Wooden gazebos are the most common type of small architectural forms. They are aesthetic, durable, and the material itself allows you to realize almost any fantasy..
Features and Benefits
Nowadays, gazebos have almost lost their original meaning. If earlier they were intended for secluded relaxation, quiet conversation (hence the name), now for the most part such buildings are used for feasts, get-togethers with friends or family..
Wooden gazebos will perfectly cope with both roles.. Whether it’s a monumental structure or a lightweight, portable structure, wood is suitable for any purpose. In addition to its natural decorativeness, this material is also distinguished by its durability – even without appropriate processing, wooden buildings will last for a rather long time. And covered with protective compounds, it will withstand temperature changes, humidity, and pest attacks.
Wooden arbors do not have a solid weight, as, for example, brick ones, so they do not require laying a full-fledged foundation. A base made of bricks, hemp, wooden beams, a platform filled with concrete will be an excellent alternative. Even just rammed earth will do the job..
As for the roof, here the low weight of the structure itself also plays an important role.. A massive roof is unlikely to be appropriate, of course, if we are not talking about a gazebo-house or a guest house. A lightweight, graceful design requires the same lightweight roof, and it’s not even a matter of the aesthetic perception of the entire building, but of safety. A bulky roof can simply collapse, breaking the structure itself and causing harm to the people who are there..
To avoid this, before starting construction, it is necessary to carry out thorough calculations of all loads, dimensions, and draw up a project where all these data will be indicated.
Views
Garden gazebos differ not only in the materials and sizes used in construction. There are such criteria as features of operation and functional load, design features, location on the site. All this must be taken into account before proceeding directly with the construction..
According to the features of operation and functional loads, the following types of arbors are distinguished:
- stationary – you can comfortably spend time in them in any season, in any weather conditions;
- portable (collapsible) – such gazebos can only be used in the summer, for the winter they are removed to a protected place.
The very design of the gazebo for a summer residence can be of several types.
- Closed. Such gazebos can rather be called small houses. They are suitable for use in any season, in any weather..
- Open. Unlike closed gazebos, they have no floor as such, no full-fledged walls, no doors, or windows. In such structures, walls are either absent, at all, or their role is played by light curtains fixed along the perimeter of the frame.
- Semi-open. In this version, the walls are glazed.
Among other things, summer cottages can either be located separately from the house itself, or adjoin one of its walls. The second option looks more like a terrace than a gazebo, but nevertheless it has its fans..
And also it is necessary to decide on the type of roof, base, materials from which both will be made, the stylistic design of the gazebo, its dimensions and interior decoration.
Overview of ready-made offers
Wooden conversation can be made to order, or you can buy a ready-made one. This design will save time and effort, and will also cost less. But it will not exactly match the individual characteristics of the site, it will not reflect the owner’s taste.
The estimate of typical structures includes the following items:
- a wooden beam with a size of 100×100 or 120×100 mm, from which the vertical supports of the frame are made;
- timber 50×50 or 60×60 mm – for vertical strapping;
- metal fasteners;
- hardware to connect the beams at an angle of ninety degrees;
- roof.
Such buildings do not differ in a wide choice of decorative solutions.. But they are much more affordable, and it will take a little time to build..
Most often, ready-made gazebos are rectangular in shape, they are open or half-open. They do not have a pronounced style direction, but thanks to such “facelessness” they will be able to fit into any area, in whatever style it is decorated.
It is easiest to install such structures on a flat surface. Surrounded by flowers, garden plants, shrubs, they will look quite harmonious, and their laconic design will not distract attention from the vegetation around the gazebo.
The interior decoration of such a gazebo can be almost anything, it all depends on the taste and imagination of the owners. However, it is unlikely that it is suitable for placing a barbecue or barbecue – they require special conditions, including a solid foundation. In addition, it is required to ensure fire safety, and typical buildings do not have all the properties necessary for this..
Self-built
Self-erecting a gazebo is an easy task. The main thing is to make careful calculations, choose the material, decide on the type, style, size and purpose of the future building. It is best to draw up a detailed plan that will include all the data.
You also need to decide on the location of the gazebo.. This can be a cozy corner in the back of the garden or an open area near the house. In the first case, an open or semi-open structure of a small size will look good. In the second, you can think about a spacious gazebo, perhaps even a gazebo-house, where you can relax at any time of the year.
Depending on the type and purpose of the structure, they choose the type of foundation, roof, material for both.
It is very important to think carefully and draw up a detailed plan, project of the future gazebo. You need to specify everything in it – from location and size to interior decoration and decor. You need to be especially careful at first. If there was no such experience before, then the understanding of how, what and when to do will come only by the end of the work, when the first – the most difficult – half will be done. Therefore, before you undertake anything, to take on something, you need to carefully calculate everything..
When calculating all values, it is better to take “with a margin” – a little more than required. Sawing off the excess is easier than closing the gaps left due to lack of material.
Choice of design
The style direction during the construction of the gazebo can be chosen almost any.
Several styles are most popular.
- Classic. It is distinguished by symmetry, proportionality, harmony, discreet luxury. Such a gazebo can have a 4 or 6-angle shape, 2, 4 or 6-pitched roof covered with tiles.
- Oriental. A gazebo made in this style has one central accent – the roof, which most often has a domed or some other unusual shape. Can be decorated with ornamental compositions. A prime example of an oriental-style gazebo is a Chinese pagoda or a minimalist building..
- Victorian. It combines features inherent in styles such as classic and country. Most often, wood is used to build a gazebo in this style, which can be painted white. Clear, symmetrical shapes, lattices in the design, a light palette of shades are the characteristic features of this style..
- Rustic. A distinctive feature of this trend is the use of rough, untreated wood. Tree trunks, driftwood, stumps – all this without the slightest processing – creates its own, special, unique atmosphere.
- Country style. Close to rustic, but in combination with the classics. Wood is the only acceptable material – processed, can be carved.
- Mediterranean. Here wood is harmoniously combined with stone or brick. The floor can be ceramic tiles or solid boards..
The tree will harmoniously fit into any style. The only exception may be hi-tech with its craving for metal surfaces. Even a loft – and that “tolerates” natural, natural wood.
Calculations
When building a gazebo – we are talking about stationary models – it is necessary to calculate not only the dimensions of the future structure, but also the loads to which it will be subjected. This is necessary in order to choose the right material, type of roof, determine the parameters of the building itself, and also decide whether you need a solid foundation, or you can get by with a simple foundation..
Snow load and wind load are the most important.. The building will be exposed to these two factors for a considerable amount of time, therefore it is necessary to ensure its stability, durability and safety..
The snow load differs depending on the region in which the construction is carried out. But in any case, both the type of roof and the rafter system must be calculated and installed in such a way that in the spring you do not find a gazebo destroyed under a pile of snow. A flat roof in this regard will be the most vulnerable – it will have to keep on itself the entire mass of snowfall..
A gable or hipped roof is safer. On inclined surfaces, snow will roll down under its own weight, and not accumulate on the roof, threatening to break it. This type of roof is the best choice, especially if you look after the building all the time and there is no way to remove the accumulated snow..
When choosing the shape of the gazebo, its dimensions play the main role. So, if the height of the building is 2.3 meters, and the radius is more than 3 meters, it can be given an octagonal shape. The hexagon will look heavy in this case, because the edges will be too wide..
Building instructions
When self-building a gazebo made of wood, first of all, you need to draw up a detailed plan, with all the necessary calculations and dimensions. Next – decide on the type of base. As a rule, if the gazebo is open or semi-open, the foundation as such is not needed. You can do with a brick, concrete or wooden base, or, in general, stop on densely rammed earth..
The next step is to erect walls or a frame. It takes into account the dimensions, shape of the future building, its purpose, style, type of construction and the loads that will be placed on it..
If the gazebo is collapsible or portable, the last item (load) can be skipped.
Next is the roof. It can be different both in shape, type, and in the materials used..
The material is selected, among other things, based on the style of the building.
- Ethnic. Here you can use shingles, reeds, straw. Such a solution will be cheaper and will look quite impressive, but you can not count on a long service life..
- If the shape of the roof is flat, you can use materials in rolls, for example, roofing felt. It does not look very aesthetically pleasing, but it will serve for quite a long time, and such material is inexpensive..
- For heavier construction, slate can be used. Its main advantage is its affordable price and durability..
- Corrugated board or metal tile is well suited. They are lightweight, undemanding to truss systems, they are easy to install, they are aesthetic and have a wide variety of colors. But these materials also have some drawbacks – they make noise in the rain and get very hot in the sun..
- You can use lightweight profiled material on a fabric base, impregnated with bitumen and sprinkled with basalt – euro slate or ondulin. It is moisture resistant, inexpensive and has good decorative properties. Among the shortcomings – fragility, fading in the sun, the possibility of overgrowing with moss.
- The most commonly used material is polycarbonate. It is affordable, lightweight, flexible, moisture resistant, but can melt.
- For gazebos with barbecue and barbecue, bituminous tiles are well suited. It does not burn, is lightweight, resistant to moisture and UV rays, does not rot, frost-resistant.
After installing the roof, you can think about the decorative design of the gazebo.
Beautiful examples for inspiration
When choosing a gazebo model, its decorative design, it is important to think about how it will look on the site. Design solutions, of course, attract the eye and look impressive, but often they require special placement conditions, in particular, a large free space.
Wooden gazebos are good because they allow you to choose the best option for almost any garden. Classic or rustic, Hawaiian or Old Russian – wood will be appropriate everywhere.
In a small garden with many flowers, a small classic or Victorian gazebo, hidden in the shade of plants, will organically look.
On a large free plot, you can place a Finnish barbecue house and arrange family gatherings in it at any time of the year.
But in any case, the tree will transfer its natural warmth, comfort to each building, and it will give peace, tranquility, joy from communication with nature..
For how to build a wooden gazebo with your own hands, see the next video.
