Looking for a great way to expand the usability of your outdoor space? Meet the hardtop gazebo!
With a hardtop gazebo, you can skip over the time, labor, and investment of installing a deck and easily create an outdoor hangout space for eating and recreation. You’ll also have the flexibility to place your gazebo wherever you’d like, including by the pool or over an outdoor jacuzzi.
Keep reading to check out our list of the best hardtop gazebos available and what makes them stand out.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Permanent Gazebo from Kozyard
Best Budget-Friendly:
Hardtop Gazebo from YOLENY
Best Wooden Design:
Cedar Wood Frame Gazebo from Sunjoy
Best Overall
Permanent Gazebo from Kozyard
Sleek yet traditional, the Permanent Gazebo from Kozyard earns the spot of best hardtop gazebo for its ability to pair seamlessly with most outdoor living spaces at a competitive price. This hardtop gazebo is available in 10′ long by 12′ wide, though it’s available in five other sizes..
This hardtop gazebo is built with a 4.7″ long by 4.7″ wide triangular aluminum stand pole that’s both larger and stronger than other standard gazebos. Its dark brown, rust-proof aluminum frame is sturdy enough to withstand years of wear, and won’t rust or become deformed over time.
The gazebo features a hard metal top that’s more durable than polycarbonate material, which is commonly used in standard models. Choose from a gray or brown roof.
There are several convenient amenities of this hardtop gazebo, like the resilient PVC-coated polyester mosquito netting and a removable steel railing on all four sides.
The double-track system allows you to add another layer of privacy sidewall and includes two sidewall layers: the mosquito netting and 180 GYM solid polyester sheets. Offering better ventilation than a one-layer design, the dual-sidewall layer provides both privacy and protection from the elements.
When it comes to rain and snowfall, this hardtop gazebo has you covered–literally. The roof is constructed with a water gutter designed to guide rainwater away from the center and toward the corners, removing excess weight and helping with drainage. The galvanized steel roof is also strong enough to withstand heavy snow, so you don’t have to disassemble the gazebo ahead of the winter.
Pros
- Structure features a strong metal top as opposed to polycarbonate material
- Features a double-track system so you can add another layer of privacy
- Product is eligible for return, replacement, or refund within 30 days of receipt
Cons
- Some customers say this gazebo is difficult to assemble
- Some customers cite that the clips on the polyester must be handled with care
Best Budget-Friendly
Hardtop Gazebo from YOLENY
If you’re looking for the best hardtop gazebo on a budget, then the Hardtop Gazebo from Yoleny is made just for you! This gazebo is 10′ long by 13′ wide and provides 130 square feet of coverage. If you’re looking for a different size, this product is available in five other sizes.
This modern hardtop gazebo is designed for sturdy installation, which ensures stability for years to come. It’s made with rugged steel construction treated with a powder-coated finish that won’t scratch, peel, corrode, or rust.
The gazebo comes with a pre-drilled base that’s supplied with expansion screws for concrete floors. However, if you plan to install the hardtop gazebo on wood floors, buyers must purchase wood panel-specific expansion screws.
This hardtop gazebo is made with a ventilated, double-layer polycarbonate roof. The roof is designed to prevent harmful UV rays while allowing for air circulation. It comes with a double-track system for easy sliding and includes curtains to provide UV and rain protection, and a mesh curtain with a zipper for ventilation.
The gazebo comes with all the installation instructions and necessary hardware you’ll need. It’s suggested that two or three people assist with assembly, which should be completed in about five hours.
Six to eight people will comfortably fit for outdoor parties and gatherings. This outdoor gazebo is ideal for an outdoor BBQ, sunbathing, lounging with guests, or for daily relaxation. You can also use it to cover an outdoor hot tub, as a parking shed, or to create a designated area for kids to play.
Pros
- Budget-friendly price
- Covers up to 130 square feet
- Features a double-track system with removable curtains
Cons
- Customers say it requires some elbow grease to assemble
- If you plan to install the gazebo on wood floors, buyers need to purchase wood panel-specific expansion screws
- If you live in an area where it snows, you must clean the snow off the roof relatively quickly to avoid damages
Best Wooden Design
Cedar Wood Frame Gazebo from Sunjoy
If a wooden-style gazebo is your preference, then the Cedar Wood Frame Gazebo might be for you. Made with a robust wooden frame, this hardtop gazebo has double-layer beams, offering twice the reinforcement.
It’s also designed with four 5.5″ long by 5.5″ wide, extra-strong wood posts with ground stakes to secure the gazebo to the ground. Its durable construction ensures the hardtop gazebo will stand up against strong winds and inclement weather to guarantee years of continued use.
Aside from the strong support beams, the 154.7″ long by 132.1″ wide by 121.1″ tall gazebo is made from a premium cedar wood frame and has a matte-black, two-tier steel roof. The roof has a built-in dual-rail system that allows you to suspend mosquito netting or privacy curtains along the perimeter.
The hardtop gazebo also has a ceiling hook that allows for suspended lighting during night time activities.
This gazebo is easy to assemble and comes with illustrated assembly instructions. The gazebo is also backed by a customer service team that’s ready to answer any questions you may have.
Pros
- Made with robust double-layer beams
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Mosquito netting and privacy curtains are sold separately
- Suspended lighting is sold separately
Best Large Size
Hardtop Gazebo Pavilion from Purple Leaf
If you’re the household in your neighborhood that’s known to host parties every weekend, or the go-to place where your friends and your kids’ friends gather to hang out, the Hardtop Gazebo Pavilion from Purple Leaf is the best choice for you.
Measuring 12′ long x 20′ wide, this hardtop gazebo offers several functional features that makes it even more backyard-worthy.
Built with longevity in mind, this gazebo is made with a galvanized steel double roof that can also withstand 2,500 lbs. of snow. The roof and the gazebo’s aluminum frame are powder-coated to give it a decorative, textured finish that’s fully integrated with the coating to prevent chipping or peeling.
The frame fully supports the entire structure and can withstand winds up to 40 miles per hour.
The roof of this hardtop gazebo has a water gutter design to collect surface water and direct it to the four corners. A double-track system and two-in-one binding belt allows you to hang or tie up mosquito netting or curtains.
You can choose from khaki or navy blue curtains. There’s also the option to update to yarn-dyed curtains to block out rain and sun. The column bases have brackets with pre-drilled holes, where you can install solid hooks to hang a ceiling fan or chandelier from the roof.
Pros
- Comes with mosquito netting and curtains, which are guaranteed for two years
- Sturdy roof can support up to 2,500 lbs. of snow
- Strong frame can withstand up to 40 mile-per-hour winds
Cons
- Higher price point
- Installation services are not included
Best Small Size
Granada Grill Gazebo from Backyard Discovery
Not everyone is looking for a hardtop gazebo that’s large enough to accommodate outdoor furniture and visiting guests. Rather, some folks are on the lookout for a gazebo that can cover their grill area and protect it from the elements, particularly throughout the winter.
The Granada Grill Gazebo from Backyard Discovery is the perfect grill to use for just this purpose.
Measuring 10′ long by 9′ wide, this gazebo is also available in seven other sizes. It’s available in three colors and styles: Granada, Norwood, and Arlington.
Durable and long-lasting, this hardtop gazebo is made of cedar wood, which thrives in damp climates. Cedar wood is also rot-resistant and it’s also capable of withstanding winds up to 100 miles per hour and snow loads up to 2,284 lbs.
Use this hardtop gazebo to fit grills up to 80″ wide. Its 29-gauge brown steel roof is dent- and corrosion-resistant to support all-season grilling.
The insulated steel roof reduces heat transfer by up to 20 degrees, so you can keep entertaining on even the hottest of summer days. It also features two customizable powder-coated steel bar tops for serving, prepping, and/or dining.
This gazebo conveniently comes with a five-year limited warranty and it arrives pre-cut, pre-stained, and ready to assemble. It has externally-mounted anchoring plates and steel feet to prevent movement and decay from ground moisture.
It also has an exclusive PowerPort feature that includes three electrical outlets and three USB ports, which are transferable to any post on the structure. The PowerPort requires a power source to function, which is not included, but can be used for charging devices, plugging-in lighting and kitchen appliances, and more.
Pros
- Eligible for return, refund, or replacement within 30 days of receipt
- Five-year limited warranty
- Can withstand up to 100 mile-per-hour winds
Cons
- Some customers say the unit loses its finish over time
- Some customers cite complaints about the quality of the wood
Hardtop Gazebo Buyer’s Guide
A hardtop gazebo creates an attractive focal point for you and your guest to admire. It’s important to ensure that the gazebo you choose has the durability and look that you’re seeking. Some of the most important characteristics to consider are the materials the gazebo is made of and its shape.
Materials
When you’re choosing a hardtop gazebo to add permanently to your outdoor space, you’ll want to consider the material that it’s made of, first and foremost.
Galvanized steel and aluminum are more durable, and are more likely to hold up for longer, and to withstand a wider range of weather conditions. Though some woods, like cedar and redwood, are also durable, it typically requires more routine upkeep.
Be sure to consider the materials of the gazebo you’re buying in regards to the climate where you live. Heat, cold, snow, humidity, and rain will all factor in to what material will work best for you.
Shape
When choosing a hardtop gazebo, you’ll also want to consider its shape. The shape will dramatically affect the look of your outdoor space, and some shapes will do a better job at accommodating your outdoor space than others. Squares, rectangles, hexagones, and octagons are the most common construction shapes for outdoor gazebos.
When choosing a shape, also keep in mind the construction required for different shapes. Square and rectangular gazebos are typically easier to install because they require only four posts.
Hexagonal or octagonal gazebos are preferred by some homeowners because they tend to be more aesthetically appealing. However, they require six to eight posts, which makes for a longer and perhaps more complicated installation.
Hardtop Gazebo Frequently Asked Questions
Can a hardtop gazebo stay up all year?
Yes, you may leave your hardtop gazebo up year-round, but you need to ensure that it’s made of materials that can withstand the winter. Depending on where you live, wintertime can bring forth harsh, cold temperatures, as well as snow and sleet.
Some materials are better equipped to withstand these conditions, such as stainless-steel or manufactured wood. However, other materials, like regular wood, can weaken under these conditions and are best to disassemble or shield with a protective cover.
Even if you have a durable hardtop gazebo, if you live in an area where it snows, it’s safest to routinely clean the snow off its roof to avoid possible damage.
How long do hardtop gazebos last?
Hardtop gazebos can last for 10 to 15 years if they’re taken care of properly. More often than not, the gazebos that last longest are constructed from stainless steel or aluminum.
Wrapping Up the Best Hardtop Gazebos for Your Yard
Hardtop gazebos are a great investment for your backyard space and for more reasons than one. These structures are typically easy to install and provide a centralized area to entertain, dine outside, sunbathe, and possibly grill year-round.
Adding one of these best hardtop gazebos, like the Permanent Gazebo from Kozyard to your backyard will allow you to enjoy your yard space more–and encourage others to do the same right alongside you.
Interested in learning about other ways that you can add pizzazz to your backyard? Visit our page on Backyard Living to learn more!