How to Build an Inexpensive Gazebo

Gazebos are pavilion-like garden structures, which are often eight-sided. They are largely ornamental, although do provide shade and shelter as well as a focal point for a garden. You can make a simple and inexpensive version by using gravel for the foundation, then constructing a basic four-sided frame from timber. Climbing plants trained to grow up the posts and over the roof will provide an element of shape, and look more attractive than a closed roof.

Instructions

Plan the site for your gazebo. Choose a level area away from trees or shrubs, whose roots could grow into the foundation. Mark out a 12-foot square with pegs and string.

Dig out the square to a depth of 6 inches. This will help the gazebo base to drain properly. Inside the square, measure and mark a 10-foot square. This will be the footprint of the gazebo. Dig a 2-foot deep hole at each corner of the smaller square to site the corner posts. Check that the square has a level base, or the gazebo will not stand squarely and will be unsteady.

Plant a post in the first corner hole, making sure it is set squarely. Have an assistant hold the post while you fill the foundation hole with Quikrete. Set the remaining three posts in the same way, and leave to set.

Take the 3 by 8 inch boards and cut both ends off at a 45-degree angle. At one end, cut the bottom point of the angle off to give a flat surface. Position the first board with the flat surface resting on top of the first corner post so that the board extends diagonally upwards into the center of the gazebo. Have an assistant support the board while you nail it into place against the top of the post. Your assistant should continue to support the board while you position the second board. The top ends of both boards should meet and support each other, allowing you to fix the second board in place. Continue until all four boards are in position.

Fix the 3 by 12 inch fascia boards into place around the sides of the gazebo at the top of the posts to form a rigid square. This will keep the structure stable. As the wood is thick, drill two holes in each face of the post and use screws rather than nails.

Measure the distance from the top center of the roof join to the middle of the fascia board. Cut four boards to this length, and cut each end to a 45-degree angle. Nail the boards in position as center struts with the help of an assistant. Measure the distance between this strut and the end of the fascia board. Mark the center of this measurement.

Measure from your marked point to the roof strut. Cut eight boards to this length, and cut each end off to a 45-degree angle. Fix all eight boards in place, two on each side, halfway between the center strut and the corner.

Fill the foundation pit with gravel and level it off. Plant climbing plants such as ivy, honeysuckle, climbing roses or wisteria against each corner and tie loosely to the corner posts for support.

Airfare Secrets - How to book cheap airline tickets, discount ...
www.bargainpricedairfare.com
I Was Wrongfully Fired By The Airlines. This Guide Is My Revenge! Let me show you how easy it is to get Cheap Airfare, and how to finally stop getting ripped off!
How To Make Bimini Tops For Boats
boatbiminittops.com
A "How To Build Bimini Tops" Manual. How To Build A Fishing Boat Targa Top Manual BiminiTops.com.au
How To Create a Website - Make a Website - Free Beginner
www.2createawebsites.com
How To Create a Website is not that difficult learn to make a website with easy to follow free web design beginner tutorials on the best ways to build a website
Hip Girl Boutique Free Hair Bow Instructions--Learn how to make ...
hipgirlclips.com/forums
Free hair bow instructions--Learn how to make hairbows and hair clips, FREE!
Wonder How To Show & Tell for Creators & Doers
www.wonderhowto.com
Wonder How To is your guide to free how to videos on the Web. Search, Browse and Discover the best how to videos across the web using the largest how to video index ...
About.com Candle & Soap Making - How to Make Candles - How to Make ...
candleandsoap.about.com
Instructions how to make soap & how to make candles. Soap making recipes and & candle making instructions & projects. Bath & Body recipes - bath bombs, bath salts ...
The Etsy Blog - How-Tuesday: How to Make Plarn & Crochet an
www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/how-tuesday-how-to-make-plarn-crochet-an...
The gears in my brain are constantly turning and trying to come up with ways to save discarded materials from a quick trip to a long life in a landfill by ...
wikiHow - How to do anything
www.wikihow.comRelationships Hobbies and Crafts
wikiHow is a wiki based collaboration to build the worlds largest, highest quality how to manual. Our multilingual how to manual has free step-by-step instructions ...
WonderHowTo - How to Build a cheap perpetual energy
mods-n-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/build-cheap-perpetual-energy...
How to Build a cheap perpetual energy generator (FAUX-TO) F for FAKE. This video has been labeled a "Faux-To". Commonly contested as bogus science, we believe this ...
Cheap Sheds - How To Build A Wood Shed - Design
www.cheapsheds.com
How To Build A Wood Shed - Design There are a lot of things to think about when you are designing your wood shed.