pergolas - I don't understand why have them?

[basic]

sorry but would really appreciate your views.

[NorbertDentressangle]

I can see the point in hot, sunny climates (ie. not here) as it would provide some shade to sit under or keep the direct sun off windows/doors and therefore keep houses cooler.... but here? Who knows?

Purely decorative?

Climber for plants?

[Hassled]

So you have a patch of dry garden when it rains. I'm not quite sure what you want to do in your patch of dry garden while it's raining all around you, though.

[LtEveDallas]

ummm, have a fag?

[NorbertDentressangle]

Hassled -I don't think pergolas will even keep you dry though as they don't have solid tops to keep the rain off -so there goes the one possible sensible reason for having them

[NorbertDentressangle]

Maybe its so you can sunbathe underneath them for a nice striped effect

[Hassled]

Ah, now I was thinking of those plastic sheeting part-tent/part-marquee square things - usually seem to be green and white striped. People take them camping, and neighbours have one in the garden. What are they called, then?

[Hassled]

I meant Gazebo. Blimey, they're cheap. But what are they for?

[NorbertDentressangle]

Gazebos.

Admitedly they are ugly but at least they are useful (as we found out when we had a Big Lunch Party and managed to get almost the entire street under one to shelter from torrential rain )

[basic]

LOL striped sun bather!