As you may know, I recently reviewed a deluxe hexagonal gazebo, which I found a great buy, but the gazebo I am now reviewing is much more basic and shouldn't be compared to the other one. Of course, folks buy gazebos for different uses but this gazebo for the price can be ideal for cetain tasks.


I purchased this very basic gazebo before the hexagonal model. At the time I wanted something to erect in the garden when I had guests coming around for a party. We were celebrating my eldest daughter's twenty-first birthday. Her birthday is in January (actually the same day as her younger brother's-eight years apart!) As the party was being held in January and so the weather could quite possibly be cold and easily be miserable, I thought it would be a good idea to purchase a gazebo, with the purpose of extending the party area.


My kitchen has French windows, leading to the garden patio area. We put all the drinks in the kitchen and food and music in our through lounge. People tend to mill about around the drinks and we found the gazebo provided an area for people to spread out a little more. As I recall, the weather wasn't too bad and quite mild, although there was a little drizzle at times in the evening, so this gazebo was a worthwhile piece of equipment for this occasion.


It really is basic, just a roof really with no sides. It's green and white in colour and the fabric is plastic, and similar to tarpulin, a bit like old fashioned deck chair fabric. This makes it quite good in wet weather as the rain tends to run down the sides rather than pooling on top.


It did the job required and for the amount paid was worthwhile. It was put away in the garage and then remembered later in the year when the sun came out.


My younger daughter, at this time, liked to play in the garden and still enjoyed her sandpit or drawing and painting outside. Again, this gazebo proved it's worth as a shade from the sun. We placed a small patio table and chairs underneath, making a usable space for play, or to sit and enjoy a drink in the shade.


It also came in handy when attending a cousin's barbecue. This cousin holds a yearly family gathering with mandatory barbecue in June. On this particular day the heavens opened and we rang to ask if the planned day was to still take place. "Of course," he said, "but any spare gazebos would be welcome." So ours, along with a few others were used, and the food was cooked as planned.


This gazebo takes around twenty to thirty minutes to errect. The sections on the poles have to be fitted together and hubby thinks it quite easy to do. There are also guide ropes which hook into the ground, or sand bags, if errecting on solid ground. With this it does need to be weighed down around the edges as, in windy weather it will escape! I have seen these gazebo used at all day rugby and football tournaments and have seen one or two take off, looking like hot air balloons. You really do need to anchor it down well and remember it isn't recommended to be used in strong winds.


I think this type of gazebo would be useful for camping trips, although personally, I don't do camping. Remember, again, the need for anchoring.



Dismantling takes only around ten minutes or so. It can then fit back into it's box and is not too heavy to be carried and stored in a garage or shed.



SPECIFICATIONS:


Size of top 2.4 x 2.4m.

Size of base 2.7 x 2.7m.

Frame 100% steel.

Fabric 100% PE.

Size (H)250, (W)270, (D)270cm.

Weight 6.5kg.

Packed flat for home assembly.

Self assembly: 2 or more people recommended. (My husband errects this alone)



I purchased this gazebo from Argos ( See, www.argos.co.uk) where it is currently available for the price of, £14.99.