WHAT TYPE OF GAZEBO IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
TOP FIVE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK
Having a gazebo in the backyard is an excellent way to enhance
the appearance while providing you with a quiet place to sit and
relax after a hard day at work. Gazebos are wonderful for
barbecue parties, family gatherings, or simply sipping on a cup
of coffee or glass of lemonade on a lazy day. To create a
romantic setting, you could string miniature lights along the
railing and roof of the gazebo and then spend time with someone
special out under the stars. Because of their popularity, the
number of gazebo sales is rising. However, as with any
investment, you want to make sure you choose the right type.
For that reason, consider the top five questions you should ask.
Can gazebos withstand strong winds?
If you live in a part of the country prone to high winds
(Chicago then this is a very important question to ask. If
the gazebo is constructed properly, it will hold up even in
windy conditions. The reason is that the gazebo canopy is
designed with a wind vent that releases strong wind pressure.
In addition, your gazebo would be anchored securely at the
vertical points so the base, whether wood, stone, or concrete,
is solid. Finally, gazeboes are heavy. For example, an 11-foot
model will typically weigh between 325 and 350 pounds.
Will my gazebo have a bug screen?
When shopping around for a gazebo, remember that not all include
the price of screens to keep out little creatures. Therefore,
if you want a screen, you need to consider two things, first,
the additional cost and second, the weight. In other words,
make sure your type of gazebo is designed to handle the screen
if you decide to add one on at a later date.
How is the foundation floor secured?
This is also an important question to ask since not all gazeboes
are created equal. Most gazebos are erected on a foundation
such as wood deck, concrete slab, or paver patio. Whatever
surface you choose, the gazebo will need to be anchored. For
the wood gazebo, screws can be run through the bottom plate of
the wall section and then into the deck. For concrete, you
would drill through the bottom plate and then into the concrete,
using concrete anchors. Then for the paver bricks, you want to
use a concrete pier that is raised to the height of the paver
brick for each of the corners.
What choices do I have for size?
Most gazebo manufacturers make three specific sizes. First, you
have the smaller size, which measures 7.5 x 6.5-feet, followed
by the family size that is 11 x 9.5-feet, and finally, the grand
size that is 18 x 15.5-feet. Now keep in mind that you can also
buy plans to build your own gazebo or hire a professional to
construct one that is custom made if you want a smaller or
larger size. Additionally, with these options, you can add
features that you might not get with a standard type gazebo,
such as windows, special molding, wider steps, benches, and so
on.
What are the advantages of the different type material?
The last of the five questions to ask when considering a gazebo
has to do with material. In most cases, three types of material
are used, which include pine, cedar, and vinyl. For the pine,
this is pressure treated and extremely strong. Because of that,
it will last a lifetime and most are guaranteed against termite
and rot damage. Cedar is also a very popular choice in that it
looks beautiful and is naturally resistant to termites and rot.
However, the cedar generally looks nicer when stained or painted
so there would be minor upkeep. Finally, vinyl is a low
maintenance material that is strong and sometimes covered with
treated pine. That means while you pay less for a vinyl gazebo,
you still get the beauty and sound structure of the pine option.
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