Firstly you need to decide what garden buildings you want or need. Why would you need a gazebo for example? They are not just for the home barbecue and cover from extreme weather conditions and wind protection. They are lighter and transportable so you can take them camping and fun with friends and family at the local park.
A shed however will be useful for storage, or maybe even office space, although a summer house style with big windows would be a better working environment.
Any shed is easy enough to buy, it’s mostly about available size in your outside space and number of windows.
However, buying a gazebo is a much more difficult job. There are things you need to pay attention to based on your specific needs.
With these thoughts in mind, here are the main considerations to keep in mind before making a decision.
Sizing standards
According to Aston Sheds, the size is directly proportional to your needs. Think about it for a minute, what do you need a gazebo for?
Are you trying to cover a barbecue? Are you planning to get a hot tub? How about an outdoor dining set or seating area?
It makes no difference what your reasons are. You might as well get a gazebo to spend some quality time with your friends on rainy and windy days.
Measure the space needed first and buy a gazebo that is slightly larger than that. You do not want any unpleasant surprises.
While most people only pay attention to the surface, think about the height as well as ideally you want head clearance.
Material
There are more materials you can find in the construction of a gazebo, and of course, there are certain things you want to see among the specifications to protect from the rain or sun, including the all important side panels for wind cover.
Polyethylene and polyester are the most popular options out there. Polyethylene is waterproof, lightweight and is basically a poly tarps. It is also inexpensive and has good durability, much like a greenhouse.
Polyester is similar in quality and shares the same waterproof capabilities. However, polyester is higher quality so offers superior protection plus is sturdier and more durable than polyethylene, meaning its price tag is also higher.
Which one is the best? It depends on your needs, expectations and available budget.
Moving on, some gazebos have metallic frames and others high density Polyethylene. At this point if you are looking at leaving it out, you want to see steel in the specs list because it is strong and durable. Powder coated steel is not a bad idea either but wood is susceptible to fungal decay if left untreated.
Aluminium is lightweight and durable too so better if you plan to move it around as lighter to transport and easy installation. Plus, it has rust and corrosion resistance. Wrought iron is strong but not very common in gazebos.
Maintenance
Think about maintenance in the long run too. A gazebo will not require much within a few days or weeks, but what about long term?
Are you planning to keep the gazebo installed year round or just occasionally? Is it difficult to out up and install when needed? Maintenance is normally affected by two factors.
Different materials have different maintenance requirements. Second, it depends on whether you keep it installed year round or just put it up occasionally.
Extras
There are quite a bunch of extras you can find in gazebos. When you go through them, you just need to work out what is worth paying for and what is part of your vision and plans for your garden buildings.
Some of the most popular extras you can find in gazebos include:
- Retractable canopy
- Shelves for storage
- Curtains
- Differently styled sides
- Door
- Lights
Netting and flooring
Make sure you pay attention to things that do matter, such as netting.
Netting is often associated with protection against mosquitoes in hot countries, but it can also protect the interior from other insects flying around like wasps.
While not always a general rule, flooring is quite useful against uninvited guests too, not to mention an extra layer of insulation.
Sometimes, you might have to purchase such extras separately.
Available budget
When considering the size, simply get a bit more than what you need, simple as that. Too much is not always better because you risk wasting money and dominating your garden.
Why would you get a gazebo spreading over 100 square feet when you only need a bit of cover for the barbecue?
Make this decision with your needs in mind, as well as value for money. Different gazebos may seem similar in features and capabilities, yet one of them can cost twice as much as others based on materials used.
The price is not everything, though. Opt for value for money as well.
As a short final conclusion, choosing the perfect shed or gazebo for your garden is not as simple as it seems. Just like for anything else in life, you need to take your time and figure out what truly works for your necessities and expectations and don’t buy on a whim.
A few recommendations and ideas are definitely worth it, but you need to ensure those specs match your necessities.
