This article is about rectangular gazebo plans. A rectangular gazebo is a nice addition to your backyard, as is has both a functional and aesthetic purpose. If you choose to build a large wooden gazebo, you could spend your weekends together with your family and friends, talking and reflecting about your passions. In addition, if the flooring is large enough, you could even set a table and several chairs to take dinner. Building a wooden gazebo is easy, provided you use the right plans, materials and techniques for the job. If you want to obtain a professional result and to save money by doing the job by yourself, we recommend you to use our step by step plans. Nevertheless, if the dimensions of our rectangular gazebo don’t fit your needs and tastes, you have to scale them up or down, but don’t forget to follow our instructions.
The location of your gazebo is essential for the success of your project. Therefore, we recommend you to read the local building codes before deciding the place where you want to build the gazebo. In most of the cases, it would be nice to build it in the middle of you garden, to be able to admire the flowers, trees and your kids playing on the grass. If you already have a barbeque and a large patio, you should consider building a rectangular gazebo and use it as a place to take dinner.
Although this project is not difficult, you have to work with great care and good judgement, if you want to obtain a neat look. From our own experience, we remind you that any error of measurement or alignment could compromise the whole project, therefore, if you are new to diy projects, use our step by step instructions and plan the rectangular gazebo from the very beginning. If you haven’t built s construction as complex as a rectangular gazebo before, we recommend you to write down on a piece of paper, all the material you are going to use, together with the dimensions and design of your gazebo.
In order to layout the rectangular gazebo on the construction site, you have to use several batter boards and string. In order to make sure the corners of the gazebo will be right angled, we recommend you to use the well-known 3-4-5 rule. In addition, you could also try to measure the diagonals of the rectangular gazebo. If the lengths of the diagonals don’t match, you have to redo the whole procedure, otherwise your gazebo won’t look too good.
Made from this plan
In order to build a rectangular gazebo, you need the following:
Materials
- 7′ long 4×4 wooden posts
- 6” long nails / screws
- Tube form
- 2×6 wooden boards
- 2×2 balusters
- Cement, sand, gravel
Tools
- Safety gloves, glasses
- Circular saw
- Hammer, spirit level, carpentry pencil
- Ladder, posthole digger
- Power mixer
Tips
- Lay out the outline of the gazebo is a professional manner, using batter boards and string
- Plumb the posts using post level clips (a level that reads in both directions simultaneously)
- Use adjustable post anchors
Time
- One weekend
Rectangular gazebo plans
First of all, you have to build footings for the rectangular gazebo, as to make sure the posts will be secured properly. Therefore, you have to dig 10-15” in diameter holes (6” below the frost line – at least 3′), fill 3” with gravel and insert tube forms (or build square forms using 2x4s ).
Mix concrete, fill the forms and install the adjustable post anchors. Use a straight edge and a level, to make sure all four footings are horizontal.
After the concrete has dried out completely (about 48 hours), you have to install the four posts into place. Therefore, you have to use decay resistant wooden posts (redwood, construction posts) and adjust their dimension to about 8-9′. Nevertheless, you can change their height according to your needs.
Continue installing the rest of the posts into place, in the same way described above. Under any circumstances do not drive in the screws, without plumbing the posts or without locking them into position with two braces.
After you have installed the four posts into place, you have to build the deck frame of your rectangular gazebo. Therefore, use 2×6 joists and lock them into position, by inserting 3” screws.
As you can see in the image, you have to fasten the joists to the exterior of the posts and locks them with several screws. In addition, you have to install intermediate joists every 2′ and secure them into position by using metal joists hangers.
Next, you have to attach 4×4 posts to the deck joists, as in the image: two posts on the front face and one on the middle of the other sides of the gazebo. These posts have a structural role, as they will support the weight of the roof, therefore make sure you follow our instructions.
Installing the decking is not difficult, if you have followed our instructions and rectangular gazebo plans up to this stage.
Wooden gazebo roof plans free
Next, install the top plate, using 2x4s or 4x4s. The installation process is straight forward, but you have to remember several tips, to get the job done as a professional. We recommend you to cut out the ends of the post in a L-shape and then, join them together. Insert several 6” screws, after you ensure the top plates are perfectly level.
After you have built the main frame of the rectangular gazebo, you should start the construction of the roof. Therefore, you have to use 2×6 hip rafters and secure the ridge board with several screws.
Use a spirit level to ensure the ridge board is level, otherwise the roof of your gazebo won’t be symmetrical. Work with great care and ask a friend to assist you, as you need someone to hold the components into place, while you insert the screws.
Install the intermediate rafters as in the image, making sure you lock them into place with 3-4” screws. It is essential to use a tape measurement when installing the rafters, otherwise they won’t be equally spaced.
Work with great care and cut their ends, as to be perfectly aligned one with another. If the rafters are longer than 7′, we recommend you to install 2×6 purlins.
Continue installing the rest of the rafters, as in the image. Work with patience and with great care, to get the job done in a professional manner.
From our experience, we recommend you to place the rafters every 1′, otherwise the roof won’t be rigid enough and might collapse during winter storms. Use long screws to secure the rafters, after you drill pilot holes.
There are many roofing options but we recommend you to use asphalt singles, as they are both durable and have a neat look. Before installing the shingles, you have to cover the frame either with 2×6 wooden slats or with plywood.
Each of these options is viable, but if you choose the plywood, we recommend you to leave 1/8” expansion gaps between the sheets.
Rectangular gazebo railing plans
First of all, you have to install 2×6 wooden boards, about 4” above the decking. Installing the bottom rail is not difficult, if you use the right techniques and materials.
Therefore, you have two main alternatives: on one hand, you could use corner brackets to support the bottom rail, while on the other hand you could toenail the lumber with 4” screws. Use a spirit level to make sure the bottom rail is horizontal.
Next, choose the baluster designs that fit your needs and tastes, before installing them into place. Choosing their design is a complex task, as there are many options, from 1×8 slats up to 2×2 balusters. Drive screws through the bottom rain in the bottom of the balusters and toenail their top to the head rail.
Cover the roof with roofing paper and install the asphalt shingles. Pay attention to the ridges, otherwise the water might damage your roof.
Afterwards, you have to protect the wooden posts and the railings with substances designed for outside use. Don’t forget that you have to refresh the paint coats every 2-3 years, otherwise the water would damage the frame of the gazebo.
Don’t forget to take a look over these rectangular gazebo plans, as there are much more complete and include a full cut list of the materials required for the job. This gazebo is easier to build, as it has a simpler shape.
Thank you for reading our article about rectangular gazebo plans and we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects. Don’t forget to share our projects with your friends, by using the social media widgets.