Iron gazebo
You can pay a lot for a chintzy iron gazebo that blows over at the first hint of wind. You can pay a lot more for a solid iron gazebo that takes bodybuilders to hook up and costs $500 in shipping charges. Or you can create your own. You can make an iron gazebo that is firm, sturdy, stately and matches your yard’s style of décor. A few steps will help you make an iron gazebo for a fraction of the cost and effort of trying to buy one. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Pick your pieces. Visit your local salvage yard, fencing store or home and building supply outlet to pick your iron fencing. You can find curved pieces and create a round gazebo or longer pieces and a decorative gate to make a rectangular or square gazebo. You’ll want the pieces to be at least 6 feet tall so you can stand in the thing, and taller if you wish. A roof is optional and can be created with another piece of fencing or a round piece with spokes for the circular gazebo.
2. Erect your pieces. Haul your pieces home and erect them where desired. If you are setting them up on dirt or grass, secure the ends by digging holes to stick rebar posts. If your gate pieces have holes in the bottom, stick the rebar through those holes to secure them in place. If not, secure the rebar to the corners on the outside of the fencing. Secure the fencing pieces where they meet with metal pipe clamps screwed closed to their tightest fit. If you are erecting your gazebo on wood, screw clamps around the gazebo’s base and into the wood. For cement, just make sure your sides are ultra secure. You can also weld the pieces together if you happen to have a welder.
3. Test the steadfastness. If your iron gazebo falls over, it could probably kill someone. Be very, very sure it is steadily in place and will not whisk sideways with the next wind. Bang on the sides or even kick at it to make sure it stays standing and secure. If not, use more clamps and stakes to stick it in place.
4. Paint as desired. Place drop cloths around the base of your gazebo and paint away. You can go with an antique look which works very well for old iron gates or jazz it up with a spicy spray paint color. Sand all shiny areas before painting and also choose a rust-proof, outdoor paint. Don't forget to paint your support stakes and clamps so they blend in nicely.
5. Drape with fabric. This part is optional but awesome for privacy and blocking the sun. You can use ordinary drapery fabric but expect it to fade quickly in the sun unless you treat it with a UV protector. A good choice is sunshade fabric, used for verandas and porches. It is treated not to fade like regular fabrics, still allows a breeze through and is sold at many home and garden centers.
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