(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.
Hi My sister has one from Target. They used very heavy cement blocks to weigh it down. The tops only last 2-3 seasons.(She lives in Ohio and takes it down for the winter.) Have you considered and automatic awning from the side of your house or an awning. It lasts forever. Can still hook curtains up to it, to get the look. Just a thought. Nancy from OHIO
We bought ours from Walmart at the end of the season. Our patio is probably the size of yours and the canopy is 10X10. If I can find a picture of how we adjusted it, I will send it to you. We took the canopy off during the winter. We love it, and we hope, hope, hope, that we do not get strong winds.
I cannot find your email so if you want a pic, just send your email address or make comment and I will reply with pic.
I bought one a couple years back from Target. It was great at first but, after a couple storms and pecan season I had to throw it out.
The wind could bend the metal and made it so it did not sit flush on the ground.
If you do buy one I suggest buying the top of the line. I went with the middle of the road and now have nothing to show for it. Good Luck! 🙂
I have a very simple gazebo , even so it is a nice place to sit , I love the roller shades I can do that to mine too.
I’ve always wanted one of those gazebos too, but I’ve always heard of how flimsy they are. When we bought our house seven years ago, it had a fairly small, existing screened porch. We’d like to build something nicer eventually, but as you said, that takes lots o’ $$$! We added some sheers and that kind of gives it that gazebo/curtain look.
Here are a couple of links to posts about my porch:
http://tammy518-mamaison.blogspot.com/2009/05/porch-patio-party.html
http://tammy518-mamaison.blogspot.com/2009/05/strawberry-lemonade-on-porch.html
I like them, but a neighbor across the street has one and had to cut these HUGE ugly holes in the top of the cover because it was blowing over with every gust of wind. Maybe it’s not as windy where you are, but we can’t have anything like that here.
I love the outdoor gazebos. . .I hope to make this one of my projects this summer. Thank-you for planting more ideas!!!
let the buyer beware! definitely pay for someone to install it right if you do get it! my mom wanted one for mothers day so dad got it for our backyard by the pool. well we thought we put it together right. one bad thunderstorm and the whole thing fell in (in the middle). it wasn’t strong enough at all! it was pretty for the whole 2 weeks we had it up, though. i would suggest using weights or even duck tape to ensure it stuck together at the top hah! i hope you have better luck. and i’m in alabama if that helps give you an idea about climate/weather.
I live in Alabama as well and am actually in the process of putting one together right now. I just wanted some suggestions on anchoring it to the ground to try to keep it from blowing over all the time
I love the look of them but understand the hesitation of it lasting. We have friends in Vegas that have commercial awnings across their back deck – so good looking and solid. They love the protection from the hot desert sun!
I had 10×10 one It was so great to sit outside by the pool. For one day! The next day the wind came and got up under the canvas, it was as if it was an air balloon for it twisted the metal, as it took off. I use to have a pergola made from wood. It lasted for years. I had planted vines around it. It was so wonderful. I am now hunting the metal, from the air balloon,lol for I think I can make a trellis out of it. Hubby thinks he kept it. I love to have a wooden one again. You can put curtains up around it. Hubby made a metal gazebo, out of condo pipe for my daughter’s outdoor wedding, I placed scarfs on the top and sides. Just simple. I am thinking for now it maybe the way I go, for now.
well Rhoda i havent had any luck with these gazebos, we got and the same day we put it up the wind came and took the whole thing away , so i have to say NO, NO,i rather save the money and have one built…but thats just my me..have a great day..
silvia
I had one made by better homes and garden out by my pool and loved it. Hubby anchored in the ground very well so we thought, but about the third thunderstorm we had just broke the metal frame to pieces, it didn’t mess up the canopy so hubby claimed he would try to weld the metal back together, still waiting on that one.
They do have hard top ones at Sam’s Club. Beautiful, but you pay for it.
I saved up my pennies and bought a huge one year. Same as the others, we had a tornado watch and I didn’t have it nailed down. Came home to the thing on the other side of my yard.
My brother got just a cheap one and did nail the whole thing into his deck. They have been loving it for three years and it MAKES their deck. They learned after ours blew away.
The first one we had, we did not bolt down to the deck and came back from vacation with it blown over and all bent up! Lesson learned….so we bought another one and bolted it to the deck. We take the canves top off during the winter and the frame stays up. Not that attrative but, it works. Now we do not have one as we built a new deck.
Hey Rhoda,
I love both of these, but I think I like the 2nd one the best. It looks like it would shield you better, of course privacy and possibly these Bama mosquitos. Can’t wait to see what you pick.
Amanda
There’s something romantic about a tent. I say go for it, Rhoda! 🙂
We had a 10′ by 10′ one. We bolted it to our patio and it last 3-4 summers (we took the fabric off in the winter). The canvas on top finally just shredded because it got so old and brittle. I think the key is to get one of the ones that has the hole in the middle of the canvas with the little extra tent part on top (like the one you have pictured). That allows a place for the wind to go through during storms. Our first one had a steel frame that held up fairly well but we could not find a replacement cover for our gazebo. We replaced our old gazebo with a new one this year. We went for a sturdier aluminum frame (aluminum doesn’t rust) this time. The cover is sturdier, thicker type canvas than our old one. I just did a post on my blog (with pictures) about my “new to me” gazebo (we found it second hand). Because our yard is south facing we have to have some sort of shade structure to get any use out of it.
Hi Rhoda, We bought my Mom one and it has lasted 3 yrs and now the canvas needs replacing.It has been a great addition to her sunny backyard but it does not last as long as my Market Umbrellas.If you want to see a gorgeous one go to Zgallerie web site and look at the black and white with the greek key border, I was salivating but I am sure it would not be very practical but Oh so Pretty. I think the gazebo is a temporary fix but for 3 yrs until the money tree grows again,it is worth it. Can’t wait to see what you do. Hugs kathysue
They are all gorgeous!
I would love to have one as well. 🙂