backyard, gazebos, outdoor living

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Extend Your Home’s Living Space with a Gazebo

cedar-gazebo-couple-relaxing Like to have more living space? How about getting that space and enhancing the look and feel of your garden by installing a gazebo? Besides being aesthetically pleasing and creating a focal point in the garden, a gazebo creates a shaded place in your garden that can be used for entertaining, leisure activities, relaxation, and taking in the lush beauty of your garden. It helps to expand your living space where you can enjoy the different aspects of outdoor living.

What is a Gazebo?

A gazebo is a free-standing structure in your garden with open sides and a roof. It can be a rectangle, square, or round in shape. The typical formation of a gazebo is either eight-sided or six-sided. The roof is supported by posts, but you also can have a gazebo with low walls between the posts that can be used to fix screens, windows, and/or doors. If you are adding walls, you also can fix benches to them to have a permanent seating area. Then there are enclosed gazebos, which are referred to as all-season gazebos, as they can be used throughout the year, even in winter when the weather outside is not conducive to outdoor living.

4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Gazebo

The use of a gazebo is limited by your imagination. Gazebos can be used in many different ways and each way will help maximize your living space and add value to your life.

Relaxation

It is an amazing place to rest and relax. Depending how big your gazebo is, you can add tables, cushioned chairs, and even recliners to enjoy the lovely warmth of the summer sun and absorb the beautiful greenery around. A gazebo is the perfect place to get some me-time with your favorite book and a glass of chilled lemonade.

Entertaining

You can use your gazebo to entertain guests. Whether you are looking to host a birthday party or summer barbecue, it is a fantastic place to create fun memories with guests and loved ones. You can install your gazebo near the pool, so that you have a shaded refuge to sit back and keep an eye on the kids while talking to friends and family.

Fitness

You may have never thought of it, but your gazebo can function as a place to perform yoga and meditation. Surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers, you will be able to do the yoga or meditation without getting disturbed by the sounds and noises that prevail in most homes.

Hot Tub Enclosure

Today, many people want to enjoy soaking in a hot tub to de-stress themselves and soothe aching and tired muscles. You can create an enclosure for your hot tub by erecting a gazebo. It will offer you privacy and also protect you and the hot tub from the elements. hot-tub-enclosure-gazebo As you can see there are many uses of a gazebo. You can get your easel and paints out to use it to paint or you can even pot plants in the shade if you want to escape the scorching sun without neglecting your garden. The use of a gazebo is unlimited, so you can do just about anything you want.

What Should Your Gazebo Be Made Of

western-red-cedar-gazebosWhile you can get gazebos made from metal, stone, and vinyl, it is best to go with wood. Wood has its own natural charm and fits seamlessly into a garden without looking out of place. The most preferred wood is cedar. It is a soft wood and light in weight. Hence, making it easy to work with it to erect the gazebo. However, the most attractive features of cedar are that it is naturally resistant to decay and rot, making it the perfect choice for this outstanding outdoor feature. Furthermore, cedar has a natural scent that keeps other pests at bay and the scent is extremely calming and soothing. So when you use your gazebo, you will immediately feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Make sure you flip the switch for Western Red Cedar, which is renowned for its durability, beautiful appearance, and longevity. The Western Red Cedar variety is more resistant to decay compared to Eastern Red Cedar.

How To Purchase Your Own Gazebo

You can have your own gazebo in three different ways. One would be to buy the wood yourself and build the gazebo from scratch. However, this would require you to have outstanding carpentry skills and access to a gazebo plan that you can follow. If you don’t have the necessary carpentry skills, you may want to use the services of a professional. While this will allow you to design and build a gazebo to your precise specifications, it will cost you a little more. The last and the most preferred way to have a gazebo in your garden is to go with a high quality gazebo kit. Such a kit will be in the form of either a panelized gazebo kit or precut gazebo kit. The kit will have the necessary hardware and easy-to-follow instructions so that you can assemble your gazebo without too much stress. What many people don’t realize is that gazebo kits come with a huge variety and you can choose a gazebo design to suit your home’s architecture according to your particular lifestyle. If your garden doesn’t have a gazebo, you are missing out on a wonderful opportunity to create a focal point and a unique place to rest, relax, and enjoy. Go ahead, get a gazebo kit today and see what a difference it can make to your home, garden, and life. You won’t regret it!
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backyard, DIY, gazebos, How to, outdoor living, pergolas, Western Red Cedar

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Cost Effective Ways to Personalize Your Pergola or Gazebo

Cost Effective Ways to personalize your pergola or gazebo When it comes to building a pergola or gazebo, there is a wide range of options that include high quality western red cedar pergolas.  Cedar is more durable and suitable for outdoor use. You could also choose other materials such as vinyl with ultraviolet inhibitors for sustained whites and long lasting colors. The options are endless no matter what material you decide on and there are several cost effective ways to personalize your pergola or gazebo. Personalizing is all about enhancing its appearance and utility. Here are a few cost effective ways to make your pergola and gazebo the pride of your home. Add some Furniture  It would be nice to convert the area covered by the pergola into a quiet seating area by placing a patio table and a few chairs. Painting the furniture to match your gazebo is also an impressive and prudent idea. You may also consider adding a hammock or a hot tub under the pergola and enjoy some rest and relaxation. Adding Rafters or Joists Pergola kits comes with necessary rafters or joists which will leave you with a complete view of the sky and the sun. You can choose to add rafter beams or joists for greater shade or a better frame for the creepers.  You can order a customized kit with additional joist beams. These beams will provide extra shade and space on which to place hanging baskets. Erect Trellis or Lattice Erecting a side-wall trellis or lattice is a wonderful way to provide space for vines of all types including honeysuckle and roses. These plants will give your pergola the effect of a garden room. Trailing or garden vines will act as doorway overhang or serve as a shade for the sitting area. The shape and color of the trellis or lattice will accentuate the exterior décor. Make sure that you install 1/2- to 1-inch thick lattice or trellis wood pieces as support for the weight of any climbing plant. Close One End Although a pergola kit creates a room without walls, it would be magnificent to add one or even two walls. Softening the edges of the pergola by adding a trellis at one end is another stellar way to personalize it. Drill all screw holes on fragile wood like trellis and lattice prior to installation. This will prevent the wood from splitting when you connect the pieces to the pergola. If you choose to add some paint, it would be prudent to use an acrylic, non-toxic one to avoid damaging the plants. Include Flowers Flowers provide an excellent surrounding for outside gatherings no matter what. You could consider a lattice wall filled with colorful flowers apart from climbing vines. Some sunny flowers that go well with vinyl pergolas include spider flowers, nigella, marguerite daisies, sweet alyssum, and more. Don’t hesitate to approach a professional at your local nursery to identify which species are likely to thrive in the climate where you live. All Season Pergolas Individually designed pergolas will spice up your life in ways words cannot describe, whether its Sunday breakfasts or a Saturday night bash. Solid polycarbonate roofing or retractable canopied fabrics will not only create extra space but also provide year round protection from the elements. A combination of polycarbonate roofing or colorbond roofing will give you ample opportunity to enjoy sun and light during summers and even those bitter winters. Swinging Pergolas You can add an element of fun to your pergolas by including a swing. This cozy little pergola is best for two individuals to enjoy the garden view while relaxing outdoors. These pergolas have a lattice at the top and bottom of its walls which will shelter you from the sun’s heat and at the same time take care of your privacy. Simultaneously, these pergolas do not hinder a cool breeze from freshening you up. Pergola with Hanging Seats  This is a new version of the typical patio seating found beneath the pergola. Here cushy chairs hang from the rafters, lending a relaxed atmosphere to the entire area. The deck-topping pergola should match the angles of the house so that the décor suits the yard perfectly. You can apply white paint for a classic, bright, and clean appearance. Design Pergolas to Match Your Outdoor Style Installing a pergola of the same stain as on the deck on which it has been erected is the ideal way to allow it to blend with your décor. Surround it with a multitude of potted plants to give it a feeling of being cut off from the rest of the surrounding structure. Incorporating a two-person swing and pillows provides the right atmosphere to relax and enjoy the weather with a partner. Glass Blocks for Privacy Installing glass blocks sporadically to a pergola creates not only a unique design but offers privacy as well. It’s almost like creating a room outdoors, distinct from the yard. The combination of timber and glass goes well whether you have a small or large pergola. You can choose to connect the pergola with the rest of the yard by placing potted plants around this wonderful and sensational addition to your property.
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backyard, DIY, gazebos, How to, pergolas, Western Red Cedar

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How to Maintain and Care for Your Pergola

How to Maintain and Care for Your Pergola An outdoor pergola is an open structure that can be used for shade and can come with retractable canopies or climbing vines overtop.  It can serve as a roof for the walkway or for the porch. When you maintain an outdoor pergola, what you really do is not only take care of its appearance but increase its lifespan. Knowing how to care for it is important especially since pergolas can be made from many different materials such as wood, plastic, vinyl and metal. Hose it Down Irrespective of what the pergola is made of, it is always prudent to hose it down. It is advisable to use a high-pressure water hose to eliminate any dirt that may be clinging on the surface. The pressure of the hose can be adjusted depending on the type of material used in the pergola. Always begin hosing in a downward direction. Make sure there is no furniture or other items lying around during the process to avoid damage. Clean It  Purchase a proper cleanser for your outdoor pergola that can be applied with the help of a brush with bristles that are tough enough to clean the area properly. You can also use a tooth brush for stubborn areas of the pergola that cannot be targeted with a bristle brush. Always take care to remove any splinters of wood or paint that may appear to be peeling off. For a metal pergola you may want to use a bristle brush to clear away all the rust clinging to the surface. If your pergola is made from vinyl, you could do well to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the cleanser. Most vinyl material will also react well to cleaning by a detergent. Removing Mildews and Stains Mildew is something you cannot afford to ignore unless you want to risk spoiling the appearance of your pergola. Fasteners used on the pergola could also cause staining. If the pergola has corrosive fasteners they could leave black or dark brown spots on the wood. To remove mildew, mix a cup of oxygen bleach with a gallon on water and apply it after washing your pergola thoroughly. Once you see the stains lighten, wash it again with soapy water followed by rinsing. Rinse the Pergola Once the cleanser has been properly applied and cleared of all the dirt or debris, then rinse the wash water with a hose. Carefully study your pergola if any of the areas need special attention. One could repeat the exercise if necessary. Touch Up Damages A touch up kit or a repair kit makes it easy to work on areas that are damaged. You can apply wood or metal putty wherever there are cuts or dings and then refinish that area. The touch-up kit is also ideal for repainting the damaged areas. Several vinyl pergolas come with repair kits specially designed to take care of damages. How to Maintain and Care for Your Pergola Sealing and Staining  If your pergola is made from cedar, with time, its color will change from light reddish to silvery gray. This is because cedar weathers with age. If you wish to preserve the original color then a sealant used for hard woods could come in handy. Clean the pergola well before applying any wood stain and sealant. Spray the pergola with a translucent oil-based wood stain suitable for cedar. Allow the stain to dry before applying a sealant. A coat of wood stain every alternate year will help boost its appearance. Repairs If you notice stains forming due to the fasteners, it is advisable to replace them immediately. Always use stainless steel or aluminum fasteners that do not react with the material of the pergola. These fasteners are a tad expensive but are guaranteed to give your pergola a nice, clean look. This will also reduce staining and lessen the burden of maintenance. Care must be taken to tighten up any loose fasteners. Any repairs to damaged parts must be undertaken as soon as possible to ensure uniformity in beauty of the entire pergola. Painting Some places have long summers marked by relentlessly hot weather, which can wreak havoc on outdoor furniture including pergolas. Dry heat can take a toll on wood pergolas. One of the best remedies is a quality heat resistant paint. Repainting it with a salient and fantastic heat-resistant paint will not only enhance its beauty but also prolong the life of your pergola. Trim the Vines Most people grow creepers along their pergolas. A touch of greenery undoubtedly makes the ambience livelier. However, it is important to remember that vines thicken and add to the weight on the pergola. Although most pergolas can tolerate weights, it is wise to keep trimming the vines couple of times every year. This will reduce the burden on the frame while the vines will take no time in regaining their lost glory.
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DIY, gazebos, How to

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The Different Types of Foundations you can use for a Gazebo

The different types of fundations you can use for a gazebo There are different types of foundations you can use for your gazebo. Find the time to lay a fantastic and sturdy foundation and you will be able to enjoy your gazebo for years. There is nothing to become harried or upset about even if the gazebo is built on soft, inclined, or rugged terrain. There are ways to lay a solid and strong foundation so that the structure you are going to erect is robust and level notwithstanding the type of terrain it is built on.

Patio Stones

Patio stones are the easiest way you can support the wooden floor. They make for a formidable foundation when the ground is relatively level and the structure is not too large. Patio stones can be used for the foundation if your gazebo is less than 14 ft. They are easily available from local building suppliers and are easy on your pocket. You need to lay out the patio stone foundation in proportion to the size of the frame. Start by placing one stone under each gazebo right-side up and one or two stones at the center of the floor. The patio stones must not surpass the floor in its perimeter otherwise the installation of the skirting will become affected. Ascertain that one patio stone is placed squarely “beneath” the runners. Once this exercise is over, you can start leveling the entire floor with shims. Any materials which are handy in leveling the floor over the patio stones are called shims. They are made of wood or metal but cedar shims are most popular because of their durability. Irrespective of the size of your gazebo floor, please make sure that the stones stand upright underneath each gazebo. Recommended: To prevent the floor from sinking use 2″ x 12″ x 24″ (or 24″ x 24″) patio stones to distribute your gazebo foundation uniformly across a large surface area. Adding an even layer of crushed stones underneath the patio stones can help with drainage and will achieve a level ground for the foundation.

Cinder Blocks

These are a suitable and judicious choice for a foundation option and another easy way to level your gazebo floor. These too are available at the local building supplier or home improvement store and can be used to level gazebo floors on not too inclined surfaces. Cinder blocks come in 8”x16” and offer inexorable strength but can cause the gazebo to sink if the underlying surface is soft. Therefore, it is essential to use a number of such cinder blocks and overlapping rows to overcome any chances of sinking. Recommended: Add a skirt to your structure to hide the cinder block foundation. Usually, a single row of skirting comes with the kit which can be used to cover the foundation lying below. Skirting can also help keep troublesome critters away from the bottom of the gazebo.

Super Spikes

Super spikes can be used when one end of the gazebo has to be raised to give a level foundation and where you want to avoid the drudgery of pouring footings. In certain cases, you may want to raise the floor of your gazebo. Only super spikes will enable you to achieve this. Before a visit to the local building supplier to purchase super spikes, it is essential to go through the rules and codes for construction within your jurisdiction. Super spikes should be used in warmer regions, which are not likely to suffer snowing/frosting. Recommended: If the gazebo is raised, then you can consider attaching a skirt, lattice, or stairs to mask the foundation.

Sonotube/Concrete Footings

Sonotube or concrete footings is used when the gazebo requires to be raised, where the ground is uneven or where building permit is necessary. They are expensive to install but are a fantastic foundation on highly inclined surfaces. Concrete footings are not included in the kit and it is better to seek professional help. Recommended: Hire a contractor who is aware of the building codes in your area and will raise the structure in a way that complies with them.

Concrete Pads

Concrete pads are a concrete base on which to mount the walls of your gazebo. This option is used for hot tub which cannot be supported by a wooden floor, or if you were going to house pool equipment such as a heater, filter, or a pump or if you were going to install a plumbing system. Concrete pads are usually used when the buildings are large and may need a permanent foundation. For a better look, you can install a flagstone on the concrete pad. Flagstone is popular with people who want a textured or colored gazebo floor to match their garden or as a rustic look for a backyard. Concrete pads are an expensive option where the installation ought to be left to a professional. Professionals are aware of the building codes in your area and will ensure that your structure adheres to those rules.
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