» Gazebo or Sunroom? Top 3 Questions You Need To Ask
by: Dion Semeniuk

Having a gazebo or sunroom in the backyard is an excellent way to enhance the appearance while providing you with a quiet place to sit and relax after a hard day at work. Gazebos and sunrooms are wonderful for barbecue parties, family gatherings, or simply sipping on a cup of coffee or glass of lemonade on a lazy day. To create a romantic setting, you could string miniature lights along the railing and roof of the gazebo and then spend time with someone special out under the stars. However, as with any investment, you want to make sure you choose the right type. Which is better, a gazebo or a sunroom? For that reason, consider the top three questions you should ask.

What choices do I have for size?

Most gazebo and sunroom manufacturers make three specific sizes. First, you have the smaller size, which measures 7.5 x 6.5-feet, followed by the family size that is 11 x 9.5-feet, and finally, the grand size that is 18 x 15.5-feet. Now keep in mind that you can also buy plans to build your own or hire a professional to construct one that is custom made if you want a smaller or larger size. Now the advantage of a gazebo over a sunroom in this perspective is that a gazebo is more flexible in size and shape as it will not be attached to the house. With a sunroom, you will be limited to what size you can build and this may influence your decision between a gazebo and a sunroom.

Do I need it attached to my house?

This is another important question that you will have to answer. Do you like the idea of being able to walk out from your house strait into another enclosed area without having to go outside? This is the advantage of a sunroom over a gazebo. If it’s raining outside, you can still enjoy the outdoors without having to take one step outside. You can walk into your sunroom right from your house and not get wet, and also not deal with any of those pesky mosquitoes, and relax with the windows open and enjoy the soothing sound of the rain and fresh air. With gazebos, you will have to be exposed to the outdoor elements for a few feet, depending how far you build it from your house, before you can relax inside.

How much will it cost?

And finally, what it usually comes down to is how much will it cost me? In the end, you will more than likely have a budget in mind and this may ultimately make your final decision. Gazebos tend to cost less than a sunroom. The major cost that drives up sunrooms over gazebos is the fact that it needs to be attached to a house. For that reason, you will need special foundations in place in order to properly attach the sunroom without causing any future problems to your house or the sunroom (shifting). Sunrooms also will cost more due to the nature of the amount of windows. This is the main feature of a sunroom; in being that it allows a lot of natural light in and also protects you from the wind and rain. Gazebos tend not to have windows and go more with screens, but if you want to spend the money, gazebos can have windows in place also.

So in conclusion, there are obvious advantages of one over the other. It comes down to personal needs and of course your budget. Answer the above three questions and you will have your answer as to if a gazebo or sunroom is meant for you.