In short: Wooden yard canopy No. 3 is a large open structure with a hip roof held up by profiled wooden columns with diagonal braces. Under the roof there is a spacious dry area that can be used for cars, celebrations, children’s play or farm machinery. The size, finishing and equipment are agreed with each customer individually.
A canopy in a farmstead yard
In the photo the canopy stands in a spacious farmstead yard. All around are a wide lawn and old deciduous trees, and farther away you can see fields, an old farm building and a play area for children with swings and a slide. There is plenty of room in a yard like this, so the canopy can be large without making the place feel cramped.
The canopy is completely open: it has not a single wall, so looking through it you can see the fields and the trees. That is its strength. The structure shelters a large area from rain and sun, yet it does not block the view or separate the parts of the yard from one another.
Under the roof a paved pad has been laid, whose edge is clearly separated from the lawn and in every direction extends slightly beyond the roof line. This leaves a clean, firm surface around the columns, and the lawn begins only beyond the edge of the pad. The photo clearly shows that the outline of the canopy and the shape of the paving form a single, neat area in the middle of the farmstead yard.
The roof is a wide, low hip roof covered with dark bitumen shingles. Its edge is bordered by a thick wooden bargeboard, and under the roof you can see a network of beams and braces. The low silhouette of the roof suits the rural setting: it does not rise above the trees and does not overshadow the old farmstead buildings. The wide roof overhangs additionally protect the columns from slanting rain, so the wood stays dry for longer.
The photo was taken on an overcast autumn day. Fallen leaves lie on the lawn and the paving, and a birch twig hangs over the roof. Even on such a gray day the light wood of the canopy looks warm and stands out against the dark greenery.
What the photo shows
This summary helps you quickly judge which solutions were used in the typical example.
| Feature | In the photo |
|---|---|
| Hip roof | Yes, dark bitumen shingle covering |
| Profiled wooden columns | Yes |
| Diagonal braces at every column | Yes |
| Walls | No, the canopy is open on all sides |
| Paved pad under the roof | Yes |
| Wooden flower boxes nearby | Yes |
The rhythm of the columns and the wooden details
The columns are the most striking detail of this canopy. Each one is carved from a thick timber, and on its surface you can see several narrowings and widenings that recall the posts of old porches. This shape softens the massive wood: from afar the columns look slimmer than they really are.
At the top of the columns, diagonal braces spread out to both sides. They support the roof beams and at the same time create a repeating pattern that is clearly visible in the photo: each column with its braces looks like a spread tree branch. When there are many such columns, the edge of the canopy looks rhythmic and neat.
All the wood is covered with a light, warm yellow coating. It emphasizes the pattern of the grain and goes well with the dark roof. The dark roof and the light columns create a contrast, so the canopy looks lighter even though it covers a large area.
The columns are placed around the whole perimeter of the roof, so the roof is supported evenly from all sides. The corner columns have braces in two directions, and the intermediate ones along the edge of the roof. This solution lets you cover a large area without putting columns in the middle of the canopy, so a continuous free space is left under the roof. That is especially important when you want to park several cars or set up long festive tables.
Profiled columns do not suit every yard, but on a farmstead, where old wooden or brick buildings stand nearby, they look natural. If your house is more modern, a variant with smoother columns of a simpler shape can also be discussed.
What a wooden yard canopy is useful for
A large open canopy is versatile: its purpose can change with the season and the needs of the family. On a farmstead, where there is plenty of space and plenty to do, such a canopy often becomes one of the most used structures in the yard.
- For cars and machinery. Under the roof you can park cars, a small tractor, a trailer or other equipment that needs protection from rain and snow.
- For celebrations. During birthdays, family gatherings or summer parties, long tables will fit under the roof, and the rain will not spoil the feast.
- For children. On a rainy day children can ride bicycles or play under the roof, while the nearby play area stays in view.
- For farm work. It is handy to bring firewood under the canopy before stacking it, dry herbs, tidy garden tools or raise seedlings.
In the photo, wooden flower boxes with plants stand between the columns and behind them. This shows that the canopy is seen here as a part of the yard that you want to decorate, and not as a technical pad. The flowers between the columns soften the border between the paving and the lawn.
An open canopy is well ventilated, so after rain the paving dries quickly and no dampness builds up under the roof. In summer the roof casts a large shadow, the coolest spot in a sunny yard. It is handy to put a chair here and watch the children play, or to rest after work in the garden.
A canopy or a gazebo: how they differ
At first glance a large open canopy may resemble a gazebo, but their purposes differ. A gazebo is usually built for relaxing: a table with benches stands in it, and sometimes it has a floor, railings or glass, and its size is suited to a group at a table. A canopy is simpler and wider: what matters most beneath it is free, level space that can be used in different ways.
A canopy has no raised floor, so you can drive a car into it, or wheel in a cart or a trailer. The paved base holds up wheels, is easy to sweep, and rainwater runs off it quickly. At the same time it is easy to turn a canopy into a place for a celebration: you only need to carry out tables and chairs.
Some customers choose both structures: a gazebo for relaxing in the garden, and a canopy closer to the house or the farm buildings. In that case it is worth matching their roof coverings and the color of the wood so that the yard looks unified.
Planning: size, place and foundation
Laukbaldis shows only typical examples, so the size and shape of the canopy are agreed according to your yard. Before calling, it is worth thinking about what the canopy will be used for most often. If cars matter most, you need to plan the directions of entry and the gaps between the columns. If the canopy is meant for celebrations, it matters more how many people need to fit at the tables.
When choosing a place, pay attention to these things:
- the base must be level and dry: in the photo the canopy stands on a paved pad that extends slightly beyond the edges of the roof;
- under large trees leaves and twigs will fall on the roof, so you will have to clean it more often;
- if the canopy will also be used for relaxing, it is worth putting it where the nicest view opens up;
- a convenient path or driveway should lead to the canopy so that it can be used in any weather.
A very similar solution next to a residential house is shown by the wooden carport for cars No. 2. If you also need an enclosed room next to the canopy, look at the carport with a storage shed No. 1 or the carport for several cars with a storage shed No. 10. You will find all the examples in the section wooden storage sheds, garages and shelters, and wooden gazebos will also suit relaxing under a roof.
Care and ordering
An open canopy is easy to look after. Every spring inspect the bottoms of the columns, where moisture lingers longest, and the coating of the wood on the south side, which is most exposed to the sun. If you notice that the coating has turned pale or the surface has become rough, renew it with a product meant for exterior wood. In autumn remove leaves from the roof and the paving, and in winter do not let a thick layer of snow build up on the roof.
UAB “Laukbaldis” has worked since 1996 and makes wooden yard structures, gazebos, saunas and oak outdoor furniture. Call +370 687 25388 and quote No. 3. During the call you will discuss what size of canopy you need, what it will be used for, what shape of columns and what color of roof suit you. If you have photos of your yard or a plan, get them ready: that will help us find a suitable solution faster. Only typical examples are shown on the website, so the canopy is made to the agreed dimensions and the particulars of your yard.
Frequently asked questions
Is this canopy suitable for cars?
Yes, you can park cars or other machinery under the roof. The placement of the columns and the gaps between them are worth discussing when you order, so that driving in is convenient.
Can the canopy be used for celebrations?
Yes, the large roof protects from rain and sun, so tables and guests will fit beneath it. The size of the canopy is agreed individually according to how much room you need.
Can walls be added to the canopy?
In the photo the canopy is open on all sides. Whether one or several sides will be closed can be discussed when you order, because the size, finishing and equipment of the product are agreed individually.
What columns are seen in the photo?
The photo shows profiled wooden columns with carved narrowings and diagonal braces at the top. The shape of the columns can be discussed when you order.
How do I look after an open wooden canopy?
Every year inspect the bottoms of the columns and the coating of the wood, and recoat the places that have turned pale. In autumn remove leaves from the roof, and in winter do not let a thick layer of snow build up.
How do I order this canopy?
Call us and quote product number 3. We will discuss the size of the canopy, its purpose, the shape of the columns, the color of the roof and the place in your yard.
