We have an 11' x 13' gazebo. It has been great. Problem is that high wind caused multiple steel panels to come free and become damaged. The steel panels slide into a slot at the peak and are secured by bolts and a bar that help to spread the surface space to prevent sheering off of the bolts from the thin metal panel.
Once the panels get bent, it is almost impossible to put back where they were. Thankfully, we are going to be able to get the panels back in.....
Going forward, we are thinking of building an inner roof structure out of cross beams and plywood...fastened under where the steel roof is....so the heavy wind hits the ply wood and not the steel.
The issue is not snow pack/weight...but rather, wind. Wind causes the panels to bend since it spans 8 feet and once it bends enough, it releases from the upper slot....or it lifts and sheers off the steel where the bolts go through at the lower edge of the gazebo.
Is building an interior roof/ceiling to take the brunt of the wind....the right move?
What to do? We actually have two of these, next to each other, with an outdoor kitchen...they are great...just need to do the right thing here to solve this, forever (hopefully).
https://www.oceanstatejoblot.com/hardtop-gazebos/woodland-13-x-15-cedar-wood-hard-top-gazebo/307858