February, 1916 
43 
The possibilities of special pergola effects are unlimited 
THE PURPOSE AND CONSTRUCTION OF PERGOLAS 
The Place This Old World Importation Holds as a Feature of the Modern American Home—• 
Materials, Plans and Building to Meet Different Conditions 
WARFIELD WEBB 
L ANDSCAPE gardening and architec- 
J ture must properly include all forms 
of decoration that will increase the at¬ 
tractiveness of the lawn, and such as will 
add at the same time a monetary value to 
the home. It is not desired to have simply 
a pretty lawn, but one that will enhance the 
value of the property itself. Therefore, the 
subject demands attention, not alone from 
those who are owners, but also from the 
men who make possible these improved con¬ 
ditions. To increase one’s knowledge in 
this way there will be a material advance 
made toward realizing the good that may 
be obtained. 
There are many things that will ma¬ 
terially increase the value of the lawn from 
an artistic point. The part that the builder 
has in this is not by any means an insig¬ 
nificant one. If we cite the pergola as an 
example, it at once arouses a desire for 
knowledge of the part it plays in this way. 
In a great many respects it is one of the 
newer forms of lawn decoration in this 
country. While it is an inheritance from 
the older countries, it is one that deserves 
more encouragement on the part of the 
real home lovers, particularly where the 
desire is to add much to the home plan. 
The Purposes of the Pergola 
It should be understood at the outset 
that the pergola is not simply a decoration. 
It possesses useful features in addition to 
its attraction as an ornament, and, wher¬ 
ever erected, increases the charm of the 
setting. It serves as a bower, a retreat and 
a nook. It may be covered with vines, and 
serve as a refuge from inclement weather. 
Frequently it leads off into the lawn and 
sometimes to the garage, or terminates at 
a pond or miniature garden. At other 
times it will serve as a bridge, with columns 
at either end, in this way spanning an other¬ 
wise open ravine and adding to the archi¬ 
tectural effects of the home. In country 
homes it has a special place, because of the 
expanse that many of the country abodes 
possess, thereby making its necessity more 
keenly felt. 
Thus we see that the pergola is in reality 
a useful ornament, and one that is finding 
more general favor as home-builders come 
to realize its need. It should be given a 
fair share of the construction man’s con¬ 
sideration. The study of the varying ma¬ 
terials with which it is built and the effects 
of the different types of architectural'varia¬ 
tions are widespread. Its very popularity 
has been the fundamental reason why there 
are to-day a larger number of the structural 
materials used in its manufacture. 
Principles of Construction 
In the Old World the pergola is gen¬ 
erally constructed with stone columns, built 
of stone blocks, and even marble has been 
used in the more costly specimens. With 
its advent in this country there came a 
diversified use of the materials in its con¬ 
struction, and these are varied enough to 
satisfy any prospective builder. Now we 
have the pergola of reinforced concrete, 
stone, brick and wood. Where the columns 
are built of any of the former materials, 
save that of wood, the upper portions are 
nearly always of wood. This section is com¬ 
posed of the beams and rafters. In some 
cases concrete has been used with fair sat¬ 
isfaction. 
In the selection of materials for pergola 
construction, the home owner has his 
choice. The principal differences in this 
often depend upon climatic conditions, some 
materials doing better in one climate than 
in others. The builder should understand 
the difference, and be able to state with 
accuracy just what effect the climate has on 
each material. Concrete has been found an 
admirable material for pergola construc¬ 
tion in climates that are not too severe. In 
undertaking to do this character of con¬ 
crete work one should be well versed in the 
requirements, if success is to be assured. 
The best materials are always essential, but 
care in the work itself is of equal signifi¬ 
cance. 
Using Concrete 
There are several systems of manufac¬ 
turing concrete posts or columns, of which 
the two most generally used are the solid 
concrete column, with reinforcing rods and 
mesh, and the turned column, with hollow 
interior. The column material is composed 
of best Portland cement, fine sand and an 
aggregate, in proportions usual to the bet¬ 
ter class of work. The strength and sur¬ 
face of the columns should be of the great¬ 
est importance to the builder. The size and 
style of the columns are varied according to 
the work. The shape may be round, square 
or octagonal. The decorations also vary 
and may be made elaborate or simple. The 
solid columns are comparatively easy of 
construction, if common sense and care are 
fairly exercised. 
