Which Wood Would You ?

[{SAS}TB]

We are looking at removing an old, slowly rotting shed / summerhouse, extending the paved brick base and putting up a timber gazebo.

It's likely going to be 3x5m and will go with shingle roof and will enclose (matching timber panel) some of the sides due to the location and outlook.

Something like

Or

Have seen quite a few and they vary (quite drastically) in price. There are some variations in timber size, fixings included or not etc, but the questions I have are does anyone else have one of these and any suggestions / reccomendation or things to look out for / consider?

Secondly - timber. Oak appears to be exceptionally expensive and the rest appear to be Spruce or Larch. Both of which I have very little experience or knowledge of.

Any feedback Home and Garden ?

For context; old building being removed and base extended :

View from new gazebo (hopefully sans washing line)

 

[{SAS}TB]

Thanks both - we already have cedar cladding on our dormers (they are just over a year old and haven't been treated - on my do do list in the next few weeks):

I was toying with cedar cladding for the infill panels but it was more the main structure which the options (from the kits I've found) seem to be oak, larch or spruce

 

[{SAS}TB]

Thanks chaps, I'll have a proper look

 

[{SAS}TB]

Would be interested to see if you put a build log for this and how much it costs to build/materials.

The gazebo itself (or the main structure) will be a kit and still deciding on which one at the moment. I'm getting a price for the base enlargement hopefully next week but will update in here as it progresses

The pillars are 4x4 or 100mm x 100mm and even in redwood that's not cheap. If you have wood pressure treated (which you should) then you need to use stainless screws, or hotdipped zinc, passivated, or powdercoated, or the chemicals will eat them.

Get the grain ends off the ground or rot will be a lot faster than you would like.

Cheers - the connections to the base (paving slabs) is one of the details I'm looking at. It is a raised base and pretty sheltered by the trees but still definitely needs consideration

 

[{SAS}TB]

Narrowed it down to three.

The first, cheapest, has smaller timbers and made from unspecified "pressure treated timber".

The second is slightly more expensive - slightly bigger timbers looks better and is made from Larch.

The third, most expensive one is chunkier timbers, looks more substantial and along the lines we were thinking and made from Spruce.

Hoping to make the final decision and place an order over the weekend but reckon it's between the middle and most expensive one.

Chap extending the base wants to come over again next week to check some of the dimensions of the existing base. He may also dismantle and remove the old shed to repair and use himself which would be fantastic as would save me doing it and the time / effort of cutting it down to take the the tip or hire a skip so fingers crossed !

 

[{SAS}TB]

Cant deny option 3 looks good.

Cheers, yes the more I look at it the more Im leaning towards it

That cedar cladding looks like it's already started to grey, I did tell you it goes fast in direct sun light . You might need to stain it now rather than just seal it.

They were designed to be cedar to match with the brickwork. They still looked better in their original design though, before the planners got involved

Yeah yeah, it's on my to do list

 

[{SAS}TB]

To be honest mate there isn't that much choice in the size we want in kit form.

Without going silly expensive (and #3 above is bad enough) it seems to be the three above ..

 

[{SAS}TB]

I've seen a few custom build / size options and they are a fair bit more expensive than the kits. The timber may be cheaper but it's countered / exceeded by the labour. The other issue is availability - most trades and builders round here are like rocking horse poo at the moment

 

[{SAS}TB]

It's both - it, obviously, needs to be structurally sound but given its size, location and use it needs to look the part too.

 

[{SAS}TB]

Yeah, I'm gonna double check the specs and dims on #2 and #3

The gazebo will be under the tree canopy, have a shingle roof and guttering and be on a raised base so no standing / constant water and less of a an issue the more I think about it.

 

[{SAS}TB]

Thread bump !

Finally pulled the trigger on the gazebo. Wasn't intending to do until next year but had a quick look on the website and there was / is a substantial saving in the sale.

Went for a variation on #3 with the offset posts in the corner as that's perfect for how you approach / will get into the gazebo.

Still pricey but looks the part, is definately substantial / chunky and some nice details / features

Delivery is quick too, should be here in approx. 10 working days. Will keep you updated

 

[{SAS}TB]

Looks great, can you share a link to this? Exactly what we are looking for!

Thanks and yes of course it's this one

https://dunsterhouse.co.uk/pegasus-chunky-open-gazebo-w5-0m-x-d3-0m?edit=1

Ib4 everyone tripping up as the corner is hard to spot.

Lol, there will always be (at least) one

 

[{SAS}TB]

Thanks, still in the planning but we want a BBQ area, probably build a stone wall part way around the outside and have Worktops / BBQ and fridge area inside.

No worries and sounds great!

Going to get power / lights out to it and playing witj installing a small log burner

 

[{SAS}TB]

Looks really nice that @{SAS}TB . Deary me a little more than I expected though! I guess it's been hit by the timber price increases?

Be sure to post some pics up as/when it's built

Thanks and I will

Looking round it isnt the cheapest but definately "chunkier" and along the lines we were looking for

That said it's a grand less than it was at the start of the year so suspect its to shift stock and / or make way for new lines next season

It looks lovely @{SAS}TB.

My only concern, would it become infested with spiders? You walk up to and get a face full of web? I guess this question has been prompted as its September.

Don't get me wrong, I have no fear of spiders, neither do I go around harming them. My garage door is a hotel! The garage is empty, they simply like creeping in under the door and setting up home. Its grim as there is an ongoing battle with the House Spiders and Daddy Longlegs. Its a mess of webs and House Spider corpses. I wonder how people clean? Just fear this could be a haven, I don't know? A case of getting the vacuum?

Not something I'd even thought about .....

 

[{SAS}TB]

Mini bump - it was delivered today

And is currently a pile of bits on my drive

Got someone lined up to build it but may be a few weeks yet .....

 

[{SAS}TB]

Day one of install looks like

 

[{SAS}TB]

Looking nice! How are the uprights secured to the base? And are the frame connections screwed or bolted? Think I can see both?

Thanks

There is a mix of screws and bolts for the frame.

The base is (will be) secured by and angled bracket that is then shrouded by a "skirting" around the base of the leg.

I also got them to sit the legs on a piece of slate patio stone to raise it off the floor / away from standing water and act as a DPM

 

[{SAS}TB]

That does look good .

I'd love to do that but it's added to the maybe maybe list!

Thanks

Day 2 (although a little dark by the time I got home)

@dl8860 the upright fixings are started to be fixed down

 

[{SAS}TB]

Have you or are you going to run any power for lights or music?

It would be really nice to sit there chilling in the evening with a starlight mesh in the roof and a patio heater to keep warm .

Yes, a supply from the house to give light / power. The Mrs fancies an electric patio heater but I'm pushing for a chiminea or small log burning stove

 

[{SAS}TB]

Day 3 and the main roof structure is done and the roof timber to form the solid roof started .....

Then the guy I have fitting it was called to his sons school as he'd had a bump, so standstill until Tuesday now really taking shape though !