Gazebo Number One

[EddieWalker]

As part of my entrance/drive way/front pasture, I'm going to build a gazebo. I will use cedar logs from my land and then try to make it unique and kind of fancy without going frilly. There are a few things on it that I've done before, but most of what I'll be doing will be new to me. Kind of like taking an idea, thinking about it, then deciding on an approach that may or may not be the best option.

I've learned the hard way that Cedar logs do not last very long in my acidic red clay. To overcome this problem, I figured I'd try pouring concrete footings for the logs to sit on. To keep the log in place, I put a five foot lenght of 3 inch C channel into the 12 inch hole that I drilled into the ground about three feet deep.

I've ordered some Large Diameter Head Extra-Long Wood Screw Hot DIP Galvanized STL, 3/4"-10 Thread, 12" Length bolts from McMaster Carr at almost $6 each to attach the logs to the C channel.

I built five sided formes out of some scrap 2x8s that I had laying around. My thought was that I needed that much height to build up the floor. I'm still undecided if I should have gone higher, or not as tall.

The pictures show where I'm at right now.

Please feel free to ask questions, make suggestions and offer ideas. The one thing that I've learned about TBN is that at least one of you will come up with a better idea then I had, and it will turn out better because of your comments!!! :thumbsup:

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

The C channel is set so it's 7ft 6in on center from the next one over. I'm shooting for 8 foot spans for my headers on top of the posts. With each log being unique, this seemed like a good distance to set them and allow me some flexibility.

Eddie

 

[J_J]

How about something like this.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks JJ. I like it and might do something similar on Gazebo Number Three!!!!

Eddie

 

[wedge40]

As part of my entrance/drive way/front pasture, I'm going to build a gazebo. I will use cedar logs from my land and then try to make it unique and kind of fancy without going frilly.

Eddie

Eddie I always thought gazebo was French for frilly.

Sounds like another interesting project. I sure wish I had your energy. Maybe a transfusion. Can ya spare a pint?

Wedge

 

[hobie]

Eddie, I am looking forward to following this one! I'm with Wedge on the energy. Brian

 

[EddieWalker]

I had 8 yards of road based delivered today for the floor.

Eddie

 

[Bill 55]

Dang Boy that's gonna be a fur sized geezbo

 

[CurlyDave]

Eddie:

Why didn't you just use a galvanized post base for the bottom of your cedar logs?

I know they are for dimensional lumber, but you could trim the bottom of the post to fit with a chain saw and have something that was pre-engineered for the application.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Since you asked for suggestions, there might be something here. This is our gazebo. 27' wide with a 3' deep bumpout at the back side that is enclosed on 3 sides. Keep my grill, smoker and some fire wood in that area. Is built on concrete slab. Has 30A electrical service and outlet box on each post. Top piece has functional louvers and does a real nice job of venting smoke from fire pit. Can be used any time of yr. With concrete slab, ground it dry during the winter months, no tramping around in the mud.

We do get a little snow once in a while and this was the worse this yr.

Keep those pictures coming as things progress.