BuildingOutdoorStorage.com

Do you consider yourself handy? Think you can build a gazebo from scratch?

There are plenty of gazebo plans available free in libraries and online.  There are also blueprints available for fees ranging from $8 to $200.

The more expensive gazebo plans are architectural blueprints, which are much more specific and best suited to the experienced contractor.

But a talented home improvement buff can make good use of the less expensive options available.

A good free gazebo plan is available from the Build Easy website. There you will find links to complete plans for 5 basic gazebos of varying sizes and styles to suit most tastes and uses. There plans are free.

There are several things to think about before starting to build a gazebo.  You will need some basic carpentry tools such as a level and a screw gun. You will also need a compound miter saw or sliding compound miter saw.

These machines afford the angular cutting abilities you will need when fashioning the various sections of the gazebo. The sliding version is best for larger pieces of wood.

You can either bolt the gazebo to a concrete slab or pre-existing wood floor, or you can create the gazebo with a built-in floor. In the latter case, you will need to pour one concrete pier for each post.

Contact your local building department to find out how deep the concrete piers should be, and whether there are any underground cables you should try to avoid.

Three kinds of woods are commonly used to build outdoor structures: pine, cedar, and redwood. Pine is the softest and easiest to work with, but it decomposes the fastest. Cedar and redwood are harder and more expensive, but age well.

Alternatively, you can build a metal or vinyl gazebo. But unless you have all the heavy machinery for fabricating the parts, you’ll need to buy a gazebo kit. These come in sections for you to assemble using the included hardware.

A level and a screw gun are usually all that are needed. You might need help from a buddy, especially for the roof sections.

There are lots of options when it comes to building your own gazebo, and you don’t have to be a carpentry star to get really good results.  And just think, when you’re done building your gazebo, you can sit inside it and just enjoy the shade.

A long time ago a wise man once said that a man’s shed is his castle…

Okay, maybe not, but they should have. A great shed is a simply a good thing to have in your garden – you can take all those tools and kids’ toys that are getting in the way and give them a storage place, where they won’t get lost and they’ll be safe from the weather.

Even if you don’t have a large garden, you may be surprised by the amount of room a shed will save you just by getting things like lawnmowers and chairs out of the way.

And if you do have a big garden, of course, then you can really go to town!

Some things to consider when you’re choosing a shed (apart from the size) is the kind of wood it is made from, the color of the wood, the number of windows and quality of the glass, and what kind of door it has.

Remember when you choose that you’ll probably have this shed for decades to come – don’t skimp on cost. You might want to bring a photo of your garden with you so you can imagine what the shed will look like in it.

Once you’ve chosen a garden shed, there are two ways to get it put up: either you can do it yourself, or you can pay someone to do it for you. Many companies that sell sheds include delivery and assembly as part of the price, so do check.

Doing it yourself can be a fun adventure if you’ve got a spare weekend, and it’s really satisfying to see something you’ve built yourself standing in your garden.

Modern sheds from DIY stores come with easy instructions and can be surprisingly quick to make, although you might a friend or relative to help you hold up some bits of the shed while you’re putting up the other parts.

However, if you’re not the do-it-yourself type, it’s worth considering getting the company to do it for you. It isn’t all that expensive, and they will have built that shed a thousand times before – you know it’ll be done right, and it won’t fall down while you’re inside it (a scary thought, I’m sure you’ll agree).

However you do it, enjoy your shed!