In short: Gazebo by the water No. 25-22 is a glazed wooden gazebo with a dark brown hip roof, built on the edge of a pond on a stone embankment. A wooden terrace runs along the front of the glass, and a narrow wooden pier leads across the water to the gazebo. The size, finishing and equipment are agreed with each customer individually.
A gazebo by the water, reached by a pier
What sets this example apart is less the gazebo itself than its location. The building stands almost on the water, on a promontory in a pond whose edges are reinforced with large field stones. A long wooden pier runs across the water from the left, so you reach the gazebo not across the lawn but over the water. The walk along the pier is already a small adventure and puts you in a relaxed mood.
The photo was taken in the evening, when the sky is overcast and the water is as smooth as a mirror. It reflects the gazebo, the stone embankment and the bushes along the shore. On the left you can see a green meadow with a log structure, farther away spruces and pines, and a stork’s nest on a tall post or tree. It is a typical view of a Lithuanian farmstead, in which the gazebo looks natural, as if it had always stood there.
A gazebo by the water is one of the favorite relaxation spots on a farmstead. The water cools you on a hot day, mist rises from it in the evening, and birds can be heard in the reeds along the shore. Sitting behind the glass, you see all of this up close, while the roof and walls protect you from rain and from the wind, which blows harder over open water than in the yard.
The rhythm of the day in such a gazebo is different from that at home. In the morning you can have coffee here and watch the mist rise from the water, in the afternoon you can hide from the heat, and in the evening you can sit down with friends and watch the sky reflected in the water. For anglers it is a handy base: your things stay dry under the roof, and the water is only a few steps away.
The stone embankment and the terrace above the water
The base of the gazebo is a promontory whose edges are built up from round field stones of various sizes. The stones protect the bank from washing away and hold the soil under the gazebo, and they also look decorative: the gray band of stones neatly separates the warm wood from the dark water.
The stones have one more useful property: they let water through well. When the pond level rises after a downpour, the water flows between the stones and does not wash out the soil under the gazebo. Over time, moss and shoreline plants also settle between the stones, so with the years the embankment looks more and more natural, as if it had formed by itself.
In front of the glass there is a wooden terrace made of boards laid crosswise. Its edge projects over the stones, so when you sit on the edge of the terrace the water is right under your feet. The terrace is not covered by a roof: it is meant for the sun, for a fishing rod or simply for sitting barefoot on a warm evening.
A young tree grows in front of the glass, right by the terrace. When it has grown, it will cast shade on the terrace and part of the glass, and the gazebo will blend even more into the shoreline vegetation. If you plan to plant trees near the gazebo, think about how big they will be in ten years so that the branches do not interfere with the roof.
The pier leading to the gazebo is made of boards laid on low supports almost at water level. Such a pier is simple but very practical: it shortens the way and keeps your feet dry. Laukbaldis also makes wooden bridges, so a pier or a small bridge can be discussed together with the gazebo. You will find examples in the section wooden bridges and fences.
Glass with a view of the pond
The front and the right side of the gazebo are almost entirely glazed. The sliding glass is set in dark frames, and wide wooden posts clad with honey-colored boards stand in the corners and in the middle. This solution creates a strong contrast: light wooden corners and dark panes of glass in which the sky is reflected.
Glass is especially useful by the water. The wind over a pond is often sharper, and in the evening dampness and mosquitoes rise. With the glass closed you can sit in peace and look at the water without these inconveniences. On a warm day, with the glass slid open, the gazebo opens up to the water and a fresh breeze blows through it.
The glass also lets you use the gazebo out of season. In early spring, when the pond is still cold, or in autumn, when the leaves fall, sitting by the water under the open sky is uncomfortable. A glazed gazebo lets you watch the seasons change by the water from a warm and dry place.
When choosing which way to face the glass, think about where the sun sets. If the largest panes look west across the water, sunsets will be the most impressive show of the evening in the gazebo. The closed sides are better turned toward the road, the outbuildings, or the direction the wind blows from most often.
Summary of the photo
The table lists the details that can be clearly seen in the photo.
| Feature | In the photo |
|---|---|
| Hip roof with dark brown tiles | Yes |
| Sliding glass | Yes, at the front and on the right |
| Closed wooden corners | Yes |
| Wooden terrace in front of the glass | Yes |
| Stone embankment under the gazebo | Yes |
| Wooden pier across the water | Yes |
| Columns with braces | No |
What to consider when building a gazebo by a pond
A place by the water is wonderful, but it has its own particularities. Before building, it is worth clarifying a few things:
- Firmness of the ground. The bank must be stable and protected from washing away. In this example a stone embankment is used for that.
- Fluctuations of the water level. In spring and after downpours the water rises, so the floor and the terrace must be above the highest water level.
- Safety. If small children visit the farmstead, think about railings along the pier and the edge of the terrace.
- Access. The gazebo will have to be delivered and installed, so discuss how it will be possible to get to the site.
- Permits. When building close to a body of water, it is worth finding out what requirements apply to shorelines.
It also matters how the gazebo will look when seen from the shore. In this example it stands a little apart from the meadow, so from the farmstead it looks like a separate island surrounded by water. Such a view becomes an accent of the farmstead in its own right, one that guests notice as soon as they arrive.
Laukbaldis shows only typical examples, so the size of the gazebo, the arrangement of the glass and the terrace are adapted to your site. If you are considering several options, also look at the gazebo for a farmstead by a pond No. 25-4 and the glazed gazebo at the edge of a pine forest No. 24-3. You will find all our work in the section wooden gazebos.
Protecting the wood when there is water all around
By the water the air is damper, more dew falls in the mornings, and mist envelops everything around. So the wood needs a little more attention here than in a dry yard. Every spring, inspect the terrace, the lower wall boards and the places where the wood touches stones or soil. If the coating has faded and water no longer beads into drops, it is time to renew it with a product made for exterior wood.
It is good when air circulates under the terrace and the floor, because then the boards dry quickly after rain or dew. Do not clog the gaps under the terrace with leaves or debris. It is also worth sweeping the pier regularly: slippery deposits can form on damp boards. If that happens, clean the boards with a brush and let them dry well, then renew the protective coating, so the surface stays clean and safe to walk on for longer.
Clean the tracks of the sliding glass of sand, pine needles and insects. After damp nights, air the gazebo so that condensation does not build up on the inside of the glass.
How to order gazebo No. 25-22
UAB “Laukbaldis” has been making wooden products since 1996 and, according to the company, was the first in Lithuania to start making this production. The company is based in Dapkiškių village, Tauragės district.
To order, call +370 687 25388 and quote No. 25-22. Tell us about your pond or other body of water: what the bank is like, how much space there is for the gazebo, and from which side you would like to see the water. If you have photos of the site, they will help a lot. Together we will discuss the size, the glass, the terrace and, if needed, a pier or small bridge.
You can furnish the gazebo right away, too. Laukbaldis makes solid oak garden furniture, built by experienced craftsmen, and the branches and the natural grain of the wood make every piece unique. You will find examples of tables and benches in the section oak garden and outdoor furniture.
Frequently asked questions
Can a gazebo be built right by the water?
Yes, if the bank is firm and protected from washing away. In this example the gazebo stands on a stone embankment, and the floor is raised above the water level.
Does Laukbaldis make piers and small bridges?
Yes, Laukbaldis also makes wooden bridges. A pier or small bridge for the gazebo can be discussed in the same conversation.
Why does a gazebo by a pond need glass?
Over water the wind is sharper, and in the evening dampness and mosquitoes rise. With the glass closed you can sit in peace, and on a warm day, with it slid open, the gazebo opens up to the water.
Does wood rot faster by the water?
There is more moisture by the water, so the wood needs to be inspected and maintained more carefully. It is important that air circulates under the floor and the terrace and that the protective coating is renewed on time.
Can a gazebo by the water be used in spring and autumn?
Yes, closed sliding glass blocks the wind and the dampness, and the roof protects from rain. So you can sit by the water even on cooler days, when an open shoreline would be uncomfortable.
How do I order gazebo No. 25-22?
Call us and quote No. 25-22. Tell us about your site by the water, and together we will discuss the size, the glass and the terrace.
