When we think of outdoor activities, the word gazebo, without exception, comes to mind almost every single time. Indoor Outdoor Design is dedicated to giving people the best information possible about things concerning recreational living at home or outdoors. Chances are if you don’t own one (or one of its “cousins”), then you probably do know someone or have a personal friend who does. They are perhaps one of the most versatile, useful, and recognizable pieces of architectural landscape features known to man. But how did we come to use this fantastic outdoor shelter for common recreation? How can we become more knowledgeable about its ability to bring enjoyment to our recreational life? What does it take to construct one of these wonderful, open air works of art in my own personal recreation space? Is there a way to take this miracle of old world invention with me wherever and whenever I decide? Let’s try to uncover some of these mysteries, starting with a look back at the history of this wonderful invention of modern day frivolity.
Gazebos are a pavilion style structure, most often octagonal, found in parks, gardens, and public parks. They are freestanding or attached to another structure. They are usually roofed, and open on all sides; they provide a most comfortable area for outdoor activities, add a pleasant décor to any landscape and provide shelter against the elements. Some gazebos in public parks are large enough to serve a stage, bandstand or rain shelter.
Its “cousins”, also known as pagodas, pavilions, kiosks, follies, rotundas, pergolas and belvederes, are used for almost every outdoor event from cookouts to wedding backdrops. These structures are most at home in climates that offer warm and sunny days. People have used these types of structures for literally hundreds if not thousands of years. They are in the art and literature of many classical civilizations, including China and Persia. Examples of such structures can be found literally all around the world representing nearly every culture.
Gazebos, in modern day America and England are typically built of some sort of weather resistant wood or some other composite material like PVC (especially the floor) and covered with some sort of roofing material, such as asphalt shingles, terra cotta, or metal. For portability, gazebos can be tent-style devices made of poles covered by fabric that is stretched tightly around its perimeter. In some cases, gazebos may have some sort of netting or screen in order to insure peaceful recreation without flying insects such as flies and mosquitoes at bay.
If you want to take the bull by the horns and build your own gazebo, there are countless ways to construct one. You are literally limited by your own imagination; however, it is best to start this project (as with any building project) with the end in mind. Having said that, it is immediately understandable to your average do it yourselfer that a set of gazebo plans will be the very first thing that you will need to undertake a project of this magnitude. The good news is gazebo plans are all over the internet and are free of charge in some cases. You can either choose a very stripped down, contemporary style structure, a very ornate Victorian style, or something in between, the choices are limitless. The thing to keep in mind is that this will be a big project, so if you are not an experienced do it yourself type of person with the tools it takes to do some light construction with limited help, then perhaps you should consult or hire a general contractor to take on the job. Obviously the overall cost will be more with a contractor and construction crew, but it can speed up the process and can sometimes provide a better overall result in the long run.
On the other hand, let’s say you don’t have the need for a permanent structure but still want the advantages that go along with one. Perhaps you need to have some sort of shelter from the sun and rain that you can take with you wherever you go. If that is indeed the case, then possibly a gazebo tent is what you really need. Gazebo tents are a little different from their permanent structure brothers in both form and function. They are generally built of poles (usually metal) and have a canvas top and sides (lots of times there is netting for insects as well). These structures are designed to withstand light weather for a long time, but will deteriorate if left out for extended periods exposed to the elements. These units are great for picnics, camping, cookouts, outdoor parties, weddings, holidays and just about any other outdoor event that requires shelter from the elements and outdoor critters. The great thing about gazebo tents is that you can pick one up from just about any local retailer or internet store for a relatively low price (as opposed to a more permanent structure). These can usually be found in the outdoor or sporting goods section of the major chain retailers selling anywhere from $100.00 to $300.00 or less depending on the size you need.
Now all that is left to do is decide what sort of outdoor structure best suits your needs. The biggest question is “how will this improve my outdoor experience in the most positive way?” That question will be answered in different ways according to the individual persons needs. Both of these types of recreational habitat are so versatile that their usefulness has no limit. I couldn’t imagine a hot summer cookout without the shade and shelter of one of these open air wonders of invention. Nor, could I imagine life without the experience of sitting on a porch swing inside one of the world’s oldest permanent shelters. No matter if you are looking to just “beat the heat” or wax in the splendor of a beautiful late spring afternoon, these structures offer just that.
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