Gazebos and Gazebo Kits

As I started to research them I found out that there is a lot more to a gazebo then I had anticipated. At first I thought that the way to go would be to buy plans and build it myself. But then I remembered when I built the structure for over my hot tub that way, I was lucky that it didn't collapse into the hot tub when I was sitting in it.

So, I decided that building a gazebo from scratch was out of the question this time. I priced out contractors build me a gazebos, but that was out of my budget. Having a pre-built unit delivered was also too expensive. The size and style that could be delivered by my local garden center was too limited. So I thought a kit would probably be the way to go for me.

I went to my local building supply store and found nothing but the canvas shade structures that you can put up and break down when you are done using them. I wanted an actual solid structure gazebo.

So I started doing some research on the internet. I found an amazing amount of gazebo kits online. I was able to choose from many different shapes and sizes, varying from an octagon to a hexagon, or a simple square. All of the gazebos feature a variety of design options. I could choose from a fully open air gazebo with no walls or anything else. These would be nice in a hot climate. Some had waist to shoulder high fencing around them that provide a level of privacy and protection.

I also had the choice of having it fully enclosed with windows and the whole nine yards. I was able to choose between gazebo kits made out of vinyl or wood. All of the open gazebos are made out of wood and have shingles on the roof. The vinyl gazebos are fully enclosed with screen that runs from top to bottom down all the sides. The screens are made of vinyl coated fiberglass yarns which are fire resistant, UV resistant and meet strong tear and tensile strength resistance tests. The vinyl gazebos are also easy to move if you ever need to.

Most of the wood enclosed gazebos are made out of cedar, which is a high grade wood known for its ability to maintain heat and hold the heat inside. Which would be nice to have in a place that gets cold or has extreme weather? Cedar is also one of the most weather resistant types of wood. There were many seasonal considerations to think about. I thought maybe I would not need a fully enclosed gazebo because we don't usually make it up to the lake house in the winter. But I decided that it would be nice to be fully protected inside so that I could leave all of the lake toys and other outdoor equipment in there as well for storage.

I thought about designing seats and storage areas inside the gazebo. Then, I remembered why I was buying a kit. A lot of the gazebo kits have bench kits that you can buy for them. This makes it very easy to install seats that fit perfectly. All of the gazebos ranged in size from eight feet to fourteen feet wide. This allows a choice between having a small enclosed area, or somewhere the whole family could get together.

Shop: Find a huge selection of Gazebos from BetterGazebos.com

When I finally decide on which gazebo to get, I was anxious to see how complicated it would be to assemble. I was delighted when it arrived. It was very easy to follow the directions and put together. Any non-carpenter like me can build gazebos out of a kit like this, and have fun in the process.

Gazebo kits come pre-painted or varnished, so there is no need to worry about it getting weathered right away. Before I knew it, I was sitting in my hideaway at my lake house watching my children fish from the dock.

What a great place to have a picnic on the weekend, or a sunset dinner by the lake. I found many other uses for it as well. It is a great place to have family reunions. Everyone can get together outdoors, and the grandparents have a place to hang out away from direct sunlight. It is also a great place to get away from it all and listen to the beautiful sounds of nature and settle into a good book.

The gazebo is also a very elegant addition and has been a great way to dress up the back yard. It really added to the landscaping too. My daughter loved it so much that she decided to use the lake house and the gazebo for her wedding. I liked my gazebo so much that I decided to tear down the structure I had built over my hot tub at home, and order a kit for a spa shelter instead.

Gazebo kits are affordable, easy to build, and provide years of backyard enjoyment. It was fun to have built it for myself too. One day my grandchildren will be able to enjoy it just as much if not more than I have.

Learn: Three different methods for constructing basic foundations for your gazebo kit.

Gazebos are steeped in history with garden structures documented in ancient Chinese architectural design. The actual use of the word, gazebo, was first used around 1750 by British architectural historians. Throughout American history gazebos tended to be reserved for the more affluent home owner or in public places. Some gazebos in parks are built large enough to serve as a band stand and are used that way to this day. With the advent of kits any home owner can afford and build a gazebo just like George Washington at Mount Vernon.