Sun Sail vs Gazebo? Thoughts?

[wxguy23]

Okay gang, we have a large deck, no problem. Just don't have the $$$$ to build a solid structure. That will be down the road.
So we are looking at Sun Sails which look cool, with 3 large post, or just a big box store gazebo. We can easily do a 10x12' gazebo, but more expensive and more upkeep, but seem to cover more as well, even in an afternoon shower.

Thoughts?

 

[jblizzle]

My hesitation about many of the gazebos is that I don't think the fabric will last more than a few years, and many are odd shaped so can not be easily replaced.

 

[wxguy23]

I thought that too. A sun sail is easier to replace. Just worried it doesn't cover much, and I can only do a triangle one on my corner (No place for the 4th post).

 

[chawkins99]

We bought this from Lowes a couple of weeks ago for $500. It got very good reviews and we also bought a spare canopy. Reviews indicate the canopy should last 3-4 years, so with the spare, we may get 8 years out of it. Not bad for $600 total.
It also has insect screening which can be opened or fully enclosed. You can't get that with a sun sail.
We had considered a sun-sail but the post installation would be expensive and not sure how it would stand up to high winds. There is a you-tube video of the gazebo we bought in some rough winds and it seemed to be coping remarkably well.

 

[chiefwej]

I've seen two sun sails used sharing two of three post and using different cable length between them. The third corner can be attached to a building or go to the ground.

 

[jblizzle]

In laws just got this one: Shop Garden Treasures Matte Black Steel Freestanding Pergola with Canopy at Lowes.com

The shade is just rectangular, so it might be easier to find or make a replacement. It is a sun shade material.

 

[borjis]

We bought this from Lowes a couple of weeks ago for $500. It got very good reviews and we also bought a spare canopy. Reviews indicate the canopy should last 3-4 years, so with the spare, we may get 8 years out of it. Not bad for $600 total.

My brother has one of these, they are great! I looked at a bunch of different ones and this one is by far the best for that price bracket.

I'm ordering mine in a few weeks.

 

[otter86753]

I am currently looking at this Shop Garden Treasures Red Offset Patio Umbrella (Common: 10.5-ft W x 10.5-ft L; Actual: 10.5-ft W x 10.5-ft L) at Lowes.com and placing locking casters on it so i can move it and provide shade to seating area or pool. Anyone have this shade umbrella?

 

[Helen203]

I am currently looking at this Shop Garden Treasures Red Offset Patio Umbrella (Common: 10.5-ft W x 10.5-ft L; Actual: 10.5-ft W x 10.5-ft L) at Lowes.com and placing locking casters on it so i can move it and provide shade to seating area or pool. Anyone have this shade umbrella?

Nice price for an offset umbrella -- we've been shopping around.

I think a moveable, pivoting umbrella is very practical.

 

[bigevilgrape]

We bought this from Lowes a couple of weeks ago for $500. It got very good reviews and we also bought a spare canopy. Reviews indicate the canopy should last 3-4 years, so with the spare, we may get 8 years out of it. Not bad for $600 total.
It also has insect screening which can be opened or fully enclosed. You can't get that with a sun sail.
We had considered a sun-sail but the post installation would be expensive and not sure how it would stand up to high winds. There is a you-tube video of the gazebo we bought in some rough winds and it seemed to be coping remarkably well.

One of those came with my house. The canopy was pretty shot, so I bought a new one. They did not have it attached to the ground, and it gets picked up and moved around the deck in high winds.

 

[chawkins99]

One of those came with my house. The canopy was pretty shot, so I bought a new one. They did not have it attached to the ground, and it gets picked up and moved around the deck in high winds.

Any idea how old it was when you acquired it?

I anchored ours to the concrete deck at the front but the back is on gravel so I attached it to a couple of trees using ratchet straps. Plan is to extend the concrete decking and have it all anchored to concrete.

 

[wxguy23]

Thanks!

 

[bigevilgrape]

Any idea how old it was when you acquired it?

I anchored ours to the concrete deck at the front but the back is on gravel so I attached it to a couple of trees using ratchet straps. Plan is to extend the concrete decking and have it all anchored to concrete.

No idea how old it is. It shows up on the google satellite picture, but that is less then a year old. Other then the roof fabric falling apart its in very good shape and still really solid.

 

[chiefwej]

My neighbor had the same one and the cloth didn't last very long, but that's in the Tucson sun..

 

[chawkins99]

My neighbor had the same one and the cloth didn't last very long, but that's in the Tucson sun..

Maybe I should protect it with a sun sail...