Picnic Shelter Plans

This step by step woodworking project is about picnic shelter plans 10×12. If you want to build a simple roof structure that will protect your picnic table from bad weather, we recommend you to take a look over this project. Before starting the construction, you need to find out the legal requirements regarding this type of constructions. Follow the building codes and hire a professional contractor if you don’t have the right skills to undertake the project on your own.

A 10×12 wooden shelter for your backyard is a construction that can be built by any woodworking amateur in a few weeks, but there are many techniques you have to master before undertaking the project. However, building a gazebo, a pergola or even a backyard kitchen with an attached roof could be projects that are more suitable for your needs. It’s you job to decide what design does best for you.

We recommend you to invest in the best materials you could afford. Therefore, you should buy weather-resistant lumber, such as pressure-treated lumber, pine or cedar. Always take accurate measurements before adjusting the size of the components at the proper size. Drill pilot holes trough the components before inserting the wood screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Picnic shelter plans

Building a picnic shelter

Materials

• A – 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 132″ long POSTS
• B – 4 pieces of 2×6 – 120″ long SUPPORT BEAMS
• C – 6 pieces of 2×6 – 147″ long BOTTOM RAFTERS
• D – 2 pieces of 2×4 – 36 1/2″ long, 1 piece of 2×6 lumber – 120″ long TOP RIDGE
• E – 12 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 100 1/4″ long RAFTERS
• F – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 120″ long TRIMS
• G – 50 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 120″ long ROOFING

• 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 12 ft
• 5 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 10 ft
• 4 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 14 ft
• 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
• 12 ft of 2×4 lumber – 10 ft
• 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 10 ft
• 50 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 10 ft
• post anchor (optional)
• tube forms
• rafter ties, 1 1/2″ structural screws
• 7″ carriage bolts
• post to beam connectors
• 2 1/2″ screws, 1 5/8″ screws
• stain, glue, putty

Tools

• Safety gloves, glasses, Miter saw, jigsaw
• Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
• Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

• Add trims to the pavilion
• Secure the roofing slats to the structure with galvanized screws

Time

• One Week

Related

• How to build a gazebo
• Outdoor pavilion plans

Building a picnic shelter

Laying out the picnic shelter

First of all, we recommend you to lay out the picnic shelter. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to use batter boards and string to lay out the posts in a professional manner. Measure the diagonals and make adjustments until they are perfectly equal. In addition, apply the 3-4-5 rule to every corner to make sure they are right-angled.

Fitting the posts

The next step of the project is to fit the posts into place. First of all, you need to dig 2-3′ deep holes (at least 6″ under the frost line) and pour a 2″ layer of gravel. Install tube forms and fit the posts into place, making sure they are perfectly plumb. Secure the 4×4 posts with braces before filling the forms with concrete.

Attaching the support beams

Afterwards, you need to install the support beams to the top of the posts, on both sides of the picnic shelter. Use 2×6 lumber and make sure you adjust their size at 120″. Clamp the beams to the posts and use a spirit level to check if the beams are horizontal. In addition, use a carpentry square to check if all the corners are right-angled.

Fitting the support rafters

Build the bottom rafters out of 2×6 lumber. Use a saw to cut both ends at 30 degrees. Smooth the edges with sandpaper and remove the residues with a damp cloth. Drill pilot holes through the rafters and secure them to the support beams using 2 1/2″ screws. Place the support rafters equally-spaced and leave no gaps between the components.

Building the rafters

Use 2×4 lumber for the regular rafters. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to use 2×4 lumber for the job. Cut both ends of the rafters at 60 degrees. Smooth the edges with sandpaper and remove the residues with a damp cloth.

Fitting the rafters

Place the rafters to the structure, as described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes at both ends of the rafters and secure them to the 2×6 top ridge and to the support beams. Place the rafters equally-spaced and leave no gaps between the components, otherwise the structure won’t support the weight of the roof.

Fitting the top ridge support

In order to enhance the rigidity of the picnic shelter, we recommend you to fit 2×4 supports to both the front and the back of the shelter. Mark the cut lines to the slats and get the job done with a jigsaw. Smooth the edges with fine-grit sandpaper and remove the residues with a damp cloth.

Fitting the rafter trims

Fit a piece of 1×4 lumber to ends of the rafters, on both sides of the picnic shelter, in order to enhance its look. Align the trims with great care, making sure the edges are perfectly flush one with another and secure them into place using 1 1/4″ finishing nails.

Fitting the roofing slats

There are several alternatives to choose from when building the roofing for the outdoor shelter. Therefore, you could use 1×6 slats or lay plywood and metal sheets or asphalt shingles. If you are going to install 1×6 slats to the roof structure, you need to start from the bottom. Align everything with great care and secure the components into place using galvanized screws or nails. Fit the rest of the slats making sure they overlap at least 1 1/2″. Make sure the top cap will protect the structure from water damage.

Picnic shelter plans

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. In order to get a professional result, fill the holes and the gaps with wood filler and let it dry out for a few hours.  Check if there are protruding screws and fix this issue, if necessary.

If you want to download the plans. just click on the GET PDF PLANS button bellow.

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