Should You Attach Your Gazebo to Your Deck?

Space

• The decision whether to attach your gazebo to your deck or not is largely dependent on the available outdoor space. Attaching two major outdoor structures together requires adequate area and square footage. The amount of space that your project requires is directly proportionate to your home's exterior, yard and deck-gazebo size. For example, if you have a smaller sized deck that only extends for one-fourth the length of your house's outside wall then you may have room for a larger attached gazebo. On the other hand, if you have a sizable wrap-around deck, you will have much less usable space. Likewise, having a yard with more square footage allows you to attach a more sizable gazebo to your deck. Without adequate space to house both your deck and gazebo your exterior may appear cramped and overcrowded.

Style and Look

• Attaching a gazebo to a deck completely changes the look of your home's exterior. The decision to embark on this building project should include factors such as your landscape or outdoor design aesthetic. If your home is more modern and has simple, clean lines an over-crowded gazebo-deck combo may not fit with your design objectives. In contrast, a more ornate style of outdoor decor easily matches an added gazebo attachment. Additionally, the color scheme of your deck-gazebo combo can add to your home's appearance by providing a unified look. For example, paint or stain the railings of the deck and posts of the gazebo to match other exterior woodwork.

Structure

• An existing deck may, or may not, allow for a gazebo attachment. Structurally not all decks and gazebos will fit together. Additionally, weight, load and joining factors all play critical roles in this building decision. Consult a decking, building or engineering professional to evaluate whether your home provides the right or necessary structure for attaching a gazebo to a deck. While other considerations, such as the look of your combination, are easily tackled by the lay person, an improperly fit building design poses a serious safety concern. Most homeowners don't have the knowledge to properly plan for these changes.

Cost

• Cost considerations for attaching your deck to a gazebo include the overall price of the building materials, professional contractor installation and services fees and possibly landscaping. If you are using an existing deck or gazebo, your costs will most likely be significantly lower than homeowners who are starting from scratch. Prices for a new deck-gazebo combination vary depending on if you are buying a kit, preassembled structure or having something custom built. Additional costs that this type of home project also typically include are building permit and inspection fees.