
a patio cover is a temporary or permanent covering placed over an existing raised platform or patio area
a gazebo is usually a structure used for shelter and viewing the garden
a pavilion is a roofed, outdoor room with open sides

Design Elements For Wood Arbors, Pergolas & Patio Covers

The style of your arbor, pergola or patio cover is created with design and construction components. By changing these key design elements and details, you can create a specific style or a totally unique design:

post size (4 x 4, 6 x 6 or round columns)
cross beam and rafter size
joinery techniques (decorative pegs, notched or interlocking beams)
overhead pattern and complexity (1,2,3+tiers)
finishing touches (decorative end beam cuts)
wood texture, color and finish
decorative metalwork
night time and accent lighting

Harmonizing Your Arbor With Your Home & Garden

Your arbor, pergola or patio cover should harmonize with the style of your home and garden:

a formal structure for a formal garden
a classic design for a classically laid out garden
a flowing design for a garden with swept paths and flowing planting borders

If your home has a distinctive architectural or artistic style, you may want to have your arbor, pergola or patio cover match it.

Craftsman and Greene & Greene Arbors ~ Start with smooth planed wood beams and posts. Add in simple yet strongly defined joinery. Add in "japanese" style joinery and decorative pegs for a Greene & Greene look. Embellish with latticed accents, trellises, craftsman style lighting fixtures and copper accents for this style.
Mission & Spanish Arbors ~ Use large, heavy beams, corbels and decorative beam end cuts to create this look. Then add rough metal work and period lighting to complete it.
Modern & Asian Arbors ~ Create a sleek design that echoes the elegance and simplicity of these styles. Accent with minimalist or traditional Asian lighting fixtures for nighttime use and garden viewing.
Medieval, Tudor & Mediterranean Arbors ~ Start with heavy beams and posts and assemble them using simple period joinery. Use carved accents, decorative metalwork and candle lanterns for finish accents. Stain or paint a dark color.

In addition, the overall dimensions should also fit with the proportions of your garden, home and other outdoor structures. If your arbor is intended to support plants, the size and proportions should be appropriate and provide enough strength for the size, weight and density of the plant. For example, wisteria (a common Southern California arbor vine) requires a much more substantial structure over its lifetime, than does a climbing rose.

The final color should compliment the colors used in your landscaping. If you want to blend into the landscaping, the natural color of the wood or browns and greens work well. If you want the structure to stand out or highlight nearby plants, strong colors like white or black can be used.

Design Criteria & Location Considerations

Use ~ The first step is to determine all the ways you plan to use the structure. That will help determine design requirements and the right type of structure to build. Arbors are typically associated with growing and supporting plants. Pavilions are roofed, open rooms. Pergolas are a blend of the two and create semi open roofed spaces for entertaining. Whichever structure is appropriate, design issues will include:
- roof support strength (heavier plants require larger beams)
- ceiling patterns (open beam, patterned, lattice or trellis)
- decorative rafter cuts
- number and height of tiers (multiple levels of overhead beams and rafters)
- built-in activity features (benches, storage, fire pits, and barbecues)
- utilities (electricity for lights for night time reading or entertaining, outlets for stereo and appliances, gas for overhead heaters, and water for overhead misters)
Size & Shape ~ The minimum size will be determined by the activities and furniture you want under it (or nearby). The design will also be influenced by the need to keep it in proportion to the size and spaciousness of the surrounding structures and garden. The shape can be customized to fit and compliment natural features in your garden, such as wrapping around or enclosing a tree, reflecting the curve of a stream or conforming to a rock formation.
Access ~ Pathways and gates should be designed to provide convenient access to and from the structure, house, garden and other key areas, such as the driveway, pool or tennis court.
View ~ Determine the garden and house views you want, and if any views need to screened off for privacy. Framed openings can be created to enhance viewing of special garden features like ponds, herb gardens, or sundials.
Sunlight ~ The amount of sunlight and heat exposure can be a factor in orienting the structure and its roof design. Consider where furniture should be placed to catch the sunlight or shade. Also consider if you want to install temporary overhead shading during the summer months or shelter during the winter months if your foliage (such as grape leaves) is not abundant enough.
Water ~ Excessive moisture (from sprinklers and deep shade) can lead to premature aging, musty smells and structural damage from rot. The structure should be designed to shed rain and dew readily and dry out thoroughly, especially if it will be covered by vines or plants. Good drainage away from the area is also required.
Wind ~ In areas with high winds or gusts, you may want to create an area protected from the wind. Strong or regular winds may require a more substantial design to handle the force or building it in a more protected area.

Wood, Hardware & Design Options

Materials ~ Your arbor, pergola or pavilion can be built of Redwood, Mangaris™ (Red Balau) or other woods. More expensive woods can be used for joint accents, decorative pegs and trim. The substructure framing should be built of pressure treated wood for durability.
Finishes ~ Heat and light contribute to weathering, so a UV protection finish is very important. If it will eventually be covered with hard to remove plants, applying a thorough coating is critical. Stains (clear, tinted, or solid) and paint are popular finish choices.
Custom Touches ~ Post feet can be boxed with decorative trim. Decorative beam end cuts can echo those used on the house. Post caps and finials can match those used on fences, gates and other structures. Access panels for utilities can be inset or trimmed with molding. Beams and rafters can be notched and stacked in tiers for additional strength and visual interest.
Built-ins ~ Consider how built-in features can enhance your usage. Benches (with built in storage) can be added and fireplaces can add romance and warmth to increase usage during the evenings and winter months.
Metalwork ~ Blackened, wrought iron or copper post braces, lanterns and accents can add style, strength and functionality.
Lighting ~ The placement and type of lighting can evoke both a style and a mood. Lanterns hung from ceiling beams, side mounted sconces, track or spot lighting or a central chandelier all create an immediate sense of style. Low mood lighting can softly illuminate pathways and steps as well as create a romantic atmosphere.

Prices For A Custom Wood Arbor, Pergola or Patio Cover

There are three price ranges for wood arbors, pergolas, patio covers and trellises: basic, custom and high end.

A basic arbor or pergola is a simple wood structure and starts at $2,000. For this type of structure, please see my related links.
In the custom price range, which is much of what I build, the price ranges from $3,000 to $7,000 based on complexity, overall size, height, beam size and wood type.
A high end structure, which I am happy to build for my clients if their budget permits, costs from $7,000 to $20,000.

If you are purchasing a pre-made arbor, gazebo or trellis, remember to include the cost of on-site installation in your budget.

Additional Resources and Related Links

If you need more ideas or inspiration for your design, check out these resources:

Trellises, Arbors and Pergolas: Ideas and Plans for Garden Structures by Better Homes and Gardens
This book is an excellent resource for ideas with photos and designs for specific styles as well as showing design variations. LA Public Library book
Trellises and Arbors by Scott Atkinson
This book offers lots of photos of arbors and trellises.
LA Public Library book
Taunton's Deck & Patio Idea Book
This book has lots of ideas and photos of decks, arbors, pergolas and patio covers. LA Public Library book
Trellises & Arbors: Landscape & Design Ideas, Plus Projects by Bill Hylton
This book features 42 designs for arbors and trellises in a variety of styles. LA Public Library book
American Horticultural Society: Arches & Pergolas by Richard Key
How to book with 30+ photos of beautiful arches and pergolas, along with plant suggestions and building advice. LA Public Library book
Image Search
You can search the image archives at Google Images, Yahoo Images, MSN or your favorite search engine to find inspiration from architectural showcase homes, historical buildings and DIY projects.

If you live outside of the Los Angeles area and want to find a beautiful pre-made arbor or local builder, check out these online sites:

TaoHerbFarm.com
Supplier of pre-made arbors, pergolas, trellises and other outdoor structures. Their site features over 80 photos of the products they sell.
Artistic Decks & Arbors of Dallas TX
This company builds custom decks, arbors, patio covers, fences and gates and their site features over 100+ photos of their work.
Elyira Fence Company of Northern Ohio
This firm builds custom arbors, fences, gates and decks in Ohio and their work is featured in the Trellises & Arbors book. Their site features over 40 photos of their work.
Trellis Structures of Boston, MA
This company manufactures pre-made arbors, trellises, pergolas, garden furniture and more -- and ships throughout the USA. Their site features over 50 photos of the products they make. (Remember to include local installation in your budget.)
Fine House, Ltd of Virginia
A supplier of high end pre-made arbors and pergolas, as well as building plans. (Remember to add the cost of local assembly to your budget.)

Portfolio of Wood Arbors, Pergolas, Patio Covers & Trellises

My online portfolio features project photos so you can get an idea of the variety of arbors, pergolas, patio covers and trellises I can build. I specialize in creating client inspired designs -- so if you see an example of exactly what you want (or something close), we can use that as a starting point for your design. Or you can let me create a custom design that matches your home's architectural style.

If you need ideas and inspiration, check out the resources above, clip magazine pictures, look through your vacation photos and check out what you like in the neighborhood. The more you know about what you like and don't like, the easier it is to create and build something you will be delighted with for years to come.