Weatherproof Gazebos Buyers Guide

Is every gazebo waterproof?

The primary reason many people purchase a gazebo is for protection from rain but are all gazebos going to do the job you expect them to do? Unfortunately, the answer is no. If you purchase an inexpensive gazebo that is made with lower quality materials your gazebo may not be waterproof, even if the packaging claims it to be so.  It is important to research which materials are best for creating a waterproof gazebo before buying one.

Which types are waterproof?

There are certain features and materials that will make some gazebos more waterproof than others.

Lined Polyester Gazebos

It is often true that cheap gazebos will be made from only a single sheet of polyester. Polyester will offer some water resistance but you will get much better results by looking for something that is lined with another material. The lining should have PVC on the inside which will prevent water leakage, making this type of gazebo much more water-proof than a single sheet of polyester.

Waterproof coatings

Sometimes a pop-up gazebo canopy will have been treated with some sort of waterproofing product such as Fabsil. This will actually make the difference between a waterproof gazebo and one that leaks. When purchasing your gazebo, ask if the canopy has been treated with a chemical that will help with the amount of resilience it has against rain.

Sealed seams

If a pop-up gazebo canopy is going to leak it is most likely to happen at the seams and corners of the canopy. This leakage can be reduced by applying Silicone seam sealant on the stitches.

Protection from rust

If a gazebo is not fully weather-proofed it may rust and the gazebo will be unstable and unsightly. When purchasing a gazebo with a steel or aluminium frame it is important to search for one that has been protected with a polyester or epoxy powder. This powder is heated, forming a protective covering over the frame.

What are the red flags that a gazebo isn’t waterproof/weatherproof?

Many factors will help determine if a gazebo will be waterproof and weatherproof in the long-run. Avoid gazebos that have the following factors:

• made with a single sheet of unlined polyester
• not chemically treated for water-resistance
• sealant has not been applied to the seams
• the steel or aluminium frame has not been powder treated

Can I waterproof my gazebo myself?

It is possible to waterproof your own gazebo if it was already fully waterproofed at purchase and now you are noticing some leaks. You simply need to apply Fabsil and the water-resistance of the gazebo will be similar to the way it was when you first bought it.

It is a fairly simple process to coat your canopy with Fabsil. The canopy will have to be removed from the steel frame so it can be laid out on a flat surface and cleaned. Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions and spray the protective coating onto the gazebo.

Will my gazebo withstand strong winds?

Look for a gazebo in which the frame has been designed to allow for flexibility, this will allow the gazebo to move with the wind. The wind will be unable to cause much damage to a gazebo made with a flexible frame. Many gazebos will collapse in the wind if they do not have a spring attached at the legs. This spring will help give the gazebo more flexibility. One final component to look for if you are hoping that your gazebo can withstand strong wind is the quality and strength of the ratchet tie-downs and ground bars.