I'm Thinking About Building a Gazebo

I'm considering building a gazebo type structure or 'roof on stilts'.
At the moment I'm considering something about 3.5 X 4 Metres with a hipped felt roof, about 30 degree pitch.

How does this sound:-

4 no. 5"X 5" uprights
6" X 2" 'ring beam' bolted to the uprights.
3"X 2" diagonal braces from uprights to 'ring beam'
3" X 2" diagonal braces at 1/3 span across each corner of 'ring beam'
3" X 1 1/2" rafters birdmouthed onto 'ring beam' at about 2' spacing.
6" X 1" ridge boards.
10mm WBP ply
Felt 'shingles'

Does that sound like a design or more like a recipe for a disaster?

Any comments on improving the structure?
Would I be better off putting ties side-side and end-end instead of diagonally?

I'd be thinking about using 6x6 posts, and upgrading all the 3's to 4's. and changing the 6's to 8's.


Give yourself a min. 1 metre of post in the ground.

Also...

Hire a chainsaw.

Go out and 'help yourself' to some telegraph poles*.



Be sure to follow all necessary precautions when working near overhead cables.

Thanks Deluks .... So beef up the structure with 'the next size up' timber all round.

Your source of 'previously owned' telegraph poles has just reminded me of the 'Specsavers' ad on the box