In short: Octagonal gazebo No. 26-3 is a log gazebo with an eight-cornered plan, a wooden shingle roof and an arched skylight, the so-called dormer (little eye). The open side is held up by branching natural trunks, and between them is a winding low fence of crooked stakes. The back is closed with logs, there is room for a table with benches inside, and the size, finishing and equipment are agreed individually.
An octagonal gazebo in open country
In the photo the gazebo stands on a wide lawn beyond which fields stretch, with distant country houses and white fence posts with metal rails in view. There are no trees or other buildings around, so the gazebo can be seen from all sides and becomes the main accent of the landscape. It is a good example for a plot that has no shade yet and where you need a place protected from sun and wind.
The base is also easy to see: the floor is laid on an octagonal frame whose edge projects slightly beyond the columns and forms a low step. The octagonal plan makes the gazebo symmetrical, almost round from afar. A form like this recalls traditional country structures from a distance, and up close reveals many handmade details.
In an open place a gazebo is even more useful than in a garden under trees. There is nowhere else to hide from the midday sun, and in the evenings a cool wind blows in from the fields. The roof and the log wall at the back create a cozy space where you can stay all day.
On new plots, where trees are only being planted, a gazebo is often the first structure next to the house. It immediately gives the yard structure: paths, flower beds and plantings appear around it later, and after a few years the gazebo looks as if it had always stood here.
The dormer in a shingle roof
What sets this gazebo apart most is its roof. It is made up of eight triangular planes meeting at the peak, and each edge is covered by a wide wooden board. The covering is wooden shingles laid in dense rows. Their shade is darker, a warm brown, so the roof looks rich and contrasts well with the light trunks.
In the front plane of the roof there is an arched skylight, traditionally called a dormer (little eye). The shingles around it are laid in a gentle wave, as if the roof had raised an eyebrow. Through the dormer extra light enters the gazebo, and the air circulates better under the roof. Above all, though, the dormer gives the roof character: the gazebo seems to be looking out at the yard.
A skylight like this is an element of traditional Lithuanian wooden architecture, often seen on the shingle or thatched roofs of old cottages and granaries. In a gazebo it plays a similar role: it decorates, lets in light and ventilates.
Under the edge of the roof you can see rafter ends projecting beyond the beams. The wide eaves protect the columns and the edge of the floor from rain, so the wood under the roof stays dry longer.
A winding low fence of crooked stakes
The second striking feature of this gazebo is the low fence. It is made of vertical stakes that were chosen specially to be crooked, with bends and knots. Two horizontal, likewise crooked crossbars join the stakes together. On the left the low fence curves along with the sides of the octagon, and on the right it fills the gap between two columns.
A low fence like this looks playful and goes very well with the trunks. Not one part of it is straight, so the whole gazebo takes on the mood of a fairy-tale forest cottage. For children such a gazebo looks like a storybook house, and for adults like a country homestead where everything is made by hand.
Every stake has its own bend, yet together they form a rhythmic row held together by crossbars of equal height. So the low fence looks alive and natural and not chaotic, and it suits columns of the same character. It is a handmade detail that cannot be produced in series.
The columns are natural as well. On the left stands a trunk that forks at the top, with a short crossbar joining the branches. The trunk in the center divides into two at the top, forming a letter Y, and also has a crossbar. On the right is a thick, slightly curved trunk. All of them are peeled, sanded and coated with a light honey-colored layer, so the growth rings and knots stand out. The crossbars between the branches not only strengthen the structure but can also serve as small shelves for little things.
An eight-cornered plan: why it is convenient
An octagonal gazebo is one of the most popular types, and there are reasons for it:
- Room for the table. The table stands in the middle and the benches along the walls, so everyone sitting can see each other and nobody sits with their back to the others.
- A view in several directions. The open part spans several sides, so you see a wider view from the gazebo than from a rectangular one.
- A proportionate roof. Eight equal roof planes look harmonious from any side.
- Flexibility. You can choose how many sides to close with logs and how many to leave open with a low fence.
In this gazebo the back is closed with logs, and the open sides face the yard. Inside you can see a table with benches and a bench with a back. All this creates a cozy space for a family dinner or a chat with friends.
An octagonal gazebo also suits larger gatherings. At birthdays, christenings or summer parties a feast table can be set under its roof, and guests who do not fit inside will sit on the lawn around it. Day to day it becomes a quiet place for breakfast, afternoon coffee or a book, and for children a play corner sheltered from the sun.
If you plan to eat in the gazebo often, think about the table too. Laukbaldis makes solid oak outdoor furniture, so the table and benches can be fitted to the octagonal plan: a longer table in the center and benches along the log wall. That way the interior is used best and the furniture goes with the trunks and the low fence.
A summary of the photo
The table lists what is clearly visible in the photo. It is a typical example, so every detail can be changed.
| Feature | In the photo |
|---|---|
| Octagonal plan | Yes |
| Wooden shingle roof | Yes, in a darker shade |
| Arched skylight (dormer) | Yes |
| Branching trunks with crossbars | Yes |
| Winding stake low fence | Yes |
| Log wall at the back | Yes |
| Table and benches | Yes |
A gazebo in the open: wind, sun and care
When building a gazebo in an open place, a few things deserve attention. First is the wind. In fields it blows stronger than between houses, so the log wall is best turned toward the side the wind usually comes from. Second is the sun. The open part is worth aiming so that the sunset is visible in the evening, but the midday heat does not fall straight on the table.
Third is the base. The spot must be level and dry, and the floor raised above the ground so that air moves beneath it. If the plot is low or damp, the base is worth discussing by phone.
Fourth is the way to the gazebo. In an open lawn the grass stays wet for a long time after rain, so a path of tiles, stones or wood lets you use the gazebo in any weather. A few low lamps along the path will also come in handy in the evenings.
In an open place the wood gets more sun, so its surface may fade sooner. Every spring inspect the trunks, the low fence and the floor, and renew the protective coating when needed. A low fence of crooked stakes has many bends and joints, so they are worth checking more carefully. Remove leaves or twigs that the wind brings from the shingle roof, and make sure the edges of the dormer are clean, because debris collects there first.
Natural trunks may crack slightly as they dry. This is normal and usually does not harm the structure, but it is worth watching the places where branches fork and the upper ends so that water does not linger in them.
Ordering and similar works
The gazebo was made in the Laukbaldis “Egle-5” series, but the photo shows only one variant, so the size, roofing, skylight, shape of the low fence and finishing can be discussed individually. Before calling, think about how many people will usually sit at the table, how many sides you want to close with logs and where the gazebo will stand.
For comparison, look at other works of the same series too: the gazebo for a yard with a dark tile roof No. 26-2, the log gazebo by a pond No. 26 and the gazebo with a terrace and skylights No. 25-5. You will find all the gazebos in the section wooden gazebos, and the table and benches for the interior in the section oak garden and outdoor furniture.
Laukbaldis has operated since 1996 and, as the company states, was the first in Lithuania to start this kind of production. Call +370 687 25388 and quote No. 26-3. You will discuss the size of the gazebo, the roof, the dormer, the low fence, the furniture and the place on your plot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dormer in the roof of a gazebo?
It is an arched skylight around which the roof covering is laid in a gentle wave. It lets in extra light, helps ventilate the space under the roof and decorates the gazebo.
What is an octagonal gazebo convenient for?
The table stands in the middle and the benches along the walls, so everyone sitting can see each other. In addition, a wider view opens up from it in several directions.
Can I order it without a skylight?
Yes, the photo shows a typical example. The skylight and the other roof details are discussed when you order.
Is the low fence always made of crooked stakes?
No, the shape of the low fence is agreed individually. Crooked stakes give the gazebo a rustic, fairy-tale mood, but other options are possible too.
How many sides can be closed with logs?
That is decided according to your plot and the direction of the wind. In the photo the back is closed with logs and the front is left open.
How do I order this gazebo?
Call us and quote the product number. We will discuss the size, the finishing and the place for the gazebo.
