2400mm diameter

Octagonal Gazebo Plans

This 2400mm diameter octagonal Gazebo is one of the
more simple and cost effective octagonal gazebos to
build.
The entire gazebo is constructed out of rough sawn
(ungauged) timber, which in most parts is readily
available and cheaper than gauged or dressed timber.
Rough sawn timber also looks attractively rustic.
The floor: There is no allowance for a structural floor in this plan-set as the gazebo is
designed to use the existing (grassed) ground as a 'floor'. If a structural floor of some
description is preferred, then concrete, tiles, slate or lumber can easily be added later.
Note: These plans are not intended for the purpose of building permit or consent. If you
have any doubts whether a building permit or consent is required for the structure of this
gazebo, please inquire at your local authority.
Navigation: There are hyperlinked page contents at the bottom of every page for easy
navigation.
Footing and Post Layout
This gazebo has been designed with eight posts concreted into the ground rather than
bolted to a concrete slab or timber floor. This means that a floor is not necessary, since
grass will do quite nicely for a floor. However if you prefer a floor of some description,
then concrete, tiles, slate, or timber can easily be added later without compromising the
structure of the gazebo.
As the posts are to be concreted into the ground, no other bracing is required for the
gazebo. Any arches or corbels (the fancy bits between the posts and the head beams) are
solely decorative rather than structural.
The setting out of the eight posts is the most crucial requirement of this project. It is
important to spend time on this and to do it properly. This is how:
Making a footing and post template
Find or create an area of even ground where you intend to construct the gazebo. The area
should have at least a 3000mm diameter to give you room to work.
Make a template for the footing holes and posts out of four straight pieces of timber
100mm wide, 25mm thick and 2156mm long. The width and thickness of the timber are
not important, however the length (2156mm) must be measured correctly. The type of

timber is not particularly important either, as this template will be discarded once the
posts have been concreted into the ground.
Measure carefully and mark the centers of each piece of timber (fig 1) and drill a 3.5mm
diameter hole all the way through the center mark.
Stack the four pieces of timber on top of
one another. Hammer a nail (100mm x
3.5mm) into the center hole and through
the four pieces of timber we will call the
template boards.
Fan the template boards out using the nail
the middle as the axis pivot (fig 2). Rotate
the timber template boards around until
all ends are all an equal distance apart.
Each piece of timber should be at 45
degrees to one another.

in

Get eight timber fillets (approximately 1100mmx50mmx25mm). These measurements are

not crucial, as the timber fillets will only be used to brace and hold the template boards in
place.
Lay the fillets on top of the template boards about 300mm in from the end (fig 2) and
clamp the fillets to the template boards. Double check that ends of the template boards
are all equal distances apart. If not, loosen the clamps and make any necessary
adjustments. You have now built your template.
Place the template flat on the ground where you
are to build the gazebo.
Once the template is in place you can then mark
out the footing hole positions.
Mark out each of the eight footings with a spray can, using the dimensions as in drawing,
i.e. 350mm diameter and set back 125mm from the end of each template board.(See
drawing.)
When all eight footings are marked the template can then be removed to allow for hole
digging. Dig all holes 500mm deep.
Before any concrete work commences, make sure all your posts are in a handy position.
The posts will be sawn treated pine, 100mmx100mm and 2800mm long, i.e. slightly
longer than needed, but the tops can be trimmed when the concrete is hard. Once holes
are dug, place the template back into its original position and check once again that the
ends of the template boards are equal distance apart.

Mixing Concrete and Standing Posts

Mixing the concrete
In a wheelbarrow or concrete mixer, make a mix consisting of 5 parts gravel and sand
mix, to 1 part cement.
Pour in clean water and mix to a uniform consistency with a spade or shovel. The mix
should be stiff enough to hold up the posts without you needing to use bracing props, yet
wet enough for you to work around the posts.
Standing up the posts
This will take two people: one to hold the post and one to
shovel the concrete into the hole.
First shovel some concrete into the hole so there is a
75mm concrete base under the bottom end of the post.
Place a post into the hole so it sits against the end of the
template board (fig 3) and ensure post is plumb (or
vertical) by holding a spirit level against two adjacent
sides of the post.
Fill the hole with concrete and check again that the posts
are plumb. Because of the depth of the hole and the
stiffness of the concrete, the post will stay up by itself.
Of course you will need a calm day!
Repeat this procedure until all posts are in concrete, in
place, and standing plumb/vertical. Check again an hour later.
The next day
All of the eight posts are now firmly set in place but the tops need to be trimmed off. (Remember,
all the posts were longer than we needed!)
Measure from the ground 2200mm up one of the posts (we are assuming the ground is
reasonably level) and mark with a pencil. With your set square, draw a pencil line around all four
sides of the post (2200mm from the ground). You will probably need a ladder or saw stool to do
this.
Now, hammer a 90mm nail partly into the outside edge of the post you have just marked on the
underside of the pencil line. Sit one end of a level on that nail and hold the other end level against
the next post. Mark the underside of the level with a pencil on the second post, checking of
course, that your level is level, too! If your level is not long enough to span from one post to the
next, get a straight piece of timber 1000mm long, and use that with the level sitting on top.
With your set square mark a pencil line around all four sides of the second post, and again
hammer a 90mm nail partly in, the same as on the first post. Repeat this action until all eight

posts are marked. Check that the pencil line on the last post is level with the line on the first post.
If not, go around again with the level and find the discrepancies.
Trimming the posts
Cut off the top of the posts where you have marked, with a circular saw.
If the circular saw does not cut all the way through the post, finish the cut off with a handsaw.
Make sure you have firm footing and if necessary, erect a scaffold about 600mm off the ground.
Head Beams
For the head beams you will need eight pieces of timber 100x100 and 1000mm long. (Rough
sawn treated pine, suitable for outside use.)
Pencil a square line at one end of the beam with your set square as on the diagram below and
then pencil another line 22.5 degrees from the first.

Cut on this line with your circular saw.

If your circular saw does not cut all the way through the
beam, finish the cut off with a handsaw.
Measure from the long point and along the beam 920mm
and do the same cut that end as you have done the other
end.
Another cut is required, this one 50mm square to the edges
just cut.
To achieve this, hold your set square against the newly cut
edge and slide it along until you are able to pencil a line
50mm long, square to the cut edge and finishing at the
beams longest (face) edge.
Sounds complicated I know, but just follow the drawing in the
circle.
Also see fig 4. Repeat this for all eight beams.
You now have all eight beams ready to sit in place.
Sit the eight head beams on top of the eight posts,
see fig 4 and skew nail beams to posts with 90mm
galvanized jolt head nails.
Nail a 300mm long metal strap plate to the top side
of each head beam join. (Also see fig 4.)
This will stop any outward movement of the gazebo.
Nail the metal strap plates with 50mm clout head
(flat head) galvanized nails.

Beam / Post Braces, & Making the Hub

Beam/post braces
The beam/post braces are fixed to the top of
the posts and to the underside of the head
beam.
Two per post, so a total of sixteen is required.
The beam/post braces are decorative rather
than structural, as the posts concreted into the
ground are support enough for any sideways
movement. If you prefer, you can replace
these beam and post braces with something
more decorative.
However, for these beam/post braces you will
need 16 lengths of 100x100 sawn treated
timber at approximately 400mm long.
At the end of one of the pieces of timber cut a
45 degree angle (fig 5). Measure back 350mm
from the long point of the cut and pencil mark
another 45 degree angle inward. Set your
circular saw blade at 22.5 deg. and cut along
that pencil mark. Repeat this on all 16 pieces of timber. Fix all 16 pieces in place (fig 5.) with
90mm galvanized jolt head nails.
It is sometimes wise to drill the nail holes first with a slightly smaller drill bit to minimize the
chance of the timber splitting.
Making the hub
The hub is the piece of timber that
goes to the very top of the gazebo
roof (apex).
The eight roof rafters are fixed to the
hub.
Get a length of 100x100 sawn treated
pine timber 600mm long.
Scribe a pencil line down the length of
the timber 30mm in from the edge fig
6. Do the same along all four edges.
Set the angle on the circular saw to 45 degrees and rip-cut down the four pencil scribe lines.
You now have made the hub.
The Roof Rafters and Hub

Take 8 lengths of 100x50 sawn treated lumber approximately 2000mm long from which the rafters
will be cut.
Cut one piece to the dimensions of the diagram above
and then use that piece as a template to mark and cut
the other seven.
Once all rafters are cut, you will need someone to give a
hand to assemble them.
Start by nailing two opposing rafters to the hub whilst
laying them flat on the ground.
Nail with 90mm galvanized jolt head nails and drill first if
necessary.
Place a scaffold plank (approx 2600mm or longer) on top
of the gazebo beams and spanning the gazebo close to
the center.
One person will need to be up on the scaffold plank with
another to pass up the two opposing rafters nailed to the
hub.
While the person on the scaffold plank balances the first
two opposing rafters, the other can fix the birds-mouth
(see drawing above) end of the rafters to the beam, central over the post.
Once the rafter is nailed in place, attach an angle clip (see fig.3) for added strength on top of the
beam and against the rafter, one each side and fix with 50mm galvanized clouts (flathead) nails.
The next rafter can then be put into place followed by an opposing rafter, and so on until all eight
are in place and firmly fixed.
Laying the Roof Boards
The roof is constructed of 150mm x 25mm sawn
(undressed) treated pine timber, a timber commonly
used for fencing, and readily available at any
merchants.
You will need 65 meters in random lengths of this.
Always cut the longest boards first, so the off cuts can
be utilized for the smaller boards.
Firstly, put two pencil marks (square off the board)
1060mm apart along the edge of one of the random
lengths of 150x25 timber (fig 8).
On those two pencil marks, pencil another line inward
at 20 degrees.
Set the blade on your circular saw to 11 degrees and
cut along the pencil lines.
You now have your first roof board, and you will need
eight at this length.
Cut the rest of the roof boards to the following lengths, the measurement being the longest point.
8@ 1060mm (already cut); 8@ 980mm; 8@ 900mm; 8@ 820mm; 8@ 740mm;
8@ 660mm; 8@ 580mm; 8@ 500mm; 8@ 420mm; 8@ 340mm; 8@ 260mm;
8@ 180mm; 8@ 100mm;

When all the roof boards are cut (104 in total), take the first board (one of the 1060mm longest
boards) and place it on top of the rafters in a position so that the two ends are sitting on the
center of the rafters and both ends of the roof boards are equal distance from the bottom of the
rafters.
Temporarily tack this board in place and then proceed with the next 1060mm board, butting up
tight to the first board and tacking to the next rafter.
Continue this action around the perimeter of the gazebo roof.
On the first boards only, a 25mm thick fillet or packer will need to be inserted under the bottom
edge of the board and on the rafter in order to raise it to the same pitch as the rest of the
following roof boards. (See fig 9.)
The rafter pitch is 40 degrees, but because all the roof boards lower edges are raised to sit on the
roof boards beneath them, the roof board pitch will be more like 30 degrees.
When the first row of boards (the eight 1060mm bds) are in place with the fillets or packers
inserted, (fig 9) and are all equal distance up from the ends of the rafters, and all joining in the
center of the rafters, then nail them in place onto the rafters.
From here on it gets easier.
Get one of the next longest roof boards (980mm) and lay it on one of the first fixed boards so that
the ends line up flush with the lower board ends.
Check both boards are parallel. Nail in place.
Continue this around the perimeter and so on, until all the roof boards are fixed in place.
The last row of boards (at the very top) might need a trim to ensure they fit snuggly against the
hub at the apex of the gazebo.
Drill and screw roof boards together where the span exceeds 500mm.
The Handrail
Handrail, top and bottom rails
You will need 14 pieces of timber 100x50 sawn treated pine approximately 900mm long. These
are the top and bottom rails.
Cut one end off at an angle of 22.5 degrees and then measure back 810mm and do the same the
other end. (See fig 10.)
On one side only, pencil two lines 25mm apart along the length in the center of the rails as per fig
10.
Set the blade on your circular saw to a depth of 20mm and do repeated cuts along and between
the two pencil lines.
Clean out with a chisel.
This will give you a rebated groove 25mm wide x 20mm deep along the center on one side of
each rail.
Handrail palings
You will need 40 lengths of 150x25 timber (the same timber as used on the roof) Any pattern of
your choice can be implemented.
The pattern in (fig 11) is just one idea.
Make the pattern on one piece of paling and use that as a template to do the rest.
Fitting the handrail
Fit the palings into the rebated grooves in the top and bottom rails.

This is best done by laying the top and bottom rails on the ground and then inserting the palings
into the grooves.
The number of palings will not work out exactly, so one of the palings will need to be marked and
ripped (cut) down.
When one section is finished, tie a rope around each
end so the palings will not fall out while that section is
being installed.
Nail each section in, 100mm off the ground and fix the
rails to the posts with 90mm galvanized jolt head nails.
Do this to all seven sections.
One section (section eight) is not made, as this is the
point of entry into the gazebo.
Have fun!
Author: Les Kenny
Editor: Maree Anderson