Magnolia Tree Gardening Blog

As summer approaches, many people start to think about ways that they can make the most of the improved weather by enhancing the outside areas of their homes. One great way to accomplish this is to add a patio gazebo to provide shade from the sun and protection from rainy days as well. These home gazebos can effectively create an additional living room to enjoy while also improving the look of the home and increasing its value.

A wonderful and practical gazebo canopy cover over the patio area can serve as the roof for a brand new outdoor living room. Many people take advantage of these shade structures and the protection they provide from the sun and the rain, and fully decorate and furnish their patios with comfortable chairs, couches, tables and patio accessories that make outdoor living a real pleasure.

One of the best things about installing a new patio gazebo is that you can use the newly created outdoor space to entertain guests for summer patio and garden parties. Many people find that there is something especially relaxing about gathering with friends in an outdoor setting and people seem to unwind, loosen up, mingle more freely and generally enjoy themselves more than in confined and stuffy indoor rooms.

gazebos fall into two distinct categories: fixed and retractable. As the name implies, a fixed gazebo does not move and is not adjustable. In most localities, fixed house gazebos also require the proper permits in order for it to be constructed. Once these types of permanent shade structures are in place, there is no flexibility and it is part of your home for good unless you decide to demolish it for some reason.

A permanent outdoor aluminum gazebo for example requires a framed structure, which includes the support poles. These can often cause an obstruction and can interfere with enjoying a full and complete view of the rest of your yard or garden area surrounding the patio. If you have small children who enjoy being active and running around the patio and yard, then the structure can also pose a safety issue, as they usually are placed away from the house at the edges of the patio and children can collide with them while playing.

Because of the lack of flexibility, adjustability and safety concerns, many people prefer to have portable gazebos added to their home. These portable gazebo systems are very flexible and can be adjusted to cover varying portions of the patio. This is helpful for those spring and fall days when you want a bit more sun on the patio to warm the area. However, when the sun is blazing or the rain is falling, you can extend these versatile shade structures for maximum coverage and protection.

A retractable kind of patio gazebo will retract completely and will be flush against the house. This means that when you prefer to have as much light as possible, or when the weather forecast calls for heavy storms, you can retract the gazebo. There are two kinds of retractable gazebos: the manual type, which has a hand crank that is used to make adjustments, and the motorized type that makes use of a small motor and an electronic remote control.