Gazebos: New gathering place away from home

place away from home

Many homeowners wish to turn their back yards into outdoor living spaces, bringing indoor comforts into the fresh outdoor air. Gazebos are uniquely suited to do this by providing a covered retreat that adds distinction to the outdoor living space.

Summer is the perfect time to build a gazebo. It can be finished in a weekend, and the design can be as simple or complex as a homeowner desires.

Planning in advance will save you time and money. The basic gazebo consists of eight sides with a railing and peaked roof, but designs can vary to fit your living space and preference, with finishing touches such as lattice or a cupola.

Homeowners are presented with three basic options

Gardening

to design and build a gazebo. Talented homeowners can build gazebos themselves with the help of the many how-to books, magazines and Web sites providing step-by-step instructions. Some companies sell prefabricated gazebo kits for the homeowner to install, or a professional can be hired to design and build a custom gazebo.

Western red cedar is one of the world's most durable woods, making it uniquely suited for outdoor use such as building a gazebo, said Bruce Cheng of CederShed Industries. The tree's natural preservatives resist insect and moisture damages. The natural properties of Western red cedar can also lessen a structure's environmental footprint by eliminating the necessity for chemical pressure treatments.

To create a different, enhanced hue, choose from a wide variety of finishes. Western Red Cedar is free of pitch and resin, making application a simple process. Clear and semitransparent finishes are very popular, said Paul Mackie of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, because they maintain the natural beauty of the wood but offer increased protection from the elements. Be sure to test the finish on scrap material or a small, discrete area of the gazebo before application to the entire structure.

A well-designed gazebo forms a seamless transition with the outdoor living space. Defining elements of the outdoor living space, such as water or rock, should be incorporated in the design and construction of the gazebo. Connecting a gazebo to the rest of an outdoor living space will increase its beauty and the design continuity of the space.

Adding a gazebo to your outdoor living space is likely easier than you realize. It just takes some planning, the proper materials and an understanding of your outdoor living space. By keeping those things in mind, you can create a covered retreat that adds a mark of distinction to your outdoor living space.

(Courtesy of ARAcontent, an online provider of feature articles.)