Well frame of small logs with a gable roof No. 4

In short: Well frame No. 4 is a rectangular wooden body made of small logs with projecting corners, set on concrete blocks. It is covered at the top with a gable boarded lid, and above it, on natural posts, rises a shingle roof. The size, height and finish are agreed with each customer separately.

A well frame on a lawn by a recreation area

In the photo the well stands on a wide mown lawn. Behind it you can see a large building with a reed roof and an arched window, a terrace with wooden cross-pattern railings, outdoor tables and umbrellas. On the left flower beds are blooming, and farther on a few small buildings can be seen. The sky is overcast, so the colors are calm, and the warm finish of the well stands out especially brightly.

An overcast day has its advantage as well: there are no harsh shadows, so all the details are easy to see, the ends of the small logs, the boards of the lid, the curves of the posts and the shingles of the roof. A photo like this helps you imagine the well in your own yard in any weather.

This setting shows that a well can be an accent not only of a private farmstead but also of a larger recreation place. Next to a building with a reed roof and a wooden terrace it looks natural: both structures draw on traditional Lithuanian architecture and natural materials.

The well is set apart from the building, in the middle of the lawn. A spot like this lets you see it from all sides, and plenty of free space remains around. On an open lawn the well becomes a bright landmark and a good place for photographs.

In the photo the well looks new: the finish is bright and even, and the logs are clean. This helps judge the shape and proportions well, which is exactly how the product looks right after installation.

A frame on concrete blocks

The body of the well, the frame, is laid of horizontal small logs. At the corners their ends project, so from the side you can see a vertical row of log ends, as at the corner of a log building. This gives the frame strength and a traditional character.

A well frame of small logs looks lighter than a frame of thick logs. It suits places where the well must not overshadow other structures but must still be visible. The thickness of the small logs and the number of rows can be chosen according to the height of the well ring.

The frame is rectangular, a little wider at the front than at the side. A shape like this is suitable when beneath the frame you need to cover not only the well ring but also equipment next to it, for example a pump or a pipe assembly. The exact shape is worth choosing according to what is under the frame.

The foundation is an important detail. Gray concrete blocks are placed under the corners of the frame, so the bottom small log does not touch the lawn. That way the wood dries faster after rain, and grass does not grow right next to the logs. The blocks also help the frame stand level even if the lawn is slightly uneven.

The height of the blocks determines how much the frame will rise above the lawn. Usually a small gap is enough so that air moves under the bottom small log and the well does not look suspended.

At the top the frame is covered with a gable lid of boards. Both of its sides slope from the middle ridge, so rainwater and snow run off to the sides. The edges of the lid project slightly beyond the frame, and its shape repeats the line of the roof.

A forked post, a crossbar and the structure of the roof

The roof is held up by two natural posts. The front post is expressive: its trunk forks around the middle, and both limbs rise upward and support the crossbar and the roof structure. The rear post is straighter. Both posts are peeled, and natural bends of the trunk can be seen on their surface.

The shape of natural posts is different every time, because it depends on the particular tree. A forked post gives the well liveliness and shows that the product is made by hand and not assembled from identical timbers.

A round crossbar is fixed between the posts. In traditional wells a chain with a bucket used to be wound on a windlass like this; in this photo they are not there, but the crossbar keeps the recognizable silhouette of a well.

The roof is a gable one and covered with wooden shingles. From below you can see its structure: several longitudinal beams and cross boards on which the covering rests. The edges of the roof project forward and to the sides, so the lid is protected from rain on all sides.

The whole well, the frame, the posts and the roof, is covered with the same warm finish in honey and orange shades. Because of this it looks unified and stands out clearly against the green lawn.

What we see in this example

The table lists what can be seen in the photo of this typical example.

A well at a recreation place or a guest house

The setting in the photo recalls a recreation or guest place: a terrace with tables, umbrellas, flower beds. In places like this a well plays several roles:

• An accent. It decorates the lawn and gives the surroundings the mood of a traditional Lithuanian farmstead.
• A landmark. It is easy to meet by the well, gather or take photographs.
• A cover. The frame hides the concrete well ring or other engineering equipment.
• A link of style. The shingle roof and the wood go with wooden terraces, gazebos and outdoor furniture.

In a private yard this well will look good too, especially if the plot is large and open. A frame with a roof placed in the middle of a lawn creates an accent that is often missing in a wide green space and gives it the coziness of a farmstead.

For guest houses, rural tourism farmsteads and other public places, safety is especially important. The lid of the well must be sturdy and closed so that children cannot open it by accident. This detail is worth discussing when you order.

The well goes nicely with outdoor furniture, tables and benches. If you are arranging a recreation place with a terrace, look in the section oak garden and outdoor furniture: there you will find tables with benches that match the style of the well.

Other wells exist too: the well with a roof and a log frame No. 3 stands in a paved yard by a gazebo, and the wooden well with a hinged lid No. 1 is simpler, without a roof. You will find all the options in the section wooden wells.

Care and safety of the well frame

The well frame stands outdoors all year round, so it is exposed to rain, snow and sun. A few tips that help it stay beautiful and safe for longer:

• In spring inspect the frame, especially the bottom small logs above the blocks, and renew the protective coating if needed with a product meant for exterior wood.
• When mowing the lawn, take care that the mower or trimmer does not hit the logs.
• Check that the blocks under the corners have not shifted and that the frame stands level.
• Sweep leaves off the roof and the lid, and in winter a thick layer of snow.
• Once per season check that the lid is firm and closes properly, especially if children play nearby.

It is worth leaving a narrow strip of gravel or pebbles around the blocks. It stops grass from overgrowing the bottom small logs, helps rainwater soak in faster, and the edge of the lawn is then easier to trim neatly.

A warm, bright finish outdoors fades with time. When the surface becomes dull or rough, it is time to renew the protective coating. A shingle roof gradually turns gray and takes on an antique shade, and small cracks in the small logs are typical of natural wood.

If a pump is installed in the well, discuss in advance where the pipes and the electric cable will run. It is better to provide openings for them during production than to cut them later in the yard.

How to order well No. 4

UAB “Laukbaldis” has made wooden products since 1996 and, as the company states, was the first in Lithuania to start making this production. The company is based in Dapkiškių village, Tauragės district.

Call +370 687 25388 and quote No. 4. Tell us which well or ring has to be covered, its diameter and its height above the ground, and discuss the shape of the frame, the size of the roof and the finish.

If a pump or other equipment must fit under the frame, measure its area too. It determines whether the frame will be square or rectangular, as in the photo.

If the well will stand in a public place, mention it during the call. Then we will discuss together how the lid is closed, the height of the roof and other details that matter when many people come up to the well.

Only typical examples are shown on the website. Well No. 4 shows one possible solution, a rectangular frame of small logs on blocks with a gable lid and a shingle roof, and the specific dimensions and finish are agreed before production.

Frequently asked questions

What are the concrete blocks under the frame for?

The blocks lift the frame off the lawn, so the bottom small log does not touch damp ground. They also help the frame stand level.

Can the well frame be rectangular?

Yes, in the photo the frame is a little wider at the front than at the side. A rectangular shape is convenient when you need to cover not only the ring but also equipment next to it.

What is the roof of the well covered with?

The roof is a gable one, covered with wooden shingles. It can be matched with the roofs of other structures in the yard.

Is such a well suitable for a guest house?

Yes, in the photo it stands by a building with a terrace and outdoor tables. In public places it is especially important that the lid is sturdy and reliably closed.

How do I look after a well frame?

In spring inspect the frame and renew the protective coating if needed. Check that the blocks have not shifted, and regularly sweep leaves and snow off the lid.

How do I order well No. 4?

Call us and quote product number 4. Tell us what size ring has to be covered and we will discuss the roof and the finish.