Key points at a glance:
- Setting a gazebo in concrete ensures maximum stability and a permanent anchor in the garden; alternatively, round or square gazebos can also be simply secured using threaded rods.
- To ensure a secure footing, ELEO recommends a point foundation made of concrete, where a separate foundation is cast for each support leg; this can also be done yourself using quick-setting dry concrete.
- Among the metal structures on offer, the Firenze Gazebo and the Sardegna Pergola from ELEO, for example, are particularly suitable for setting in concrete and combine durability with stylish garden design.
Have you found the perfect spot in your garden for your dream gazebo? But how should your garden gazebo be anchored to the ground? There are various options to choose from.
One option is to set your metal gazebo in concrete. A concrete base ensures a firm footing in the ground, and your gazebo will remain secure even under heavy loads. Setting it in concrete creates a permanently even, root-proof base for your solid gazebo. You can, of course, hire a professional for this work, but there is generally no reason why you cannot carry out the concreting yourself in the garden.
Is it absolutely necessary to set a gazebo in concrete?
If you want your gazebo to stand securely and permanently in your garden, setting it in concrete is definitely the way to go. Alternatively, a square or round metal gazebo can also be anchored using threaded rods. The conditions of your ground play an important role here.
On soft ground such as soil, for example, the gazebo can be anchored without any problems using a 1-metre-long (approx. 40 in.) threaded rod. This method of anchoring allows you to move your gazebo to a different spot in your garden at a later point in time. Simply seek advice from your local DIY store or a specialist retailer you trust before assembling your gazebo.
How deep should the hole be for setting the gazebo in concrete?
If you decide to set your gazebo in concrete, the first step is to mark out the gazebo’s floor plan and mark the foundation points. You should then dig holes at least 80 centimetres (approx. 30 in.) deep for each foundation.
How wide should the hole be for setting the gazebo in concrete?
When marking out the foundation points, please note that each hole should be 20 centimetres (approx. 8 in.) wide to allow for setting your gazebo in concrete. A layer of gravel, sand or crushed stone should be placed in the hole.
Subscribe to the newsletter and enjoy a £25 discount*
… and we will personally inform you of new products, promotions and discounts in your mailbox.
I agree to receive information from ELEO Gazebo (ELEO GmbH) about its wrought iron garden products…Show more
*The newsletter discount is valid on purchases of £250 or more.
Gazebos and pergolas for setting in concrete
Firenze Gazebo
ø 370 cm · 8 passages · 100% solid iron
Milano Gazebo
ø 290 cm · 6 passages · 100% solid iron
Merano Gazebo
2 x 2 m · 4 passages · solid iron
Bolzano Gazebo
2 x 2 m · 4 passages · solid iron
Genova Gazebo
3 x 3 m · 4 passages · solid iron
Siena Gazebo
ø 210 cm · 6 passages · 100% solid iron
Sardegna Pergola
3 x 4 m · 6 passages · solid iron
Elba Pergola
3 x 2 m · 4 passages · solid iron
Sicilia Pergola
3 x 4 m · 6 passages · solid iron
Palermo Gazebo
4 x 4 m · 8 passages · solid iron
Trento Gazebo
3 x 3 m · 4 passages · solid iron
Toscana Gazebo
ø 550 cm · 12 passages · 100% solid iron
Verona Gazebo
oval · 8 passages · 100% solid iron
Torino Gazebo
4 x 4 m · 8 passages · solid iron
Ischia Pergola
3 x 2 m · 4 passages · solid iron
The right base for your gazebo: the point foundation
You will need a point foundation to set your gazebo in concrete. With a point foundation, you pour a base for each support leg, securing the gazebo at specific points. This method of setting the gazebo in concrete allows you to continue enjoying your preferred ground surface beneath the gazebo, whilst ensuring it remains firmly anchored to the ground.
Facts about a point foundation:
- It is a single, isolated foundation.
- It is also referred to as an individual foundation.
- It is usually cast from concrete.
- The posts set in concrete transfer the weight of the structure to the ground via the foundation.
- Used for everything from garden fences to residential buildings: carports, patio roofs, fence posts, garden sheds and wooden decking.
In addition to point foundations, there are also strip foundations, which run along the outer edges to provide particularly stable corner and wall fixings. Furthermore, concrete slabs are used, for example, for the floor of a garden shed or as a base for a patio.
Setting a gazebo in concrete: required tools and materials
With quick-setting dry concrete, you can complete the construction in one go.
Of course, embedding in concrete is also possible using other types of concrete. In all cases, please ensure that the curing times are observed before proceeding with installation.
| Required tools | Required materials |
|---|---|
| Spade | Fast-setting dry concrete |
| Shovel | Crushed stone/gravel |
| Tape measure | Wooden slats for the supporting structure |
| Spirit level | A little water |
| Clamp tool | |
| Cable ties | |
| Construction bucket | |
| Trowel | |
| Electric mixer |
How to lay a concrete base
Get your concrete base in just a few steps – find out how here:
1. Mark out the pavilion’s floor plan
- Use a chalk line to mark out the floor plan and mark the foundation points.
2. Dig the foundation holes
- Dig holes at least 80 centimetres (approx. 30 in.) deep and 20 centimetres (approx. 8 in.) wide where the legs will later stand.
- If your gazebo is to be placed on grass, it is advisable to lay the turf to one side.
- Then fill the ground with a layer of gravel and water it (drainage layer).
3. Embed in concrete
- Small point foundations do not need to be made on site. For example, construction buckets are ideal as moulds.
- Before the concrete sets, insert the future mounting or connecting piece, align it and set it in concrete.
4. Placing the point foundations
- The foundations are usually fully load-bearing after 24 hours.
- Then place the foundations in the respective holes – then fill the remaining centimetres of the hole with soil or, if necessary, replace the turf.
5. Securing the gazebo to the patio
Would you prefer to set up your gazebo directly on the patio rather than freestanding in the garden? That’s no problem. However, first ensure that your patio is strong enough to support the weight of the gazebo. There are essentially two ways to secure your gazebo to the patio:
- Setting in concrete using concrete anchors: To secure a solid gazebo to your patio, you can use concrete anchors to create a stable foundation. To do this, first lay point foundations in the patio surface and embed the concrete anchors in the concrete. Once the concrete has set sufficiently, you can then attach your gazebo to the anchors.
- Screwing into the patio floor: As an alternative to embedding in concrete, you can also secure the gazebo directly to your patio slabs using suitable screws, such as hexagon head screws. To do this, drill holes in the patio floor and then secure the gazebo using washers, wall plugs, screws and nuts.
Depending on your local conditions, you can decide which option is best suited to your needs. In any case, your gazebo will be securely fixed to your patio for the long term, so you no longer need to worry about wind and weather.
Enjoy your concrete-set gazebo
Sun-drenched summer days, but also lively garden parties come rain or shine: as long as our gazebo models are securely anchored, you can enjoy your chosen gazebo regardless of the weather. Setting your winter-proof gazebo in concrete using a point foundation provides a permanent solution for anchoring your gazebo. Be sure to find out in advance from your local DIY store or specialist retailer about the procedure for setting it in concrete. Or use the DIY videos available online to get an initial insight into how to create a point foundation.