Can You Put A Gazebo On A Raised Deck?

Both gazebo and raised decks are a great addition to our backyard entertainment reformation. They have their own benefits and provide greater options to enjoy every backyard moment. Ever thought of syncing both of them into one single establishment? By that I mean, putting a gazebo on a raised deck. Imagine you have a raised deck adjutant to your back door or middle of the garden. They are usually open spaces with the feature of having higher ground than the surroundings. Putting a gazebo will make the deck even more comfy as you will get a layer of shelter from natural elements and many more.

If you have such raised deck and thinking of placing a gazebo on it then you have to consider some serious points. These points are related to the possibility of installing a gazebo on a raised deck, are benefits and disadvantages of having such a setup, and its simple installment process. Reading till the end will give you a whole new level of knowledge on why you can or why you can’t put a gazebo on a raised deck.

Key Takeaways

• The deck type should be strong enough to hold your gazebo weight for a long time.
• Aluminum decks are rust-mold-free and can hold medium gazebos with a weight of 250 kg.
• Size of the gazebo should be in proportion to the raised deck, too big will not fit well on it.
• The gazebo needs to be well matched with raised deck texture, which means the cost will rise too.

Gazebo on A Raised Deck

Gazebo on a raised deck simply means a gazebo has been put on an existing high deck. The high deck may have been there already as a part of your patio setup. If there is no headache with rain, excessive sunlight, or heavy air breezing, a high deck is a perfect place for setting your patio chairs. A gazebo on top of that deck adds an even better facility to enjoy the outdoor time, nevertheless worrying about the weather. But the question remains if the raised deck is enough sturdy to keep the latter installed gazebo for a long time.

Possibility of Putting A Gazebo on A Raised Deck

In most cases, Yes, you can put a gazebo on a raised deck, but under certain conditions. These conditions are for meeting the safety standards of the installed gazebo and the raised deck. So, before placing the gazebo on the raised deck, you have to consider below facts:

The first question that needs to be answered is the type of gazebo you want to put on a raised deck. Based on your preference, it can be either a soft top gazebo with a lighter structure and weight or a hard top gazebo with a more robust, heavy structure. If you are thinking of placing the gazebo for a certain time of the year then soft-top gazebos are perfect. If your area has a normal air circulation pattern, then this gazebo doesn’t even need drilling your raised deck. But if you looking for a more permanent solution then you need to go for heavier hard tops. This type of gazebo requires a heavier base to stand and more modification of the raised deck.

2. Deck material type & weight capacity

Next, the deck material itself can be a determiner of the question of your gazebo can be put on it. There are different types of deck material being used for raised deck base laying. These materials have different weight-lifting capacities, durability, and weather-resisting capacity. Check for some of the raised deck materials:

Concrete Deck: This is the most durable deck type. You first arrange the rough stones then pour a slab. It is strong to withstand rough weather conditions. A concrete deck can hold both the soft top and hard top gazebo with no weight limit. Although, due to its hard nature, it will require special-purpose concrete drills to put holes in the gazebos. It may become costly and difficult to put such holes sometimes.

Metal Deck: There are two types of metallic decks, Steel and aluminum. Both of them are well known for their sturdiness and durability in harsh weather. Of them, aluminum is more water-resisting and lighter in weight. But steel decks have better sturdiness and can hold better weight than aluminum decks. One research found that steel decks can hold 400+kgs weight while same measured aluminum decks can 250kgs. So for higher-weigh gazebos, steel-made decks are better.

Composite Deck: Composite decks are made using wood fibers and plastics. They are more durable than usual woods and can hold better-weight gazebos. All types of soft-top gazebos and medium-weighted hard-top gazebos can be installed on these decks. They are easy to use and don’t get mold or insect affected, neither they rot. These decks are made to look like wooden decks and come in different color textures.

Grass Deck: This is the least expensive raised deck type. This deck is made of bare soil with a layer of grass on it. They can facilitate any type of gazebos without any weight limit. Also, the gazebo pillars can be strengthened into the soil by putting concrete pouring. You can either maintain the natural grass or put it in artificial grass if the use is heavy.

Wooden Deck: Wooden decks are the most versatile and popular deck material. There are two main types of wood for raised decking: pressure-treated wood and natural hardwoods. Pressure-treated woods are chemically treated for better weather resistance. Whereas natural hardwoods are from natural hardwoods such as oaks which have natural oils to make them mold and water-resistant. They both have similar weight-lifting capacities.

3. Size of the deck & gazebo

The next notable criterion is the size of the deck in comparison with the gazebo. The gazebo should be in proportion to your raised deck size. The deck and gazebo size ratio should result in some spacing around the gazebo for the people to walk by. That’s why before purchasing a gazebo or DYI build one, it is important to measure and assess your deck’s usable areas first.

4. Weather pattern

When installing a gazebo on a raised deck, it is important to consider the wind and weather conditions in your area. Strong winds can cause damage to the gazebo and even make the raised deck unsafe to use. That’s why while putting a gazebo on your raised deck, make sure to observe the weather pattern, especially fair winds, and secure the gazebo to base that way.

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How to Put A Gazebo on A Raised Deck?

Installing a gazebo on a raised deck is different than installing it on a solid surface. The raised deck is blank inside. That’s why attaching the gazebo pillars requires a special process. We have put a simple installation process below. Note that these steps can be a little bit different based on your deck and gazebo type.

Process of installation:

1. Clean the raised deck and get rid of any trash to get it ready.
2. Measure the gazebo and raised deck and mark the positions.
3. Follow the instructions that came with the gazebo to put it together.
4. Put the gazebo on the raised deck and secure it with the deck using screws or concrete anchors.
5. Install deck boards around the gazebo to connect it to the raised deck smoothly.
6. Check the gazebo’s level and make any changes that are needed.

Pros and Cons of Putting a Gazebo on a Deck

However, this project may not be for everyone. Here’s a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of putting a gazebo on your deck to help you decide if it’s worth the planning and price.

Pros:

• Installing a gazebo on your deck can help you save the money that you’d spend building an additional foundation.
• If you have a raised deck and want to place a gazebo on it, it can save space for other landscapes in your backyard.
• Securing a gazebo to your deck adds extra stability in severe weather conditions such as rain, snow, high wind, etc.
• Placing the gazebo can get you the best view of the surrounding landscape while sitting under a shelter.
• A gazebo can turn your deck into a great entertainment space. Setting up such as collaborative space by the pool or middle of the garden is an exceptional idea.

Cons:

• You may need to buy a custom gazebo to match your deck’s design, which can increase your gazebo’s cost.
• A wooden deck may be too weak to hold the weight of a concrete-made gazebo which can weigh up to 500+kgs.
• Deck repairs could be more challenging and costly when you add a gazebo into the mix.
• You could damage your deck during the installation process as it takes a lot of effort to secure the gazebo pillars.
• A gazebo that’s too big for your deck could actually diminish your yard’s appearance and get in the way of some nature-watching.
• It might be harder to maintain your deck, as parts of it will be less accessible.

FAQs

1. Can I put a gazebo on my balcony?

Yes, you can put a gazebo on your balcony depending on the balcony’s surface capacity, area, gazebo size, etc. For balcony use, you can go for a soft top, small-sized gazebo. They will not require any solid attaching to the floor, rather tie them up to their surroundings.

2. Can you put a gazebo on a floating deck?

You can certainly put a gazebo on a floating deck but it needs to be able to be vast enough to serve the gazebo along with furniture and accompanies it. Next, the gazebo needs to be as light as possible. This way it can increase the floating deck’s float capacity. Lastly, the deck must be anchored properly with the piers.

3. How long does a raised deck last?

Raised decks are meant to be left open to nature throughout its life. That’s why they are prone to be damaged in harsh weather. If the weather is in favor, it is made of durable materials such as aluminum and is well maintained, a raised deck can last between 10-30 years.

Final Thoughts

It is possible to put a gazebo on a raised deck but it depends on various aspects such as the weight of the gazebo, the raised deck’s sturdiness, the weather pattern, and the size of both the gazebo and the raised deck. Soft top gazebos are well suited to put on any type of raised deck. But hard-top gazebos are heavy and bigger. They also require rigorous installment process than the lighter ones. This means it is both the deck and gazebo need to be synced for better results. Compare your current raised deck type and condition with which type of gazebo you want to install on it. Assess all the positive and negative sides of it. Maintain your local authority building codes and install a beautiful gazebo on your preexisted raised deck.

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