™ ™ ™ Projects for a strong and beautiful home
Inspiration at home PROJECT PLANS Look for the Project Plans icon. When you see it on a project page, it means there are project plans available at strongtie.com/diy. These plans will offer the instructions, lumber cut lists, connectors and fasteners needed to get the job done.
Strong-Tie DIY™ offers inspirational ideas to accentuate the beauty and improve the function of your home. Whether it’s organizing your garage, fixing a gate or building a backyard pavilion, Simpson Strong-Tie has creative solutions for building with style and strength. Let this guide inspire you to build projects that will enhance your living space. Entertain Rustic Bar.........................................8 Faux Barnwood Table......................10 Mobile Cooler..................................
decorative hardware Hex-Head Washer and Structural Wood Screws The Outdoor Accents hex-head washer provides the appearance of a bolted connection, but with an easier and faster installation. Combined with the Outdoor Accents structural wood screw, it gives you a structural loadrated solution. APA 90° Angles The APA angles can fix a chair or tie together beams and rafters for a patio cover or other shade structure.
Many of the inspirational outdoor projects throughout this guide were built using Simpson Strong-Tie® Outdoor Accents® decorative structural wood connectors and screws. To see the complete line of Outdoor Accents decorative hardware, visit strongtie.com/outdooraccents. APLH ConcealedFlange Light Joist Hanger APLH light hangers connect 2x joists to beams — perfect for that stylish patio cover you’ve been thinking about.
Entertain 6
Create an attractive and unique space for entertaining guests with distinctive furniture. 1 Rustic Bar....................................................................................... Inspired by the grand hotels of the Pacific Northwest 2 Faux Barnwood Table .................................................................... 10 A staple of American culture 3 Mobile Cooler .................................................................................
1 Rustic Bar 8 Entertain
Distress new lumber to create a rustic feel that pays homage to a bygone era. This bar is built with practical features and Outdoor Accents® decorative hardware to help today’s bartender entertain guests in style.
2 Faux Barnwood Table 10 Entertain
Recreating a rustic barnwood table look with affordable reclaimed lumber can be difficult. DIY expert Jaime Costiglio has solved this dilemma by creating a beautiful faux barnwood table with off-the-shelf lumber and Outdoor Accents® decorative hardware. Simpson Strong-Tie® HARDWARE NEEDED ••Outdoor Accents APA4 angles ••Outdoor Accents 3½" structural wood screws and hex-head washers PROJECT PLANS strongtie.com/diy DESIGNER Jaime Costiglio jaimecostiglio.
3 Mobile Cooler 12 Entertain
Create a stylish mobile cooler that will make your guests envy your ingenuity and style. Blending an off-the-shelf cooler with the right lumber and Outdoor Accents® decorative hardware, this piece exudes cool and provides ample storage.
4 Picnic Table 14 Entertain
Gather your family and friends to enjoy meals, games and togetherness as you sit at this impressive picnic table. Whether at the campground or in the backyard, this picnic table provides sturdy seating and plenty of surface space. Simpson Strong-Tie® HARDWARE NEEDED ••3" Strong-Drive® SDWS Framing screws ••8" Strong-Drive SDWS Timber screws PROJECT PLANS strongtie.
Relax 1 Party Pavilion.................................................................................. 18 Celebration and relaxation 2 Meadow Pergola .............................................................................. 20 Gathering place for a wider expanse 3 Floating Deck with Pergola ........................................................... 22 Elevate your backyard above the rest 4 Backyard Pergola ............................................................................
Build something extraordinary yet affordable that provides a practical place to kick back and an inspirational focal point for your outdoor living space. 6 Detached Patio Cover .................................................................... 28 Sturdy does it 7 Entertainer’s Patio Cover .............................................................. 30 Entertain with elegance and ease 8 Shade Arbor ....................................................................................
1 Party Pavilion 18 Relax
Create the undeniable centerpiece of your outdoor living space. This handsome pavilion offers a practical space for both special celebrations and daily sun protection.
2 Meadow Pergola 20 Relax
Transform your open space with a beautiful pergola that brings family and friends together, built with Outdoor Accents® decorative hardware to withstand earthquakes or high wind.
3 Floating Deck with Pergola 22 Relax
Elevate your perspective with a deck that sits just above ground. DIY expert Jen Woodhouse from The House of Wood skillfully designed this floating deck with an impressive pergola that offers shade during the day and casts atmospheric lighting in the evening. Simpson Strong-Tie® HARDWARE NEEDED Deck ••BCS2-2 /4Z post caps ••LUS28Z joist hangers ••H1 hurricane ties Pergola ••Outdoor Accents® connectors - APT6 T straps - APDJT2-6 deck joist ties - APDMW decorative washers PROJECT PLANS strongtie.
4 Backyard Pergola 24 Relax
Provide big benefits with this smaller wood pergola built with Outdoor Accents® decorative hardware. It offers a respite from the sun while furnishing the perfect place to read, eat or relax.
5 Attached Patio Cover 26 Relax
Relax, dine and enjoy lively get-togethers under this patio cover designed to provide comfort for all your al fresco gatherings. Building this cover with Outdoor Accents® code-listed connectors and fasteners will offer long-lasting strength and resistance to earthquakes and high winds.
6 Detached Patio Cover 28 Relax
Acquire more shade and expand your living area with this freestanding patio cover. Even detached from your home, this patio cover maintains structural strength and resistance to high winds and earthquakes.
7 Entertainer’s Patio Cover 30 Relax
Construct an entertainment and relaxation outdoor gathering space that family and friends will never want to leave with this stylish patio cover.
8 Shade Arbor 32 Relax
Suspend a hammock and get protection from the sun so you can kick back and unwind. Plant some climbing plants along the side and watch them grow.
9 Outdoor Living Room 34 Relax
Extend your living space with shade protection from a solid or slated roof. Patios come in all shapes and sizes, and so should the structures that provide their shade.
Organize 1 Workbench........................................................................................ 38 Customize your workspace to suit you 2 Heavy-Duty Shelving Unit ............................................................. 40 Give your heavy stuff a solid lift 3 Over-the-Car Shelving Unit ........................................................... 42 Create more storage space in your garage 4 Garden Tool Storage .......................................................................
Let these strong, modular storage units and workbenches do the heavy lifting. They’ll store and organize your outdoor gear and tools for frequent access. It’s easier than you think to declutter. 5 6 7 Sports Equipment Organizer ......................................................... 46 Organize all your gear Mudroom Bench .............................................................................. 48 Help messes stay in their place Log Holder ...........................................................
1 Workbench 38 Organize
Customize the size of this sturdy workbench easily to fit your space with 2x4 lumber and Rigid Tie® connectors. This workbench is strong, with abundant storage for equipment and tools, along with a wide surface area to create and build. Simpson Strong-Tie® HARDWARE NEEDED •• Rigid Tie® RTC2Z connectors •• CF-R shelf bracket •• #8 x 1¼" wafer-head screws PROJECT PLANS strongtie.
2 Heavy-Duty Shelving Unit 40 Organize
Build a shelving unit for your garage or basement in a cinch with 2x4 lumber and Simpson Strong-Tie® Rigid Tie® connectors. This sturdy unit is strong enough to support your heaviest boxes, and can be built to a variety of lengths to accommodate your specific needs. Simpson Strong-Tie® HARDWARE NEEDED •• Rigid Tie RTC2Z connectors •• #8 x 1¼" wafer-head screws •• #6 x 1¼" flat-head screws PROJECT PLANS strongtie.
3 Over-the-Car Shelving Unit 42 Organize
Make extra storage space in the garage regardless of the size of your vehicle. This nifty unit is perfect for storing the important, but infrequently accessed, holiday decorations. Simpson Strong-Tie® HARDWARE NEEDED •• Rigid Tie® RTC2Z connectors •• Rigid Tie RTA2Z connectors •• #8 x 1¼" wafer-head screws PROJECT PLANS strongtie.
4 Garden Tool Storage FPO 44 Organize
Focus on tending your garden, not searching for your tools, with this easy-to-build caddy that keeps your workspace tidy. Use Simpson Strong-Tie® Rigid Tie® connectors and either 2x3 or 2x4 lumber to maximize your space. Simpson Strong-Tie HARDWARE NEEDED •• Rigid Tie RTC2Z connectors •• #8 x 1 1/4" wafer-head screws •• FB24Z fence brackets PROJECT PLANS strongtie.
5 Sports Equipment Organizer 46 Organize
Make being late to practice a thing of the past. This sports organizer is easy to build and alleviates clutter. Simpson Strong-Tie® HARDWARE NEEDED •• Rigid Tie® RTC2Z connectors •• Rigid Tie RTU2 connectors •• #8 x 1¼" wafer-head screws PROJECT PLANS strongtie.
6 Mudroom Bench 48 Organize
Sit comfortably while removing your shoes or boots, as you stow them all in this mudroom bench that houses your outerwear without bringing the mess indoors.
7 Log Holder 50 Organize
Keep your firewood dry and tidy with this sturdy log holder that can be built in less than an hour so you can start stoking that fire. Simpson Strong-Tie HARDWARE NEEDED •• Rigid Tie RTC2Z connectors •• #9 x 1½" Strong-Drive® SD Connector screws PROJECT PLANS strongtie.
Grow 52
Construct stylish and functional structures that accent your yard and help grow something new. It’s well within reach with the right connectors and fasteners. 1 Chicken Coop.................................................................................... 54 Happy hens produce more eggs 2 Garden House................................................................................... 56 An oasis for blooms and butterflies 3 Lattice Arbor................................................................
1 Chicken Coop 54 Grow
Hear the roosters crow when they see all the happy hens in this modern chicken coop from DIY expert Jamison Rantz of Rogue Engineer. Your hens will feel right at home producing eggs for years in this cozy roosting space. Simpson Strong-Tie® HARDWARE NEEDED •• FB26 fence brackets •• FB24Z fence brackets •• A21 angles •• Rigid Tie® RTA2Z connectors •• 2½" Strong-Drive® SDWS Framing screws •• 1¼" Deck-Drive™ DSV Wood screws •• #9 x 1½" Strong-Drive SD Connector screws •• 0.
2 Garden House 56 Grow
Plant flowers, vegetables or herbs in this versatile garden house that offers a peaceful respite for migrating birds or butterflies.
3 Lattice Arbor 58 Grow
Grow climbing plants with this latticed garden arbor. Assembled with Outdoor Accents® connectors and fasteners, this beautiful arbor adds sophistication to your yard. Simpson Strong-Tie® HARDWARE NEEDED •• Outdoor Accents connectors - APA4 and APA21 angles - APDJT2-4 deck joist ties - APB44 post bases - APDMW decorative washers •• Outdoor Accents connector screws and hex-head washers •• 3½" and 5½" Strong-Drive® SDWS Timber screws PROJECT PLANS strongtie.
4 Rolling Planter Box 60 Grow
Roll this planter box around so your plants can follow the sun or shade as the seasons progress. Built by DIY expert Elisha Albretsen of Pneumatic Addict using common deck boards and Outdoor Accents® decorative hardware, this mobile planter gets you and your blooms moving. Simpson Strong-Tie® HARDWARE NEEDED ••Outdoor Accents APA21 angles ••Outdoor Accents 1½" connector screws ••2½" Deck-Drive™ DSV Wood screws PROJECT PLANS strongtie.com/diy DESIGNER Elisha Albretsen pneumaticaddict.
Mend Use Simpson Strong-Tie® connectors to repair a leaning fence or broken gate inexpensively and in no time at all. Easily make those wobbly posts, sagging gates and broken rails a problem of the past. 1 Fence Repair................................................................................... 63 Correct the tilt and secure your yard 2 Gate Repair..................................................................................... 64 Swing it easy without replacing 3 Deck Repair................
1 Fence Repair Replacing a fence can be difficult and expensive, so Simpson Strong-Tie offers a line of products designed to make reinforcing your existing fence posts easy and economical. Simpson Strong-Tie® HARDWARE SHOWN •• E-Z Mender™ •• E-Z Base™ •• A44 angles PROJECT PLANS strongtie.
2 Gate Repair Reinforce your gate to prevent it from leaning or sagging, which extends its effectiveness.
3 Deck Repair Have your deck evaluated by a building expert if it’s old or worn. Repair or retrofit an unsafe deck before it needs replacing with Simpson Strong-Tie® connectors and fasteners.
4 Furniture Repair Make your furniture sturdier than the day you bought it by repairing wobbly legs and arms with these angles and other products from Simpson Strong-Tie2-.
Customized Connectors It’s easy to add a unique dimension to your projects with just a splash of color on the connectors. 1. Use a rag and mineral spirits to remove oil and the bar code sticker from the connector. 2. Apply white vinegar with a rag or sponge to make the connector more receptive to paint. Rinse with water and dry thoroughly. 3. Use spray paint to coat the connectors.* Choose a paint appropriate for outdoor or indoor use.
Smart and stylish ways to improve your life. The possibilities for smart, strong and stylish projects are endless. Are you inspired by what you see in this book? Have you built another DIY project that you would like to share? We want to see it! Visit strongtie.com/diy or follow Simpson Strong-Tie on social media and show us what inspires you. Show us your projects. instagram.com/strongtie pinterest.com/strongtie facebook.com/strongtiediy Twitter/strongtie strongtie.
