Stone gazebos and rotundas. What is a rotunda? We invite you to familiarize yourself with the price list for a granite border with a radius shape.

A rotunda on a personal plot will not only be an excellent place to relax in the fresh air, but also a source of pride for the owner who built it. The most common material for building a rotunda is brick, but it is a heavy and cold material, so it will not fit into every site design. It will be much easier to build a rotunda from wood, besides, wood is an environmentally friendly material and does not require long cladding work. The rotunda can be any size, but usually it is made with a diameter of about three meters and a height of 2.5 meters. The best materials for building a rotunda will be pine, ash or oak. These types of trees are easy to process, they are durable and strong. Before construction, the boards must be treated with an antiseptic.

In the construction of any structure, the first step is to build the foundation. Any type of foundation can be made under the rotunda. The most economical option would be a columnar foundation with a pillar width of at least 30 cm. Supports (iron or wooden pillars) must be poured into the foundation.

After the concrete has completely hardened, the posts are sheathed with boards; the walls can be sewn up to the full height, but walls sewn up halfway will look much more interesting; above them you can hang a net for climbing plants.
The roof over the rotunda can be made into a classic gable roof, but it would be much better to make a domed roof covered with tiles. The rotunda can also be covered with a roof of four triangles; such a roof will be appropriate; building a rafter system will take less time and effort than building a dome.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, rotunda gazebos were present in many noble estates. They still amaze with their beauty and sophistication. Today, the rotunda gazebo is back in fashion.

The rotunda gazebo is a building located on several columns and having a dome-shaped roof. Many famous world architectural creations are made in the form of a rotunda. Currently, gazebos with this architectural form can often be found on personal plots. Various building materials are used for their construction. In this case, one of the selection criteria is the unity of style with the house and the entire surrounding area. The most optimal place for its location is a part of the garden hidden from prying eyes. In this case, the rotunda will become a wonderful retreat for spending time with your loved ones and guests.

Choosing material for a rotunda gazebo

Wood is a beautiful natural material for a rotunda. It will create a cozy atmosphere and add special warmth. The choice of wood for construction depends on the financial capabilities of the owner. The most optimal combination of quality and price is a pine rotunda. The structure of a tree growing on a hill, and not in a swampy area, is durable. Pine is quite common, and at the request of the customer, logs of various diameters can be used.
Deciduous trees are also suitable for building a rotunda and give it a majestic and presentable appearance. Oak crowns serve as an excellent base for many years. The upper part of the gazebo is made from less expensive types of trees - maple, ash, birch. Depending on the customer’s wishes, the rotunda can be made from hand-cut logs or rounded logs. At the same time, all wooden components of the rotunda are treated with the necessary compounds to maintain the appearance in an unchanged condition for a long time. Other materials are also used to build a rotunda: concrete, brick and others.

Laying the foundation for the rotunda gazebo

The initial stage of building a rotunda gazebo with your own hands is the construction of the foundation. For this building, a columnar foundation will be sufficient. Depending on the nature of the terrain, the depth of the foundation is also different. The main thing is to install the load-bearing pillars strictly vertically to the freezing level. To make the structure more reliable and to protect the lower crowns from moisture, the foundation is raised 30 cm above ground level. In this case, the pillars must be the same in length so that the shrinkage is uniform and the structure does not sag.

Construction of the walls and roof of the rotunda gazebo

Depending on the style and design, rotunda walls are made. They can be completely solid, but this option is rarely used. More often they make a semi-open veranda, where low walls will protect from the wind, create a corner for privacy, but at the same time, the space around the gazebo will be visible and will provide an opportunity to admire nature. The upper half of the wall between the pillars may be absent or made of wooden slats, which, when fastened together, form a lattice. In this case, the lattice cells can have the shape of a rhombus or a square of different sizes.

The roof of the rotunda resembles a dome, which gives the building a special style. In addition, this shape of the roof does not allow snow to linger on it, thus not creating additional load on the foundation in winter. When choosing a classic roof consisting of four triangles, it is necessary to install snow holders for its portioned convergence. Roofing material for a rotunda can be different and its choice depends on the roofing material of the main structure. Made in the same style, all the buildings on the site will look harmonious and create a certain image of the entire space.
The size of the rotunda varies, but its design takes into account its capacity. So, to receive small companies of 5 people, a rotunda with a diameter of 3 meters is enough. To accommodate more people, it is necessary to increase the area of ​​the veranda accordingly. The standard building height is about 2.5 meters, but, taking into account the capabilities and desires of the customer, this figure is not a standard and may vary.

Decorating a rotunda gazebo

When designing and building a rotunda gazebo, you must adhere to a certain style. The classic style will be created by strict columns without any patterns. Such a rotunda can be given an individual look by decorating it with climbing decorative flowers or grapes. Such a living corner will please the eye and create coziness. Capitals on the columns will help make the style of the gazebo less strict. The dome of the rotunda can also be decorated with carved patterns around its entire perimeter. The balusters supporting the railings can be decorated with the same ornament. The uniform pattern of the various parts of the rotunda will emphasize its stylish, unique design.

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The most romantic architectural structure, which, thanks to the tireless work of many generations of writers, has become a symbol of love and heartfelt excitement, the gazebo and rotunda are also a symbol of noble life. What remained from him was their beauty and sophistication.

Architectural features and materials used

A rotunda gazebo is an architectural structure in which a dome-shaped roof rests on several columns.

A wide variety of materials are used in their construction, but always taking into account the overall architectural ensemble. The most common material for rotundas is natural stone. It creates a special atmosphere. This building is an entire architectural ensemble, which upon completion can be the main decoration of the garden landscape, giving the entire ensemble of buildings a majestic appearance. Parts made of oak go very well with stone buildings.

Construction

Construction begins with laying the foundation. Since the building is quite light, the foundation needs a lighter structure. In order for it to be reliable and its lower crowns to be protected from moisture, the foundation must be raised 30 centimeters above the ground.

The roof of the rotunda gazebo is built like a dome. Such a roof also does not retain snow, which can create additional load on the foundation. The size of the gazebo should be selected depending on your needs. The usual standard height of a gazebo is no more than 2.5 meters.

Wall decoration

A gazebo is an integral part of every dacha. You can relax in it, have a good time, and it also perfectly performs an aesthetic function, decorating the area. They are also used in the design of courtyard areas, recreation parks and other public places.

Kinds

There are a large number of varieties of gazebos, distinguished both by the shape of the structure and by the types of materials from which they are constructed. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Based on their structural type, the following types of gazebos are distinguished:

• circle or semicircle shape;
• rectangle or hexagon;
• capital and lightweight summer gazebos;
• gazebos having a roof covering in the form of an awning, a dome, or a regular flat roof.

Features of gazebos

When building gazebos, the following types of materials are used:

• metal;
• brick;
• tree.

It is worth noting that the choice of gazebo shape does not depend on the type of material from which it will be made.

A round gazebo follows the shape of a polygon, so its frame is usually built in the shape of a hexagon or octahedron. The number of edges is determined depending on the size of the building.

To achieve a specific gazebo shape, you need to consider the following points. If you need to get a round-shaped gazebo, then the spans between the posts must be filled with straight objects. If you want to build a rotunda or gazebo made in the shape of a semicircle, then the space must be filled with spherical material. This nuance must be taken into account when constructing not only walls, but also the roof, which allows, depending on the type of filling chosen, to obtain a roof in the shape of a dome or cone.

Before building the foundation, it is necessary to accurately determine the weight and size of the building, since the type of foundation will depend on this.

A light summer gazebo can be erected without a foundation. But if you still need to build a fairly large building from materials such as brick or timber, then you need to make a fairly strong and high-quality foundation.

Initially, only rotundas were built, but after a certain period of time, thanks to this type of gazebo, round structures appeared.

In parks and areas where estates are located, the ideal solution would be to build a gazebo for the garden or a semicircular gazebo. Rotundas made of brick or decorative finishing have become more widespread.

The simplest way is to build a gazebo made of brick. With the use of materials such as wood or metal, construction becomes more complicated due to the presence of curved parts of the building, which subsequently need to be filled.

Also, when building a structure made of wood, the bends of the arches are bent in factories for processing wooden products. Peeled or planed veneer is used for bending. They come from the following tree species: birch, alder, poplar, ash and maple. The best of them in plastic is birch.

It is possible to assemble wooden round gazebos with your own hands only from ready-made parts, since the wood is subjected to hydrothermal treatment to obtain a curved shape.

In wooden gazebos, parts of the arches, roofs, as well as elements of filling the spans are rounded.

The same problems apply to metal as to wood, so when making a gazebo from metal, the parts will also be factory-made, since forging at home is impossible.

How to build a rotunda?

The rotunda is one of the most expensive types of gazebos, but it can also be considered the most respectable and durable option.

The main part of such a gazebo are columns, which can be made of the following materials:

• bricks;
• stone;
• monolithic block.

To construct a column, the material is poured into the so-called split formwork, which has a special internal coating. According to the standard, such additional equipment is made from moisture-resistant plasterboard.

You can also find prefabricated columns on sale, the main component of which is cement or polymerized gypsum. An alternative to columns can be piles made of concrete and having a circular cross-section. These elements will simultaneously serve as the foundation.

This method of constructing a rotunda is used only when the soil requires it or if piles for the structure being built, for example, a house, are laid on the site along with the columns.

It should be noted that when you purchase a factory rotunda kit, assembly instructions are included. Also, many manufacturers provide their own advice on base design.

There are rotunda options that do not require a foundation. They are also called self-supporting rotundas. Naturally, this version of the gazebo is more expensive. This set also includes a balustrade with figured balusters and a fiberglass dome - this composition will give your rotunda a special look.

If you decide not to resort to the help of professionals and make a gazebo yourself, then the most favorable material for this will be brick.

Supports are used if necessary - they are required for good stability of the building. In a specific situation, the most practical option would be to use a columnar foundation, which is made from waste ceramic bricks.

How to make supports?

At the initial stage, it is necessary to divide the site, apply markings along the entire contour of the building, and then begin excavation work. Markings are applied to comply with all required proportions, as well as for the process of correctly determining the placement of pillars under the foundation, and therefore for the columns of the building.

In order to proceed to the work described, it is necessary to determine the dimensions of the rotunda and mark the ground according to them, namely: draw a circle with the radius of the gazebo. Then you should place a rectangle in it. The generally accepted standard dimensions of a rotunda are 4 m in diameter, which corresponds to 6 columns. From this it follows that a hexagon must be applied to the ground.

Before you begin to develop the soil, you need to install small pegs at the corners of the hexagon. Then you need to make a hole in the ground 1-1.2 meters deep - this is necessary to install pillars under the foundation, after which work is done on the bottom of the holes. They are filled 20 cm deep with a mixture of sand and gravel and covered with a waterproof film. After this, the laying out of the pillars begins.

The number of bricks in one row depends on the massiveness of the structure; on average, 4 to 6 bricks are taken. The space created between the bricks and reinforcement bars should be filled with mortar.

When working with vertical surfaces, you only need to treat them with hot bitumen or use liquid glass. It is also recommended to add various types of additives, which will protect the surface from water and make it resistant to low temperatures.

The columns can be laid out from silicate or ceramic bricks. To avoid wasting time decorating columns, you should immediately pay attention to the shape of the brick. If you decide to make cylindrical columns, then it will be most convenient to use shaped bricks. It has distinctive features and therefore is used in other types of work. The construction of columns is carried out in the same way as foundation columns.

The dimensions of the rotunda usually have the following parameters: the dome has a height of 4.5 to 4.8 m, the columns have a size of 2.8 to 3 m. The rest of the rotunda is the roof. These dimensions are valid for a diameter of 4 m.

The rotunda is divided into two types:

• with columns;
• with openings in the walls.

When building a rotunda with columns, it is necessary to pour a foundation between them. If the method with openings in the walls is used, they are usually built in the form of an arch.

When constructing a brick arch, you will have to resort to the use of special formwork called a “circle”. It is placed with support on the walls, after which wedging is carried out. When laying the lintel, a separate type of brick is used - wedge brick.

The difference in the edges can reach from 10 to 20 mm, which makes it possible to lay out arches with different radii. If ordinary brick is used to form arches, then the shape is achieved by thickening the seams on one side.

Small architectural forms, which include garden and park gazebos, play a leading role in the organization and arrangement of recreation areas. There are many varieties of them, differing not only in the materials from which they are built.

The main differences are constructive. These can be round or semicircular gazebos; hexagonal and rectangular; light summer and capital; with a dome, flat roof or awning.

The choice is quite large, but in this article we will talk about how to make a round gazebo with your own hands - the most interesting, although not the easiest option.

The main materials used are brick, wood and metal. And in this regard, it makes no difference what shape they are: round, rectangular or, for example, hexagonal.

By and large, the circle is not far removed in shape from the polygon. Therefore, the gazebo is round, and to be more precise, its frame is built according to the principle of a hexagon or octahedron - depending on the size of the building.

• The final shape of the structure is given by the elements that fill the spans between the posts: if they are straight, then you get a polyhedron (see), if they are spherical, you get a rotunda or a semicircular gazebo. This applies not only to the walls, but also to the roof structure, which is not pitched, but conical or domed.

As for the foundation, much depends on the dimensions and, accordingly, the weight of the structure. can be installed on a flat area lined with paving slabs, and not secured to the base with anything. But for permanent gazebos, especially covered ones, built of brick or timber, a solid foundation is built.

Which option do you prefer?

The ancestor of the round gazebo was the classic rotunda. In historical architecture, round forms have always been considered perfect, and the space inside such a structure has been identified with peace and harmony. It is for this reason that all temples, both ancient and modern, have streamlined, rounded shapes.

So:

• A semicircular garden gazebo or rotunda are, one might say, universal options for a personal garden or park. And if such a structure is also successfully located on a hill or near a pond (see) - the harmony will be complete.

• Most often, rotundas are made of brick, with decorative stone or plaster finishing. Oddly enough, building a round gazebo yourself from brick is much easier than from wood or metal. After all, the whole problem lies in the curved shapes of the span filling elements.
• It is clear that it is simply impossible to bend the wooden arches that we see in the photo above with your own hands, and even in domestic conditions. This is done in woodworking industries: for bending they use peeled or sliced ​​veneer from hardwood: birch, alder, beech, poplar, ash, maple. This is not a complete list of species, and the most plastic of them is considered to be birch.

• It is possible to obtain a curved shape unusual for wood only as a result of its hydrothermal treatment. Therefore, do-it-yourself wooden round gazebos can only be assembled from factory parts, and cannot be made independently. Moreover, not only do they have curved arches, but also the roof elements and the filling of the spans have rounded shapes.
• All of the above also applies to: bending wood or forging metal - a process that is impossible to do at home. Therefore, if you want an elegant cylindrical gazebo, give preference to the factory version. The price of the building will depend not only on the size, but also on the complexity of manufacturing decorative elements.

If you want to have an elegant capital gazebo, pay attention to the classic rotunda. We will try to explain this issue in detail by telling you how to build a round gazebo with columns. Although this option cannot be called the cheapest, it is certainly the most respectable and durable.

The principle of constructing a rotunda

The basis of such a structure as a rotunda is columns. They are built not only from brick, but also from stone, monolithic concrete, poured into detachable formwork with a special internal coating. Typically, these are factory-produced auxiliary structures made of moisture-resistant plasterboard.

• In addition, there are also prefabricated column elements on sale, made from composite raw materials based on polymerized gypsum or cement. For this, you can even use concrete piles with a circular cross-section, which can simultaneously serve as a foundation.
• This method of constructing a rotunda is possible only when the quality of the soil requires it, and on the site, according to the project, piles are simultaneously driven under the house. We will talk about how to simplify the process of installing columns a little later, but now we will pay attention to the issues of preparing and arranging a reliable foundation.

• So, let's figure out how to make a round gazebo with your own hands. If you purchase a factory set of rotunda elements, then drawings must be included with it to guide you during assembly. In addition, the manufacturer will provide recommendations regarding the design of the base.

It is quite possible that the foundation will not have to be built, since some rotundas are self-supporting. This is not the cheapest option, but such a building will have not only columns, but also a beautiful balustrade with figured balusters, and a fiberglass dome. If you want to do it entirely on your own, build a gazebo out of brick.

Brick supports

Be that as it may, for the stability of the structure you need to make strong supports under the columns. The most convenient in this case will be a columnar foundation. It is also built from brick, maybe even second-hand brick, but always ceramic.

So:

• The order of work is as follows: first, the territory is planned, the outline of the building is marked, and then excavation work is carried out. Marking is necessary in order to maintain the geometric proportions of the building and correctly determine the location points of the foundation pillars, and, accordingly, the rotunda columns.
• To do this, you need to decide on the dimensions of the gazebo and, in accordance with them, first draw a circle of the appropriate radius on the ground, and then inscribe a polygon into it. The classic option for a rotunda with a diameter of 4 m is six columns. This means that you will have to draw a hexagon. You can easily find instructions on how to do this correctly, including on our website.

• According to the markings made in the corners of the hexagon, you hammer in pegs, and you can begin to develop the soil. Foundation pillars are usually buried by 1-1.2 m, for which it is necessary to make an appropriate excavation of the earth. The bottom of the hole is filled with about 20 cm of sand and gravel mixture, covered with a waterproof film and the pillar is laid out.
• Depending on the massiveness of the building, one row of masonry may consist of four or six bricks. The space formed inside is filled with masonry mortar, into which reinforcement bars are embedded. This applies to both foundation pillars and brick columns into which they pass in the ground part of the structure.
• Vertical reinforcement gives structures the necessary strength, and reinforcement outlets in the upper part of the columns make it possible to rigidly frame the frame, as well as weld to them, for example, a metal roof dome. If the columns are not laid out of brick, but are assembled from factory elements, then the base of the columns is also welded to the embedded parts on the foundation.

We should not forget about horizontal reinforcement, which, according to technology, should be carried out in every fourth row of masonry. For this purpose, steel strips or mesh are used, which is placed in the seam between the rows. After the foundation pillar (see) is raised just above the ground surface, the surface of the masonry must be leveled with mortar and allowed to harden.

Columns

Next, the laying of the columns will begin, but before starting it, you need to carry out horizontal waterproofing. To do this, squares of roofing felt are laid on a layer of bitumen mastic. This operation is mandatory for strip, monolithic and columnar foundations, as it prevents capillary absorption of moisture from the soil by ground structures.

So:

• For vertical foundation surfaces, only coating waterproofing is sufficient, which is usually performed either with hot bitumen or liquid glass. To protect the structure from exposure to moisture and low temperatures, appropriate additives should be added to the masonry mortar.

• As for the columns, they can be laid out not only from ceramic, but also from silicate bricks. The main thing here is its shape, and, if you don’t want to deal with plaster later, the decorativeness of the surface. To lay out cylindrical columns, it is very convenient to use shaped bricks of the same shape as in the picture below.
• It differs in configuration and, as a rule, has a higher grade than ordinary brick, since it is used not only for masonry, but also for cladding. There are no differences in masonry technology, and columns are erected similarly to foundation pillars.

• A rotunda is usually made higher than a simple gazebo. With a diameter of 4 m, its height with the dome reaches about 4.5-4.8 m. At the same time, the columns are 2.8-3 m, and the rest is the roof. A classic rotunda can only have columns, or it can also have walls with openings. If you want to build just such an option, then along the contour of the circle, between the columns, you will have to pour a shallow strip foundation.
• Openings are made in the walls and usually they have an arched shape. To lay a brick arch, a special formwork must be used - circle. It is installed so that it rests on the walls and wedged. To lay the arched lintel, wedge bricks are used, which have a trapezoidal cross-section.
• The difference in the width of the narrow and wide edges can be 10 or 20 mm, making it convenient to lay out arches with different radii. When using ordinary bricks, the shape of the arch is given by increasing the thickness of the seams on one side. There are many nuances here, and it is impossible to tell about everything at once. The best help for a newbie in work is a video from professionals.

• The binding of the upper perimeter of the columns can be done by analogy with lintels - using formwork and brickwork - but this is quite difficult. It is much easier to make this, like the entire dome for the rotunda, from metal. It is better to use flexible plastic slats as sheathing under the roofing material.
• A wooden beam cannot be bent within the required radius, but the polymer analogue bends well and is not at all inferior in strength to wood. They are laid in two rows and, just like regular shingles, they are screwed to the rafters with self-tapping screws. All that remains is to choose a suitable flexible roofing material. And here it is hardly possible to come up with something better than roofing tiles.

• The easiest way is to order the roof frame separately, install it entirely on ready-made columns, and then make the sheathing and lay the roofing material. A complete roof will be made to order for you - just as lacy as in the picture above. It looks gorgeous, but you can’t hide from the rain in such a gazebo.

As for the finishing of brick columns, they can be decoratively plastered, for example, marbled, and various overlay decors can also be used. As a result, you will get a real antique rotunda: the pride and beauty of your estate.