Patio Umbrella vs Gazebo: Which is the best?

Outdoor places in your home are best to relax but when the sun shines brightly over your head then the heart always desires for a shady option. The most popular shady props on our list are patio umbrellas and gazebos. Well! You cannot buy each one of them but you have to choose the one that is the most reliable option for you.

In this article we are going to highlight major differences between patio umbrella, gazebo and pergola along with their pros and cons to make it easy for you to choose the best one according to your needs.

1. Patio Umbrella

When it comes to shade options in outdoor areas patio umbrellas are one of the best options to consider. Here are their pros and cons.

Pros

Portability

The most versatile option for having a shade source in your outdoor space are the patio umbrellas. The reason behind this is the ease to move and position to let you enjoy the shade anywhere in your outdoor area.  

Construct

Patio umbrellas are made out of durable materials like aluminium, steel and marine grade stainless steel. They allow the umbrellas to have a long life. However, if you want a lightweight and cheaper alternative, you can go for plastic umbrellas.  

Fixture

Patio umbrellas are crafted from the best material and many features are provided in them. They have crank handles with pins and pulleys and can be controlled with ropes. However, modern patio umbrellas have versatile technologies like Shadow life. They allow you to enjoy the shade whenever you want. Also, you have full control over your outdoor environment.

Price

The most important factor that comes into action is price. Everybody sees their affordability first before bringing anything to their house so the patio umbrellas are available in many sizes. Their prices can vary from around $50 to over $8,000. So, you can choose the one that is exactly according to your desire and affordability.

Cons

Limited Coverage

When it comes to shade coverage the umbrellas can offer a decent amount of shade but only for a limited place. You cannot cover your whole patio area with a single umbrella. So, you may need more than one. Though umbrellas are available in a large number of sizes, the limitation of coverage is the problem you could face anytime.

Less customization options

Though outdoor umbrellas come in a variety of colours and can be customised using different logos and texts, they don’t offer many designs. You might fail to find an umbrella that complements the rest of your patio furniture. Moreover, they don’t offer a wide range of customization options like gazebos do.

Wind resistance

Patio umbrellas are made wind resistant but they can withstand winds only to an extent because they are not fixed at a place. So, if you live in an area where wind pressure is higher than a patio umbrella might be a compromise option for you.

Higher cost for quality

Good patio umbrellas come with high price tags. Though cheaper options are there but they are not much durable. So, if you want to have a good umbrella that is not only large and shady but also made of durable material to stand the test of weather then you might have to pay a handsome amount.

2. Gazebo

Some people don’t like patio umbrellas and seek out better options to have a permanent shady area that also gives a sophisticated and charming look to their patio. For these kinds of people, a gazebo is the winner over a patio umbrella. Here are some pros and cons of having a gazebo.

Pros

Protection

Gazebos are great in providing protection from sun and rain because they cover the entire patio area. Though their UPF rating is different, all gazebos are a great option to get rid of weather conditions that can go unfavourable.

Construction

Gazebos are large metallic or wooden structures and can be made from a variety of metals and wood types. Therefore, you can find the one according to your desire. Two options of gazebos are available to place on the patio. Permanent gazebos are good when it comes to withstand heavy winds. However, the portable gazebos are not wind resistant and are also subject to damage due to rain.

Fixture

Portable and permanent both types of gazebos are available. Just like an outdoor patio umbrella, you can assemble and store gazebos according to your choice. Moreover they allow you to adjust the height of the canopy. Also, you can add screens to their walls to have a more private space and ultimate protection from the weather conditions.

Price

When it comes to portable gazebos they can be cheaper than the permanent ones but permanent gazebos are costly. You may have to pay more than $100,000 for a fully customised outdoor gazebo. Gazebos have a variety of customization options so the prices might fluctuate according to what you are adding to make them safe and visually pleasing.

Cons

Design

Portable gazebos are available in a wide variety of colours and styles so you may not find them pleasing in all types of outdoor areas like an umbrella.

Durability

The durability and robustness of a gazebo depends on how much you are willing to spend on them. If you choose a cheaper one you might not be able to get a structure that is strong to withstand winds and rains. Simply, a cheaper option might get defective before you think.

 Patio Umbrella vs Gazebo: Which is the best?

Well! When it comes to comparing these two outdoor structures to determine the best one for you then the factor that plays the most important role is your need. If you have a small family and seldom use the outdoor area then you can go for a patio umbrella. However, if you have a big family or love to host parties within your outdoor space then gazebos are the best option for you. If you are looking to buy any shady structure for your outdoor area you can visit Purple Leaf to get the best of your expenditure.