The Numerous Types Of Residential Gazebos

| Friday, April 1, 2011
By Fiona Lister


In order for open space near a home to be useful, it should be at least partly shaded against the sun for reasons of comfort and health. If there are no trees or other natural shading, one option is to install a garden gazebo. A gazebo is a self-supported structure that is usually circular or octagonal. It has supporting beam structures which hold up a roof that also can be lined with a wall.

Most people who own a home will have come across the lightweight, portable gazebo. It is easy to set up as the supporting frame structure is made of rigid plastic or hollowed metal tubes. The shelter walls and roof are fabric to keep the entire structure very light. The great advantage is that these structures can be set up quickly and with minimal effort. The great disadvantage is that these structures are not robust and need to be taken down for the winter.

The fabric used in these portable shades can be vinyl, canvas, or synthetic weave. Canvas is certainly a traditional outdoor shade fabric but it is not preferred these days due to its propensity for getting dirty with mildew and mold growth. The woven synthetics approach the aesthetic appeal of canvas but can be pretreated to be both microbe resistant as well as UV resistant which reduces the loss of color due to extended sun exposure.

If the portable choice is deemed insufficient, one can always turn to a permanent gazebo. A permanent gazebo is made of brick, iron or steel, or wood. The iron and steel options are popular because they are very attractive in simplicity. The wood gazebos are most traditional and require a lot of set-up work. Wood must be treated with a chemical to reduce cracking, water damage, and mold rot. In preparation for construction, the ground needs to be leveled and surfaced.

Setting up a permanent outdoor shade structure requires sufficient space both for the set-up but also subsequent use. A gazebo that is too close to trees or the house forces the user to squeeze in and out. Ensure sufficient open space is around it. The platform must also be placed on level ground. Clear the dirt and lay a surface before starting construction on the gazebo itself.

Many of these questions are answered in popular gazebo kits. Gazebo kits contain not only schematics for one or more designs, but also important hardware components needed for construction. However, raw materials such as wood has to be obtained via another source. A completed gazebo can be further outfitted with interesting add-ons, such as a hanging shade which increases privacy as well as shading under the gazebo.




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