The shade sail is practical and aesthetic, but you may prefer a real pergola where you can run real climbing plants to bring life to your terrace.
The easiest way to avoid getting into major work is to choose a self-supporting model, that is to say a structure in kit form, to be placed directly on the ground. In theory, this pergola is held in place by its own weight, but it is advisable to fix each of its feet to the ground with a metal bracket. Indeed, once dressed in climbing plants, it offers some wind resistance. This light structure must be filled with weak climbers such as clematis, jasmine or honeysuckle for example. The higher model has stronger uprights, which must be fixed and can be leaned against the facade of the house or apartment, where it is also fixed. It allows you to receive plants that you know will gain strength over time, such as wisteria or, why not, a table vine. This pergola then stands out as the centerpiece of the terrace. Vigorous or lighter plants, climbers are grown in pots attached to one or more feet of the pergola. These very long-term plants must find a rich, nourishing soil, to be maintained by regular additions of organic fertilizers to allow them to display good health at all times.
The bioclimatic pergola
Apartment, rooftop or house terrace, the bioclimatic pergola is a recent proposal that has been quickly adopted in a few years. This self-supporting or attached pergola, generally made of aluminum, has a roof made of adjustable blades. You open or close them more or less according to your desires, sunshine, wind, rain, thanks to a crank or a remote-controlled electric motor.