Gazebo Plans Free

Building a gazebo is one of those projects that any home owner dream about. Nevertheless, as we all know, a gazebo comes at a really prohibitive price, even if we speak about a kit. What most of the homeowners don't know is that there is another way to make this dream come true: do undertake the construction as a do-it-yourself projects.

From our own experience, if you plans everything from the very beginning and use quality materials  you can save up to 50% of the price of a regular gazebo kit. Nevertheless, you should be aware of the fact that building a gazebo requires many woodworking skills, measurements and perseverance.

Choosing the right plans

The first step of the project is to use choose the right plans for your needs, budget and backyard size. There are many outdoor gazebo plans that you could choose from, even if you don't want to pay for professional blueprints. When selecting the plans, we recommend you to make sure they include detailed step by step instructions and a cut list. It is nothing more frustrating to try to build the components of the gazebo and to have nothing to use as reference.

Building a gazebo

Building a small gazebo on your own is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Nevertheless, it is essential to secure the posts into concrete and to level the site before laying the joists. If you want to create a strong flooring, you should consider pouring a strong concrete slab.

Gazebo Plans

After plumbing the posts and poring the concrete footings, we recommend you to install the rim joists. Afterwards, attach the regular joists into place, by using metal hangers. Place a spirit level on top of the joists, in order to check if they are perfectly horizontal. Place the joists every 16 or 24" on center, before attaching the 2x4 decking boards.

Building a roof for a gazebo is the most complex and difficult task of the project. Moreover, the techniques needed to get the job done vary according to the shape of the gazebo. On one hand, you could build a simple roof for a square gazebo. A rectangular gazebo or a hexagonal gazebo require more skills and materials, but the end result will add style to your garden.

Last but not least, we recommend you to build the railings and to secure them to the posts with decking screws. Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. In addition, fill the head of the screws with putty and smooth the surface with medium-grit sandpaper.

Apply a few coats of paint to the wooden component, in order to protect them from decay and to enhance the look of the outdoor construction.



Resources:

http://myoutdoorplans.com/pergola/rectangular-gazebo-plans/

Building a mini-greenhouse

Build a mini-greenhouse

A small greenhouse is just a basic structure made out of 2x2 lumber and polyethylene film. Nevertheless, if you use the right cold frame plans you can increase the temperature with several degrees and grow vegetables and flowers even during the cold frame.

You should always adjust the size of the greenhouse before starting the actual construction of the cold frame. Use 2x2 lumber to build the frame and attach 1x6 tongue and groove cedar slats. Always align the components at both ends before driving the screws into the lumber.

From our experience, we recommend you to cut the side components of the cold frame at 15 degrees, as the  plants need a significant amount of light, for at least 8 hours a day. Before starting the construction, you should choose a proper location. Therefore, the greenhouse should be oriented toward South, otherwise the plans won't develop properly and the inside temperature would be too low.

Building the lid of the greenhouse can be done in several ways. From our point of view, you could use 2x2 lumber to build the lid. If you want to have a quick access to different segments of the mini-greenhouse, you could split the top in several segments.

Attach the lid to the cold frame with metal hinges, after aligning it at both ends. Check if the lid opens properly before continuing the project. Strange as it might seem, the interior temperature could increase as high as to 80 degrees, so you should open the lid and ventilate the cold frame.

If you want more space for your greenhouse, you could build one in your backyard. Therefore, select the right garden greenhouse plans for your needs and buy quality materials. Adjust the size of the greenhouse to the configuration of your yard.

Installing an automated vent opener is optional, but you can get the job done easier without having to worry any more. When the temperature exceeds a certain temperature, the vent opener will raise the lid and let the cold and fresh air to get inside the cold frame.