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LIFE: HOMES
Charming gazebos of years past now fit modern lifestyle, offer practicality
Jean McClelland's gazebo at her home for a homes story on Friday, June 19, 2009, in Huntington.
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HUNTINGTON -- Gazebos often render a romantic vision of yesteryear.
You can just see a lovely garden with flowers and perfectly tended shrubs surrounding what Thomas Jefferson would have called his "summerhouse." These charming structures are not just for yesteryear's families. They are available today in a variety of price ranges and designs to fit modern lifestyles.
If you want to get a feel for a gazebo but don't want to soak a lot of money into the structure, there are options. Most home improvement centers offer the metal structures that can go up in an afternoon. Cost can run from a couple hundred dollars to $500-$600. It will depend on how fancy of a metal gazebo you choose and the amenities it will offer. They are attractive and in all practicality offer the same shade you would seek in a more permanent outdoor sitting room.
Most of these gazebos offer mosquito netting to help with the bug factor in your outdoor space. Often there will be a hook in the center where you can hang a lantern, an outdoor chandelier or gazebo fan. Many of the canopies have a vented top to allow the heat to escape and make a cooler outdoor room. All in all they also can exude the romantic feel of the more permanent gazebo.
As lovely as they appear there are drawbacks associated with the semi-permanent outdoor covers. One would be the canopies which often fade in the direct sun and usually last only a few years. They can be replaced for about $100 and the Internet offers several sources. Before purchasing a metal gazebo it might serve you well to see how difficult the canopy will be to replace. The more intricate the cover the harder it will be to find another like it. Many times there will be a warranty to insure wear, so pay attention to the length of time the warranty covers.
If a family finds that the metal gazebo has served them well and they want to have a more permanent version then there also options for that. From the Internet to the home improvement stores there are plans and kits to please. You just need to decide on the style and the budget you want for your own "summerhouse." The choices are varied, so matching one to your home's architecture does not need to be a problem.
Though the octagon shape seems to be the most popular in the wooden structures there are other choices. Rectangles, squares, ovals and circles are also part of the gazebo formula if that is what best fits your space. You should first consider what you want in a permanent gazebo. Do you want it as an alternative to a screened-in porch or as a place to house a hot tub? Will electricity be necessary as well as a water supply? Answering these questions prior to building a permanent gazebo can save money in the long run. The total cost can be anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars up to $10,000 or more depending on the perks included in the final version.
Gazebos are a wonderful enhancement to an outdoor space. They offer respite from the sun and a cool place to gather in the evening. Before deciding on a permanent structure, surf the Internet or visit your local home improvement store to check out all of the options available. Peruse some outdoor living magazines and books so you come up with a preference that will fit your family's backyard retreat. If permanent isn't in your budget then the metal can serve you well and still have the romantic feel of a "summerhouse."
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