How to Build a Garden Gazebo

A gazebo is a wonderful garden structure, often built with eight sides, and used as a shade pavilion. You can plant around it to make it match any garden style, light it up at light to make it glow, draw paths to it from anywhere in the landscape and use it for multiple practical purposes. Here is some information on how to build a garden gazebo.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. 
    
   Blend your gazebo in with the garden

   Locate your garden gazebo where you will use it and where you can enjoy a good view. A gazebo can be used for parties, dinners, play, general entertainment or as a quiet nook for reading, relaxing or meditating. A gazebo will create a wonderful focal point for the design of your garden, too. Make sure you position your gazebo in a safe place where it will have the best visual impact, and don't forget to check into any code regulations or permits that might be needed to build a permanent structure in your area.

2. 
    
   Gazebos come in different styles and materials.

   Decide the materials you want to use in your garden gazebo. Traditionally, gazebos were built of wood, but today you can make them out of wrought iron, vinyl or a number of other materials as well as painted, stained, treated or raw wood. Most have solid roofs and adding screens has become popular where mosquitoes are a problem.

3. 
    
   Build a gazebo with a kit.

   Consider ordering a kit. Most kits will take a minimum of two days to assemble. Kits can cost between roughly $3000 to $40,000 depending on size and materials. You can spend more if you want something really elaborate.

4. 
    
   Victorian Gazebo

   Design your own garden gazebo if you are a savvy builder. You can find free plans on the internet or you can pay for a plan that is really unique. Building your own from scratch will be the most economical way to create your own gazebo, but it will be labor intensive.

5. 
    
   Make building your gazebo into a party!

   One way to have fun while building your own gazebo is to gather all your friends and have a building party. You can also hire a handyman for help or hire a good carpenter to do the job for you.

6. 
    
   Garden gazebo in white

   For more information on how to build a garden gazebo please check the links provided in the additional Resources below.

Resources

• Video demonstration
• BuildEasy free gazebo plans
• Directions on building a gazebo kit
• Kits at Gazebo Creations
• Summerwood gazebo kits and good tips on gazebos
• General landscape design, structures and planting information

[FrazzledNanny]

on 1/29/2009 Great pictures. Thanks for the instructions. 5*

[Upon-Request]

on 1/28/2009 Great gazebo building info and resources!