2011 April | Garden Shed Plans

Creating the Ideal Pergola

This sort of starter home project is just perfect for the novice carpenter who wants a functional yet artistic and beautiful addition to any home. And as hard as it seems, you really don’t need to worry about getting over your head as long as you keep it simple and stick to your plan.

The best way to beat the heat during summer is with a pergola. However, there is no need to pay someone do the work, because with the right equipment you can make it yourself.

To create your pergola you will need a stock (2 x 4 and 2 x 8), post stock (4 x 4), several bolts and screws, foundation tubes, anchors, nails and paint.

You will also need a wheelbarrow, a shovel, ladder, stakes, hatchet, measuring tape, saw (circular or table). paintbrush, and a hammer or nail gun. Also get a drill.

First use the stakes to shape the pergola. For a rectangular pergola, use a piece of wood or anything straight as a guide. Next, you need to have a strong foundation, so use the shovel to create a hole wide enough for the posts and also about 4 inches deep.

Next mix the cement and pour them into the tubes. Place them some three inches beneath the surface, and then set the anchors, making sure that the concrete is still wet.

Get some strapping to put the post into the anchors. When you set the headers make sure that they are all even, and mark the level. When you have the right measurements, cut the posts and headers. The proceeding step is to paint the pieces. Paint it any way you like. Although some may prefer to paint later, doing it now is more preferable because the pieces are still separate. This makes the process of painting and drying easier.

Take the stock and slice according to the precise measurements. A 3-4-5 level (triangular) will help ensure that all the pieces are similar. Before you start to cut and paint though, make certain that there are no bends.

At this point you can put in a patio if you like, or some other flooring. Do not add any more pieces until you have placed the flooring, if you so desire.

Now is the time to connect the posts to the post anchors of the pergola. Use the countersink of the drill to manufacture openings in the holes in both the headers and the posts. Slice the blocks at the point where the headers and posts will join up. Use the screwdrivers to securely tighten everything into place.

Now you take the cross members and put them on top of the pergola headers, nailing the smaller ones into the larger headers. Some use a middle header. If you do, nail it as well.

By: John Grant

About the Author:

John Grant is a the author for a how to site where he is writing articles about how to build a pergola

Outdoor Spaces – Our Summer Olympics of Building a Deck and Pergola

It’s June 2008 and we’re at it again! Our family is hosting its own Special Olympics in our backyard this summer.

While the competition rises for swimming, gymnastics, volleyball, and other sports on TV, we are working up a sweat as we design and construct our new outdoor living space. We have demolished our old, dilapidated deck and have started the framework for what will be a 12- by 30-foot deck with a slatted overhead pergola.

After weeks, or should I say months, of planning, drawing, designing, measuring, and re-measuring, we took our plans to an architect to make sure they would meet the building codes established by our county. Then, it was off to the codes department to apply for a building permit. The people who work in the codes administration office are none too friendly, but after being ignored and treated rudely our payment was accepted and our plans were finally approved. No one even glanced at the blueprints, which my husband had spent hours drawing, erasing, scrapping, and starting over.

Under my direct supervision, my husband dug six 1-foot square holes to the required depth of eighteen inches, added the cardboard forms to create columns,and set the wire and rebar in place. He called the codes department to come and take a look. Unbelievably, an inspector came out within 48 hours and approved our preparation efforts and gave us the go ahead to pour the footings.

This is August, and while the temperature is in the nineties with high humidity, our real battle was with the mosquitoes. Swatting with a hammer or screwdriver in hand is not a good idea. We sprayed the yard and ourselves, but to no avail. It does nothing to deter the pesky critters. Bug spray might as well be meat tenderizer on me. It’s like putting ketchup on fries-more please.

I allowed my husband to mix ten bags of concrete one at a time in the wheelbarrow and pour it into the holes and forms. Then, as we typically do whenever we are deep into a project, we took a vacation and went out of town for the weekend. I suppose that time away serves as sanity check and gives us a chance to change our minds and make any last minute changes to our plans.

We ordered the lumber and had Home Depot deliver it to our driveway. Our sons, who had been recruited for the job, complied with our request for their help and showed up at 7:30 on a warm but overcast Saturday morning in August. By the end of the day and with the expert stupor-vision provided by my daughter and me, the men had all six, 6 x 6-inch 12-foot long posts stood upright and stabilized with 2 x 8-inch, 12-foot long crossbeams. The midday heat took over at about 3 p.m. and turned the pergola into purgatory, so we called it a day.

Next came notching and carving the ends of the sixteen 2 x 6-inch 12-ft boards that would serve as rafters and provide a slatted shade over the deck area. We measured and laid them temporarily in place sixteen inches apart, but then decided that spacing didn’t provide enough shade so we notched a few more boards. After installing them, there was still not enough shade, so we installed lattice on the top. It looks nice and serves the purpose.

Progress really began showing when we began adding the joists to support the flooring. We had to brace them underneath to make the structure feel more sturdy. I’m sure it wasn’t going to cave in, but we didn’t like the way it bounced when we walked on it so we supported the joists with a few blocks underneath to reduce the flexion. Then, it was cross bracing and adding one-by-six-inch deck boards to cover the area. We have a nice dance floor!

Our next step took much longer than we expected. We had to have a way to get in and out of the house from the deck. We made three boxes and stacked them on top of one another. The top landing is five feet by three feet. The second landing is three by three feet and the bottom step is three feet by twelve inches. The risers are eight inches each. Now we have to put on the railing to keep someone from falling.

The far end of the deck leads to the garden, so we made a regal entry.

The entire structure has been built to allow for later addition in case we, or the future residents, want to enclose it to make a screened-in porch or additional room. See photos of this creation on flickr.com.

By: Yvonne Perry

About the Author:

Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer and the owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services (WITS). She and her team of ghostwriters are ready to assist you with writing and editing for books, Web text, business documents, resumes, bios, articles, and media releases. For more information about writing, networking, publishing, and book promotion, or to sign up for free email delivery of WITS newsletter, please visit www.writersinthesky.com. New subscribers receive a free eBook Tips for Freelance Writing.

pergola plans

5 Steps For Building a DIY Pergola

When undertaking any construction project it is important to have a proper plan. You can save a lot of money by building a pergola yourself but there is also a risk of losing a lot of money. Avoid these risks by following these simple steps and making a proper plan!

1. Decide on a location
There are two choices you have when deciding on the perfect location. You can either have an “attached pergola” or a “free-standing” pergola. The attached version is named so because it is attached to your house! This is just an extension of your home and is often used for patio or grilling areas. The “free standing” pergola stands alone and is usually used in gardens or pool areas.

2. Decide on the size
The location will have a lot to do with how big or small you want your pergola to be. The most popular sizes are 10×10, 12×12, and 12×16. This does not mean, however, than any of those sizes are right for your design. Decide what your priorities are and how much space you have to work with to make this decision.

3. Purchase Quality DIY Pergola Plans
It is very important that you do not try to cut corners when it comes to your DIY pergola. The idea is to save money and build a great structure, not build as cheaply as possible and have it come crashing down years later. Purchasing some good pergola plans will point you in the right direction when it comes to materials and design.

4. Purchase the Building Materials and Tools
Again you want to make sure that you have quality plans to walk you through the materials process. Make sure that you buy materials that will last and withstand time and weather. Do not think that by doing this you will not save money because you can still save hundreds of dollars by doing this project yourself.

5. Start Building!
Once you have a proper plan in place you can begin building with confidence that you with finish with a great looking DIY pergola!

By: Edward Addison

About the Author:

Want to know more about building a DIY pergola?

Visit www.DIYPergola.net

pergola plans

Asian Inspired Pergola Design

An Asian inspired pergola can be a wonderful addition to your garden. It has particular design features that make it a beautiful and individual structure; very different to the more traditional pergolas we are used to.

When choosing a pergola style, it is important for it to blend in with the overall garden design. If planning a new garden, it is easier to combine this type of feature with other design elements; in fact, it is likely that, having chosen your pergola, it will dictate the way that the design plan evolves. This is because an Asian inspired pergola has a very distinctive look and feel.

For existing gardens, a little more thought is needed to make the pergola fit seamlessly into the garden design. With a little care, this needn’t be too much of a problem. But don’t force it. If a traditional pergola is a more suitable option, go with that: it will look better in the end. So, what is it that makes a pergola ‘Asian inspired’? Well, if we think of a traditional pergola, the rafters tend to be straight horizontals. With an Asian inspired pergola, the open rafters or pergola roof, use curved sections.

The inspiration for this style comes from the sacred buildings, pavilions, pagodas, tea houses and shrines of Asia. Some have layer-upon-layer of turreted roofs, and can be very large and imposing structures. The turrets are like a curved and inverted ‘V’ shape, making them distinctive. Others have curved, inverted dome-shaped rafters, reflecting the large colourful flowers of Asia, which also gives an oriental feel to the structure.

Because of the sacred associations of this style, this type of pergola can give the surrounding space a feeling of calm and serenity; something greatly needed in our busy lives. It can transport us into a different place; a place of beauty and simplicity.

So the features we look for in this style are:

- turrets
- domes
- curved rafters

A truly Asian pergola would, most likely, be too big a structure to have in the average garden. However, there are many Asian inspired, manufactured pergola kits on the market today, which allow us to include a taste of the orient in our own garden designs. Used with sympathetic planting, features and accessories, they become a stunning focal point!

By: Diane Turnbull

About the Author:

Diane Turnbull has designed and built many gardens. For further information on pergolas, including pergola plans for beginners, pergola kits, sourcing and choosing climbing plants, pergola ideas, garden furniture, accessories, and more, visit http://www.pergolaplans4free.co.uk

Stunning Corner Pergola Design – How To Build One In 8 Basic Steps!

This style of pergola is a truly wonderful feature for the garden. It has a unique form, due to the fact that its rafters radiate from a central point. And, when completed, what a fantastic structure it is, especially when draped with the most heavenly climbing plants! But, could you really build one yourself? Yes! And you will be so proud of it when it’s finished.

Even though this style of pergola looks as if it should be complicated to build, it is easily achievable, even for a beginner. Making it yourself will be much cheaper too. Here are 8 basic steps to give you some ideas on how to build a fantastic corner pergola. And, of course, remember that you can always adapt d.i.y. pergola designs and plans to fit perfectly in your own garden.

1 Mark out the footprint

This can be either
a right-angled triangle, or a right-angled triangle, with the points cut off, to make small side entrances. (Try it with a piece of paper to get an idea of the footprint).

My preference is for the second style, which is outlined here, and looks fantastic when built.

2 Put in the posts

Use
concrete spiked post anchors(checking there are no underlying pipes or cables) concrete-in post anchors or bolt down post anchors(for building your pergola on an existing patio)

These secure the posts to the ground. Make sure the posts are level at the top. One post goes in the corner and one, or more, (depending on the length of the sides), stand at ninety degrees to this post. Add trellis between the posts at this stage, if you wish. The easiest way to do this is to make the pergola fit the trellis, rather than the trellis fit the pergola.

3 Preserve cut ends

All wood must be treated. Paint any cut ends with a clear preservative. This can be done as you go along.

4 Cut the rafter tail ends

This can also be done as you go along. The rafter tail ends can be straight, or shaped for a unique design. You will need a jig saw to cut the curves. Make sure both ends are the same way up when cutting!

5 Notch and position the main supporting rafters
Cut notches to secure the main rafters to one another, and also one end of the two side rafters. Make sure the notches are the correct way up. Bolt one of the right-angled main rafters, and the diagonal rafter, onto the posts. Use these to support the others. The side rafter end, next to the diagonal rafter, is cut straight, and then angled to fit flush with the post. It is screwed at an angle into the post.

6 Attach the corner support.

The corner support is a short piece of rafter spanning the two main rafters, near to, and equidistant from, the apex (corner). It has no tail ends. Using ladders, mark from the top, notch, and then use a mallet to tap into the main rafters.

7 Attach the radiating rafters
Lay on top from the corner support to the diagonal rafter, spacing equally. Mark notches, from the top, and cut. The radiating rafters can be flush fitting(by notching half way down the rafter), or raised(by notching less than half way), although for this pergola, I prefer the flush fitting rafter. Tap in and ***** from the top.

8 The final touches

Plant fabulous climbing plants for beautiful colour and gorgeous fragrance. Add furniture, cushions, throws, bean-bags, hanging chairs, lights, fragrance burners – anything you like – to make your pergola a welcoming and cosy outdoor space.

Enjoy! All that’s left is to stand back and admire your wonderful creation!

By: Diane Turnbull

About the Author:

Pergola Design – Which Should I Choose?

Whether it is a?DIY plan, or a kit you are after, it is important to get the pergola design right, for it to fit seamlessly within your garden.? Let’s take a look at some of the options.

With?such a huge range of?styles available on the market today, it can be difficult to make the right choice for your garden.? The design you choose will often be influenced by the material from which?the structure?is made.? These are the main ones -

Traditional Wooden?- made with tanalised wood Metal / wrought iron Vinyl / pvc Brick pillars?with wooden rafters Metal posts with wooden rafters Stone pillars with wooden rafters Bamboo Rustic poles

Think about the style you would prefer, and?which will fit in best?-

Traditional – usually made from square section wooden poles with shaped rafter tail ends. Cottage garden?- a romantic pergola, used with an abundance of plants to enhance the structure. Asian inspired – with curved or turreted rafters, to give a feel of the Far East. Classical design – usually used as a stand-alone feature with,?for?instance,?stone pillars. Modern -?using clean, sleek lines to give a minimalist feel.?

Many of these?styles can be found in a variety of materials, although wood is still by far the most popular.? For example, a cottage garden design might be made from rustic poles, intricate wrought iron,?or brick pillars -?depending on the desired?effect.

The size and nature of the garden also?has to be given due consideration.? Too big, and it?might stick out like?a sore thumb.? Too small, and it will be lost and insignificant.

A great deal?depends on personal preference.? Get ideas from several different sources – magazines, the internet, gardening books,?other gardens?-?and try to?visualise the overall look of your garden.? Match the style and materials to the?design of your existing garden, or your new design plan.? A new plan can even be developed around a particularly stunning pergola, setting the feel of the?entire area, much as?the interior design of?a room?can be based around a piece of art work.

Have fun doing a bit of research, and then choose a?style that will be a joy to look at for many years to come.? Whether you build?it yourself, or buy a kit, there will always be a pergola design to?suit every garden.

By: Diane Turnbull

About the Author:

Aluminum Pergola Kits

Pergolas are a great addition to your patio or yard, and there are many different varieties to choose from. Before you start looking for one, you should pick what material you would like. The most popular materials to choose form are wood, aluminum, and vinyl. To keep costs down and minimize maintenance, aluminum is a great option. It is rust free and pest proof and will last for years. If you like the look of wood better, aluminum can be painted to look like wood.

For installation, you could pay somebody else to do it, or you could look for aluminum pergola kits to save money by installing it yourself. Aluminum pergola kits include all necessary materials cut to size. You can get it delivered to your house and all you have to worry about it putting everything together. Make sure you have measured the area where you are going to install your pergola to ensure that they kit you purchase will fit correctly.

One benefit that you may not realize is that getting the kit delivered to your door will save you a lot hassle. This is especially handy if you do not own a big truck to carry all the materials from a store. When you first start planning to build a pergola, you might not think about things like how much room you have in your car, but you will not have to worry about that if you order a kit and have it delivered.

The kits will come with plans and detailed step-by-step instructions. Yes, you will have to do some work, but just think of how much money you are saving by putting it together yourself. Just follow the instructions exactly and you will be relaxing under the shade of your pergola in no time. You can use the extra money you saved to purchase some hanging plants or climbing vines. The best part will be the sense of accomplishment you will feel after it is all put together and you are reaping the benefits.

You can find aluminum pergola kits online and at your local home improvement store. Look around online before you buy because there are a lot of options to choose from. The end of the summer is a great time to buy because there will be lots of end of the season sales. Take advantage of the sales if you live somewhere warm year-round.

By: Sam Hartwell

About the Author:

Want to know more?

Click on the link to read more about the benefits of choosing an aluminum pergola.

Click here to learn about saving time and money installing your pergola by purchasing aluminum pergola kits.

Building a Pergola – It’s Simple and Saves You Big Money

If you want to create a relaxing atmosphere that is perfect for entertaining or just relaxing after a hard days work, building a pergola is the perfect answer. Pergolas are the going thing these days, but it’s very expensive to purchase a kit. Why not build it yourself? It’s easy, and saves you a ton of money.

Here are some tips that will help you decide if you should build your own pergola.

1. Decide what size pergola you want, and consider what you will be doing with it. Will you use it to entertain company? If so, you need plenty of room for seating your guests, barbecue grill, etc. Don’t make the mistake of building your pergola too small. You’ll regret it later!

2. Where are you going to place your pergola? Some build a pergola on their deck, while others would rather have it in the garden or patio area. Find the perfect place for your pergola. This will be a spot where you will find peace and relaxation for years to come.

3. Don’t waste your money by buying a pergola kit. Buy a pergola plan in the size you are going to need, and build it yourself. It’s easy with the explicit instructions supplied, you can do it in a weekend (get a buddy to help you), and the savings will be tremendous! Everyone needs to save in these days of sky high gas prices.

When building a pergola, you can visit your local hardware and home supply stores to price out lumber and materials. Treated cedar is a smart choice because it will last for decades. Treated pine is cheaper. It’s your choice.

You will get years of relaxation and entertainment out of your pergola, besides the value it will add to your home. Beauty is another benefit. If you are ready to add your own little piece of Heaven to your home and save lots of money, you can do both by building your own pergola!

By: Philip H

About the Author:

Save a boatload of money and add beauty to your home! Pergola plans and designs [http://thehowtobuildblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Pergola Plans and Designs] are extremely affordable, and easy to use! More details, tips and resources can be found at The How to Build Blog

pergola plans

A Review of "Woodworking Plans" From Ted’s Woodworking

Having this many woodworking plans available might seem like a bit of overkill, however when you consider the number of items we use today that are or can be built from wood you might understand. Consider just a few, home furniture like chairs and tables, baby cradles, aviaries and not to mention home improvements like pergolas and gazebos. There are literally hundreds of different plans for each area of life, you can use the pergola plans for instance to create that extra little area of your home and turn it into a relaxation spot. While I understand you can find many woodworking plans in magazines and books, not all have good instructions or diagrams to make the job easy to build. Just imagine being able to simply go to your computer and with a very simple search find lots of different plans on the project you are considering building.

Below I present a review of Ted’s Woodworking plans offering over 16,000 plans.

Ted’s Woodworking, what is it and what’s it all about?

Ted’s Woodworking plans provide you with an easy one stop shop to find just about any woodworking project you might consider. All on your computer with the click of a few mouse points you will get access to thousands of plans organized in an easy to follow folder structure. Just click into the folder and select a project and you will be presented with easy to follow diagrams and instructions, you can print them and use these in your workshop to guide you while you are building the project. This is such a simple and easy system, I don’t know why someone else hasn’t thought of it. When you sign up and become a member you also continue to receive additional information on future projects.

Your choice of Woodworking Projects that are a Breeze to Follow

One of the strong aspects of these Woodworking plans is that you will not be left short when it comes to instructions. Many plans available today do not always provide enough or accurate information to complete the project. Many new people to the game of woodworking start projects with the best intentions only to find that the plans and instructions do not cover everything. They then struggle and get frustrated and simply give up.

Ted’s Woodworking plans, however provide you with clear and precise instructions with easy to understand diagrams. The step by step method allows the user to follow along and refer back to each step if needed, as an example the pergola plans show you the correct methods to secure all the members into place. The information is more than enough for a very new woodworker to fulfill and complete their project and be proud of their achievement.

The plans presented by Ted’s Woodworking offer both the experienced and inexperienced woodworker a barrage of plans to choose from and the directions and instruction are impeccable.

Even a complete newbie with two left hands will be able to follow the instructions and plans and find building in wood an absolute joy.

Are Ted’s Woodworking plans value for Money?

Without doubt Yes! Each and every day there are lots of reports about people who have in fact completed some of the projects incorporated in the Ted’s Woodworking plans package.

My suggestion is to join the 4000+ other woodworking enthusiasts, beginners, craftsmen and hobbyists and get started immediately. The plans, step-by-step instructions and guidance will allow you to create spectacular, professional woodworking projects, effortlessly and have loads of fun in the process.

On a personal note, I have recently built myself a pergola at my house and considering the trouble it gave me. I wished I had known about Ted’s plans before I had pergola plans drawn by a so called expert. This would have saved me a great deal of pain, suffering and money.

Yet another benefit of Ted’s Woodworking plans is his 60 day, 100% Risk Free Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee. So what do you have to loose, you can try it out and if you don’t like it, just send an email and your money will be refunded to you. Now that’s a great offer!

Think seriously about taking action NOW because apparently the 16,000 plans offer will be ENDING very soon. Ted will be selling all the plans and bonuses individually in the future for between $47-$97 EACH in the weeks and months ahead. Get yourself to the website and jump right in for the discount now!

By: Harry Bigs

About the Author:

http://epergolaplans.com – Here is a great resource for information about woodworking and in particular about pergola plans. If you are even slightly interested in woodworking as a hobby or even as a profession, have a look at the information as it may give you some hint and tips to get you going.

pergola plans

Outdoor Pergola Designs – How to Build an Outdoor Pergola With the Right Plan

If you plan to build a pergola you must decide where you will build it first. Outdoor pergola designs can come for patio, attached or free standing pergolas. Pergolas too can come in triangular, circular or rectangular shapes. A free standing rectangular pergola is probably the most common shape in the most common position because it is easy to build while giving overall excellent results for relaxation and visual appeal.

For low maintenance, vinyl and aluminium pergolas can be considered, but a quality wood will allow you to have a durable pergola with an added appeal and coziness that aluminium and vinyl cannot deliver. The best woods for this type of outdoor construction are cedar and red woods because they are very strong for the structure and also weather, fungus, rot and insect resistant. Should you go for it, then it is only a matter of choosing a plan of the right size and style. There are quite few outdoor pergola designs to choose from, but they must be easy to follow, with clear instructions and measures. They can help you save few $thousands over ready made pergolas.

Once you purchased the materials, you can dig up the holes for the foundations, after having checked that there are no underground cables or water and gas pipes. Pour the cement in and let it set in. While waiting, you can save time by cutting and shaping the wood of your choice with the help of a friend. For this, you need tools like a hammer, nails, an electric saw, a drill, an angle grinder, nut and bolts, sandpaper and wood stain (optional).

Outdoor pergola designs just give you the blueprints and measures for the construction, so ask for the help of a buddy with some carpentry experience or just proceed step by step without rushing. The good point is that wood is a pliable material that forgives mistakes and allows for corrections. Once all pieces are cut, you can start the assembly phase.

Position the main posts into the holes with your buddy and prop them up temporarily. Find the right level for the posts and the main beams height with the help of a bucket of water and a clear hose. Then, make them perfectly straight with the help of a weighted line and perfectly aligned with the help of a nailed horizontal line. Adjust the props as you go along. Once in the correct position, bolt the main beams to the main posts to close the structure like a box.

Now the structure is stiff and it is safe to remove the temporary props. You may then close the holes. Do not close them before, as you may need to adjust the main posts position a bit to insert the beams. Now you can nail all the joists and finish your pergola. It is now time for the finishing. Sandpaper and angle grind all the excesses and sharp corners to give a smooth appearance and prepare the wood for painting. The paint should be resin based, as it is both UVA and rain resistant while providing a beautiful gloss, further enhancing natural wood patterns and texture.

You may now add few chairs, a table and climbing flowers and plants to finish off your DIY project. The construction should take few days only, or a long week end working steady, making you save $2000 to $3000 over ready made kits, depending on size. Outdoor pergola designs are very cheap and a wise investment, allowing you to have fun and save money at the same time. Just do not save on materials though, as high quality woods will outlast you and will pay themselves off many times over.

By: Andy Finn

About the Author:

If you need simple, uncomplicated yet stylish outdoor pergola designs for you project, check out the next page. They are ultra cheap but will make you save $thousands. Check out these outdoor pergola designs now.

Who Am I?

John Burrows Here! I used to be a ham-handed carpenter. No jokes. I think I had permanent black thumbnails... Well I decided enough was enough and put together this blog to guide the ordinary D.I.Y enthusiast on how to build the best garden sheds, and other woodworking projects.
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