Camping is a great way to make the most of the upcoming warm summer months, but you can quickly become uncomfortable under that blazing sun if you’re not prepared. That’s where a gazebo enters the picture. Theuns van der Kolff of Tentco shares the various ways in which you can use a gazebo and what you should keep in mind before purchasing one.
Gazebos make a fantastic alternative to an awning because they can be set up independently. When not providing shade on a camping trip, they can be used in your garden, at the beach, and for almost any outdoor event where shelter is required. This versatility is also showcased in the different ways a gazebo can be utilised when camping.
Tell me why
Protection
The main purpose of any gazebo is to provide protection against the elements, whether it be rain, wind, or scorching heat. During rainstorms, you can stay dry under the gazebo while still enjoying nature’s beauty around you, instead of being cramped up in your tent for hours. Gazebos also provide some respite from the scorching African heat by providing guaranteed shade for you to sit under while relaxing and enjoying a few drinks. If you purchase sidewalls and properly secure your gazebo with guy ropes, it can also shelter you from strong wind.
Store it
Trying to keep all your gear organised and within easy reach can be a challenge, especially on longer trips. When you purchase a gazebo with add-ons such as sidewalls, it essentially doubles up as an additional tent. This extra space can be used as storage space to protect those less valuable items, it will keep your camping essentials from the elements (especially if you invest in a netting floor), and can act as a kitchen or lounge space depending on your needs. The more people on your camping trip, the more sense a gazebo makes…
Privacy
When camping, you are often surrounded by numerous other campers with very little privacy. A camping gazebo with sidewalls can provide you with the extra privacy you want, even if you just want to enjoy your dinner in peace. What’s more, it can also make for the perfect changing room.
Relaxing atmosphere
Going on long camping trips can quickly end with you feeling annoyed with each other, especially if you are cramped and on top of each other all the time. With a gazebo, you can easily create some much-needed extra relaxation space where you can relax after a long day of outdoor activity.
Make the right pick
Gazebos come in various shapes and sizes, so picking the correct one for you can be quite difficult, especially
if you don’t know what to base your decision on. Tentco offers a range of six gazebos, from the basic and lightweight pop-up gazebo to the bigger and more sturdy options that come with their own range of addons which can be purchased separately. These include different types of side- and end walls, inner hanging shade nets and tent-to-gazebo connectors. The size of the gazebo you purchase, and your add-on choices, will obviously be influenced by your specific camping or outdoor lifestyle needs.
There are, however, a few important things you need to consider. Firstly, be sure to take note of the size and weight
of the gazebo when it is stored in its assigned bags as it influences its portability. Bigger gazebos with a full separate
frame will have two bags – one for the fairly extensive pole collection. Second, make sure that the gazebo you want to
purchase is relatively easy to set up and not too heavy for two people at most to manage. To make life easier, should
consider colour-coding the poles that assemble together.
Another important aspect to look at is the quality of the materials that the frame and canopy of the gazebo are made out of; this is critical to the durability of the product. After all, you do want the gazebo to withstand whatever conditions come your way during your adventures. All of Tentco’s canvas gazebos are weather-proof, as well as rot-, UV- and mildew resistant. Tentco’s frames are made of relatively thick passivated electroplated steel with nylon ends; a quality material combination that offers both value and durability. The quality of materials ultimately affects the cost, but even if you only plan on camping a couple of times per year, it is always beneficial in the long run to invest in a sturdy gazebo that fulfils all your needs.
Tentco, of course, offers replacement parts for their range of gazebos, so you don’t have to purchase an entirely new gazebo if something does get torn, bent or broken.
*For all your camping-related needs, pop over to Tentco’s website to find a retailer near you: www.tentco.co.za
