Will my gazebo have a bug screen?

When shopping around for a gazebo, remember that not all of them include the price of screens to keep out little creatures. Therefore, if you want a screen, you need to consider two things. First the additional cost, and second, the weight. In other words, make sure your type of gazebo is designed to handle the screen if you decide to add one on at a later date.

How is the foundation floor secured?

This is also an important question to ask since not all gazebos are created equal. Most gazebos are erected on a foundation such as wood deck, concrete slab or paver patio. Whatever surface you choose, the gazebo will need to be anchored. For the wood gazebo, screws can be run through the bottom plate of the wall section and then into the deck. For concrete, you would drill through the bottom plate and then into the concrete, using concrete anchors. Then for the paver bricks, you want to use a concrete pier that is raised to the height of the paver brick for each of the corners.


What choices do I have for size?

Most gazebo manufacturers make three specific sizes. First, you have the smaller size, which measures 7.5 feet

by 6.5 feet, followed by the family size that is 11 feet by 9.5 feet, and finally, the grand size that is 18 feet by 15.5 feet. Now keep in mind that you can also buy plans to build your own gazebo or hire a professional to construct one that is custom made if you want a smaller or larger size. Additionally, with these options, you can add features that you might not get with a standard gazebo, such as special molding, windows, wider steps and benches.

What are the advantages of the different material types?

The last of the five questions to ask when considering a gazebo has to do with material. In most cases, three types of material are used which include pine, cedar and vinyl. The pine is pressure-treated and extremely strong. Because of that, it will last a lifetime and most are guaranteed against termite and rot damage. Cedar is also a very popular choice as it looks beautiful and is naturally resistant to termites and rot. However, the cedar generally looks nicer when stained or painted so there would be minor upkeep. Finally, vinyl is a low maintenance material that is strong and sometimes used in conjunction with treated pine. That means while you pay less for a vinyl gazebo, you still get the beauty and sound structure of the pine option.