How to Fix our Metal Gazebos and Pergolas into the Ground
Metal Design Furniture offer a range of stunning metal gazebos and pergolas, with bespoke, size, colour and finishing options. One of the most common questions we’re asked is – how are they fixed to the ground?
Fixing your gazebo to the ground means that it’s secure enough to withstand anything, even if you live in a windy area. How to secure the structure depends on the surface you wish to fix it to. It can be done in 2 ways, depending whether you are placing the structure on hard or soft ground.
Hard Surface Install
The legs are screwed into the ground (see the picture opposite of a leg with the surface mount socket attached). When you buy, we will provide you with all the fixings you need, this may be special fixing pins or bolts for a concrete surface. It is best to inform us of your ground’s material when you place your order, we’re here to help you every step of the way, until your completely satisfied with your new metal gazebo.
Soft Surface Install
This may be grass, sand or other soft surfaces. You need to inform us where you wish to install as for soft surfaces, we make the legs 30cm longer. This enables you to install the structure directly in the ground. The legs can then be inserted into holes in the ground and concreted into place for extra security. A layer of grass or sand can then be placed on the top to keep it looking neat.
If you’d like to know more about building a gazebo visit our YouTube Channel – metal design furniture You’ll see 2 videos on which show the professional installation of our Paris Gazebo in 15 Easy Steps and our Romano Metal Gazebo – a full 8 minutes showing the entire process.
These will show you exactly what’s involved if you’re thinking of doing it yourself. Although, if you order your gazebo with us before the 15th April we’re offering free installation, that’s a saving of £300. Don’t miss out – now’s the time to buy!
Garden Series II: How to – Chill-out Miami Style
Design Considerations
Shelter – For use all year round, your chill-out space needs shelter from the elements. Consider metal gazebos or wooden pergolas with a roof. A large patio umbrella will do, just make sure you get something that’s sturdy enough to withstand windy and stormy weather. If you have a courtyard garden, it’s much easier, you’ve already got a sheltered structure, just create a roof for a totally enclosed room.
Heating – Obviously in the UK, we don’t have that Florida sunshine. To get maximum use from your space, so you can extend its use right into October or late into the night, some form of heating is a must. Ironically you’ll never be able to chill out when it starts to get colder!
The Essentials
Bold Tropical Colours – Go for bold colours which fit with the tropical theme. Or choose sunny pastels to reflect Miami art-décor. Vivid flamingo pink and bright orange flowers, with amazon Green cushion covers. Or sun, sand, s
ea and surf pastel shades for a beach vibe.
Soft Furnishings – Your soft furnishings are important in this design to get that lounge area vibe. Try to use a variety of materials, with natural looking textures. Use scatter cushions, throws and blankets to make it ultra-comfy and curtain off for more privacy.
Low Level Seating – The key to a relaxed space is to choose low level seating. L-shaped sofas are great allowing you to lie out in complete comfort. Low level wooden benches will work great too. Use a more informal arrangement for a casual, relaxed look.
Planting List
The tropical plants and palms are seen all over Miami. But you’ll need plants that are hardy enough to survive the UK climate. Some potted specimens with bright, tropical blooms will look great and can be moved inside in the winter months.
Cycad – These look like palms but are actually conifer type plants; they’re hardy and perfect for your borders.
Succulents – Are another must, great for dry soil and gravelled areas.
Cannas – Part of the banana family, with exquisite bright red flowers.
Hibiscus flowers – These are a useful in this type of garden as they don’t require full sun. Do your research when looking for plants and choose varieties that like partial shade.
Passiflora – Passion Flower – the exotic blooms will make a great feature. They’re easy to grow and frost hardy.
Accessories
Loungers – a contemporary metal lounger will look fantastic in this space. If you don’t have the room; position in a sunny area of the garden as a continuation of your theme.
Outdoor Rug – will feel great underneath your feet, allowing you to kick your shoes off and relax. Artificial grass style rugs are practical, they’re soft and just wipe clean. These days you can get them in a variety of different colours.
Lanterns –use lanterns and candles in a variety of colours, perfect for relaxing late into the evening.
A Metal Gazebo for Winter
We lucky Brits are experiencing the driest, mildest winter weather so far in 2011, since records began. Rainfall is 60% lower than it was this time last year in some parts of the country and in the South; temperatures have reached up to 18 degrees. The trend in recent years is that UK winters are definitely getting warmer.
This may explain why our metal gazebo sale trends are on the up. The season has extended year on year and the fact is people are investing in their quality of life. The most depressing thing about winter for many of us is being forced to spend so much time indoors. We want fresh air in our lungs and sunlight on our faces, just because it’s a few degrees cooler, we shouldn’t have to stop enjoying our gardens.
A metal gazebo is a great winter purchase, allowing us to extend the life of our garden and spend more time outdoors. With a patio heater and a cosy blanket, you can use your garden comfortably well into the winter months.
The accompanying photographs are from a customer garden renovation in Ashtead, Surrey. They’ve recently installed our Paris Gazebo. The garden looks gorgeours! Their new gazebo’s entrance looks towards the pond and, whether it’s April, July or November, imagine the pleasure the owners will get from this!
If you use your gazebo or pergola in the winter months, we’d love to hear from you. Send in your pictures, or share any tips you may have to help others extend the life of their gardens.
Gaze Into Summer – How a Gazebo can Grace your Garden
Gazebos, pergolas and arbours have been used throughout the ages; similar structures have been described already in ancient Chinese and Persian literature.
Providing a peaceful place for our ancestors to lounge, and absorb the sights, sounds and smells of nature, these structures offer many perks – here are 3 reasons why a gazebo, arbour or pergola could be a great addition to your garden:
1. Aesthetics – giving an otherwise flat, dull looking landscape height or a focal point. They can then be decorated as you so choose with colourful, fragrant trailing plants or hangers.
2. Function – Pergolas and arbours can provide a structure to grow trailing plants or vines. Many people use gazebos or pergolas to enclose spa, dining or barbeque areas or simply to provide shelter from the elements.
3. Pleasure 
- extending your outdoor living space by offering a pleasant, sheltered place to relax. A gazebo for example can be a haven – a quiet, tranquil lounge area just off the garden. Use it to escape at the end of a busy day -get some fresh air, read a book, enjoy the sunset or some family time.
Did you Know? – In Macaronic Latin the word gazebo means "I shall gaze.”
To celebrate the Gazebo – We’re offering subscribers a generous 10% off all orders until the 15th August. To redeem quote voucher code A15GA at the checkout!
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