Create an outdoor place to enjoy the season's best weather. Gazebos and awnings can define a space in your yard for relaxing or entertaining. They offer the comfort of shade in the heat of summer, as well as shelter from the occasional light sprinkling of rain.

Choosing a shelter

Before you select a gazebo or awning, determine the area you'd like to protect, and which type of shelter will work best in your yard.

Gazebos are ideal for protecting an area some distance from your home, such as a secluded corner of your lawn. These freestanding structures have supports that define the area, and are designed to become a focal point for your yard.

Awnings attach to the side of your home, and are ideal for adding sun and rain protection over an existing deck or patio. Because they are anchored to an exterior wall, they provide shelter without the obstructions of supporting poles. Awnings also extend and retract with ease, making storage a breeze.

Once you've determined if you want a gazebo or awning, take a closer look at a few key features to choose one well suited to your home.

Gazebos

Size

Gazebos generally range from 8' x 8' (2.5 m x 2.5 m) to as large as 10' x 12' (3 m x 3.7 m). It is important to find one that will fit your yard properly. Consider not only the area you have available for the base, but also clearance above where you'll be setting it up. Measure the length, width and height you want covered and then choose a size that best suits your yard.

Style choices

Gazebos are available in a range of shapes, colours, sizes and designs. Square and hexagonal structures are common,  with supports that vary from simple poles to stylish panels or walls with accessories.  Consider your home's exterior and outdoor furniture to be sure you select a gazebo that coordinates well.  

Seasonality

Are you looking for an all-season shelter or something that can be stored at the end of the patio season? Gazebos are available with either a ‘soft top' or a ‘hard top'. Hard top gazebos can carry the heavy weight of snow, so you can set it up once and leave it up all year. Soft top gazebos still provide great shelter from spring through fall, but will need to be stored in the winter.

Accessories

Some gazebos have accessories available, such as mosquito netting, walls and replacement canopies. Note your gazebo's size to be sure the accessories you get will fit perfectly.

TIP: It's a good idea to purchase accessories at the same place you bought your gazebo – ideally at the same time – to ensure you get a properly matched set.

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Awnings

Size

Awnings generally range from 8' x 5’ (2.5 m x  1.5 m) to 12' x 10’ (3.7 m x 3 m). You will want to measure the area you want your awning to cover – especially the wall space where you will attach your awning.

Style choices

Awnings are available in a range of materials with various colours and patterns. Choose one that will coordinate with your home's exterior and your outdoor furniture.

Operation

Manual awnings operate with the use of a hand-operated crank.

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