Gazebos are beautiful outdoor structures and they add elegance and sophistication to the backyard or any outdoor space. But building a gazebo isn’t as easy as pergola contractors make it look like. Here are some of the most common mistakes that people make when installing a gazebo.
Gazebo Building Mistakes
Not Knowing The Design
The most common mistake people make when going for a gazebo or building it, is not knowing what they want. They’re either doing it for the trend, they’ve seen it somewhere and now they want it in their outdoor space too, or something else along these lines. Well, that’s not always the right way to go about things.
You need to know what you’re going for and what gazebo design you want for your home. This isn’t something you can just build on a whim. You need to think things through and then go for a design that will look functional and beautiful in the long run.
So, if you want to go for a gazebo, it should be because you want it and not because it’s trendy or something else. There are a lot of people who make this mistake and then they have to live with the fact of having a gazebo taking up space for no good reason. You don’t want to be that person.
Not Obtaining A Permit
Building or installing anything outdoors is not going to be a walk in the park. You can get slapped with lawsuits, left, right, and center and you don’t want that. This is why if you are planning on getting a gazebo built, then you need to tick off all of the legalities to get through the process smoothly.
Every neighborhood and rules are going to be different so you need to contact your local building authorities and get the basic gist down before you start the building process. It will only be better for you in the long run.
Not Hiring Someone Professional
When it comes to a gazebo, you can either do it by yourself or have a professional do it for you. If you’re going for the latter then you don’t want to settle on amateurs because they will end up doing more bad than good for you.
This is why choosing a professional for building a gazebo is necessary. The workmanship will be different, the work will speak for itself and the results will be amazing. So, you want to go for a builder or contractor that knows their way around a gazebo and its foolproof installation.
Not Researching On Materials
Another thing that a lot of people fail to do is search for the right materials and it’s not just the search, but an in-depth research about different materials and choosing the one which is best for you. There are plenty of materials that you can choose from when it comes to gazebos.
- Wood
- Metal
- Vinyl
- Synthetic materials
- Composite and the list goes on.
However, choosing a material is not the only problem you’ll have. You also need to select the right fixtures for the material. Nails, brackets, screws, and other things that will keep the gazebo intact is also very important to consider and since it is an outdoor structure, you need to ensure that you’re choosing all of the materials that will sustain the conditions of the outdoors perfectly.
There are a lot of materials that may seem good for the gazebo, but they’re not specifically going to last the longest when it comes to outdoors. Wood might seem like the best choice, but if you want it to last long outdoors, then you need to go for some sort of waterproofing or weather protection for everything to stay put for longer. This is why choosing the right material is key.
DIY-ing Everything
Sometimes you can think that you’re a DIY guru, but this can lead to you biting off more than you can chew. This is a very common mistake that a lot of people make, thinking that they can install a gazebo by themselves, because “how hard can it be?”
Well, it’s plenty hard and if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, then this is something that will be pending for a long time. You should only take on DIY projects if you know that you can get them done, otherwise it’s not wise to do so at all.
Faulty Board Installation
The boards of a gazebo need to be flush with each other and they also need to be installed perfectly with no ridges or bumps. That’s not only the beauty of the gazebo, but it’s also going to change the way the gazebo works and functions.
There is going to be rain, sun, and winds all the time and if the gazebo isn’t installed perfectly, then it will lead to problems of mold or spoiling and that’s not what you want. This is why you need to ensure that the installation of the gazebo is perfect in every sense of the word.
Not Considering The Climate
A gazebo is an outdoor structure and if you’re building one without considering the climate, then that is like an accident waiting to happen. You need to ensure that the design and layout of the gazebo is not only perfect to look at but should also be able to withstand all of the climate changes.
Whether it be water drainage from the rain or shelter from the beating and blazing sun, everything needs to be considered and this is what’s going to make sure that the gazebo stands tall for years to come.
Thinking Foundation Is Insignificant
The foundation of the gazebo is one of the most important things to consider and you’ll be surprised at how many people forget about this crucial detail. The foundation of the gazebo is just as important as material selection, if not more.
Anchoring a gazebo to the ground is half the battle because the last thing you need is the structure swaying back and forth on the ground. This is not going to be helpful at all and if you don’t know the first thing about the right foundation for the gazebo, then it’s better to consult with a professional in this regard.
Roof Or No Roof
There are gazebos with roofs and there are some without. What you want to do, to avoid mistakes in the future is to figure out which type of gazebo you want to go for. Gazebos with roofs are often more recommended than the ones without because there is that extra security of protection against the sun and rain.
So, if you want to go for a gazebo, then make sure that you have the roof part figured out and ready to go, because you don’t want to make any last-minute decisions.
Conclusion
Adding a gazebo to your backyard is an excellent idea but it can turn into a disaster if you’re not too careful. So, look out for these mistakes and hire licensed gazebo builders Long Island for flawless installation.