Your backyard’s landscaping is key to making the most of your outdoor living space. When it comes to garden shelters, you have a few options to pick from, each with its own characteristics, advantages and drawbacks.
Here is a guide to help you select the type of shelter that corresponds the most to your needs and lifestyle.
The Pergola: Elegant and Customizable
Contrary to a gazebo, a pergola is an open framework structure usually formed of beams and columns. It provides excellent support for climbing plants. A retractable cloth or polycarbonate roof can also be installed to provide shade.
Advantages:
- Aesthetic appeal: Brings a touch of elegance and structure to your garden.
- Customizable: Climbing plants, curtains or lights may be added to create a unique ambiance.
- Durable: Materials like aluminum or treated wood ensure the pergola stands the test of time.
Disadvantages:
- Cost: Can be quite expensive at purchase, especially for premium models.
- Installation: May require digging a foundation, particularly for wood or metal models.
- Partial coverage: Doesn’t block UV rays or rain.
- Maintenance: Natural wood must be regularly treated to protect it against water and insects, yearly in some cases. (But treated wood and aluminum only need minimum maintenance, which is a plus!)
The Gazebo: A Closed Structure for More Privacy
This type of garden shelter features a closed structure, usually of walls and a roof, which provides complete protection against wind and rain. It’s ideal for those who want a private, enclosed space. Just like adding an extra room to the house!
Advantages:
- Full coverage: Protects against rain, wind and UV rays.
- Privacy: The walls clearly separate the space from the outside.
- Multifunctionality: Great for eating al fresco (and keeping mosquitos at bay!), hosting parties, or simply relaxing in the backyard. You can even set up a computer or television inside.
Disadvantages:
- High cost: High quality models come with a correspondingly high price tag.
- Complex installation process: Requires ground preparation and, sometimes, building permits.
- Less ventilation: Air circulation may be poor, especially without windows or openings. A gazebo can become hot and humid.
The Shade Sail: Light and Modern
A shade sail is a piece of fabric tensioned between several anchor points. It’s a light and attractive means of providing shade.
Advantages:
- Quick installation: Easy to install or remove according to your needs.
- Modern design: Comes in various shapes and colours to match your style.
- Natural ventilation: Allows optimal air circulation: ideal for hot days.
- Adaptability: Certain models are made to be portable and so can be moved around the backyard to follow the sun throughout the day.
- Cost: Is generally more affordable than a pergola or gazebo.
Disadvantages:
- Vulnerable to wind: Strong gusts may damage a sail if it isn’t attached correctly.
- Limited useful life: The sail’s fabric may deteriorate over time, particularly with prolonged exposure to the elements. The colour usually fades.
- Partial coverage: Provides partial sun and rain protection.
Which Should You Pick?
Different factors will determine which type of garden shelter you should choose. Ask yourself the following questions.
- What’s Your Budget? The shade sail is typically the most cost-effective solution, followed by the pergola, and then the gazebo.
- How Will You Use It? For a multifunctional and airy space, opt for a pergola or shade sail. If you would prefer a shelter that fully protects the occupants from the elements, that you can use rain or shine throughout the summer, then you should build a gazebo.
What Overall Design Do You Want to Achieve?
The pergola is elegant and can inject some personality into your backyard. For its part, a gazebo is more traditional in style and may dominate the space. Finally, the shade sail offers a contemporary look.
Whichever type of garden shelter you choose among the options available, the most important thing is to create an outdoor space that suits you and in which you feel at home. Don’t hesitate to consult professionals to help you carry out a project that fits your needs and budget.