In this article, we will list gazebo materials needed for building a gazebo, whether you envision a small gazebo for family gatherings or guest entertainment, a serene oasis for private relaxation and meditation, or a large gazebo for events, choosing the suitable gazebo materials for different gazebo parts is essential and will be determined by the size of your gazebo because this will determine the stability of your outdoor structure.
There are various gazebo materials for building a gazebo that you can use: wood, asphalt shingles, fiber-reinforced plastics, metal, timber, composite lumber, polycarbonate, and wood plastic composite.
There are various factors that you will need to consider before choosing the best gazebo materials to build your gazebo, factors such as durability, maintenance, aesthetics, and budget plays a huge role in determining the materials for building your gazebo; below, we have summarized the costs estimates per square foot for building a gazebo based on the popular gazebo building materials:
Quick Summary of Gazebo Materials for Building a Gazebo.
| Gazebo Building Material | Cost per Square Foot (USA) |
| Wood | $35 – $70 |
| Metal | $25 – $50 |
| Vinyl | $25 – $50 |
| Polycarbonate | $30 – $55 |
| Asphalt Shingle | $20 – $40 |
| Timber | $40 – $80 |
| Wood-Plastic Composite | $35 – $70 |
| Fibre-reinforced Plastic | $40 – $85 |
| Composite Lumber | $30 – $55 |
Below we will dive into each specific gazebo building material that you can build your gazebo with, and check their unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, and which gazebo style and size is suitable for each material. By understanding these factors, you can choose the best gazebo materials.
Wood Gazebo.
The most popular gazebo building material is wood; wood is used to build classic and timeless wooden gazebos that match perfectly with a lot of available wooden gazebo furniture; some of the popular types of wood for building gazebos include pressure-treated yellow pine or cider; this type of wood is famous of its natural beauty, durability, and strength making it ideal for outdoor structures such as gazebos. Other types of wood include; pressure-treated pine, cedar, redwood, cypress, teak, Ipe, and mahogany.
The cost of building a gazebo with wood ranges from $35 to $70 per square foot; it’s important to note that other materials will be needed to construct the wooden gazebo; they include posts, beams, rafters, roofing material (more on this later in this post), decking wooden boards, fasteners, concrete and footings, joist hangers, brackets, braces, connectors, waterproofing materials, etc.
Metal Gazebo.
The most popular type of metal for building a gazebo is aluminum; however, you will find gazebos made from steel, wrought iron, cast iron, and copper. Aluminum is the most recommended for small-sized gazebos, while steel is recommended for temporary or semi-permanent gazebos of all sizes.
Aluminum is lightweight and affordable compared to other types of metal that you can use to build a gazebo; other benefits of using aluminum are that it is light and has corrosive resistance and is easy to work with and requires minimum maintenance, also maintains its shape and color whether powder coated or not, aluminum gazebos are known for their longevity.
Aluminum is also ideal for constructing gazebos, add-ones such as privacy walls and screens, and other structures, such as frames for the roof of a wooden gazebo.
The cost of building a gazebo with metal materials is $25 – $50 per square foot; each of the metals we have listed has its characteristics; it’s essential to pay close attention to their weight, maintenance, and costs, for they will affect how you will design, the budget for building your gazebo, and the desired level of maintaining your metal gazebo.
Polycarbonate Gazebo.
Even though rare polycarbonate gazebos exist, people who build them love the fact that polycarbonate is versatile and durable, making it ideal for outdoor structures; polycarbonate is a thermoplastic material that is known for high impact resistance, and UV protection, we have used polycarbonate for roofing materials, walls, and panels and they hold immense value.
There are two rare types of gazebos, glass, and polycarbonate; homeowners prefer polycarbonate over glass because of the high resistance to impact and the fact that it is cost-effective at $30 – $55 per square foot installation and more durable than glass, especially when it comes to installation processes.
It’s also common to see a polycarbonate gazebo when you want to increase the value of a high-end real estate property. It’s easy to maintain the gazebo because it’s easy to clean and maintain polycarbonate materials and its resistance to stains and corrosion, and it also adds a modern touch to any modern house’s backyard.
Vinyl Gazebos.
Vinyl gazebos are common in tropical regions where there is a lot of moisture that can damage other materials such as wood and timber, vinyl materials are exceptionally durable in hot and wet areas, making it one of the most weather-resistant gazebo materials that you can use for the construction of a gazebo roof and walls, its also versatile making it ideal for the construction of semi-permanent gazebos.
Vinyl is also ideal for gazebos with high traffic, such as commercial gazebos, it can withstand poor handling, and they are also weather resistant, such gazebo owners prefer Vinyl because it resists fading, doesn’t crack easily, doesn’t warp or peel when exposed to extreme weather conditions, high humidity, and intense sunlight.
Best Corner Vinyl Pergola
Vinyl is also loved by designers, whose clients are looking for an array of colors, finishes, and textures in their gazebos; this is because Vinyl offers easy customizations due to its colors, finishes, and textures that can easily be matched with interior décor and specific needs of clients who need a modern colorful gazebo for aesthetics purposes in their backyard.
Installation of vinyl gazebos is also straightforward; most gazebo materials made from Vinyl are ready-made and need assembling, which reduces the construction time and labor costs; it costs around $25 – $50 per square foot to build a gazebo made of Vinyl.
Asphalt Shingle Gazebo.
Asphalt shingles are standard when it comes to roofing a gazebo, but they can also be used to build the walls of your gazebo; they are excellent gazebo materials because they can withstand harsh weather conditions such as rain, winds, and sunlight; we recommend them for high humidity areas because they are resistance from water damage and prevents water leaks.
Like Vinyl, they offer easy customization and design because they are available in different colors and styles, allowing for personalization, especially in modern aesthetics.
Fiber-reinforced Plastic Gazebo.
Fiber-reinforced Plastic gazebo building materials are made from fiberglass with a plastic resin matrix, resulting in solid and durable building materials that are highly resistant to weather conditions such as moisture, sunlight, and temperature changes.
Fiber-reinforced Plastic Gazebo is ideal for constructing temporary and semi-permanent gazebos because it is lightweight and allows easy transportation, handling, and installation. Despite being light, weight is also durable and maintains its structural integrity even after being used for a long time.
The best thing about Fiber-reinforced Plastic Gazebo is that it allows for personalization because the building materials come in various colors, shapes, and designs, allowing for customization based on clients’ preferences, especially when matching the home with backyard structures. The durability of Fiber-reinforced Plastic makes Fiber-reinforced Plastic Gazebo easy to maintain, reducing long-term maintenance costs.
The costs of building a Fiber-reinforced Plastic Gazebo range from $40 – $85 per square foot, making it the most expensive gazebo building material.
Gazebo Roofing Materials Options.
Custom-built gazebos offer options for roofing materials. Choose from standard asphalt shingles, rubber slates, cedar shakes, or metal roofing. Each material has its own aesthetic and durability characteristics, allowing you to match your preferences and style.
Gazebo Flooring Materials Options.
Gazebo kits can be ordered with or without a floor. If a base is desired, options include wood, composite, or PVC decking. Wood floors are suitable for wood gazebos and can be stained to match. Composite or PVC decking offers durability and longevity for long-term use.
Last update on 2024-07-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
