How to Build Gazebo Railings

This step by step diy woodworking project is about how to build gazebo railings. Building railing for the octagonal gazebo is a straight-forward project, if the right plans are used. Moreover, we recommend you to adjust the height and the design of the balusters as to fit the rest of the constructions on your property. Countersink the head of the screws and fill the holes with wood putty.

We strongly recommend you to build the components for the railings of the octagonal gazebo from quality materials, such as redwood, cedar or pine. Make sure you take accurate measurements and use a sharp saw to cut the components, otherwise they won’t lock together properly. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

Projects made from these plans

Cut & Shopping Lists

• A – 14 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 57 1/2″ long RAILS
• B – 49 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 34″ long SLATS

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Post hole digger, Concrete mixer

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One day

Related

• Part 1: Free gazebo plans
• Part 2: Gazebo roof framing
• Part 3: How to build gazebo railing

Building gazebo railing

Building gazebo rails

Top Tip: There are many plans you could choose from when building railings for your octagonal gazebo, so make sure you adjust its design to match the style of your property.

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How to Build Gazebo Railings

Building the rails

The first step of the woodworking project is to build the bottom and the top rails. As you can see in the image, we recommend you to use 2×4 slats, making sure you cut both ends at 67.5 degrees. Use a miter saw to get accurate and consistent results.

Use a router to make a 3/4″ deep and wide channel into the rails, as in the free plans. These channels will keep the balusters locked into place tightly.

Installing the bottom rail

Next, we recommend you to fit the bottom rails into place, between the posts. As you can see in the image, we recommend you to leave about 4″ between the flooring and the rails. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the rails and insert 3 1/2″ galvanized screws into the posts.

Place a spirit level on the rails, to check if they are perfectly horizontal. Repeat the process on the other 6 sides of the gazebo, using the techniques described above.

Installing the railing

One of the last steps is to fit the slats into place, as well as top rails. Plumb the slats and make sure they are equally spaced, before drilling pilot holes and inserting the screws. Place a wood block between the 1×6 slats, in order to get consistent gaps.

It is essential to lock slats to the rails with screws before attaching the top rail, if you want to get a professional result. Round the exposed edges with a router in order to enhance the look of the gazebo.

Build gazebo railing

Last but not least, you have to take care of the final touches. Check if the components are locked together tightly and if the screws are at the same level with the wooden surface.

Top Tip: Fill the holes with wood putty and sand the surface with medium-grit sandpaper, along the wood grain. Cover the wooden components with paint, in order to protect them from decay and to enhance the look of the gazebo.

This woodworking project was about how to build gazebo railings. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our step by step projects.  LIKE us on Facebook to be the first that gets our latest updates and submit pictures with your DIY projects.

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