Gazebo 101: Picking out the Right Shape
|Whether you are looking for a structure to provide you with backyard shade in the summertime or are looking to purchase a gazebo for your business or company as an investment, knowing the ins and outs of the various types of wooden gazebos is important for making the right decision. A gazebo is essentially a wooden structure that is round in shape and provides a shady space for your family or co-workers. Typically they are made out of wood, but they can be made out of aluminum and vinyl and will usually feature a pagoda style cupola with a roof that has a twofold shingle. However, since styles can vary and since gazebos can be used for various functions, there are different construction design options which give them different shape.
- Rotunda: this is a large gazebo that has a domed roof and is spherical in shape. It is of European origin and is rather popular in architectural design elements.
- Pagoda: these are your typical wooden gazebo options which are often intricate in their design. They were from Japanese architecture and are often extremely large as they serve as central garden elements.
- Pavilion: is an open-sided gazebo that is placed near a main building. It will vary in size and can actually be made out of various materials due to the ever-changing terrain and climate.
- Pergola: is a gazebo that you most often see covered in vines or other climbing plants. It is a functional and long gazebo that can have an open or closed roof. The roof may be supported by pillars.
- Folly Gazebo: is only for decoration and does not serve any functional purpose. You will see these in gardens or flowerbeds.
When looking into wooden gazebos, they will typically be made out of pine, cedar or redwood. The reason being is that these woods can still be carved into during the construction process which makes them popular because decorative designs can be carved into them. In addition to this, they have natural strength and moisture resistance. Alternatively, treated pine is also a common material choice in wood gazebos.