Backyard Projects For Woodworkers And DIY Fans

We love building things in our gardens and backyards and, if you've found your way to this lens, you probably love building things too. Do you want to build a shed? Make a log cabin? A run for your chickens? How about a summerhouse in your garden? We have these and many more projects here for you to enjoy.

If ever you have thought "How To Build ...", read on.

You will not need any special skills although, if you want to become an expert carpenter or woodworker, we will show you the best way to achieve this and give you plenty of professional tips along the way.

All our projects require only basic tools that are most likely in everybody's toolkit or workshop but, if you feel like being adventurous, we will show you where and what machines will make your work easier.

We also believe that diy projects should be fun as well as practical. Hopefully you will agree.

We have assembled information and guidance about a large number of building projects. These include the ever-popular garden shed, chicken coop, gazebo, log cabin and many other buildings and structures that we like to have in and around our properties.

There are tips and advice on sub-topics such as the right sort of foundations and how to mix concrete.

What all of our projects have in common is the need for proper and careful planning, otherwise you will make avoidable mistakes and waste your time and money. We make no apologies for stressing this over and over again, because it is so important. We are talking from experience here!

My log cabin dream is having a simple, one or two room wooden shack nestled comfortably in a private hideaway miles from anywhere. It would have spectacular views for every season, there would be fishing in the nearby stream, there would be trees to hang hammocks under, the wildlife would be around but not intrusive, the sunsets would be breathtaking, there would be a roaring fire in winter and cool winds for the warmer months. Can't you just picture it?

I might have to settle on something more realistic in my backyard.

The next reality is the cost of building one. Reckon on $50,000 to pay for the kit and a further $15,000 to $20,000 to get it assembled.

The cheapest option is to build a log cabin yuorself in your backyard provided it is large enough and provided that your local planning rules permit such things. Most local planners will approve temporary structures, and I think it is possible to claim that a log cabin is intended to be only temporary. It was true for the original settlers who built them centuries ago!

We must face one or two harsh realities about log cabins, however. The first is that they are simple to build. This is true for a basic cabin, in the sense that there are no complicated construction or woodworking techniques required, but building one still requires a great deal of grit, determination and physical strength. After all, wooden logs of 16 feet or more, and 8 to 10 inches in diameter, tend to weigh a fair bit. You will be lifting some of these logs 8, maybe 10 feet in the air during construction. Simple? Yes, but not easy unless you are properly prepared.

Then there is the matter of a foundation. Cabins built by the early settlers were often set directly on hard earth, and some of those are still around today. However, these were only meant to be interim structures until the settlers got around to building a more permanent house, and many did not last very long.

Fact is, any proper building must have a proper foundation. These should start below the frostline - if there is one - and extend to one or two feet above the surface. At one time stone was the traditional material for foundations but now we tend to use concrete or cinder blocks. I know this adds to the building costs but I believe it is money well spent.

What about plans? There are lots of log cabin designs on the market for you to consider. You may already have your own design sketched out. In spite of the huge number of kits on the market, often with expensive price tags, in our opinion the most enjoyable and satisfying option is to plan and build your own log cabin. It will certainly cost you far less cash.

Make sure your plans are really thorough, work out the full list of materials in detail, collect all needed components before starting to put them together, and get a good team of willing labor. A large supply of beer and sandwiches is also a good idea.

By far the easiest and safest way to build a log cabin, and certainly the way for anybody who is not an expert in this area, is to invest in a set of good quality blueprints and step-by-step instructions drawn up by specialists in log cabin construction. The right sort of packages are not too expensive anyway - usually no more than $50 will buy you all the plans and instructions needed - and usually include very helpful bonus items such as professional woodworking tips, how to get the best materials deals, ways to tackle the planning regulators, the sort of things that will save you a lot of time both before and during the project.

If you have your own log cabin dream, now you can make it a reality with good planning, and your return on investment will be years of peaceful and happy times with your family. Good luck and have fun!

Outdoor dog houses are often quite simple buildings, but need to be strong and able to withstand all kinds of weather. Most people also want their dog houses to reflect the respect and affection which they have for their pets, so the building should look good and be a healthy place for its occupant as well.

If you are going to make the kennel yourself, you should aim to use some proper dog house plans to do the job to a professional standard. We can show you where to get these, but first we should examine what makes a well-designed retreat for your dog.

The kennel must, first and foremost, be a good shelter from all sorts of weather - rain, wind, hot sun. This will mean proper sealing of joins and seams, insulation from damp, cold and heat. Perhaps provide shade above the doorway (dogs often like to doze just outside their house). Make sure the kennel floor is clear of the ground, to keep damp away from the inside and to stop the wood rotting.

Good ventilation is essential. In hot conditions dogs can overheat very easily so they need suitable ventilation at all times. In cold weather their breath can cause condensation, leading to damp inside the building. This is great for mould, not so great for dogs. Build in some vents to give a good airflow for your dog.

Avoid using pressure or chemically treated wood for making dog houses since it is unhealthy for any animal that might come in contact with it.

The doghouse will need cleaning out occasionally so build in suitable access. Maybe have a hinged back wall or roof panel.

Lastly, choose the right size of house for your particular dog. It must allow your dog to walk in, turn around and stretch out easily. It should be a snug fit so that the dog can use his own body heat at night to keep warm. This will be difficult for the dog if the kennel is too big.

It will only take a couple of days and no more than a hundred dollars to make a really good kennel. A basic doghouse is simply a floor, 4 walls and a roof, but you will probably want to see some designs for making a more professional looking building.

We have such a range in our recommended 10 Best Dog House Plans. Here you will find a good selection of designs to choose from, as well as clear plans and detailed materials lists. If you are new to this sort of project you get diagrams and photos to help with the little details. These dog house plans cost only a few dollars and include a proper guarantee of a full refund without question, which is a required feature of any product we offer.

Hopefully you will now know what makes a good doghouse. It can be done cheaply, quickly and easily using the best dog house plans. You can also make a really professional standard house for your favorite dog.

Why not make one this weekend?

A gazebo gives any garden a touch of elegance, and is a great place to withdraw from a busy world and enjoy some quiet time. Some people build their gazebos around their hot tubs or spas. It can be great for parties or just quiet chats with friends. Once built you will find endless excuses to be in it and let it bring you happiness and peace.

The key to any gazebo construction is precision - carefully selected wood with no warps, measured and cut accurately. Any blemishes or faults will be glaringly obvious once the gazebo has been completed, and will give the final structure a very homemade look. So, to avoid this, attention to detail and careful woodworking techniques are vital ingredients for building a gazebo properly.

There are many shapes and styles to choose from, but a good choice would be the typical eight-sided gazebo, which is perhaps the simplest and most pleasing building project for both beginners and experts alike to carry out.

These are the basic steps to build a gazebo.

Start by laying eight concrete footings at each corner position and one at dead center. Fit anchor bolts to each corner footing and mount the vertical posts on these once the concrete has set.

The support frames and rim joists for the deck are then fitted between the vertical posts and the central footing, checking constantly for correct alignment. After that come the decking boards, again carefully cut and fitted to make sure the cut lines are good and straight.

Frieze panels are connected to the upper parts of the vertical posts, and rafters then mounted to join the tops of the verticals to the center kingpost at the top of the gazebo.

Finally make and fit the railings and balustrades which, with the frieze panels, will give the gazebo its own unique character. This is your opportunity to make your gazebo as beautiful as you want.

This assembly process is often difficult to understand without clear and detailed diagrams, parts lists and assembly instructions. Almost all parts have to be cut and shaped precisely before assembly, and it is very easy to get things round the wrong way.

A good set of plans and a complete materials list are essential to ensure that your gazebo turns out exactly the way you intended.

We have our own favorite planning kit that will be an immense help for anyone building a gazebo. There are more than twenty designs to choose from, each with very clear plans, diagrams, assembly instructions and parts lists. Here is an example of the standard of drawing for a typical small but very attractive hexagonal gazebo:

Note the excellent list of materials included. Making one of these for yourself is difficult, and even experts often fail to spot all the materials needed.

This planning kit will be invaluable for anyone building a gazebo, and will make the whole process straightforward and fun.