
Octagonal Gazebo Plans – Detailed Instructions For Building An Eight Sided Gazebo
Octagonal gazebo plans are easy to follow. Building an octagonal gazebo is strongly recommended if you have a large backyard and wish to add a personal touch to it. A gazebo will surely enhance the look of your property and will be a great place to relax during the hot summer. You can have a drink with friends, play with your little one or just cuddle with a book in your gazebo.
Choose the right location and get a permit if you need one. It avoids any unnecessary legal hassles that may affect the job. It’s also essential to use the right materials for the job. Check with a few friends if they are ready to offer you some help in the construction process.
The below given steps will guide you during the construction process.
Installing the Wooden Posts: To build an octagonal gazebo, you can choose from different foundations. Start with a sturdy slab and place the skids on concrete footings. Now dig 2″ holes and fill them with concrete.
Footings: The next step is to set the layout by using batter boards and strings. Consider the octagon as a 12″ square with cut off the corners. Make sure the corners are rightly angled and the diagonals are equal.
Plumbing the Posts: For the posts, dig a deep hole and pour the gravel in a set tube form. Fill the form using small quantities of concrete and set up the adjustable anchors. All footings need to be aligned according to the octagonal gazebo plans.
Posts and Decking: Install all the eight post in the same manner and anchor them properly. Use of spirit level and bracing the posts before screwing in the nails will help in aligning the posts. Now install the decking to the joists by locking the rims and intermediate joists by nailing them with 6″ long screws. Remember that the decking boards should join over the middle of the joists.
Roofing: Cut off the octagonal king-post using a table saw and install the first two rafters on the opposite sides of the king-post and then install the rest. Drill pilot holes using a few 4″ screws. Hang them at about 6-10″. Now install the ¾” tongue and groove plywood sheets and secure them to the rafters by cutting them with a circular saw.
Shingles: Nail the shingles with roofing nails leaving about 1″ from the edge and cut the shingle tables using a cutter to build the ridges. Install the bottom rail using 2×4 redwood and lock them into position. You can use 4″ screws or use corner brackets. Be careful when installing the ridge caps as poor work can allow water to damage the roof sheeting.
Install the railings: Install the balusters by cutting them into the right dimensions and lock them into positions. The balusters need to be placed ever 2-4″ and continue to install the rest of the balusters until the job is done. You could use 1×1″ redwood molding as nailing cleats. Let the compound dry out completely before sanding the components along the wood grain. Octagonal gazebo plans can be carried out in a smooth manner if you follow the above steps.