If you want a durable gazebo but the price of a metal gazebo is beyond your means, the durability you seek can be found in vinyl gazebo models.

Vinyl gazebos look just like traditional wood gazebos, except that vinyl is usually white or sometimes black. White mimics wood that is painted white; black resembles wrought iron. Vinyl gazebos are available in a variety of styles, but the most popular style is the Victorian gazebo. This is because white is most often associated with that style of gazebo.

You’ll spend more money for a vinyl gazebo than you will for a wooden one, but you’ll save more money in the long run on maintenance. Unlike wood, vinyl doesn’t need to be weatherproofed or repainted from time to time, and it is practically impervious to the elements. It won’t rot, crack, check, peel, fade, yellow, warp, twist, or otherwise lose its looks or structural integrity.

Vinyl gazebos, just as with many other types of gazebos, often have asphalt roof shingles. These are construction grade shingles, the same ones used on your house, and will have a similar lifespan. Grey shingles give a more delicate look to the gazebo, while black shingles tend to have a “grounding” effect to the structure.

Some consumers object to the “artificial” feel of vinyl. If you want to make your vinyl gazebo to look more natural and better fit in its surroundings, consider accenting with flowering plants. You can hang plants from moldings or from trellis walls on and around the gazebo. Use real wood furniture, painted white to blend with the gazebo and give a more natural effect for those who sit down inside.

If you want the versatility vinyl can provide in a gazebo, you can find a basic 8 foot model for $3000, a bargain for the value.