Landscaping your garden can be a fun task, particularly if you are the type of person who loves being outdoors even when the weather conditions may be against you. Perhaps one way of doing this is building a gazebo in your garden. Situated right in the midst of a bunch of beautiful, colorful flowers, and shrubs, this shaded area will be an ideal place to head to when the noise at home gets too much or if you are just craving some outside, fresh air.

Adding a Classy Touch with a Gazebo

A gazebo is a perfect finishing touch to add to your home. It becomes the focal point of your landscaping work while at the same time, the slight elevation can give you a fantastic view of your blooming garden. Providing shade from the sun during the hot summer days, shelter from the rain and snow as well as allowing you to enjoy the breeze of a cool autumn evening, there really isn’t much that goes against having a gazebo. The only aspect that would require some amount of time and dedication is its maintenance.

You don’t have to worry about installation, as you can easily invest in a DIY wooden gazebo kit that comes with pre-cut Western Red Cedar panels, illustrated instructions, and the necessary hardware to set up the gazebo in a few hours.

Caring for Your Gazebo

Internal and external care is needed to keep your gazebo looking appealing. There are a lot of factors that can affect the proper maintenance of your gazebo. Some of the things that you need to keep an eye out for are:

• Unwanted and harmful plants that can affect the structure and therefore should not be allowed to grow around it.
• Formation of mold and mildew that may cause damage at the microscopic level.

Due to such problems, regular repair and maintenance is important to keep your gazebo stable and prevent it from falling apart.

Maintaining Your Gazebo the Right Way

When you decide to build a gazebo in your backyard, you will have to make sure some precautions are taken to keep it in decent shape.

Some of the most important things that you need to focus on include:

• Indulge in a regular maintenance check – You need to do a thorough inspection of your gazebo at least once a month to make sure everything is in proper shape. Tighten up joints, drive in nail heads that seem loose, replace all damaged sections of the structure. The need for immediate attention is because having damaged or chipped wood compromises the finish, thereby making way for the possibility of rot or termites.
• Controlling growth of weeds around it – The gazebo should have a periphery of three to ten feet of cleared area around it. You need to make sure that all unwanted plants, brambles, creepers, climbing vines, and common weeds such as crabgrass are cleared from this area. You could say the reason for this is two-fold. On the one hand, it will protect the gazebo from severe damage that the plants will cause as they grow and secondly, you won’t have to trample through these plants and bushes to reach your place of relaxation.
• Using paints to brighten the setting – Using paints on your gazebo is certainly not a bad idea if you are looking to give it a brighter look. However, when it comes to painting, you must remember to repaint it, at least within three to five years. However, before engaging in this project, make sure that cracks or holes are filled up with painter’s caulk, only then can you pull out the brushes, rollers or spray paints. Use of latex paints is recommended as it is found to affect the growth of plants.
• Make sure the roof is sturdy – Any roof is susceptible to damage from wind, falling branches or storms, therefore you should inspect your roof at least once in six months. Make sure your drainpipes are aimed in the right direction, ensure that shingles and gutters are in suitable condition. Protecting your roof is important as it is the first line of defense against adverse weather.
• Stay clear of mold and mildew – If your gazebo is made of vinyl or canvas, staying away from mold will be your number one priority. Getting rid of mold or mildew may not be as hard as you imagined. An easy way of doing it would be by making a mixture of bleach, liquid laundry detergent, and hot water. Leave this mixture to soak in before wiping the surfaces thoroughly. Then spray the place down with water. Using diluted bleach will not harm your gazebo in any way, thus it is a better alternative to chemical cleaners.

This routine maintenance care is needed to keep your gazebo in the best shape possible. Your garden will always look stunning and your gazebo will provide you a lifetime of comfort and relaxation amid lush greenery.