DIY gazebo plans

This step by step diy woodworking project is about diy 12×16 gazebo plans. This article features detailed plans for a rectangular gazebo with a gable roof. The 12×16 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 addition, we recommend you to invest in high-quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar, as they have a nice finish and are highly durable, especially in a humid environment.

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

Diy 12×16 gazebo plans

Building a gazebo

Materials

A – 6 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 130″ long, 2 pieces – 180 1/2″ long POSTS
B – 2 piece of 2×6 lumber – 144″ long, 2 pieces – 189″ long RIM JOISTS
C – 4 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 66 1/4″ long, 1 piece – 182″, 2 piece – 89 1/2″ long MIDDLE JOISTS
D – 10 piece of 2×6 – 69 3/4″ long, 8 pieces of 2×6 – 93″ long JOISTS
E – 40 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 96″ long, 52 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 72″ long DECKING
F – 2 piece of 2×6 lumber – 144″ long, 2 pieces – 189″ long TOP PLATES
G – 1 piece of 4×4 lumber – 192″ long TOP RIDGE
H – 18 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 96″ long RAFTERS
I – 4 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 48″x96″ long, 4 pieces – 48″x44 3/4″ long, 2 pieces – 96″x44 3/4″ long ROOFING SHEETS
J – 250 sq ft of tar paper, 250 sq ft of asphalt shingles ROOFING

6 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 12 ft
6 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 16 ft
42 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 8 ft
2 piece of 2×6 lumber – 12 ft
2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 16 ft
58 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
26 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12 ft
8 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
21 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 8 ft
250 sq ft of tar paper, 250 sq ft of asphalt shingles
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: Gazebo Plans
PART 2: Gazebo railings plans

Building a gazebo

Laying out the gazebo

The first step of the woodworking project is to lay out the rectangular gazebo in a professional manner. Therefore, we recommend you to 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 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.

Installing the rim joists

Cut the 4×4 posts at the right size, making sure you need to add 36″ to their height, as you need to set them into concrete. Build the perimeter joists out of 2×6 lumber. Drill pilot holes through the joists and secure them to the posts using 2 1/2″ screws. Add glue to the joints and leave no gaps between the components. Make sure the corners are square and use a spirit level to check if the joists are perfectly horizontal.

Fitting the middle joists

Continue the project by fitting the middle joists to the bottom frame of the gazebo. Cut the joists out of 2×6 lumber and drill pilot holes at both ends before securing them into place using 3 1/2″ screws. Align everything with attention and make sure the corners are right-angled. Use a spirit level to make sure the joists are perfectly horizontal.

Installing the middle joists

Continue the project by fitting the rest of the middle joists to the structure. Drill pilot holes through the joists before inserting the 2 1/2″ screws to create rigid joints. Add glue to the joints and leave no gaps.

Installing the joists

Continue the project by fitting the intermediary joists. Drill pilot holes and secure the joists to the frame, as described in the diagram. Place the joists equally-spaced in order to get a professional result.

Attaching the intermediary joists

Fit the rest of the joists to the frame of the gazebo, as described in the diagram.

Installing the decking slats

Fit the 2×4 decking boards to the floor frame, as described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the slats and secure them to the joists using 2 1/2″ screws. Place a nail between the decking boards, in order to make sure the water will drain properly.

Attaching the decking

Fit the rest of the decking boards to the structure, as described in the diagram. Make sure you align everything before inserting the screws to get a professional result.

Fitting the top plates

Fit the 2×6 top plates to the structure, as described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the plates and secure them to the posts using 2 1/2″ screws. Add glue to the joints and remove the excess with a damp cloth. Use a spirit level to make sure the posts are plumb and the top plates and horizontal.

Fitting the top ridge

The next step of the woodworking project is to attach the 4×4 top ridge to the middle posts, as described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the top ridge and insert 5 1/2″ screws into the posts. Make sure the corners are square and add glue to the joints. In addition, use a carpentry square to check if the corners are right-angled.

Building the rafters

Build the rafters for the gazebo out of 2×6 lumber. Mark the cut lines on the 2×6 slats and get the job done with a circular saw. Smooth the edges with fine-grit sandpaper and remove the residues with a damp cloth. Make the notch to the rafter in order to fit properly over the top rails.

Fitting the rafters

Place the rafters to the structure and drill pilot holes at both ends. Place the rafters equally-spaced and secure them into place using 3 1/2″ screws. Make sure the edges of the rafters are aligned with great attention, before inserting the screws into place.

Fitting the roofing sheets

Build the roofing out of 3/4 plywood sheets. Mark the cut lines with great care on the sheets and get the job done with a circular saw. Smooth the edges and lay the sheets on the rafters with attention. Insert 1 5/8″ screws through the sheets into the rafters to lock them into place tightly. Leave no gaps between the tongue and groove sheets.

Fitting the roofing

You could fit asphalt shingles to protect the gazebo, 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.

Diy 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 deck projects, to see more ways to improve the look of your garden.

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