Garden Gazebo

What is a garden gazebo?
As a focal point, a garden gazebo gives the viewers of your yard a place to visually rest—the mind can go there and take a breather, even when the body is running out the door to the next appointment. At Exterior Worlds, we think a garden gazebo is one of the ultimate outdoor structures within your landscape design, whether your property is all about urban landscaping, is a small garden design, or is multi-faceted.

What materials are used in the construction of garden gazebos?
Your material choice for gazebos runs the gamut from sturdy to whimsical. When making your choice, you can always turn to Exterior Worlds for advice. We’ve been building garden structures for more than 20 years. Popular choices include:
• Treated wood. Whether painted or left natural, treated wood is one of the most traditional options for gazebos. Nothing looks more pristine and wholesome than a white, wooden gazebo, especially when combined with a garden arbor covered in roses or wisteria. These elements work particularly well within an English garden design.
• Hardiplank™. A proprietary product made by the James Hardie Company, Hardiplank™ has become very popular in Texas in the last decade. It is made of stone, quartz, sand and fiber, materials that can withstand our fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels. Its planks come with a 50-year limited warranty.
• Stone or brick. A robust material like stone or brick makes a beautiful gazebo. Stone and brick gazebos look especially fitting in an Asian-themed or Japanese garden, since what we now call “gazebos” have been a core feature of Asian gardens for centuries.
• Metal and painted aluminum. Wrought iron, steel and aluminum are good choices for gazebos. Their properties make them a durable option for the Houston climate—resistant to decay and able to endure our coastal weather.

What are the dimensions of garden gazebos?
When choosing a shape, let the architecture of your home and the topography of your property be your guide. The traditional eight-sided gazebo is pleasing to the eye and to the imagination. And while the octagon is the classic shape for a gazebo, other geometries work, too. Square or rectangular gazebos speak of simplicity and elegance. An oval gazebo appears soft and inviting.

What else do I need to know about building a garden gazebo?
You may think that you want to act as general contractor when building a gazebo—or for any other landscaping project—in order to save money. Unfortunately, this choice can be expensive. Misunderstandings can arise about scheduling and coordination issues, terminology, permitting, unique job peculiarities due to selection of materials, installation techniques, construction methods employed and material availability. A subcontractor will respond much better to a seasoned general contractor, like Exterior Worlds, who understands the work to be performed and with whom they have a good relationship based on past experience. As one of the best landscape service and design companies in Houston, Exterior Worlds has years of experience to make sure the end results exceed your expectations.