Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
An illustrated look at how to keep a gazebo floor low to the ground
Ideally, gazebos and garden rooms that have wooden deck-like floors are very low to the ground. You can usually lower the height of a floor by using smaller-width joists and beams. However, this change may require you to reduce beam and joist spans, which in turn may mean pouring more footings. Another strategy is to attach the joists to the side, not the top, of the beam. See three options in the illustrations below.
If the yard is level and the floor will be low to the ground, you will not need posts. However, the piers must all be level with one another.
To build with no posts, plan to install at least two rows of piers with identical beams placed along each row. Construct the beams with double 2-by members. Attach the joists with joist hangers on the inside face of each beam.
Patio Roofs & Gazebos All you need to know about building outdoor structures, from an inspirational gallery for unique ways to extend your living space outdoors, to step-by-step photo sequences to build an outdoor structure precisely suited to your needs.
