Wooden well with a hinged lid and a branch handle No. 1

In short: Wooden well No. 1 is a round well surround made of vertical rounded slats, with a two-part lid, one side of which opens on hinges. A handle made of a natural branch helps to open the lid, and the top is decorated with a twig with a cut-out wooden leaf. The size and the finish are matched to your well and your yard.

What this wooden well looks like

The body of the well is round, made of vertical slats with rounded edges. They are set tightly side by side and form a solid cylinder that covers everything inside. From the side the well resembles an old wooden barrel or tub, so it looks cozy and traditional.

Slats set vertically have a practical benefit as well. Rainwater runs straight down them and does not linger on horizontal edges, so the walls dry faster. Rounded edges look softer than sharp corners and do not scratch hands if children are playing nearby.

On top sits a round lid made of boards. It is divided in the middle by a wider board whose two ends are finished with cut pointed edges, like the ridge of a roof. Two metal hinges are fitted on one side of the lid, so this part can be lifted to open the well. The handle is made of a curved natural branch: it is comfortable to grip, and at the same time it becomes a decoration.

On the other side of the lid a twig with a cut-out wooden leaf is fixed. It is a small but memorable detail that shows the product is made by hand and not stamped. The whole well is covered with a warm honey-colored finish that goes nicely with a green lawn and other wooden things in the yard.

The edge of the lid projects slightly beyond the body, so rainwater drips off it beside the slats and not onto them. It is a simple but useful solution that helps the walls stay dry longer.

In the photo the well stands on a simple base. It has no windlass with a bucket: it is a surround with a hinged lid, meant to cover and decorate the well.

What the photo shows

A short summary helps you quickly understand what the photo of this typical example shows and what it does not.

What a wooden well surround is for

On a Lithuanian farmstead the well has long been an important place in the yard: people came to it for water, and neighbors met there. Today water is often supplied by a pump, yet the well itself still stands in a visible place and can be beautiful and not merely functional.

On many farmsteads and in gardens the well is built of concrete rings. They are reliable, but gray concrete on a green lawn looks like a leftover from a building site. A wooden surround solves this problem: the concrete is hidden, and the well becomes an ornament of the yard.

A surround with a lid is useful in practice too:

• Safety. A closed lid reduces the danger of a playing child, a pet or a wild animal falling into the well.
• Cleanliness. The lid keeps leaves, twigs and dust from falling into the water.
• Convenience. When you need to get inside the well, for example to check the pump or the water level, it is enough to lift one half of the lid.
• Appearance. The well matches other wooden products, a gazebo, benches or a low fence, and the yard looks unified.

If children often play in the yard, it is worth discussing how the lid will be kept closed so that it cannot be opened by accident. It is a simple detail, but it gives parents more peace of mind.

A surround like this suits not only a working well. It can also be used to cover another well made of concrete rings or a shaft if they are in a visible place in the yard. You only need to find out beforehand what size of opening has to be covered.

What to measure before ordering a wooden well

Laukbaldis shows only typical examples, and the size is agreed with each customer. For the surround to fit exactly, get a few dimensions ready before calling:

• The outer diameter of the ring. Measure the top edge of the concrete ring at its widest point.
• The height above the ground. How far the ring projects above the lawn or the paving; the height of the body depends on it.
• What is nearby. Whether there is a pump or other equipment by the ring that would also need to be covered.
• Which side you will open from. It is most convenient when the opening half of the lid faces the path or the place from which you approach most often.

If a pump is installed in the well, discuss in advance where the pipes and the electric cable will run. Then openings for them can be provided during production and not cut later in the yard. It is also worth thinking about whether you will need to get to the well in winter: then it is important that the lid opens unobstructed by snow or nearby plants.

Think about the color too. In the photo the warm honey shade is seen, but the finish can be matched to the house, the fence or the gazebo.

If you want a different look for the well, see the other examples too: the log well No. 2, the well with a roof No. 3 and the well curb No. 4. You will find all the options in the section wooden wells.

How to match the well to your yard

A wooden well is seldom the only wooden accent in a yard. It looks best when there are other wooden details around it: a log low fence, a bridge over a ditch, flower planters or a bench. In the photo you can see a fragment of another log product next to the well, and together they look like a single ensemble.

If you are creating a unified style for the yard, also look at the section wooden bridges and fences. Low flowers can be planted around the well, or a strip of fine gravel laid; it helps rainwater run off the bottom slats faster and protects them from the dampness of the grass.

It is important to leave convenient access. Even if the well is mostly for beauty, you sometimes have to approach it with tools, so it is not worth planting dense bushes around it.

In the evening the well can be highlighted with a small lamp beside the path. Laukbaldis also makes lamps, so the lighting can be chosen in the same style. A soft light not only looks nice but also helps you avoid stumbling over the well in the dark.

Caring for a wooden well

The well stands outdoors all year round, so it is exposed to rain, snow and sun. The bottom ends of the slats and the top of the lid, on which leaves or snow can linger, get the most moisture.

• In spring inspect the surround and clean dirt off the lid.
• When the surface turns pale or becomes rough, renew the protective coating with a product meant for exterior wood.
• Once a year check the metal hinges and their screws; if the hinges squeak, oil them.
• In autumn sweep leaves off the lid, and in winter clear a thick layer of snow so that the weight of the snow does not load the hinges.
• Make sure the lower part of the body does not stand in a puddle; if water collects, raise the base or install drainage.

The branch handle is the part touched most often, so its coating is worth renewing together with the lid. If the branch looks dried out or grayish, it is enough to clean it and coat it with the same protective product as the whole well.

After rainy weeks, lift the lid now and then and let the well air out. That way less dampness collects under the lid, and the wooden parts dry faster from the inside.

If you spend a little time each year on care, the well will stay beautiful for a long time and the lid will open easily.

How to order well No. 1

UAB “Laukbaldis” has worked 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. 1. Give the measured diameter and height of the ring, tell us where the well stands and discuss the finish. If you can, photograph your current well and its surroundings; a photo helps us understand more quickly what solution is needed.

Only typical examples are shown on the website. Well No. 1 shows one possible solution, a round surround with a hinged lid and details of natural branches. The size, the finish and the small decorative details are discussed before production so that the product fits your well exactly.

Frequently asked questions

Is this surround suitable for a concrete well ring?

A surround like this is most often used to cover a concrete well ring. Since ring sizes differ, measure the outer diameter of your ring and its height above the ground before ordering.

Does the well have a windlass and a bucket?

No, in the photo there is no windlass or bucket: it is a surround with a hinged lid. If you are looking for a different solution, look at the other well examples and discuss them during the call.

How does the lid of the well open?

The lid consists of two parts, and two metal hinges are fitted on one of them. You lift this part by the handle made of a natural branch and reach the inside of the well.

How do I look after a wooden well?

In spring inspect the surround and renew the protective coating if needed. Oil the hinges once a year, and regularly clear leaves and snow off the lid.

Can I choose a different color for the finish?

Yes, the warm honey shade in the photo is only one option. The finish is agreed with each customer separately, so the color can be chosen to match the house, the fence or other items in the yard.

How do I order well No. 1?

Call us and quote product number 1. Tell us the diameter and the height of your ring and we will discuss the finish.