Now is a great time to get a gazebo canopy. With the increased popularity of gazebos new replacement canopies are much easier to come by. There are few things you need to be aware of before you buy your replacement gazebo canopy.

The Universal Gazebo Canopy

In theory this sounds like a great idea. Just go out and get the “universal” model. The problem with that is there are so many makes and models of gazebos, and each has a different pitch to the roof, as well as different size beams, the universal gazebo canopy may not fit your model gazebo. It is best to measure, and check with a Gazebo company, find out exactly what size gazebo canopy will fit your particular gazebo.

If you do find the universal gazebo canopy will fit your make and model of gazebo, try to make sure it has reinforced corners and velcro ties. This will make installing your new gazebo canopy much easier, and it will also make the canopy last a longer.

Where to get a Replacement Gazebo Canopy

These days it’s much easier to find replacement gazebo canopies. You can find them in most local hardware stores, and big box stores, you can even find them at most Walmart, and Walmart.com has an even better selection. The plus of ordering online is you can have it shipped right to you, or to the store.

You can also find replacement gazebo canopies at other online venues such as ebay and craigslist. Make sure you read the fine print, and make sure you know what you are getting before you purchase from these online distributors. If you are bidding on an auction at ebay, make sure you know the retail price for the gazebo canopy you are looking at. Make sure you don’t get caught up in the auction and pay more for it than you would have if you bought it down the street. Don’t forget to include shipping in your costs.

You can also go to a local pool/gazebo dealer. They will have replacement canopies in stock, and if they don’t have the one you are looking for they should be able to order it for you. You generally will not have to pay shipping in this type of situation.

If you are replacing an old gazebo canopy this is the perfect time to take a look at the newer styles of canopy. They have come a long way in a short period of time. You can change the entire look and feel of your gazebo, just by updating your canopy.

You can make your gazebo into an outdoor room in a number of different ways.  You have to begin by deciding exactly what purpose you want the gazebo to serve and how it will be used.

If you plan on using it as an all purpose room and spending a lot of time there, you may want to think about screening in your gazebo. This helps keep bugs and pests out.

If you plan on using it as a eating or dining area for outdoor fun, you can add a grill, or even an outdoor cooking area nearby.  You will want to get some outdoor furniture, including a table and chairs where you can eat.

Sometimes hot weather can decrease the amount of use a gazebo gets. If you have a gazebo canopy, that will help keep your gazebo cooler and provide shade.   There are often times electric kits you can buy to run electricity to your gazebo.  With the addition of electricity you can add lighting as well as a ceiling fan.  Once you get hot air moving around  a little it seems much cooler.

If you have electricity in your gazebo, you can do a lot to create ambience and a real “room” feel by your choice of lighting.  You can have lamps, or a ceiling fan with lights for a more conservative gazebo.  You could also get whimsical and add white string lighting.  This will give you a lovely romantic feel to your gazebo.  You can add to the romance by choosing furniture and pillows to use in the room.  Soft plush fabrics will add to the atmosphere immensely.  If you have chosen not to screen in your gazebo, you can use a mosquito net, which can be both romantic and effective at keeping the bugs away from you.

If your house is feeling a little small, and you have room in your yard, a gazebo can be a great way to add space to your home.  If you treat your gazebo just like any room of the house and decorate along with the theme of your house, or with a completely different theme you will quickly have another outdoor room for your home.

One way to add a decorative element to your garden, as well as a wonderful meditation spot is to add a gazebo.  Choosing which style of gazebo you want will depend on your garden design.  There are a wide variety of gazebos you can choose from, in any number of materials.  Your garden, and your weather, will dictate which gazebo is right for you.

The garden gazebo serves many purposes in the garden.  It provides climbing plants, including roses, and clematis.  Having climbing plants in your garden adds an element of height and can make a dramatic statement when your climbing plants are in bloom.

A gazebo can serve to separate areas of the garden as well.  You may want to divide two parts of the garden, and using a gazebo as a physical divider is a great idea. You can usually see through a gazebo, so it still provides an open look but will also provide some separation as well.

You can use a gazebo as a focal point in your garden.  Putting the gazebo in the center of the garden can be very dramatic especially if you have a gazebo canopy. It can pull the eye through the garden, and then the eye is allowed to wander back out and around through the beautiful plantings.

A garden gazebo provides an obvious “thinking spot”. It allows one to sit and rest, and take in all the beauty of the garden. It allows you to take a moment to reflect, listen to the birds, watch the butterflies and smell the wide array of scents provided by the flowers.

A garden is a magical, special place. It only gets better when there is an inviting gazebo.  A gazebo that requests we sit down, take a load off and enjoy the peace and tranquility a garden provides, if only for a moment.

There are a few things to think about before you decide to get married outdoors though, and they are possible show stoppers.

When are You Getting Married?

What time of year are you planning to get married? Each season brings with it possible weather difficulties.  Make sure you have a plan to deal with any inclimate weather that may occur. It is a must when planning an outdoor wedding to have a plan B.

How Big Is Your Wedding?

This is a question you need to ask, like any other venue you need to take into consideration the amount of space you will have available.

My neighbors have this amazing “secret” garden. Seriously, you would never know it was there until you open the gate, and walk under some huge trees into its full glory. I wanted to have my wedding there. They have this amazing wrought iron gazebo, where I pictured us saying our vows. Phew, it was gorgeous in my head.  Here’s the problem. The garden is relatively large, but the way it is set up would not accommodate many people.  Other issues arose and I was unable to have my wedding there, but I’m not sure everyone would have fit. And if they did, it would have been close and I would have worried about people stomping on the beautiful flowers.

Make sure you take into consideration how many guests you want, and the size of your outdoor space.

What’s Your Plan? How Big of a Gazebo Will You Need?

It may seem obvious, but there are some questions of size you need to answer before you decide on an outdoor wedding under a gazebo canopy.  Will it just be you and your fiancee, or will everyone be under the gazebo?  If you are planning to have everyone under the gazebo you will need a large one.  The larger you go, the more it’s going to cost.  So make sure you have a budget set and make some calls to see if your dream plans match what your pocketbook has to offer.

I know I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating. If you are planning an outdoor wedding please, make sure you have a plan B that can easily be implemented.  There are a million details to planning an outdoor wedding, your gazebo is only one of the first.

There are a wide variety of gazebos available.  You will need to make some basic design decisions before you can effectively choose the best gazebo for your needs.

Some gazebos are permanent. They stay where you put them. Others are portable, and will stay only as long as you leave them up. (These may be a great option for renters. You can take your gazebo with you when you move). Which will you need?

Gazebos are made of many different materials as well. You can find them in just about any material that suits your needs, whether it’s wood, metal or even wrought iron.  When deciding on building material for your gazebo, take into consideration your likes, dislikes, personal style as well as your local weather conditions.  Some building materials may stand the test of time in certain weather conditions than others.

The next thing to think about is your gazebo canopy.  Will you have a solid roof or would you rather have a tent like feel to your gazebo.  Both are nice and come with many different models of gazebo.  It is really up to you, what your preferences are, as well as the weather in your area. A cloth gazebo canopy may not be the wisest choice in areas with frequent hurricanes or tornadoes.  You may want to go with a solid structure instead.

Once you have decided on what type of gazebo and canopy you want, you need to decide whether you are going to have it installed or put it together  yourself.

Putting together an entire gazebo can be a big task. I would only recommend it to the those of you who are capable with power tools and a large instruction book.  There’s no shame in having a professional come out and install your gazebo.

Once you’ve chosen a design and installed your gazebo and canopy the fun really begins.  You can turn your gazebo into an outdoor room, and enjoy.