Shade Structure Buying Guide – Gazebos

Gazebos – Private outdoor rotundas

Gazebos are freestanding garden structures with sturdy roofs made with standard materials, like shingles. The roofs connect to the flooring through posts. You’ll find railings along the perimeter of the gazebo, which makes it an enclosed space while still open on all sides. There may be matching benches inside for your convenience.

Materials

Because gazebos are so large, they must be made with strong materials. They can include:

• Vinyl
• Metal (aluminum, steel)
• Wood

The most commonly used material is wood.

Purpose/Use of Gazebos

Gazebos provide shade, as well as shelter from the rain. Usually, there’s seating inside so you can sit and talk, read books, admire the scenery, etc.

They also serve a secondary purpose: an ornamental feature. You’ll certainly have a gorgeous focal point that your guests won’t stop talking about!

History

Gazebos have been around for almost forever. Wealthy ancient Egyptians used them in their gardens almost 5,000 years ago! They believed their gardens were paradises on Earth that they could take with them into the afterlife. So naturally, the Egyptians spruced up their gardens with these beautiful structures.

Besides ancient Egyptians, Romans, Persians, the Japanese, the French, etc., all have had their own versions of gazebos throughout history. The Romans used them as small temples while the Japanese used gazebos for tea ceremonies.

These structures made their way to the US in the 18th century. While initially, only middle-class (and higher) families had gazebos, today, they’re much more affordable and accessible to everyone.

Placement

Because they’re freestanding structures, you can put gazebos anywhere you want. They can go on your deck, in the middle of the yard, or by the pool if you have one. One can also be attached to a garden wall.

Gazebo Designs/Styles

Traditionally, there are two main shapes: hexagon and octagon. Do note that it’s easy to get a custom-built gazebo, so you can get any shape you want. Many people choose oval, circle or rectangle.

For those who like more intricate designs, you can get a Victorian-style gazebo. It has an ornate and romantic aesthetic that’s easy on the eyes.

Rustic gazebos are also cozy and may have a thatched or shingled roof. They have a natural feel and use wood and other organic materials.

On the other hand, a modern design is simple and comes with a flat or sloping roof. The material choice is typically metal or vinyl.

Modern Customizations

The main difference between traditional and modern gazebos is that the former uses wood and the latter uses metals and vinyl. In addition, modern gazebos tend to have custom shapes.

To make things more comfortable, today’s homeowners add things like curtains, screens, outdoor lighting, fans, fire pits, and heaters. You can even install a sound system and outdoor kitchen to provide hours of entertainment for your family and guests.

Gazebos – Pros & Cons

Other shade structures

Gazebos are just one of the popular outdoor shade structures for residential, commercial and public properties. The next section of our guide takes a look at pergolas.

Guide Sections

Shade Structure Buying Guide

Shade Structure Buying Guide – Pergolas

Shade Structure Buying Guide – Cabanas

Shade Structure Buying Guide – Pavilions

Shade Structure Buying Guide – Canopies

Shade Structure Buying Guide – Arbors