The traditional gazebo is a time-honored structure that finds its place quite happily in the modern backyard. Normally it will be used as a garden structure for outdoor entertaining, but sometimes people will build a gazebo simply for its visual impact.
Although it is quite a complicated woodworking project, learning how to build a gazebo won’t take someone with basic carpentry skills very long to do. With some good woodworking plans, you could have it completed in just a few weekends.
The traditional gazebo was basically a rather quaint ‘outdoor room’ or ‘pavilion’ with a view. Often the garden gazebo was raised so that the people sitting under its roof could see way into the distance. It was usually constructed from wood, but sometimes from stone or brick, and it had a steeply pitched roof that was usually tiled with either shingles or slate, depending on the style of the house. Even though it was not completely solid, it usually had both door and window openings and was mostly either square or octagonal (with eight sides) in shape.
The contemporary gazebo follows traditional gazebo plans to a large extent, although it is usually a simpler affair. Typically it has a solid roof and walls to about hip or waist height. Sometimes lattice panels or screens are incorporated higher than this, so that air can still circulate but you have added protection from the elements. There is always an opening of some sort for people to enter. For example, if the gazebo is built in the shape of an octagon, then either one or two of the eight sides will be left completely open or have a door.
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The simplest contemporary gazebo to build would be a square wooden structure with a high pitched pyramidal roof that is simply covered with wooden boards.
If you are keen on how build your own gazebo, you can either buy a kit, or you can buy gazebo plans that show you exactly how to build a gazebo.
A good gazebo plan will show you how to cut the required wooden elements, drill them and assemble the structure. These woodworking project plans usually also list the tools you will need to be able to tackle each of the plans. Some simple woodworking projects can be completed with hand tools, while others do need power tools, including saws and drills.
There are many different ways to build a traditional or contemporary gazebo in your backyard. Apart from shape, you can build a gazebo directly on the ground, or you can construct a deck for the floor. There are also various roof coverings that may be used. Shingles are still popular, but roof sheeting offers a simpler option, although it will need to be accurately cut to fit the shape of the pitched roof. If wood is to be used instead, cedar is a good option if available in your area.
Whether or not you are working from gazebo plans, make sure you have everything on hand before you start your garden gazebo project. Good luck!
