(from Target.com, the Madaga gazebo)
Do you have one of these pretty things and do you like it? We are seriously considering adding one of these to our back deck so that we can enjoy the nice weather and stay out of the sun, but before we invest in anything, I’d love to get some opinions on how these things hold up. I got online at Target and they have many to choose from and there are so many different opinions, in that some of the frames are fairly stable, but big gusts of wind can create havoc with these gazebos and it was mentioned that the canvas tops are not particularly long lasting. I saw some reviews where the thing blew over and crumpled the frame and the canvas tops were torn to shreds. I would probably go ahead and purchase a replacement top, since it seems that they do not last more than 2 to 3 seasons at most. They aren’t cheap, so I don’t want to waste my money. I definitely want one that can be bolted to our deck for stablity.
When I saw this article in Better Homes and Garden’s May edition, called Tent Show, my wheels started turning and I thought it would be really great to have a version of this on our deck. I already have lots of wicker stored away in the garage just waiting to be used again. The ideal situation would be to build a screened porch on our existing deck, but that will cost thousands of dollars and it’s not in the picture right now, so I’d love an alternative.
Isn’t this dreamy? I would love to have just a simple version of this feel on our deck.
Any opinions on these? If you have one, I’d love to hear about it, pros and cons. Our deck is about 9 1/2 feet by 13 feet, so not too big. I’d love to get a 10×10’, but I don’t think it will work, since the frame has to bolt together and our deck is not 10′ wide, just under that. Ideally, this would be bolted to the wood deck for stability, but I don’t want it to be a throwaway thing after only one season. I know that taking the top down at the end of the season is a must. I’ve been online doing some research. My hubby wants me to find one with a hard top, but I’m not sure that exists.
So, let’s talk about gazebos! I’d love to hear your thoughts. What do you have on your deck to keep the sun out and to enjoy the Summer months outdoors?
Also, don’t forget the Burlap Par-tay on Thursday! (click the sidebar button for details) Get your posts ready to go and I’ll get Mr. Linky up early.
If they’re anything like the swings with canopies, then they won’t last very long. I would go ahead and spend the extra $$$ and just get an awning….what about a retractible awning??? Just a thought…I know you’re all for saving $$$!!!
I commented on twitter that i thought gazebos were out of date. I didn’t realize you were talking about the canvas type (I was picturing the old fashioned ones). I do like them and love the look of an outdoor sitting room. I’ll be anxious to hear what you do! and what you create! A side note…we splurged and had a screened porch built and we have NEVER regretted it. Just bought a “sitting room” of wicker and we are loving it!
We have one. We purchased it last year. We have it secured down to our deck with lag bolts as well as strapped to the posts. We live in the midwest and get some super strong winds. Ours has a vented two layer top and this really helps it to be durable. We purchased it at Menards and it was about 500$. We do take the top down in the winter as well. I love ours. It has the a zip up screen as well as canvas sides.
I should also say that we reinforced the top structural portion with metal conduit. It was 45 minutes well spent if it keeps it secure for another season!
Oh i'm so glad you posted on this!!! I was considering the same thign & now after reading all the comments, think I'll go with a more permanent structure. (unfortunately not on the budget for this summer!! 🙂
xoxo,
lauren
I love those outdoor gazebos! I was blessed enough to find one 75% off at Target around July a couple of years ago. We put it up and then took it down in the fall as we have extreme winters here. We used it again the next summer too, but it was destroyed in a big windstorm last year. I’m heartsick over it. The connecting bars bent and broke apart, so now all I’m left with is the four corner towers and the cover. We used cement blocks to hold down each corner – which worked great to keep it in place. I would recommend getting the best gazebo you can afford. The heavier, the better. Especially if you have wicked wind like we do. 🙂
I asked my girlfriend who has one how she liked hers. Hers is probably the top of the line from Target. She’s had it a year and it was given to her by a neighbor that probably had it 2-3 years. It still looks perfect. Hers is not bolted down and stays put. We have heavy duty winds at times too. It’s pretty big, so I don’t know if it would come in the smaller size you need. But, it’s wonderful and provides great shade for her back yard.
I actually had an 8×8 gazebo that I got from Lowes….I think that it’s no longer available, though. Also it survived Katrina, except for the cover, which had 1 tiny little rip. It was definitely well-made.
Check out this PVC pergola that can be detach or attached at Plow & Hearth. I just love it. http://www.plowhearth.com/product.asp?section_id=2004&department=3059&search_type=category&search_value=3974&cm_val=&cm_pos=&cur_index=&cm_type=&pcode=10373
Several years ago, my wife bought a Colonial Estates 10' x 10' Gazebo from WalMart instead of waiting for me to build the pergola for the new stone patio I was building. I had planned ahead during the patio construction, and dug four 2-foot deep holes at the corners of a 10 foot square, anticipating needing footings for a pergola. The holes were each filled with concrete, and the surfaces shaped to blend in with the limestone flagstone.
I drilled and set two concrete anchors in each footing, matching up with holes on the bottom of the Walmart Gazebo frame. The frame is bolted securely to the four footings with 3/8 expandable anchors for concrete, nuts, and large washers (the washers are VERY important).
The fabric faded in the Texas sun in about 3 years, and by the fourth year the fabric had developed tears where it wore against the metal framing. The frame itself was never damaged, even in winds exceeding 50mph during many, many severe storms. It still stands today and is remarkable shape…it far exceeded my expectations!
I plan to purchase a replacement fabric canopy from http://www.gardenwinds.com.
My advice is to make sure that all the fasteners on your gazebo frame are tight during assembly…a few loose ones will allow the frame to flex excessively, causing other fasteners to work loose. Also (and this is the most important part) PERMANENTLY anchor the gazebo to the ground. The provided stake kit or even cinderblocks are simply not enough to hold the gazebo down in strong winds. If you want the frame to last, you need to have a truly secure base…either footings like I used, a concrete slab, or a wooden deck. You wouldn't build a house without a foundation, so why would you expect your gazebo to last without one?
Finally, if all four corners are not secured to the ground or patio equally, then the frame will twist and flex unequally in high winds…resulting in the twisted heap of metal and fabric other folks have written about.
Good luck everyone!
This is a great post, I was searching for gazebo stories and found yours. I am hosting a blog party about building your own outdoor garden room out of tent gazebos and other things like pergolas etc. You should check it out and add what you've done to create an outdoor room.
I'm also having a giveaway at the end of July!
I purchased a 10×10 gazebo from Christmas Tree Shop and we are preparing to put it together. Any advice?