There are some important decisions to be made when planning to order a gazebo for your property. One of the first questions to ask yourself  is "what do I intend to use it for"?  To some extent the answer to this question will impact all others. Begin your planning process by making a list of all the functions you would like your gazebo to serve and the rest will follow.

Gazebo Site Location | Gazebo Designs | Landscaping around your Gazebo | Selecting a Gazebo Size 
Gazebo Construction Materials | Roofing | Building your Gazebo Yourself | Choosing a Gazebo Design

Where to build your Gazebo

Location - To a large degree, how you're planning on using your gazebo determines location choice. Is it a garden gazebo, a gathering place for friends and family on beautiful summer afternoons? Perhaps you'll be enclosing your gazebo and installing a hot tub or spa in it. How you use your gazebo will determine where you build it.

Aesthetics are important: you may choose to highlight your structure by making it the center of attention or blend it in to your landscape and make it a secret hideaway. Your choice! You should also be mindful of the building's relation to other structures that you may have on your property.

Think about the pros and cons of your preferred site in all four seasons. The surrounding foliage (and weather) can look very different from one season to the next. All of these considerations may have some impact on where you build your gazebo.

Once you have decided on a size (see 'choosing a size' below), it's a good idea to stake it out on your premises to ensure that the fit is comfortable for your needs and that the location is harmonious with your landscape.

Zoning - Not all decisions are entirely in your hands. Be sure to check with your municipality to ensure that you are meeting the local zoning regulations. If your gazebo is under 100 sq. ft. you will not likely require a permit. There are usually some restrictions such as a two or three foot set back from a property line to contend with (please see permits and zoning for more information).

Location - From a practical standpoint, it is wise to locate a storage shed close to where it's going to be needed most. Kids in particular are much more likely to put bicycles and toys away if the access to the shed is convenient. On the other hand, if you are planning on purchasing a potting shed, you may want to locate it next to your garden, in a spot that receives lots of natural light. Aesthetics are important: you may choose to highlight your structure by making it the center of attention (which is fine) or blend it in to your landscape and make it a secret hideaway. Your choice! You should also be mindful of the sheds' relation to other structures that you may have on your property. Achieving a balance is important.

Gazebo Designs

Our range of gazebo styles and sizes is vast and it should be easy to find the perfect fit for you. Be sure to spend sufficient time browsing our photo galleries and gazebo style pages and choose a style that best reflects your personal taste and one that fits into your landscape. Don't worry about matching your gazebo to your house, not every thing needs to match...and why not be a little eclectic, it's fun!

If you like the roof of one style but prefer the railings of another, no problem! Simply visit our gazebo style section, select a style and mix n' match to find out how you can have your cake and eat it too.

Landscaping for your new Gazebo

It's smart to think about how you may want to cultivate the landscape in your gazebo's immediate surroundings. Shrubs, flowers, and other garden details provide a nice complement to your gazebo design and will help to define the space. Many people also choose to lay flagstone or other pavers to create a unique pathway to the gazebo opening.

A little garden decor provides nice finishing touches to a tranquil space. Strategically placed, things like trellises, pergolas, lights, wind chimes, birdhouses - and even your favorite piece of weathered furniture can go along way to creating the perfect setting for your dream outdoor structure you desire.

Selecting an Appropriate Gazebo Size

This is always a bit of a tough one, but there are no wrong choices, so don't lose too much sleep over it. Clearly the key is to ensure that your space is large enough for its intended purposes, while remaining proportional to the surrounding environment. Our general rule of thumb is that an 8' gazebo fits 2 people (2 chairs) and a small table. With every two-foot addition, two more people can be seated comfortably in the gazebo (for example, a 10' gazebo holds 4 people comfortably, a 12' gazebo holds 6 people comfortably, etc.).

Please also feel free to contact us at any point in the planning process and we will provide you with as much help, as you require

Gazebo Construction Materials

All of our gazebos are constructed from a premium grade of Canadian western red cedar. We use the finest materials on the market, so be assured that what you get is truly top of the line - we don't mess around.

Here are some details on the materials and construction methods you can expect with your Summerwood gazebo.

To learn more about the materials that are used for each gazebo component, please see our information section.

Gazebo Roofing Materials

There are a variety of options when it comes to roofing materials and here you will have to make an important choice. Obviously asphalt shingles are the most economical and are readily available in a variety of colors at your local building supply store.

We provide cedar shingles with our pre-assembled gazebos and feel that they are absolutely beautiful. They are durable, lasting you a lifetime and they will outlast all trends in style.

Copper styled roofing is stunning on our gazebos if your budget allows for it.

Building your Gazebo on your own, or hiring a Contractor?

Decide on whether you're going to take on the project of building your gazebo yourself or if you're going to hire someone to do it for you. Our pre-assembled gazebo goes up very easily. Most of our customers tackle the project themselves and quite enjoy it; a form of therapy or family bonding if you will. Often the neighbors will wonder over and offer their assistance too.

If you are an accomplished 'do-it yourselfer', or ready to make your debut as one, make sure that you have both the time and the energy required for the task at hand. If not, be sure to have a look at our 'how to hire a contractor' package. For more detailed information on assembly and the tools required, please click here.

Choosing a Gazebo Design Style

Basically, it comes down to which sizes suits you and your situation the best. Our gazebo sizes range from 8ft. to as large as you want. The most popular sizes are the ones that are nudging 100sq. ft. (in some municipalities sizes greater than this may require a permit to build).

We strongly suggest that you peruse our gazebo photo gallery as a way of getting ideas.

Summerwood Gazebo Designs:

San Cristobal Gazebos - Our San Cristobal Garden House is a classic beauty designed for year-round use. This exquisite structure is fully enclosed and comes with French doors and beautiful opening windows (complete with screens). If natural light and an enclosed area is a priority, the San Cristobal is a wise choice. This style is ideally suited as an office, gazebo or even a breakfast room

Bali Tea House Gazebos - Inspired by traditional Japanese architecture, our Teahouse style gazebo is brilliant in its minimalism. Perfect as a hot tub gazebo or just as a place to relax on a hot summer afternoon, the Bali Tea House gazebo is sure to leave you feeling refreshed.

Monterey Gazebos -The Monterey, is our classic gazebo featuring clean, smooth lines. This gazebo will compliment the architectural details of your home and the landscape of your garden beautifully.

Victorian Gazebos - Our Victorian gazebo adds elegance to any landscape. Its two-tiered pagoda roof style, along with its attractive spandrels, decorative arched brackets and hand cut railings offer a unique and historical design element.

Carlisle Gazebos - The Carlisle is our fairytale gazebo. It boasts charming gingerbread spandrels, spindle railings and a one-tiered roof. Its unique design makes for a splendid focal point.

Tattle Creek Gazebos - The newest design in our line is the Tattle Creek. Defying convention, this gazebo features a smooth spandrel, wide railings and a high roof. It is truly in a class of its own.

Montpellier Gazebos - The Montpellier garden house style gazebo and is a 4-sided (square base) design. Like a traditional gazebo, it has railings and spandrels. This style is well suited in a rustic garden, pool side, or in a commercial setting.

Coventry Gazebos - This design features stunning leaded glass French doors and tilted windows, a high cedar shingled roof, elegantly cambered eaves, traditional brass hardware, and exquisite trim and detail all around. It is perfect is any setting but especially in the backyard, used as a place for relaxation.