Are you looking for a way to add style, character, and shade to your outdoor space? You need a gazebo.
A gazebo can spruce up your backyard or patio, plus increase the appeal and value of your property. But finding the right gazebo size for your backyard might prove difficult. That explains why most customers often ask this question “What size gazebo do I need for my backyard?”.
If you are one of these customers, you have come to the right place. Here we will help you select the right size gazebo for patios and backyards. You will also discover more information about gazebos that will come in handy when installing one. Let’s dive in!
What Is a Gazebo?
A gazebo is an open, freestanding structure with a roof that offers homeowners a sheltered area in their backyard, patio, or garden. The structure might come in a wide of shapes, including hexagonal, rectangular, or octagonal, meaning there is something to suit your backyard design.
Gazebos can be constructed from metal or wood, and the structure usually features built-in seating. People who love privacy can get gazebos with outdoor drapes or curtains, or latticework.
This open structure can serve as a focal point over furniture or hot tub or get installed in an area on your property that offers a beautiful view while sheltering you from the sun and even rain. A gazebo aims to create a private area with shade within your backyard or garden where you can relax and unwind alone or with your friends.
Have you been dreaming of spending your days relaxing outdoors on your backyard patio? You'll be surprised how easy it is to make this dream a reality! While you might expect installing a patio to be a major project, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, you can create a beautiful gravel patio in your backyard in as little as a day or two.
This simple, economical project will give you years of enjoyment, so don’t let another summer go by without creating the backyard you've always wanted. Here’s everything you need to know so you can get started on installing your own gravel patio right away.
Why Build a Gravel Patio?
There are many advantages to choosing gravel for your backyard patio. Not only is it a very inexpensive option, but installing a gravel patio is a beginner-level project that you can easily do without any help.
Pea gravel is an excellent material because of its small size. This allows you to create a variety of unique designs using edging and borders for exciting gravel patio ideas for every outdoor style. The stones also drain naturally and won’t crack during winter freezes and thaws. Many homeowners also prefer the attractive, natural look the stones create.
A gravel patio will make your backyard look beautiful and provide you with a functional space where you and your guests can dine, socialize, and relax. Even better, long-term maintenance is a breeze. This will allow you to enjoy a beautiful backyard patio that looks like new for many years.
Every year, when Thanksgiving comes around, most of us spend a lot of time in the kitchen getting ready all the dishes that will leave us needing individual wheelbarrows to get us back to our beds at the end of the day. The main draw of the Thanksgiving meal is undoubtedly the turkey. That alone takes plenty of time, starting with picking it out, cooking it, and then stuffing and carving it.
Almost everyone knows what an excellent roasted turkey should taste like. However, there's no reason that you have to repeat the same method of preparation each year.
Do you want to try something different this Thanksgiving? Don't worry—we aren't talking about Tofurkey. Instead, how about a fried or smoked turkey versus the classic roasted turkey? In this article, we dig into the turkey and the various ways you can safely prepare it for your family.
Ways to Cook a Turkey and How They Differ
Roasting a turkey is the typical way to prepare them for the Thanksgiving season. Roasting is a pretty drawn-out process, particularly if you want to stuff the turkey. You will need to have a stuffed turkey in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes per pound of turkey. For example, when preparing a 12-pound turkey, you need to keep it in the oven for about three hours.
Fried Turkey
However, there are other options when it comes to turkey preparation. For instance, you can fry the turkey. A deep-fried turkey will likely appeal to the younger generation of Thanksgiving attendees. However, the succulent skin you get when you have a fried turkey will appeal to almost anyone.
Pros of a Fried Turkey:
Frying a turkey is likely one of the fastest ways you can get this bird cooked. That means if you wake up late on the fateful morning, you can still have the turkey deliciously cooked through in no time. Compared to the 15 minutes per pound for a roasted turkey, the cooking time of fried turkey is about three...
It’s common to decorate the front of your home for the season, but you don’t have to stop there! Why not bring some festive fall fun out to your backyard patio? After all, you'll spend much more time there than you will on your front porch.
Adding some fall patio accessories can create a classy autumn vibe and make your next outdoor gathering even more fun! Not sure how to get started? Take a look at these easy fall patio decoration tips.
1. Start with Some Fall Foliage
When it comes to fall decoration tips, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Classic fall foliage is the perfect way to set the mood for the change in season. Think golden cornstalks, pumpkins, gourds, and plenty of colorful mums. This is an easy way to add impactful pops of fall color to your backyard space. You can even take things up a notch by adding some life-sized scarecrows to flank either side of your patio door.
2. Cozy Things Up
When the temperatures start to drop, there’s nothing quite like cuddling up in fuzzy blankets. You'll love the look and feel of bringing indoor comfort outdoors! Add some soft throws, a pile of pillows, and a faux sheepskin cover to your outdoor furniture. This will create a soft, cozy feeling you’ll be able to enjoy well into the colder months.
To keep your cozy décor looking and feeling its best, be sure to bring it indoors when you’re not using it or store it in a sturdy deck box. This will protect it from moisture and ensure it won't mildew or take on a funny smell.
3. Include a Pop of Plaid
You can instantly give your backyard patio a classy fall look by adding pops of plaid. Dress up your backyard loveseat by decorating it with soft plaid pillows. If you have patio chairs, you can also purchase matching plaid throws and place them over the back of each one...
If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your outdoor space this summer, you might have started thinking about installing a backyard deck or patio. While both options will provide you with a relaxing space you can enjoy for many years, there are some significant differences.
When it comes to deciding between a deck vs. patio, you’ll want to consider your budget, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Here’s everything you need to know so you can decide which is right for you.
Deck vs. Patio: What’s the Difference?
Before you can decide whether to invest in a deck or a patio, you need to understand the differences. A patio is typically built at or around ground level. These versatile structures are often made of concrete, brick, stone, pavers, or tiles. You can also make a patio out of pea gravel, rocks, or pebbles.
A deck is usually made of wood or wood composite. Some of the most common deck materials include pressure-treated pine, cedar, and redwood. Most are raised, allowing you to take advantage of your home’s views. Since they're elevated, most decks also need a railing.
Cost Comparisons
One of the major differences between a deck and a patio is the cost. Generally, patios are far l...
There are thousands of kinds of flies and even more insects classed under the order Diptera. These insects are in the same order since they have one set of wings, and they are by-and-large "nuisance" flies. Houseflies are among the most common types of flies that aren't afraid of showing up in hordes around human development.
Houseflies aren't necessarily dangerous, but they are an irritating pest, especially if you try to hang out in your backyard only to be mobbed by these winged insects. They lay their eggs in all kinds of garbage, rotting material, or animal feces. An infestation of the pests limits the amount of time you can spend time enjoying your outdoor space. If you are ready to get rid of the flies interrupting your outdoor time with your family, you have come to the right place.
Why Are There So Many Flies in My Backyard?
First, let's take a look at why you might have an infestation of houseflies. These aren't extremely logical creatures, so there isn't always an obvious reason. However, getting rid of them might be as simple as figuring out why they are there and taking away that geographic incentive.
For example, houseflies will be attracted to areas in which they can sense rotting material or feces. Do you have a dog that regularly eliminates in the backyard? How often do you clean up after them? If your backyard is littered with feces that you haven't had time to grab yet, the presence of all these flies is telling you that now is the time.
Another common item that attracts houseflies is open or overstuffed garbage cans. Are your garbage cans placed in a part of your backyard where it is easy for the flies to get into the rest of your backyard space? Consider moving your trash cans so that they are further away from where you enjoy sitting. That is especially true if you enjoy eating outside since the flies will happily move from the trash to swarm around your new, great-smelling food.
When the sun is too hot or if rain threatens to cancel your plans, a shelter like a gazebo can keep the outdoors enjoyable. However, hot weather and storms aren’t the only threat to a good time outdoors. Summer weather also brings out the bugs and hot sun, which can seriously put a damper on an outdoor soirée.
Beat insects and blistering temperatures at their own game by outfitting your structure with gazebo curtains. This expands your entertainment options by giving you the ability to block out any excess wind and sunlight on all sides.
Gazebo curtains also serve as an additional barrier against pesky mosquitoes, wasps, and other nuisance pests. This guide will explain how curtains can make outdoor time more enjoyable and give you some fun gazebo ideas for your next social event.
Why Gazebo Curtains Matter
Gazebo curtains add an extra layer of protection from outdoor elements. While most Sojag shelters come with tinted bug screens, these barriers are perforated to allow the open fresh air breezes. Bug screens grant you more exposure to outdoor elements — which is excellent when you’re in the mood for full sun and wind. However, sometimes you want more privacy or protection from events such as a mild rainstorm or a day that is particularly hot.
This is why Sojag makes summer curtains that you can add to your gazebo. They are useful accessories for a shelter that needs coverage beyond bug protection. They add more privacy and shade from the sun and can block wind-driven rain.
When you have both bug screens and curtains, you get the best of your yard while leaving out all the elements that make it difficult to sit outside long-term. You don’t need to slather on bug repellent or sunscreen every time you enter a gazebo with double curtains because you’re entering a protecte...
If you’ve been part of the WFH workforce for a while, you might find yourself longing for a change of scenery. While skipping the morning commute is certainly convenient, it’s sometimes hard to stay productive with all the distractions happening inside the home.
However, if you’re lucky enough to have some backyard space, you can solve the problem with style! Backyard offices and studio sheds are a fun new trend that's catching on like wildfire. From an elaborate freestanding building to a simple shady spot on the deck, there are many ways to turn your outdoor space into a WFH space. Here are some of our top tips for creating an outdoor WFH space you’ll love.
Backyard Office Preparation: Evaluate Your Space
Before you get started, take a moment to evaluate your space. This will help you determine the ideal location for your new backyard office. One of the advantages of working outside is the ability to immerse yourself in nature. See if you can position your office so it offers you a view of your garden, a water feature, your pool, or an outdoor fireplace. You’ll also want to make sure it's located far enough away from your home and the street so you aren't distracted by noise.
Don't forget to pay attention to where the sun is positioned at various points of the day. A little bit of sun is great, but you don’t want to swelter under harsh rays day after day.
In most cases, you won’t need a ton of space. An eight-by-ten-foot structure should work fine. Remember, many cubicles are only six feet by six feet. If you can come up with at least that much space, you can enjoy working outdoors!
Here are a few other things you'll need to consider as you plan out your space.
Temperature and Shade
When designing a backyard office, choosing a cool, shady space is critical. Glare on your laptop will make working difficult and the eye strain can cause headaches. If you’re always hot and uncomfortable, you also won’t...
The last year saw an incredible rise in DIY projects focused on home and property improvement. It turns out that there were a lot of little things, or big ones, that homeowners had wanted to do for so many years but didn't have time. When furlough came about, and the COVID-19 pandemic shut down many workplaces, all of a sudden, time is all people had.
Not everyone got to cross off every item on their list or perhaps thought about starting another project but didn't want to commit. If you thought that creating a backyard living space would be interesting but wouldn't give enough back, think again. This article looks at the benefits of creating a backyard living space and how your investment can pay off both short-term and in the long term. Here is a list of ways that backyard improvements can add value to your home and your life.
1. Backyard Features Add Property Value
More emotional or familial reasons make it worth it to redefine your backyard with an outdoor living space, but let's first look at the financial reason. There are hundreds of hardscapes and structures you can put in your backyard to make it more "livable."
Backyard features that have value can include kitchens, outdoor living rooms, a fire pit with patio furniture, and so much more. It can be as big or as small as you like depending...
Spending time outside is an excellent mood booster. Not only does it change the scenery, but it alleviates any "stuffy" feelings if you have been inside for too long. When you have an backyard living setup with a shelter like an outdoor permanent gazebo, it’s possible to get some fresh air any time of the year — rain or shine! By enhancing your backyard, you can expand your home’s potential and create more options for relaxation and entertaining.
A permanent gazebo can become practically anything you want it to be, from an outdoor play place to a picnic area. It’s different from a portable fold-up gazebo that can be tucked away in off-seasons. Instead, a permanent gazebo is built to stay outside all year and handle all types of weather conditions. It comes with mosquito netting and nylon drapes to keep out rain, wind, cold, and bugs. Here’s how to upgrade your backyard with a permanent gazebo.
Material Options
Gazebos are typically made of wood, metal, or vinyl. Strong metals like steel are used for permanent gazebos that stay in the same spot for years. You’ll find both prefabricated and custom gazebos in this material. Wood is also a popular material for permanent gazebos and is more commonly seen in custom units. These materials cost more because the results are longer lasting, and the structures require more tools, skill, and labor to install.
Homeowners who prefer something more affordable and portable opt for gazebos made of vinyl or light metals like aluminum. These “popup” solutions often have fabric or canvas tops and are light enough to assemble and take down with minimal assistance. Some gazebos are light enoug...
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