Posts Tagged ‘balcony garden’

Creating a Pleasing Sense of Seclusion in Your Balcony Garden

September 15th, 2011

Balcony is an important part of your home and perhaps is the only place to relax and enjoy the fresh air, if you are living in an apartment. And for those who love to bring changes in their homes, balcony is a perfect place to go green. Wherever you have balcony garden, an overhead structure is inevitable so as to provide privacy and to create a sense of seclusion. Overhead structure also provides a shelter as it keeps the devastating effects of sunshine away and also protect your balcony from summer showers. For getting more natural and pleasing effects, you must opt for climbing plants, especially if you go for deciduous types or quick growing annuals; these are more useful in the winter season. The plants like wisteria, climbing roses and clematis not only produces beautiful foliage but also attractive flowers in both spring and summer season.

Pergolas

A series of metal wires or a pergola structure is a more common type of support for plants. It needs to be strong enough to support the plants, such as for slender twining annuals like sweet peas. It is very effective and ornamental option and can be of great help through out the winter season with a complete or partial cover. Pergolas are usually a strong and sturdy structure, as they have to support the lightweight bamboo screens or canvas in the summer season. Similarly, to produce more secluded effect and privacy cane mats or reed panels can also be fixed to the sides of the pergolas.

A pergola is normally made from rough sawn timber, but for more sophisticated designs and schemes, it is sanded and a proper finishing is done by applying paint and varnish. To achieve the lighter effects the pergolas are created by using metal poles, unpeeled larch poles, or bamboo that is attached with galvanized nails, but apparently fasten with twine to get a traditional effect. Steel girders can also be used painted in ox blood red, blue or dark grey to produce the chunky hi-tech effect.

If we observe closely, we will come to the conclusion that pergolas are just not only the framework with series of crossbeams along the top; if needed, these crossbeams are allowed to extend beyond the framework. It is not always necessary to have it cut flush. You can remove the hanging baskets. Remember, pergolas always require a good sturdy vertical supports, which are fixed firmly to the back wall. You can further enhance the safety and security of the pergola by adding a support in the form of tensioning wire or cable fastened to any close wall or any other sturdy structure. The best option here is to use the stainless steel or plastic covered wires with proper space and tension to provide your pergola a safe support. Metal wires are usually not considered as ornamental as other materials are helpful to support climbing plants.

Creating An Internal Partition in a Balcony Garden

September 1st, 2011

For people who have large balconies, this may be inevitable to raise a sort of internal partitioning with the help of an ornamental trellis. Partitioning can be done for so many reasons depending upon the usage of the balcony. Some people use this partitioning to enhance the privacy levels and other want it just to create a more warm and personal atmosphere. Whenever you decide to raise the partition in your large balcony, the options before you are numerous. The scope and range of trellis and screens are very vast these days, you can opt for side shelter, back wall cover up or internal screens.

Some trellises used for partitioning usually contain two layers to give maximum protection and the other incorporate windows through which you can appreciate a view. Trellises are really helpful and can easily be adapted to any shape and size. These can be arranged vertically horizontally and with odd spaces. If you combine one or two different types, this will give your balcony a very attractive look. Besides this, using a delicate patchwork will give you charming striped shadows. If you are more into classical themes, you can opt for the designs like a medieval scalloped profile, Georgian formality or ornamental posts and finials and the columns and arches of Greek temple.

Timber Screens

For landscapers and architectural designers, the use of timber is really very interesting. They not only work on classical themes but also create some new attractive designs out of timber. Timber is considered to be flexible as you can give it any shape or size according to your requirement. You can build a timber screen of any height of or width keeping in view the space available in your balcony. Like any other metal, you can give a fine finish to timber with paint and varnish to give it a shiny smooth look. The most traditional wood shades, such as rich red, dark or honey brown can be used to stain and varnish the timber. Even you can give your timber a more up to date appearance in the form of new pastel shaded stains. Dramatic effect can be achieved by staining your timber a strong Chinese red, deep blue or smart dark green. Remember, timber is something that can be as delicate or as striking as you want it to be. You can achieve a natural soft look by installing willow hurdles, reed or bamboo screens available in sections to your timber frames. They are best to achieve modern or oriental scheme in your balcony.

Metal Screens

Another important screening material is metal. Metal screens are used widely as meshed metal screens are available in variety of different shapes and designs. Metal screens are easily cut out and can be painted easily into your desired color. In addition to this, other shiny metallic finishes or glossy black schemes really make them desirable to create the stunning hi-tech scheme.

Metal is also known for its traditional and old fashioned aspects too. They are often available in Victorian style trellis sections, frames and arches. Metal possess a property of being soft and lightweight, so they are often used to create rose arbors, and bowers. These screens are also used support the plants when fixed in place properly or attached to the back wall.