I have an 8′ x 12′ rustic gazebo with a hip roof that I am renovating. The roof is supported by 14 vertical cedar logs that are about 4″- 5″ in diameter with smaller cedar logs used to provide horizontal support between these vertical logs. A single 2′” x 4″ top plate rests on top of the logs to support the roof rafters. I have to replace some of the vertical logs since a couple had rot at the bottom and three were chewed at the top to 1″ in diameter by squirrels. I am replacing these cedar logs with new cedar logs that are 6″ to 7″ in diameter. I have been considering how to fasten the new cedar logs to the top plate. Because of the roof slope there isn’t enough room to nail the top plate to the log or use a long screw. One alternative would be to extend the width of the current top plate from 3.5″ to 7″ by adding a cedar 2 X 4 to the side of the current top plate. This would be done using a combination of 6″ screws and 3″ x 6″ tie plates. I then would have enough room to use screws to attach the added 2″ x 4″ to the vertical log. Another alternative would be to notch the cedar log at the top in an L shape so that the current top plate would rest on the log and the vertical notch would be on the inside of the gazebo and and screws could attach this notch to the side of the top plate. This alternative would probably be more work. I would appreciate any feedback on these alternatives, or other suggestions. Also, I was planning on attaching the bottom of the vertical logs to the deck with stainless steel screws.
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