Patio Gazebos Are Here to Stay

Just thinking of the term patio gazebos, brings to mind long romantic summer afternoons, sipping cool drinks and being immersed in conversation in the cool shade on a hot summer's day. Stay even cooler under you gazebo with patio misting systems and mist or fog fans.

There is no doubt about it that patio gazebos really do bring the indoors, outside. They can be equipped with benches, or you can furnish them with a nice patio set. In the bigger ones you can even hang your favorite hammock. Painted or natural wood, these outdoor structures enrich your outdoor living experiences and are sure to be popular with both friends and family. Together with Garden Arbors they can help and a structural beauty to your outdoor living space.

The word gazebo was coined in the 18th century to describe an outdoor shelter, usually in a garden. Although, gazebos were also popular long before that in China and Japan, and it seems the Egyptians also made use of them. On your patio, deck or garden, a gazebo is always a perfect place to entertain or just relax and enjoy being outdoors. They can also be fun, as they are generally sold as gazebo kits.

What exactly are patio gazebos?

There does seems to be some misunderstanding as to what a gazebo actually is. So just for the record, here are some common definitions referring to gazebos.

Gazebo - A small, open-sided structure designed for sitting and taking in the view.

Gazebo - Open structure, supported by columns and covered with a column-supported roof.

Gazebo - A small structure, usually roofed and open-sided, located in gardens or parks from which one may gaze out over the surrounding grounds.

Gazebo - A freestanding, roofed, usually open-sided structure which provides a shady resting place.

Gazebo - A small lookout tower or summerhouse with a view, usually in a garden or park, but sometimes on the porch or roof of a house; also called a belvedere.

Gazebo - A small summerhouse or pavilion with a view, or a belvedere on the roof of a house.

Gazebo - A small roofed building affording shade and rest.

So, we have a small open structure with columns supporting a roof. But in all truth gazebo, can be anything from a plastic square cover supported by four corner aluminum tubes. These can often be found in camping stores, their main purpose being to supply shade on a hot sunny day. But I think most people's idea of a patio gazebo is a square or hexagonal wooden structure, with ornate side panels and a two tier roof, often with an ornamental Cupola.

Gazebo Kits are the normal way to purchase a patio gazebo

Buying gazebo kits isn't the simplest thing in the world either. Unless assembly is included, or offered as an extra, you're going to have to get your tools out and assemble pre-cut and prepared panels yourself. If you assemble your gazebo on level terrain, the overall operation shouldn't be too traumatic. Preparing a 4-6 inch concrete base poured over gravel will make the assembly so much easier.

Most "gazebo kits" have been factory pre-assembled to guarantee workmanship. They are then dismantled for shipping purposes. All online gazebo kits come with detailed instructions for easy installation, and some even offer video instructions. So, in summary, installing patio gazebos not only adds a grand touch of style, but is also a very functional addition to your outdoor living space.

Patio Gazebo - Living it Up Outside

While having a patio is a wonderful home addition, a place where you can spend good times with family and friends, unless you have some kind of cover, you are somewhat limited to how the patio can be used. As an example, while you might enjoy the warm summer months, an unprotected patio would be too hot. If the day is comfortable but rain is pouring down, you would be stuck inside. If you had the ability to set up a patio gazebo, something that would go directly on top of the existing patio to provide protection from the sun, rain, snow, or wind, would you be interested?

The patio gazebo has become a very popular solution over the past few years. These types of gazebos are very affordable and they work exceptionally well. patio gazebos are also available in a wide range of sizes, many to fit an established patio without the need for any modification. For instance, for a 10x10-foot patio gazebo would be designed with a sturdy frame consisting of four to six poles. In addition to a sturdy frame,this patio gazebo also has a waterproof canopy. Best of all,the design is a pop-up, which means you can have the gazebo setup in just a few minutes.

With an eight-foot center and 6.5-foot corners, even your tallest guests will have plenty of headroom. Although you might initially purchase a patio gazebo for the patio, because of the mobility and flexibility, you could easily take it down and move it to the pool area or beach for a party, to the middle of the backyard for a great place to eat, and so on. This patio gazebo is so perfect that it even comes with its own carrying bag. With it unfolding as one piece, nothing has been easier.

Probably one of the coolest new designs on the market for a patio gazebo is known as the "Instant gazebo". For this, you would have a sturdy but lightweight aluminum frame. Hooked onto that stand is the canopy, which includes netting on the side panels to help with insects. To set this patio gazebo up, you simply pull it out into the appropriate shape and in seconds, you have a 10x10-foot structure. When ready to take the gazebo down, you simply gather the canopy up, reattach, and then secure it to the frame.

Regardless of the type or size of patio gazebo you choose, there is one thing to consider. Some people will use a patio gazebo on a raised deck, which in most instances, is fine. However,remember that while the gazebo may be lightweight, if it catches any wind or caught in the rain or snow, you are now dealing with added weight. While this might not seem like much of a problem,with the patio gazebo small and the weight distributed over a restricted space, the deck may not be able to accommodate the weight. Therefore, prior to using a patio gazebo on your deck,make sure your deck can handle any additional weight. For this,check with the gazebo manufacturer for recommendations.

You will find that patio gazebos come in some wonderful colors and designs. For instance, a blue and white or camel and white are popular choices in that they generally complement the appearance of the home. However, you can choose from solid green, white, red, and even find some floral designs. If the gazebo will be setup only occasionally, then you could probably go a little wild on the design but if you plan to keep the patio gazebo up all year round, it would probably look best if it matches or coordinates with the style and color of the home.

Patio Gazebo

Sitting outside and enjoying a patio gazebo is sure to be a favorite past time. However, you can't just stick a patio gazebo up and love it. You will want to be sure that you have the patio gazebo somewhere that you will want to be, and that you will want to spend time.

The following is five ideas of great locations for your patio gazebo; placing your gazebo in any of these places will help you enjoy, and make the most of it.

1. One of the best places to put a patio gazebo is in your garden. Putting your patio gazebo in the garden is an excellent idea for a number of reasons. Besides the actual patio, the garden is probably the most popular place that gazebos are put. It is especially popular for people that have a lovely flower garden that they love to look at and enjoy. Basically, if you want to put a patio gazebo in the garden, look for the place that you will enjoy looking at and being in the most. Remember, certain flowers attract bees, etc. so you might want a patio gazebo that has a bug screen. No matter where you put your patio gazebo, you will want to be sure that the seating is facing the direction that you want to look towards while you are sitting in your garden. You do not have to worry about finding a shady spot, etc. as that is what the patio gazebo will do for you.

2. The next most popular sport for the patio gazebo is simply to place the patio gazebo on your lawn. This is a great option if you like sitting out on the lawn, and allows for you to enjoy the outdoors regardless of whether you have outdoor furniture or not. So, why not sit on the lawn without the patio gazebo? Well a gazebo will help protect your skin from the sun; also, say you want to read a book, you can go outside and sit and read in your gazebo out on the lawn without the glare of the sun bouncing off your pages and burning your eyes. The drawn back is that you have to move the gazebo to mow the lawn.

3. Another great place to put a patio gazebo is near water. This could be a pong, a river, a lake, a stream, whatever you might have. If you have a pond, for example, on your property, you might find that having your patio gazebo out by the pond will be more than relaxing to you than having it on the actual patio. Why? Well think of it this way, having your patio gazebo near the pond means that you can sit in your gazebo, watch the frogs, turtles, and fish (or the moss, dried leaves, and debris) that are in your pond, and enjoy the serenity and peace that comes with water. The drawback is that with water come bugs, mosquitoes, etc. so choose a patio gazebo with a zipper netting that will protect you from the nuisance of such pests.

4. Obviously another great place for a patio gazebo is actually on the patio. By having your patio gazebo near the house it acts as an extension of the living space, not to mention the fact that it allows for much easier accessorizing and decorating of your patio gazebo. Many people enjoy having their patio gazebo right on the patio because it means a nice convenient place to find shade right out the door, it means you can grill on your patio and have a shaded place to sit, and a place to gather and share fun with friends. Basically, the patio is a great place for a patio gazebo.makes sense.
5. Another great place for a patio gazebo is basically any place you like to be, or want it. The beauty of patio gazebos is their versatility, they provide shade and protection from the weather, and many types even provide an element of protection from the bugs too. So, wherever you want one, put one, a patio gazebo does not have to be limited to the patio.