What types of gazebos are there?
The design of a gazebo for a summer house differs primarily in its construction. Popular options:
Open gazebo
This unusual gazebo has a second name: pergola. In fact, it is several pillars and a roof lying on top of the supporting piles. The pergola has a mesh roof – it lets in light, but does not protect from the rain at all. The roof of an open gazebo can also be covered, although due to the complete absence of walls, you should not expect reliable protection from the rain.
The main decoration of this type of building is climbing plants. Plant live fast-growing maiden grapes, ivy or hops and in a couple of summer months they will completely cover your gazebo. By the way, you can also make walls with the help of plants: install a net or tie threads from the ground to the roof and soon the vines will create an almost impenetrable covering.
Semi-open structure
A more protected classic structure with a roof and sides. The “walls” reach a meter in height, the open part is hung with curtains or “glazed” with plastic partitions. An open passage remains in front, the back wall is sometimes made solid. The roof is blind, sometimes equipped with a chimney.
Such gazebos for summer cottages are the most popular, but they, like the first type, do not have 100% protection from bad weather.
The photo shows a summer cottage gazebo with a roof
Closed gazebo
Outwardly, this is already a full-fledged house, protected from rain, wind and even snow, thanks to the presence of a roof, windows, doors.
Types of gazebos in this category:
- Summer kitchen. A full-fledged room equipped with a work and dining area. Usually, an oven or barbecue area is installed near it so that you can cook in one place.
- Grill house. It is made in the form of a circle or hexagon with a hearth in the center and a chimney above it. Without getting up from the table, you can easily grill shashlik, boil tea or make pilaf: the design often includes special rings for cauldrons or pots.
- Summer version of a closed gazebo: with panoramic sliding windows. In fact, the double-glazed windows are walls that can be easily opened on a fine day. And when it is raining or windy outside, the windows slide in and the space becomes closed.
Important! There should be a beautiful landscape around a fully glass gazebo, otherwise it will be uncomfortable to be inside.
The photo shows a closed wooden house
All summerhouse gazebos differ not only in design. The shapes of gazebos are:
- Rectangular, square. The most ergonomic, conveniently integrated into the landscape of a yard of a regular shape. It is easy to place a table and other necessary furniture inside.
- Round shape. The most aesthetic of the possible options, often stylized as an oriental, tropical or gothic style. Usually compact in size, a table is placed in the center, and built-in benches are placed along the sides.
- Hexagon. Almost the same as a circle, but a wooden gazebo, for example, is more convenient to make not rounded, but angular. It is available in the form of open pergolas, semi-open summerhouses for summer cottages and closed grill houses.
What materials can it be made of?
Traditionally, summer cottage gazebos are made of wood, metal, stone or brick, polycarbonate. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each material.
Wood
A wooden gazebo is a classic of the genre, because wood is an affordable and easy-to-process material.
Other advantages:
-
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natural origin – the structure will merge with nature;
- light weight compared to any other options;
- low cost;
- versatility – any ideas in various colors and styles — from rustic to modern.
Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages:
- requires additional treatment against fungus, pests, fire;
- the building needs regular maintenance;
- less durable compared to stone or metal.
The most suitable species are conifers: pine, larch, fir. Pine, by the way, is a record-holder in all respects: it is very cheap, but at the same time has high resistance to moisture.
Choose materials as desired: rounded or ordinary planed timber, boards, decorative slats, carved elements.
Metal
Since metal structures are mainly forged, elegant. They look incredibly beautiful. And in the hands of professionals, iron is even more flexible than wood.
Advantages of a metal summerhouse:
- strength, durability — will last for decades;
- large selection of shapes, sizes, decorations.
Disadvantages:
- a foundation is required for installation;
- complex processing, professional help is needed;
- high heat capacity: iron heats up in the sun and you can burn yourself;
- expensive anti-corrosion treatment is required.
Although summerhouses are usually forged, there are more budget options: made of profile pipes, sheets and other elements. The roof is made separately from special materials.
Important! Lightweight structures are placed directly on the ground and do not require pouring a foundation.
The photo shows a spacious wooden canopy
Stone, brick
Looking for an idea for a gazebo “for centuries”? Build it from brick, foam blocks or stones. All materials are used for building houses, so you can be sure of their thermal insulation properties and calmly build a grill house. Or, build a semi-open stone structure in addition to the main buildings on the site.
Brick, however, is built more often, so let’s consider the pros and cons of this material. Advantages:
- strength, durability – the service life of proper masonry is almost unlimited;
- resistance to temperature and humidity changes, corrosion, insects;
- fire resistance – suitable for placing a barbecue inside;
- ease of installation; wide design possibilities.
Advice! Red solid brick is more durable than white brick.
Disadvantages:
-
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the need to pour the foundation;
- relatively high cost;
- the inability to change the location at any time.
Polycarbonate
This relatively new material has become a favorite of many summer residents due to its advantages:
- low cost;
- flexible, opens up great possibilities for arrangement;
- easy to install;
- resistant to mold, mildew;
- transparent – sunlight will be able to freely penetrate the gazebo, no additional lighting will be required during daylight hours.
The disadvantages include:
- intolerance to heavy loads, for example, a thick layer of snow can cause cracks;
- change in size due to temperature changes.
Polycarbonate is used to make greenhouses and canopies, but it is also suitable for an open gazebo.
Advice! Mount the sheets on a metal frame, not a wooden one, so that the summerhouse for your summerhouse will last as long as possible.
The photo shows a beautiful forged structure
Where is the best place to place it?
One of the most important questions when building a gazebo for a summer house is where to install it? Some nuances are dictated by the materials used in production:
- wooden structures should not be placed in too swampy areas and near an open fire;
- metal ones are better hidden in the shade to avoid overheating of the frame;
- polycarbonate also does not like the sun, choose a bright place without direct rays.
The photo shows a base made of saw cuts
What else to consider when choosing a location on a dacha plot:
- Construction requirements. It is important to maintain these parameters, especially if the construction is to be legalized: at least 1 m from neighbors (with a barbecue – at least 5 m), 5 m from the sewer and water supply.
- Inappropriate neighborhood. It is unlikely that you will be pleased to smell the smells from your or your neighbor’s toilet, barn and other objects during dinner.
- Connecting utilities. If electricity and water are planned in the summerhouse, we advise you to evaluate in advance the possibility and ease of connecting them to the desired location: will you be able to lay them underground or will you have to pull the electricity by air?
- Light. Hiding in the shade on a hot day is pleasant, but in too remote and damp a place it will be uncomfortable. Choose the most neutral option, where it will be warm and not stuffy at the same time.
Advice! In families with children, a gazebo and a playground are installed nearby so that adults can watch the kids.
Don’t forget about the aesthetic component: a gazebo for a summer house is still a space for relaxation, so the view from it should be as beautiful as possible. It’s okay if your summer house doesn’t have a panoramic view of the sea or mountains.
Improve the territory of your garden so that you can admire the greenery: create multi-tiered flower beds, plant beautiful bushes or perennials, grow climbing plants, lay a lawn. If desired, you can set up an artificial decorative pond nearby – a small pond with duck figurines and beautiful lilies.
The photo shows the lattice walls of the gazebo
How to arrange the inside?
The main components of the gazebo: seating and a dining table. In general, this will be more than enough in a small house. If there is enough space, you can supplement it with less important details:
- A table for cooking. Cut a salad, string a shish kebab, put a samovar – the work area will make cooking more comfortable.
- Storage space. Open shelves, drawers under the bench, real kitchen cabinets – it is convenient to put the utensils that you use most often in them. Skewers, grates, cutting boards, plates.
The photo shows a roof in oriental style
- Grill. Often made inside: for example, in a grill house, the barbecue is located in the center, a table is made around it, and a bench is the third circle. In a square or rectangular gazebo, you can organize a separate place for cooking – with a barbecue, a work area, and storage boxes.
Important! If you plan to make a fire or cook on coals inside the structure, do not forget about the chimney. Without it, even in a semi-open structure there will be constant smoke.
- Heating. A fireplace or a potbelly stove will help out on a cold winter evening when you decide to gather friends in your closed country gazebo. With its help, you can quickly heat even a large area.
The photo shows modern outdoor furniture
How can you decorate it?
Returning again to aesthetics, let’s remember that it should be beautiful not only on the outside, but also on the inside. The most popular decor was, is and will be textiles. Fabric is an inexpensive, effective way to make any room more comfortable. Textiles are used in the form of:
- Pillows. It is hard to sit on a hard bench for a long time, so soft, comfortable pillows come to the rescue. They are used as a seat, back support. In order not to worry about their service life and not to bring them home every time after a get-together, sew pillowcases from waterproof outdoor fabric. The material does not fade in the sun, does not get wet, and is easy to clean – the pillows can remain outside all summer and nothing will happen to them.
- Curtains. Decorative tulle with drapery will turn an ordinary building into an original gazebo. But a more practical option is thick curtains made of tarpaulin or outdoor fabric on each side, which will help regulate the degree of illumination, protect from wind and even rain.
- Tablecloths. Many people underestimate the decoration of the table with fabric, but in vain: it is what sets the mood and adds coziness. It is advisable to use traditional fabric models rather than reliable, non-marking PVC — just choose easy-to-clean materials.
The photo shows bright cushions for the bench
In addition to fabric decorations, flowers in pots or vases are used. The most simple and laconic decor, which is never too much.
Hanging balls, decorative garlands also set the right mood, help to relax.
Don’t forget about kitchen utensils: a beautiful dish, teapot or samovar themselves perform a decorative function. The same applies to bunches of onions, garlic, chili peppers, bouquets of dried herbs suspended from the ceiling.
The last important element: light. A beautiful chandelier, sconce or floor lamp will complete the picture. To set a romantic mood, hang garlands or put candles.
The photo shows a stylish recreation area with a hammock
Original ideas
For those who like unusual solutions, the first thing to pay attention to is the shape: why not change it? Original gazebos reminiscent of oriental pagodas, dugouts, chalets, huts “on chicken legs” will become an accent of landscape design.
Another option is an unusual modern material. For example, glass. A completely glass garden gazebo on a frame looks surreal, but very stylish.
Another variation on the theme of interesting materials: recycling. Today, buildings are erected from plastic or glass bottles: why not save money in such an unusual way?
An option for lovers of the shabby chic style in the interior is a fabric tent on a wooden canopy. Pillows and blankets are thrown directly on the floor, a small table (up to 35 cm high) is installed in the center.
Important! To keep everything inside intact, make the tent closed, from waterproof fabric.
The photo shows an unusual structure for relaxation
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