Is It Safe to Keep a Gazebo Up in High Winds?

The short answer

If strong winds or gusts are forecast, take the gazebo down. Even a well-weighted gazebo is not safe in a storm, and no amount of ballast makes it so. In normal breezy conditions, weighting every leg keeps it steady, but as the wind builds the safe move is to drop the canopy or take the frame down. If in doubt, take it down: a packed-away gazebo costs nothing, an airborne or wrecked one can cost a great deal and hurt someone.

This is general guidance. Always follow your gazebo manufacturer's maximum wind rating and instructions, and check the Met Office forecast and any weather warnings for your area.

Reading the conditions

• Light to moderate breeze. A properly weighted gazebo is generally fine, with a block on every leg.
• Fresh, gusty wind. Time to be cautious: drop any side walls, lower the height if you can, and keep an eye on it.
• Strong wind or a gale, or a weather warning. Take it down. This is beyond what any gazebo is designed for, whatever the ballast.
• Gusts are the danger. It is the sudden gust, not the steady wind, that flips a frame, so judge by the strongest gusts forecast, not the average.

Every gazebo has a maximum wind rating from its maker. Treat that as the ceiling, and go lower if the pitch is exposed.

What to do as the wind builds

Take the side walls off first, as they turn the gazebo into a sail. Lower the frame if it adjusts, make sure every leg is weighted, and never leave it up and unattended in worsening weather. If it keeps building, take the canopy off or drop the whole frame and pack it away. Weighting keeps a gazebo steady in ordinary conditions, and our guides on securing a gazebo and how much weight you need cover that, but in real high wind the only safe answer is to take it down.