If you’re searching for a soft top gazebo, you probably want quick shade, flexible placement, and lower upfront cost. A “soft top gazebo” is typically a metal-frame shelter with a fabric canopy — lightweight and affordable, great for temporary shade or seasonal use. But if you want something that feels permanent, smells like fresh cedar, and stands up to wind and seasons year after year, a solid cedar option is worth considering.
Below I’ll explain what soft top gazebos do well, where they fall short, and why many homeowners trade up to a Backyard Discovery cedar gazebo like the Backyard Discovery Arcadia 14′ x 12′ Cedar Wood Outdoor Gazebo for a longer-lasting solution.
What is a soft top gazebo?
A soft top gazebo uses a fabric roof stretched over a lightweight frame (usually steel or aluminum). Benefits include fast setup, lower price, and portability. They’re ideal for parties, pop-up shade at the pool, or renters who can’t install permanent structures.
Common uses
- Temporary backyard shade for gatherings
- Market stalls, events, and beach setups
- Seasonal protection for patio furniture
Pros and cons of a soft top gazebo
- Pros: inexpensive, lightweight, quick to move and store.
- Cons: fabric can tear, less wind and snow resistance, short warranty, and less of a “finished” backyard look.
If your priority is a low-cost, temporary shade solution, a soft top gazebo does the job. If you want a comfortable backyard room that lasts, cedar structures are a better long-term investment.
Why choose the Backyard Discovery Arcadia 14′ x 12′ instead of a soft top gazebo?
The Backyard Discovery Arcadia 14′ x 12′ Cedar Wood Outdoor Gazebo is our recommendation when homeowners want a permanent feel with roomy shade and durable materials. Compared to a soft top gazebo, the Arcadia gives you:
- Natural cedar that resists rot and insects and smells great when new.
- Solid posts and a roof designed for seasonal weather — better wind and snow performance than fabric canopies.
- Better long-term value and a more finished look for patios or backyard living rooms.
Practical considerations
If you currently own a soft top gazebo and are deciding whether to upgrade, think about: placement (permanent vs temporary), local wind and snow, how much time you’ll spend under it, and whether you want a finished patio space for dining or outdoor living. The Arcadia 14′ x 12′ is large enough for a dining set and lounging area, and it pairs well with string lights, curtains, or ceiling fans for a true backyard room.
Assembly — you can do this in an evening
One common concern is assembly. Backyard Discovery packages come with pre-drilled cedar and organized hardware to make the job straightforward. A real-world example shows how achievable this is — similar Arcadia models can realistically be assembled in one evening by two people.
Watch a Real Backyard Discovery Gazebo Build in 4K
Before you commit to a gazebo, it helps to see one go together in the real world. Preston and his brother built a Backyard Discovery Arcadia 12′ x 9.5′ cedar gazebo in a single evening, start to finish.
In the 4K video below, you can see how the pre-cut, pre-drilled cedar pieces fit together, how the hardware is organized, and how manageable the process is for just two people. The fresh cedar smell, solid posts, and overall build quality are a big part of why we like Backyard Discovery so much.
If you want to see more photos and details from this exact build, Preston also wrote about the process on his personal site: PrestonShamblen.com/backyard-discovery-arcadia-gazebo-setup. It includes tips, notes, and behind-the-scenes details from the same evening.
Final recommendation
Answering the original question: a soft top gazebo is great for temporary, low-cost shade. But if you want a permanent backyard space that looks great and lasts, consider the Backyard Discovery Arcadia 14′ x 12′ Cedar Wood Outdoor Gazebo. With cedar, a solid warranty, and reasonably straightforward assembly for two people (see Preston’s evening build), it’s a practical upgrade from fabric-top options for homeowners who plan to use the space year after year.
If you’re weighing price vs permanence, start with your goals: temporary portability (soft top) or long-term value and style (Arcadia cedar).
