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What materials are used in your gazebos, and what are the advantages of each?
Gazebo Creation's gazebos are available in three materials: Western Red Cedar, Southern Yellow Pine, and Vinyl-coated Pine. Our cedar gazebos are manufactured using only #1 grade Western Red Cedar, which is a wood of exceptional quality, durability, and beauty. Western Red Cedar contains natural oils, which act as preservatives to help the wood resist insect attack and wood decay. It is also a dimensionally stable wood which lies flat, stays straight, ages gracefully, and is extremely durable.
Our Pressure Treated Pine gazebos are made of #1 Wolmanized Outdoor Wood that has undergone the next generation of pressure treatment. The new, patented Wolmanized Outdoor Wood carries a lifetime warranty against termites and fungal decay. Additionally, the pine is kiln-dried both before and after the pressure treatment in order to reduce checking and twisting.
Our vinyl gazebos are Pressure Treated Pine gazebos that have been sleeved with a durable, attractive PVC vinyl coating for appearance and easy maintenance. Vinyl gazebos are very popular for our customers, who expect and want years of low maintenance and high performance, despite above-average use. Combined with a composite deck and asphalt or rubber shingles, a vinyl gazebo is virtually maintenance-free for the life of the structure.
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What can I do if I do not have a level spot in my yard or want to put my gazebo over a hillside?
Installation of your gazebo on a slope will require posts (6X6, concrete block, or sona tube) as well as framework underneath the gazebo. The supporting structure must be more than adequate to support the weight of the gazebo, its contents (a hot tub, for example), and its maximum number of occupants. Depending on the weights anticipated, 4X4, double 2X6, 2X8, or in some instances heavier beams may be required when constructing your platform. While we are not able to design your foundation, you should contact a Gazebo Creations Design Consultant for help in planning and implementing such a project.
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I have an existing deck (or concrete patio) and want no floor in my gazebo. Is there anything I need to consider?
Yes. In our experience, customers have experienced the fewest problems when keeping the standard gazebo floor and simply setting the complete gazebo on any pre-existing surface or structure. The gazebo columns must be well supported and properly anchored when using the “no floor” option. Decks may need additional joists, not just for weight load purposes, but to anchor the posts. Concrete pads must be at least 8” thick where the posts attach. If you must alter the gazebo design in order to accommodate a separate floor, be sure to contact a Gazebo Creations design consultant to review the floor specs and ensure to the viability of your project.
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Should I wait before I apply a sealer or stain on a wood gazebo?
Both our cedar and our treated pine gazebos are constructed of kiln-dried wood, which means that you may seal or stain them at any time.
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What should I use as a stain/sealer for the gazebos?
We recommend that you apply a high-quality sealer that includes a UV screen component. We use high quality Cabot brand, semi-Transparent Cedar Toned Stain and Sealer on wooden gazebos. Other quality products include Floods CWF and Wolman RainCoat. Any sealer used should provide, at a minimum, mildew resistance and UV protection. Whether or not you opt for a tinted sealer is a personal choice.
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How long does it take, and what skills are required to assembly your gazebo kits?
Our gazebo kits are relatively easy to assemble, and can be undertaken by any “handyman”, preferably with a helper. Standard household tools, such as a hammer, screwdriver or drill are required. Depending on the gazebo’s size, it can be completed in the course of an afternoon, or, in the case of some of the larger or double-roof models, a weekend. Feel free to contact a Gazebo Creations design consultant with any questions you have in the course of assembly and installation. View our Assembly Overview for a general idea of the process.
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Are your screens removable?
The screens in our gazebos are easily removed. If you live in a harsh climate, we recommend that you remove the screens for the winter months.
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Is a building permit required?
That answer varies from town to town. A quick call to your local building inspector is a great place to start. Requirements to obtain a permit can range from a simple form, to specification charts to engineer stamped drawings. If drawings or specifications are required by your local inspector, we are happy to supply them. Our spec charts may be viewed online, the link is in the gazebo wizard, on the structure customization page. There will be an additional cost for Engineer stamped drawings, which varies based on the project, but is usually only a few hundred dollars.
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Can I get the gazebo delivered already assembled?
This is a possibility depending upon where you live, the size of the gazebo, and the access to your gazebo’s site. Please note that a minimum condition of pre-assembled delivery is direct access from the road to the gazebo location by the delivery vehicle. We can deliver assembled gazebos to many locations across the country, but it’s most economical for deliveries in parts of the mid-west and east coast. Contact a GazeboCreations.com design consultant to learn more about shipping costs. Also, please note that gazebos over 12’ cannot be transported fully assembled. In addition, 12’ gazebos may require escorts and wide load permits, or may not be permitted on roads leading to your location.
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Can you design my foundation?
GazeboCreations.com recommends a simple foundation, as discussed in our Site Preparation section. We can offer our best advice, based on years of experience and knowledge, but too many variables exist (such as different soils in different parts of the country, different frost lines, and unpredictable terrain) for us to design a foundation for an existing location. Beyond the basic foundations, GazeboCreations.com is able to refer you to engineers, who can discuss the project with you and offer a site specific solution. Call a design consultant for more details, 1-888-293-2339.
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The shingles that I want (to match my house) are not listed, can I get the gazebo with no shingles so I can install my own shingles?
If you order with no shingles, we will include a 1” x 6” tongue and groove roof decking on your gazebo. The decking has enough strength to hold all types of roofing and is very attractive from the inside. Call your Gazebo Creations design consultant for details.
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How long does it take to receive my gazebo once I place an order?
We do not stock gazebo kits. Each one is custom made for our customers. The time it takes to produce your gazebo depends on the season and where you live. During peak season (spring / early summer), order to shipping time is 3 to 4 weeks. During the off season, this can be as little as 1 week! Transit time to your site can take anywhere from 2 to 6 business days.
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Do you handle custom or special orders?
You can depend on Gazebo Creations when it comes to custom orders. We have satisfied many unique custom orders for our residential and commercial customers. Being the manufacturer, Gazebo Creations has the potential to customize any product we offer on our web site. Gazebos that are larger or smaller than our standard gazebos are available.
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Do you offer discounts?
Our gazebos are a great value, top quality at an affordable price – and we offer the lowest shipping costs available. If you are ordering multiple units, are an industry professional (Landscaper, builder, etc), a non-profit organization, or interested in becoming a dealer, please contact us at 888-293-2339 for details about our Partners Programs.
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How do you attach the gazebo to the ground?
This depends on a number of factors. In most cases, if the gazebo is used in a residential back yard, gravity does the trick. Wooden gazebos are quite heavy and will stay standing and in place in winds 85 mph or more, with no anchoring. If you live in an area where local building codes require anchoring, first check with your building inspector for approved anchoring methods. Some methods include simply adding 4 x 4 posts, concreted into the ground and attaching the gazebo with screws. Other options might include a concrete slab and/or a foundation, where post anchors or L-brackets, available at a local hardware store, are used.
If you are taking your gazebo with no floor, you will need to anchor the posts to a concrete base using post anchors (i.e. Simpson strong ties model ABU44) or L- brackets anchored into the concrete.
Anchoring the gazebo will increase the wind load to about 110 mph. In areas where wind load requirements are more than 110 mph, you will need to consider our hurricane package. The gazebo is built to withstand winds up to 140 mph – and need to be mounted onto a concrete base or piers that are 4’ deep with a threaded rebar as an anchor. If you have questions concerning any anchoring method, please contact a design consultant at 888-293-2339.
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Other Questions or Comments?
Our Customer Service desk is open to serve you Mon-Fri 8:00AM-7:00PM | Sat 10:00AM-3:00PM EST at 1.888.293.2339. You can also email us with your questions at contact@GazeboCreations.com or fax us at 724.444.5301.
We will be pleased to hear from you at any time with any questions or comments you may have. If we miss your call, we will return it promptly during our normal business hours. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service.
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