When you first start looking at 10 x 10 Gazebos, it is easy to become confused by all of the different choices you have when it comes to the metal framework. Every company will tell you that theirs is the best. If you spend some time educating yourself about the different types of materials available beforehand, you’ll be better equipped to evaluate the statements made about each individual model, and make an informed choice.
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is which of these is most important to you: price, design, or durability. You are not going to get the most beautiful design, or the strongest metal for the lowest price. How and where you are going to use your gazebo should play a big part in making this decision. If you are using it temporarily, you probably won’t care about the strength of the metal. If you need it to last many, many years, you should be willing to pay more for the higher quality.
Traditional gazebos are made of wood. Besides being heavy and expensive, wood gazebos need considerably more maintenance than those with a metal frame. They will need to either be made from a rot-resistant type of wood or treated on a regular basis. Most wooden gazebos are built in place and are difficult to move, so you’ll need to be certain you’ve got it where you want it before you begin building.
Aluminum is one of the most common metals used in gazebo frames. It is approximately 45% lighter in weight than steel. It is often used for portable gazebos, but can also be found in ones that are intended for permanent use, too. Most of the folding tents you’ll find on the market today will have aluminum frames because of the strength to weight ratio. Aluminum is resistant to rust, another point in its favor. Aluminum can also be powder coated, which I’ll expand on in a moment.
Steel is the second most common material for metal framed gazebos. It also can be powder coated to enhance its looks and durability, however if the powder coating is damaged, the exposed metal can begin to rust fairly quickly. Because steel is so much heavier, it is perceived to be much more durable. It is most often used for gazebos that will be put in one place and seldom, or never, moved again.
Before powder coating was invented, wrought iron was used when you wanted your gazebo frame to be both decorative and strong. With wrought iron, a gazebo builder could achieve shapes and designs that just weren’t practical, or even possible in other metals. Wrought iron is stronger and more resistant to rust than steel, but also much heavier. Wrought iron framework in gazebos today is mostly limited to the more expensive varieties.
Now to understand powder coating. A piece of metal is electrostatically charged, then a fine dry powder is sprayed over the entire surface, being careful to coat every nook and cranny evenly. The metal is then placed in an oven, where the thermoplastic particles of the powder melt together to form a thick, dense skin covering the entire piece. This coating is typically as thick as two heavy coats of regular liquid paint, but much more durable. The powder is available in numerous colors, some with flecks of other colors mixed in for contrast, others are bright, bold primary colors.
In addition to making the metal framework of your 10 x 10 Gazebo more colorful and decorative, powder coating adds strength and greater resistance to rust, corrosion, and other weather-related conditions that occur whenever metal is exposed to the elements for long periods. So, if you are looking at either aluminum or steel for your gazebo frame, try to find one in your budget range that is powder coated so you can enjoy your gazebo for years to come.