Adding the roof and final additions to a gazebo is possible by following a few directions and with the proper materials and tools.
Roofing materials needed are 312 linear feet of 1x4 redwood slats, 12β square metal flashing and 2 pounds of 8d common nails. Also needed for this project are (1) 7β long 6x6 kingpost, (16) 2x6 rafters 9β long, (8) sheets Β½ or ΒΎβ plywood, wood shingles to cover 2 Β½ squares and one roll of roofing felt or paper.
There is a variety of roofs available for a gazebo. Three such varieties are a redwood slat roof, shingles over spaced sheathing and shingles over plywood sheathing. Being economical, easy to install and offering many degrees of protection from the sun are advantages of the redwood slat roof. The first step when building a redwood slat roof with an exposed design is to use one 1x4 redwood slat measuring 3 Β½β to measure the spaces on the previously installed rafters. The slat that will be installed on the roof edge should be cut 22 Β½β long. Attach this slat to the rafters using two 8d nails at each bearing. Pre-drilling holes at the end of the slats will prevent the slats from splitting. Skip the next 3 Β½β space on the rafter following the 22 Β½β slat and take the measurement for the length of the next slat. Cut the slat the length indicated and use 8d nails to attach it. Skip the next 3 Β½β space and repeat the procedure for measuring slats and attaching them until the rafter is finished. This procedure is repeated for the entire roof.
The next type of roof is shingles over spaced sheathing. This type roof is built by assembling slats over the rafters same as with the redwood slat roof except two more slats are added at the roofβs edge. Adding these slats will simplify installation of the starter shingles. The remaining slats are spaced five inches on the centers with 36-inch wide roofing paper laid and stapled over them. Installation of shingles begins with attaching a double row of shingles that overhang the slats on the roof edge by Β½β. Snapping chalk lines at this point will ensure that the remaining shingles are installed in straight lines. Gaps should be staggered at least 1 Β½β and a 1/8 to ΒΌβ space should be left between shingles. Shingles should be nailed ΒΎβ from the edge and 1 Β½β above the butt line of the next line of shingles. Use longer nails along the ridge cap to penetrate the sheathing. A ridge cap, trimmed 4-5β wide with a 35β bevel on one edge should be installed with alternate overlaps. Place 2 nails 6-7β above the butt edge on each side. Shingles trimmed 8β from the tail end are used to finish the peak.
The next variety of roof is one consisting of shingles assembled over plywood. This roof is built much the same as the roof built with shingles over spaced sheathing. The difference is that one 4x8 foot sheet of plywood is cut into two pieces and used for sheathing. These plywood roof panes are installed using 8d nails while allowing for Β½β expansion gaps at each joint and metal drip caps are attached at the eaves. After attaching the metal drip caps, continue installing shingles as previously stated in the section concerning the procedure used to install shingles over spaced sheathing.
When the roof is in place, metal flashing is attached to the roof peak, the finial is toe nailed to the kingpost and the joint edges and exposed nail heads are caulked. Now it is time to install railings.
Railings give the gazebo more personality and come in many styles and varieties. Just a few are solid slat railings, cutout slats and balusters. The railings used will depend on the style that enhances the overall design of the gazebo.
For ease and to save time, solid slat railings are generally built using ready-made dadoed 2x4 redwood rails and nail cleats to secure the slats. The height of the rails should be 36-40 inches high or should follow the local building code if there is one. After securing these materials, measure outside post-to-post and trim railing ends to 22 Β½β or match the post angles. Drain holes, 2/3β in diameter, are drilled 8β apart in the bottom dadoed rails. 1x 8 redwood railing slats are cut to at least 32β. Insert the slats into the dadoed rails and attach a 2x4 top rail to the posts using 10d nails or 3β screws.
Railings made with cutout slats can be as simple as an oval pattern or as elaborate as the gingerbread styles found on Victorian era building. Install a bottom rail. Cut a template from hardboard and transfer it to the 1x8 slats. Use a band saw or saber saw to cut this pattern from several boards at one time. Secure the slats to the railings with nail cleats.
Balusters, either square or turned, allow the gazebo to be opened up to the surroundings in which it has been built, while providing both a traditional and elegant look. These balusters can be purchased ready-made, or with a little work and the proper tools, they can be built. Once again, use dadoed railings or nail cleats to attach the balusters no more than 4β apart.
After the railings and slats are in place, sand the railings with medium grit sandpaper and apply a water repellent finish.
