8×12 Gable Pavilion – Free DIY Plans

This step by step woodworking project is about how to build a 8×12 rectangular pavilion – free diy plans. This is a super simple wood pavilion with a gable roof, that you can build in a few days and create an amazing covered area that is perfect for outdoor relaxation or serving dinner. The roof has a 6:12 pitch and it features 2×4 rafters every 16″ 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.

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8×12 Gable Pavilion – Free DIY Plans

Building a 8×12 pavilion

Materials

• A – 4 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 84″ long POSTS
• B – 2 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 14′ long TOP RAILS
• C – 2 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 8′ long TOP RAILS
• D – 2 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 17 1/4″ long, 1 piece – 14′ long RIDGE BEAM
• E – 10 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 32″ long BRACES
• F – 24 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 72″ long RAFTERS
• G – 2 pieces of 1/2″ plywood – 48″x96″ long, 2 pieces – 48″x72″ long, 2 pieces – 21 1/4″x80″ long, 2 pieces – 21 1/4″x88″ long ROOF
• H – 180 sq ft of tar paper, 180 sq ft of asphalt shingles ROOFING
• I – 4 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 73 3/4″ long, 2 pieces – 80″ long, 2 pieces – 88″ long TRIMS

• 10 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 8 ft
• 3 pieces of 6×6 lumber – 14 ft
• 12 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12 ft
• 8 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 8 ft
• 180 sq ft of tar paper, 180 sq ft of asphalt shingles
• concrete form tube
• 4 post anchors
• 24 pieces of 8″ screws
• 40 pieces of 5″ screws
• 100 pieces of 3 1/2″ screws
• 500 pieces of 1 5/8″ screws
• wood glue, stain/paint
• 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

Time

• One Week

How to build a 8×12 pavilion – PDF Download

Laying out the posts for the 8×12 pavilion

The first step of the HowToSpecialist.com project is to layout the rectangular pavilion. Therefore, select the location for the outdoor 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.

Setting the posts

After marking the location of the posts, you need to dig 3-4′ deep holes in the ground and 12″ in diameter, using a post hole digger. Install tube forms and fill them with concrete. Secure the anchors  For this project we will use post anchors, so you don’t need to set the posts into concrete.

After installing the posts you need to check the tops are aligned one with another. Use a laser level / water level to mark the horizontal line to the top of the posts. Use a circular saw to make the cuts if necessarily.

Plates

Use 6×6 lumber for the top plates. Make notches to the beams, using a circular saw. Make the notches to the 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

Fit the plates to the sides of the pavilion. Center the plates to the posts, making sure you have 16″ 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. Use 2 screws for each joint.

Fitting the cross supports

Fit the rest of the plates to the top of the pavilion. Drill pilot holes and insert 8″ screws, to assemble everything together tightly. Use a spirit level to make sure the plates are horizontal. Use a carpentry square to make sure the corners are right angled.

Braces for pavilion

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 5″ screws. Plumb the posts and check if the plates are perfectly horizontal. These braces are needed especially if you live in an area with strong winds. They will help with lateral and longitudinal movements.

Fitting the ridge beam

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. Make sure all corners are square.

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 for 8×12 pavilion

Use 2×4 lumber for the rafters of the HowToSpecialist.com pavilion. Make 26.5 degree cuts to both ends of the rafters and then make the birdsmouth cuts, as shown in the diagram. The roof has a 6:12 pitch which corresponds to a 26.5 degree slope.

You are free to play with the angles and change the roof slope. Just remember that changing the angles will also change the height of the ridge beam supports.

Fitting the rafters

Fit the rafters to the top of the pavilion. Use the info from the diagram to space the rafters every 16″ on center. The number you see in the plans represents the distance between the rafters. Use rafter ties and 1 1/2″ structural screws to lock the rafters into place tightly.

Roof sheets

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.

Fitting the trims to the sides of the pavilion

Fit the 1×6 trims to the sides of the pavilion. Align the edges flush and insert 6d nails to lock them to the rafters.

Fitting the end roof trims

Use 1×6 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

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.

8×12 Pavilion Plans

This is a relatively small pavilion, so if you have a big family or many friends, I recommend you to take a look over the rest of my designs, for example this 20×24 pavilion or this 12×16 pavilion.

8×12 Pavilion Plans – side view

What I like most about this design is the fact that you can build it on a budget. This shows you don’t need a bag of money to add value to your backyard. In addition, being so compact, it will be super sturdy and you don’t have issues with complicated engineering for the snow load and winds. Simple and cheap, just as we like the DIY projects on HowToSpecialist.com

8×12 Pavilion Plans – front 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. Since you are here, you might as well take a look over over my screened gazebo plans.

Thank you for reading my project about 8×12 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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