How To Build Your Own Wooden Gazebo – 10 Amazing Projects

A wooden gazebo is not something one expects to see in someone’s backyard or garden. You’ll find them in many regions like public parks or party venues.

Wooden Gazebo

Still, that doesn’t make a wood gazebo an inappropriate addition to a private home’s outdoor area. In fact, everyone would love it if they had their own gazebo to enjoy with family and friends.

So, go on and build your own DIY gazebo to make the most of what summer has to offer. Let the following projects inspire you.

Is it cheaper to build or buy a gazebo?

Whether it’s cheaper to buy or build a gazebo depends on a few things like:

The size of the gazebo – The bigger the gazebo, the more it will cost.
If you hire a contractor – Hiring a contractor to build one will cost more than building it yourself. And potentially more than buying a kit.
Building it yourself – Building one can be cheaper if you know how to do it yourself.
Buying a kit – Gazebo kits can cost between $2,000 and $10,000.

How long will a wooden gazebo last?

They can last up to 12 years if kept in good shape. Cleaning, staining the wood and making repairs will keep your wooden gazebo lasting over a decade.

However, if left to the elements and weather, it can deteriorate within 5 to 7 years.

What can I use for a gazebo roof?

There are a few different materials you can use for the roof of your gazebo. These materials include:

Asphalt shingles
Rubber slate
Cedar shingles
Aluminum panels

The roof you choose will depend on the look you’re going for with the gazebo.

How do you make a homemade gazebo?

There are a few steps you need to take before building a homemade gazebo. These steps include:

Obtaining permits
Check for underground utility lines
Create a plan

Once you’ve cleared the pre-building stage and have all your tools and materials, you can begin building.

Start with building a level base.
Measure, cut and set the posts in their marked location.
Mount the bracing beams perpendicular to the posts.
Then add the top beams.
Next, assemble the walls and attach the roof.
And finally, add the finishing touches like paint or stain.

You can feel free to customize and style the gazebo to fit the theme of your yard.

Wooden Gazebo Plans

Traditional Wood Gazebo

A traditional wood gazebo always has a base which is a platform which extends all around it. It sometimes forms a sort of small deck which frames the gazebo and mimics its shape or that of the roof.

This part has to be planned in detail and carefully executed because it’s the base of everything else. Check out this outdoor living space on imgur to find out how this octagon-shaped gazebo platform was built.

Hang Swings

Of course, it’s not mandatory to give your wood gazebos a platform base or to even include all the other structural elements that a traditional gazebo has. A cool interpretation of a wood gazebo is featured on imgur.

And it only includes a simple frame built around a firepit with swings hanging around it. It’s a very casual and fun idea to which you can add a roof. Or you can assemble additional features that would make your own fire pit gazebo better suited for you and your garden.

Install Floating Benches

Don’t let a small backyard discourage you from building your own wood gazebo. Since this is a DIY project you can make it as small as you want. You can adapt the design by either adding or removing features based on the context and your needs.

We really love this project from instructables, the design in particular. The floating benches are a nice touch and the lattice makes everything come together nicely.

Additional features and ornaments can be added later on. And this includes hanging planters and other ideas that can make your garden gazebo stand out.

Create a Cozy Retreat

If you plan on using your new gazebo as a cozy retreat where you can go to read a book, spend some time planning a few extra design details. We think you’ll enjoy this particular project from theclassicarchives.

It’s a bit more complex than the others, with many great additions that we think could inspire you. We like the breezy curtains in particular as they add character to the gazebo. It gives it a bohemian appearance.

Wooden Garden Gazebo

On the other hand, if you’re not planning to entertain large groups of people, there’s no point making it any bigger than it needs to be.

A simplified version of a wooden gazebo with an aluminum roof would do the trick. You can hang some cute planters or paint your gazebo to make it look more cheerful. Check out this youtube video to find out more about it.

Patio Gazebo

The level of difficulty that building a garden or patio gazebo involves is dependant on the type of design, structure and all the different features you include.

Usually, the main steps are to create a sketch and a plan. Then gather all the materials and tools needed. And finally, build the gazebo starting with the base. The whole process is explained on instructables and that’s also where you can find the plans for this particular DIY gazebo.

Add Railings to Wooden Gazebo

Although not absolutely necessary, you can add railings to your gazebo. That’s if you want to give it a more contained and authentic look while also giving it added privacy.

You can add these at the very end, once all the other pieces are in place. Check out this very detailed tutorial complete with lots of great tips on how to build your own gazebo on thehomesteadingboards. Feel free to add your own personal touch to the design and to add more features if necessary.

Go with a Unique Roof

There are many different design options and styles to choose from for your DIY gazebo project. So take your time and do some research before making a final decision.

It’s also important to consider things like underground utilities, local building codes, location and placement before you focus on the design, size or shape of the gazebo.

Making a to-do list can be helpful at this stage. Figure out your priorities. And every once in a while, take a step back to look at the big picture before you get lost in all the details. Find out more useful tips from treatedwood.

Hybrid Structure

You can also use a wood gazebo as a source of inspiration for your project without actually following all the steps. And you can include all the elements such a structure usually involves.

The result would be a hybrid structure uniquely designed to suit your specific needs. In this case, the goal was to build a protective frame around an outdoor dining area. While the lattice fence has a gazebo-inspired look, everything else is quite neutral.

Check out this youtube video to find out more about the project.

Simple Frame

Building wood gazebos is quite similar to building a tiny cabin. However, there’s less focus on the walls since gazebos are open to their surroundings to a certain degree.

Putting together the base and the frame is the most important and most time-consuming part of the project. And things can get a bit more complicated if you choose a more sculptural design as opposed to something very basic, like using an aluminum roof.

Still, it can all be done successfully, making this a great DIY project. Check out this YouTube video to see how this particular gazebo was built.

Wooden Gazebo Kits Ready To Assemble

Carolina Gazebo

If you want the best deals and to skip the entire building process and just get the finished product, there’s always the option to buy a gazebo. The cedar Carolina gazebo are simple and popular option.

It has a nice size and shape and a fairly simple design which gives it versatility. And allows it to look great in a variety of outdoor spaces like gardens and backyards. The overall dimensions are 3′ W x 11′ D x 10′ 1” H. And the frame is made of solid wood with a natural finish.

Cedarwood

There are many styles of wood gazebos. But this gazebo is perfect for outdoor bbq and grill areas. It has a simple frame made of cedarwood and it measures 8′ 7/32” W x 5′ 1/32” D x 9′ 1 7/16” H overall.

There are two shelves on the sides which could be used as counters or bars when using the grill. Or you could serve as display areas for planters and other similar things. You can also decorate the frame with string lights to create a whimsical décor at night.

Arlington Gazebo

The Arlington gazebo has a modern design with a hint of rustic-industrial charm. The frame is made of wood with a dark and rich finish. And it contrasts with powder-coated brackets and hardware with a black finish.

This gives the gazebo a very solid and sturdy look and allows it to withstand all types of weather throughout the seasons. The interior gives a usable space of 9ft x 9 ft where you can add comfortable furniture to create a relaxing lounge area.

Meridian Wooden Gazebo

The Meridian gazebo forms a square 120’’ x 120’’ footprint for various outdoor space combinations. It’s 126’’ high which gives plenty of clearance and even lets you add some sort of hanging lighting.

The wood gazebo is great for outdoor dining areas, lounge spaces or bbq areas. It creates a shaded space protected from the elements yet still very open. It’s made entirely of cedar wood with a natural and light finish.

Brezina

The arches featured by the Brezina gazebo look really beautiful and add a bit more elegance to the design without overcomplicating it. The frame of the wood gazebos is made of cedarwood.

It is resistant to rot and decay, being very low maintenance. There are shingles on the roof and solid and sturdy construction but at the same time it looks slender and graceful. It measures 12′ 2” W x 12′ 2” D x 10′ 5” H overall. And it’s great for poolside decks, gardens, backyards and various other open outdoor spaces.

The Classic Wooden Gazebo

If you prefer the more classic type of gazebo, this one is more closed off, with railings on all sides except the entrance section, check out this beautiful model.

It’s a 12 ft x 12 ft gazebo with an elegant frame made of solid wood and a rich natural finish. It has railings that match the frame and 8 solid posts with half-moon braces at the top for added stability. It’s great for gardens and it can customized with various types of lighting, greenery and so on.

Westmont Wooden Gazebo

The Westmont gazebo stands out with its slender frame supported by four wooden columns. And its solid roof with cross beam support for a sturdy and balanced look. It’s made of pine wood and steel and has an A-frame design.

The exact dimensions are 10′ 9 1/2” W x 10′ 9 1/2” D x 10′ 3 1/2” H. They are popular options because they’re weather-resistant and low-maintenance so you can leave it outside all year long.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

Is it hard to build your own gazebo?

Not necessarily. It can be a big job but not complex. And if you get a gazebo kit, it will come with directions and be easier to assemble.

How much do wood gazebos cost?

Building a gazebo out of wood can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $7,000, depending on the size. Using metal or brick is a cheaper alternative to wood.

Are pergolas or gazebos better?

The statistics suggest that pergolas are preferable to gazebos because they are more open and less cluttered.

Can you put a gazebo on a deck?

Yes. Putting a gazebo on a deck is a popular option because the deck makes for a beautiful floor. Which in turn can save you money and time for installing a floor in your gazebo.