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An outdoor entertaining area created with the installation of Pine sleepers, synthetic turf and the erection of a Canopia Dallas 4900 gazebo with its legs set in concrete.
The project
Hey all, I'm just posting the process of preparing the ground and the erection of our Dallas 4900 gazebo, purchased through Bunnings Special Orders. The ground it is assembled on was fairly sloped and with its wind rating of 110kmh, I needed to make sure the footings were very solid. It has stood up to 100kmh gusts and barely moves.
Tools and materials
Materials used in the project:
- 200 x 50 treated Pine sleepers (I don't have the exact numbers)
- Crushed rock
- Bags of cement
- Synthetic grass
- Dynabolts
- Treated Pine self-drilling screws
- Star pickets.
Tools used in the project:
- 18v Ozito PXC impact driver
- 18v Ozito PXC drill driver
- 36v Ozito PXC hedge trimmer
- Ozito 240v blower vac with steel blades
- Petrol operated post hole digger and 300mm auger
- Full Boar plate compactor
- Shovels
- Ozito slide compound saw
- Ozito mitre saw stand
- Ozito stapler
- Galvanised staples
- Ramset drill bit
- Square
- Pencil
- Craftright level
- Stanley 8m measuring tape
- Cement mixer
- String line
- Tent pegs.
Steps
Step 1
I cleaned and cleared the area where the walls of the base were to be positioned to level the ground. I also began to run the string lines for the right level.
Step 2
Here, I started running the treated Pine sleepers. As the slope was fairly steep, I dug in some of the sleepers and with supports, lifted the others to create the level area to work with.
Step 3
Once I had it level to my liking, I boxed in the four corners. I proceeded to drill 4 x 300mm holes to create the footings. Mixing 4 parts crushed rock to 1.5 parts cement in the cement mixer, I created the footings, which included the boxing and the outer sleepers for greater depth. Once the footings were dry, I proceeded to then fill the area with lots of crushed rock, which I packed in thin layers to get the best compaction. To level it up, I screed the rock with a straight edge to get it right.
Step 4
Got the synthetic lawn over and rolled it into position. I squared it up and pegged it into the ground. I also used galvanised staples to fix it to the sides. Now it was looking great.
Step 5
Now, I created the steps to access this area and the BBQ area. I had stretched it out as best as I could.
Step 6
Now the best part began. My wife, two sons and their partners started to construct this gazebo. Following the instructions to a T, the assembly ran great. Once we got it to this point, we squared the feet, cut away the synthetic lawn so as to have an accurate footing point, and fixed the brackets into the concrete. Bolting the posts to the footings stabilised it nicely.
Step 7
I let the concrete dry for five days to get the best purchase on the Dynabolts. It took one day to put the gazebo up and it hasn't moved in the serious winds we have in the Great Dividing Range. The winds where we are are regularly gale force to damaging. The roofing was added as well as the bracings and voila, the gazebo was finished. I stood under the gazebo and it just wiggled a little every gust. Now the weather has improved, it is great to sit under with the family. It is a nice touch to our backyard.
Before and after
More inspiration for your gazebo project
Workshop member kellig used ChemSet anchors to secure their timber gazebo with folding bar table.
Community member nathanh used Pine timber to build his gazebo and fire pit outdoor dining area.
Check out our Pergola and outdoor shade designs for more creative ideas posted by Bunnings Workshop community members. And if you need a hand with your own project, you can start a discussion. We're here to help.
