If you’re researching gazebo sides, you’re likely looking for privacy, wind protection, bug control, or all three. The short version: you can outfit a cedar gazebo with sides using curtains, mesh screens, slatted wood panels, or clear wind panels—and the right choice depends on your climate, sun direction, and how permanent you want the setup to be.
For most homeowners, a flexible combination works best: screens for bugs, plus one or two privacy/wind sides where the breeze or neighbor sightline is strongest. A sturdy cedar frame like the Backyard Discovery Arcadia makes it straightforward to add rods, tracks, or panel mounts, so you can fine-tune shade and privacy without turning your gazebo into a closed box.
What to put on gazebo sides
- Bug screens: Fine mesh panels keep mosquitoes out while allowing airflow. Choose zippered or magnetic closures for easy entry.
- Privacy curtains: Outdoor-rated fabric (solution-dyed acrylic or polyester) adds privacy and soft shade. Look for grommets or track-compatible headers and tiebacks for windy days.
- Sun/wind shades: Heavier-weave shades or marine vinyl strips reduce lateral wind and harsh sun. They’re great on the windward side.
- Slatted cedar panels: Fixed or removable louver/slat walls create privacy with airflow and look premium on wood gazebos.
- Clear panels: For shoulder seasons, clear PVC or polycarbonate panels can block wind and rain while keeping views. Use removable fasteners so you can take them down in summer.
How to choose the right sides
- Wind and exposure: Identify your prevailing wind and the side that bakes in afternoon sun—treat those first with heavier curtains or slatted panels.
- Seasonality: Choose removable screens/curtains if you want an open pavilion feel in summer and protection in spring/fall.
- Privacy: If visibility from a neighbor is the main concern, a single privacy wall plus lighter curtains elsewhere often looks balanced.
- Maintenance: Fabrics need occasional cleaning; wood slats need resealing every couple of years; clear PVC benefits from mild soap and microfiber to prevent haze.
- Structure: Sides add wind load. Anchor your gazebo properly, use stainless hardware, and secure curtains with tiebacks or bottom anchors during storms.
Why the Arcadia is great for adding sides
The Arcadia’s straight cedar posts and horizontal headers make it easy to mount screen kits, curtain tracks, or slatted panels cleanly. If you want room for a dining set and comfortable walkways with space for side treatments, the mid-large footprint is ideal. Our pick: Backyard Discovery Arcadia 14′ x 12′ Cedar Wood Outdoor Gazebo.
Quick install tips for gazebo sides
- Measure between posts: Note inside-to-inside distances and height to the underside of the header. Order panels or cut tracks to fit.
- Use exterior-grade hardware: Stainless or coated screws prevent staining on cedar. Pre-drill pilot holes for clean installs.
- Choose the right mount: Curtain rods are fast; ceiling tracks slide best in corners; Z-clips or French cleats work well for removable wood panels.
- Control wind: Add tiebacks, bottom grommets with bungees, or discreet side magnets so fabric doesn’t billow.
- Mind drainage and structure: Keep panels slightly off the deck for water flow, and don’t block required roof hardware. Remove fabric panels ahead of severe storms.
Backyard Discovery backs its cedar gazebos with a solid warranty and a broad size lineup, so you can scale from cozy nooks to full outdoor rooms without changing the look or approach to side treatments.
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.
Conclusion: Are gazebo sides worth it?
Yes—done right, gazebo sides transform a beautiful structure into an all-day, three-season hangout. Start with screens for bugs, add privacy/wind panels where needed, and choose a strong cedar frame that makes installs simple. The Arcadia 14′ x 12′ offers the space and structure most homeowners want, and as the video shows, a similar gazebo can realistically be assembled by two people in a single evening. Once it’s up, you’ll have a flexible outdoor room you can tailor to the season.
