A DIY gazebo kit is a less expensive alternative to a fully-built and delivered gazebo. With just a few hours of work (or help from an assembly service), you can have a beautiful gazebo set up in your yard.
In this guide, we’ll help you compare popular DIY gazebo kits and review the pros and cons of each. Gazebo kits included in this review are from us (YardCraft) and several big box stores – Lowe’s, Walmart, or Costco.
Do-it-yourself gazebo kits offer the opportunity to make memories together as a family. Not only will the installation process be a chance to work together, but the gazebo provides family and friends the chance to gather while enjoying the outdoors. But which one should you choose?
We selected the most popular cedar gazebo kits from our site and big box stores and compared them head-to-head.
Swipe to the right
| YardCraft | Lowe's | Costco | Walmart | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gazebo Brand | YardCraft | Cedarshed | Handy Home | Yardistry |
| Price | $3,999 | $5,115.15 | $4,166.99 (Membership Required) | $1,699.99 |
| Delivery / Installation | Free curbside delivery included in price | — | Free Delivery | — |
| Options/Add-ons |  |  | | |
| Installation Guide | Downloadable & included in package | Included in package | Included in package | Downloadable PDF |
| Warranty | 5-Year Limited | 1-Year Limited | — | — |
| Material | Cedar | Cedar | Cedar | Cypress (aka Chinese Cedar) |
| Size | 12 ft. | 12 ft. | 10 ft. | 12 ft. |
| Shape | Oval | Hexagon | Oval | Rectangle |
| Roof Type | Unfinished | Cedar Shingles | Sold Separately | Aluminum |
| Country of Origin | USA | Canada | USA | China |
Gazebos are usually available in octagon, square, oval, rectangular, and dodecagonal shapes. The placement location might figure into the shape you choose, but it really comes down to your style preferences and vision for your gazebo. We offer the most popular shapes (octagon and oval) in both vinyl and wood.
The right size depends on the size of your yard and how you plan to use your gazebo. Popular sizes include 10’, 12’, 14’, and 18’. At Yardcraft, we offer 12’ and 12’ x 18’ options.
Asphalt shingles are a popular choice for their appearance and low cost. More expensive options include cedar shingles and metal or aluminum.
YardCraft offers the two most popular material options - wood and vinyl. Our wood gazebos are made with cedar, but other popular wood finishes include yellow pine and redwood.
The most reliable foundation that gazebos should sit on is concrete. This is for gazebos that do not have pre-built floors. Alternate foundations that deliver are brick patios or wood.
Screens are the most common type of enclosure. Yardcraft’s screen kit includes an aluminum door with door handle and closer. Fiberglass can also be used but does not let fresh air in.
Placement of your gazebo should be on a flat surface. Beyond that, we recommend placement away from shade plants and trees. Many customers choose to place their gazebo in a sunny area of their yard to create another shady spot where they can relax.
At YardCraft, we create high quality outdoor living structures that are easy to deliver and easy to assemble. Instead of fully customized products, we take standard material sizes and packages them into a high quality, timeless design that will hold memories for years to come. This way of operation becomes a more affordable option for the interested homeowner, as well as being easier to assemble than any other product on the market.
Our do-it-yourself gazebo kits are no exception to that mindset. We also work with local home improvement contractors who want to add quality, affordable outdoor structures to their service offerings.
