Self-Assembly Guide: Building Your Framed Building Step by Step
Framed Buildings · Self-Assembly
Self-Assembly Guide: Building Your Framed Building Step by Step
With the right kit, self-assembly of a framed building is more approachable than it sounds. Thanks to pre-cut mortise and tenon joints and a numbered assembly drawing, most frames go up in a single weekend. Here's what to expect, step by step, and the tools you'll need.
More about timber verandas
- Wooden verandas made to measure
- Oak framed veranda
- Douglas fir veranda
- Timber frame veranda kits
- Modern black veranda
- Luxury garden canopies
- Modern veranda
- Pool house
- Build a wooden shelter
- Building a shed
- Timber frame joints
- What does it cost?
- Planning permission
- Lifespan and maintenance
- Oak frame kits
- Oak garden buildings
- Luxury garden room
- Garden room with veranda
- Mortise and tenon
- Oak or Douglas fir
- Installing a veranda
- Projects with photos
- Price your veranda
Building a modern black or a classic veranda?
The steps below apply to both. What differs is the timber, the colour and the overall look. Choose the style first, then the size. Every veranda is made to measure, in whatever size you need.
| Feature | Modern black veranda | Classic veranda |
|---|---|---|
| Timber | Black Douglas fir | Oak (premium, higher price) or Douglas fir (better value) |
| Look | Clean lines, black frame | Natural timber colour, exposed frame |
| Joints | Mortise and tenon, half lap and dovetail | Mortise and tenon, half lap and dovetail |
| Size | Made to measure, any size | Made to measure, any size |
| Lead time, made to measure | About 8 weeks | About 8 weeks |
| Add later | Roof boarding, walls, glass sliding doors or steel doors | Roof boarding, walls, glass sliding doors or steel doors |
Building a modern black veranda
A modern veranda is made from black Douglas fir. The black frame suits new builds and clean, contemporary gardens, and works well with glass sliding doors or steel doors. A flat roof with an EPDM membrane suits this style. Douglas fir is a softwood and is not suitable for ground contact, so the posts stand on concrete pads; see step 1 and our page on veranda foundations. Browse the models under modern black veranda.
Building a classic veranda
A classic veranda is our premium range: generous in size, with an exposed frame, usually in oak and otherwise in Douglas fir. Oak is heavier and costs more; Douglas fir is better value. Solid oak can check and move a little as it dries, which is part of the material. Always use stainless steel screws with oak, as ordinary steel reacts with the tannins and leaves black stains. A pitched roof suits this style. Torn between the two timbers? Read oak or Douglas fir or have a look at the oak veranda.
Need it quicker and on a tighter budget? Our discount veranda is the budget range, with a lead time of about 3 weeks.
Tools You'll Need
A spirit level (ideally a laser level for setting foundations)
A rubber mallet and a sledgehammer
A cordless drill with bit holder
A spade, handsaw and circular saw
2 to 3 people with basic DIY experience
Self-Assembly in 6 Steps
1. Prepare the foundations
Dig a hole at least 40 cm deep for each post and level the concrete footings against each other with a spirit level or laser.
2. Erect the posts
Set the posts in place following the numbered assembly drawing, temporarily bracing each one.
3. Fit the wall plate and braces
Lower the wall plate onto the posts and drive the wooden dowels through the pre-cut mortise and tenon joints.
4. Fit the roof beams
Fit the numbered roof beams onto the wall plate, starting with the load-bearing beams.
5. Roof decking and covering
Fit the roof decking, then cover it with an EPDM membrane to prevent leaks.
6. Side walls (optional)
If needed, build the wall frame and fit the cladding horizontally, board by board from bottom to top.
Do You Offer Installation?
Hardwood Discount does not offer installation ourselves. If you'd rather not self-build, we recommend finding a local builder or landscaping contractor- and we're happy to put you in touch with a trusted professional on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does self-assembly take?
The frame usually goes up within a weekend with 2 to 3 people, depending on size and whether side walls are included.
Do I need DIY experience?
Basic DIY experience is enough. The numbered drawing and pre-cut joints make this manageable even for beginners.
Do you offer installation?
No, we don't install ourselves, but we're happy to connect you with a trusted local professional.
