If you want a permanent gazebo with sides for year-round privacy, weather protection, and a true outdoor room, this guide walks through what to look for, how to plan, and why the Backyard Discovery Barrington 12′ x 12′ Cedar Wood Outdoor Gazebo is a practical choice.
Do you need a permanent gazebo with sides?
Yes—if you want privacy from neighbors, shelter from wind and rain, and a structure that serves like an outdoor living room, a permanent gazebo with sides (screens, removable panels, or full walls) is the right move. A well-built cedar gazebo resists rot, looks great, and accepts screens, curtains, or polycarbonate panels to close it off.
Why choose a Backyard Discovery Barrington 12′ x 12′ for sided use
The Backyard Discovery Barrington 12′ x 12′ Cedar Wood Outdoor Gazebo hits the sweet spot for homeowners who want a permanent-feeling structure that still fits most backyards. It’s large enough for a dining set or lounge furniture, the 12′ span makes screen installation straightforward, and the cedar posts and rafters are sturdy enough to support curtain tracks or clear panels.
Key benefits for a sided, permanent gazebo
- Privacy and wind protection: Screens or panels close off the space without changing the structure.
- All-season use: Add clear panels for winter rain and wind, or removable screens for summer airflow.
- Durability: Cedar resists rot and holds finishes well—important if you’ll keep sides attached seasonally.
- Adaptable layout: A 12′ x 12′ Barrington suits dining, a hot tub cover, or a protected lounge area.
Planning your permanent gazebo with sides
Start with location: level ground, away from large overhangs or tight tree branches. Consider foundation options—gravel pad, concrete piers, or a poured slab—based on local codes and desired permanence. For sides, decide between:
- Roll-up screens for insects and airflow
- Outdoor curtains for privacy and style
- Polycarbonate or glass panels for weather protection and light
Attach mounting tracks to the gazebo rafters or posts; the Barrington’s solid posts provide easy anchor points. If you plan to close the gazebo during winter, allow for ventilation to avoid moisture buildup against the cedar.
Installation and realistic assembly expectations
Backyard Discovery kits arrive with pre-cut, pre-drilled parts and labeled hardware. While a permanent gazebo may require a more permanent foundation, the above-deck assembly—raising posts, attaching rafters, and adding the roof—follows the same two-person workflow as smaller Arcadia models. That’s why we point to a real-world example.
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.
Preston’s Arcadia assembly shows a realistic timeline: two people can lift, align, and attach the main components in one evening. A Barrington 12′ x 12′ is larger, but with the same pre-drilled parts and two helpers you can expect a similar single-evening above-ground assembly; the extra time usually goes to leveling and foundation work for a permanent install.
Final tips and maintenance
- Seal or stain cedar every 2–3 years to protect against UV and moisture.
- Use marine-grade fasteners for any added side panel hardware.
- Design for drainage around the foundation to prevent pooling near posts.
In short: if you want a permanent gazebo with sides, choose a cedar model like the Backyard Discovery Barrington 12′ x 12′ for its balance of size, structural strength, and compatibility with screens or panels. The pre-cut, pre-drilled kit approach makes a two-person, one-evening assembly realistic for the above-ground build, and a modest foundation will turn it into a true permanent outdoor room.
