Gazebo

How to Choose the Best Hardtop Gazebo for Your Family and Home

How to Choose the Best Hardtop Gazebo for Your Family and Home

A well-maintained home landscape can add 5% to 12% more value to a home. While there are many ways to increase home value and improve your outdoor living space, installing a gazebo is one of the best options.

However, if you've decided to add a hardtop gazebo to your yard, you must choose the best option. Each gazebo is different, and there are a lot of other factors to consider when making your choice.

Fortunately, we're here to help you make a great decision. This guide will tell you how to choose the best hardtop gazebo for your family and home.

So read on!

What Is a Hardtop Gazebo?

A hardtop gazebo is a pavilion-style covering that can offer your home a comfortable place to sit and hang out. Hardtop gazebos often have a solid roof in lawns and gardens and may include railing, seating, and other features.

A hardtop gazebo will offer extra durability, stability, and safety compared to a soft-top gazebo. Hardtop gazebos are made of solid materials such as wood, vinyl, steel, aluminum, or polycarbonate.

These gazebos have more weight than soft top gazebos but provide outstanding durability and strength and offer more protection from the elements. Hardtop gazebos will typically be cemented or bolted to the ground and placed in a permanent location in your yard.

A soft top gazebo can also be a stylish option for a yard or garden, but the top will primarily be made of soft fabric instead of a solid material. Soft-top gazebos are typically more portable than hardtop gazebos and can be collapsed and moved between locations.

Although either option can be a great choice depending on your needs, many homeowners prefer to buy a hardtop gazebo. These work well as a permanent installation in a yard and offer a lot of extra strength.

Benefits of Choosing a Hardtop Gazebo for Your Home

So what are the benefits of a hardtop gazebo over soft top options?

Although soft-top gazebos offer some of the same benefits, hardtop gazebos are more durable and are better in several ways. On the other hand, soft-top gazebos aren't nearly as strong and typically won't be as suitable when functioning as permanent yard features.

Here are some of the top advantages and features of hardtop gazebos:

Strength and Durability

Hardtop gazebos offer greater strength and durability and can withstand heavy use. On the other hand, soft-top gazebos aren't as durable and won't do a great job of withstanding heavy wear and tear.

Because hardtop gazebos are made out of solid materials such as metal or wood, they'll do a great job of staying strong as time goes by.

Protection from Weather Conditions

Hardtop gazebos protect those inside them from the sun and adverse weather conditions.

Gazebos provide a lot of shade, allowing you to relax outside with more protection from UV rays. In addition, strong hardtop gazebos can withstand heavy winds, rain, and snow and won't be damaged by moisture.

Easy Maintenance

Hardtop gazebos are easy to maintain and clean. They don't require much attention to keep looking great as time passes.

A hardtop gazebo's frame and structure will need a bit of cleaning. After that, it doesn't require a lot of skill or experience to keep them looking their best.

Increased Curb Appeal

Hardtop gazebos have a beautiful appearance and can help make your yard more comfortable and attractive.

Boosting curb appeal is a great way to help your home sell for more. Hardtop gazebos can add value to your property and serve as a selling point if you decide to put it on the market.

How to Choose a Hardtop Gazebo

So how can you choose an ideal hardtop gazebo for your home? Here are the top factors to consider when making your choice.

Choose the Right Gazebo Size

One of the main things you'll want to consider when choosing a hardtop roof gazebo is where you plan to install it. Also, depending on your available yard space, you'll want to consider the gazebo size carefully.

Even if you have the space in your yard for a large gazebo, you'll want to be sure that the gazebo doesn't take up too much space and allows you to do anything else you want to do in your yard.

Generally speaking, a 12' x 14' gazebo is a pretty good size for a family gazebo and works well for many yards. This gazebo size will usually accommodate as many as ten people comfortably.

Currently, we have three gazebo sizes available, including the following options:

  • 10' x 12' Andes

     

  • 12' x 14' Andes, 12' x 14' Rocky, 12' x 14' Alps

     

  • 12' x 16' Andes & 12' x 16' Alps

     

If you have less space in your yard or expect many people to visit, you may want to go for a smaller or larger gazebo instead.

Prioritize Strength and Durability

Although hardtop gazebos are generally more durable than soft-top gazebos, they vary by quite a bit. You'll want to verify that the gazebo you purchase has been constructed well and features high-quality materials.

Remember that hardtop gazebos are all-season and can be used year-round. Be sure to consider any weather conditions in your location during the winter and summer months and ensure that your gazebo can withstand the elements well enough.

If you're looking for a gazebo that is built with strength and durability in mind, be sure to consider one of our gazebos that are made of galvanized steel and aluminum, such as these:

  • 10' x 12' Andes & 12' x 14' Andes have a galvanized steel top and galvanized steel frame

     

  • 12' x 16' Andes have a galvanized steel top and aluminum frame

     

  • 12' x 14' Rocky, 12' x 14' Alps, and 12' x 16' Alps gazebos have a galvanized steel top and wood grain aluminum frame

     

Remember that galvanized steel, wood, and aluminum materials are more durable. They're also long-lasting. More robust materials will provide better protection against wind, rain, and snow, so choose a gazebo built with durability and weather resistance in mind.

Understand the Materials for Each Part

In addition to considering sun protection and durability against weather conditions, you should consider the materials you want for each part of your home gazebo.

Be sure you understand the materials that will make up the roof, poles, curtains, netting, and other parts of the gazebo you choose. Quality materials such as steel are ideal for the structural components of a gazebo, such as its pole and base.

You'll also want to get high-quality curtains and mosquito netting. Quality netting, such as our 10' x 12' polyester mesh netting, can be a great choice.

Also, get UV-resistant and water-repellent materials to have the most comfortable experience resting under your gazebo.

Choose a Suitable Gazebo Shape

When choosing a gazebo for your home, you should consider its shape. Contrary to what you might think about gazebos, many different forms are available.

Square and rectangular gazebos are incredibly popular and are simple and easy to assemble. They require only four posts, making them a suitable choice due to their ease of installation.

You might also consider getting a hexagonal or octagonal gazebo for a different option. Some homeowners prefer these shapes, which can look attractive in a yard or garden.

However, remember that these more complex shapes are more challenging to assemble. They'll require you to install 6 or 8 posts during installation instead of only 4.

Make Sure the Color and Style Works for Your Home

Of course, you should also consider the style and colors of any gazebo you purchase. Here are some of the gazebo options we have available in various colors:

  • 10' x 12' Andes, 12' x 14' Andes, and 12' x 16' Andes (black)

     

  • 12' x 14' Rocky has a black galvanized steel top with khaki wood grain aluminum poles and braces

     

  • 12' x 14' Alps and 12' x 16' Alps have a black galvanized steel top and black walnut wood grain aluminum poles and braces

     

Be sure to think carefully about your choices and select a style and color for your gazebo that complements the outdoor space where you'll be installing it. A gazebo will be a critical focal point of your yard or garden and should be sure to blend in well with the overall aesthetic of your landscaping and home.

Matching your gazebo with the color of other outdoor furniture or your home's windows or doors can be a good choice. This will help tie your gazebo to your home's style and appearance. The better your gazebo looks with your home, the more boost you'll get to your home's curb appeal.

Consider Gazebo Accessories and Extra Features

While the basic design of each gazebo is the same, there are plenty of variations to choose from and accessories that you can add.

You may want to look for a gazebo with built-in seating, for example, if you plan to lounge around in it often. While you can add your own furniture instead, getting built-in furniture is worth considering.

You'll also want to decide whether you want a gazebo with a vented roof. A vented canopy can allow for more airflow and help prevent warm air from getting trapped in your gazebo and causing high temperatures.

Finally, be sure to consider curtain and netting options as well. While netting and curtains are optional, adding them to your gazebo can add more comfort and style and be great additions.

Choose a Gazebo That's Right for Your Budget

Finally, consider your budget when choosing a gazebo for your home.

The most affordable series:

  • 10' x 12' Andes ($1599.99)

     

  • 12' x 14' Andes ($2199.99)

     

  • 12' x 16' Andes ($2399.99)

     

The series with unique features:

  • 12' x 14' Rocky ($2399.99)

     

The premium series:

  • 12' x 14' Alps ($2599.99)

     

  • 12' x 16' Alps ($2899.99)

     

As you can see, gazebos range in price by quite a bit. Browse our selection to learn more about the unique features and available premium options.

Choose the Best Hardtop Gazebo for Your Outdoor Living Area

If you want to choose a hardtop gazebo that suits your home and your family's needs, consider all the most critical factors. Ensure that you get a hardtop gazebo that's the right size, and think carefully about the materials, shape, and style.

Are you interested in finding a high-quality gazebo for your home? Then, browse our selection to find the best gazebo for your outdoor living area.

Reading next

Can You Use a Gazebo Year-Round?
How to Extend the Life of a Gazebo

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