Build your own pavilion – DIY ideas for a shady oasis
- Difficultyeasy
- Cost40-60 €
- Duration1-2 h
Introduction
An illuminated pavilion is a haven of feel-good vibes and adds that certain something to any summer party. Alternatively, draping some fabric over it instantly transforms it into a stylish place to escape the sun during pleasant afternoons. Our guide will show you how to build the basic structure for a simple pavilion yourself.
And if you want a pavilion with a roof and foundation, take a look at the ‘Planning and background knowledge’ section to find out which materials are suitable and where you should build it.
Have you heard about our 18-volt system yet? It offers a huge variety of devices for many different applications. The thing that makes the project below so special is that you can use the same rechargeable battery for every part of this project. Simply swap out the battery pack, insert it into a different device that’s part of the 18V system and move on to the next step.
Pay attention to occupational health and safety every step of the way to protect yourself and your health. You’ll find all the important information you need to know in our overview of Safety precautions for DIY projects.
- pencil
- g-clamps
- pocket rule
- 16 roof battens (3000 x 48 x 24 mm)
- 16 hexagon head screws (M6 x 70 mm)
- 34 large M6 washers
- 16 M6 lock nuts
- 6 wood screws (4.5 x 60 mm)
Let's go - step by step
Marking and drilling the roof battens
You need: Cordless combi drill, Brad Point Drill Bit Set 8 Pieces, pencil, pocket rule, g-clamps, 16 roof battens (3000 x 48 x 24 mm)
Roof battens are ideal for building a sturdy yet simple pavilion. Our structure is a basic one, but its almost limitless flexibility means you can build it in any size you want. This project definitely needs a lot of space, and the surface on which you plan to build needs to be solid and stable. Your driveway or your DIY wooden deck are great options for this. The basic structure is made up of four squares that are placed inside each other, which in turn then stabilise each other. Start by marking the ends of all the roof battens using their width measurement (48 mm in our case) to ascertain where to draw the marking in relation to the end of the batten. Determine the centre of each of the areas created between the end of the batten and the marking, before then drilling through each of these centres.
Drill another hole through the narrow side of half of the battens. This hole will be used to screw the squares to the roof ridge later. Centre the hole 60 mm from the end of the batten. This measurement is calculated using the width of the roof batten and half of its thickness.
Building the basic elements
You need: Cordless combi drill, Standard Screwdriver Bit Mixed Sets, Mixed sets (bits, drills, accessories), 8 roof battens, 8 roof battens with ridge holes, 10 hexagon head screws (M6 x 70 mm), 22 large M6 washers, 10 M6 lock nuts
Screw two battens – one with a roof ridge hole and one without – together on the wide sides for each square. Tighten the nuts with the adjustable spanner to make sure the screws are firmly in place.
Now unfold the slats at a 90° angle and place them in pairs to form squares. Make sure that the battens with roof ridge holes are on the ground and the holes are parallel to each other. Only finish screwing together one complete, closed square for now.
The bottom corner joint in the other three will remain unconnected and open for the time being. All you need to do now to complete the basic structure is stand the finished square up. You could lean it against a stepladder or get someone to help you hold it up, for example.
Assembling the pavilion
You need: Cordless combi drill, Standard Screwdriver Bit Mixed Sets, Mixed sets (bits, drills, accessories), g-clamps, 6 hexagon head screws (M6 x 70 mm), 12 large M6 washers, 6 M6 lock nuts
Insert the second square with the open side into the standing square so that the structure resembles a tent. The roof ridge holes on the vertical battens form the axis point of the two squares. Then, screw them together with the hexagon head screws, and you have your basic structure.
Now it’s time to start the inner structure. It works in exactly the same way, with the one difference being that the roof ridge battens are placed crosswise on the basic structure. You can also screw the bottom battens facing outwards, as shown in the image. This will increase the tension in the pavilion and provide it with additional stability.
Stabilising the pavilion
You need: Cordless combi drill, Standard Screwdriver Bit Mixed Sets, Pavilion, 6 wood screws (4.5 x 60 mm)
To make sure your DIY pavilion ticks all the boxes for a proper summer party, secure all the squares with wood screws to give it an extra degree of stability. Since it’s made out of roof battens, the pavilion is exceptionally light, so you will only need a couple of friends to help you move it, and it’s quick to dismantle into its basic elements and put away should you need to after the party is over.
That’s it, you’re done! But the fun doesn’t have to stop there – now it’s time for some decoration! Adding some lanterns, fairy lights, blankets and cushions will make your pavilion the number one place to chill out at your party. Check out our creative DIY garden ideas if you’re looking for some inspiration and suggestions.
Not enough DIY for you? Then wow your guests with a DIY bar with a folding counter and give them somewhere to put their drinks with these DIY outdoor camping tables. You can also set up a pergola-inspired photo backdrop for your guests so they can take pictures they’ll never forget.