UNDER THE SHADE

UNDER THE SHADE

WHAT ARE GAZEBOS ?

A gazebo is a freestanding, open garden structure, sometimes hexagonal or octagonal in shape, with a roof. Most gazebos are constructed of wood or metal and have ​built-in seating inside the sheltered area. To add a sense of enclosure and privacy, latticework or outdoor curtains or drapes are sometimes used. In a garden setting, a gazebo can serve as a focal point—something to be viewed and appreciated—or situated in a location on a property (like a hill) that offers views while providing shelter from the sun. 

A gazebo is a pavilion structure, sometimes octagonal or turret-shaped, often built in a park, garden or spacious public area. They are sometimes used as bandstands.
Gazebos are freestanding or attached to a garden wall, roofed, and open on all sides. They provide shade, shelter from rain and a place to rest, while acting as an ornamental feature.
Depending on the region or culture, a gazebo might also be referred to as an Alhambra, belvedere, kiosk, pagoda, pavilion, pergola, rotunda, shed, summerhouse, or tea house. 

DESIGN CONSEDERATIONS

Adding a gazebo to your outdoor space should be carefully thought out because it can often look contrived and awkward or out of place. When planning any garden structure, try to incorporate architectural elements or features of your house for harmony and continuity. Also be aware of design considerations such as:

Scale and proportion: Does the size and shape of the proposed gazebo fit in your yard so that it's neither too big or too small for the location?

Style: Does it blend with your house and other structures on the property?

Materials: Are materials like stone, wood, and iron used elsewhere on the exterior of your house?

Location: A gazebo might be a destination, an escape, or be a place that frames a beautiful view.

Additional hardscape features, like paths or walls: Do the materials and shapes echo those used in other parts of the yard or exterior of the home?

HISTORY

Small cities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries often had large gazebos in the town center or park, where they often served as bandstands. Because they have a nostalgic appeal, gazebos are a popular prop for garden weddings and are often associated with romantic scenes in films like The Sound of Music and for photographs.

Gazebo-like structures have been built for centuries. The Egyptians built garden gazebos to support grapes for wine and raisins. They believed that these earthly paradises—gazebos and gardens—would follow them to heaven.

Greece and Rome

Gazebos can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. The Greeks built temples in public spaces that were surrounded by gardens, with marble gazebos in memory of gods and goddesses.

The Romans enjoyed their private gardens as places to relax and entertain. Garden gazebos were constructed as a beautiful outdoor feature and as a gathering place. 

Medieval and Renaissance Periods

While gazebos do attract attention, they also were, and still are, built to offer privacy. Elaborate gardens at churches and monasteries used gazebos as places for meditation or to establish a shrine. In Medieval and Renaissance Europe, these sanctuaries were built in more far-off areas of large estates. A gazebo would serve as a destination to which the lord of the manor and his guests would journey outside for fresh air while still under a roof. 

England

Garden gazebos became popular in England during the 16th through 18th centuries and could be found in parks or large private estates. In the 19th century, gazebos were built for middle-class properties and also became more functional as a shelter rather than a decorative architectural feature in the landscape. The English practice of afternoon tea was enjoyed in gazebos or similar structures.

Asia

Tea houses—or teahouses—are another form of a gazebo that has been popular in China and Japan for centuries. Tea ceremonies are a time of rest, meditation, and reflection while enjoying one another's company and admiring the beautiful surroundings of nature

Creating a Private Place

With residential properties decreasing in size, it's hard to find a place to create a refuge—somewhere to get away from the cares of the day or your household. To establish a cozy hideaway on a smaller lot, add a pergola or overhead roof to your gazebo, paving, and a path leading to the area. For added privacy, create walls with lattice panels on the sides, and plant vines to grow up and over the framework. It will be beautiful to look at and a nice escape on your own property.

CONSTRUCTION

Gazebos can be constructed from metal, wood, or vinyl. Metal, particularly steel, is often used for gazebos in public areas but is not usually suited for a gazebo in the backyard for both aesthetic and practical reasons. Metal gazebos are heavy, difficult to assemble, and prone to rust after being exposed to the elements. For an at-home gazebo, aluminum can be substituted for steel, which has the benefit of being lighter weight and affordable. Aluminum gazebos often have a fabric roof or canvas canopy.

Wood is a better choice for the backyard, as it is strong enough to handle wind and snow but more elegant than metal. The wood is also treated for weather and insect resistance, so wood gazebos are long-lasting. The most common types of wood used for gazebos are cedar and redwood.

Gazebos can also be made of vinyl, which is capable of creating the same intricate designs as wood gazebos but tends to look like plastic. The choice of material for a gazebo is a matter of personal preference, as each type of gazebo can be constructed from each material. Whatever the choice of gazebo type and material, you can add a gazebo to your property either by hiring a contractor or by buying a precut gazebo kit to assemble yourself. Despite being the budget-friendly option, gazebo kits come in a wide variety of styles and elaborate designs.

DIFFERENT TYPES

Folly Gazebo

A folly is a building constructed for ornamental purposes only. Follies originated centuries ago on the estates of the wealthy, often with extravagant designs or made to look like ancient ruins. Similarly, a folly gazebo is intended for decoration only, not to be used. This type of gazebo is added to a garden as ornamentation, to look at from afar. Despite being purely decorative, folly gazebos come in a range of sizes and designs. Delicate and often extravagant, they accentuate the landscaping and can provide an elegant backdrop to your flowerbeds.

 Rotunda

A rotunda is a large, circular gazebo. Rotundas typically consist of a ring of simple pillars that support a domed roof. This gazebo style originates in Europe, and the rotunda has become a typical architectural style for buildings as well. The rotunda in a building refers to a circular room with a domed roof. The same is true for a rotunda gazebo, except that it has no walls and stands on its own.

Pagoda

Pagodas originated in Japan as large, wooden buildings for religious purposes. Wooden gazebos in the pagoda style have a intricate design that serves as a beautiful garden ornament. Pagoda style gazebos can also be functional, however, not just ornamental. In any case, pagoda gazebos are marked by their oriental style, most noticeable in the curving, pointed roof. The roof may even be two- or three-tiered, mimicking the many-tiered roofs of pagodas in Asia. In addition to pillars supporting the roof, pagoda style gazebos often have intricate, lacy woodwork designs on the sides, often up to about knee- or waist-height.

Pavilion

A pavilion is an open-sided, relatively simple type of gazebo. This open-air gazebo is often rectangular, supported by only four columns. The roof is also typically simple, more functional than ornamental. A larger pavilion may have more columns out of necessity. Pavilions are often located close to a main building and are typically used as a gathering place for events and parties, as they tend to be quite large and can easily be filled with furniture or have a lot of standing room. This type of gazebo is perfect for outdoor parties where the guests would appreciate the combination of fresh air and having a roof over their heads.

Pergola

A pergola is a framework for supporting climbing plants, often with a lattice roof. The pergola is long and functional, and the focus of this structure is on the vines or other climbing plants that cover it. The roof, which may either be open or closed, is supported by simple, sturdy pillars for the plants to climb up. A pergola can be used as a sitting area, to relax in the shade of the plants climbing up its sides and roof, or it can form a shaded walkway or passageway. In public gardens, pergolas are often used to create flowery, shaded walkways and can be quite large. A pergola is similar to an arbour, the main difference being that arbours are generally smaller with integrated seating. A popular use of a pergola is as an extension of the house or terrace, or as a walkway between pavilions.