Plan wood constructions, pergolas, carports & roof trusses

Hands-on guides to designing wood constructions in 3D yourself – free, right in your browser.

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How to Build a Pergola: DIY Guide, Timber Sizes & Costs

How to build a wooden pergola: step-by-step guide with dimensions, timber choice, footings, bracing and assembly order – plus realistic cost estimates.

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How to Plan a Carport: Size, Structure, Roof & Cost

Plan your own timber carport: guide values for parking-space size, post and purlin sizing, roof types, bracing, snow load and realistic DIY costs.

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Roof Frame Design: Rafter, Collar & Purlin Roofs Explained

Roof frame design for beginners: compare rafter, collar and purlin roofs — with roof pitches, timber sizes, birdsmouth joints and structural tips.

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Build Your Own Garden Room: Methods, Sizes & Costs

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.

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Planning a Patio Roof: Lean-To, Glass Roof & Timber Sizing

Plan your patio roof: lean-to or freestanding, wall flashing, laminated glass vs polycarbonate sheets, timber sizes and drainage – with guide values.

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Timber Joints Explained: Traditional vs Modern Connectors

Mortise and tenon, halving, birdsmouth or joist hanger? Compare traditional and modern timber joints, with typical sizes, costs and a decision guide.

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Best Timber for Outdoor Use: Larch, Douglas Fir, Oak & 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.

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Foundations for Timber Structures: Types, Frost Depth & Costs

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.

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Protecting Outdoor Timber: Design First, Chemicals Second

Protect outdoor timber by design: stop splashback and end-grain moisture, then compare wood stain, oil and paint – with realistic maintenance intervals.

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Planning Permission for a Carport, Pergola or Shed

Do you need planning permission for a carport, pergola or garden shed? Permitted development limits, boundary rules and size guides for the UK & Ireland.

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Essential Tools for Timber Projects: Kit List & Buying Order

Essential tool kit for timber projects: measuring, sawing, drilling and levelling – with budget guides, a sensible buying order and a hire-vs-buy checklist.

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Roof Types Compared: Flat, Mono-Pitch, Gable & Hip Roofs

Compare flat, mono-pitch, gable and hip roofs for extensions and outbuildings: pros, cons, cost per m², minimum pitch per covering and best uses.

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Timber Structural Basics: Loads, Spans & Beam Sizing

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.

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