Arbors from a log: advantages and disadvantages

Natural wood is rightfully recognized as an eternal material that will never go out of fashion and never cease to be desirable. A variety of items are made from such raw materials, from furniture to fences and decorative elements. Today we will talk about cozy arbours of logs and learn about their advantages and disadvantages.

Arbor is a simple and cozy design, which is often located in the country or a plot with a private house. Such facilities are not uncommon. The popularity of gazebos is easily explained by the fact that they can have a great rest or sit in a friendly company, despite the bad weather. As a rule, in such structures there is a roof that protects users from aggressive sunlight or precipitation.

Arbors are made of various materials. It can be laconic and painted in the favorite color of the metal, artistic forging with elegant weaves and ornaments or natural logs. The last options are used very often, since the log constructions look especially cozy and warm, and this is exactly what modern consumers are looking for in the gazebo.

Natural logs are ideal for making beautiful and most comfortable gazebo. The surrounding landscapes always look especially harmonious in combination with such facilities.

A distinctive feature of log gazebos is that they can be decorated with carved elements. Such additions can make the resulting structure truly fabulous and unique. If you do not like intricate design techniques, then the logs can be left without additional processing, and the gazebo will still look beautiful.

The construction of natural material can be given any shape. The arbor can be simple and round, or it can be a small rhombus or square with obtuse angles. In this matter, it all depends solely on the preferences of the owners of the site.

Pavilions built from natural logs have their strengths and weaknesses. You should read them carefully if you want to have such a structure on your site.

Let's start with the good - consider the advantages of log buildings.

• It should be noted the beautiful design of wooden arbors. With all its appearance, such designs demonstrate coziness and unity with nature. With the help of well-made facilities can transform the site and make it more hospitable.
• The log arbor will fit perfectly in almost any landscape design.
• Wooden arbors are environmentally friendly. Being surrounded by such a structure, you will not harm your health, because wood is a safe raw material, in which there are no hazardous chemical compounds.

• Log products "breathe" and maintain a sufficient level of ventilation; therefore, harmful bacteria do not multiply on their surface, resulting in the formation of fungi and mold.
• Many consumers say that log arbors have sound-absorbing characteristics.
• For the construction of such an arbor will not leave a lot of free time.The construction itself is not too complicated, so the home master can easily cope with it. Do not be afraid of working with wood - it is quite easy to handle yourself.
• As for the finishing of log gazebos, spending on them in this case is minimal. You only need to stock up on antiseptic dressings and natural mixtures that will protect the tree from adverse external factors.

There are plenty of pluses at wooden arbors. That is why they are so often chosen for the arrangement of land. However, such structures have their drawbacks.

• Above mentioned that for a wooden arbor you need to stock up on special antiseptics and protective compounds. Many people attribute this nuance to the flaws of log structures, since they need regular maintenance, which cannot be neglected. Additional impregnations are required so that the wood does not rot, crack, or become a home for parasites.
• Even with the quality of wood processing, it will still remain a fire hazardous material. It is not recommended to make fires or barbecues near the wooden gazebo, so as not to endanger yourself once again.
• The wood is not very difficult to grind, but to cut it with an ax is not an easy task. This process will take a lot of effort.

The arbor can be made of different types of logs. Let us consider them in more detail and get acquainted with their features.

Rounded bars are made on special woodworking machines. In the process of cylindering trunks acquire a standard diameter. Due to this, the logs are the same and do not differ from each other.

Gazebos are often built from round rounded logs. This is explained not only by the attractive appearance of such structures, but also by their durability, increased air exchange and low thermal conductivity.

For the construction of such structures you need to properly prepare a solid foundation. This results from the fact that the large rounded logs have considerable weight and demand the corresponding basis. The display of the logs themselves begins with the first crown, after which you can proceed directly to the installation of the walls of the gazebo. These works are carried out quite simply and for this you do not need to possess cunning skills.

For the construction of arbors often used a calibrated log. Such a building material has its pros and cons.

For such constructions, cylindered logs are machined along their entire length. This is necessary to obtain a specific diameter of parts. Working with similar elements is very easy, as they have the same dimensions.

For the preparation of high-quality calibrated timber are ideal:

• soft pine;
• dense spruce;
• oak;
• Linden;
• aspen.

Calibrated timber has a perfectly smooth surface and precisely measured dimensions. Thanks to such characteristics, not only compact arbors, but also entire private houses are easily built from this material.

Calibrated timber has many positive qualities.

• As a result of competent processing, high-quality calibrated lumber is obtained, which can be immediately used for the construction of an arbor. First, a special technique of cutting material, and then prepares the openings of joints and joints, if necessary.
• Buildings from a calibrated timber look so natural and attractive that more often they do not need to finish either inside or outside.
• The calibrated timber is often supplemented with a prepared profile that protects the natural material from moisture penetration. Thus, a good protection of logs against rotting and subsequent destruction is ensured.

• Such building materials are distinguished by low thermal conductivity. In arbors from the calibrated bar it will not be too cold even in the winter season.
• Designs of such logs have a small weight, which distinguishes them from heavy cylindrical variants. Due to this fact, the owners will be able to save money on pouring a solid foundation.
• The construction of an attractive gazebo from such raw materials will take not so much time and effort.

For the construction of pavilions also often used chopped logs. Such designs also do not require finishing, as they look very neat and natural.

Separately it is necessary to highlight the materials for hand-cutting. According to experts, the best time to cut logs is winter. It is necessary to choose the right trunks of trees - they should be about the same size and length. Immediately after the rolls, the bark is removed from the materials and the lock is manually prepared, which is necessary for the high-quality assembly of the log house.

Chopped gazebos are not only single, but two-story.Similar designs look much more interesting, and also provide the sufficient useful area. Many owners between the racks of the second floor set a comfortable hammock or a full frame structure. In such conditions it is especially pleasant to have a rest.

Of course, very attractive small size arbors are also obtained from chopped logs. The main thing that distinguishes such structures is the most natural appearance that will perfectly fit into almost any landscape composition.

Arbors can have the most different forms, therefore it is possible to build a suitable design for a site of any area. For example, for a compact area, an ideal solution would be a small wooden house with benches, having a square shape and dimensions of 3x3 m. It is possible to supplement such structures with two- or four-sided roofs.

Some owners of small plots use another interesting method - arrange a gazebo so that it adjoins the walls of the house and complements it with a brazier. Such solutions look no less attractive.

Square designs are often decorated with various decorative elements, such as gratings or carvings.If you want such an angular building to look more expressive, then you can use a combination of light and dark logs for building.

Beautiful rectangular gazebos are very popular. The sizes of such constructions are most often 3x6 m or 3x4 m. As you can see, rectangular variants are larger than square ones, therefore they are not recommended to be installed in conditions of too limited space. Such structures are also decorated with various elements of decor and appeal to a combination of different logs.

Also on the plots are often found spectacular hexagonal and octahedral wooden arbors. As a rule, these structures are quite compact due to their architectural form. Their dimensions are slightly smaller than that of square products, so such structures can be safely located even in a small area.

Today, designs with fancy shapes are in fashion. These gazebos are most often addressed by creative people who want to move away from the usual standards.These structures may resemble a large carriage, a forest mushroom with a large hat-roof, an inverted cone or a trapezoid. With the help of such gazebos you can refresh the site and make it more original, but their construction cannot be called simple and fast. In addition, such buildings cost the owners much more expensive, and more space is required.

If your site is very small, do not be upset. You can arrange on it a mini-gazebo, consisting of a minimum number of parts - a canopy and supports. In this design will also be able to comfortably fit several people.

Log arbors can have not only different forms, but also various designs.

• Open These simple gazebos have no windows or walls. They contain only fences of different heights and degrees of openness. Such designs are summer wooden pavilions, complemented by awnings. For open structures characteristic free air circulation.

• Closed. These gazebos are a miniature house with high-grade walls, windows and doors. You can use such a building as a wing for receiving guests.Some owners will equip in such spaces a comfortable summer kitchen.

• Semi-closed. Such designs consist of a two-three of walls and a canopy. Such structures are exclusively seasonal, although they do not penetrate rain and wind through ceilings.

The log arbor can be built independently.

For the installation work you will need:

• waterproofing;
• concrete mixer;
• hacksaw, nails, hammer, ax;
• mesh of reinforcement;
• spade;

• special rope for marking;
• mounting level;
• cement;
• rubble;
• seeded sand;
• formwork materials.

If you stocked up with all the necessary tools and materials, you can proceed directly to the construction of a log arbor.

Consider this process step by step:

• First you need to prepare a place to install an arbor. To do this, it is necessary to clear the required site and remove absolutely all rubbish from it, as well as weed vegetation, which can interfere with the construction process.
• After that, the plot must be leveled and make accurate markup.

• Then you can proceed to the manufacture of the foundation.Choosing the right design depends on the weight of the future design. There are three types of the base: tape, columnar, tiled.
• For the arrangement of the strip foundation, it is necessary to dig a trench based on the marked perimeter. As a rule, its width is 25-30 cm, and the recess depends on the depth of soil freezing.

• After that, the formwork is put, and a sand-crushed stone pad is poured into the trench.
• When the backfill is properly compacted, you can go directly to concreting and laying waterproofing.
• Pillar foundation is prepared quickly. In the corners of the future construction you need to dig holes, and then mount the formwork.
• Next, you need to fill the pits with a brick battle or rubble, and then pour the concrete. When the latter is completely dry, you can lay ruberoid for waterproofing.

• Tiled foundation is recommended to use if you plan to put an outdoor gazebo. To prepare it, it is necessary to remove the top layer of soil to a depth of 4 m. Then, in the resulting pit, you need to fill the rubble, lay the reinforcing mesh and pour all the concrete.

• After preparing the foundation, you can proceed to the construction of the gazebo walls. As a rule, they are mounted in a special way - “in the paw”. With this method, laying of overlappings takes a minimum of time and effort, but for this you need to have certain skills so that the logs lie flat and neat.
• For the construction of walls, it is necessary to mark the logs at the ends.
• You also need to make the correct basting of the tree, which has the smallest diameter of the upper part.
• Next, you need to make a competent markup on the first laid log.

• Logs need to handle four edges. One of them must pass through the entire workpiece and go outside.
• To cut the grooves, you need to make a sidebar with a visual division of the square into 8 separate elements.
• Lay logs should be exclusively horizontally. Always check the flatness of the surfaces during operation. To do this, use the building level.
• Vertical connection of elements must be made with the help of dowels.

• A year later (approximately) after the completion of the walling, complete shrinkage of the whole structure should occur and a caulker can be made.
• After that, proceed to the installation of the roof. To do this, you must use the rafter base. Details are connected to each other with special shkantov, representing the pegs of wood.
• Then, along the rafters, you need to crate and lay the roofing material.

The final stage of the construction of a wooden arbor is its finishing and processing. First of all, you should pay attention to the condition of the floor in the house. It must be protected from moisture and moisture, and if it also consists of wood, then it must be coated with varnish or wear-resistant paint (you can use a facade).

Arbor can have a very interesting and original design. For example, it is possible to cut out improvised windows of non-standard shapes and leave them unglazed. Such elements can be cross-cutting and occupy a little less than half of the floor area. Of these gazebos will be particularly attractive views.

Wooden arbors get a more complete and harmonious look, if complemented by such popular items as gratings. These elements can also be made of wood. They look especially attractive in combination with a tiled roof.

In the half-open light-filled pavilion with a high cone-shaped roof of a chocolate shade, you can organize a compact summer kitchen with a large brick stove equipped with a fireplace. A small round table and a couple of chairs should be placed opposite the unit. Such designs look very hospitable and expensive, despite the semi-open structure.

You can watch a master class on making a garden arbor in the next video.