Chatham Steel Hardtop Gazebo: The Pros & Cons

Now here’s a great way to essentially add a room on to the house without having to spend $10,000 or $20,000. It’s the Chatham Steel Hardtop Gazebo, and here are the reason why I like it:

Chatham Steel Hardtop Gazebo
Is it really that great?

1. Heavy-Duty Design Makes the Chatham Gazebo a Great Value

It has the look and feel of a permanent, built-in structure without the high price tag of having to hire a contractor, acquire building permits, etc.. The steel construction makes this gazebo extremely sturdy, plus it can be bolted down.

The metal roof definitely holds up to the elements better than wood or canvas of the typical outdoor pergola. This feature also makes it easier to enjoy an outdoor room year-round in many places.

In my opinion, well-designed outdoor rooms can add significant value to a home. The reason for this is that they basically increase the usable square footage of the home.

Think about it like adding an $8,000 deck or doing a $12,000 bathroom remodel. If these home improvements add $8,000 or $12,000 respectively to your property, you essentially make your money back when you go to sell your house.

According to Archadeck, gazebos and pergolas can enhance a property in the same way, yet the portable versions are cheaper to buy and take less time to install. We get to enjoy entertaining and relaxing in our new outdoor space – and increase our home’s value at the same time. It’s a win-win.

2. Gazebo has a Custom, Upscale Look that Doesn’t Look Cheap

I think that the number one reason why people avoid buying portable pergolas and gazebos is that they are afraid of making their backyard look cheap. This is not the case with Sunjoy’s Chatham model.

It’s not the cheapest product on the market, but it’s not expensive either. In fact, I was surprised that it was priced under $2500 after I saw the modern vented metal roof. People are proud to show off their new addition to friends because everyone is always impressed.

3. Enjoy Spending More Time Outdoors

Forget about increasing the value of your home for a minute. Consider the fact that upscale, stylish gazebos make outdoor spaces relaxing and enjoyable to look at, even if you are washing dishes at your kitchen sink. They are a simple way of transforming a plain backyard into a resort-like retreat.

Whether you entertain guests on an outdoor sofa set with a fondue dinner – or you add a relaxing hot tub where you can escape at the end of the day, gazebos are really good at reminding us that there is always something fun going on. And it can be in your own backyard.

The way I justify many or my purchases is how it will end up saving me money in the long run. After I turned my deck and backyard into a great place to entertain and relax, I ended up spending less money going out and instead inviting friends over. It’s actually surprising how much money you can save.

What I Don't Like About the Chatham Hardtop Gazebo
What’s so bad about it?

1. It’s Big and Bulky.

This outdoor structure is not lightweight. It weighs about 550 lbs, and don’t assume that can assemble it yourself. It’s also not a gazebo that you can easily move around, so once you’ve got it positioned in place, don’t plan on moving it.

2. It Doesn’t Let the Sun In.

Although it’s made by Sunjoy, there’s no sun shining through this hardtop gazebo. Unlike most pergolas where you can pull back the canopy when you want the sun to shine through or you want to check out the stars, this rooftop isn’t going anywhere. Oh well.

Check it out here.