Case Study- Log Cabin Gazebo Project

jonfee
Apr 14, 2023
5 min read

Background/ Brief

For this project, the customer required a gazebo that was partly enclosed/walled around the back corner, to sit on a decked area in the corner of the garden.

The existing decked area caught a lot of sun throughout the day, and it could get uncomfortably hot during the summer months.

And, if it wasn't getting too hot, the Great British weather would ruin the odd barbeque or get together with a bit of rain!

The customer had taken to using a pop-up gazebo, on occasion, but although it provided some welcome shade (or, partial shelter from the rain) they would find the run off of water at the sides made it impractical as a real option for shelter- water would end up on the back of anyone trying to relax on the corner sofa!

So, the brief was; a timber gazebo, partially walled, that had a cosy feel, but still not shut off from the rest of the garden. To be built on the existing decked area- so, a corner- style building.

Having discussed options for a bespoke build, it came to light that the customer would prefer tongue and grooved roof boards rather than any ply or OSB board on show, and we began to build a clearer picture of the ideal sort of finish overall.

With some research, we found that kit buildings of this style and finish came out a little more cost effective than a custom build from scratch. Sure, the kits can seem quite an outlay, but any saving made by purchasing raw materials would quickly be lost in the cost of labour to achieve a similar building in this case. (Maybe not so much the case for a rustic looking version, but to achieve the more modern/ refined look, it was cheaper to buy a kit and pay the install labour).

So, we settled on a kit building that ticked the boxes in terms of style, footprint, budget etc. But, when it came to being able to install this gazebo on the existing deck (even with some modification as originally intended) we hit problems...

The challenges

On the face of it, the existing deck looks okay. And it is okay as a decked area- and probably would have been for some time to come. It looks smart with a wrap around step, picture framed with mitred corners- there was clearly some love that went into installing it. It had also been well looked after, having been treated/ painted each year since it was installed (which later estimated to be around 8 years ago). But, unfortunately, as perfect as it was for original purpose, it turned out to be no use at all to build on...

One very important rule for installing a shed, cabin, or similar, is that the base (in this case the deck) must be a flat/even, and level surface.

If it isn't you're as good as throwing money away because the building timbers will warp/twist and deteriorate, leading to all sorts of problems.

The decking was far from level. This difference can be seen at the front step when comparing the original to the new decking (eventually re-built to specification for the gazebo). It just followed the slope of the ground- which was fine for keeping the height down at the front when only used as a seating area, but no good for a building.

Upon removing a couple of decking boards to investigate, it also became clear that it was posted on slabs- again fine for sitting on, but this would never hold the weight of a building.

The plan changed to modifying the decking... attempting to re-use the boards and as much of the timber base as possible, but to re-post with plastic posts on cement footings (stronger and avoids rotten posts, extending the life of the deck) and modify as necessary.

However, with more boards removed, it became clear that the level and the footings weren't the only problems with this deck- parts of the timber base would flake off in your hand! The timbers were rotten, and saturated with water.

At this point, on the idea of using that deck as a base in any way, shape, or form, I had to admit defeat!

Solution/ Decking Design

The only way forward with this was complete replacement of the corner decked area, to a standard that could be built upon, sticking as closely to original footprint as possible, whilst taking advantage of the opportunity to customise and tailor to the design of the new gazebo.

The Design

Having dismantled and disposed of the old deck, it was time to create the new framework. Using the plans for the gazebo, the original footprint of the deck, the constraints of the surrounding area- fencing and posts, planter, grassed area etc- I designed it to do the following;

Fit as though it was made for the space (not having to move the planter, still lining up with the path, covering the muddy ground up to the grass, but not eating into that area).

Fit as though it were part of the gazebo (with the lines and angles matching up as well as possible, everything sitting square to the eye from the house).

Last. For longevity, plastic posts on cement mean no rot (particularly important for this one due to the level of water in the clay ground). Sturdy framework and joist tape on edges exposed outside of new building will protect the new frame from any water sitting on the surface.

And, at the customer's request, for the building to sit as tightly as possible into the corner. (Fence panels to be removed to gain access for painting).

The Build

Here are some pictures showing the work that went into getting the new deck ready for the installation of the gazebo...

So, here is the completed new deck, waiting for the gazebo kit to arrive. Despite power cuts among other set- backs, it was completed in good time for the arrival of the kit.

The kit arrives in the form of individual timbers, cleverly arranged into a relatively small pack...

And, finally, some pictures of the exciting part- the installation of the gazebo on the new deck...

Result/ Completed Project

The gazebo sits nicely lined up on the surrounding deck /step, square to the house (rather than the fence lines) and tight to the corner.

The EPDM roof covering will do a great job of keeping the roof water-tight for years to come. Just on in time, before a shower!

The walls will do a great job of protecting people relaxing on the sofa from any down pours (expected or unexpected!).

Once painted, I'll return to fit guttering, which will be hidden behind top fascia/ barge board on the low side of the pent roof (the right hand side as looking down the garden). This will help protect the lower paintwork and timbers from damage due to run off water splashing back off the deck.

This garden retreat should provide plenty of enjoyment of the outside space, regardless of weather conditions, and with the large openings at the front, still feels very much part of the garden when you're inside!

Overall, this project was not the easiest, or the smoothest of them all-

From unexpected problems with modifying the original deck, to power cuts during building the new deck, poor/ temperamental weather during the gazebo installation when it came to finding a window in which to glue the roof covering on, to other quirks that you get when installing these types of kits.

However, the satisfaction from the finished product makes every set back and every second spent agonising over small details worthwhile, and I'm proud to add it to my portfolio!

I'm looking forward to taking on similar projects in future, and to this summer's installations of log cabins for use as garden offices or garden rooms, and also projects involving sheds, summer houses, and decking.