Outdoor Shade

Best Gazebos for High Winds

Published: March 8, 2020 Eric Clark

When warm weather arrives and you head outdoors a great gazebo can help increase your enjoyment. Newer models have improved quality at a lower price and the best gazebos are durable enough to stand up to the elements. However, all gazebos are susceptible to heavy gusts of wind and even many of the leading gazebos can sometimes struggle to stay upright.

The easy up models using PVC poles and light polyester cover can blow down quickly from a gust of wind and can even become a flying hazard in spring storms. People in windier locales need an especially sturdy gazebo. All gazebos have strengths and weaknesses, so here we take a look at the ones that can stand up best for use in high winds.

Best Gazebo for High Winds

Our choice as one of the best gazebos for high winds is the Penguin all-season solarium. With two sliding doors and moveable panels, it is versatile, flexible and a way to beat back those bad weather blues. While it won’t travel with you, it is a lovely way to enjoy the out-of-doors as it works in any location, with all sorts of weather. The roof is tough enough to withstand winds from New England winters. It won’t stand up to every storm, but it will do quite well with most strong winds.

Gazebo Penguin Florence Solarium 12 Ft. x 15 Ft. in Sand

Resists most types of weather
Powder-coated aluminum structure with...
The wind panels can slide all the way down to the...
Caps are included to hide all unsightly screws

Last update on 2021-05-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Growing Shade: Grow Your Own Shade For A Deck Or Patio

Published: February 25, 2020 Eric Clark

When you plan your deck or patio you have to take into account how much shade it will have. A key part of having an amazing outdoor space is proper balance between sunlight and shade.

Patio umbrellas and shade sails help homeowners quickly control the sunshine, but a lot of people wonder if they can effectively grow a natural shade element to protect them from the sun.

Growing shade can be easy. Homeowners with time on their side can plant a tree and wait for it to grow into place. With proper planning and pruning it is possible to provide shade to your patio. Depending on your climate it might even be possible to plant a fruit tree or fragrant flower that adds to the environment.

For people in need of a faster solution, plantings that grow up along a wire, trellis, or guide can provide several months of good shade. Growing your own shade with an ivy or other greenery can provide a very organic, calming space and bring more color into the backyard. It can improve a building’s energy efficiency, and also can be used to create privacy in a more natural way than bringing in a cumbersome umbrella.

The Green Screen project shown above is by the Hideo Kumaki Architect Office and is one of the most popular examples of effectively growing shade using ivy or other plants.

Types of Plants for Growing Shade

A plant curtain can be grown using a number of different plants including morning glory, sweet pea, bitter melon vines, and more. Morning glory works well and they have a nice flower that blooms in the morning. Flowering bougainvillea can also be lovely. Carefully consider what sort of plant is right for your climate and maintenance routine. All plants have advantages and drawbacks that homeowners should be mindful of.

Passion vines work well for homeowners and it can grow quickly up a lattice. The plant provides good shade in the summer. Place a soaker hose underneath it with a wifi water timer to easily keep them watered. The fragrance is great and can often attract birds. Jasmine and thumburgia also work well on a trellis or arch.

Hops is another popular choice for growing shade. Hops dies back to the root system every year and then regrows over the spring. By early summer the plant can start providing good shade. In the winter the vines won’t be there, but the summer and fall will be nice. Plus it will smell good and you can use the flowers to make beer!

Similarly, many homeowners recommend using grapes to grow natural shade for your deck or patio. The grape vines are sturdy and can provide a lot of ambience all year long. They provide a charming, rusting sense of nature that can enhance a lot of outdoor spaces. The grape vines do have to be trimmed otherwise it will look bad and you won’t get any grapes.

Care and Maintenance of Natural Shade

The trimming of your vines is important and homeowners planting for shade should carefully consider the work involved. While backyard vines and plantings can be beautiful, they routinely will grow several feet a month during the summer. At that rate they can quickly overtake anything in their path like your roof or neighboring trees. Growing your own shade requires a lot of regular trimming.

Ivy can be trained to follow a line or trellis but it does not magically know how to stop when it reaches your roof. A lot of clipping is involved in the beautiful images that you find online promoting shade from ivy, vines, and flowering plants. Maintenance can also be difficult because things die and new things grow on top. If you leave it too long it will make things look like they are half dead. Also, for the best looking shade you have to often cut it back every year and let it regrow so it will only provide shade for a portion of the summer. The maintenance is a big drawback to growing your own shade.

Do You Want Spiders? That’s how you get spiders.

The other big drawback is that spiders, insects, and rodents that might find your planting attractive. The natural element cascading up to your roof presents conducive conditions for animals to travel from the ground to cracks and nooks in your building. Homeowners imagine relaxing at a picnic table underneath a natural green canopy but underestimate just how much people fear a spider jumping down onto them.

Now spiders are useful at killing other insects and they are not known to just jump down out of trees but they can put a lot of fear into some people and quickly spoil a meal. Of course, many people think it is great to have spiders, birds and lizards living in a plant nearby because it keeps the bugs down. Also, the fragrance from a planting often smells good and the bird singing can be great.

Conclusion

Growing your own natural shade using ivy or the like can be an exciting experience. The plants can take root fast and quickly move up the vine to provide you with great shade by the mid summer. Lots of different plants can be used successfully and will provide a positive experience.

However, some homeowners underestimate the work involved in trimming the plants to keep them looking good. Ivy or other shade plants can quickly overgrow your space and end up on the roof and under the shingles where they can make access easy for rodents and bugs. If you are going to stay on top of the maintenance it can be a very rewarding experience, but if not remember that umbrellas and sun shades are so popular because they look nice, install easy, don’t harbor any insects, and are virtually maintenance free.

Sojag Gazebo Reviews: A Look At This Hard Top Gazebo Product Line

Updated: May 1, 2019 Eric Clark

Sojag is well known as a supplier of high-quality hardtop gazebos and outdoor sun shelters. They’ve been at it for many years, and this Canadian company continues to innovate, providing excellent materials, simple designs, and all the features you need to create the ultimate outdoor room!

In this article, we will take a broad look at Sojag’s product line,and do several Sojag Gazebo Reviews. We’ll focus on the most popular options of Sojag gazebos.

Identifying the differences between models can be confusing, and we hope to provide some clarity on their product line, and what distinguishes their various lines of Gazebos from one another. We’ll start with some general information on Sojag’s gazebo line, and then move into individual reviews.

Find Quiet Shelter In the Best Arbor with Bench

Updated: October 16, 2020 Eric Clark

Best Arbor with Bench

Our pick for the best arbor with bench is the All Things Cedar Garden Arbor with Bench. It’s made with fragrant and rot-resistant red cedar and comes in a unique pergola-style design. This model is somewhat large and is a little on the pricey side, but it’s meant to be durable and is comfortable to sit in.

All Things Cedar GA87-B Garden Arbor with Bench

Rot Resistant Untreated Western Red Cedar; Sanded Finish; Pergola-Style Arbor; AB44 Arbour Bench Included

Last update on 2021-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Because of this winning combination of features, the All Things Cedar Arbor is our pick as the top model on the market. For more information on this model, see our Product Reviews area below.

Runner-Up Arbor with Seat

The Oakland Living Royal Arbor and Bench is the perfect choice for those on a who want a cozy seating space in the garden who don’t want to deal with the maintenance of wood. It’s affordable and comes with many great features, like a fade-resistant coating.

For more information on the Royal Arbor with Bench, see our Product Reviews Section below.

Oakland Living Royal Arbor with Bench, Black

Durable Tubular Iron Construction; Hardened Powder Coat Finish in Black for Years of Beauty

Last update on 2021-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Budget Pick Arbor with Attached Bench

The GO Steel Garden Arbor Arch is our budget pick. This arbor with seat is made with a great design that’s powder coated for long-lasting durability and resistance to the elements, and is surprisingly inexpensive.

You do need to make sure to secure this product into the ground though, to ensure it works well. The GO Steel arbor is easily our runner-up thanks to its strong and stylish design, as well as its easy assembly.

For further details on the GO Steel Arbor with Bench, see our Product Reviews section below.

1.Go Steel Garden Arch with Seat for 2 People, 6'7" High x 3'7" Wide, Garden Arbor for Various Climbing Plant, Outdoor Garden Lawn Backyard

Product Dimensions: 22 x 43 x 79 inches, 34.2 pounds; Bring a touch of Southern charm to your yard or garden

Last update on 2021-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Arbor Buying Guide

Arbors can be useful and beautiful accents to your garden. Most arbors function as transitional accents, as a focal point in a garden, or as a wedding backdrop. However, when combined with a bench, they create a place of quiet shelter and reserve, a perfect spot to read, chat, meditate, or otherwise enjoy your time in the garden.

Considering an arbor with a bench to put in your garden? If so, you’ll probably come across quite a few different types in your search. This can make finding the perfect model for your home difficult. The biggest aspects to focus on are the look, size, materials and construction, and cost.

What to Look for When Shopping for an Arbor with Bench

Before you buy anything, you’ll want to keep the following tips in mind. They will help to ensure you only buy the model that’s right for your needs. Some arbors are very classical looking, while others can be pretty modern. Vinyl arbors are easy to deal with and maintenance free, but sometimes feel a bit plastic-y. And as you will see below, some wooden arbors can be stunning pieces, but the prices can be pretty steep.

The Size

A good thing to consider before buying an arbor with bench is the size of it. While a large one might be tempting to buy, it might not work well for your landscape.

Sometimes larger models can take up a lot of room and be awkward. On the other hand, smaller models might not be able to seat more than one person. Arbors with benches are typically designed to be cozy refuges, and finding a small option (but not too small!) is probably best in order to keep things intimate.

The Design

These products come in numerous styles which means you have plenty of choices to pick from. You’ll want to consider the design scheme you’re looking for. For instance, are you looking for a shabby chic set to add to your yard or something a bit more rustic? Something classical and traditional? Or perhaps an English Country vibe?

These are some vital aspects to consider as they will help to ensure that the arbor matches your yard, design, and preferences.

Durability and Materials

Arbors with benches will be always outdoors, which means they need to be able to withstand many different weather types. You’ll want to make sure that the model you’re interested in can hold up to snow, rain, and wind so it doesn’t become damaged easily.

Maintenance can also vary significantly with the type of material chosen.

Wood

Wooden Arbors tend to be made from hardy outdoor materials like cedar, fir, or pressure treated pine. These materials typically do not need to be painted, though you may want to put on a sealer like Thompson’s Water Seal if you don’t want the material to weather. Some arbors come pre-treated, while others will need a coat of something unless you want to let things go natural.

THOMPSONS WATERSEAL 21802 VOC Wood Protector, 1.2-Gallon

Item Weight: 9.65 lb; Country of Origin: China; Brand name: Thompson's Water Seal; Item Dimensions: 4.1"L x 6.6"W x 11.0"H

$29.24

Last update on 2021-05-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Wood requires some ongoing maintenance, so be prepared to perform regular upkeep sealing, staining, and caring for your wooden arbor over time in order to keep it looking great.

Metal

Most metal arbors are usually made of steel or iron. These metals are almost always powder-coated for additional durability. Iron and Steel can last quite a while outside, provided the powder coat remains in reasonably good condition. Keep an eye on the weld joints, and watch for scratches. If you can see bare metal, you will almost certainly get rust in that spot.

It’s best to keep some Rustoleum paint on hand so that you can touch-up the metal from time to time. The good news is that this process is quite simple, and once painted, the arbor will look new again!

Rust-Oleum Stops Rust 7776830 Spray Paint, 1 Pack, Flat Black

Oil-based formula provides a durable protective coating with excellent rust prevention; Dries to touch in 2 to 4 hours and covers up to 15 sq. ft.

$4.38

Last update on 2021-05-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Metal arbors are usually not particularly high maintenance, and an occasioanl coat of paint can really make a load of difference.

Arbor with Bench Reviews

In this section, we’ll look closely at five of our favorite arbors with benches attached. We’ll start with a comparison table to introduce each of the products, and then go in depth on each one before concluding with our favorites.

Preview

Budget Pick

1.Go Steel Garden Arch with Seat for 2 People, 6'7" High x 3'7" Wide, Garden Arbor for Various Climbing Plant, Outdoor Garden Lawn Backyard

Top Choice!

All Things Cedar GA87-B Garden Arbor with Bench

Bosmere Rowlinson Victoria Arbor with Seat and Lattice Back/Sides, Natural Finish

Rowlinson English Garden Wood Arbor with Seat

Runner-Up

Oakland Living Royal Arbor with Bench, Black

Name

GO Steel Garden Arch

All Things Cedar Garden Arbor

Bosmere Rowlinson Garden Arbor

Bosmere Rowlinson English Garden Arbor

Oakland Living Royal Arbor

Material

Steel

Cedar

Wood

Tubular Iron

Price on Amazon

Price not available

View on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Budget Pick

Preview

Name

GO Steel Garden Arch

Material

Steel

Price on Amazon

Price not available

View on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Top Choice!

Preview

Name

All Things Cedar Garden Arbor

Material

Cedar

Price on Amazon

Price not available

View on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Preview

Name

Bosmere Rowlinson Garden Arbor

Material

Wood

Price on Amazon

Price not available

View on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Preview

Name

Bosmere Rowlinson English Garden Arbor

Material

Wood

Price on Amazon

Price not available

View on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Runner-Up

Preview

Name

Oakland Living Royal Arbor

Material

Tubular Iron

Price on Amazon

Price not available

View on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2021-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

GO Steel Garden Arbor Arch

Basic Features

It has a seat that can hold up to two people
There is a trellis design built into the sides which can be used to hang plants or to grow flowers on
It’s made out of a strong steel tubing
The exterior is sprayed with a weather-resistant coating to help prevent it from rusting

Dimensions and Specs

Dimensions: 22″ x 43″ x 79″
Weight: 34.2 lbs

The Details

The GO Steel Garden Arbor is available in three different sizes and configurations, though our favorite is the smallest one, shown here. It can seat up to two people with its stylish and comfortable slatted bench. Alternately, one person can sprawl out and comfortably read a book and watch the birds play in the bird bath.

On the sides of this model are trellises which you can use to grow flowers to provide further beauty and shelter from the sun. You probably don’t want to put really heavy, woody vines on this arbor, but lighter vines like roses or wisteria should look great.

The GO Steel Garden Arbor is coated in a weather-resistant epoxy coating which will help to prevent the steel tubing from rusting or from other damage.

This product comes with instructions you can use to help put it together. Most find that the assembly process is not particularly difficult. However, keep in mind that you will probably need at least two people to help you put it together as it can be a little heavy, especially toward the end of the process.

Some have found bent metal or damaged, open boxes upon receipt. If you run into any issues like this, contact customer service immediately and have them ship you out replacement parts.

Also, you should almost certainly secure this arbor into the ground with stakes to help ensure it doesn’t blow over. Pick up some tent stakes and wire ties, or similar setup and secure the base to the ground.

Ecoduty 8 in Tent Stake, Landscape Stake, sod Staple for Camping, Straw Blanket, Weed Barrier, Landscape Fabric (25)

Over 20 ribs on each stake that collect soil and keep the stake in the ground; Use on landscape fabrics, turf, sod, and straw blanket

$13.99

Sago Brothers 500pcs 5 Inches Plastic Black Twist Ties

Comes in 500pcs green twist ties, each of them is 5" in length.

$6.99

Last update on 2021-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a stylish arbor with bench to add to your yard, the GO Steel Garden Arbor is a great one to consider. It’s durable and blends in well with any type of landscape, and will look fantastic with vines.

This arbor is a great option at a pretty aggressive price point and is an excellent arbor with an attached seat. It is our budget friendly pick, and is ideal for those who don’t want to break the bank on their arbor!

1.Go Steel Garden Arch with Seat for 2 People, 6'7" High x 3'7" Wide, Garden Arbor for Various Climbing Plant, Outdoor Garden Lawn Backyard

Product Dimensions: 22 x 43 x 79 inches, 34.2 pounds
Bring a touch of Southern charm to your yard or garden
Constructed of steel tubing and coated in weather-resistant black epoxy
Wonderful showcase for climbing vines or flowers
Minimal assembly required with instructions provided

Last update on 2021-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API