Q. Why are some gazebos cheaper than those offered by Backyard America? A. We have seen a supplier or two pop up lately with slightly
lower prices for their basic gazebo. Like most things in life - you get
what you pay for. The gazebos that we have seen with a lower price are
built using inferior materials and construction techniques - they use
plywood for the roof sheathing instead of 1 x 4's that allow the cedar
shingles to breath, treated lumber that has not been kiln dried after
treatment, galvanized nails instead of stainless steel screws, and lower
grade materials. Some suppliers also send the kit as individual pieces.
The assembly time for this type of kit is in days, not hours like our
panelized kits.
The difference is also in the details:
Theirs
Ours
These
differences are significant in the appearance and longevity of your gazebo.
We sell gazebos that are expected to last a lifetime not a season or two.
Finally, we offer you expert product support - we are carpenters and
builders and have been involved in construction of outdoor structures
for over 30 years. Unfortunately some of our competitors only have
experience in buying and selling gazebos, not in building them. If
you need help getting a building permit or building a foundation, they
won't be of much help.
Q. What are the advantages of the various materials used to build
your gazebos? A. The three primary materials used for construction of our gazebos
are southern yellow pine, cedar, and vinyl. Each has distinct advantages.
Pressure treated southern yellow pine is very strong and will last
forever - it is guaranteed for life against rot and termite damage.
Cedar is admired by many for its beauty and natural resistance to rot
and insect damage. Because it checks less, it tends to be more attractive
when painted or stained. Vinyl is a very low maintenance material.
And because vinyl is not very strong, we use it to cover treated southern
yellow pine. Therefore with vinyl you get a low maintenance product
that will be structurally sound for many years.
Q. What do you mean by prepared site and proper foundation? A. Gazebos can be placed on several types of foundations depending
on your site and application. If the gazebo is to be in your yard,
we recommend that it be placed on a 3"-4" bed of stone.
(#57 bluestone is a good choice because it's economical and tends
to "lock" together when compressed. It also discourages
pests.) If the site is soft or you want protection from frost, then
a pier foundation, using 6x6 pressure treated columns on concrete
footings is recommended. If the gazebo is to be a part of a deck
project, pier foundations will be required. Gazebos can also be placed
on concrete or stone patios if they are in sound condition. We can
provide you with a footing plan without charge upon purchase of any
of our gazebos. As always, you should check with your local building
department for current requirements.
Q. How long do I need to wait before I apply a sealer on a wood gazebo? A. All of our wood gazebos, both pine and cedar, are built with dried
woods so you may seal or stain them as soon as you want.
Q. What do you recommend as a sealer for the wood gazebos?
A. We recommend that you apply a high quality sealer that has a UV
screen component. Brands that we have had good experience with include
Cabot's Clear Solution, Flood's CWF, and Sherman William's Cupernol.
Pressure treated pine gazebos do not need to be sealed for protection
against rot. Sealers and stains may be applied to maintain the fresh
wood look or to change the color. Without a sealer, this material
will maintain its strength for a lifetime, however it will weather
to a silver gray.
Q. How long does it take to assemble a gazebo kit?
A. Well that depends. All of the kits come panelized and require no
cutting. A screw gun, hammer, and level will be the most used tools.
Time of assembly depends on the size, model and experience of the
assemblers. Two people with average skills (not experienced carpenters)
can assemble a 10' gazebo in 4-6 hours. We can honestly say that
we have never had a kit returned because the owners could not assemble
it. As an alternative, you can always hire a handyman for a few hundred
dollars if you don't have the time or inclination to do it yourself.
The basic steps in assembling one of our gazebos kits are:
Prepare
the foundation, making sure it is clear, firm, and level
Secure the floor sections with screws
Install the roof support posts
Install the pre-assembled lower and upper railing sections
Place the roof sections in position and secure with screws
It's
simple really........ comfort and value. Toll Free
Order Line: (877) 489-8064
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