With their rich and attractive color tones, excellent sun protection and inviting atmosphere, gazebos are one of the best outdoor investments a yard owner can make. Gazebos and canopies make up for the lack of shade in many yards around the country. In fact, it seems like many home builders are leaving out awnings in an attempt to save money on the home build. The design of all gazebos starts out with a sturdy free-standing frame.
Three and four legged gazebos are the ones most often seen, featured in square and hexagonal shapes. The metal is hollow to make it light weight yet rigid. Powder coat paint is applied at high heat for a permanent bond, allowing steel to survive outdoors without rusting. Permanent models are large and substantial, bolted to the ground over a walkway or clearance. Portable models are known as pop up gazebos. The frames can be “popped” open in an instant to create shade wherever it is needed. The pop up gazebo is great for trips to the park, tailgating or any other outdoor activity. Manufacturers frequently include a wheeled carry bag to put the gazebo in.
Returning to the backyard gazebos, users can find much color and trim selections which most definitively match their yard. While elaborate curvature and welding of the frame is impressive, it is the fabric gazebo canopy which invokes the greatest response. Designed to border the line between shade protection and beauty, fabric gazebo canopies are built to resist the elements. Fabrics like terylene, polyester and Sunbrella will never mold or mildew. Gazebos and canopies achieve bright colors through the use of permanent dye, often followed by a special protector chemical. When the test of time finally does claim the fabric, a gazebo replacement canopy can be matched up and replaced.
Side walls can make a world of difference when it comes to fighting back flying insects. Included with the gazebo or bought separately, gazebo walls effectively create an outdoor room. Air enters the room through the front zippered door and mesh windows. Bugs cannot penetrate the small holes of the mesh. To air in heat removal, some gazebos feature canopies with multiple tiers. Vents in between the tiers let hot air escape.
Sizes in gazebos range from 8×8 to 16×16 and up. Even the largest sizes designed for conventions and weddings come in pop-up models. With UV blockage and up to 32 degrees temperature reduction in the canopy shade, who wouldn’t want to make a gazebo part of their outdoor experience?
Interested in building a shade structure from scratch? Pergola plans can help. A pergola is similar to a gazebo, except instead of a fabric shade, plants are grown on top. Interesting, isn’t it?