If you’re searching for a wooden gazebo with sides, you probably want real privacy and wind protection without giving up the warm look of cedar. The good news: the most reliable path is to start with a sturdy cedar gazebo and add side panels, curtains, or screens designed for outdoor use. That way, you keep the strength and warranty of the structure while getting the coverage you want.
Below I’ll outline the best ways to add sides, what to consider for airflow and weather, and the exact Backyard Discovery model we recommend as the base. Yes, two people can realistically build a similar gazebo in a single evening—we’ll show you the proof in the video section.
The Best Base for a Wooden Gazebo With Sides
For most patios, a 14-by-12 footprint is the sweet spot: big enough for furniture and walkways, yet still manageable for two DIYers. That’s why our go-to recommendation is the Backyard Discovery Arcadia 14′ x 12′ Cedar Wood Outdoor Gazebo. It’s solid cedar with a steel roof, clean lines, and beefy posts that make hanging curtains or attaching privacy screens straightforward. Backyard Discovery has been building cedar gazebos for years, with thoughtful hardware packs, pre-drilled parts, and a real warranty—exactly what you want when you’re investing in a structure you’ll enjoy for a decade or more.
Why the Arcadia works well with sides:
- Cedar frame: Takes fasteners well and looks great with natural or stained finishes.
- Consistent geometry: Straight posts and header beams simplify mounting curtain tracks or screen panels inside the frame.
- Balanced coverage: The steel roof offers strong shade and rain protection so your side panels don’t have to do everything.
Prefer a slightly smaller footprint? Arcadia comes in other sizes too, but the 14′ x 12′ gives you the most flexibility for seating layouts plus partial or full side coverage. We keep one clear recommendation to avoid decision fatigue—the 14′ x 12′ is the sweet-spot solution for most backyards.
Ways to Add Sides (Good, Better, Best)
- Good: Outdoor curtains on tracks. Use exterior-grade curtain panels and a low-profile aluminum track mounted to the inside face of the header beams. Benefits: fast to install, easy to slide open for airflow, soft look. Choose marine-grade fabric for longevity.
- Better: Mosquito netting plus privacy curtains. Run a double-track: netting closest to the posts for bug control, and heavier fabric behind it for privacy/wind. This combo gives you three modes: open, screened, or fully private.
- Best: Removable privacy screens. Build or buy cedar slat panels or composite privacy screens sized to each bay. Attach with corrosion-resistant screws to interior blocking or to brackets that keep panels removable for storms or winter.
Planning Tips Before You Attach Sides
- Airflow and wind: Solid walls catch wind. Leave gaps, use slats, or design for seasonal removal. Keep at least one wide opening for safe egress.
- HOA and codes: Some communities treat solid sides as a more permanent structure. Check height and setback rules.
- Drain and splash: Ensure the base sheds water away. Curtains should not wick from the ground—aim for a 1–2 inch gap.
- Hardware: Use exterior-rated stainless or coated fasteners and brackets. Avoid drilling into critical metal connectors; stick to wood members.
Quick, Real-World Install Flow
- Measure the inside width between posts for each bay; write down each opening (they can vary by 1/8–1/4 inch).
- Pick your side strategy (curtains, netting, screens) and order materials sized to your openings.
- Mount low-profile curtain tracks or screen brackets to the inside of the header beams, using pilot holes in the cedar for clean, split-free fastening.
- Hang panels, test movement, and add tie-backs or magnets to control billow on breezy days.
- Finish by sealing any fresh-cut cedar and labeling seasonal panels for easy on/off.
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.
Click here to watch the full Arcadia 12′ x 9.5′ setup video on YouTube.
Click here to see the original build article on preston’s site
Why We Recommend Backyard Discovery
Gazebo.homes focuses on Backyard Discovery because their cedar frames, organized hardware, and consistent engineering make DIY assembly approachable. The Arcadia’s clean layout also makes it easy to add sides later—without hacking together a bracket mess. For most homeowners, it’s the simplest path to a true wooden gazebo with sides that looks intentional, not improvised.
Bottom Line
If your goal is a wooden gazebo with sides, start with a proven cedar frame and add removable curtains, netting, or slatted privacy panels. The Backyard Discovery Arcadia 14′ x 12′ Cedar Wood Outdoor Gazebo hits the sweet spot for size, build quality, and easy side additions. With two people, you can assemble a similar Arcadia in a single evening, then tailor the sides to your climate and privacy needs.
