In short: Gazebo with a skylight No. 26-9 is a polygonal log gazebo with a wooden shingle roof, in the front plane of which an arched skylight is set and the shingles around it are laid in a bold wave. The right side is closed by a log wall with a curved edge, the open part is held up by three differently shaped trunks, and a railing of crooked stakes is set between them. The size, finishing and equipment are agreed individually.
A gazebo with a skylight in an autumn oak grove
The photo was taken in late autumn. Old oaks grow around the gazebo, their leaves already brown and yellow, and some have fallen onto the lawn and the paving-block path. The sky is overcast and the light is soft, so the warm shades of the wood look especially rich – the gazebo seems to blend into the palette of autumn colors.
Oaks are among the finest trees to have beside a gazebo. They cast a broad shade in summer and turn coppery in autumn. In this photo the oak trunks frame the gazebo on both sides, so it looks as if it had been built in a park or a manor garden.
A paving-block path leads to the gazebo and comes right up to the open side. On the right, along the boundary of the plot, runs a brown board fence with curved tops, and beyond it you can see the neighbors’ garden. The whole setting is calm and tidy, with no superfluous details – the attention goes to the gazebo itself.
The curved tops of the fence and the curved edge of the log wall speak the same language. Even if the fence and the gazebo were built at different times, such repeated shapes join them into one whole.
In autumn the gazebo shows itself differently from summer. When there is less greenery in the garden, its shape, roof lines and trunk silhouettes can be seen better. It is a good chance to judge how the structure will look not only at summer parties but all year round.
A wave in the shingles: a skylight that draws the eye
The roof is made of several triangular planes meeting at the top, and each edge is covered by a wide board. The covering is wooden shingles laid in dense overlapping rows. But what draws the eye most is the front roof plane: an arched skylight is set into it, known as a dormer.
The shingles around the dormer are not cut off straight. They are laid so that a gentle wave forms above the skylight – the rows rise over the arch and drop again, as if the roof surface had moved. Such a solution takes the craftsmen’s skill, since every shingle has to lie in its place and at the same time keep the water out.
The dormer is not only decorative. Extra light comes into the gazebo through it, and the space under the roof is better ventilated. From inside the dormer looks like a small arch through which you can see the sky and the oak branches. It is especially pleasant when lying on the bench and looking up – the view recalls an old granary or cottage with a skylight.
The wide roof eave projects beyond the trunks and logs, and the ends of the rafters can be seen beneath it. The roof protects not only from rain but also from falling acorns and twigs, of which there is no shortage under oaks.
A log wall with a curved edge
On the right side the gazebo is closed by a wall of round logs. The logs are light, coated with a honey-colored finish, and crossed at the corners so that they project in neat rows. The most interesting detail of this wall is its edge by the open side. It is cut not straight but in a curved line, as if the wall had been cut out as an arch.
The curved edge of the wall repeats the shape of the dormer and softens the transition between the enclosed and open parts of the gazebo. Because of it the wall does not look like a harsh barrier, and the gazebo gains lightness and becomes more like the shapes of the trunks and branches around.
The log wall faces the fence and the neighbors’ plot. This is a sensible decision: the enclosed side protects privacy and holds back the wind, while the open side looks out on the yard and the oaks.
Inside, the log wall makes a cozy backdrop for the table. Those sitting can lean against warm wood, and the gaze naturally turns to the open side and the path. Such an arrangement makes the gazebo like an open room: there are “walls”, but no feeling of confinement.
If the wind on your plot usually blows from another side, the log wall can be placed there. More sides can also be enclosed if you want to use the gazebo in cooler seasons.
Three different trunks
The open side of the gazebo is held up by three natural trunks, each of them different. The left one forks higher up into two parts, and a small shelf is fixed between the branches. The central trunk is thick and bent like a bow, and it also has a small shelf. The right one is straighter and stands at the edge of the log wall. All are stripped of bark, sanded and coated with the same warm shade.
Between the columns, on both sides of the entrance, a railing of crooked stakes joined by horizontal crosspieces is installed. The tops of the stakes are at uneven heights, and their bends repeat the shapes of the trunks. Inside you can see a table with benches and a chair with X-shaped legs.
Three different trunks are not a flaw but a deliberate feature of these gazebos. Each tree grows in its own way, so the columns are never identical. It is just this variety that makes the gazebo alive: you can look at it for a long time and keep noticing new bends, knots or places where branches fork. Furniture with natural shapes, such as the chair with crossed legs, strengthens this impression further.
The table summarizes what can be clearly seen in the photo:
| Feature | In the photo |
|---|---|
| Arched skylight with wavy shingle covering | Yes |
| Wooden shingle roof with ridge boards | Yes |
| Log wall with a curved edge | Yes |
| Three different natural trunks | Yes, with small shelves |
| Railing of crooked stakes | Yes, on both sides of the entrance |
| Table, benches and a chair | Yes |
| Paving-block path to the entrance | Yes |
The path, the fence and the spot beneath the trees
This photo is a good example of how to settle a gazebo among old trees. The main thing is to leave enough room. The oak trunks stand nearby but not too close, and their branches rise high above the roof. That way the gazebo gets shade, but the roof does not rub against the branches.
When planning a gazebo under trees, it is worth considering:
- The height of the branches. Low branches can rub against the roof and drop a lot of leaves straight onto it.
- The roots. The foundation must be built so that it does not damage the tree roots and is firm.
- The amount of leaves. Under deciduous trees you will have to clean the roof and the floor more often in autumn.
- The path. A hard path, as in this photo, lets you come with dry feet in autumn too, when the lawn is wet.
- Privacy. An enclosed log wall next to the fence hides the interior from the neighbors.
A gazebo under old trees has a special mood. In summer it is cool in it even on the hottest day, and in autumn it becomes a cozy place to watch the leaves fall. With a warm blanket and a cup of tea you can sit in it even on an October evening.
In such a gazebo it is convenient to:
- gather the family for weekend lunch in the shade of the oaks;
- celebrate an autumn harvest festival or a birthday outdoors;
- read or work in the fresh air when the house is too noisy;
- watch the birds that like old trees.
Autumn and winter tasks
A gazebo among deciduous trees needs seasonal care, but the jobs are simple:
- In autumn regularly sweep the leaves off the floor and the roof, especially around the dormer, where they collect in the dips of the wave.
- Before winter, after carrying furniture under the roof or inside, check that the floor is dry.
- In winter after heavy snowfall clear the excess snow off the roof.
- In spring wash off the winter dirt and inspect the logs, the trunks and the floor; if the surface has faded or become rough, renew the protective coating.
Thin cracks may appear in natural trunks over time. This is a normal property of drying wood, but it is worth checking the places where the branches fork so that water does not stay in them.
How to order gazebo No. 26-9
The gazebo belongs to the Egle-5 series of Laukbaldis, but each one is made separately. Typical examples are shown on the website, and the size, the skylight, the amount of log walls, the roofing and the finish are agreed with the customer. For comparison, look at other similar works: the octagonal gazebo with a skylight No. 26-3, the gazebo with a bar and a log wall No. 26-15 and the gazebo in a pine forest with yellow logs No. 26-8. You will find all the examples in the section wooden gazebos, and wooden fences for the boundary of your plot in the section wooden fences and bridges.
Laukbaldis has been working since 1996 in Dapkiškių village, Tauragės district. Call +370 687 25388 and quote No. 26-9. You will discuss the size of the gazebo, the roof, the dormer, the furniture and the location on your plot. If the gazebo will stand under trees, have photos ready – it will be easier to assess the distances and the foundation. Oak furniture for the interior can be discussed at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
How is the wave around the skylight made?
The shingles around the dormer are laid so that their rows rise over the arch and drop again. This work takes skilled craftsmen, because the covering must stay watertight.
Can a gazebo be built under old trees?
Yes, if the branches rise high above the roof and the foundation does not damage the roots. In autumn the roof and the floor will have to be cleaned more often.
Why is the edge of the log wall curved?
The curved edge repeats the shape of the skylight and softens the transition between the enclosed and the open part. It is a decorative detail that can be discussed when you order.
Can I order it without a skylight?
Yes, the skylight is not required. The roof solution is discussed when you order.
How do I look after a roof with a dormer?
In autumn regularly clear off the leaves, especially in the dips of the wave around the dormer. In spring inspect the shingles and the ridge boards.
How do I order this gazebo?
Call us and quote the product number. You will discuss the size, the roof, the finish and the location on your plot.
