Do you have a fantastic view that you’d like to enjoy in comfort more often? Consider adding a garden gazebo to your yard to create an elegant location for outdoor entertaining, visiting with friends and family, reading and relaxing, or enjoying a meal. While there are many types and styles to choose from, the universal appeal and versatility of a gazebo creates endless opportunities to enjoy your garden and backyard. With 61-percent chance of sunshine annually in Dallas-Fort Worth, taking advantage of the beautiful outdoor weather can be an irresistible pleasure.

Is a Garden Gazebo Right for Your Yard?

When considering a gazebo, there are many decisions to make. First, how will you use the gazebo? Will it be for entertaining or for personal comfort? Will it have year-round, seasonal, or intermittent use? Will your gazebo fulfill a particular purpose, such as housing a spa, or will it serve as the focal point of your garden?

Once you have determined how you will use your gazebo, you should consider practical elements, to include materials, aesthetics, design, cost, and size. Typically, gazebos are constructed from wood, vinyl, metal, or aluminum. Be sure to consider the Dallas-Fort Worth weather conditions before making a decision.

How Weather and Insects Affect Your Garden Gazebo

There is a popular saying in Texas: “Don’t like the weather? Wait five minutes; it’ll change.” From blazing-hot summer temperatures of 90 to 115 degrees, to springtime hail, hurricanes, and tornadoes and the occasional snow and ice in winter, the Texas climate can be extreme.

There is also the insect population to consider. In Dallas-Fort Worth, termites can decimate a beautiful, wooden garden gazebo if it’s not built with termite resistant wood and set in a proper sand foundation. Be sure to consult your pest control company about your gazebo design and work out a prevention strategy if you choose a wooden structure. Fire ants can also pose a serious threat to your garden paradise, but a pest control strategy can help with that as well.

How Texas Soil Affects Your Garden Gazebo

The Dallas-Fort Worth soil is composed primarily of clay, which can be anywhere from five to 100 feet under the surface. This gives the ground the ability to expand and contract depending on moisture levels throughout the year. Over time, this can cause building foundations to shift, not only under your home but also under your garden gazebo. If you live in areas such as Las Colinas, Irving, and Carrollton, you should take additional precautions to prevent shifting, but this doesn’t mean a gazebo isn’t an option. Consult a contractor experienced with the Dallas-Fort Worth landscape to determine whether there are any issues to address or extra precautions to take when building.

Despite sometimes unpredictable and extreme weather conditions in Dallas-Fort Worth, the pesky insect populations, and tricky soil conditions, a gazebo can serve as an outdoor haven to enjoy the beautiful Texas weather whenever the urge strikes you.

Photo Source: Coldwell Banker

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