Building a Sukkah

[ushdadude]

I was thinking of building my own sukkah this year. Ideally it would be wood panels that are easily attached/detached that can be easily assembled and added to in future years. I have no building experience but am pretty handy. Anyone have any experience with this?

[aygart]

On a deck or free standing?

[ushdadude]

On a deck or free standing?

free standing

[aygart]

I built into a deck. I can tell you that the biggest cost is time and that you may be starting late already now.

[Joe4007]

I built into a deck. I can tell you that the biggest cost is time and that you may be starting late already now.

Are you serious? He's got more than a month. Unless he'll only do one screw per day...

[aygart]

Are you serious? He's got more than a month. Unless he'll only do one screw per day...

Did you ever do it? I am assuming that he is not spending his whole day on it. There is much more putting in screws involved that is much more tedious.

[Joe4007]

Did you ever do it? I am assuming that he is not spending his whole day on it. There is much more putting in screws involved that is much more tedious.

Yup, I make my own Sukkah. I think 2-3 Sunday's should be enough.

[moko]

Are you buying the panels or building the panels?  If you're buying them (which I suggest since the panels are drilled perfectly even and uniform - no numbering required) then assembly is fairly straightforward and easy.

[ushdadude]

Are you buying the panels or building the panels?  If you're buying them (which I suggest since the panels are drilled perfectly even and uniform - no numbering required) then assembly is fairly straightforward and easy.

I was planning on building but if I can buy at a reasonable cost I would consider it. Any leads?

[incendia]

I would go to home depot during the week after their mourning rush and asking them

I'd bring pictures to help explain what you're trying to do



But just spit balling here I would see if there is a three way joints that fit 2x3 or 2 x4  and attach panels to the side with nuts and bolts

If possible I'd make sure the area matches schach mats

[moko]

I was planning on building but if I can buy at a reasonable cost I would consider it. Any leads?

IIRC 3rd Ave Lumber and BP lumber charge $27 for a predrilled 2x8 panel (all holes are drilled both ways so each one can be a corner)

[ushdadude]

But just spit balling here I would see if there is a three way joints that fit 2x3 or 2 x4  and attach panels to the side with nuts and bolts

If possible I'd make sure the area matches schach mats

That's what I was thinking about doing. Why three way joint? For the corners? Any ideas on type of wood, thickness, etc?
Smart idea about the schach

[ushdadude]

IIRC 3rd Ave Lumber and BP lumber charge $27 for a predrilled 2x8 panel (all holes are drilled both ways so each one can be a corner)

I'm a little far from Brooklyn but I'll give them a call. Thanks
Although I got excited about building from scratch. Is it such a big undertaking?

[aygart]

Yup, I make my own Sukkah. I think 2-3 Sunday's should be enough.

there are 4 Sundays until Rosh Hashanah then tzom gedalia is a Sunday then one after Yom Kippur to assemble. If he didn't plan yet then he could lose this Sunday.

[ushdadude]

there are 4 Sundays until Rosh Hashanah then tzom gedalia is a Sunday then one after Yom Kippur to assemble. If he didn't plan yet then he could lose this Sunday.

I have enough time. (more than 4 days)

[moko]

I'm a little far from Brooklyn but I'll give them a call. Thanks
Although I got excited about building from scratch. Is it such a big undertaking?

usually when you do u it yourself the holes aren't perfect which forces to redrill every year or start the numbering game. When ever you change the size or shape you gotta do the holes again. These are drilled perfectly and are all interchangeable.  I've done both and the time and money involved in building panels yourself makes it hardly worth the effort.  I would compare it to doing an oil change yourself vs. a mechanic, even if you're fully qualified most of us dont have the equipment they have .

[incendia]

That's what I was thinking about doing. Why three way joint? For the corners? Any ideas on type of wood, thickness, etc?
Smart idea about the schach

I would try to to get big thin sheets, worst case scenario you could use plywood
 A 3way joint for corners, if they don't have that you could try to put two joists (spelling) but then you would probably have to use 4x4 posts which are heavy


You might consider this cheating but you could try to replicate this ( or just buy it)
http://www.sukkot.com/index.htm
You should look at the gallery for some ideas

[ushdadude]

I would try to to get big thin sheets, worst case scenario you could use plywood
 A 3way joint for corners, if they don't have that you could try to put two joists (spelling) but then you would probably have to use 4x4 posts which are heavy


You might consider this cheating but you could try to replicate this ( or just buy it)
http://www.sukkot.com/index.htm
You should look at the gallery for some ideas

That looks interesting. I would want to modify it to make it more mehudar and add a door.

[ushdadude]

usually when you do u it yourself the holes aren't perfect which forces to redrill every year or start the numbering game. When ever you change the size or shape you gotta do the holes again. These are drilled perfectly and are all interchangeable.  I've done both and the time and money involved in building panels yourself makes it hardly worth the effort.  I would compare it to doing an oil change yourself vs. a mechanic, even if you're fully qualified most of us dont have the equipment they have .

I think you're supposed to number even if the walls are interchangeable. The mishkan was like that.
It's not just about cost and ease. I like doing things myself. I tie my own tzitzis, make my own wicks on channuka. Obviously this is a whole other league but if it's not too crazy I would like to give it a try. If it really is a big deal than I would consider buying panels.

[henche]

My father did the following:

Boards
Take large boards as high as you want, and about 4 feet wide.
Make a "frame" of 2x4's around it.  You put the "2" side against the last 2 inches of each side of the board, and screw it together. This is done by lying the board on top of the 2x4's after you have laid them out in the correct shape on the ground.
Then add one more 2x4 to each board, crosswise in the middle between the others, to prevent torsion.
Then, drill holes through the 2x4's, through the "4" side, towards the top and bottom. You will put bolts through these to hold the boards to each other. (More probably, you will just screw them together because you will run out of time.)
You will need longer bolts for the corners, and to drill through the whole depth of the 2x4 (so going in the 2 side).

Top
You will then make beams to hold it together on top.  Take 2x4's, long enough to span the width. Attach brackets to the ends, and screw them into the opposite walls. This will both make the sukka sturdy, and also be  place to lay schach.  Use mats. You can even staple down screens (ask your LOR) to keep out buggies.

Door
You will cut out of one of the boards the size of the door you will buy. Buy a regular bathroom type door, that comes with a doorframe. You will need to make your 2x4 frame in a funny shape around the door frame.

Light
Buy outdoor lights, run a wire, and drill them into the boards.

Caulking
The better you coat it with polyurethane, the longer it will last before it is too warped to easily put up and down.

Long term
It will warp. You will get tired of taking it up and down. You will leave it up year round. If well constructed, it will last about 10 years.

Cost
Not cheap. The lumber will be expensive.