A gazebo and patio area adds charm to any outdoor space. It elevates the value of the residential landscape. However, without the right roof ideas for gazebo, you will wonder what to do with the gazebo. The gazebo’s roof dramatically transforms the overall space’s look. Also, sometimes the gazebo roof cap may become damaged due to storms and winds and look ugly.
Thus, you must know how to make a gazebo roof cap home to save a few bucks. We will guide you through the step-by-step processing for this DIY gazebo roof cap production. So, stay with us to learn a unique gazebo rooftop idea.
How To Build A Gazebo Roof Step By Step:
Building a gazebo roof at home is an engaging task. You may invest a few hours and get the perfect gazebo roof as you wish. Also, it’s a great way to work with your family or friends to transform our outdoor space altogether.
Step 1: Decide the type of gazebo roof you want:
As you begin the gazebo roofing, decide what type of gazebo roof you want. You will need to prepare the roof cap accordingly. Ideally, gazebos have either square or rounded roofs. Square or four-sided roofs are the most common. It is also the easiest to make at home without any technical help. Plus, it depends on the outdoor setting. For instance, gazebos near shed and commercial kitchens can be square shape as it adds more space there.
The square or four-sided gazebo can be built with heavy-duty outdoor fabric. Also, you must install the roof rafters. These rafters will be on each side at the middle and two at the hip point of the square gazebo roof cap.
Making the rounded gazebo roof cap at home is an important task. Unless you have experience in previous roofing and woodworking, it’s better to go for the four-sided roof cap.
Step 2: Deciding the height of the top ridge:
As you work with the top ridge, calculate its height carefully. Usually, the roof will be steeper as the top ridge height increase. You must determine the correct angle because too much ridge can break the roof apart. And, it is important to have right height as you may need to install fan, light and other accessories there in the roof.
Hence, experts suggest having a 45-degree angle for the top ridge and gazebo roof.
- Take a piece of lumber and use a saw to cut the top ridge from it.
- Use pen and paper to measure the length of the rafters.
- Determine the direction of the top ridge. It will ensure the front of the pavilion.
- For a uniform look, try aligning the gazebo front with your home. It brings uniformity and a better appearance overall.
Remember that the gazebo roof pitching angle is crucial for its proper installation. We will discuss the pitching angle in the relevant section of this article.
Step 3: Securing the rafters and top ridge:
To cap the roof on the pavilion, you must attach the top ridge with the rafters. Many people will perform the task right over the gazebo task. But, it runs the risk of damaging the gazebo top. Also, you can fall from it to cause injuries.
Thus, you must screw the top ridge with the rafters in the ground. At this point, you will need the help of two adult persons. You may call neighbors or friends. As they hold the rafters in place, use a screwdriver and drill bit to screw the top ridge with the roof rafters. You should use galvanized screws as these are weather-proof for outdoor uses.
As you secure the top-ridges, you can measure the slope correctly just like your bathroom floor.
Step 4: Installing the intermediate and hip rafters:
Hip rafters will go to the top from the corners of the gazebo. Conversely, the intermediate rafters create the frame on each side of the roof cap. Also, the hip rafters will attach to the king post to further secure it against the top ridge.
- Find the upper joists first. You need to screw the rafters with it to secure the connection.
- Make sure that the rafters at the corners are 24″ away. It empowers the rafter connection and enables it to carry more weight.
- After installing the hip rafter, place one intermediate rafter in the middle for each corner. These rafters will be smaller.
- Ensure that all four intermediate rafters are of the same size. So, you should measure the piece of lumber correctly.
- As you cut the rafters to install on the top, leave ½ inch more that you can cut off after adjusting the actual length.
Step 5: Use plywood to cover the rooftop
As you cut the plywood sheets, calculate the length of each segment from the rafters accurately. Once you have found the correct length of the plywood sheets, cut them with a circular saw. Then, place the sheets on the gazebo roof to see their fitting.
The plywood sheets should fit properly together if you have cut them with accurate measurements. Or, you need to make a slight adjustment. You can trim the longer sheets and use putties to fix between shorter ones.
If you properly fit the plywood sheets with the rafters, fix them with screws. You need to tighten the sheets at every 6-inch distance with ¼ inches screws.
Step 6: Shingling the rooftop of your gazebo
Plywood sheets are vulnerable to weather and external elements. So, you must find ways to secure it from the weather. Hence, using asphalt to shingle the gazebo roof will work wonderfully.
- There should be two layers of asphalt over the gazebo roof cap.
- The shingles should be upside down at the base layer. Start from the lower and reach the top as you lay the asphalt shingles.
- Use a putty knife to trim and adjust the shingles. Finally, screw the shingles with the plywood sheet with ¾ inches screws.
- For the top layer, start similarly from the joist. Then, you will reach the top, but the shingle direction will be different. The right side of the shingles should face up as you trim and adjust them.
- The rows of the shingles should overlap. It ensures proper drainage. Finally, use ridge caps to cover the seams to waterproof the gazebo roof.
This concludes the discussion on how to cap a gazebo roof.
What Pitch Should A Gazebo Roof Be?
As you plan the gazebo roof, ensure that the water sheds off without any problem. Hence, while overlaying the asphalt shingles, you must provide them with a proper pitching angle. So, what is the right pitch or gazebo roof?
Experts suggest that the pitch should be 20-degree to 45-degree. It helps the water from the gazebo cap to shed off adequately. It has two rules:
- Pitches start at a 4:12 ratio. It means that for every 4 feet rise of the gazebo roof, the pitch should be 12 feet away from the foot of its pitching.
- The maximum ratio for gazebo pitching is 12:12. The pitching foot would be 12 feet away for every 12 feet rise of the cap.
For colder regions, the pitch needs to be steeper. And for tropical regions, make it less steep.
Conclusion:
This is all about how to make a gazebo roof cap. The key is to carefully cut the piece of lumber for the wooden frame. As you install the hip and intermediate rafters correctly, shingling it with the asphalt sheet is a walk in the park. Plus, you may use waterproofing adhesive to protect the roof from weather and external elements. It ensures better longevity of the beautiful gazebo and its roof.
Leave a Reply