Square gazebo plans

This step by step diy woodworking project is about square gazebo plans. This article features detailed plans for a square gazebo with a gable roof. The 12×12 gazebo is a straight-forward project, if you know the basic woodworking techniques. There are many backyard projects featured on our site, so don’t be afraid to browse through the rest of the woodworking plans.

Before starting the actual construction project, we recommend you to plan everything, as to save money and to keep the costs under control. Adjust the size and the design of the gazebo to suit your needs. In most of the cases a building permit is required, so make sure you go to the town hall to see the building requirements. Select the location for the gazebo with great care, if you want to get a professional result.

It is essential to invest in high quality materials, that are also water-resistant, such as pressure-treated lumber. Cut the components at the right size by using a circular saw and smooth the cut edges with a sand block. Don’t forget to ask a skilled friend to assist you during the project, especially if you don’t have a large expertise in the field. You need someone to hold the components into place, while you drive the screws in. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Building a square 12×12 gazebo

Building a square gazebo

Materials

A – 6 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 139″ long, 2 pieces – 180 1/2″ long POSTS
B – 2 piece of 2×6 lumber – 141″ long, 2 pieces – 144″ long RIM JOISTS
C – 4 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 69 3/4″ long, 1 piece – 134″ long MIDDLE JOISTS
D – 2 pieces of 2×6 – 65 1/2″ long JOISTS
E – 80 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 72″ long DECKING
F – 2 piece of 2×6 lumber – 141″ long, 2 pieces – 144″ long TOP PLATES
G – 1 piece of 4×4 lumber – 141″ long TOP RIDGE

7 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 12 ft
2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 16 ft
9 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 12 ft
6 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 8 ft
40 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12 ft
2 1/2″ screws
3 1/2″ screws
rafter ties
1 1/2″ structural screws
1 5/8″ screws

Tools

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

Tips

Use a good miter saw to make the angle cuts
Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws

Time

One Week

PART 1: Square Gazebo Plans
PART 2: Gazebo Roof Plans
PART 3: Gazebo Railings Plans

Check out this VIDEO TUTORIAL! It’s that simple to build your own barn shed!

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Laying out the gazebo

First of all, lay out the square gazebo in a professional manner. Select the location with attention, making sure the ground is perfectly level. Remove the grass layer and compact a layer of gravel. Use batter boards and string to make sure the posts will be properly placed. Apply the 3-4-5 rule to each corner of the layout in order to check if they are perfectly square. In addition, make sure the diagonals are perfectly equal before setting the posts into place.

Fitting the posts

Setting the posts in concrete is essential for the rigidity of the square wooden gazebo. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to dig 3′ deep holes and to pour 2″ gravel on the bottom. Install the tube forms to the holes. Secure the posts with braces before filling the forms with concrete.

Fitting the rim joists

After setting the 4×4 posts into place, we recommend you to attach the 2×6 perimeter joists to the bottom of the structure. Cut the components at the right size and drill pilot holes before setting them into place with 3 1/2″ screws. Leave no gaps between the components and make sure the joists are horizontal. Place a spirit level on top of the joists to make sure they are horizontal and the post perfectly plumb.

Fitting the middle joists

Build the middle joists out of 2×6 lumber and fit them to the posts, as described in the diagram. Make sure the corners are square and perfectly horizontal. Leave no gaps between the components and use metal hardware to reinforce the rigidity of the structure.

Middle joists

Afterwards, fit the rest of the 2×6 joists to the middle of the gazebo. Cut the joists at the right size and secure them into place using galvanized screws. Leave no gaps between the components and make sure the edges are perfectly flush.

Fitting the regular joists

The next step of the project is to install the intermediary joists to the floor frame. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to build the joists out of 2×6 lumber. Fit the joists to the structure by inserting 2 1/2″ screws or by using joist hangers. Place the joists equally-spaced, making sure the surface is perfectly level.

Fitting the decking boards

Fit the 2×4 decking slats to the floor frame of the gazebo, as described in the diagram. Place a nail between the boards if you want to make sure the water will dry out easily. Smooth the edges with great care and drill pilot holes through the slats before securing them into place with 2 1/2″ screws. Make sure you countersink the head of the screws to get a professional result.

Fiting the top plates

Fit the 2×6 top plates to the structure, as described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the beams and secure them into place using 2 1/2″ screws. Make sure the beams are perfectly horizontal before inserting the screws.

Fitting the top ridge

Build the top ridge out of 4×4 lumber. Cut the components at the right size and secure it to the posts by using 5 1/2″ screws. Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. In addition, you could install corner brackets to enhance the rigidity of the structure.

Square gazebo plans

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Check out the rest of the square gazebo project to learn how to build the gable roof.

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

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