Best Hard Top Gazebo Review for 2021

 They can be a great focal point for your yard.  They create a nice gathering point for entertaining.  The covered area provide a place for a hot tub, grill, fire pit or simply seating. Gazebos can also create a nice ROI by creating more usable living space.  A 10′ x 10′ can be as low was $3 per square foot.  For perspective, our current house $138.31 per square foot.  

Yes.  Most gazebos will have a metal roof which will be completely waterproof.  There are some budget gazebos with fabric roofs, and these are water resistant.  The metal roof gazebos can be used year round, and they are designed to be setup once and left up.  The fabric top are normally only setup for special events or parties.  

 There are three popular options.  Galvanized steel is the preferred choice.  This is stainless steel steel that has zinc and/or nickel added to greatly increase its lifespan.  This will make it very resistant to the elements and will last for more than a decade.  The second option is aluminum roofs.  These are more lightweight, and they can be used for areas that get less snow.  They are a great balance of price and performance.  Polycarbon are the least expensive option.  These are used for budget gazebos.  The are water resistant, but don’t stand up well to heavy snow.  If you go with this option, we suggest using a broom to remove any accumulation of snow to limit damage.

Metal roof gazebos can range from 100 pounds all the way up to 285.  The primary difference will be the metals used in the frame and roof.  Galvanized steel will be the heaviest and aluminum is the lightest.

We’ve written a separate guide on pop up gazebos.  There are definitely some trade offs, but they can be a better choice for someone who just wants a shade structure that’s setup part of the year.

Yes.  We live in Arizona, and there are gazebos setup in many of our local parks. They have weathered all the elements for years.  My grandparents had a gazebo that held up more than a decade.  It was a center of our outdoor family gatherings until they moved to a smaller home.

Absolutely!  I would consult your local home depot or lowe’s for their suggestions on brackets and braces in your area.  They will have the information for your local area.  What will work here in Arizona won’t necessarily be right for other regions.  We have seen many gazebos installed onto concrete.

Yes. This is an easier install than onto concrete, but our advice will be the same.  Consult your closest big box store for advice.  Both Lowe’s and Home Depot have a pros corner where they will have trained professionals that can give you specific advice for your area.  

Yes.  There are plenty examples of square gazebo’s.  The most popular size is 10′ x 10′, and we’ve recommended several in this size.

Yes, this is a great use.  I’d suggest measuring your vehicles before placing your order.  Remember, gazebos are measured from the outside corners.  If you’re going to use it as a carport, you’ll need the clearance on the interior of the pole.  I’d also suggest a good bit of clearance as you don’t want to hit one of the support poles with your car.

This is difficult for metal roof gazebos.  They are designed to be attached to the ground so you would first need to detach the poles and cover from its supports.  Then you would need to move it and reattach everything.   I don’t think this would be something the average DIY’er should do, and I’d suggest hiring a trained professional or company to handle this.

Yes, and you should absolutely clean the gazebo at least once per year.  This can be as easy as spraying it off with a garden  hose, and then wiping away the debris with a long handled brush.  In case, you need one, here’s a link to our favorite long handle brush that we recommend for cleaning awnings, gazebos and other shade structures.

This depends on the fabric of the curtain.  I’d suggest contacting the individual manufacturer to ask about your individual product.  

The most common shapes are square/rectangle that have 4 sides.  Octagons which have 8 sides and round which don’t really have straight sides.  We recommend the 4 sided awnings for most people.  The 8 side awnings can have a fancier aesthetic to them.  

These are rigid metal poles that add strength to fabric top gazebos.  We cover them in more detail in our cloth roof gazebo guide.

The earliest gazebos can be traced back 5000 years to Egypt. They were also built by Persians, Greeks and Romans.  They became popular in Europe during the middle ages, and didn’t make as splash in the US until the 1940s.    (Source:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazebo)

We really like Amazon for gazebos.  They have a wide selection of more than 100 gazebos in stock.  They also offer delivery right to your door.   Gazebos can weight several hundred pounds so transporting it from your local hardware store can be a challenge.  

We recommend roughly the center of your yard.  This will serve as a focal point of your yard.  Additionally, it will allow easy access from all sides.  We’ve seen some people install it close to their home on their patio, and in most cases they regretted this decision.  Ultimately, it’s a personal decision, and we’d love to hear where you installed your awning in the comments below.

We really like the model by Sojag.  It has an aluminum frame and galvanized steel roof.  The manufacturer offers replacement parts and accessories. It’s a perfect all weather awning that can handle snow.

Gazebos were first seen over 5000 years ago, and there isn’t a named person who is credited for its invention.  Various types of shelters can be traced back to Egypt, Persia and China.  (Source:  https://www.amishgazebos.com/gazebo-history/  

Proably!  At the very least, it won’t be healthy for the grass underneath it.  The roof will greatly inhibit the sunlight it receives.  Additionally, if you are going to install it on the lawn with no foundation, you’ll need to regularly water the grass too as the roof will also hinder the rainfall from getting to the grass under the gazebo.