CrossTeam Properties Offers Advice on Home and Garden Improvements

Wooden gazebos are a fantastic way to create something unique and stylish in your garden. Wooden gazebos are soaring in popularity because there are so many designs, sizes and shapes available.

Wooden gazebos not only create a relaxing place to sit in your garden, they are also great for keeping safe in sunny weather. The sun has harmful rays that can even be harmful when it is very cloudy. A wooden gazebo provides a garden with permanent shade and a safe place to enjoy the weather.

If you have a hot tub outside you may want to protect it from the elements. You can easily do this with a wooden hot tub gazebo that allows you to enjoy the hot tub whatever the weather.

Wooden gazebos are often installed in a panelled system. This makes maintenance easier as you can unfix one panel if it becomes damaged and replace it.

The types of wood used for gazebos will not be very heavy and will be light enough for DIY beginners to handle. This means that if the gazebo is damaged or installed incorrectly then the entire structure can be taken apart and put together again, without the cost of having to buy extra materials and supplies.

Wooden gazebos are a great focal point for any size of garden or outdoor space. They provide shade, comfort and are a fantastic addition to any home’s outdoor area. You can buy complete kits to build them yourself, purchase materials from DIY stores, or hire a contractor to design and build the gazebo for you.

A garden gazebo is a great way to add some class to any outdoor function you may be hosting. However, choosing the right garden gazebo for your purposes can be tricky as there are many factors to consider.

Garden gazebos have grown in popularity since they became cheaper and easier to erect. However, the lower prices can mean poor quality materials, which are only good for a short lifespan of the gazebo.

A top quality canopy gazebo will cost a lot more than many standard types. If you intend to use the gazebo regularly for entertaining throughout the summer months then you should pay a bit more for a really durable and attractive structure.

If you see your garden gazebo as something more permanent then you should consider building a wooden gazebo. This will cost more than buying a high standard canopy version but it will last for longer and a wooden outdoor gazebo will become a useful permanent fixture in your garden.

Many people hastily buy a gazebo and erect it without much thought and careful consideration of where to position it in the garden. Pick a sunny but sheltered spot; gazebos do not like high winds!

You can see what a gazebo will look like when erected, as the stores will have show models on display. This will give you the perfect opportunity to see which style, size and quality is best for your garden.

A pergola is a type of gazebo that forms a walkway, its pillars and cross beams offering a structure on which vines or bougainvillea are traditionally grown.  It thus offers shade and protection as an extension of an existing building or as a sheltered pathway between pavilions.  The word originates from the Latin meaning projected eave.

Pergolas are permanent features usually constructed of stone or wood unlike the temporary green tunnels built of willow or hazel in the early Renaissance period.   Branches were knotted together to form arches and then longer pieces were woven through to support the growth of climbing plants.  The walkways then allowed pleasant strolls as they provided both shade from the sun and protection from the rain.

During the 18th and 19th centuries when cottage gardens and more natural landscape architecure was in vogue, the obviously man-made character of pergolas made it a less popular garden ornnament.

Today pergolas are very popular mainly because of their use in gardening programmes on television.  Modern pergolas tend to be constructed of wood, a cheaper option, and thus makes this type of garden gazebo available to a wider market.  They can be incorporated into a large garden as a shaded walkway or as an alternative to a solid fence in a garden where space is limited, training climbers and creating a more open perspective.

Large pergolas can provide a space of relaxation and shade whilst smaller ones can add structure and interest to a particular part of the garden.

Picture courtesy of iagoarchangel

A gazebo is an ornamental building that will enhance any garden.  It is an architectural hard landscape structure that can style to the most simple and smallest of gardens.  But a gazebo need not only be a thing of beauty, it can also be a building to be used in the most practical of ways.  The functions of a gazebo are endless; it can almost be an extra room to the main dwelling. 

So what is a gazebo?

A gazebo is structure, sometimes octagonal in shape, with a solid roof, sometimes in the shape of a cupola.  The sides were traditionally all open as the main objective of a gazebo was to view the landscape from all angles.

Nowadays, gazebo designers are not the purists that they once were. Garden Gazebos can be constructed with solid walls or have sliding screens in those areas of the world where mosquitoes are a nuisance.  It is even possible to enjoy modern utilities such as electricity.

Open gazebos are a useful addition to a garden in warmer climates, a private place where one can seek shade on a hot day.  Where winters bring snow and colder temperatures, solid walls offer welcome protection from stormy winds.

Gazebos are permanent structures that require planning permission and a chat with the local authorities is always recommended, especially if utilities such as electricity or water are going to be incorporated into the architecture.

Gazebos have been popular garden and outdoor structures for centuries, sited so that the occupant can appreciate a beautiful garden, a breathtaking view or simply to enjoy a time of solitude.

The word gazebo first entered the English language in the middle of the 18th century when a book was published named Rural Architecture in the Chinese Taste written by an architect writer William Halfpenny and his son John.  The origin of the word is unclear although there are several theories.

One is that it is a combination of two words: the English word gaze and the Latin word ebo meaning I shall, thus gazebo means I shall gaze.  Another supposition is that it derived from the French term Que c’est beau meaning how beautiful.  Both are obviously apt descriptions of a gazebo, as it has no walls and is sited so that views can be appreciated in all directions.

It has also been proposed that the word gazebo is a derivation from Casbah, a Muslim word for the area around the citadel in Algiers or from the Hispano-Arabic qushaybah.

During the Renaissance, Italians developed a gazebo-type structure called a belvedere.  It has a similar meaning to gazebo as belvedere in Italian means beautiful view.

Belvederes could be freestanding but unlike gazebos could also be located inside a building, usually at the top of the structure to provide a panoramic view. 

Freestanding belvederes or gazebos were used during the Renaissance in gardens of monasteries as places of worship and meditation.

More and more people are buying gazebos as a decorative feature for their garden.  Used for thousands of years and built in a variety of materials, today’s garden gazebos tend to be wooden structures not only because it is a cheaper material but also because they can merge into the landscape as a more natural feature.  This appeals to those who view the gazebo as a place to become closer to nature.  A choice of woods can be used to build the gazebo and can look both striking and attractive.

Traditional gazebos were structures that were open but modern gazebos can be built fully enclosed or with lattices that can be used as a structure for climbing plants such as wisteria or clematis.  In parts of the world where insects such as mosquitoes are a problem, screen slides can be built on wooden gazebos in order that the owners can relax and enjoy the beautiful views without the nuisance of mosquitoes.

Before purchasing a gazebo it is important to determine its purpose as this will have a bearing on the construction material and its design.  It is also essential that the gazebo be constructed on the correct site, taking into account landscape, weather conditions and planning permission.

A good site for a wooden gazebo would be on an incline that would offer attractive views or beside a garden pond, where favourite flowers could be planted.  A gazebo is a place where one can find tranquillity and appreciate ones natural surroundings.

Gazebos are popular garden and outside structures that have been in existence for thousands of years.  Historically, they have been used as places of worship, for tea ceremonies, for spiritual meditation or for people just to sit contemplating life.  Some are small buildings in a garden used for relaxation and pleasure whilst others in public spaces are large enough to host bands and musical concerts.
   
Today, garden gazebos continue to be popular and are used as places where people can escape the British inclement weather, seek shade in hot summer weather as well as still being spots of solitude and quiet reflection.

Modern gazebos are a popular choice as a wedding venue, either an existing one on an appropriate site or a folding gazebo or pavilion that can be erected in a garden.  These are also very popular for picnics or barbecues.

Egyptians built wooden gazebos to provide a structure for vines to grow on and this tradition continues to this day.  Any climbing plant such as ivy, clematis or wisteria will add colour and scent to a gazebo as well as additional shelter in windy conditions.

Gazebos can be built in any design and constructed in different materials.  Cedar and redwood are popular choices for gazebos that house hot tubs and outdoor spas while fountains are found inside marble gazebos.  Rather than being open, glass can be fitted to make a greenhouse gazebo.

Whether people are purchasing a gazebo kit that is ready made or constructing a customised gazebo, they have a number of options available when deciding on what style they want for the roof of their gazebo. The choices include the material for the roofing, the shape and size of the roof, and whether or not the homeowner wishes to have a single or double roof for the gazebo.

Gazebos with a single roof are the norm. These gazebos are made out of basic materials that have roofs like those found in homes. Double roofs provide the choice of extra ventilation and a more “Victorian” appearance for a decorative style. The gazebo models presented have normal-sized roofs and a smaller but similar roof constructed on top of it.

The oval gazebo of the past was very widespread. This model of gazebo contained circular or oval roofs to provide cover for them. As the gazebo has earned popularity in current times, new shapes have arisen, involving ovals, squares, and other forms.

The other crucial factor in building a roof for the gazebo is the construction material. All materials may be similar to the usual gazebo model – although this is not necessarily true. Regarding the situation of canopy gazebos, they are normally different in many ways. The material that composes the frames is made out of plastic or metal and the roofing is usually vinyl or canvas.

When people have made their choices on the factors mentioned above, the last part to take into consideration is the pitch of the gazebo roof.

As the name implies, garden gazebos are beautiful belvederes found in gardens. These are lovely places to relax in when staying outdoors. Choosing one that’s right for your garden should be thought out carefully because of its long-time benefits. One important factor to consider when choosing a garden gazebo is how you want it to look. You might also want to consider the feel that you want your garden gazebo to give and what you will do with it. Another factor to consider would be the amount of money you want to shell out as well as the amount of effort you want to put into making your own garden gazebo.

First you have to decide what materials to use. Would you want a metal gazebo, a wooden one, or a vinyl gazebo? Wood is the most romantic of gazebos; however, it requires high maintenance. If you’re budget is low, then go for a vinyl gazebo.

Next, you must consider the size. Determine how big you want your garden gazebo to be. Take into consideration the design of your house as well. Garden gazebos are not exempted from architectural styles.

Next, decide if you can put enough time and effort into building your garden gazebo. If you only have limited time and you are not exactly an expert when it comes to carpentry, there are some gazebo kits that can be assembled easily.

If the climate is not exactly warm in your area, then getting a screened garden gazebo would be the best option. If you don’t want permanent screens, then opt for removable ones.

If you are planning on purchasing a ready-made gazebo think twice; you might find it is much better to create your own garden gazebo. Follow these simple steps and you may be surprised by where your creativity and resourcefulness can take your gazebo.

First, measure the area in the garden where you would like to place the gazebo. The size will depend on your planned use of the gazebo. If it is for personal use alone requiring only a small table and chairs to fit, there’s no need for a bigger size.

Second, level the location you chose. Most likely, you will need to remove sod or rocks in the area. You must also rake and smooth it several times. The smoother the area is, the easier it is to build the gazebo.

Now for the hard part; dig the holes for your support posts, at least two feet in depth. Normally, at least six holes are needed. These must be placed in a hexagon shape, three feet ten inches apart from each other.

The support posts must be eight feet or more in length. For more stability, you should fill the holes with concrete. The next step is to add the sides. Use five pre-formed plastic trellis sheets. These come in different colours, so you can choose the colour that suits you best. Leave one side open to serve as a door. Then attach the remaining sheets to the support posts.

As for the roof, place three 2×2s at the top of the support posts to form a frame in the centre. Customise the floor with layers of sand or flagstones. Put in a bench and table. Now relax in your own personalised gazebo.