Gazebo inside birdcage?

[tophcfa]

We love our southwest facing pool/birdcage, but some shade and rain protection under our picnic table would be a great addition. We went to Lowe’s yesterday and saw a nice looking 10 X 10 aluminum gazebo that got our interest. Has anyone installed a permanent gazebo inside their birdcage? I would greatly appreciate any feedback, good and bad, from others who have installed that kind of structure. Also, is your structure bolted to the deck, or freestanding. I would think such a structure would have to be permanently bolted to the decking to withstand hurricane force winds?

[Marathon Man]

If you are talking about the ones that have the canvas top, yes, I have seen that. I think it looks fine. I would bolt it down, and I would make sure to place it so that the top can be removed.

[villagetinker]

We have a table with an umbrella that we lower during bad weather, which has worked very well for years. Also, I agree with above to have the unit you are looking at securely anchored.

[tophcfa]

We have a table with an umbrella that we lower during bad weather, which has worked very well for years. Also, I agree with above to have the unit you are looking at securely anchored.

We currently have a folding umbrella for the table, which gives some sun protection, but the tilt has to be adjusted throughout the day as the sun moves and the umbrella provides limited rain protection. The gazebo structure at Lowel’s is much larger and would offer both better sun and rain cover. The roof is not canvas, it’s a permanent aluminum roof with built in wind vents. It appears to be a good quality structure costing about $1,500. We are very intrigued by the concept, but it would definitely change the current character of our setup. If we go with the idea, it would be installed over the picnic table in the below picture.

[villagetinker]

We currently have a folding umbrella for the table, which gives some sun protection, but the tilt has to be adjusted throughout the day as the sun moves and the umbrella provides limited rain protection. The gazebo structure at Lowel’s is much larger and would offer both better sun and rain cover. The roof is not canvas, it’s a permanent aluminum roof with built in wind vents. It appears to be a good quality structure costing about $1,500. We are very intrigued by the concept, but it would definitely change the current character of our setup. If we go with the idea, it would be installed over the picnic table in the below picture.

I just realized your problem, we have 75% sun reduction screening installed in our lanai roof area, this provides light, but significantly lowers the sunlight, and this would be much less expensive and no intrusion on your existing layout. We had A+ screening replace this recently as the original screening was damaged by IAN. Send me a PM if you would like to see our installation. Also, you would not need to install over the entire roof area.

[thelegges]

Not in our bird cage but on our deck up north. We had a 12x12 aluminum frame with canvas top that had three level of wind vents. We loved it keeping our southern deck cool. Ten years no issues when wind kicked up as usual.

So when Costco had a 12x12 with solid roof similar you are looking at we upgraded. It also came with two sunshades which could be removed less than a minute.

Ours was toggled to deck boards, normal storm with 30 mph wind, that we have always experienced since we built the house. Winds Picked up the gazebo crashed into the house, broke sliding glass door, destroyed our wood siding, like the toggles weren’t there, and blew it across our 1/2 acre lawn, stopping only by the 6’ fencing.

No idea why the canvas never had any problems, but the solid top was a kite flying through the air. Our insurance adjuster said not the first solid top with the small wind vent he has seen take flight, even tethered, with larger toggles than ours.

[tophcfa]

I just realized your problem, we have 75% sun reduction screening installed in our lanai roof area, this provides light, but significantly lowers the sunlight, and this would be much less expensive and no intrusion on your existing layout. We had A+ screening replace this recently as the original screening was damaged by IAN. Send me a PM if you would like to see our installation. Also, you would not need to install over the entire roof area.

Interesting idea, our birdcage screening is 7 years old and will eventually need replacement. Definitely something to consider, at least in the area we like to sit and read and have meals.

[tophcfa]

Not in our bird cage but on our deck up north. We had a 12x12 aluminum frame with canvas top that had three level of wind vents. We loved it keeping our southern deck cool. Ten years no issues when wind kicked up as usual.

So when Costco had a 12x12 with solid roof similar you are looking at we upgraded. It also came with two sunshades which could be removed less than a minute.

Ours was toggled to deck boards, normal storm with 30 mph wind, that we have always experienced since we built the house. Winds Picked up the gazebo crashed into the house, broke sliding glass door, destroyed our wood siding, like the toggles weren’t there, and blew it across our 1/2 acre lawn, stopping only by the 6’ fencing.

No idea why the canvas never had any problems, but the solid top was a kite flying through the air. Our insurance adjuster said not the first solid top with the small wind vent he has seen take flight, even tethered, with larger toggles than ours.

Thanks for the excellent information. You confirmed my biggest concern, installing a permanent structure with a solid roof that wouldn’t hold up to very high winds. The last thing I need is another thing to worry about during hurricane season when we are up north. I will look into the aluminum framed structure with a well vented and removable canvas roof.

[blueash]

Had a neighbor with a gazebo inside their birdcage. Community Standards showed up and told them not allowed, take it down. So... before you do it, check to be sure not an issue in your area.

[bowlingal]

you probably wouldn't need it in the winter, and may not want it in the winter, so make it easy to take down. A 9 foot umbrella sounds like the best solution.

[asianthree]

After last nights 40mph wind gust/lightning storm, we are so glad didn’t have a gazebo that really would have ended up in our pool or against the cage.

We have been considering sun shades triangles. Anyone our there have experience with the winds and how did it hold up? Our cage guys are coming this week, so asking their opinion on how they should attach to cage.

[Bonnierae]

We love our southwest facing pool/birdcage, but some shade and rain protection under our picnic table would be a great addition. We went to Lowe’s yesterday and saw a nice looking 10 X 10 aluminum gazebo that got our interest. Has anyone installed a permanent gazebo inside their birdcage? I would greatly appreciate any feedback, good and bad, from others who have installed that kind of structure. Also, is your structure bolted to the deck, or freestanding. I would think such a structure would have to be permanently bolted to the decking to withstand hurricane force winds?
We got the 12’ umbrella and it offers great shade, we crank it up or down depending on winds etc. We can sit under it and stay dry if not a strong windy rain

[MikeN]

I agree with securing a gazebo within a bird cage. We occasionally get a gust of wind that moves smaller items. The only thing I see is when people put in a tacky one with fake looking grass on the roof. Sort of like putting plastic flowers in the landscaping but to each their own

[JRcorvette]

We wanted mostly sun blocking and got a quote from Pergola Kings to install inside our birdcage and the price was very high. We decided to first put 90% (not 70%) sun blocking screen on the roof because it was getting old and I must say it makes a huge difference. To answer your question yes you are allowed to put a Gazebo inside your birdcage but make sure it is secured to the slab properly. I would want one that has a vented roof.

[Nell57]

Always follow VillageTinkers advice. He always knows the most efficient way to solve a problem at the best price.

[LeRoySmith]

We have been considering sun shades triangles. Anyone our there have experience with the winds and how did it hold up? Our cage guys are coming this week, so asking their opinion on how they should attach to cage.

The guy that built our cage said shade sails work very well attached to the cage. We plan to install 3 or 4 small triangles in a slightly overlapping pattern (a little like sawgrass). He thinks this would provide sufficient shade without too much wind pressure on the cage. He said he can install with turnbuckles that will make them pretty straightforward to remove from an 8' step ladder.

We also think it will be a great way to put some bright colors that will be easy to switch from time to time.

[RRGuyNJ]

Had a neighbor with a gazebo inside their birdcage. Community Standards showed up and told them not allowed, take it down. So... before you do it, check to be sure not an issue in your area.

OMG! I can't believe you have to "Kiss the Ring" for something INSIDE the birdcage! That is out of hand power tripping at it's finest.

[CarlR33]

OMG! I can't believe you have to "Kiss the Ring" for something INSIDE the birdcage! That is out of hand power tripping at its finest.I did some reading.

[tophcfa]

The more I think about this project, I’m starting to lean toward building a freestanding pergola out of either pressure treated or cedar wood, treated with a premium quality oil based stain, constructed with stainless steel hardware, anchored very securely to the concrete deck, with a removable canvas roof. I love building stuff and this would be a fun and rewarding project which I can customize to the exact dimensions needed. I can purchase, precut, and treat all the materials at my well equipped home up north this fall and bring everything down here in my truck when we come down for our long winter stay. I’m going to measure everything carefully tomorrow and sketch out the plans. We have a friend up north who custom makes high quality marine grade canvas boat covers, who can definitely custom fabricate a very nice canvas roof cover for us. I’m getting excited about a fun project that I can build to withstand a cat 5 hurricane with the roof removed : ) Dam, went to Lowel’s to get a replacement filter for the A/C and it turned into a major project.

[sandypinkona]

We recently purchased a home with a 12x12 gazebo with a metal roof inside the cage. We love it! Great to sit outside in a soft rain and helps with the sun throughout the day. Highly recommend!

[Altavia]

After last nights 40mph wind gust/lightning storm, we are so glad didn’t have a gazebo that really would have ended up in our pool or against the cage.

We have been considering sun shades triangles. Anyone our there have experience with the winds and how did it hold up? Our cage guys are coming this week, so asking their opinion on how they should attach to cage.

We have sun sails for a couple off years now. No problem with storms during that period.

We take them down when tropical storms are forecast and when leaving for more than a few days.

Attaching with Stainless Spring Snap Hook Carabiner's and turnbuckles on two corners make it easy to remove and reinstall.

[PoolBrews]

OMG! I can't believe you have to "Kiss the Ring" for something INSIDE the birdcage! That is out of hand power tripping at it's finest.

Interesting... We had our birdcage installed first. We then decided to install a pool. I went to ARC, and was told at the meeting that I didn't have to go to ARC for anything inside the birdcage. They simply told me to go ahead and put the pool in - didn't even look at the plans or drawings. I insisted that since it was OK, there was no reason for them to not give me an official approval. They approved it, but reiterated that they didn't have control over anything installed in the birdcage.

[JRcorvette]

The guy that built our cage said shade sails work very well attached to the cage. We plan to install 3 or 4 small triangles in a slightly overlapping pattern (a little like sawgrass). He thinks this would provide sufficient shade without too much wind pressure on the cage. He said he can install with turnbuckles that will make them pretty straightforward to remove from an 8' step ladder.

We also think it will be a great way to put some bright colors that will be easy to switch from time to time.

I have two brand new 16’ triangle wind sails in green if you are interested send me a PM.

[EugeneF]

We recently purchased a home with a 12x12 gazebo with a metal roof inside the cage. We love it! Great to sit outside in a soft rain and helps with the sun throughout the day. Highly recommend!
Do you know how long it’s been up?? How is it attached to the deck?? Has it been through any storms?? I am thinking of doing the same thing in my pool area. Thank you.