Pavilions

Whether or not you want walls for your pavilion or gazebo primarily depends on what kind of protection you want it to provide.

• A closed pavilion is a cosy little room in your garden where you can hang out all year round. It has walls that can be rolled up or pushed to the side, depending on the material they are made of.

• An open pavilion provides good protection from the sun when it’s at its highest point in the sky. Because it doesn’t have any walls, it won't protect against the wind very well.

• A pavilion with two walls provides good protection against both sun and rain. Wind can blow through it and cool you down on particularly hot days.

Choose a gazebo that stays stable even during bad weather. The frame is usually made of steel or aluminium, steel being the most stable of the two. However, aluminium is much easier to erect as it weighs less. The gazebo can also be made of iron, which will last for many years.

The roof tarpaulin should be made from a UV-resistant material that protects it from fading in the sun. Also check whether it’s waterproof or water-repellent. The difference here is that waterproof materials can withstand heavy rain, while water-repellent materials only can withstand light moisture.