Delightful deck or gorgeous gazebo? Homeowners may find the choice difficult
By Jennifer Kneuss
June 1, 2011
301
Installing an outdoor living area, such as a deck or gazebo, can give you extra room for spring, summer, and fall. Carefully consider which options are best for you and your family before choosing between the two.
Choosing to add a deck or gazebo for outdoor living space is not a decision to be taken lightly. Most likely, the new addition will be a permanent part of your backyard, so take time to think carefully about your needs before you begin.
Is the deck or gazebo going to be used by just one or two people as a small retreat area? Or will it be used for lots of warm weather entertaining with larger crowds? Think about placement. How close to the house do you want the area to be?
Consider the sun and shade factor. This is crucial. Make a point of observing the area where you are considering adding the structure, and note how much direct sun the area receives, as well as the time of day when it receives the greatest amount of sun or shade. Sunny mornings and shady afternoons are ideal conditions, but are not always possible. If the area will be used a great deal during the hottest portions of the day, and is exposed to high levels of sunlight, a gazebo may be a better choice than an unshaded deck.
When considering the size of a gazebo, most contractors recommend not going any smaller than a 12-by-12 foot building. This means that the actual space available is only 10-by-10. A great idea is to spray paint a 10-by-10 area on your grass, then arrange an outdoor table and four chairs in that space. You may quickly realize that you need something more like a 16-by-16 structure to make the area truly usable for outdoor entertaining. If you cant comfortably fit a table and four chairs, you may find that you will not use your gazebo as much as you could have had you made different choices before construction began.
The same can apply for the dimensions of a deck. Dont hesitate to spray paint the outline of the dimensions in the grass. The marks will disappear with your next mowing, and you will be able to clearly discern the size you actually need. Nothing is worse than building a deck or gazebo and then realizing that it is several feet too small for your needs.
A gazebo may cost from $7,000 to $10,000, depending on the part of the country you live in, current building material prices, and the extras you choose, such as screens, cupolas, and electric packages. If you live near a heavily wooded area with potential standing water, a mosquito invasion on a hot summer night will make you wish you had gone for the screen option. In the same way, fumbling around with a flashlight or lantern during a late night party may cause you to rethink the decision to eliminate the electrical package portion of your contract. You may also choose to go green, and install solar lighting as an alternative.
Important safety note: If you plan on grilling, it is critical that you locate your grill a safe distance from your house so it is not a fire hazard, and include adequate walkway space.
One of the primary decisions is whether to use natural wood or manufactured lumber. The first choice can require a great deal of maintenance, while the second is much more costly. Whatever your choice, make sure it is one that you are willing to live with for a very long time.
