Most people think of a gazebo as a summer building. A place for a barbecue, a glass of something cold and long evenings in the sun.
But a well-made wooden gazebo does not have to sit empty from October to April. With the right design and a little care, it can give you a dry, sheltered spot in the garden all year round. Somewhere to drink your morning coffee while the rain falls, or wrap up in a blanket and watch a bonfire.
This guide explains how to choose a gazebo that works in the colder months, how to look after the one you already have, and what to do before the winter storms arrive.
Can you really use a gazebo in winter?
Yes, but the type of gazebo makes a big difference.
We make two kinds of wooden gazebo. Open gazebos have a roof and a frame, with the sides left open or filled with trellis. Closed gazebos have walls, windows and a door, so they work more like a small garden room.
An open gazebo is great for shelter from rain and for a covered spot to sit outside. A closed gazebo keeps out the wind and holds on to warmth, which is what makes it comfortable on a cold day.
Open or closed: which suits the colder months?
| Feature | Open gazebo | Closed gazebo |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter from rain | Good, under the roof | Very good, fully enclosed |
| Shelter from wind | Low, unless sides have trellis | High, with walls and a door |
| Windows | None | Curved Head, Georgian, square-leaded or diamond-leaded on toughened glass |
| Inside lining | Not available | MDF or timber lining |
| Insulation | Not available | Optional, on lined buildings |
| Seating option | 3 sides on a 6-sided building, 5 sides on an 8-sided building | Seating options for 6 and 8-sided buildings |
| Best winter use | Covered sitting area, fire pit evenings, sheltered barbecue | Sitting room, reading spot, hobby space |
If you want to use your gazebo on cold winter days, a closed gazebo with lining and insulation is the better choice. If you mostly want a covered place to stand or sit while the weather is mixed, an open gazebo with trellis infill on the windward side works well.
Choose a design that handles bad weather
Every one of our wooden gazebos is made to order at our workshop in Danbury, Essex, so you can choose the details that matter for winter.
Shape. You can choose a 6-sided or 8-sided building. An 8-sided building gives you more room for seating, which helps if you want to gather friends round a fire pit.
Roof. A steeper, curved roof sheds rain and leaves quickly. There is also a shallower, non-curved roof, which costs 5% less. For a premium finish, you can choose cedar roof shingles, a natural timber roof that looks good for many years.
Trellis. On an open gazebo, any open side can have a diagonal or square trellis. Placing trellis on the side that faces the wind gives you extra shelter without closing the building in.
Lining and insulation. On a closed gazebo, an inside lining of MDF or timber, plus optional insulation, helps the building stay warmer and drier inside.
Protecting the timber before winter
Wood and wet weather need careful handling. Rain, frost and damp leaves all take their toll on timber that has not been looked after.
Every building we make leaves the workshop with one coat of oil-based wood stain, in a choice of eight colours: Red Cedar, Dark Brown, Clear, Light Brown, Golden Brown, Summer Tan, Holly Green and Black. This coat protects against rot, decay and wood-boring insects.
That first coat will not last forever, so it is worth adding another before the cold sets in. Pick a dry spell, brush the leaves and dirt off, and treat the timber from the top down. Pay extra attention to the end grain and the bottom of each post, as this is where water gets in first. Our guide to autumn timber maintenance walks you through each step, and the same routine works for gazebos.
If you would rather not repaint every few years, you can upgrade the finish:
- Farrow & Ball Exterior Eggshell in 11 colours, with up to six years of protection against flaking, peeling and fading
- Canexel engineered wood cladding in 15 colours, a low-maintenance textured wood grain finish
- Durasid PVC cladding in 18 colours, in solid, wood effect and brushed styles, needing almost no upkeep
Get the base right
A gazebo is only as good as what it stands on. In winter, wet ground can soften and shift, and a building sitting in damp soil will rot from the bottom up.
| Base type | Price per m² (excluding VAT) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete base | £333 | Permanent and level, subject to a site survey |
| Ground screws | £130.85 | No concrete needed and very little digging |
| Slab and bearer | £68.98 | A flexible, low-cost option with adjustable supports |
All three lift the timber away from wet ground and let air move underneath. Our price calculator works out the base cost for you, based on the size of your building.
Your autumn and winter gazebo checklist
Run through this list in October or November, and again after any big storm:
- Sweep leaves and moss off the roof and out of the gutters
- Check the roof for loose or damaged shingles or felt
- Look for soft timber at the base of each post
- Cut back plants growing against the frame so air can move
- Tighten any loose screws, hinges and catches
- Check door and window seals on a closed gazebo
- Bring in cushions, rugs and soft furnishings so they do not get damp
Cushions and outdoor seating are easy to forget. If you need ideas for where to keep them, our guide on storing garden furniture over winter has plenty of practical tips.
Be ready for winter storms
Strong winds are the biggest risk to any garden building in winter. The Met Office names storms that could cause enough damage to lead to an amber or red warning, and you can follow each new storm on the Met Office UK Storm Centre page.
When a named storm is on the way:
- Close and lock the doors and windows on a closed gazebo
- Remove hanging lights, baskets and anything that could blow loose
- Move light chairs and tables somewhere safe
- After the storm, check the roof, trellis and fixings for damage
A solid, well fixed base and a sturdy timber frame make a big difference here. A lightweight pop-up gazebo will not survive a winter gale, but a properly built wooden one is made to stay put.
Make your garden work all year
A wooden gazebo can be much more than a summer extra. Pick the right design, keep the timber treated and give it a good base, and you will have a sheltered spot to enjoy your garden in every season.
Poultons has been making timber garden buildings in Danbury, Essex since 1951. Every gazebo is made to your size and style, with a choice of shapes, roofs, windows and finishes. Use our price calculator to plan yours, or call us on 01245 222550 to talk it through with our team.