12×12 Outdoor Pavilion – Free DIY Plans

This step by step woodworking project is about how to build a 12×12 rectangular pavilion – free diy plans. This square pavilion is the perfect addition to you backyard, because it will create enough shade for a table and a few chairs. The roof has a 6:12 pitch and it features 2×6 rafters every 24″ on center. This structure is heavy duty, but please follow the building codes and hire a professional contractor if you don’t have the right skills to undertake the project on your own.

We recommend you to invest in the best materials you could afford. Therefore, you should buy weather-resistant lumber, such as pressure-treated lumber, cedar or redwood. If you use regular pine, I recommend you to apply the appropriate products to enhance its durability. 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 HERE.

Made from this plan

 

12×12 Outdoor Pavilion – Free DIY Plans

Building a 12×12 pavilion

Materials

• A – 4 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 96″ long POSTS
• B – 2 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 168″ long, 3 pieces – 144″ long TOP RAILS
• C – 8 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 36″ long BRACES
• C – 3 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 29″ long, 1 piece – 168″ long RIDGE BEAM
• D – 4 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 36″ long BRACES
• E – 16 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 96″ long RAFTERS
• F – 2 pieces of 1/2″ plywood – 48″x96″ long, 2 pieces – 48″x72″ long, 2 pieces – 45 1/4″x96″ long, 2 pieces – 45 1/4″x96″ long ROOF
• F – 4 pieces of 1×8 lumber – 97 3/4″ long, 2 pieces – 168″ long TRIMS
• H – 250 sq ft of tar paper, 250 sq ft of asphalt shingles ROOFING

• 5 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 8 ft
• 3 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 14 ft
• 6 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 12
• 16 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 8 ft
• 8 pieces of 1/2″ plywood – 4’x8′
• 250 sq ft of tar paper, 250 sq ft of asphalt shingles
• concrete form tube
• 4 post anchors
• 24 pieces of 8″ screws
• 20 pieces of 5″ screws
• 100 pieces of 3 1/2″ screws
• wood glue, stain/paint
• 4 pieces of L strong tie
• 6 pieces of post to beam connector
• Screws for Strong ties
• wood glue, stain/paint

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

How to build a 12×12 pavilion

Laying out the 12×12 pavilion

The first step of the project is to layout the rectangular pavilion. Therefore, select the location for the pavilion and level the surface with attention. Make sure you remove the vegetation layer and even out the surface. Use batter boards and string to layout the location of the legs. Apply the 3-4-5 rule to each corners, so you make sure they are square. Measure the diagonals and make adjustments so they are equal.

Fitting the posts

After marking the location of the posts, you need to dig 2-3′ deep holes in the ground, using a post hole digger. Install tube forms and fit the posts into place, making sure they are perfectly plumb. Secure the 6×6 posts with braces before filling the forms with concrete. For this project we will use post anchors, so you don’t need to set the posts into concrete.

Building the frame

Top plates – 12×12 outdoor shelter

Use 6×6 lumber for the top plates. Make notches to both ends of the beams, using a circular saw. Make the middle notch to the side plates using a saw and a chisel. Make parallel cuts and then remove the excess with a hammer and a chisel. Smooth the recesses with sandpaper. These cut outs will help you create half lap joints, which makes for a strong and durable way of bonding wood together.

Fitting the side plates – square pavilion

Fit the plates to the sides of the pavilion. Center the plates to the posts, making sure you have 12″ overhangs on both sides. Drill pilot holes and insert 8″ screws to lock them into place. Plumb the posts with a spirit level and check if the top plate is perfectly horizontal. Make sure the corners are square.

Fitting the plates to the pavilion

Fit the rest of the plates to the top of the pavilion. Drill pilot holes and insert 8″ screws, to assemble everything together tightly.

Fitting the braces to the pavilion frame

Build corner braces for the pavilion from 6×6 lumber. Make 45 degree cuts to both ends of the braces and then lock them into place tightly with 4 1/2″ screws. Plumb the posts and check if the plates are perfectly horizontal.

Fitting the gable roof

Fitting the ridge beam – 12×12 pavilion

Use 6×6 lumber for the ridge beam and for the supports. Center the supports to the top of the plates and lock them into place with post to beam connectors. Fit the ridge beam to the top of the posts with post to beam connectors.

Fitting the braces to the ridge beam

Use 6×6 lumber for the top ridge braces. Make 45 degree cuts at both ends of the braces and then secure them to the ridge beam. Drill pilot holes and insert 5″ screws to lock them into place.

Rafters – 12×12 pavilion

Use 2×6 lumber for the rafters. Make 26.5 degree cuts to both ends of the rafters and then make the birdsmouth cuts, as shown in the diagram.

Fitting the rafters – 12×12 outdoor shelter

Fit the rafters to the top of the pavilion. Use the info from the diagram to space the rafters every 24″ on center. The number you see in the plans represents the distance between the rafters.

Roof sheets – 12×12 square pavilion

Use 1/2″ plywood for the roof sheets. Make cuts to the sheets and lay them on top of the roof structure. Leave no gaps between the sheets and align everything with attention. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws, every 8″ along the framing.

Side roof trims – 12×12 pavilion

Use 1×8 lumber for the side roof trims. Align the edges flush and insert 2″ nails to lock them to the end of the rafters.

Front and back roof trims

Use 1×8 lumber for the front and back roof trims. Make 26.5 degree cuts to both ends of the trims. Attach the trims to the rafters and insert 2″ nails to lock them into place tightly.

Fitting the roofing to the 12×12 pavilion

You could fit asphalt shingles to protect the pavilion, as it is a straight forward solution. Therefore, install roofing felt over the roofing sheets, making sure the strips overlap at least 2″. Secure the tar paper to the plywood sheets with roofing staples. Fit the side drip edges over the roofing felt, while the bottom drip edges should be fit under. Place a starting course at the bottom of the roof, before installing the asphalt shingles. Always read the manufacturing instructions before starting the installation, as there are several aspects that differ.

The first course should star with a 3 tab shingle, the second course with a  2 1/2 tab , the third course with a 2 tab, the forth course with a 1 1/2 tab, the fifth course with a 1 tab, the sixth course with a 1/2 tab. Repeat the process from the beginning, starting with the seventh course. Don’t forget that the shingles should overhang from the drip edge about a 1/4″. In addition, secure the asphalt shingles to the roof decking with tacks.

Finishing touches

12×12 Pavilion Plans – top view

This is the square pavilion seen from above. As you can see, the shelter features a basic gable roof shape.

How to build a 12×12 pavilion

This pavilion is built on a sturdy 6×6 structure and it features a roof with a 6:12 pitch. You can adjust the slope of the roof to suit your needs.

12×12 Pavilion Plans

This pavilion makes for the perfect addition to a small backyard, because it has a footprint of 144 sq ft (larger for the roof). This is enough for taking dinner or for relaxation and hangout with friends.  As you can see it’s not that complicated to build this pavilion and you can get the job done in one week with the help of a friend.

12×12 Pavilion Plans – side view

Last but not least, you need to take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, fill the holes with wood putty and then smooth the surface with sandpaper. Apply a few coats of paint or stain over the components to enhance the look of the shed and to protect the components from decay.

Thank you for reading my project about 12×12 rectangular pavilion plans and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to LIKE and SHARE our projects with your friends, by using the social media widgets. SUBSCRIBE to be the first that gets our latest projects.

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