How to Decide on the Best to Buy

It doesn't have to be a difficult decision.

BUDGET, will dictate most of your choices, but please don’t be easily led into buying cheap pop up gazebos. They will be cheap in quality and you will be very lucky if they last you through the one event; they are often as light as a feather resulting in bends and breakages in no time.

ALUMINIUM, STEEL OR PLASTIC FRAME?

Surprisingly, an aluminium frame is stronger than a steel frame but more expensive.

The majority of pop-up gazebos advertised are made out of powder-coated steel and these are the ones you want to look out for. I

f it states only 'steel frame' then these won't be as strong as the powder coated ones. I don't really want to give too much limelight to plastic frames as to buy one of these you may as well just throw your money away.

CONSIDER WHICH SIZE

I have noticed that the majority of pop-up gazebos for sale in the UK are mainly 3 x 3m, 3 x 6m or 10 x 10m. There are different sizes around if you go to specialist pop up gazebo sites, but the three I mentioned are the most common.

People who buy the 3 x 3m are surprised by how much bigger they are than they had originally thought. I've seen this size gazebo used as a drinks tent at a party as well as a summer eating area and both provided ample space. In the States, the majority of gazebos sold on large Internet sites seem to start at 10 x 10 upwards.

DESIGN AND COLOUR

The majority of pop-up gazebos that I have come across have been dark blues, greens and whites. You will find the odd stripy one here and there and even pink ones. I can't say that the pop up gazebo market is particularly inspiring in terms of colour, but consider them to be a blank canvas and add sparkle and colour to your gazebos by using bunting (flags) and lighting such as fairy lights etc.

It's incredible how easily a pop up gazebo can be transformed.

EXTRA ACCESSORIES

The majority of pop up gazebos come without side panels but they can be purchased separately if required.

It is possible to find pop up gazebos that come with the side panels for about £60 upwards and they will attach to your frame with Velcro straps.

Leg weights are good to have especially as many pop up gazebos have warnings not to use in windy weather which for the majority of gazebos, includes mildy breezy weather as well as they are so light weight.

Let's face it, warm balmy evenings don't exist in the UK so buy yourself a battery powered gazebo heater that attaches to the frame inside.