Unless you are a camping/hiking enthusiast, you may not have heard of Swiss Gear. Infact, their parent company, Wenger, has been in business since 1893. They make this little pocket knife you may have heard of: The Swiss Army Knife. After their success with knives, they branched out into watches, then tents and camping gear. Later they added a line of high quality hiking boots. Now they are applying their knowledge of hiking and camping tents to backyard gazebos.
This 10 x 10 Gazebo has been designed for portability, durability and functionality. It only takes a few minutes to set it up or take it down. It is lightweight and easy to carry. The Screenhouse has a tubular steel frame that is strong enough to withstand high winds and provide a rigid shelter.
The Swiss Gear 10′ x 10′ Smart Shade Screenhouse has telescoping corner posts that provide upright support, while a series of connected scissor-like pivoting joints create the upper support. When unfolded, the steel tent frame creates a smooth canopy roof with fascia curtains covering the framework. It also features patented easy release buttons that will not pinch your fingers during setup and take down. The gazebo’s canopy fabric is a heavy duty 210D polyester covering that is water repellent and treated with a special UV resistant coating for long lasting durability.
Click the photo for more information & to buy the Swiss Gear 10′ x 10′ Smart Shade Canopy
In recent years, portable canopies have become very easy to use and affordable, making them a popular option for many. It is a great way to add a shaded area for outdoor get-togethers, helpful when you have a yard sale, useful for businesses at outdoor events, and canopies are also an inexpensive way to add a deck awning.
Portable canopies can be found at Wal-Mart, usually in the camping or outdoor department. Home Depot and other home improvement stores also sell a variety of portable canopies for any budget. The standard size of portable canopy 10’ x 10’, but 10’ x 12’ canopies are available, too.
The canopies come in standard colors like green, white, gray, blue, black, or red. It’s not uncommon to find one with the logo of your favorite sports team. The average price for a portable canopy is usually right around $100 each. I recommend purchasing one that comes in its own bag. Most do, but double check to be sure it’s included in the price. Many of the bags have wheels and a handle, which makes them even more convenient to use.
You seldom need tools to erect these types of tents. They are easy to set up and it usually takes about 15 minutes. The entire frame top is often one piece and you simply spread it apart. After opening it up, you attach the canopy top to the frame top. When you are shopping for your canopy, make sure you understand how the top attaches and that you’ll be able to do by yourself. After the top is on, you attach the legs to the frame. The legs are adjustable and snap together. You can increase the tent height in increments. One person can usually put up the canopy alone. If you’re vertically challenged, you’ll probably need help setting it up, although in a pinch, you can use a ladder.
On calm days, the canopy doesn’t usually need to be tied down. Bricks, concrete blocks, or some other heavy material will do the trick to keep it from blowing away. In severe winds, it is usually best to take the canopy down and store it indoors.
To take the tent down, you lower the legs & remove them from the top frame. You don’t have to take the canvas top off. Just fold the frame together with the canopy still attached. It will fit back into most bags all in one piece. This will save you time when you set your portable canopy up again.
Your canopy top can be pressure-washed to keep it looking like new. And ff you want to turn your canopy into a gazebo, mosquito nettings and sides are available at many stores along with canopies. The sizes are usually standard and fit most portable canopies. Whether it is for shade or shelter from the rain, you’ll get a lot of use out of the portable canopy.
A carport can be a great solution for areas with bad weather or theft, and it is an affordable alternative to an actual garage. Carports are easy to assemble and tear down in case you have to move, and they can be found in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. If you are trying to find the perfect carport to use in your home or office, consider the tips listed below.
Step 1 – Know How Much Space You Need
You can find carports in just about any size you can think of, but consider what your actual needs are. If you only need to house a single car, you will save a lot of money over the multi-car coverings there are out there. You also need to determine how much space you have available for the carport to sit on. Record the dimensions and keep them in mind when you try to make a purchase.
Step 2 – Think about How Much Coverage You Need
You have to think about how much coverage you are going to need for the carport as well. Some of them are just meant to provide shelter on top of the car, and others protect it from all sides like a garage might. If you only need protection on the top, you may look into a carport canopy. Otherwise you must find something that will adequately protect your vehicle the way you need it to.
Step 3 – Consider Additional Storage
There are some carports on the market that have a separate area attached for you to store your belongings. These are usually covered on all side and meant to be used much like a normal garage would be. The main difference is that these carports are not directly attached to the house, and they are usually made of metal to withstand the weather.
Step 4 – Find the Right Materials
While most carports are made of metal, you need to find out how well the material you are looking at with withstand the weather conditions in your area. If you live in a very wet environment, for instance, you need to make sure the carport is treated to prevent rust. You should also see if the one you buy can be painted to match your home or if it will have to remain the color that the factory puts on it. If that is the case, you should look for a color that will be compatible with your home.
Step 5 – Get a Good Deal
When you have everything figured out and you are ready to make a purchase, you should try to do some price comparisons to see where you can get the best deal. There are typically multiple dealers out there for the same line of products, and they have to compete with each other to gain customers. This competition is a good thing for you though because it allows you to get the best rates possible on the portable carport you need. Just do a quick search online and you are sure to find a carport that is just right for you.
Now that you have all of the background information you need, its time to go shopping. Here are some ideas to get you started:
If you were to go to a craft show and ask every vendor there which brand of popup tent they were using, you would find that the majority tell you they are using the E-Z UP Tent. It is by far the most popular canopy tent for art/craft shows. The folks who do this for a living swear by it because, like the name says, it really is easy to set up. If you are doing shows by yourself, this could very well be the single most important reason to get one. No one wants to be still struggling to [...]
Warm weather is here, and summer is just around the corner. We all want to get out of the house and soak up the sun’s rays. We want to steer clear of sun damage to the skin and take our shade along with us wherever we go. The ideal back yard accessory is a 10’ x 10’ gazebo or portable canopy, for shade and protection from direct sunlight and rain. They are great for cookouts. They can be shield a hot tub from the sun or shelter it in the winter. You can put them up over your car and [...]
Gazebos have been around since the Roman empire or earlier. They were used to provide shade and a place of rest for the city people. A gazebos could only be found in rich folk’s gardens, or in the market place for protection from the rain and sun for vegetables and fruits. Today, gazebos are used for many different things all around the world. In parks you will often find simple gazebos every 300 yards that make a good picnic spot for families and also give shelter in case of rain. There are as many uses for a gazebo as there [...]
If your 10 x 10 Gazebo did not come with a screen, you can still add one later and enjoy your outdoor living space insect-free. Face it, you bought your gazebo with dreams of sitting out in your back yard, relaxing and enjoying life. You might have envisioned dining under the canopy, perhaps a romantic meal for two. I am sure that you probably never dreamed of inviting the entire insect nation to join you at the table. And it is tough to relax and enjoy your peaceful spot in the yard while you are swatting mosquitoes. Adding a screen [...]
After you and your family have enjoyed your 10 x 10 Gazebo for a few years, you might begin to notice that the top is faded from the sun and sagging in a few spots. It might even have a few rips and tears from withstanding the harsh winds that try to tear it down occasionally. Or perhaps you have a special event coming up and you want everything to look its best. You are in luck, because today it is fairly easy to find a replacement canopy for your exact style of gazebo. You have invested a great deal [...]


