PREPARING YOUR YARD FOR A GAZEBO, PERGOLA OR PAVILION
Adding a new Gazebo, Pergola or Pavilion to your backyard can be an exciting and rewarding experience that adds value to your home. However, careful planning is essential to ensure you enjoy your new Gazebo for years to come. Following these guidelines can help to ensure a smooth installation of your new gazebo, pergola, or pavilion.
If you wish to install your pavilion or pergola in an area without a concrete slab foundation, you will need to dig post holes to accommodate concrete footings. Footings are also useful if you wish to install your pergola or pavilion over an existing paver patio. All structures need to be anchored to concrete footers. The footer very on size depending on the size unit you purchase.
If you wish to prepare the footings on your own, you will need to consult the post diagram for your structure. Next, dig post holes to the appropriate depth below the frost line or deeper. This will prevent the structure from “popping out” due to thawing and re-freezing.
Next, fill the post holes with concrete and rebar. Be sure to plan enough time for the concrete to properly cure before the delivery of your new structure. After the post footings are in place, the structure can be attached with anchor brackets that are bolted into the concrete. Need Help with Installing Your New Outdoor Structure? Give us a Call or Book today! Here. As you can see, there’s a lot more that goes into adding a new structure to your backyard than simply choosing the best design for your needs. Deciding on the proper size and placement, checking with your city and/or your homeowners’ association and following the right site preparation techniques can help you avoid many pitfalls and get you well on your way to enjoying your new gazebo, pergola or pavilion.
If you have any questions about your potential gazebo, pergola or pavilion or need help installing your structure, feel free to contact us. Our experienced team is skilled at helping customers think through the placement and design of backyard pavilions, pergolas, and gazebos.
1. Decide on the placement of your Gazebo, Pergola or Pavilion
If you’re planning to add a gazebo, pergola, or pavilion to your backyard, you probably already have some ideas on where you’d like it to go. However, you’ll want to evaluate this location carefully to be sure it meets your needs, provides the best environment for the gazebo or structure you’re installing. The best sites, are level and flat for proper support and drainage. You’ll want to avoid adding to low-lying areas in your yard where water tends to pool after heavy rain. Also want to avoid building near immature trees that may interfere with your proposed site as they grow larger. Keep in mind the paths you are likely to take through your yard to reach your gazebo. You won’t want to place your gazebo in areas that encourage family members or guests to take a shortcut through your flower garden or near any potential hazards such as beehives or protruding tree stumps or imperfection in your yard. Finally, you’ll want to choose an area that’s compatible with your intended purpose for your new gazebo. If possible, choose a site that is centrally located to encourage socializing and entertainment. Privacy the goal? Choose a more remote location near fencing, bushes, or trees to provide a quiet haven for relaxation and reflection. If you envision having your morning coffee or quiet dinners in your new gazebo, it might be wise to install it close to the house for easier access.
2. Take proper measurements for sizing
After you’ve decided on the potential placement of your Gazebo, it’s time to take some measurements. You’ll want to measure the length and width of the area to narrow down your size options. You should also look at how the potential height of a gazebo, pergola or pavilion will affect other elements in your yard. Be sure to factor in any space you might need to walk around the structure to other areas of your yard or garden. Based on the area you have available, you should be able to narrow your size choices for the gazebo you’re considering. For maximum entertainment value and room to grow, choose the largest gazebo, pergola or pavilion you can easily accommodate in the space. Over the years, we’ve learned that most never regret purchasing a larger gazebo, since there are always more ways to use it, once you have it.3. Research building codes & Homeowners’ Association requirements for your gazebo, pergola or pavilion.
After deciding on the size and proposed placement of your new structure, you’ll want to research local building codes within your city or county and/or the rules of your Homeowners’ Association (HOA).
Local building codes:
Since gazebos, pergolas, and pavilions are not normally considered permanent outdoor structures and are kits, you may not need a building permit to add one to your yard. However, many local municipalities and townships limit the size of the structures you can build on your property without a permit, so you might want to check to be sure, if this is a concern to you. There may also be specific requirements concerning the distance of structures from public roads, utility poles or other structures, including your home and fences If you intend to attach the structure to your home, there will likely be other requirements to meet.Homeowners’ Association regulations:
If you live in a development or community of homes, you may also need to get approval from your Homeowners’ Association before adding a new gazebo, pergola or pavilion. Most HOA’s limit the height of gazebo to preserve the site lines of surrounding homes. They may also have regulations regarding how close a gazebo may be built near fences, walls or other structures. The best way to get approval for your new gazebo, pergola or pavilion is to, be able to explain your project fully. More details you can provide about your structure and its intended uses, the better your chances of receiving any required approvals. Drawings of your structure with clearly labeled dimensions and pictures of your intended site location can be very helpful too. It might also be helpful to use garden or construction stakes to plan out the area for your new gazebo. This will allow you to look at site lines and distances, sun exposure and other factors that may affect your new gazebo.4. Site preparation for an outdoor structure
Careful site preparation is necessary to ensure the stability and long-term enjoyment of your gazebo, pergola or pavilion. Proper site preparation techniques depend on the size and type of structure you’re installing. You may choose to have the company that builds your gazebo prepare the site or hire a contractor to handle this task. However, depending on the structure, you could save a significant amount of money by handling at least some of the prep work on your own.Gazebos:
Gazebos that come with a floor installed can be placed on a crushed stone pad or concrete foundation. Or without floors should be placed on a concrete foundation. Most gazebos can also be placed on existing concrete, but check with your gazebo installer to be sure and ensure there is a proper amount of drainage for the structure to stay dry. Concrete Foundation Guidelines Your concrete pad should be poured at a 4″ depth plus additional depth around the outside edges to ensure even weight distribution and stability. Adding a concrete pad requires digging. Be sure to call 811, a nationwide service, to have local utility companies dispatched to mark the location of any water, sewer or electrical lines before you begin. Utility marking can take several days, but it’s worth it to avoid fines from damage to utility lines. Crushed stone pads A crushed stone pad can be created on a level frame of 4×4 or 4×6 pressure-treated lumber. Place the lumber about 12″ wider than the dimensions of your structure. Then fill the frame with 4 to 6 inches of gravel or crushed stone. The stone used and the pad design should allow rainwater to drain properly. It is important that any foundation has proper water drainage. Your resulting pad will provide stability for your new gazebo while keeping your floor dry.Pergolas & pavilions:
Since pergolas and pavilions have no base, they need to be attached to either a concrete foundation or continuous post footings that anchor the structure. Be sure to call 811, a nationwide service, to have local utility companies dispatched to mark the location of any water, sewer, or electrical lines before you dig. It usually takes several days to complete, so plan accordingly.Concrete slab foundation
Most pergolas and pavilions can be successfully anchored to a reinforced concrete slab at least 4″ in thickness with additional depth of 12” total on the outside edge. In this case, the support columns of the structure are held in place with anchor brackets that are bolted directly to the concrete foundation.Concrete Footings
If you wish to install your pavilion or pergola in an area without a concrete slab foundation, you will need to dig post holes to accommodate concrete footings. Footings are also useful if you wish to install your pergola or pavilion over an existing paver patio. All structures need to be anchored to concrete footers. The footer very on size depending on the size unit you purchase.
If you wish to prepare the footings on your own, you will need to consult the post diagram for your structure. Next, dig post holes to the appropriate depth below the frost line or deeper. This will prevent the structure from “popping out” due to thawing and re-freezing.
Next, fill the post holes with concrete and rebar. Be sure to plan enough time for the concrete to properly cure before the delivery of your new structure. 
After the post footings are in place, the structure can be attached with anchor brackets that are bolted into the concrete. Need Help with Installing Your New Outdoor Structure? Give us a Call or Book today! Here. As you can see, there’s a lot more that goes into adding a new structure to your backyard than simply choosing the best design for your needs. Deciding on the proper size and placement, checking with your city and/or your homeowners’ association and following the right site preparation techniques can help you avoid many pitfalls and get you well on your way to enjoying your new gazebo, pergola or pavilion.
If you have any questions about your potential gazebo, pergola or pavilion or need help installing your structure, feel free to contact us. Our experienced team is skilled at helping customers think through the placement and design of backyard pavilions, pergolas, and gazebos.