backyard gazebos and leaving them out during winter

Soft or hard top?

If hard top, get a support beam to prop up the middle before the snow hits. Most gazebo manufacturers sell ones specific to their models.

If soft top, remove the soft cover and store in a dry place over winter. Also if soft top, prepare to throw the whole thing away after 3 years. The canopy degrades rapidly.

iEyeCaptain wrote: ↑ Soft or hard top?

If hard top, get a support beam to prop up the middle before the snow hits. Most gazebo manufacturers sell ones specific to their models.

If soft top, remove the soft cover and store in a dry place over winter. Also if soft top, prepare to throw the whole thing away after 3 years. The canopy degrades rapidly.

oh wow didnt think of that...

we are literally in the market for one over the next few weeks.

thanks

liveclean wrote: ↑ oh wow didnt think of that...

we are literally in the market for one over the next few weeks.

thanks

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT get a soft cover canopy gazebo. Either spend a little more on a hard top, or get one of those cantilever umbrellas.

liveclean wrote: ↑ oh wow didnt think of that...

we are literally in the market for one over the next few weeks.

thanks

A soft cover gazebo is a giant waste of money. They look brutal after a couple years. Spend the extra money and buy a good quality metal or wood gazebo. The yardistry ones are great, and will hopefully last a long time. Backyards are ruined by horrible looking gazebos.

Yeah, I can vouch for looking ugly. My next door neighbour had one with soft top. He changed the top twice but snow/wind ripped them both leaving (for years) just the sides (rusted) but he didn’t bother take it apart. Looking very ugly every time I am in my back yard.

To me, gazebo is a waste of money for the short period of usage each year. It won't stand heavy rain, wind or snow. So, spending thousands for nothing.

teoconca wrote: ↑ Yeah, I can vouch for looking ugly. My next door neighbour had one with soft top. He changed the top twice but snow/wind ripped them both leaving (for years) just the sides (rusted) but he didn’t bother take it apart. Looking very ugly every time I am in my back yard.

Agree. I would either spend more money to build a four seasons sunroom for year round usage (Note: I know we are talking about significant price difference though). Or don't build anything at all. With Toronto weather, I personally would not waste money building any expensive structure for outdoor use only, which swimming pool

rdx wrote: ↑ To me, gazebo is a waste of money for the short period of usage each year. It won't stand heavy rain, wind or snow. So, spending thousands for nothing.

Disagree completely

A good quality steel posted metal top gazebo properly anchored can me a major plus

We bought an Essex model from Cdn Tire at least 10 years ago (around $ 1000 )
And it’s stood up perfectly to the weather … wind, rain, sleet, freezing rain … and a pretty big snow load here in Eastern Ontario

It’s been awesome
Truly comes down to the quality of the gazebo you buy (steel vs aluminum for starters )

We own the bug screens, and the privacy curtains. We also added a winter cover … so we can use it year round

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/sojag- ... 1001526696

Great spot to hang out even in the dead of winter considering we have a propane fire pit, and our gas BBQ in it.

Our next gazebo … when this one eventually dies will be a Yardistry from Costco, or we’ll have something custom built that’s all cedar.