Gazebos

From outdoor kitchen areas to cozy solariums, there are many uses for a permanent gazebo. However, choosing the perfect outdoor gazebo for your backyard can be quite a challenge. It can be a challenge to find the best gazebo, as they come in a wide variety of sizes and a huge range of styles. Finding the right outdoor gazebo for your backyard requires striking the ideal balance between aesthetics, functionality, quality, and price.

If this feels overwhelming, don’t worry! Below you’ll find a comparison of some of the most popular outdoor gazebos on the market. We’ve also provided our expert recommendations, so you can easily choose the best gazebo for your needs.

Best Deck Gazebos

If you're looking for a simple way to add style and shade to your deck, a freestanding deck gazebo is a functional and elegant addition to any backyard space. They offer an easy way to create a sheltered seating area or build a beautiful

There’s a big football game being played on Sunday, and there will be a championship feeling in the air. Whether your favorite team is playing, or you have no rooting interest at all, the best way to celebrate the day is with a small backyard homegate party!

While a tailgate party is an outdoor bash that takes place before a sporting event at the parking lot of a stadium, a homegate party that you hold in your backyard. A tailgate party will include a grill, a tailgate canopy, portable folding chairs, a sturdy but compact camping table, a trusty metal cooler, and plenty of food and drinks.

A homegate party gives you all the benefits of a tailgate without the added stress of gameday traffic, need to prep food the night before, or the need to pack your car or truck with tailgating gear. Additionally, homegating allows you to keep your party as intimate as you’d like. You can make it a family affair, or just invite the neighbors over for a pre-game meal.

While the big game atmosphere can make tailgating a unique experience, you can replicate the feel in your own backyard. In fact, when you’re homegating, you aren’t restricted to one or two parking spaces. You’ll have more room to set up tables and chairs, games like cornhole, and to generally just stretch out. Also, you’ll have the convenience of setting up and breaking down your backyard in your own time frame, and not when the stadium parking lot is open.

It doesn’t matter if you live in the cold Kansas City area, the warmth of the Tampa Bay area, or anywhere else in the United States. Even thought the 54 of the 55 of big championship football games have been played in warmer weather or indoor stadiums, it’s a sport that’s played in just about any weather. Those who tailgate at Kansas City games dress in layers to stay warm. Fans of the team in Tampa know how to stay cool under the blazing sun.

Every year, when Thanksgiving comes around, most of us spend a lot of time in the kitchen getting ready all the dishes that will leave us needing individual wheelbarrows to get us back to our beds at the end of the day. The main draw of the Thanksgiving meal is undoubtedly the turkey. That alone takes plenty of time, starting with picking it out, cooking it, and then stuffing and carving it.

Almost everyone knows what an excellent roasted turkey should taste like. However, there's no reason that you have to repeat the same method of preparation each year. 

Do you want to try something different this Thanksgiving? Don't worry—we aren't talking about Tofurkey. Instead, how about a fried or smoked turkey versus the classic roasted turkey? In this article, we dig into the turkey and the various ways you can safely prepare it for your family.

Ways to Cook a Turkey and How They Differ

Roasting a turkey is the typical way to prepare them for the Thanksgiving season. Roasting is a pretty drawn-out process, particularly if you want to stuff the turkey. You will need to have a stuffed turkey in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes per pound of turkey. For example, when preparing a 12-pound turkey, you need to keep it in the oven for about three hours.

Fried Turkey

However, there are other options when it comes to turkey preparation. For instance, you can fry the turkey. A deep-fried turkey will likely appeal to the younger generation of Thanksgiving attendees. However, the succulent skin you get when you have a fried turkey will appeal to almost anyone.

Pros of a Fried Turkey:

• Frying a turkey is likely one of the fastest ways you can get this bird cooked. That means if you wake up late on the fateful morning, you can still have the turkey deliciously cooked through in no time. Compared to the 15 minutes per pound for a roasted turkey, the cooking time of fried turkey is about three

The fall is a fun time to get outdoors and have a great time with the people you love hanging out with. But your fall fun doesn't have to be limited to festivals, fairs, and fishing holes: there are plenty of ways to entertain right in your own backyard.

Whether you want to have an intimate gathering with the family or a blowout party with your neighbors and friends, we have some ideas in mind. Here are our top 5 fun fall backyard activities, which can also be adapted for gatherings of any size.

Backyard Movie Night

Grab the popcorn, drinks, candy, some outdoor portable chairs, and some blankets, and turn your backyard into a movie theater! If you have a laptop and a projector, you can stream one of the latest movies onto a portable screen, a sheet, or the side of a shed. Better yet, if you have a Sojag gazebo in your backyard, you can enjoy the open air, have a roof over your head, and attach a screen to the posts or the eave of the structure. 

While a

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your outdoor space this summer, you might have started thinking about installing a backyard deck or patio. While both options will provide you with a relaxing space you can enjoy for many years, there are some significant differences.

When it comes to deciding between a deck vs. patio, you’ll want to consider your budget, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Here’s everything you need to know so you can decide which is right for you.

Deck vs. Patio: What’s the Difference?

Before you can decide whether to invest in a deck or a patio, you need to understand the differences. A patio is typically built at or around ground level. These versatile structures are often made of concrete, brick, stone, pavers, or tiles. You can also make a patio out of pea gravel, rocks, or pebbles.

A deck is usually made of wood or wood composite. Some of the most common deck materials include pressure-treated pine, cedar, and redwood. Most are raised, allowing you to take advantage of your home’s views. Since they're elevated, most decks also need a railing. 

Cost Comparisons

One of the major differences between a deck and a patio is the cost. Generally, patios ar

Having a backyard pool brings so many benefits, like getting to enjoy the sun in cool water on a hot day. Completing the space isn't just about the pool, though. Think about how you enjoy your pool and the kinds of poolside cabanas that would make it even better.

A shelter for your pool allows you the opportunity to extend the amount of time you use the space while keeping you safe from a full day directly under the sun's rays. You might not want to get into the pool to enjoy the sun, either. Depending on how you like to use your outdoor pool space, the kind of shelter you build might change.

Solariums, gazebos, and pergolas all have great benefits as poolside cabanas. Which one is the best isn't an accepted fact but depends on how you use that space. Read through our highlights and descriptions of each one while considering whether you need shelter from the sun or more time to bask in it, among other factors.

Why Have a Poolside Cabana?

When you first design your pool area, you probably focused solely on the pool itself. You might have wanted a unique shape, an in-built pool, or something customized to the exterior design of your home. However, once you take a step back from it all, you might realize that something is missing.

The most significant benefit of a poolside cabana is the way it enhances the functionality of your space. A pool gives you the chance to exercise, to have fun, and to soak up some vitamin D. There is only so long that we can stay in the water and only so much direct sunlight our skin can handle at one go.

A shelter next to the pool can offer you protection from the sun if you choose a shaded

Summer will be here before you know it. Soon, you’ll want to spend a lot more time in your yard, getting fresh air and enjoying the outdoors. But right now, you’re probably looking out your window at your backyard space and thinking that it’s time for a backyard makeover. When you make a gazebo the centerpiece of your plans, you’ll open your backyard space up to infinite possibilities.

Whatever your style, a backyard gazebo can add to your backyard aesthetic and give it additional curb appeal. But a gazebo is more than just ornamental. It is a functional, versatile structure that provides shade, protection from the elements, and can serve a variety of backyard purposes.   

Once you start using your imagination, the possibilities are virtually endless. You can use the following guide to learn more outdoor gazebos find suggestions for how you can use them to upgrade your backyard space and get some inspiration for backyard gazebo ideas.

Backyard Gazebo Ideas to Create a Unique Outdoor Space

Traditionally, a gazebo is used to provide protection for a patio set or to create a backyard dining space. However, the use of a backyard gazebo has been greatly expanded by creative homeowners who’ve looked to maximize their outdoor living space.

A Gazebo to Transform Your Patio or Deck

An existing patio or deck is a practical place to install a gazebo, and the reason is twofold. First, since the patio or deck is usually right next to your house, it makes it a natural extension of your living space. Second, it means you don’t need to create a new base to install your gazebo, which means you will save s

Is your pool area in need of a fresh new look? Whether you want to completely remodel your swimming pool or just give it a facelift, this is the perfect time to do a backyard makeover. An inspiring pool design can breathe new life into your property and increase its value.

With these simple tips, you can plan an upgrade for your swimming pool area and make the most of your outdoor space. Then, take your pool design from great to amazing with personalized touches.