Choosing a Shape for Your Gazebo

The gazebo is one of the places in your backyard or garden where you and your loved ones can gather together, eat barbecue, and enjoy the great outdoors. While many people know what a gazebo is, only a few of them exactly know the shapes and materials used for this structure. It is also very important that you know the best Gazebo Side Panels you can build to maximize your outdoor space. 

Materials

There are two types of material that are often used to build gazebos; the most common material is wood, which brings a rustic and classic look to the structure. The types of wood usually used in gazebos are pine, redwood, and cedar. These kinds of wood not only match the verdant aesthetic of your backyard, but they can also be easily be carved into different designs that elevate the look of the gazebo.

The downside to building gazebos using wood is that they can be high-maintenance since you always have to check if the wood is not warped, not cracked, or if it doesn’t have any termites living inside it. If you are very meticulous in how your property looks, then you wouldn’t have a problem maintaining the quality of your gazebo.

Vinyl is the second material used for gazeebo, which gives a more modern look to the structure. It is more durable and much more low-maintenance than wood, but the material can be quite expensive in the market. Also, there are limited choices when it comes to its color and size, so you’re often stuck with a gazebo that looks just like any other vinyl gazebo. Choosing vinyl as a material for your gazebo would be great if you’re okay with not having a one-of-a-kind gazebo in exchange for durability.

But don’t fret if ever you choose vinyl, because you still have more customization options for your gazebo since they come in different shapes and sizes.

Octagonal Gazebo

Shapes

Traditionally, gazebos have an octagonal shape, which has eight sides. This octagonal-shaped gazebo usually functions as recreation areas where the family will gather inside the gazebo if ever the sun is too warm or too bright. But octagon gazebos are often fitted only to big backyards, so it is not suitable for properties with smaller ones.

The best shape for those with small backyards is the gazebo that is hexagonal or has six sides. Because it has fewer sides than an octagon, it consumes less space in the yard, and it looks much better if the gazebo is made much smaller than normal.

However, for those who have larger backyards, there are more options on shapes besides the octagon. For a more open space, there is an oval shape that doesn’t have any sides. There is also the rectangular hexagon shape, which is best used during large family gatherings or reunions.

There is the dodecagonal-shaped gazebo that can be an excellent alternative for the oval shape if owners want a blocky appearance for the structure.

For those who want to build a gazebo for their hot tubs, there is the square-shaped gazebo for smaller tubs, and there is the rectangular gazebo for the larger ones.  You can also consider great options like MountainShade as well.

Sizes

In order to properly build your dream gazebo, you must also know more about the standard sizes for gazebos so that you can tell the builder exactly how the structure should look.

For small gardens, the recommended size for the gazebo is 8x 8, which can fit about 4 to 5 people at the same time. Because of its limited space, it also has limited functions since it cannot be used for special occasions like weddings or receptions. If you only have a small family and you don’t regularly invite relatives for lunch or dinner, then this size of the gazebo is right for you.

Those who have adequate space in their backyard, the recommended gazebo sizes are the 10×10 and the 10×12. The 10×10 is the most common out of all gazebo sizes, and it is typically the one you will see being used in outdoor cooking and dining with relatives. Also, the shapes perfect for this size are the oval and octagon shapes to maximize its space.

The 10×12 functions just the same as the 10×10, but it can accommodate more people as it has a little bit more space. However, this size is uncommon since most people tend to go for the 12×12 gazebo if they want a bigger space than what the 10×10 can provide.

The 12×12 is the gazebo size usually made for hot tubs, but it can also be built as a place for an outdoor barbecue with the extended family and as a large playroom for kids. The typical shapes used for 12×12 gazebos are oval, octagon, and rectangular.

Now that you know the intricacies of the gazebo, you should be able to amply picture in your mind what your dream gazebo should look like before being built. Moreover, choosing the right material, shape, and size for your gazebo is essential for the structure to stand out while not overpowering the overall look of your yard.