Summer is here, and we love sitting outside as much as the next person, but it's nice to have the luxury of escaping into the shade when the days become too hot and to get out of those UV rays. Some people have perfectly shaded backyards that offer shade at just the right time of day, but a patio gazebo can be a lifesaver for those who don't.
An outdoor gazebo can drastically improve your summer experience and successfully keep your family outside longer. This article will discuss everything you never knew you wanted to know about patio gazebos, from what they are to where they'll work best on your property.
What is a Patio Gazebo?
A patio gazebo is a highly-customizable open-sided structure with a roof and openings on each side. Sometimes they come with a floor from the manufacturer, but people use their decks and patios as the flooring component in most cases. You can pull the cozy look of your patio gazebo together by adding an outdoor rug and conversation seating, resulting in what is essentially an outdoor living room.
Depending on the manufacturer, you can have your patio gazebo made however you want, and some even choose to have benches installed directly into the sides for seating. Gazebos might have walls that slide shut, screens, or curtains to create an enclosure that offers protection from bugs.
Patio gazebos are predominately square or rectangular when utilized in a backyard, but they can also be circular. They come in various sizes to fit most patios and deck spaces. They provide shade from the sun during the day and are a great way to escape mosquitos at night, extending the amount of time you can use your outdoor space while the weather is nice.
How is a Patio Gazebo Used?
Patio gazebos are like an outdoor living room, and people often arrange them with comfortable furniture, a coffee table, a rug, and pillows. Patio gazebos are relatively easy to install, and there's typically more than one way to secure them, whether with ties, mounted into the wall or directly into the ground.
For the most part, patio gazebos provide a comfortable place to sit quietly or entertain, and they give much-needed shelter from the hot sun. The open sides allow breezes to come through, and they're a fantastic place to take a mid-afternoon nap.
If you enjoy entertaining at night, you can hang lights on your gazebo, close the sides to keep the bugs away, and proceed with your gathering. Overall, they're a fantastic addition to almost any backyard space, primarily if it's used often.
What Kind of Patio Gazebos Can I Choose From?
When it comes to patio gazebos, there are plenty of options. The style you choose will likely reflect the size and landscaping of your space and your intended use, along with your personal preferences. Gazebos are usually made from wood, vinyl, or metal.
You can choose to have a professional install your gazebo or do it yourself. However, gazebos of all makes and models tend to come with intricate designs, and you may find yourself frustrated if you attempt a DIY. In most cases, the manufacturer will charge a fee to have someone come and assemble it for you, and it's well worth the additional price.
Hardtop Gazebos
A hardtop gazebo provides plenty of benefits that many consumers find appealing compared to the other styles of backyard gazebos available on the market today. Hardtop gazebos are generally more durable than other models, and they're pretty straightforward regarding maintenance and cleaning.
Hardtop gazebos also provide outstanding protection from the sun and weather events, and you can use them all year long, which makes for a better investment for your home. Hardtop gazebos are just what they sound like, a traditional pergola gazebo with a solid piece of sturdy plastic, wood, or vinyl covering the roof. They're a fantastic option for those that spend a lot of time outside.
Soft Top Gazebos
If you want the same general protection that a hardtop gazebo offers at a more affordable price, then a soft-top gazebo might better suit your needs. When you shop for soft top gazebos, it's crucial to consider the type of fabric used to construct the top. If you want your soft top gazebo to last, you'll want to choose a manufacturer that uses high-quality material to prevent rips and fading.
Before making a purchase decision, you should know that soft top gazebos, while functional and pretty, probably won't last as long as their hardtop counterparts. However, you get quite a few years of use out of them with proper cleaning and care.
Free-Standing Gazebos
Free-standing gazebos are a prevalent choice among homeowners, as you don't have to mount them to a wall, and they're available in relatively simple DIY assembly kits. If you walk into a local home improvement store or major retailer, free-standing gazebos are likely the first thing you'll notice in the outdoor seating section.
They're so versatile, and you can place them anywhere in your yard or on your patio or deck. Free-standing gazebos make it possible to have shade wherever you need it and create a shaded seating area near the back of your yard or next to a pool or garden. They're incredibly flexible and relatively easy to move, making them a popular choice overall.
Wall-Mounted Gazebos
Unlike free-standing gazebos, wall-mounted gazebos come with the tools to secure them to an exterior wall of your home. Wall-mounted gazebos are an excellent way to upgrade your backyard patio or deck. Many manufacturers create wall-mounted gazebos with powder-coated aluminum frames, so they provide plenty of support and look stylish at the same time.
The roof of a wall-mounted gazebo is usually made of steel or polycarbonate and provides plenty of protection from excessive UV rays or a sudden, heavy rainstorm. Wall-mounted gazebos can withstand winter storms, making them excellent for people searching for a semi-permanent option.
Though not open on all sides, wall-mounted gazebos have three-open sides so you can enjoy the breeze on hot days. When you sit out at night to enjoy the cooler weather, you can utilize mosquito nets to keep them out. Many gazebo owners choose to enclose their wall-mounted gazebos to enjoy them well into the fall and winter months.
Where Do You Put a Patio Gazebo?
Your ideal gazebo location depends heavily on where you'll get the most use. Most people put their gazebos in the backyard, but it's not unusual to see them grace side and front yards, especially when there isn't enough backyard space available. After all, patios are not reserved for backyards only!
On a Patio Surface
For the most part, those who choose to utilize a patio gazebo will place it on a patio surface, whether wall-mounted or free-standing. Patios offer a smooth, stable, even surface to put a gazebo, and they typically sit close to the home.
However, suppose you have a pool or a concrete patio sitting area situated away from your home. In that case, you can easily put a free-standing gazebo there as long as you ensure that it's secured to withstand heavy winds.
Though gazebos are super versatile, patios are the most popular space to construct a patio gazebo, even if that patio sits beside a deck. This brings us to our next gazebo location.
On a Deck
People who do not have patios, don't fret. Your new patio gazebo can easily sit on deck space. If the deck is close to your home, as decks tend to be, you might consider a wall-mounted gazebo. If not, free-standing will work just as well.
Decks are not a more challenging place to install a gazebo unless it's poorly constructed. The central aspect that makes patio installation simpler is that patios are always on ground level, and decks are not. Other than planning to carry your gazebo materials up a flight or two, if necessary, a deck installation should go just as smoothly.
If you decide to place your gazebo on your deck, make sure it fits. Remember, your deck has to accommodate the size of the gazebo with room to move around it unless you want it to fit corner to corner.
While measurements are always necessary whenever you purchase a patio gazebo, it's essential to consider the location of your deck railings and steps. Measuring doesn't take much time, and it will eliminate potential frustrations and incorrect sizing.
Can A Patio Gazebo Add Curb Appeal to Your Home?
If you're considering selling your home or you want to take on a few aesthetic upgrades, a patio gazebo can definitely boost your curb appeal and increase visual value. There are many ways to incorporate them into your existing landscaping.
Define Your Space
If your yard is very open, it might feel challenging to divide the space. A gazebo can make a wide-open space feel more organized, whether you combine it with a patio or set it up on its own. Patio gazebos are a great way to designate areas within your yard without adding fencing, which is a more permanent option.
Integration with Existing Structures
Gazebos can integrate with the current structure of your home to add ample living space, create an entryway, or attach to a pool house. They can easily give off the vibes of an awning but with the potential to close off to unwelcome bugs and weather for prolonged usage.
Make it Cozy
Everyone loves a cozy space. Even if you aren't listing your home for sale, the addition of a patio gazebo and dimly lit sitting area underneath it will create plenty of value for you, your family, and your friends! Outdoor sitting areas are quiet, comfortable, and coveted, and patio gazebos allow you to construct a shareable space that's all your own.
Level Up Your Yard with a Patio Gazebo from Sojag
As soon as the days grow longer and the nights warm up, people everywhere begin to look for ways to improve their outdoor spaces. Patio gazebos work well in front, side, and backyards and suit almost any landscaping and layout.
Patio gazebos provide a comfortable place to sit outside your home, effectively extending your living space and improving curb appeal and overall aesthetics. With so many options to choose from, the hunt for the perfect gazebo for your yard can become overwhelming quickly.
The patio gazebo experts at Sojag are ready to help you take your yard to the next level. We've got every solution you need to create shade in your yard while defining living space, including pergolas, gazebos, wall-mounted gazebos, and beautiful solariums. If the weather warm-up has you ready to explore gazebo options, contact us today for more information!
