Looking for the best windproof gazebo that won’t get damaged by the wind?
Most gazebos are designed to protect you from the sun or rain but few are cut out to handle high winds. Some gazebos even come with a warning that they are not suitable for windy conditions which isn’t a lot of help when you’re leaving them up overnight. There are however some gazebos that are built to withstand 4 seasons of weather and will stand the test of time if left out all year. These top 5 best gazebos for high winds have been tried and tested to make sure they won’t blow over or crumple in a storm.
Gazebos can serve many purposes but for the most part, they provide protection from above. There are plenty of waterproof gazebos that provide shade and bug netting but there aren’t many gazebos designed to handle strong wind. This article aims to find the most sturdy and wind-resistant gazebos on the planet so that you don’t end up with a pile of scrap metal after gale-force winds.
What is the best type of gazebo for high winds?
Wooden gazebos are the best for high winds but not everybody wants to build a permanent gazebo in their garden, especially if your backyard is small. Hardtop gazebos with durable metal frames are the next best thing as they are strong and are supported by heavy-duty attachments.
In a Hurry? Here’s a Quick Summary
Best Hardtop
Best Fabric
Best Pop Up
Best Value
5 Best Gazebos for High Winds
Kozyard Alexander Hardtop Aluminum Permanent Gazebo
WIND RATING: 40 MPH
FRAME: Aluminum, Powder Coated Steel
ROOF: Galvanized Steel
SIZE: 10 x 12 FT (Larger sizes available)
FEATURES: Top Ventilation, Mosquito Netting, Double Track System for Curtains, Rustproof, Gutter System, Snowproof, Anchor Stands
SETUP TIME: 3-5 Hours with 2 People
WARRANTY: Limited
The Kozyard Alexander Hardtop Gazebo is designed to be left up all year round and deal with all seasons with ease. It is easily the best permanent gazebo for high winds I have tested and couldn’t be happier with its performance.
When you hear the wind battering against your window at night it is all too easy to start thinking about how your gazebo will handle it. This can lead to a lack of sleep and increased stress which isn’t in anyone’s best interest. The benefits of this type of gazebo are that you don’t have to take it down in winter and you don’t have to worry about the wind damaging it.
Tested in up to 40 mph winds and with up to 2500 lbs of snow on the roof, you can rest easy knowing your new gazebo will be just fine. Actually performing these wind rating tests is something I wish more companies would do as it really helps in the buying decision.
Under the galvanized steel canopy you can fit 6 – 8 people who will be 100% protected from sun and rain as well as a dining table and chairs. It is safe to use with a bbq and heat and smoke can escape through the top vent which also helps you keep cooler on a hot day.
It takes 2 people around 3 – 4 hours to build and comes with everything you need to get started as soon as it is delivered. It is advised that when you are constructing it you should not tighten any of the screws until all the pieces are together. This is to ensure that all the predrilled holes line up and can be adjusted into position.
In conclusion, I would recommend this hardtop gazebo for windy conditions as well as year-round use in more extreme climates where snow is also a possibility. The rustproof frame and roof ensure your gazebo will last for many years to come and if you decide to move you can always take it with you. This really is the best metal gazebo for high winds.
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Christopher Knight Home Sonoma Outdoor Iron Gazebo
WIND RATING: 45 MPH
FRAME: Alloy Steel and Iron
ROOF: Polyester with DWR
SIZE W: 9.8 x L 9.8 x H 8.9 FT
FEATURES: Privacy / Bug Netting, Top Vent for Ventilation / Wind Resistance
SETUP TIME: 2-3 Hours with 2 People
WARRANTY: 90 Days
The Christopher Knight Sonoma Gazebo is the best fabric canopy for high winds and will withstand 40+ mph winds without taking the canopy off. That’s right, you can leave the canopy on overnight and all year round if you want to without worrying about strong gusts damaging it.
Designed for backyard and garden use, this is the perfect gazebo for areas with frequent windy conditions. You can fix it down permanently with bolts or temporarily with pegs or weights which makes it suitable for all occasions and garden locations.
With hardtop gazebos, once they are up it takes considerable time and effort to take them down again. The benefit of using this fabric canopy gazebo when the wind speed gets above 60 mph is that you can quickly take it off to prevent damage.
The strong steel legs provide rigidity for the entire frame and make it incredibly durable in the wind when all tightened up. In some cases, having some flexibility in a frame can help avoid damage but with legs as strong as this you don’t have to worry about it. The canopy is built to be left up in all but the most severe high winds and is easy to detach if the weather forecast is making you nervous.
It provides a cooling shade when it is sunny and even has ventilation at the top to increase airflow when there isn’t a breeze. The roof is totally waterproof and so you should be careful not to let water pool up on top in heavy rain. The bug netting is good but there are still small gaps where midges could get in if they tried.
It takes 2 people around 2-3 hours to set up but could be done on your own if you are handy with your tools. The quality of materials is very impressive for the money and leaves no doubt that it is built to last. When the gazebo is fully set up it is strong enough to support a gazebo fan or lighting as well as privacy curtains and other accessories.
Overall, the Christopher Knight Sonoma Gazebo provides some of the best strength for high winds I have seen. Unlike some fabric gazebos, the roof supports are made from durable steel instead of thin poles which adds to the already solid construction. This gazebo performs better in high winds than most hardtop gazebos with polycarbonate roofs.
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Sojag Mykonos Sun Shelter 10 X 12 feet
WIND RATING: 40 MPH
FRAME: Powder Coated Aluminum
ROOF: Galvanized Steel
SIZE: 9.6 x 11.7 FT (Larger sizes available)
FEATURES: Mosquito Netting, Double Track System for Curtains, Roof Hook
SETUP TIME: 3-4 Hours with 2 People
WARRANTY: Limited
The Sojag Mykonos Sun Shelter is the perfect gazebo for windy gardens and backyards that are exposed to the elements. Designed to be used on patios and by the pool as well as on grass or raised decking, you really can put it anywhere you like. The strong aluminum frame is rustproof and rock-solid when the roof is fully installed.
The benefits of this gazebo over other hardtops with polycarbonate tiles is that the roof adds strength to the frame as well as being literally as tough as nails. The simple 4 sided pitch roof makes this ideal for open locations that don’t have any kind of natural wind protection. If you like to entertain guests or host BBQs, you can easily seat 6 – 8 people around a table or use it to grill in the rain if you are as dedicated as me.
The galvanized steel roof is the perfect design for wind and rain as well as providing total shade below. But the lack of ventilation means that on a hot stuffy day with no wind, it can get a little hot even with full shade. For this reason, I recommend getting a gazebo ceiling fan if you live somewhere hot.
Weighing just 117 lbs, I wouldn’t get anything lighter as you want a little weight to hold the structure down in powerful gusts of wind. The build quality is as you might expect from a reliable brand like Sojag and the instructions make it easy to build. The guide estimates it would take 5 hours for two people to erect however this is very generous. I would say it can be done in under 3 hours if you have even a little DIY experience.
To summarize, the Sojag Mykonos gazebo will stand strong in harsh weather and won’t be destroyed when high winds pick up. It provides an excellent place to relax and socialize with friends and family and will last for many years with due care. If you want a minimal gazebo that won’t blow over or crumple under wind pressure then this is a great option by a well-known brand.
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EROMMY Hardtop Gazebo 12 x 12 feet
WIND RATING: 35 MPH
FRAME: Powder Coated Aluminum
ROOF: Galvanized Steel
SIZE: 12 x 12 FT
FEATURES: Top Ventilation, Mosquito Netting, Privacy Curtains on Double Track System
SETUP TIME: 4 – 5 Hours with 2 People
WARRANTY: Limited
The EROMMY Hardtop Gazebo is our best value choice for high winds as it is very similar to the Kozyard gazebo above but also includes the privacy/wind curtains. This means that not only do you get a shelter that is built to withstand high winds but also one that provides wind protection for people inside.
The main reason to choose this hardtop gazebo over others is the value for money it provides. The solid aluminum frame is future-proof and doesn’t rust when left out which is great because you don’t really want to be taking this down for winter every year. Not that it is too difficult, it just takes a lot of time.
The vent on the top helps reduce wind impact from below which is what can cause fabric gazebos to turn inside out like an umbrella. The ventilation panel on top has PVC bug netting and provides a gap for hot air and fumes to escape without letting in rain or insects. It also helps pull a breeze through when it is hot to stop it from feeling clammy in full sun on a humid day.
This is one of the trickier gazebos to put up with just to people but it can be done with a little trial and error. You should leave the screws loose before all pieces are in place to make sure all your holes line up. Built with strong, durable materials using a tried and tested design, this gazebo is perfect for patios ad backyards where it can be bolted down.
If you want to save a few hundred dollars but still have a gazebo that can face high winds then I recommend looking into the EROMMY Hardtop Gazebo. You may need some help installing this particular model but at least when it is done you can all sit back and appreciate your work for years to come.
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Hike Crew 4-Panel Pop-Up Screen House Gazebo
WIND RATING: 50 MPH
FRAME: Fiberglass
ROOF: 210 Polyester
SIZE: L 5.8 x W 5.8 x H 7.1 FT
FEATURES: No-See-Um Bug Mesh Panes, Optional Wind Panels, Carry Bag
SETUP TIME: 1 Minute
WARRANTY: Limited
The Hike Crew 4-Panel Screen House is the best pop-up gazebo for windy conditions and will also protect you from sun, rain, and biting insects too. Designed for super-fast setup and with portability in mind, this is the perfect shelter for camping, tailgating, and events where high winds are a concern.
For people who aren’t looking for a permanent or hardtop gazebo, the Hike Crew Gazebo Tent is an ideal solution and is far cheaper too. Maybe you just need it for a one-off garden party or sporting event and the rest of the time it will sit in your garage. That’s what makes pop-up gazebos great.
The mesh bug netting is a key feature if you live in a place with biting insects and is incredibly effective thanks to it being sewn to the canopy itself. You can be sure to stay dry when it rains too and the mesh panels help to partially block rain coming in from the sides if you don’t have the additional panels. With a UPF 50+ UV rating, you and your children can protect your skin with confidence when relaxing in the shade.
The fiberglass frame is designed in a way that makes it incredibly flexible in high winds which allows it to avoid damage when the wind gets too strong. Because the canopy is attached to the walls it would be almost impossible for the wind to get under and rip the roof off.
While the Hike Crew 4-Panel Screen House is quite small with just 34 square feet of space inside, it will still comfortably fit up to 5 people in there with a dining table. Coupled with its portability, this gazebo is perfect for taking places you want to sit outside while staying comfortable and protected from the elements. Not a bad choice if you just want a cheap backyard gazebo to use for the summer months either.
What makes a gazebo good for high winds?
Over time, gazebos have become more lightweight and portable than ever before to fulfill consumer demand and decrease shipping costs. Strong and durable materials are used for the frames which can withstand heavy rainfall from above. The problem with these developments is that they leave gazebos weak from the sides. They simply aren’t made to handle pressure from high winds.
So, the qualities I look for in the best high wind gazebos are a strong frame and canopy structure that will hold together even if the roof blows off. To ensure the strength of their gazebos, many companies will conduct controlled wind tunnel tests and provide a wind resistance rating. If your gazebo is tested in 60 mph winds then you can be confident it won’t be damaged in a big gust of wind.
Soft Top Gazebos for High Winds
Much like umbrellas, soft top gazebos can get turned inside out when a strong breeze whips through. This inevitably leads to damage which in some cases can be irreparable. If the fabric rips you can always stitch it together or patch it up but if a metal pole snaps in half or bends, you will struggle to come back from that.
One feature that helps fabric gazebos stand up to strong winds is the ability to increase tension with guy lines. This adds structural integrity and prevents the canopy from acting like a parachute when the wind blows the wrong way. Having legs that are strengthened and supported like a brace by the rest of the frame reduces the odds of experiencing wind damage.
Pricing
The pricing of gazebos varies massively but pop-up gazebos are by far the cheapest and also least resistant to wind. You can get a semi-decent pop-up canopy for around $200- $300 but don’t expect it to last very long in 30+ mph winds.
Metal framed gazebos are built a little stronger but can start at around $700 for a flimsy frame that will ultimately end up in a pile of scrap. The good ones typically cost more than $1000 and are prone to last many more years.
The most sturdy gazebos that can withstand the strongest gale force winds are wooden and the prices start around $2,500 all the way up to $20,000+. These can arguably be considered as investments as they add so much value to your property and provide the perfect place to relax or socialize.
Things to avoid
If you want a gazebo that can handle high winds then try to avoid polycarbonate roofing as this is very lightweight and prone to being damaged. Permanent gazebos are much better than pop-up gazebos when the breeze picks up so try and avoid getting a cheap canopy to save money as this will only cost you in the long run.
I hope you found this list of the best gazebos for high winds useful in your decision-making.
