12 tips for choosing material for a summerhouse in the country

A gazebo is the comfort of tea parties and family dinners, noisy parties with barbecue and the opportunity to be alone with nature. A small building gives a lot of relaxation scenarios and allows you to spend time in the country. If there is no arbor on the site yet, then it's time to think about its construction. It’s easy to determine the size and location - it’s much harder to choose the right material for the gazebo in the country, because there are many options: from traditional wood and brick to improvised plastic bottles. An analysis of the features of each option will allow you to decide which one best suits your wishes.

No. 1. The main types of arbors for a summer residence

The main difference between all the arbors is the material from which they are made. Before we move on to the review of the most popular materials for the construction of gazebos, we will deal with the main differences in the design. Depending on the requirements for the gazebo and how to use it, it can be:

• open or closed. Open allows you to enjoy nature as much as possible, it consists of the roof and light walls, and they do not have to surround the pergola. A closed gazebo allows you to hide from the wind and rain behind solid walls;
• portable and stationary. A wide range of portable arbors can be found on sale in specialized stores. They can be of any design, serve as real. garden decoration, and light weight will make it possible, if necessary, to easily transfer such a design to another place;
• with or without barbecue. If you need a barbecue, the choice of materials for the gazebo must be approached with special responsibility, because the design must withstand the effects of high temperatures;
• purely functional or more decorative arbors. On sale you can find ready-made gazebos made in an unusual style. They are usually small, have a small number of places and are often not intended for organizing dinners there;
• round, square, octagonal, hexagonal and other, sometimes ornate and irregular forms;
• by material: wooden, metal, brick, polycarbonate and improvised materials.

No. 2. Wooden arbor in the country: the pros and cons

A tree for arranging a gazebo in nature is most suitable, because it is an environmentally friendly and completely safe material that will complement the natural landscape and successfully fit into design almost any suburban area.

The main advantages of a gazebo made of wood:

• plasticity and simplicity in processing. The tree allows you to realize a lot of ideas and create unusual shapes;
• light weight, which greatly simplifies installation and allows you to do lightweight the foundation;
• ability to maintain optimal microclimate. According to the reviews of the owners, even on a hot day in such a gazebo a little cooler, because the tree has low thermal conductivity;
• full environmental friendliness;
• low cost, especially since sometimes you don’t even have to buy building material, because old trees from the site can be used;
• universality. A gazebo with wooden walls will be a worthy decoration of any cottage.

Minuses:

• low resistance to moisture, fire and pests;
• the need for constant care as a consequence of the previous drawback. In order for the gazebo to retain its original appearance for as long as possible, it is necessary to regularly process the design antiseptics to protect against fungus and mold, flame retardants to improve fire safety, as well as special varnishes and impregnations;
• even after treatment with flame retardants, barbecue or barbecue in such a gazebo can not be set.

For the construction of arbors made of wood can be used rounded and non-rounded logs, planed and glued timber, massive board and thin wooden slats. The wood must be well dried, otherwise, cracking may occur during operation.

As for breedsthen for this purpose, as a rule, they use pine and larch. Larch is famous for its moisture resistance, pine is inferior to it in this parameter and in strength, but it is cheaper. Experienced summer residents are advised to use for the construction of arbors old trees growing on the plot and already outlived their age. They would still have to be cut and exported, but they can still be useful. Fruit wood has a beautiful pattern, and its branches often have interesting shapes. It is the branches that can be used to create walls, and the stumps will serve to organize the columnar foundation. A lot of options - the main thing is not to forget to treat the wood with protective agents.

No. 3. Metal arbor and art forging

Metal opens up to the summer residents no less than wood, a scope for creativity. For the gazebo, you can use a profile pipe, metal rods, sheets of metal or even openwork forging - the result, like the invested material resources, will differ.

Advantages of metal gazebos:

• high strength - blows and gusts of wind are not terrible for such a gazebo;
• durability, with proper care, is measured for decades;
• light welded arbors can even be placed without foundation directly on the ground or lawn, but heavier structures will require concrete or asphalt foundation, or foundation;
• huge opportunities in terms of design. From the metal you can create a gazebo of any shape and size, and it can be either the simplest or with ornate decorations.

Minuses:

• metal is very hot in the sun, so it is advisable to hide the gazebo in the shade of trees;
• susceptibility to corrosion, therefore it is necessary to regularly coat metal elements paints. Powder spraying behaves most reliably, but it will cost more than conventional painting, as it is performed in the factory.

Metal can be used in combination with polycarbonate or brick. The roof in metal arbors is made of metal tilespolycarbonate or slate.

Number 4. Brick pavilion

Gazebo from bricks Suitable for those who want to build a capital, reliable and durable structure. Especially by the way, this design will be on the site, where house facade trimmed brick.

Benefits:

• durability, strength, reliability, resistance to various negative environmental factors, such as high and low temperatures, humidity, corrosion;
• resistance to fire, so from a brick you can build a gazebo with barbecue or barbecue;
• from the brick you can build a capital gazebo, which can be used all year round, and even bring into it engineering Communication and insulate walls;
• a variety of material in color and shape, the ability to build from it arbors of any size and any level of complexity;
• environmental friendliness.

Minuses:

• a lot of weight, so it’s unlikely to do without arranging the foundation;
• considerable cost;
• the complexity of self-construction and the need to have basic building skills;
• the capitality of such a structure will not allow, if necessary, to move it to another place.

For the construction of the gazebo is better to take ceramic solid brick, which is characterized by high compressive strength, has low moisture absorption and is most resistant to temperature extremes.

To build a gazebo, you can use foam block, but since it loses to a brick by its external attractiveness, it is rarely used. It can be combined with other materials.

No. 5. Polycarbonate Arbor

Polycarbonate is used not only for the installation of fences, greenhouses and canopies - it can be used for the walls and roof of the gazebo, or walls that smoothly pass into the roof. Polycarbonate is enough flexible material, so with its help you can create arbors of interesting forms, but this is not the only material advantage among others, we also note:

• light weight and easy installation;
• resistance to fire, high humidity, mold;
• transparency, which means that in the gazebo it will be possible to use daylight 100%;
• good strength: such gazebo will withstand gusts of wind and a layer of snow, but you should not test its reliability once again - cracks can go from a strong blow;
• durability, up to 15 years.

Among cons called the ability to expand when exposed to high temperatures, but this drawback is offset by proper installation. Polycarbonate is sensitive to sunlight, so when choosing, make sure that the manufacturer accurately used the protective film.

As a rule, polycarbonate sheets are mounted on a frame from a metal profile, less often from a wooden beam. The latter option is less durable and more whimsical to care for.

No. 6. Plastic arbor for a summer residence

Aluminum-reinforced plastic is also used to create gazebos. Externally, the design resembles modern plastic windows and balconies, it is more difficult to organically fit into the natural landscape, but also pros such arbors have:

• ease of handling;
• resistance to moisture, sunlight, corrosion and microorganisms;
• high strength and durability, as the basis of the material is an aluminum profile;
• the ability to give plastic in any color and texture;
• the ability to use the gazebo in any weather.

Not without cons: emission of toxic substances during combustion, the ability to melt and deform under the influence of high temperatures.

Number 7. Fabric pavilion

Textiles can be used to equip a canopy or also to cover the sides of the gazebo. We use fabrics that are resistant to negative environmental factors, having an aesthetic appearance and providing ventilation for the space of the gazebo:

• acrylic waterproof fabric It is made of synthetic threads treated with moisture and dust repellents. Such a tent will not get wet, molt, fade, sag, there may be any shade and pattern;
• raincoat fabric - woven material obtained on the basis of polyester. The raincoat fabric perfectly repels water, almost does not absorb it, dries quickly, does not fade, it is easy to clean. The disadvantage is the limited choice of colors;
• mosquito net made of nylon or polyester is used together with the main fabric.

With the help of fabric, you can create a spectacular gazebo that will protect both from the sun and rain, while being light and mobile. Ideal for giving.

Number 8. Arbor made of plastic and glass bottles

If you show a little imagination and patience, then you can make a gazebo with your own hands from improvised materials, for example, plastic bottles. Each of them accumulates a lot: using the bottles repeatedly, the planet will be able to help and save. In addition, all work can be done independently.

Take a lot plastic bottles one size.The color can be the same or different if you plan to create a specific pattern. Bottles with a cut bottom are strung one after another on a metal rod or wooden beam, and then the finished elements of the required height are fixed on the frame. The latter can be made of wood or metal profiles.

There is another way. He suggests use bottles like bricks. They are filled with sand and used as masonry elements, cemented using cement mortar for bonding them. For reliability, it is better to lay a metal mesh between the rows, and since the smooth surface of the bottles does not adhere very well to the solution, it is better to hold the walls of the gazebo until it completely dries - a guarantee that nothing will float.

Glass bottles - This is more expensive material. During the construction of the gazebo, you can use bottles of different colors and shapes, so that the design will be very interesting and effective both outside and inside, especially in the light of the sun. Bottles are used as a regular brick, they are stacked in rows in a solution with the bottoms facing out. It is also desirable to strengthen the masonry with a reinforcing mesh and maintain until completely dry.

Since it is difficult to lay corners with glass bottles, round arbors are often erected from them, or they can be used in combination with more traditional materials.

No. 9. Arbor from a rod, cane or reed

Of the vines are usually made barriers for summer cottages, but it will also work for creating light openwork walls of the gazebo. Also for this purpose use reeds or reeds. Of the main the benefits such arbors are environmentally friendly, excellent appearance, excellent microclimate inside the structure. If you do all the work yourself, you can get by with minimal costs and use all your imagination to create the perfect gazebo.

On the other hand, it is not necessary to talk about the strength of such arbors: it is better not to place serious loads on the walls. The design can not boast of high durability, and in order to perform weaving, you need skills.

No. 10. "Live" arbor for a summer residence

Trees and shrubs growing on the site are the most affordable and at the same time the most time-consuming way to build a gazebo, but it will become a hotbed of coolness even on the hottest day. A “live” gazebo does not require the arrangement of a foundation, walls or roof - you only need to plant plants and provide regular care for them.

To create this kind of gazebo use willow, willow, mountain ash and other undersized, weeping, and dwarf plant species. They land in a circle and, as they grow, form in the right direction, i.e. to the center of the gazebo, creating a roof.

Of the benefits Such a decision is full environmental friendliness and naturalness, the ability to perfectly fit the gazebo into the landscape and even make it invisible. It will always be cool and cozy, and such gazebos are not common, so they will become the original decoration of the site.

Cons more: firstly, this is a constant care, consisting in watering, fertilizing and pruning, and secondly, not the heaviest rain will already become an obstacle to lunch in the fresh air. A "live" gazebo is an option for those who spend a lot of time in the country and are ready to wait until the structure "grows". Great alternative - use climbing plants (grapes, vine, ivy), which will entwine a metal frame.

No. 11. Cement mortar

This is an option for those who are not looking for easy ways. For the construction you will need reinforcement, mesh and cement mortar. A frame is created from the reinforcement, the shape of which can be absolutely any, a grid is attached to it and a thick cement mortar is applied in small portions to the base. To build a frame, you must be able to work with a welding machine - otherwise it is better to consult a specialist. The complexity of the construction is worth the result - in this way you can get pergolas bizarre shapes with numerous bends.

No. 12.Choose a place for the gazebo

Selecting the appropriate material for the gazebo is the basis, but you should also pay attention to the choice of place for the design. In this matter a lot depends on destination arbor: whether it will be used for a rare secluded holiday or will it become a permanent place for lunch and dinner. It depends on the definition of the main tasks whether it will be located in the depths of the summer cottage or near the house.

The gazebo, which stands in close proximity to the house, must fully meet his style, complement it. The design, located away from prying eyes, should not violate the natural landscape - no more requirements are put forward.

It is important that the gazebo opens as pleasant a view as possible. Take care of convenient approach, pave the track, and also provide protection against the wind from the leeward side with a fence, hedge or wall of the house.

Foundation for gazebo it is needed only when the structure is heavy enough, but even in these cases they are bypassed with simplified options, for example, strip, pile, columnar foundations. In rare cases, equip monolithic. If a foundation is not required, then as flooring in the gazebo lawn, soil or gravel can be used - these are the least waste and maximum naturalness, but when it rains, the soil turns into dirt. In order not to suffer from natural phenomena, you can equip the floor with ceramic or paving slabs, but it is better to give preference to opaque non-slip options. You can also use rubber tile, boards or stone. As the roof use tiles, polycarbonate, slate, ondulin and even reeds.

Do not forget about the opportunity to decorate the arbor with climbing plants and beautiful fabric curtains, and the interior decoration will depend entirely on the usage scenario: you can do a few comfortable chairs, but you can put big tablefollowed by the whole family.