If you’ve ever seen a gazebo that wasn’t weighed down in the wind, you’ll know what a disaster it can be. Gazebos work a little like parachutes and can take off in the slightest breeze.
If you’re wondering how to weigh down a gazebo on concrete or any other surface to stop it from blowing away in the wind, continue reading.
It’s important to weigh down a gazebo if you don’t want to lose it in the wind. Credit: Julian Walker
What are gazebo weights?
Gazebo weights come in many shapes and sizes. They can look like the weights used on gym equipment or even just resemble a bag filled with sand. They are used to weigh down a gazebo in windy conditions.
How do gazebo weights work?
Gazebo weights work by holding down the frame of the gazebo. By doing this, they prevent the wind from lifting it up and carrying it away.
Most of the time gazebo weights are attached to the legs of the gazebo. Depending on your weight, you’ll either have to fill it with a substance of your choice (like sand) or simply attach it to your gazebo.
In rare cases, you will find weights that are attached to the canopy instead of the legs. All weights have the same function, however, so choose one that works for you. You can also use weights in combination with other methods to hold down your gazebo so don’t limit yourself unnecessarily.
When are gazebo weights handy?
Gazebo weights are an excellent choice when you need to secure your gazebo on a solid surface like concrete, bricks or paving. You won’t need to struggle to find a way to attach your gazebo to anything in the area or worry about your tent pegs being useless.
How heavy should the weights be?
The amount of weight you’ll need to hold down your gazebo will depend on the size of the gazebo and the strength of the wind. A small 10 x 10 gazebo usually need a minimum of 11 kg (25 pounds) per leg.
To be safe, however, it is better to increase that amount to 18 kg (40 pounds) per leg. You can always increase this weight if necessary but that amount should do in most winds.
That will mean that your gazebo will have about 44 kg (97 pounds) minimum attached to it in total. You can increase that weight to 100 kg (220 pounds) in total if you’re expecting very strong winds. In most cases, however, it’s better just to take down your gazebo at that point since it might sustain other damage.
Secure your gazebo with specially designed weights. Credit: Shutterstock
Can you buy gazebo weights?
Gazebo weights can be bought in many forms and sizes. You will need to decide what kind of weight you like and then see if it is available in your area or order it online. Here are two kinds of weights you can look into:
- Stackable weights
These weights include metal or cement pre-moulded weights which can be stacked on top of each other until the desired weight is reached.
- Wrap around weights
Wrap around weights usually consist of different sized bags that need to be filled with sand, metal or other heavy substances. These bags are then wrapped around the leg and secured with velcro to keep them in place.
How to make your own DIY gazebo weights
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on weights, this section will give you some ideas for making your own. Here are a few options on homemade gazebo weights.
1. Concrete blocks
You can easily create your own moulds and fill them with concrete to create your own DIY gazebo weights. You can make these weights as heavy or as light as you like and you can even make them stackable if you so desire.
2. Pot plants
Large pot plants make excellent homemade gazebo weights and they also look great!. If your gazebo will be standing in the same place in your garden every time, you can strategically place large pot plants in the area. If you ever need to anchor your gazebo, simply tie it to the pot plants.
3. Gym weights
If you have any old gym weights lying around, you can easily use them to secure your gazebo. You won’t need to damage the weights in any way so you can even use them in the gym again afterwards if you like.
4. Buckets or bags of sand
It is also possible to use large buckets of sand to secure your gazebo. You can decorate the outside of the bucket to make it look nice and even place ornaments or flowers in the sand to add an extra touch. Or get 4 bags and fill them with 10kg of sand and stones to weigh down gazebo legs.
FAQs
What do you fill gazebo weight bags with?
Gazebo weight bags can be filled with anything heavy. This includes sand, gravel and rocks. Sand is usually the easiest to work with since it won’t damage your weight bag.
Do you need to secure a gazebo?
Gazebos only need to be secured if there’s a chance that the wind might blow them away. Most gazebos come with attachments that make securing them easy like built-in ropes and holes in the feet where tent pegs and go through. All you have to do is make the effort to use the pegs as required.
Can a gazebo withstand wind?
Gazebos can withstand some wind, but how much will depend on the quality and durability of your gazebo. Some heavy-duty gazebos can withstand wind speeds of up to 50-55 kph (31-34 mph).
Save this pin for later
