Building a gazebo in the garden is an excellent way to enhance its appearance and to provide an enclosed space where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. They are also excellent for get-togethers, barbecues or just to sit and have a cup of coffee outdoors. For a festive look you can string up miniature lights on the roof or railings of the gazebo. Gazebos are versatile and are becoming very popular. However, they are not cheap and so you should make sure that the gazebo you select is the right one for you.

Here are some of the important things that you should consider before making your decision.

Protection against elements

This is an important aspect to consider, especially if your locality is prone to heavy winds. A sturdy gazebo with solid construction can withstand high winds. A proper design will provide wind-vents in the gazebo canopy to release the wind pressure that builds up inside the gazebo. Also, the gazebo should be anchored properly at vertical points to ensure that the base is solid, whether the base is made of concrete, wood or stone. Moreover, most gazebos are quite heavy. For instance, an 11 foot model can weigh up to 350 pounds.

Protection from bugs

While you are looking for gazebos keep in mind that not all types will include screens to keep out the bugs. You have to take into account the additional cost and also the weight. In short, make sure that the gazebo you choose is equipped to include screens if you want to add one in future and withstand the additional weight.

How to secure the foundation floor

This is important as not all gazebos are the same. Typically, most gazebos are constructed on concrete slabs, wooden deck or paver patio. Irrespective of the type, all foundation floors has to be anchored properly. While wooden gazebos are secured to the deck using screws that run through the bottom of the wall section, to secure concrete floors you would have to use a drill to fix concrete anchors. On the other hand, you will need concrete piers for paver bricks and they have to be raised to match the height of the paver bricks.

Size

Most often, gazebos are manufactured in three distinct sizes. The largest gazebos are about 18 x 15.5 feet, the medium or family sized gazebos measure about 11 x 9.5 feet and the smaller models measure about 7.5 x 6.5 feet. Remember that you can always plan and build a gazebo by yourself just the way you want them or you can hire a contractor to custom build your gazebo to your requirements. With customized gazebos you have additional options to add amenities like windows and benches or you can have wider steps or go for special molding. The choice is yours!

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