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

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 wax it in the shade. Moving beyond the home, these portable canopies can be taken to the beach. You have seen them used as tents at craft shows.
You need to know how you intend to use an outdoor gazebo, because usage will influence what you buy. You can spend anywhere from under $100 to $3,000 and more, depending on the materials for the frame, the fabrics selected for the cover and whether the sides will be protected as well.

A sturdy frame is important in any portable shelter. Steel is the strongest, but aluminum is lighter. This is a factor in how much carrying around you will do. The metal should not be flimsy. It’s a good thing if the frame has been treated for rust resistance. There should be enough joints so that it unfolds and folds up quickly, easily, with precision. In a standing position, the frame should feel firm and locked into position. Joints which cross the frame are a good defense against collapse.

The fabrics that cover a portable canopy or gazebo should be of good quality in order to withstand the wear and tear of weather. The best canopies have fabrics which are heavy, like sail cloth, UV resistant, mold resistant and fade resistant. Chances are that if you buy yours from a big box store at a good price, it will come with covering made of poly-vinyl. It is entirely possible that after a year, you find yourself with a frame that’s just fine and a need to replace the covering that the elements broke down. Take heart, for there are companies that specialize in replacing the covers. This is a good question to pose when buying a portable gazebo that you expect to last for years. The answer received, however, might not be the same when the time to replace comes.

Gazebos can come with lots of features, like privacy panels, mosquito netting, tie-backs and zippered doorways and side panels. Your transportable outdoor shelter can be plain or fancy, and offer everything from almost total exposure to complete shelter.
You get what you pay for. If you want permanence, the extra money for quality will pay off. Do shop online to find what is out there. Some of the top manufacturers in the portable canopy market include Coleman, DC America, E Z Up, but there are many more. Let the shopping begin.

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 are different styles.

The 10′ X 10′ Easy Pop Set Up Canopy takes only minutes to set up or break down and includes its own carrying case. This type of shelter is ideal for outdoor parties, picnics, weddings, family or company sports events, and fair grounds. The tent style gazebo has a heavy duty steel frame which will give you many seasons of service. The canopy material is also highly durable and water resistant. This model comes with removable side walls. The side walls also have windows that can be opened for ventilation, if needed. It has zippered doors front and rear. If you need  a portable canopy, this one is a bargain at just over $100.

Another very popular use for a portable canopy is tailgating. Show your team colors or back your favorite NASCAR driver. Come rain or shine, your barbeque will be protected from either one with one of these logo canopies. They are durable enough to last for many seasons. They feature a powder coated steel frame and water resistant canopy with your team’s logo on all four sides so there is no mistaking who you are rooting for. With a 6ft clearance, there is plenty of room for all of your friends to stop by and join the party. Logo canopies are easy to put up and take down, folding up to only 4ft for storage. Look for one with rollers on its storage bag for easier transportation. No matter who you support, you’re sure to be able to find a portable canopy with their logo on it.

Probably the most popular use for a 10 x 10 Gazebo is in your backyard. They can be erected temporarily on grass or concrete, or more permanently with their own flooring. If you plan to leave your gazebo up year round, you’ll want one that is heavier than the portable types and you should be able to anchor it down to the ground. When you add mosquito netting, you have an instant screen room for much less than any contractor would quote you. Add flagstones or pavers for flooring, a table and some comfy chairs, and you have yourself an outdoor living space that will be the envy of the neighborhood.