Can you share a picture of it so we can get a sense of how it is designed?

I'm assuming it was some type of canvass that got ripped to shreds. That's how they get you with those things. The canvass is cheap and won't hold up to wind and weather. I would get some plastic lattice, cut it to fit the top and attach it with zip ties, the heavy duty ones. That won't last forever but for a couple of years at least and can be replaced. Perhaps some type of decorative tape or trim to cover the edges. Also keep the metal painted every year to prevent rusting out. Or put it down to "lessons learned" and build yourself one out of wood. More expensive to start, but not constant upkeep and longer lasting.

I'm assuming she means something like this, http://www.screen-house.com/casita_round.ht   but could be totally wrong, it's mentioned as 'Our metal gazebo top has been ripped to shred by the wind and sun."

My late in-laws had one like this that they gave my late parents, who enjoyed it for many years, taking it down and storing it each fall. When Mum couldn't use it any more, she offered it free, along with the cedar ground level 'deck' and now another family is still enjoying it. I recall many summer meals in it with my parents and friends.

The same thing happened to mine and I threw the frame away. However, I thought of you when I saw the Menards ad today. They had one advertised with a galvanized steel roof. It looked really sturdy. Maybe you could attach a roof of your choice to the existing structure, especially if you intend to keep it up year round.

I hope the OP comes back with a picture of what she has/had, as there are so many types. Here's the one from Menard's -

If the frame isn't sturdy though, a metal roof might be too heavy.

We had an inexpensive metal gazebo with a canvas roof, and the roof only lasted two years, and so we replaced it in 2011 with this:

Later we replaced the metal chairs and table. The pergola kit cost less than $2,000, I think (I don't remember exactly - it may have been around $1600) and was made by the Amish in Pennsylvania. I bought redwood slats for about $50 to make a fairly covered (about 90%) roof so that we would have enough shade. The only trick to installing this was to get the concrete footings put in, but my best friend (at the time) was a civil engineer, and he and his son helped us put those in. They also helped us build it, as they thought that was the fun part.

If you have a flimsy metal gazebo (like we did), you really need to replace it with something substantial, if you use it sufficiently. Our pergola/gazebo is 10'x12', which is the size of the space we had for it. We can comfortably seat four at the table inside.

Here's what I mean. The canvas top lasted two years and then ripped in a wind storm. I hate the thought of throwing it away!

What do you want to spend on a 'roof' for it? There are many at this link in all prices, depending on the size of yours. Link to replacement roofs

Or, it wouldn't be attractive, but it would be cheap. This is $34.98 at Home Depot. You could attach it with some clips, and quickly take it down if heavy winds are predicted.

Have you contacted the original manufacturer? Do they have a web site. They have to supply replacements. We have a similar frame that came with netting and solid fabric sides and top. I would think the solid roof would act as a great wind catch and send the structure flying with a good wind gust. I hope those are anchored down!

Yes we have netting sides as well. I don't have the box any more to know the manufacturer.

Just want to explore my options. :) but from what I've read the fabric tops will only last 1-2 years so I was wondering about something more durable.

I don't know how handy you are, but I think I'd try to rig something up with inexpensive canvas drop cloths. I'd add grommets (easy to do) and attach them to the frame with something like shower curtain hooks (circular ones). You could even string the grommets onto the horizontal part of the frame and skip fasteners. If you don't want the fabric hanging down, you could cut it the proper length to fold it back so the cut end is inside a hem, and either stitch or use weatherproof fabric glue to make the hem. You could add the grommets to the hem area to make it all more sturdy.

Also look at white shower curtains - the poly kind with grommets that are often used as liners or alone in hotels. You could put 4 of them on the horizontal bars by threading the grommets onto it, then gather the other end of the curtains (the bottoms) into a bunch/knot at the top, and tie it off with something.

Not sure if you can make sense of what I see in my mind!

Ooh, I like the idea of trying to get creative. Can you draw a sketch olychick?

Haha, I can try later!

Thanks for the info on the replacement top Maddielee. I'm really wishing I had saved my frame now :( They are having an extra 10% off the replacement tops now and I have a Target credit card, which would have saved me another 5%... sigh...

Wow, you guys are amazing. I've posted questions in other gardenweb forums with much slower responses. I guess I should have posted them here. Maybe I still will. Thank you!

We bought shade cloth off of the internet and made our own "sail" . It is a thin mesh fabric that comes in different blocking abilities. You could probably get that and fashion coverage for your gazebo. It come in large sizes much like a tarp would. We leave ours up all summer and nothing has ever happened to it.

Same thing happened to ours and we have to replace every year so we are thinking of doing a tin roof top To the frame we have. Has anyone done this?