In today抯 economic climate, everyone is looking to save money, but when it comes to choosing a cheap arbour, it pays to remember that cheap arbours may not offer the quality and value you could get by purchasing a better product that has been discounted in an arbour sale. So before you start looking for a cheap arbour, either online or at your local garden centre or DIY superstore, it抯 best to ask yourself whether you want to pay the very lowest price for a quick fix or whether you want to pay a little more for a longer-lasting and more attractive solution.
Cheap arbours can certainly add an attractive feature to an ordinary garden and you can choose from a wide variety of metal and timber products depending on your needs. Before choosing a cheap arbour though, don抰 confuse an arbour with a gazebo. An arbour is an attractive garden seat with a roof and walls, whilst a gazebo is either a framework or trellis on which climbing plants can be displayed or a tented structure. The quality and strength you need will affect the price you pay but once again, a visit to an arbour sale will often give you the best value for money.
Another important question you should ask when looking for cheap arbours is whether or not there is a need for maintenance. A better quality product purchased at an arbour sale is likely to be longer lasting and will therefore require less upkeep than a simple cheap arbour which is likely to be of less substantial construction in the first place. For example a plastic coated metal arbour will certainly last longer than a cheap arbour made from timber. Cheap arbours by their very nature are unlikely to offer extra features like underseat storage, windows and attractive decorative features as they are made down to a price. In the end you pays your money and takes your choice - so look around at an arbour sale before buying something you may regret.
One important thing to consider is that gardening is a very seasonal activity and many people don抰 even think about making improvements until spring when the sun is shining and all the shops are full of exciting ideas. If you buy a cheap arbour at this time you will almost certainly pay the top price in a fit of enthusiasm. The wise gardener thinks ahead and goes to look for cheap arbours in an arbour sale where you will certainly get a lot more for your money.
In the final analysis though, the best way to save money on cheap arbours is by thinking about your future needs and planning ahead. This way, you won抰 buy the first thing you see because a cheap arbour might end up as a costly mistake. So consider how it will look in your garden at all seasons. Will you want a sunny spot or a shady one. How will it all look in winter when the garden is bare? And how will it fit into your space? You can get a rough idea of size and height using old garden canes. Then watch out for an out-of-season arbour sale and find something to suit your needs and your pocket.
