Hands-on guides to designing wood constructions in 3D yourself – free, right in your browser.
This series follows a timber project from the first sketch to the shopping list. Every guide answers a question that actually comes up while planning — which section carries the load, how deep the foundation has to go, which timber lasts outdoors, when permission is needed.
Pergola, carport, garden building, patio roof, log house and roof truss: dimensions, sections, a step-by-step build-up and a cost range for each.
Timber species and their durability outdoors, protection by design, the common timber joints, foundations, roof forms and the basics of structural behaviour — span, load, deflection.
All figures are rules of thumb for ordinary cases, not a structural design. Snow and wind loads differ by region, and whether a project is permitted development is decided locally. For load-bearing parts: when in doubt, have an engineer or carpenter check the numbers. The sources under each guide name the relevant standards.
How to build a wooden pergola: step-by-step guide with dimensions, timber choice, footings, bracing and assembly order – plus realistic cost estimates.
Read more →Plan your own timber carport: guide values for parking-space size, post and purlin sizing, roof types, bracing, snow load and realistic DIY costs.
Read more →Roof frame design for beginners: compare rafter, collar and purlin roofs — with roof pitches, timber sizes, birdsmouth joints and structural tips.
Read more →Plan and build your own garden room: timber frame vs. log cabin, floor plan, wall build-up, roof and foundation – with typical sizes, sections and costs.
Read more →Plan your patio roof: lean-to or freestanding, wall flashing, laminated glass vs polycarbonate sheets, timber sizes and drainage – with guide values.
Read more →Mortise and tenon, halving, birdsmouth or joist hanger? Compare traditional and modern timber joints, with typical sizes, costs and a decision guide.
Read more →Spruce, larch, Douglas fir, oak or pressure-treated? Compare durability classes, prices and uses for outdoor timber, with a handy table and price guide.
Read more →Pad foundations, strip footings, concrete slab or ground screws? Compare costs and frost depth, plus a step-by-step DIY guide to concrete post footings.
Read more →Protect outdoor timber by design: stop splashback and end-grain moisture, then compare wood stain, oil and paint – with realistic maintenance intervals.
Read more →Do you need planning permission for a carport, pergola or garden shed? Permitted development limits, boundary rules and size guides for the UK & Ireland.
Read more →Essential tool kit for timber projects: measuring, sawing, drilling and levelling – with budget guides, a sensible buying order and a hire-vs-buy checklist.
Read more →Compare flat, mono-pitch, gable and hip roofs for extensions and outbuildings: pros, cons, cost per m², minimum pitch per covering and best uses.
Read more →Timber structural basics for DIYers: dead, snow and wind loads, spans, deflection and rule-of-thumb beam sizes, plus when a structural engineer is a must.
Read more →How a log house is put together: forms from natural log to milled profile, the three cuts on every log (lateral groove, corner notch, sill), saddle notch and dovetail — and why a log wall settles.
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