8 Questions to Ask Yourself When Purchasing a Gazebo

8 Questions to Ask Yourself When Purchasing a Gazebo

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Purchasing a gazebo should be an investment in your property, so whether it’s for personal or public use, you want to be certain that the structure you’re designing is the one you want. If you’re new to the idea of owning an outdoor structure like a gazebo, then you likely have many questions. Or maybe you’re not even sure which questions you should ask.

To get the most out of your gazebo you should consider everything from the reason you want to add a gazebo to your outdoor space, down to the type of shingles and flooring you’d like. Unless you’re buying a premade gazebo, you’ll have the option to create a custom design that will be unique to your tastes. Before you can do that, though, you have to understand what your options might look like—and which questions to ask the company you’re purchasing the structure from.

1. Why do I want to purchase a gazebo?

Understanding why you want the gazebo in the first place will tell you and the company you’re talking to a lot about what the design may have to look like or incorporate. Outlining the structure’s function should be your first step in the design and purchasing process as this will likely dictate its size, add-ons, and the best materials for the job. Pinpointing the purpose of your gazebo will certainly make the designing phase go much more smoothly.

Consider some of the most common uses for gazebos:

• Hot tubs
• Gardens
• Weddings
• Receptions
• Outdoor living
• Cooking and outdoor dining
• Entertaining
• Lounging
• Playroom
• Poolside

And those are only some of the most common uses for gazebos. Your purpose could be listed above or one we haven’t thought to mention. Whatever purpose you have in mind for your future gazebo, you’ll at least have a better understanding of how function plays into the design.

2. Where will I put the gazebo?

Once you know how you want to use the gazebo, you’ll want to decide the best location for it. Thankfully, gazebos can be installed on any flat surface; but you’ll still need to consider the foundation material itself.

Gazebos can be installed on wood or concrete, making it possible to place the structure on decks or existing foundations.

Your purpose should also help you determine whether the gazebo is best situated in the open or under a shaded area, in the middle of a large space to create a focal point, or in the corner of your yard for a hidden destination. Some gazebo functions lend themselves to one location or another as shown below.

Focal Point
Wedding gazebo
Reception gazebo

Shaded Area
Kid’s gazebo
Poolside gazebo
Cookout gazebo

Corner of the Yard
Garden gazebo
Hot tub gazebo

The final location can be used to design the gazebo if you’re interested in blending the structure in with your patio, deck, or pool. For example, if you have a white and brown patio, you could opt for a vinyl or painted wood gazebo to create a seamless look. You may even be able to match the gazebo’s roof shingles to that of your home if the two will be in close proximity to one another. Keep the structure’s final location in mind during the rest of the design process.

3. What gazebo build is right for me?

When it comes to a gazebo’s build, you have two options: wood or vinyl. Each has its merits and you should consider which would be best for your project given its function, location, and the general design you have in mind.

Wood gazebos

Wood brings that sturdy, rustic feel to any structure. It offers a traditional look many people tend to favor for outdoor builds, but it can also be very cost-effective, too. For gazebos, cedar, pine, redwood, and bamboo are all viable options.

Each wood differs in appearance, environmental-impact, overall value, and longevity. When you consider wood for building material, you have to think about everything from its color and grain to its durability and longevity.

To expand on its benefits, a wood gazebo can be stained and painted in a range of colors. Its versatility is what makes wood both so unique and desirable as a building material, although that quality comes with its share of drawbacks.

Due to its porous nature, wood requires additional maintenance to retain its charm all year long. If it’s not taken care of (restaining, repainting, and annual weatherproofing) then wood structures can warp, or the wood itself could rot. Adding a gazebo to your property is a long-term investment, so it’s understandable that you would need to do a little work to keep it looking great for as long as you have it. Then again, you may not have the time or interest in doing more than a quick cleaning to maintain your gazebo, which is where vinyl comes in handy.

Vinyl gazebos

Vinyl has become a popular alternative to wood as a maintenance-free, and attractive building material. There’s no need to stain, seal, or treat vinyl, which makes taking care of it a matter of hosing it down. A power washer could also clean up a vinyl gazebo in a matter of minutes. Vinyl can be shipped in easy-to-build kits and installed almost anywhere just like a wood gazebo.

While a vinyl gazebo offers its share of perks, it can be more expensive to produce. It also comes with a very limited selection of colors and appearances. Despite their lack of variety, they’ve become a recognizable style all their own and vinyl gazebos always seem to work as a decorative statement no matter where you install one.

Choosing between wood and vinyl is a simple matter of answering two questions:
1. Do I mind repainting/restaining/waterproofing every year or every other year?
2. Do I want the gazebo to have a very specific look?

If you want your gazebo to be colorful and unique, and don’t mind the extra yearly maintenance, then go with wood. But if you’re looking for something easy to care for and on the traditional side, purchasing a gazebo made of vinyl may be your best bet.

4. What shape do I want?

This is really up to you. Sure, you could use the gazebo’s location to determine its shape, but it comes down to preference and creative vision. Certainly, there are some shapes better suited for particular functions, such as rectangular and square gazebos for hot tubs. Your choice of shape won’t have a huge impact on the gazebo aside from minor details, such as a number of posts and square footage.

The most common shapes available for gazebos include octagonal, square, oval, rectangular, and dodecagonal. Some shapes may only be available in specific sizes, and vice versa, so be sure to ask the manufacturer if your shape is available in the size your project requires.

5. How big or small should the gazebo be?

Consider why you want to build the gazebo. Will it be used for large gatherings are smaller ones? Is it meant to be an intimate setting or one to hold many people? Now that you know what you want to use the gazebo for, its location, and its shape, you should be able to pinpoint a size that works for your needs. The two largest factors that will play into the structure’s size, however, is the function and location.

The smallest gazebo would be somewhere around 8’ x 8’, generally determined by the shape. The largest sizes are upwards of 20’ x 40’ in rectangles and ovals, or even a 30’ dodecagon, and of course, there are many gazebo size variations and dimensions between those. The shape will limit available sizes in most cases, but you can always ask if a certain shape and set of dimensions is feasible.

6. What about details such as railings, roofing, and flooring?

Here’s where you can get truly creative with your gazebo design. Depending on your build, you may have many options or very few. Wood will provide you with a greater range of customization, while vinyl is quite limited in appearance.

Railings

After you’ve picked your build (wood or vinyl) and made a color choice, you get to think about the style of railing. They come in either wood or vinyl to match your build. The railing style will differ between builds, but range from Dutch, New England, Colonial, and Baroque rails for wood and Country style, Colonial, and Baroque rails for vinyl. You also have the option of having no bottom rails whatsoever.

In the same category, you also get to decide whether your sidings will feature screens. If you’re interested in spending a lot of time in your new gazebo, you may want something to keep the insects at bay.

Posts

If you want your posts and railings to match, you can decide between having a standard (square) post or a turned post. Turned posts feature a rounded design.

Roofing

There are five styles of gazebo roofs usually available, including:

Selecting your style of roofing should be followed by a decision on the shingles, on whether you want standard asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, rubber slates, or metal roofing.

Gazebos benefit from a wide selection of standard asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, rubber slates, or metal roofing. There are many unique colors to choose from for customizing the structure’s look further.

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Flooring

There are almost as many flooring options available as there are roofing shingles to choose from. Flooring runs from composite decking to vinyl tropical decking and cellular PVC decking. This is another aspect of your design you can tweak to match the gazebo’s various parts.

7. Would I benefit from any additional features?

Extra features—or add-ons—are icing on the cake that is your dream gazebo. Most of these features will expand the functionality of the structure by adding further detail to the design, or by creating an outdoor space usable during all times of the day and even year.

Electrical package: this outfits your gazebo with outlets, switches, wiring, and connections to provide you with an entertainment-ready structure. If you plan to use your gazebo at night, for cooking, or for anything that might require power, then you should definitely consider including an electrical package.

Freestanding benches: a gazebo used more casually might benefit from freestanding benches. These seats conform to the shape of the structure, are movable, and provide a good alternative to installing your own seating.

8. Do I want to build the gazebo myself (with a kit) or have someone assemble it for me?

If you’re in a location that an assembled gazebo just can’t fit into or you’d like to try your hand at constructing your own gazebo, kits are a wonderful solution.

Our Gazebo kits are simple to assemble yourself, however, they are best installed by someone with a basic understanding of construction. You will also need enough people to lift some of the heavier gazebo parts.  A kit will come ready to assemble—including pre-drilled holes and precut lumber. A kit will come ready to assemble—including pre-drilled holes and precut lumber. Easy-to-follow instructions will show you how every piece fits together for minimal hassle and detail everything you’ll need to set it up.

It’s important to make sure that your supplier can ship the kit to you, or that you can pick it up at a local dealer.

How long the kit actually takes to assemble will depend on the complexity of the components—whether any additional features were purchased—and the size of the gazebo. On average, it might take two non-carpenters anywhere from 5-10 hours to complete a basic 10’ octagon gazebo.

Deciding on a kit versus a preassembled gazebo comes down to space limitations and preference. Do you want to set up the gazebo yourself? If so, you’ll find the work is well worth the reward of assembling your very own dream gazebo.

Designing your own gazebo and seeing it in your backyard can be a dream come true, so give the decision process plenty of thought as purchasing a gazebo is a big step. Your gazebo’s manufacturer should be able to answer any and all of your questions thoroughly, and offer suggestions to help make your creative vision a reality.

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Outdoor gazebo tents offer plenty of benefits for many different occasions. For personal use, patio gazebo tents provide a shady place to sip coffee and relax with a good book or a place to gather with family friends. For commercial use, outdoor tents are ideal for weddings or other special occasions.

If you’re thinking about buying tents for outside use, you may feel overwhelmed by the options. If you search online, you’ll find everything from screened gazebos, gazebos with netting, small gazebos, patio gazebos, and much more. Outdoor gazebo tents come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, so you’ll need to think about how many people will be using the gazebo at any given time.

However, the most important considerations include how you plan to use your gazebo tent, how to find the best budget gazebo tent, and making sure you choose the best quality outdoor tent.

1. What Style Are You Going For?

If you’re going to invest in an outdoor gazebo tent, you’ll need to determine what tent style will work best for your intended purpose. In addition to shape (i.e., round gazebos vs. square gazebos), you’ll need to consider different types of tents.

For shelter on the go, nothing beats a pop-up tent. Sturdy yet lightweight, durable yet easy to set up, pop-up tents are the ideal solution for your coverage needs from the elements.

Advantages of a pop-up tent include:

• Fast
• Affordable
• Fun

Also known as “marquee” or “high peak,” cross cable tents offer an elegant profile. Peaks are created with tension from cables pushing up on a center mast, allowing for abundant usable space underneath the tent. These tents are also easy to assemble and dismantle--no frame jack required!

Advantages of a cross cable tent include:

• Look of a pole tent with the functionality of a frame
• Stylish
• Easy to set up

If you want a dramatic silhouette for your outdoor gazebo tent, consider a pagoda tent. Differing in pitch and set up from their cousin, the cross cable marquee, pagoda tents achieve their show-stopping peaks thanks to a lofted frame supporting a center cone. Requiring just two people and a frame jack, or four people without a frame jack, pagoda tents go up easily and are a stately fixture on the horizon.

Advantages of a pagoda tent include:

• Solid, dependable & fashion-forward
• Keder walls fit perfectly
• Zipper openings
• Curtain opening capabilities

Whatever you decide, don’t settle for cheap gazebos. Remember that you get what you pay for.

2. What Material Should Your Gazebo Tent Be Made Of?

It is important to do your research when thinking about what material will best suit your tent needs. The lifespan of tents can depend on the materials used to create them, so knowing the best tent gazebo options can be crucial.

Laminated vinyl is a durable and popular option. It’s exactly what it sounds like — vinyl covered in a laminate. The scrim is placed between layers of PVC film then fused together in a laminating machine through heat and pressure. This lamination process increases material weight, UV protection, abrasion resistance, and glossiness. It is fire retardant, water-resistant, and is less costly than coated vinyl.

Polyester can also be a good option because its ability to stretch makes it more resistant to outdoor elements. While polyester is relatively durable, you will still want to think about waterproofing and thread count options based on your planned use. Luckily, these setbacks can easily be solved by coating polyester in PVC (also known as polyvinyl chloride), a protective layer that increases the tent’s protective capabilities.

If you need a waterproof gazebo that can withstand wind and rain, you are definitely going to be best off choosing a coated or laminated material.

As the foundation for a heavy-duty gazebo tent, a high-quality frame is essential. Look for American-made tents with aluminum or steel frames for the best quality. These frames are sturdy, mildew resistant, and strong enough to ensure your frame tent withstands whatever harsh weather comes its way.

Along with the general frame of your tent, tent poles are also important to ensure they are made with high-quality materials. Aluminum tent poles, as well as steel tent poles, are heavy-duty and ensure your tent is sturdy and can withstand inclement weather.

3. What Size Of a Tent Do You Want?

Once you’ve decided how you want your tent to look, feel, and function at your event, you might be left wondering: what size tent do I need?

At the start of the tent-hunting process, many customers believe they’ll have to go only off their guest count to determine the correct tent size, but this is only one part of the equation. While the amount of guests you have at your event is essential information you’ll need to take into account, if applicable, a seating arrangement is also just as instrumental in determining the size tent you’ll need for your outdoor event.

For additional help choosing the right size tent, check out this sizing guide.

4. What Additional Features Do You Want to Be Included?

Tent sidewalls take your tent from good to great, from exposed to sheltered. Whether you’re planning a wedding, backyard bash, tent sale, or beyond, sidewalls can help you get more out of your tent and keep your guests comfortable.

These canvas walls are usually available from your tent rental company and fit your tent so that instead of being open, it will be a more enclosed space. Not only will this help you regulate the temperature of your event, but it will make it feel much more formal and elegant.

Sidewalls can be see-through, have small windows, or be completely closed-off. This way, you can choose how you want your tent to feel. Incorporating sidewalls can also make it much easier to add other elements as well. Lighting will reflect off the walls, flowers and greenery can be draped from ceiling to floor, and decorations can be added to enhance the look of your event.

When stakes aren’t possible, ballasts are a fast and easy-to-transport solution for securing your tent. Features include:

• Lighter--much lighter--than cement blocks; they weigh only 30 lbs when empty
• Easy to transport--nothing more than a pickup required
• Stackability maximizes your storage space
• Recommended for tents 30-wide or smaller

Finally, the setup and take down process can make or break a tent--literally. Placing your tent tops for gazebos directly on the ground is never a good idea. A tent on the ground is at extreme risk for pinholes, dirt, and other disasters. Be sure to protect your investment from damage with a quality drop cloth.

5. What Stability Is Required For Your Gazebo?

Stability is important for any size or type of gazebo. Even the sturdiest of gazebo tents can be at risk of blowing away unless they are set up and weighted properly. It’s important to do your homework and choose the best option for securing your tent.

The first option is using anchors, as you would when you set up a camping tent. Anchors need to be staked into the ground, which means they won’t work if you are setting your gazebo tent up on concrete or in an area that prohibits staking into the ground. The primary advantage of anchors is that they are easy to transport.

A second option is tent weights. This is a more versatile option since they offer excellent stability on any surface and are also economical. In fact, if you’re on an extremely tight budget, you can even make your own if you wish. Some different materials for tent weights include: concrete blocks, sandbags, water weights, or weight plates. The disadvantage of tent weights is that they are not nearly as portable as anchors.

6. How Easy to Install Should It Be?

One of the biggest advantages of a gazebo tent is how easy it is to install versus a permanent gazebo. Portability is also a big advantage. Installation is relatively easy, based on skill level. For folks who are not so handy, hiring a professional tent installer is probably the best choice.

But, if you have some basic DIY skills - and ideally, an extra set of hands or two - you can easily install your gazebo virtually anywhere. The good news is that taking down your gazebo is also a simple process. A quality tent manufacturer will ensure that tent installation is fairly intuitive. Tents should also come with easy to understand instructions. Even better, some manufacturers will provide video installation guides so you can actually watch the process from start to finish.

7. How Much Maintenance Should Your Gazebo Require?

If you purchase a portable gazebo tent, you want to make sure that you get the most from your investment. Start with purchasing a high-quality tent from a reputable manufacturer. These tips for gazebo tent maintenance will help ensure that your tent lasts for years in the future.

Always follow directions for your tent installation. Inspect your tent materials periodically to make sure that the canopy top and straps are free of holes or tears and in good condition. Also, keeping your tent clean will help increase its lifespan. Before you take your tent down after use, make sure to brush off any dirt or leaves. After the outdoor gazebo tent is taken down, gently sweep it off to ensure it is free of debris.

Rinsing your tent after use will also help keep it clean and increase its longevity. Be sure to use non-abrasive cleaning materials to avoid damaging the tent’s coating. Be sure your tent is completely dry before you store it.

Speaking of storage, make sure you store your tent in a cool, dry space. This will help prevent the growth of mold and mildew. A little TCL goes a long way in ensuring that your tent will last for many years to come.

Conclusion

We’re here to help you find the best outdoor gazebo tent to suit your needs. Give us a call at (920) 431-0938 or contact us on the website and we’ll find the right tent for you. 

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