Gazebo or Sunroom? 3 Top Questions

Gazebo or Sunroom? Top 3 Questions you need to ask. Having a gazebo or sunroom in the backyard is an excellent way to enhance the appearance while providing you with a quiet place to sit and relax after a hard day at work. Gazebos and sunrooms are wonderful for barbecue parties, family gatherings, or simply sipping on a cup of coffee or glass of lemonade on a lazy day.

To create a romantic setting, you could string miniature lights along the railing and roof of the gazebo and then spend time with someone special out under the stars. However, as with any investment, you want to make sure you choose the right type. Which is better, a gazebo or a sunroom? For that reason, consider the top three questions you should ask. What choices do I have for size? Most gazebo and sunroom manufacturers make three specific sizes. First, you have the smaller size, which measures 7.5 x 6.5-feet, followed by the family size that is 11 x 9.5-feet, and finally, the grand size that is 18 x 15.5-feet. Now keep in mind that you can also buy plans to build your own or hire a professional to construct one that is custom made if you want a smaller or larger size.

Now the advantage of a gazebo over a sunroom in this perspective is that a gazebo is more flexible in size and shape as it will not be attached to the house. With a sunroom, you will be limited to what size you can build and this may influence your decision between a gazebo and a sunroom. Do I need it attached to my house? This is another important question that you will have to answer. Do you like the idea of being able to walk out from your house strait into another enclosed area without having to go outside? This is the advantage of a sunroom over a gazebo. If it’s raining outside, you can still enjoy the outdoors without having to take one step outside. You can walk into your sunroom right from your house and not get wet, and also not deal with any of those pesky mosquitoes, and relax with the windows open and enjoy the soothing sound of the rain and fresh air.

With gazebos, you will have to be exposed to the outdoor elements for a few feet, depending how far you build it from your house, before you can relax inside. How much will it cost? And finally, what it usually comes down to is how much will it cost me? In the end, you will more than likely have a budget in mind and this may ultimately make your final decision. Gazebos tend to cost less than a sunroom. The major cost that drives up sunrooms over gazebos is the fact that it needs to be attached to a house. For that reason, you will need special foundations in place in order to properly attach the sunroom without causing any future problems to your house or the sunroom (shifting). Sunrooms also will cost more due to the nature of the amount of windows. This is the main feature of a sunroom; in being that it allows a lot of natural light in and also protects you from the wind and rain.

Gazebos tend not to have windows and go more with screens, but if you want to spend the money, gazebos can have windows in place also. So in conclusion, there are obvious advantages of one over the other. It comes down to personal needs and of course your budget. Answer the above three questions and you will have your answer as to if a gazebo or sunroom is meant for you.

What Type of Gazebo is Right for You?

Having a gazebo in the backyard is an excellent way to enhance the appearance while providing you with a quiet place to sit and relax after a hard day at work. Gazebos are wonderful for barbecue parties, family gatherings, or simply sipping on a cup of coffee or glass of lemonade on a lazy day. To create a romantic setting, you could string miniature lights along the railing and roof of the gazebo and then spend time with someone special out under the stars. Because of their popularity, the number of gazebo sales is rising. However, as with any investment, you want to make sure you choose the right type. For that reason, consider the top five questions you should ask.

Can gazebos withstand strong winds?

If you live in a part of the country prone to high winds (Chicago), then this is a very important question to ask. If the gazebo is constructed properly, it will hold up even in windy conditions. The reason is that the gazebo canopy is designed with a wind vent that releases strong wind pressure. In addition, your gazebo would be anchored securely at the vertical points so the base, whether wood, stone, or concrete, is solid. Finally, gazeboes are heavy. For example, an 11-foot model will typically weigh between 325 and 350 pounds.

Will my gazebo have a bug screen?

When shopping around for a gazebo, remember that not all 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 gazeboes 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 x 6.5-feet, followed by the family size that is 11 x 9.5-feet, and finally, the grand size that is 18 x 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 type gazebo, such as windows, special molding, wider steps, benches, and so on.

What are the advantages of the different type material?

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. For the pine, this 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 in that 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 covered 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.

Dion Semeniuk is a proud owner of a beautiful backyard and has helped with others in their landscaping needs and gazebo choices. To learn more about what Gazebo is right for you, visit http://www.gazebo-directory.com

The Advantage of Canopy Gazebo

Canopy gazebos are for the economically minded but that doesn�t mean cheap. Some consumers actually prefer a canopy gazebo to a permanent structure, because a canopy gazebo is portable. You can take it down and set it up whenever and wherever you please. They�re great for lounging, picnics, and so on, and they work wonderfully well as merchandise tents at arts and crafts festivals.

Most canopy gazebos require two or more people for set-up. To set up a canopy gazebo on natural ground, erect the poles and frame, batten them down with the included ropes and stakes, stretch the canopy over and secure it to the frame, and you�re done. That�s it. It�s that simple. You don�t need to tear up your yard and you don�t need to call the authorities for a permit.

Even easier to set up are those canopy gazebos that are spring loaded to assemble from one piece. Just take it out of the box, spread the sections, stake it to the ground, and voila! Instant shade. Some canopy gazebos don�t even need to be fastened to the ground. Just put it up on your driveway, front porch, or other convenient flat space.

A canopy gazebo can cost you anything from $80 to $300, depending on size, materials, style, and quality. An aluminum or vinyl canopy gazebo will be less expensive but more portable than a gazebo with a wrought iron frame. In the case of the heavier frame, it typically would be moved less often � say, once in the spring and once in the fall.

You can find a canopy gazebo at your local sporting goods outlet, home furnishings warehouse, or general store and various online retailers and auction sites too.