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Gazebos

Gazebos in your garden

My first memory of a gazebo is when I visited a wild life sanctuary near my city and came upon this octagonal structure on top of a peak. It was open on all sides and I found it strangely similar to a butler hat. It was much later that I came to know that it is called a gazebo and is a common structure in landscaped gardens around the world. The structure was first created centuries ago and the purpose was to give a complete unabridged view of the garden or the place where it was placed. Boy, does it enhance the view or what. I still remember clicking pictures of the wild life sanctuary I was talking about earlier. Gazebos are also known by several other names like pagodas, screen houses etc. Today, gazebos have virtually invaded gardens all around the world and can be seen in all kinds of shapes, sizes and designs. They are made of all kind of materials which includes wood, plastic, metal and even vinyl. So you can select from thousands of designs and have a backyard gazebo that matches the design of your lawn.

The utility aspect

Most people feel that they do not need an expensive structure like a garden gazebo to get a view of their gardens. But a gazebo can be much more than that. It can be a wonderful aesthetic addition to the garden. Today, there are wonderful multipurpose gazebos which serve as an outhouse. You can have a wonderful time with your family in your gazebo. You can even plan a picnic with food and drinks in the gazebo if need be. If you have a pool in your garden, then a gazebo close by will give you a spectacular view along with cool breeze from the pool. These kinds of gazebos were common in yesteryear Persia and Greece. Tea ceremonies were common in Japanese pagodas which were the equivalent of gazebos in china. These Chinese pagodas became so popular, than they were a common sight all around Europe in the 18^th century. Today, they are commonly used for musical concerts, dinners, painting sessions etc.

Materials used in the making

Wood is the oldest and the commonest material that was used to make a gazebo. However, over a period of time, metal made an appearance and wrought iron gazebos became common especially during the medieval period. Cedar gazebos however continue to enthrall people by its sheer grace. The aesthetic appeal and the durability of cedar are the most important factors that work in its favor. However, if you feel that it is too pricey, you can always opt for vinyl. Vinyl gazebos mimic the look of wood or metal and can be either black or white in color. They are available in several different designs and colors. One of the most popular designs is the Victorian gazebo. One advantage that vinyl has over wood or metal is that you do not need to protect it from time to time by coating it with chemicals. Neither does it rot, nor does it crack or fade with time. Vinyl gazebos usually have asphalt shingles for a roof and these are the ones which are used in the construction of your home. Grey and black shingles are available.

Buying online

Most people feel that it is necessary to visit a showroom to actually get a feel of the gazebo. But this is not true. Today, some of the best companies offer their wares online and you can actually pick up a gazebo for a discount rate online.

So log on to the internet, find a dealer who specializes in gazebos, browse through the pictures, read the specifications and hunt around till you find the best price.