| An outdoor gazebo is a roofed structure-open, | | | | protection. |
| latticework, or screened on all sides-that is, according | | | | Consider the idea of creating a stunning greenhouse |
| to Webster's dictionary, "built on a site that provides | | | | using a small gazebo made out of pvc resin. You can |
| an attractive view," and is sometimes used for | | | | purchase models that come with clear vinyl sides and |
| entertaining or dining. The term gazebo can also apply | | | | a zippered doorway and enough room for shelves. |
| to a pavilion, a bandstand, a summerhouse, a | | | | Using a greenhouse like this is a great way to start |
| belvedere, or a cabana, even a vendor's booth. It is a | | | | vegetable and annual plants for an early start to the |
| centuries old concept, the idea of making a | | | | growing season. |
| comfortable place to relax or entertain outdoors. | | | | Wrought iron gazebos, and every type of brand new |
| Outdoor gazebos come in many shapes, sizes and | | | | garden accessory claiming to be wrought iron are |
| materials and can be installed to be permanent | | | | actually made of other types of metal such as steel |
| structures or temporary or seasonal structures. Some | | | | or bronze and then coated with a matte black finish. |
| types of gazebos are extremely lightweight and | | | | The term "wrought iron is used in a loose way to |
| portable. Many styles can be bought as do-it-yourself | | | | mean something that is made to resemble "wrought |
| kits. | | | | iron" or what we think wrought iron should look like. |
| Your new gazebo may well become your room of | | | | In reality, wrought iron is not used much today. It is |
| choice all summer long once you have designed it for | | | | quite heavy and can be very brittle. The only true |
| maximum comfort. With any type of gazebo, the | | | | "wrought Iron" around these days is old and antique, |
| decorating options are endless. You can furnish your | | | | and valuable. The beautiful wrought iron fence |
| covered outdoor living area any way you please by | | | | surrounding the Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, |
| installing side panels, curtains, or mosquito netting to | | | | Massachusetts was being stolen at an alarming rate |
| keep out the elements and the bugs. You can install | | | | until they were forced to replace parts of the fence |
| electrical wiring to your gazebo for low voltage | | | | with chain link. |
| outdoor lights and iPod speakers. You could purchase | | | | Wooden gazebos are probably what most people |
| a portable patio heater to extend the season. You | | | | think of when they picture a gazebo. Wood can be |
| could create your own spa by installing a hot tub in | | | | carved, shaped and constructed into the decorative |
| your gazebo! Your imagination and budget are all that | | | | gingerbread gazebos that we associate with Victorian |
| determines how involved your outdoor gazebo can | | | | houses and gardens. But really any style, from |
| become. | | | | modern contemporary to Japanese is possible with a |
| Outdoor gazebos on the market today are made | | | | wooden structure. |
| from aluminum, coated steel and iron, wood, vinyl, | | | | The best woods for outdoor building are Southern |
| and resin. They come in a variety of sizes, from quite | | | | yellow pine (Pinus palustris), Northern white cedar |
| large (room size) to small trellis like structures big | | | | (Thuja Occidentalis) and redwood, all American |
| enough only for two. Aluminum gazebos are | | | | woods that weather beautifully without the need for |
| commonly erected for special occasions or seasonal | | | | staining, painting or pressure treating. There are also |
| use, and there are models light and compact enough | | | | new products that mix wood particles and polymers |
| to take to the beach or use as a vending booth. | | | | to create a wood like material that is almost |
| Aluminum and other metal gazebos are easy to | | | | impervious to weather. A wooden gazebo is more |
| customize and can be a terrific way to create | | | | likely to remain as a permanent structure in your |
| privacy for small urban rooftop or courtyard gardens. | | | | garden or landscape and is therefore the best kind of |
| The "roofs" of aluminum gazebos are sloped and | | | | outdoor gazebo to get if you like the idea of using it |
| ideally made of waterproof canvas coated with UV | | | | as a comfortable outdoor living area. |