Finding the right gazebo starts with asking the right questions

1) Do you need a gazebo, a parasol or a cantilevered umbrella?

Gazebos, also known as mini-marquees, are pop-up tents. Offer better shade and weather protection than either parasols or cantilever umbrellas.

2) What’s the difference between a gazebo and a pergola?

When searching for something like a gazebo, it is worth checking that you have the right word.

The word ‘gazebo’ applies to metal or wood garden shelters, with or without sides. They always have a roof, so there is some protection from the weather. They can be built structures or they can be ‘pop ups.’

A pergola is a more open structure. It doesn’t have a weatherproof roof, just wood or metal struts, which plants can climb over. It’s always permanent.

Some people say that a pergola is rectangular or square while a gazebo is octagonal or round, but this isn’t always the case. You will find lots of square and rectangular gazebos offered for sale. It’s the weather-proof or weather-resistant roof that makes the difference.

3) Why some gazebos cost more than others

When deciding how much to pay, these are the factors to take into account: