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what colour pergola
Perki
Posts: 2,526
Hi , I have been building a triangle pergola but cant decide what natural wood colour, I sure people on here will be better colour coordinated than me 
. Its made of treated wood, i dont want to leave it to go naturally green. I don't want it to bend in with the ugly shed behind it or stand out like a sore thumb either.
Wisteria will be grown on it, undecided on others but I probably will have a climbing rose
What to use paint or stain?
It have not attached the top wood to make it easier to paint / stain.
Here a picture of it now with some top wood resting on top to give you an idea. It not very big more like an oversize arbour 
I am going to take the lawn back some more, a few stepping stones to a bench/chair, then plant it up.
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If you want a natural wood colour I would use a wood stain, rather than a paint. It's bound to change colour over the years anyway, I think main decision is light or dark?
Dark stain. You won't need to redo it very often and the plants should hide it and not be the main feature.
Thanks for the feedback, I do want to use a wood stain it but it quite expensive even for a little tin I just have to bite the bullet.
The shed is dark Oak I think, was thinking light oak but it might be to light.
I think it need to look attractive for a good 2 years for the plants to overtake, what you think? the wood would be the main attraction in the meantime
Just oil it with teak oil. That will be cheaper than stain and will enrich the colour of the wood whilst protecting it. You can put it on with a brush and leave it to soak in and dry for a while. Do a second feed after a couple of weeks or so and then plant up. It will fade naturally over the years but stay sound.
I think I would prefer light. Teak oil sounds a good idea but I think it would go pale ash colour, greyish. Attractive, though.
Ye I thought that pansyface but what can you do, I couldn't bare the thought of covering it with a Wisteria to cut it all back down. I give it 2 or 3 coats of what every I am going to stain it with to give it the best chance.
I have erected arches and trellis and posts of treated wood and not stained them. They are still good after 15 years though two panels need repairs after strong winds this winter and life in a very exposed garden.
Do a test patch with the teak oil as it will waterproof the wood and then let it fade naturally and your wisteria can live in peace.
I would just use whatever best preserves the wood as your wisteria will in time cover it and you can stand pots of things at the base of the posts to add interest and draw the eye. Have you considered making some trellis to put horizontally across the back to hide the shed
It might seem a stupid question but can I use decking oils / stains ?
Kef I have considered putting a trellis on the back and to the left so I don't have to look next door. The house next door is rented out now, you start to get to know them then they move out.