Which reed screening for your pergola: Choosing a reed screening for your pergola?

Are you planning to build a pergola? Excellent idea! A pergola has many advantages, and a multitude of options can be added to it. The reed screening is one of them. It provides shade, naturalness and aesthetic appeal. It can be used in a variety of ways. It adds character to your pergola, and therefore to your property. Follow this guide to find out which reed screening to choose for your pergola.

Before getting to the heart of the matter, let's have a quick look at the definition:

A pergola is an attached or freestanding structure that provides shade in the garden. Welcoming and comfortable, it encourages relaxation and conviviality while adding an aesthetic touch to your outdoor space. There are classic and bioclimatic pergolas. The latter provide natural ventilation thanks to their adjustable slats.
Reed screening is an assembly of rods or slats. In the past, it was used as a trellis to dry figs. Today, it is most often used as a privacy screen or windbreak in the garden. Easily recyclable and particularly robust, it is also used to cover pergolas to create natural shade. Reed screening can be made from a variety of materials.

Reed screening for pergolas: natural or artificial?

As we have just seen, the reed screening was originally used to dry fruit or to raise silkworms. The pergola, on the other hand, was covered with climbing plants to provide shade. The vegetation was slowly replaced by a more stable roof. Reed screening was a natural choice for roofing pergolas. Artificial canisses are also available. Let's take a look at the different materials and their advantages:

Bamboo reed screening: whole bamboo reed screening is an assembly of bamboo stalks that has the advantage of being very strong.
split bamboo reed screening is made from strips of bamboo. It is more economical but less decorative than the former.
reed screening is made from fine wicker stems. It is very elegant, but fairly expensive.

straw mats are made by joining together large straw stems using nylon thread. It is cheap and not very strong. But it has the advantage of being available in long lengths.
reed screening is a tight weave of fine heather shoots. It is moisture-resistant, but rather expensive.
Plastic, pvc or polypropylene reed screening is moisture-resistant. It is rather expensive and deteriorates fairly quickly.

Reed screening gives your pergola a light, natural look. It must, however, be strong and provide shade, the main advantage of a pergola. Against all expectations, a pvc reed screening is less durable than a natural reed screening. Heather, on the other hand, is quite volatile. If dust forms when you shake a reed screening, avoid using it as a roof over your garden furniture. Pieces could fall onto your plate and spoil your meal!

Whether you choose natural or artificial reed screening, it's essential to tie it properly to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Wires should be used to bind reed screening. Avoid using rope. Although more attractive, it can deteriorate quickly. If you have made your own canisse, you can use the same wire as that used to join the rods together.

For a reed screening that won't move in the wind, space out the ties by fixing them to the uprights of the pergola every 20 to 30 cm. Your reed screening roof is ready! It can be dismantled and rearranged. You can put it away during the winter to protect it, and take it out again when the sun comes out.