Gazebos

Gazebos are covered structures that are either freestanding or attached to a garden wall or deck. They are open on the sides and serve to provide shade and act as an ornamental feature of a park or yard. They can also provide shelter if large enough. A gazebo is a beautiful architectural addition to any yard, but building one is a big undertaking. You will need a couple of extra hands to help you get the job done if you don’t want to spend more than a weekend building.

Strategies

How you build your gazebo will depend on where it’s going, the type of gazebo you have decided to install, and the material it’s made of. In general though, there are several main steps which you will have to complete. If you’ve chosen to raise your gazebo off a deck, the first is getting your posts in. You should mark the area where the posts will go; you can use landscaping paint to do this. Then clear the area and make sure it’s ready to build on. You will need a post hole auger to create the holes for the posts. After placing the posts in the ground you can stabilize them by filling the holes with concrete.

You will then have to put in the floor of the gazebo. This is similar to installing a deck. You can start by connecting the posts with the planks you have chosen for your gazebo. The frame should be level. If your materials aren’t part of a kit, you might have to cut the pieces yourself. Make sure that if your gazebo is raised, you support the floor with cross supports and the center post.

The final step is to add the rest of the gazebo. This step will be much easier if you have purchased a ready-made gazebo kit, as all of the pieces will be cut and all you have to do is follow the instructions that come with the kit.

Key Information

Before creating your own gazebo, you need to consider a few things. Firstly, where are you going to put it? If you don’t have a lot of property, you should make sure that you have enough space in your yard and that it won’t clutter up the space that you do have. You should choose a gazebo that is the right size for your yard.

You also have to choose what your gazebo will be made out of. Wood is the most common, but other materials such as vinyl and wrought iron are also popular. To make it easier, you can purchase a kit or buy a gazebo plan from a hardware store that will list the materials you need. You also have to consider what you will use for the roof and if you choose wood, whether you will stain or paint it.

Essential Tools

You will need a few tools to do the job properly. A post hole digger is one tool that you will probably have to rent or borrow from someone. The Jackson J-250 Kodiak Post Hole Digger is one example of a heavy-duty post hole digger that can make installing the posts of your gazebo easier and faster.

You’ll also need a wheelbarrow to cart your materials to the site. If you don’t already have a wheelbarrow, you can find one at your local hardware store or ask a neighbor to borrow one. The 8 cubic foot True Temper Wheelbarrow from Ames is a sturdy wheelbarrow that will be useful later for projects around your home.

Finally, you will also need to protect yourself properly when constructing your gazebo. Invest in a few pairs of landscaping or work gloves and some safety goggles, such as the 3M Centurion Safety Splash Goggles.