Polycarbonate gazebo do it yourself
Arrangement of the yard or suburban area involves the creation of a certain level of comfort. For example, it may be the presence in the pool, a small garden, a shed with barbecue or gazebo. As for the latter, there are many building materials and technologies for the manufacture of gazebos. In the article we will tell you how to make a polycarbonate gazebo with your own hands, consider the options using metal and profile, demonstrate the drawings, photos and video instructions for building a simple gazebo to give.
The advantages of construction and material
The construction of polycarbonate has several advantages, including:
- Relatively low weight of the structure. Given the light weight of polycarbonate, under such an arbor is not always required to fill the foundation. Such a structure can be easily dismantled or moved to another convenient place.
- Ease of manufacture. You can buy such an arbor already finished, but it is quite realistic to make it yourself.
- Availability of materials used. The construction of the gazebo does not have in itself rare building materials that are difficult to obtain in our country. At cost, it can be cheaper than gazebos made of brick, wood, and especially forging.
- Ability to combine. Such material as polycarbonate is perfectly combined with a large amount of materials.
So, by itself, polycarbonate has a large number of positive aspects. Due to this, such material can become almost indispensable in the manufacture of arbors. Below are the positive sides of polycarbonate:
- flexibility across and down;
- easy to drill;
- easy to cut;
- not flammable;
- has sufficient strength;
- service life of 20 years;
- possibility of use in a humid climate;
- not afraid of temperature changes;
- it has a good translucent ability;
- UV resistant.
As you can see, the structure itself and the material used have a large number of positive aspects. All this can overcome doubts and fears when choosing the best option.
What to choose
Deciding to use polycarbonate for the construction of gazebos, you should think about many other issues. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the nuances that should be taken into account when creating drawings and a project, respectively.
By type of gazebos are:
- Open This design will allow you to feel in harmony with nature. For its manufacture, you can install a metal frame.
- Closed. This structure will be reliable protection from the weather.
By the way installations:
- Portable It is very convenient if you like to change something from time to time at your summer cottage. The simple and lightweight design will allow you to rearrange to another convenient place.
- Stationary. In this case, the gazebo is built, meaning the arrangement of a reliable foundation.
According to the complexity of the design:
- Normal canopy. To implement this design does not require a lot of materials and effort. A canopy is built on several pillars of supports.
- Complicated structure. In this case, the gazebo can have an intricate shape that will be a great addition to landscape design.
By equipment:
- Simple gazebo. Intends for gatherings in the bosom of the family.
- With a brazier. Allows you to spend a pleasant chat for the adoption of delicious food cooked on fire. In this case, you should not retire from the guests, and spend all the time together.
By functionality:
- Carrying functional load. This gazebo will protect others from the sun, rain, and also serve as a great place to spend your holidays.
- Decorative element. The arbor can be made of different materials, and also of polycarbonate of different colors.
In form:
- Round.
- Square.
- Rectangular.
- Hexagon.
- Octagonal.
- Modular.
Design work
Now it is worth solving some details concerning the arrangement of the gazebo at the dacha. And the chosen place will play an important role. It is necessary to take into account such details:
- Rose of Wind;
- near growing trees and shrubs and the level of shadow from them;
- the presence of uneven ground;
- is there a slope or predominantly plain.
Regardless of the location chosen, it is important to carry out all the preparatory work for its cleaning and preparation. To do this, also think about this:
- what will be the total weight of the structure;
- what level of difficulty;
- the size of the building.
It is important to think over all these details in advance, because it will be influenced by the choice of a particular material for the manufacture of the frame.
The choice of material for the base
For the manufacture of the frame, you can use different materials. For example, it could be:
- Tree. This material is available, environmentally friendly, has aesthetic properties, but quite demanding in the care.
- Metal corner or profile. Here, of course, dignity in strength and long-term operation. But for the arrangement will require the skills of the welder. Plus, a fairly high cost.
In this article we consider the sequence of manufacturing arbors, using different building materials for the arrangement of the frame.
From wood
For the construction of gazebos of wood with a combination of polycarbonate, you can build a columnar foundation. For the construction of the foundation will need to do the work in the following sequence:
- First make the markup, according to the project.
- Dig holes up to 700 mm deep in a conditioned place.
- The bottom of the pit should be covered with sand and rubble, a total layer of 50 mm.
- Now you need to prepare concrete for pouring the foundation.
- In the grooves, install wooden supports. Pre-treat them with a special compound to protect against corrosion. Also part of the support, which will be in the concrete, can be wrapped with roofing felt, which will increase the waterproofing properties of the arbor base.
- Each rack must be set strictly on the level.
- After concreting, install temporary support on each rack, for example, securing the timber diagonally and resting them in the ground. This will allow in the process of hardening of concrete not to move the supports to the side.
In the process of solidification of the foundation, it can be watered from time to time with water. But do not pour the foundation, just wet it slightly. This is especially true during hot weather.
After drying the foundation, you can proceed to the construction of the frame.
Floor frame
- For a strong floor frame, install logs every 400 mm. For the frame, you can use a timber section of 50? 150 mm.
- Installing the log should be done strictly on the level of the horizontal.
- If the arbor design should have additional drains of support for the roof, then they should also be installed.
- For the construction of the flooring, you can use a trim board. It should also be treated with an anti-corrosion compound.
- Boards to the floor are fastened with screws.
Roof and wall decoration
At this stage it is worth deciding what type of roof will be installed. For example, it can be single slope, gable or hip. We consider an example of the manufacture of a simple design - shed.
- First you need to install the top trim of a timber section of 100? 100 mm.
- At the end of each support, make L-shaped cuts. In these grooves set strapping bar that connects all the racks.
- Next, you should make the bearing rafters and crate.
- In conclusion, it remains to fix the polycarbonate.
Upon completion of the construction of the roof, it is worth the entire structure to paint or varnish. It all depends on your choice.
As for the manufacture of walls, then it all depends on the type of construction. If it is an open arbor, then it will be enough to build a railing and later install benches. If closed, the need for the manufacture of the frame will depend on the size of the gazebo. If the gazebo is small, it is enough to fix the polycarbonate to the uprights of the building supports. But for reliability it is better to install additional supports.
When attaching cellular polycarbonate, install the sheets vertically. It will not provoke the accumulation of moisture inside the sheet.
Interior and exterior design
At this stage, you can make the installation of individual elements inside the gazebo. For example, a table, chairs, benches, bar counter and so on. In the manufacture of furniture, it is important to use high-quality material, since such gazebos are not heated. As a result, at low temperatures, poor-quality material will quickly become unusable. So every season will have to engage in the manufacture of new furniture for the gazebo. Consider whether the backrest will have benches or chairs. It also affects the usability of the facility.
Exterior works on the arrangement of the exterior play an important role in creating a comfortable resting place in the summer cottage. This includes a whole range of works:
- Facade decoration. This is especially true if you have an open arbor. Wooden elements are painted or lacquered. You can also use the decor.
- Arrangement of garden path to the gazebo.
- The construction of the club on the perimeter.
- Installation of lighting.
According to this scheme, it is possible to build a polycarbonate gazebo on a wooden frame.
Of metal
Such a structure will have a sufficiently high strength. For manufacturing, you can use metal corners and pipes. To put it in a nutshell, the process of building such an arbor is as follows:
- Installation of supports.
- Bottom trim and flooring.
- Making fences and roofs.
- Polycarbonate mount.
The principle of work on the manufacture of arbors of metal and polycarbonate is similar to the method of manufacturing structures made of wood. We will discuss some of the subtleties when working with metal.
Required material and tool
If the project is ready, take care of the following:
- For supports steel pipes O50 mm.
- For the manufacture of rafters, fencing and strapping metal corner 40? 40 mm.
- Brackets, screws for metal.
- Material for finishing the floor, for example, it can be wooden flooring or concrete screed.
- Polycarbonate and accessories for its installation.
- Sealant.
As for the tool, prepare:
- welding machine;
- metal cutter;
- ground drill;
- screwdriver;
- jigsaw;
- pliers;
- hammer;
- level;
- saw for cutting polycarbonate.
If you do not have the skills of a welder, you can rent a welding machine for a day or two and hire a professional welder.
Installation of supports and the base of the floor
The first step is the markup, after which the installation locations of the supports will be determined. After this, perform the work in the following sequence:
- Using a drill, drill holes in the ground. Depth is from 700 to 1000 mm. The diameter of the pit to 100 mm.
- The bottom is covered with sand and gravel, a layer of up to 200 mm.
- In the pit lowering pipes and expose them to the level. Before making concreting, it is necessary to make a support struts. For this you can use a wooden beam.
- Work should continue after the concrete has dried.
- The next step is the bottom strapping. Weld the corners to the pipe supports. On top of them lay logs and wooden flooring.
- To fix the wooden logs, make holes in the corner and bolt.
- As an option, you can make a screed and lay the floor in the gazebo tiles.
In the metal gazebo, you can install the grill. For this, the selected area is sheathed with refractory material. A concrete screed with a thickness of at least 400 mm is poured into the base.
Alternatively, you can use the budget option, filling the floor with pebbles or sand. But for this purpose, it is necessary to install a rim around the perimeter of the arbor, up to 150 mm high.
Frame formation
- For fastening fences, weld transverse supports to the posts.
- After that it is necessary to weld the top trim. It should be durable, as it will fit the roof.
- Rafters and other elements of the ceiling can be welded on the ground on a flat surface. When everything is ready, it will remain to raise the roof frame to the top and finally weld it to the pillars of the support.
When the frame walls and roof is ready, it must be painted. It is recommended to use anti-corrosion compounds that prevent rust.
Sheathing
In conclusion, it remains to produce fasteners polycarbonate. For this, the sheets of material must first be cut to the required dimensions. At this stage, you should decide what to cover the roof. You can use the same polycarbonate, and you can build a roof of another material, for example, decking or slate.
To fix the polycarbonate, make a hole in the metal corner in advance. Then, using special self-tapping screws, make fastening sheets. At the same time, make sure that the screws do not hold the polycarbonate tightly. As for the material docking, it is better to use special plastic profiles for this. To achieve tightness, process the joints with silicone or other similar sealant.
From profile
This version of the gazebo is similar to the process of mounting a metal structure. Only in this case, the basis of the frame is completely made of profile and polycarbonate. Therefore, for the construction of gazebos should buy a profile pipe, square or rectangular cross-section. For the arbor is best to use a square profile. For the arrangement of arbors, you can use both aluminum and metal profiles. The profile is more resistant to stresses and stronger.
To perform the work you need the following tool:
- metal cutter;
- Bulgarian;
- welding machine;
- electric drill.
Foundation
Aluminum profile is relatively light material. Polycarbonate is also lightweight. From here it becomes clear that you should not build a heavy-duty foundation. You can make shallow deeper ribbon foundation.
- To make it, you will be digging a trench up to 300 mm deep around the perimeter of the future arbor
- The bottom of the trench should be covered with rubble.
- You also need to make a reinforced belt of rods.
- Having built a formwork, carry out pouring concrete.
It is very important to lay metal parts in concrete. They will then be attached aluminum profile for the manufacture of the frame.
If you plan to build a large gazebo, then, of course, make the foundation more powerful, digging up to 700 mm in depth.
Assembling the base and frame
An important part of the arbor of the profile is the base. Therefore, everything should be done exactly according to the drawings. So, the details are cut into the necessary segments. It is also necessary to prepare supports for which the roof will be mounted. Alternatively, they can be concreted or attached to embedded parts. The last option is not very reliable.
The entire frame can be assembled by bolting. But this design will be less durable. Another thing if you use a metal profile. Then all the connections can simply be welded together. For the construction of the roof, as in all other cases, you can lay polycarbonate. The main thing is to carry out its correct installation.
For the sake of objectivity, a gazebo made of aluminum is not as reliable as metal. Plus, the material itself in the cost is quite expensive.
So, we learned with you about how to make a polycarbonate gazebo using different materials for its base. Below we suggest you to familiarize yourself with the drawings of the arbor.
Video
In the provided video, it is shown how to make a gazebo from polycarbonate:
A photo
Below you can see a number of photos showing a polycarbonate gazebo in various designs:
Blueprints
If you decide to make a polycarbonate gazebo on your own, the diagrams and drawings will help you with this: