Which one should you choose for your outdoor living space? Van Nuys Awning is your go-to if you want a custom pool cabana in Los Angeles. In this post, we compare a cabana vs. a gazebo to help you pick the best one for your needs. 

What Is a Cabana?

A cabana is a freestanding outdoor structure you can erect near a swimming or outdoor entertainment area. It often features a solid roof and open sides, providing a shaded and private area for relaxation, socializing, and other outdoor activities.  

What Is a Gazebo? 

A gazebo is an open-air pavilion structure with a roof supported by posts or columns, often located in a garden or outdoor area. It provides shade and protection from the weather elements, and you can use it as an outdoor room, dining area, entertaining space, and more. 

Choosing Between a Cabana and Gazebo

When it comes to deciding on a cabana vs. a gazebo, you’ll need to understand the differences between these two structures. Both provide exceptional shade and privacy options and can serve as elegant additions to your outdoor space, but what sets them apart?

Structure & Design

A cabana has a solid roof that provides consistent shade and protection from the scorching sun. Its open or partially enclosed sides allow for a customizable level of privacy and protection against the elements or pesky insects. 

On the other hand, a gazebo usually features an open-air design with a roof supported by posts. The roof can come in various materials like fabric, metal, or wood, providing full coverage or partial shade depending on your needs. 

You may have additional features on your gazebo, like lattice-work walls or screens for added privacy or protection against the elements. 

Price

Gazebos often cost less than cabanas. We can attribute this to several factors, such as the size of the structure and materials used. Gazebos usually feature cheap, lightweight materials like vinyl, whereas cabanas use more expensive materials like stone or brick. 

Installation 

Cabanas are often installed as permanent structures. Once installed, you cannot easily disassemble the cabana or move it to another location. Conversely, a gazebo can be permanent or temporary. 

Temporary or portable gazebos are quite easy to assemble and disassemble. Like changing a flat tire, you can easily move and reposition these gazebos as desired. This makes them flexible for various outdoor areas and events. 

Get a Custom Cabana for Your Outdoor Space

After comparing a cabana vs. a gazebo, your choice will depend on what you want to use it for.  If you want a place to relax and entertain outdoors with some privacy, a gazebo is excellent. If you want something more structurally sound with a touch of elegance, consider getting a cabana. 

The experts at Van Nuys Awning can help you make a more informed choice. Contact us at (818) 782-8607 for a quote today!

Van Nuys Awning has decades of experience providing custom outdoor canvas and metal awnings. Here, we explore some of the reasons you should invest in commercial canopies in Los Angeles. 

Top Five Ways a Commercial Building Canopy Can Benefit Your Business

Whether you run a store, bar, hotel, restaurant, or any other business, commercial canopies have the ability to directly impact your bottom line. A canopy is an overhead structure, often made from fabric or metal, that covers an entire area of the roof. 

Here are a few benefits of having one for your commercial building:

Promote Branding & Visibility

The way you brand your business will hardly escape your customers’ prying eyes. A well-designed commercial storefront awning offers a perfect platform to showcase your business name and logo. What’s more, a beautiful, eye-catching canopy can increase your visibility and bring more customers your way. 

Provide Weather Protection

Harsh weather can ruin your customer’s experience. A professionally designed and installed canopy allows you to protect your customers against the hot sun, rainstorm, or other unforgiving weather elements. Your customers will feel that you care about their safety and comfort, and they’ll be willing to spend more time and money at your business.

Increase Usable Space

If you have a cafe or restaurant, installing a commercial building canopy will allow you to provide outdoor seating areas without worrying about the adverse effects of severe weather. 

You can even have such a canopy for your retail store. You can place the stuff you’re selling to attract potential customers passing by without risking damage from the rain or sun. 

Create a Social Environment

A commercial canopy allows your customers to enjoy the outdoor space freely and arouse the interest of passersby. A lively restaurant or bar with a happy customer base will attract a crowd. Curious passersby will want to join the crowd and share the fun, which will translate to more sales for your business!

Minimize Energy Costs 

Commercial canopies and awnings not only improve the aesthetics of your business, but they can also help you save money on energy bills.

 As the sun beams in through your windows, your cooling system will need to work harder to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, driving up your energy costs. 

A canopy can help reduce the amount of sunlight getting into your building, keeping your energy costs low. 

Get a Custom Canopy for Your Commercial Building

Now that you know the benefits of a commercial building canopy, it’s time to create one for your business. At Van Nuys Awning, we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of high-quality custom canopies for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. 

Whether it’s a slide-on-wire canopy or any other type of canopy, call us at (818) 782-8607 for a free quote and elevate your business aesthetics today!

A poolside cabana can be an appealing way to enhance your pool deck area. These outdoor design elements provide a stylish vignette with privacy, shade, and refuge from the harsh elements.   

If you need a luxury pool cabana in Los Angeles, trust Van Nuys Awning Co. for top-of-the-line luxury pool cabana designs.  

For over 100 years, we have been a leader in producing custom canvas coverings like cabanas for residential, commercial, and industrial clients in Southern California. 

Adjustable Daybeds  

Give your pool area a resort feel with adjustable beds where you can read, lounge, sunbathe, or sleep poolside. This cabana design option comes with everything without the need to build a structure. You can install a canvas umbrella or curtains for extra privacy and sun protection.  

Rooftop Cabana  

Whether your rooftop includes a pool or just a spa, adding a cabana enhances its functionality. A rooftop cabana will protect you from the elements and create a more usable rooftop space. You can add retractable shades that allow you to enjoy uninterrupted views.  

Outdoor Kitchen Cabana  

An open-air cabana will work well as a multi-purpose space with an outdoor kitchen and perhaps a dining table. Going open-air ensures you don’t block any views and allows your entertaining space to flow together.  

Canopy Style Cabana  

A cabana-like gazebo with a canopy roof to protect it from the sun’s harsh rays and outdoor lounge furniture can work wonders for your pool area. Alternatively, improvise a similar design with a pop-up canopy that you can put away as and when needed.  

Poolside Dining Cabana  

If you host large dinners, a poolside dining cabana is one of the best luxury pool cabana designs to consider. You could integrate ceiling and pendant lights to give the area a warm glow in the evenings.  

Cabana-Style Lounge Space  

Create a cabana-like outdoor lounging area that lets you make the most of your outdoor area. You can give the space a private cabana vibe with cozy seats, a pair of curtains, and an overhead ceiling fan.  

Create an Easy Cabana with a Pergola  

Pergolas come in handy when you need to define spaces for various functions. If you use one as a poolside cabana, you’ll typically need no more than poolside lounge chairs to complete the picture.  

What Should Go in a Cabana?  

Depending on the size of your cabana, you can add just about anything that will help you enjoy your time in the pool area. Popular options include seats, a TV, a bar, an outdoor shower, or a dining table.  

Hire a Professional   

You can choose from a wide range of pool cabana designs. Our designers can help blend the cabana with your pool designs and recommend what will work best for your space, needs, and budget.  

We look forward to helping you upgrade your pool area. Call Van Nuys Awning Co. today at (805) 669-9138 for the best luxury pool cabana designs or to learn more about canopy for pools.

Few things in life bring more relaxation than poolside relaxation, from splashing around to lounging away under a shady umbrella. Spending time in your private oasis is always a treat, but why not make the most of it by throwing a beautiful new cabana into the mix? And if you need some go-to pool cabana ideas, we can help.

Here, we break down a few ideas to transform any setup from basic to memorable.

#1 An Outdoor Kitchen for the Food Aficionado

If you’re a culinary whiz and enjoy cooking al fresco, an outdoor kitchen is the perfect upgrade to your pool area. With plenty of countertop room and access to all the necessary appliances, you can whip up tasty snacks in no time.

Let’s not forget about the convenience factor; a permanent spot for meals means no more running back and forth to your home when entertaining a larger crowd.

#2 Make a Space that Doubles as a Guesthouse

Having a separate guest area near the pool adds an extra layer of convenience and privacy for overnight company. They’ll have an easy time enjoying those late-night swims with no need to worry about a back-door curfew. Excellent additions include:

• A space-saving pull-down bed
• A mini-fridge and microwave
• Shower and restroom amenities
• Cabinets and drawers for storage
• A small coffee table

#3 A Party Hub for Summer Fun

The people who ask us for pool cabana ideas often have a passion for entertaining, so why not make your poolside cabana the life of any gathering with a party center? From a built-in tiki bar to a games room for keeping children safe and happy, the possibilities are endless.

But when it comes to decorating, don’t forget about seating! Incorporate cushioned couches and chairs for maximum comfort. And flaunt some string lights or colorful pillows for extra flair.

#4 An Elegant Dining Area

Picture a dining table surrounded by lush greenery, soft music in the background, and a light breeze brushing against your face. This is what an dining room in the open air can offer you.

Establishing a spot in your pool area for more formal entertaining will provide excellent opportunities to have friends over or host dinner parties. Just make sure the furniture is sturdy so nobody topples in for an unplanned swim.

#5 Create Some Cover

Some of our favorite, most cost-effective options involve a canopy-style structure. It allows you to create a cozy space without constructing an entirely new area, perfect with limited funds or time. If the backyard gets plenty of sun, a respite under the cabana will keep everyone cool and refreshed.

Let Us Inspire Your Dream Cabana Design

A designated structure for your pool space delivers a wealth of advantages. Call Van Nuys Awning Co.® at (805) 669-9138 for more pool cabana ideas! We make getting a cabana for your home a hassle-free and cost-effective endeavor.