Amish Country Gazebos Vinyl User manual

Vinyl
Gazebo-in-a-Box
Assembly Instructions
©2017
www.AmishGazebos.com
1-800-700-1777

Amish Country Gazebos
340 Hostetter Rd
Manheim, PA 17545
Customer Service Department Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm and
some Saturdays 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
(Eastern Standard Time)
1-800-700-1777 Ext. 4
www.AmishGazebos.com

Measuring Tape Utility Knife Clamps
Rubber Mallet Hammer Drill 8' Ladder
1
Amish Crafted Gazebos
VINYL Gazebo Assembly Manual
Please make sure the area where your gazebo is being installed is flat and level. If it is not level,
the roof rafters and the fascia boards may not fit as nicely as they will when your site is level.
This manual, detailing 17 straightforward steps for installing your gazebo, should be kept by your side during the
assembly process of your gazebo kit.
This manual is designed to give you the necessary guidance throughout each step of your gazebo assembly.
If you have questions regarding the content of your kit or installation of your gazebo, please contact our
Customer Service Department at 1-800-700-1777 Ext 4.
Hours of operation are Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm and some Saturdays 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (Eastern
Standard Time)
STEP 1. Gather the following tools to use for assembly of
your gazebo:
1
Step 1. Gather your tools ......................................................................................................... (Page 1)
Step 2. Floor dimensions table and site preparation information........................................... (Page 2)
Step 3. Install your deck (optional) .......................................................................................... (Page 3)
Step 4. Assemble the 7 handrail sections ................................................................................ (Page 4)
Step 5. Attach the 8 upper rail sections .................................................................................. (Page 5)
Step 6. Post preparation .......................................................................................................... (Page 6)
Step 7. Install all handrails ...................................................................................................... (Page 6)
Step 8. Install the 8 roof rafters .............................................................................................. (Page 7)
Step 9. Install the 8 fascia boards............................................................................................ (Page 8)
Step 10. Install the plywood roof panels ................................................................................... (Page 9)
Step 11. “Square” the gazebo and “toe-nail” the posts to your deck.................................... (Page 10)
Step 12. Installing the optional electrical package............................................................. (Page 11-12)
Step 13. Apply the shingles to your gazebo roof................................................................ (Page 13-14)
Step 14. Apply the ridge cap shingles................................................................................. (Page 15-16)
Step 15. Shingle and install the cupola............................................................................... (Page 17-18)
Step 16. Installing the screen package (optional)............................................................... (Page 19-20)
Step 17. Install the benches (optional) .................................................................................... (Page 21)

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2
CRUSHED STONE
1. Dig out 3”– 6” of ground.
2. Plant concrete blocks at each octagonal
point and in the center (9 blocks total).
3. The top of the blocks will be the
highest point of your foundation. All
blocks must be level with each other.
4. Place 3”– 4” of crushed stone around
the blocks and throughout the
foundation. Make sure non of the crushed
stone are higher than the blocks
3” to 6” depth
CONCRETE PAD
1. Dig out 4”– 5” of ground so it is
level all throughout its lowest point.
2. Temporarily plant wood forms
around the perimeter of your
gazebo foundation area.
3. Dig a 12”x12” continuous footing
around the perimeter of the pad.
4. Use rebar as needed.
5. Pour concrete throughout the base,
making sure all points of the top
are level.
Indicate the location of your gazebo foundation by doing the following:
1. Cut 8 boards at a 22.5˚ angle. Each should be the
length of dimension ‘C’ at their longest point.
2. Place the boards around the perimeter of the
site to be prepared for your gazebo.
Verify that the boards are positioned in an
octagonal shape by using dimensions ‘A’ and ‘B’.
3. Spray paint along the outside of the boards to
indicate the precise perimeter of your gazebo floor
and then remove the boards.
*Note: If you choose the concrete pad option, refer to the instructions in the bottom right
corner of this page.
Depth varies depending upon
soil conditions
12” x 12” continuous footing
4”– 5”
concrete pad
Note: The top of your concrete pad
should be 1” above grade
CONCRETE PYLONS
1. Dig 12” diameter holes at each octagonal
point and in the center (9 holes total).
2. Beginning at the ground’s highest point,
plant a 12” diameter Quick-Form tube.
3. Securely plant the remainder of the tubes
making sure the top of each is level with
the top of the first tube that you planted
in the ground.
4. Use rebar as needed.
5. Fill each tube with concrete and allow it
to cure before placing your gazebo deck.
6. Use metal L brackets to secure the gazebo
deck to the pylons.
FLOOR DIMENSIONS TABLE
Carefully consider the recommendations listed below prior to choosing the ideal foundation for your gazebo.
8 ft. 97 3/16"89 13/16"37 3/16"
10 ft. 12515/16" 1165/16" 483
/16"
12 ft. 144 1/8" 133 1/4" 55 3/16"
Size A B *C
These dimensions are ideal to use for your
foundation, whether you have a gazebo floor
or not.
12”x12” cement blocks 2” thick
Stretch a string around the
perimeter according to the
chart above. Place the blocks
against the string.
12” diameter concrete tubes
Stretch a string around the
perimeter according to the
chart above. Place the concrete
pylons against the string.
*When you cut the form
boards for your concrete pad,
make sure the short points of
each board are cut to the “C”
dimension. This will ensure
that your concrete pad is made
precisely to the dimensions
shown above.
Step 2. Site Preparation
It is most important to have a solid, at and level foundation for your gazebo.
CRUSHED STONE (to be used with a floor)
1. Dig out 3”– 6” of ground.
2. Plant concrete blocks at each octagonal point and in
the center (9 blocks total).
3. The top of the blocks will be the highest point of your foundation.
All blocks must be level with each other.
4. Place 3”– 4” of crushed stone around the blocks and throughout
the foundation. Make sure none of the crushed stone are higher
than the blocks.
3” to 6” depth
CONCRETE PAD (to be used with or without a floor)
1. Dig out 4”– 5” of ground so it is level all through
out its lowest point.
2. Temporarily plant wood forms around the perimeter
of your gazebo foundation area.
3. Dig a 12”x12” continuous footing around the
perimeter of the pad.
4. Use rebar as needed.
5. Pour concrete throughout the base, making sure
all points of the top are level.
12” x 12” continuous footing
4”– 5”
concrete pad
Note: The top of your concrete pad
should be 1” above grade
12”x12” cement blocks 2” thick
Stretch a string around the
perimeter according to the chart
above. Place the blocks against
the string.
*When you cut the form boards
for your concrete pad, make sure
the short points of each board are
cut to the “C” dimension. This
will ensure that your concrete
pad is made precisely to the
dimensions shown above.
Our kits with floors are designed to have all the floor joists in contact with crushed stone or concrete.
If you are installing on a deck or elevated surface please contact your designer, as each situation is site specific.

3Step 3. Install your deck (optional)
If you ordered a floor with your gazebo, you will have received 8 triangular shaped deck panels.
4. Now you can connect the
floor panels together using
2½” tan screws. Place one
screw on each side of the
floor joist at each opening.
5. After the entire floor is fastened together, put down the sixteen
floorboards that were removed earlier and the octagonal shaped floor
center piece then fasten them in place using 2½” tan screws.
3
1. Place each of the eight triangular shaped floor panels, next to each
other, on your foundation.
2. Place each floor panel on its side and
tap the underside of these floorboards to
remove them from the floor panel.
3. Then remove and discard the small nails from each floor board.
Note: Each floor panel has two boards that are
temporarily fastened with small nails.
Note: If you have a composite deck we have provided vinyl skirt
boards that get attached to the outside perimeter of your floor
joist. Fasten with 2½" white screws.

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Step 4. Assemble the 7 handrail sections
First locate the seven balusters that are 'crimped' at each end. While assembling the handrails,use one per section,
inserting it into the center hole in the handrail plate, making sure each end is properly 'snapped' into place.
NOTE: Depending on the size of your gazebo, the crimped baluster will not quite be centered.
4
1. Organize each handrail component as shown in this photo.
Handrail end cap
Handrail baluster
Handrail crimped baluster
Handrail plate
2. Next, fasten one end of each end cap to one of the
handrail plates with two 2 1/2" white screws in each end.
Then insert all of the balusters into the pin routed holes of
this plate.
4. Use a total of 8 – 2 1/2” white screws to assemble each of
your 7 handrail sections.
3. As you assemble the other end of your handrail section,
you need to simultaneously insert each baluster into place.

5Step 5. Assemble the 8 Upper Rail Sections
5
1. Organize each upper rail component as shown in this photo.
Upper rail plate
Upper rail end cap
Standard brace
2. Attach the upper rail end caps to the upper rail plate with 2½”
white screws
4. To finalize the assembly of your upper rail, center and attach
the upper end of the standard brace to the upper rail plate with
a 2" white screw.
Note: If you have the optional screen package do not install the
angled braces in the upper rail for the doorway only. You will
also need to cut the endcaps for this section. Cut them flush with
the bottom of the upper rail plate as shown on page 20.
3. Insert the standard
brace into the designated
cut outs and attach the
lower end of the standard
brace to the upper rail end
cap with 2” white screws.
*use 2” white screws for the assembly steps shown below.

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7
Step 6. Post preparation
Step 7. Install all handrails
2. Begin by installing the upper rail by
the doorway. Make certain that the high
point of the upper rail end cap is kept
approximately 1/8” below that of the high
point of the post.
3. Center and install all of the upper rails using
2 ½” white screws. When you are finished you
will need to back out the top screws a little bit
so you can insert the rafters.
6
1. Center and attach each of your handrails
to the posts using 2½” white screws.
Note: Make certain that the high
point of each post is facing in toward
the center of your gazebo.
Attach each of the post
base caps to the bottom
of each post using 2 ½”
white screws.
Install all Upper Rails

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Step 8. Install the 8 roof rafters
2. Repeat this process with a second
rafter that is placed directly across
from the first rafter.
3. Now lift these 2 rafters and ceiling
center block into place.
Secure the position of the rafters by
placing the notched portion of the
rafter over the post top.
1. Flush the top of the rafter with
the top of the ceiling center block
and attach the two together by
driving one 2½” white screw
through the rafter top and into
the ceiling center block.
4. Install the third and fourth rafters at a 90˚ angle from the first two rafters.
5. Now install the remaining four
rafters.
7. Lastly, drive a 2½” white screw
through each upper rail end cap and
into the post. Do this on both sides of
each post.
6. Next, using a step ladder, reach
to the roof peak and drive a 2½”
white screw through the remaining
rafter top and into the ceiling center
block.
7

9Step 9. Install the 8 fascia boards
Gather the 8 fascia boards.
Each board has two pre-drilled holes on both ends and a tapered cut along the top edge.
8
1. Manually place 2” white screws in each of the
four pre-drilled holes of one fascia board.
2. Then position the highest point of the tapered cut
evenly with the highest point of two rafters.
4. Neatly align the vertical joints of each fascia board
and repeat this assembly process for all eight boards.
Note: Sometimes you will need to back out the
screws a little bit before you attach the next
board. You can then retighten them when all the
boards are on. Only in extreme cases will you
need to cut the boards if they are still too long.
3. Next, center the fascia board on the two rafters
then drive the screws into the rafters.

10
Step 10. Install the plywood roof panels
Now your plywood roof panels can be attached to the roof rafters using the 2” tan screws.
Be sure to place the best side of the plywood down since this will be the ceiling of your gazebo.
1. Install the largest plywood panel first. Align the bottom edge of the
plywood with the outside edge of the fascia board.
The bottom corner points of the plywood should line up with the ends
of your fascia board.
2. Attach each bottom corner of the
plywood to a rafter with 2” tan screws
(1 screw into the left rafter and
1 screw into the right rafter).
3. Next, go to the center of the plywood panel where it
meets the fascia board.
Pull the fascia board out slightly in order to properly align it,
then drive one 2” tan screw through the plywood and into
the fascia board.
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5. Fasten each of these large plywood
panels to the rafters with 2” screws
spaced at 12”-16” on center.
4. Continue by installing each of the
eight large plywood panels around
the lower roof perimeter.
6. Then climb up onto the roof and
fasten the remaining plywood panels
into place.
Note: Only one screw is required per section to
connect the plywood to the fascia board.

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1. To confirm this, measure diagonally
from inside of one post to the inside of
the opposite post.
This needs to be done at four points to
include all eight posts.
Make sure the distance between each
post is the same to within ¼”.
Also, make sure the bottoms of the door
opening posts are the same distance
apart as the other posts.
Step 11. “Square” the gazebo and attach the posts to
your deck
You need to make certain that your gazebo is ‘square’ or truly octagonal in shape.
2. Now secure each post into place
using 4 screws per post.
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Note: If you are attaching your posts to a wood deck, you can use 2½” screws (provided) for this step.
If you are attaching your posts to concrete, you will need to purchase concrete screws
to secure your post bottoms to your foundation.

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Step 12. Installing the Optional Electrical Package
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3. Then drill a 7/16” hole, straight
out, completely through the center
of the post.
Note: If you ordered the optional screen package, make this mark on the screen retainer, and drill
the 7/16” hole, straight out, completely through the center of the screen retainer and post.
Note: If you have the optional benches, and you want the electrical package to be on the same post
as a bench support, you will need to cut 17” off the bottom of the electrical package trim strip,
making sure you do not cut the wiring. Then drill a 7/16” hole, straight out, completely through the
center of the post, approximately 2” above the top side of the bench support.
4. Also, drill a 7/16” hole, straight up, and completely through
the center of the rafter, where this post and rafter meet,
(on the inside of the gazebo).
5. Then, run the wires of the electrical package trim strip
through these holes, (The long wire at the top goes through
the rafter and the short wire goes through the lower hole)
and attach the trim strip to the inside of the post (centered)
with (10) 2” screws, through the pre-drilled holes.
(electrical package instructions continued on next page)
Note: If you ordered the optional screen package, install the screens and retainer
strips before you install the electrical package.
Note: If you ordered the optional benches, install them before the electrical package.
1. Choose the post on which to install the electrical package.
2. Measure 7 ½” up from the
bottom of the post (on the inside
of the gazebo) and make a mark.
The electrical package trim strip has approximately 2’ of wiring on the bottom end and approximately
9’ of wiring on the top end.
Note: (If you installed the optional screen package,
attach the electrical package trim strip to the screen
retainer).

12
(electrical package instructions continued)
7. Attach the other electrical boxes to the trim strip on the
inside, with 1” pan-head screws. Install the switch above
the duplex receptacle. (Make sure you do not hit the wiring
when you are fastening the electrical boxes).
8. After you have run the wire up through
the center of the rafter, lay the wire on
top of the rafter, on the plywood roof
panel joint, following the top of the
rafter, all the way to the peak of the
roof.
9. Measure down from the peak of the plywood roof,
approximately 2 ½”, and drill a 7/16” hole in the
plywood roof panel, where the rafters meet the ceiling
center block. The hole should be right beside the ceiling
center block and between two rafters. Run the wire
down through this hole, into the gazebo. (The ridge caps
will cover the wiring on the plywood.)
10. Now you can attach the fan or light to the ceiling center block, and
finish the electrical connections.
6. Attach the electrical junction box to the outside of the post,
(where the short wire comes out) with (2) 1” pan-head
screws. After you have finished all your other electrical
connections, you can connect your source of electricity,
inside this box.
Note: Make sure you do not puncture the wire when
you attach the ridge caps.
Note: When securing the cupola, make sure the screws
do not puncture this wire.

1. Using your starter shingles
Break the starter shingles in half (horizontally) along the perforated line thru the middle, to make 2 long strips.
2. Installing your starter shingles
With the tar strip facing up, and toward the edge
of your roof, you must extend your shingles out
¾” past the roof edge.
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Step 13. Architectural Shingle Installation
Nail the shingles to the plywood roof panels using the roofing nails that we have provided,
or if you use your own power nailer just make sure the nails do not protrude through the
underside of the plywood.
3. Attaching the starter shingles
Use four or five ¾” nails and place them along
the line parallel to and 2” above the roof edge.
Starter shingles should then be installed around
the entire perimeter of your gazebo roof.
Ridge Cap ShingleArchitectural ShingleStarter Shingle
Identifying your shingles
¾ Inch

Shingle application
4. Place the shingles flush at the bottom with the
starter shingle.
Note: You can also read the
instructions on the shingle package.
Note: Keep the end of each shingle
at least 4” from the end of the
shingle below it.
5. Attach with five 3⁄4” nails at the center line marked
on the shingle. Do not fasten below the white line
or your nail will be exposed.
8. Follow the same procedure for the remaining 7 sides
to complete your roof shingling.
7. Line up the bottom of the next shingle with the
architectural line on the shingle below.
6. Cut excess shingle off at the corner.
At least 4 inches
14

14
Step 14. Apply the ridgecap shingles
‘Make’ your ridge cap shingles by cutting a 3 tab shingle into three individual pieces.
15
1. Turn the shingle over to expose the reverse side. Then use a utility knife to cut each ridge cap piece.
Begin your cut at the manufactured cutout and cut at a slight angle toward the top of the shingle.
2. Place the first ridge cap shingle at the bottom edge of your roof ridge so that the black tar area
of the shingle is very near the roof edge. Ridge caps need to be centered over the roof seam.
3. Secure this shingle with one roofing nail on each side approximately 2” up from the roof edge.

4. With a sharp knife or shingle shears, cut the bottom of this first shingle along a line parallel to the roof edge.
5. Now place the second shingle directly on top of the first shingle that you installed and secure this shingle with
one roofing nail on each side.
6. Apply the remaining ridge cap shingles with a 5 5/8” exposure and secure each shingle with two roofing nails.
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Note: These nails should be placed directly over the black
tar portion of the shingle.