Arbor - Research

Research your options and needs before buying a Garden Arbor

An arbor is a permanent architectural structure that supports climbing plants and provides shade or privacy. It can give the feel of an outdoor room and can add visual variety to a plain landscape. A current trend in garden landscaping is to create outdoor rooms that provide a place to entertain. An arbor increases the pleasure you gain from your outdoor area, while adding to the resale value of your property.

When you are actually buying a garden arbor the number of different options can be confusing and it can be difficult to decide which is your best buy. The Buyz123 three step guide - Research, Evaluation, Purchase - is designed to assist you in this buying process.

The Research step firstly involves investigating essential features of garden arbors available on the market, and secondly identifying your actual needs in a garden arbor.

In the Evaluation step you focus on how well the different features of individual garden arbors meet your needs, and then how well the most suitable garden arbors compare in detail, one to another.

Finally, in the Purchase step, the issues considered are: what to look for when actually buying the garden arbor, what questions to ask and what information you should seek on warranty, customer service, and after-sales support.

As you work though the Buyz123 purchase strategy you will clarify your thoughts about your intended purchase, confidently compare garden arbors one to another, and then purchase a garden arbor that really does meet your needs.

Step 1: Research

In order to end up with the garden arbor best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of garden arbors are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a garden arbor.

Research the market: Garden Arbor essentials

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the garden arbor market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Type: There are many types of arbors available, including arbor swings, arbors with benches or gates, and arbors with trellis extensions. There are arbors to suit gingerbread Victorian and sprawling colonial, or seaside cottages and mountain chalets.

Material: Arbors are available in a selection of timbers, wrought iron, powder-coated aluminum, cast iron, copper and PVC.

Size: Arbors come in all shapes and sizes to suit every kind of home and garden - from the smallest decorative pathway gate to a meandering, covered arbor walkway.

Cost: Depending on the materials you want to use, prices range from affordable for a modest arbor, to very expensive for a copper arbor. To save money you can buy a kitset or, if you have a few handyman skills and a few basic tools, you could build your own simple structure.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a garden arbor. For example, will you use the garden arbor only as a shady retreat at the bottom of your garden, or is it an extension of your entertainment area?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I used a garden arbor before?
	If you have used a garden arbor, work out what you did or didn't like about the garden arbor. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

What is the main purpose of the arbor?
	Maybe you require it for privacy purposes, or aesthetic purposes, a place to grow your prize roses over, a place to rest in the shade, or a combination of these things

What type of arbor do I want?
	You may like the look of wood such as cedar, pine or teak, or perhaps you prefer synthetic materials that resist all weathers, such as vinyl. You might like a garden arbor in wrought iron or copper to give the impression of Gothic or Victorian décor. Are you after a solid-style arbor or a dainty arbor?

How long do I want the arbor to last?
	Maybe you want an arbor that will last a lifetime in its place in the garden or you might prefer to update the look of your garden by changing fixtures every few years. It is not really worth buying an expensive arbor if you will move house in two years.

What size and style of arbor is best for my garden?
	You could want an arbor to make a grand entrance to your front door, as a cover for the garden path, or as a divider in your garden. Arbors come in many styles and you will find one to match your home, be it classic, rustic, or contemporary. Arbors are available for large and small gardens, and in a range of sizes to grow climbing plants over no matter how big they grow.

Do I want an arbor that is high maintenance or low maintenance?
	Depending on the materials used, some arbors will need regular maintenance to keep them sound and looking good, while others will stand the test of time virtually untouched for years. Do you like the antique, mossy look, or do you have the time and energy to carry out the maintenance required to keep the arbor looking like new?

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of garden arbors and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.


Video Links

Decorative Wood Arbor Project - Info Build a decorative garden arbor to support growing vines and flowers. (3m 59s)

Distinctive Garden Structures including arbor - Info Tasteful garden structures including Pergolas, Arbors and Trelliswork are what you will find at Finehouse. (3m 13s)

Whimsical Fence and Arbor - Info Spruce up your backyard by building a whimsical picket fence and arbor. (8m 37s)

Buyz123.com Research Links:

General Information

The Garden Arbor

Definition of arbor

Article on arbors, gazebos and garden structures

Types - Aluminum

aluminum arbor

Types - Buying

Choosing a copper arbor over a wooden one

Different types of Arbors

Types - Timber

Pine Garden Arbor with seat

Garden Arbor Swing

Clover garden arbor

Arbor seat with trellis