Essex Collection Gazebo
4.6
5
40
40
Very durable
Last spring I installed the Gazebo on an 18 inch raised deck on the coast of Northern NS. The location is fully exposed to the weather and wind. Over the winter we had wind and gusts in excess of 100 km/h. When we built it I was prepared to only get a single summer out of it, but surprisingly it survived in very good shape!
We did take some precautions which may have helped. One we put a bead of silicone on the roof panels prior to installing to help reduce vibrations. For the winter we also added cable tie downs to each corner and cargo ties over the top. The only problem we encountered was that every bolt on the legs vibrated loose over the winter. We tightened them back up using loctite and aside from a little corrosion all is well. Corrosion is light given the Gazebo gets hit with salt spray during storms.
Overall I'm very impressed with the Gazebo and strongly suggest using some loctite or similar during installation.
May 20, 2013
Solid, but a project
Followed previous posters' instructions about building the legs first, then boxing it in. We went one step further and built the roof spars in place, and then balanced the completed roof cap on a 16' A-frame ladder, then bolted it in place.
Here's what we've learned beyond what was already discussed:
-get it delivered - the boxes are insanely heavy. The CT delivery guys put it right in the backyard at no extra cost. There was a lot of grunting and moaning as they dutifully thumped the two boxes onto the patio. That was easily the best $45 I've ever spent :-)
-This is at a minimum a two-person, 2-day job.
-The roof panels scuff easily on patio stone/pavement, one has to watch out for that, and use touch-up paint where needed.
-The packing was done really well, no damaged pieces, even though the biggest box took a catastrophic-looking forklift hit.
-Don't lose too many bolts, there isn't too many extras in the package. Use sorting containers and label the bolts before you start for sure.
-The legs have to be dead square and level or the roof panels may not line up well.
-The centre roof spar caps don't have a top bolt and tend to jut upward slightly, but noticeably, toward the roof cap, I might have to put a roofing screw in there to hold it down later.
-the stickers are completely and utterly evil
So far, so good, we'll see how it holds up after a few years. Rust is a definite concern. It seems watertight at this point, but we haven't had any torrential downpours yet...
We're also using the throw-away powder-coated metal frames that protected the parts as a trellises for clematis plants and beans in the garden, so that's definitely a bonus :-)
May 20, 2013
Initial Assessment - May 2013
I bought this gazebo on sale ($100 savings) in May 2013 based upon the many positive reviews I read on this site and after having examined a floor model in the store. I liked that it: is made mostly of steel (vice aluminum); appears to be quite sturdy (compared to other models I looked at); was a lot cheaper than the models sold at Costco by the same manufacturer (Sunjoy Industries); and that it was an all-season gazebo ... or so I thought ... it's not. You might be able to leave it up in climates that get little to no snow but the manfacturer clearly states several times in the assembly manual that THIS IS NOT AN ALL-SEASON GAZEBO.
It took me approximately eight hours to construct this gazebo on my deck. While the assembly instructions are fairly clear (read them carefully#, it took longer than it should have to construct due primarily to ill-fitting components, a damaged corner roof panel cover #which I've contacted the manufacturer about for a replacement part - I'll let you know how that goes#, and four missing washers.
I was a bit surprised to find a damaged part when assembling this product as it comes very well packaged - two large boxes each with a metal frame inside #quite heavy - you need a truck to move them# to protect the components from being crushed. In addition to the damaged roof cover, there were numerous paint scratches and chips on many of the parts. I used touch-up paint to cover these in order to inhibit rust.
Although I have yet to bolt this gazebo to my deck, I find there is more sway in this model than I had anticipated given its weight #it is comparitively heavy#. I'm hoping that because it is so heavy it won't succumb to high winds like my last gazebo did #a lighter-framed Sunjoy product that collapsed around day 70#. Having said that, the supports that attach from the four corner posts to the roof make this model signficantly more stable than my last one.
In additon to the ill-fitting parts, my biggest complaint at this time is with the poorly designed middle roof panel covers. These can only be screwed down at the bottom and middle. Because the top third isn't fixed I'm concerned that it will allow rain water to trickle into the interior of the gazebo. The corner roof panel covers are secured the entire length so no concerns with those.
If you can find four other people to help you raise the roof to place it onto the posts, I would STRONGLY recommend you assemble the entire roof - including the roof panels - at ground level as per the manufacturer's instructions #vice mounting the roof framing onto the posts and then installing the roof panels afterwards using a ladder as recommended by others on this site). It is much easier to build the roof on the ground as numerous adjustments are required to get the panels to fit together properly and then screwed in place.
While I like the look of this product and the fact that I won't have to deal with torn canopies, I was disappointed in the way many of the parts fit together which is why I only gave it 2 stars for Quality. I give it 3 stars for Durability at this time but that remains to be proven. I will provide more feedback in the coming months. I hope this review is helpful to those of you who are considering buying this product.
May 19, 2013
Annoying to build without a group of people
If you have no help when building this good luck to you. Its painful and slow. With 4 people it may take 2-3 hrs. Try doing it alone and you can imagine it takes alot longer.
May 17, 2013
Great Gazebo!
I built this gazebo w/ 4 other guys.
Finished the job in 3 hrs!!!
Now just need to get the nails to screw the Gazebo onto the Deck! Loving it so far!
May 14, 2013
BEFORE YOU BUY - READ THIS !!!
I read all the reviews before purchasing this gazebo. I also set this item 'on alert'. So in late April 2013 - I got a Price Alert - $100 Off.
I went to my local CT to buy this and went to the Main Desk. When I asked about the size of the packed product, they said they would deliver it to my home for $40 if I was within 10km. YEAH !!! It sure wasn't gonna fit in my Mazda.
Now here's the BEST thing for me - I am 69 years young. The lady then asked if I wanted it assembled. Are you kidding??? NO - she said. How much??? $40 - forty dollars???
OK ! So I get $100 off the original price - BUT I get delivery AND assembly for $80. WOW !!!
Delivery came on the selected date, and an hour later, their guy showed up. He had done a bunch and he knew where to begin and how to lay it out. All my wife I did was some unpacking and a little lifting when it was time. He did the rest - in 5 1/2 hours !!!
We love the product - we now have curtains, laid down outdoor carpet, and are now planning some eaves to catch the rain in Vancouver.
May 12, 2013
BEST GAZEBO ON THE MARKET
HAVE HAD 4 GAZEBOS OVER LAST 10 YEARS. THIS IS BY FAR THE MOST STABLE ONE YET. THE PLANS ARE EASY TO FOLLOW, AS LONG AS YOU TAKE THE TIME TO READ THOROUGHLY & TO RE-AQUANIT YOURSELF WITH PREVIOUS STEPS AND TO GO AHEAD OF THE STEP YOU ARE CURRENTLY ON, TO SEE THE END RESULT. THIS MADE PUTTING IT TOGETHER FAIRLY EASY. ALL BOLTS/WASHERS/NUTS ARE LAID OUT BY STEP. I READ AND HAD THE BOLTS, ETC. READY, WHILE HE PUT IT TOGETHER. TOTAL TIME- 3.5 HOURS FOR ROOF "TRUSSES &RAILS". FINISHED NEXT DAY TO LIFT AND PUT ROOF ON LAST IN ABOUT 3.5 TO 4 HOURS. WOULD RECOMMEND GETTING CURTAINS / NETTING ALSO SOLD BY CANADIAN TIRE , FOR THIS ITEM.
May 11, 2013
This is Offshore workmanship at it's finest.
This gazebo is a dog to assemble. Nothing fits. Pre drilled and tapped welded in bolts do not line up, off square corners result in near impossible assembly of roof panels properly. While ease of assembly is there (kinda), the quality of the fit and finish so to speak is sadly lacking for the price. To summize, I would not recommend this product as due to the aforementioned problems, I doubt that it will meet the snow load recommendations etc. Move past this item, even if you need to spend a few extra bucks.
May 11, 2013
love it
We bought this and I love it even more than I thought. It is gorgeous and a great deal. I do recommend you purchase the "setup" package as my husband is very handy and it took him about 6+ hours to put it together and 3 other men to lift and put it on the pedestals. 5 star!!!!!
May 8, 2013
Great product
We recently purchased this gazebo and I can tell you that is looks amazing. Quality, sturdy product with a great solid rooftop for all four canadian seasons. Now we can enjoy our hot tub anytime of day/night or time of year.
May 7, 2013
- More Essex Collection Gazebo Reviews
- Essex Collection Gazebo reviews (page 2)
- Essex Collection Gazebo reviews (page 3)
- Essex Collection Gazebo reviews (page 4)
