| A metal arbor can be used as a focal point for | | | | handcrafted, which adds to the cost, but ensures |
| any garden. They can be constructed from | | | | that it is unlike any other metal arbor. The length |
| almost any malleable metal, but the most | | | | of time that a commissioned iron arbor will take |
| common ones are wrought iron arbors. The | | | | to finish also varies with the intricacy of the |
| intricacy of the wrought ironwork can be | | | | metalwork involved. |
| extremely simple, or incredibly complex. There | | | | Caring for an iron arbor really depends on personal |
| really is one to suit any taste and pocket. | | | | preference. If you want your metal arbor to be |
| The majority of metal arbors are used to | | | | gleaming and new for life, it will need rust |
| encourage climbing plants to form a shaded area. | | | | treatments and repainting when appropriate. |
| Many people install an iron arbor and plant climbing | | | | However, many owners of metal arbors prefer |
| rose bushes all around the closed areas to form a | | | | to leave it to the elements. This produces a lovely |
| wonderfully fragrant and shaded seating area. A | | | | rusted antique look to the iron arbor. Of course, if |
| metal arbor traditionally has only one open side, | | | | you are encouraging climbing shrubs to cover the |
| unlike a pergola or archway. That is why it is | | | | metal arbor then you will not be able to, or want |
| more suited for use as a shaded seating area. | | | | to, perform any maintenance on the iron arbor |
| Iron arbors, or any type of metal arbor, are | | | | itself. It is possible to buy iron arbors that have |
| extremely heavy constructions. They are usually | | | | come from other gardens and have already |
| set in concrete and are seldom repositioned. It is | | | | acquired the weathered appearance, but these |
| not very practical to set a metal arbor on soft | | | | are few and far between. |
| ground or grass. The wrought iron arbor is likely | | | | Creating a metal arbor is not something that the |
| to sink into the surface. For the same reason, | | | | average DIY enthusiast is likely to be able to do. |
| metal arbors are not often moved. There is a lot | | | | The skills involved are metalwork and welding, at |
| of effort required in changing the position of an | | | | the very least. The most ornate of wrought iron |
| established iron arbor so it is worth planning its | | | | arbors can only be produced by skilled |
| location carefully. | | | | metalworkers and craftsmen. The most beautiful |
| The variety of styles and sizes of metal arbors | | | | metal arbors are those that have been in situ for |
| that are available means that the prices vary | | | | a number of years and have fragrant roses |
| dramatically, too. The cheapest ones are under | | | | entwined in their intricate ironwork. These iron |
| $100, but there is no limit to how much the most | | | | arbors can give the owner a truly calming place of |
| expensive might be. Many wrought iron arbors are | | | | refuge from the hustle and bustle of today. |