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Don’t Let Heavy Snow Loads Wreck Your Gazebo

February 6th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

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I just saw this gazebo story from Worcester MA USA and thought about all you guys in the Northeast and Midwest who’ve had the terrible ice and snow storms. While you’re laboring mightily to clear your sidewalk and driveways and dig out from under, you might give a thought to clearing your gazebo roof as well. These folks didn’t and their lovely gazebo collapsed from the weight of the snow and ice. When we lived in Massachusetts we always tried to brush some of the snow and ice off our sunporch roof to alleviate the weight load. Doesn’t have to be a perfect cleaning job; just knock some of it off. We don’t want you to have a costly repair bill come spring! Thinking about building an outdoor gazebo in an area that gets a lot of snow? Ask the manufacturer whether the gazebo’s roof and frame is rated to hold up under a heavy snow load.

Weight of Storms Caves In Gazebo - Worcester Telegram&Gazette

Define “Gazebo”, Please…

November 11th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Image by Martin LaBar via FlickrThis was an article that caught my eye…the village fathers of Flossmoor IL (USA) are writing regulations that explicitly define a gazebo for residential zoning purposes. Seems that the popularity of gazebos among locals has spurred some to build large and rather elaborate structures that the village board considers to be far beyond their definition.

One was a 1,200-square-foot roofed structure that would be used for roller skating. Another was a $9,000, 20-foot-by-15-foot enclosed structure with marble flooring and a hot tub, requiring electrical work.

It appears the Flossmoor village board wants to curtail the construction of what they seem to consider as oversized house additions; or small independent dwellings. The original zoning regs didn’t say exactly what a gazebo was.

The board ended up approving an amendment to its zoning ordinance that defines a gazebo as not exceeding 150 square feet, not containing enclosed areas, sleeping facilities, kitchens, bathrooms or water service.

It also needs to be a free-standing, roofed, open air structure with more than four sides. The structure may be enclosed for decorative or design purposes up to four feet above floor level.

The owners of the $9000 hot tub gazebo are protesting a recent stop work order on their gazebo. They state that the gazebo has been in their yard since 2003. They started doing repairs on it this year because it was damaged by a falling tree. Seems they’ve been cited for a few code violations since starting repairs. It’s not entirely clear from this story whether the village approved the initial 2003 construction to begin with. The village mayor says no decisions have been made regarding any existing structures.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Always check and doublecheck your local zoning regulations before building or repairing any gazebo in your yard. And know that sometimes zoning regs can change; and you need to be aware of those changes before doing any extensive repairs/renovation. Lastly, make sure you and/or your builder actually comply with the local building codes while constructing your gazebo. Don’t tick off the building inspectors!

We wrote a bit about the general definition and history of gazebos a while back. Many people today are using gazebos for not just recreation, but as pool changing houses, outdoor family rooms, even home offices. Nowdays it’s not uncommon for gazebos to be wired for the addition of fans, lights, or hot tubs and spas (which require drainage and perhaps plumbing). What do you think about the town’s gazebo definition - and their decision?

Coming to Terms With Gazebos - SouthtownStar.com

You CAN Have The Perfect Gazebo Spa Enclosure At Home

October 13th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

A gazebo spa enclosure seems to be the most self-indulgent project one could think of. Maybe it is; but being the contrarian I am, I say that now’s the perfect time to get one.

Why a gazebo spa? Well, more and more people are staying home to save money and gas and spend quality time with family. Why not invest in making your home as comfortable as possible for your staycations? Instead of paying through the nose for the pricey spa vacation away, put that money toward installing your own private spa and use it whenever you please. What better way to ease stress and soothe nerves frayed by the TV’s constant stream of bad news than soaking quietly in your very own personal at-home spa? If you have a spa gazebo on your own premises it is very likely you will use it often as you can access it at any time day or night.  With the great on-line selection of gazebo spa enclosures and hot tubs, your very own spa can be easy to obtain and affordable. Some hot tub companies offer payment plans that make the purchase painless. Light a scented candle or two, pop a video into the DVD player or dial up a fave mP3 or two on the entertainment system and there you go…instant escape!

Gazebos have gained in popularity with homeowners who have room in their backyards for these majestic shelters. Many have taken the bold step and built a spa gazebo in order to maximize outdoor relaxation while enjoying nature’s beauty. Here are some tips and suggestions that will help you have the perfect gazebo spa enclosure in no time.

DIY with a Gazebo Spa Enclosure Kit or Call A Pro For Help

You can easily find many types and styles of gazebo spa enclosure kits with easy-to-follow instructions, which with a little help from your family and friends can be put together in a few hours. A gazebo spa usually comes with screens in order to maintain the private atmosphere and to help ventilate the gazebo. You might even add a gazebo fan to create breezes. Because hot tubs may create steam and condensation, see that the gazebo is made from materials that can stand up to damp conditions; and that your fan is rated for outdoor use. Willy Goat and Gazebo Creations are two online merchants that sell fine spa gazebo enclosures.

If you need to buy a hot tub, know that some hot tubs don’t need to have built-in drainage but some do. So it’s important you read the hot tub’s installation instructions carefully or else you can end up flooding your own back yard.

Also, make sure that the gazebo spa enclosure you choose is large enough to contain your spa tub and coordinates with its shape. Nothing like trying to fit a rectangular hot tub into a round spa enclosure….  You want to have enough room to walk around the hot tub. If you want to have any furnishings in the spa enclosure (a bench or chairs, small table, etc.) remember to account for the space they will need when sizing your enclosure.

It will cost you more, but if you really need to, don’t be too proud to call a construction professional to install your gazebo spa and enclosure, hot tub drainage and any required electrical connections and ensure that the job is well done according to code so you can fully enjoy your spa. Professional installations come with guarantees, especially for the hot tub install, so you will be covered if anything goes wrong or needs repairs in the future.

Now if a built-in permanent gazebo and hot tub plumbing isn’t in your budget right now, or you live in a cold clime, or have limited space, consider that you can STILL have a gazebo spa enclosure. What you need to check out are portable hot tubs and portable gazebos. Yes! Portable gazebos and spas cost less and give you options to move the spa enclosure as you wish, or take it down for the winter and reclaim your patio. This blog has several posts on portable gazebos and portable backyard gazebos; use the Google search box at upper right set to “Gazebos Galore”. The portable spas pictured at left and below right are simply “plug and play”; no special electrical connections required. Mouse over the pictures for information.

No matter what your budget, consider that a hot tub in your backyard in the open air allows you to relax your body and mind while surrounded by nature. It is extremely important that we take time to relax and rejuvenate mind as well as body as often as possible in order to perform at our peak ability. Check our tips for landscaping around a gazebo to further enhance your spa’s beauty as well as your mental relaxation.

Do research your local regulations for any requirements regarding the installation of outdoor spas and gazebos. Some locales may require you to have a permanent fence with a locking gate surrounding your spa and yard to keep overly-inquisitive children safely away from your gazebo spa enclosure.

Aluminum Frame Patio Gazebos With Heavy-Duty Polyester Canopies

August 10th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Aluminum frame patio gazebos are great for shade and shelter on your patio or deck. Aluminum is a highly durable, rust-resistant metal that weathers the outdoors well. It’s also quite lightweight, meaning that your patio gazebo can be easily moved or transported anywhere you see fit. But some aluminum frame gazebos are flimsy and weak because the metal frame supports are too thin and cheaply made. The gazebo cannot stand up to wind, or even a light breeze without collapsing. And if you want to move the gazebo frequently to use in different places, or use it repeatedly over years, well…good luck. Supports get bent, or dinged, and canopy durability is always a question. Here’s a few models, courtesy of Canopy Center, that may end your gazebo frustrations.

The frame of this Eclipse II 10′ x 10′ gazebo (pictured at right, in blue) is made of aircraft-grade anodized aluminum, offering high strength and durability. The patented E-Z UP frame design helps you assemble and erect the shelter quickly, no tools required. It’s roomy; the elevated center of the canopy peaks at over 11 feet. The telescoping legs can be adjusted for uneven patios or deck floors. Canopies are available in four colors and are made of commercial-grade 500 denier polyester, meaning they’re densely woven for long life. The canopy is also flame retardant. A carry bag is included in case you want to tote your aluminum frame patio gazebo with you to the campground or the beach for a change of scenery.

If you’re looking to host a crowd on the patio, the 15′ x 10′ Aluma Canopy (pictured below right, in red) may suit your needs. The frame is anodized industrial grade aluminum, height is adjustable to over 7 feet, and the 500 denier polyester canopy is available in four colors. Tie down stakes, rope, and dust cover are included. This aluminum frame patio gazebo, for its large size, only weighs about 60 lbs. It’s still transportable for fun at parks (regulations permitting) and other outings. Different sizes are available; simply search for “aluminum canopy” at Canopy Center. Also check out gazebo canopy accessories like the heavy duty canopy stakes and weight bags for added gazebo stability in windy conditions.

Now, these patio gazebos are not cheap. These aren’t your single season $69-or-less Wal-Mart canopies. And don’t get me wrong; I love Wal-Mart! But for what you spend, you make up for it in construction that will last. If you want to use the gazebo a number of times over more than one summer, you must invest in quality. Hey, how many flimsy, cheap aluminum gazebo canopies have you bought and thrown out before you came here? How much did you spend on them in total? Yep…you need to click the links and check these gazebos out. Here’s excerpts of actual customer comments:

“These units are more costly because they are so much better built than the other lines and brands.”

“Impressed…I expect this pop-up shelter to last a while.”

Use the Canopy Center discount coupon code at the top of this page. Finally, your hunt for well-made aluminum frame patio gazebos is over.

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