A well often doesn't fit into the landscape design of a property. Therefore, improving its appearance is important. At the same time, it should still be convenient to use. Therefore, it's important to pay attention to the design of the gate and the strength of the well cover. The latter is especially important if children frequently visit the dacha.
Let's think about how you can harmoniously integrate a well into the design of your territory.
The need for houses over wells
Firstly, it is needed to protect the water from dirt. Without a tightly fitting lid, various debris can fall into the well. Water from such a source is only permitted for technical purposes, such as irrigation. The canopy ensures the timely drainage of precipitation and meltwater, which contain impurities.
Furthermore, a well house is a way to ensure the safety of children and pets. For this purpose, the structure is equipped with locks and latches. To facilitate the process of filling the well with water, gates and posts are installed. The simplest version of such a device is a rotating log with a handle. This "duet" is complemented by a chain.
The appearance of the structure is just as important as its design. It should complement the landscape design. An added bonus of a well house is its ease of maintenance.
Types of well houses, their pros and cons
All decorative structures can be divided into two categories: open and closed. The former are considered simpler to construct and can have a single-pitched or gable roof. The advantages of such structures include minimal construction materials, while the disadvantage is the inability to use them in winter.
To ensure a regular supply of water after the onset of cold weather, it is necessary:
- insulate the building using polystyrene foam;
- cover the lid and rings with several layers of wood.
A closed well house is more impressive in size, a real house with a door. The advantage of this design is good thermal insulation. The disadvantage is that construction is more expensive and time-consuming.
Well house ideas, materials, plans, and manufacturing
There are different shapes of houses, let's look at the most popular ones.
Option 1: Open visor
This option consists of a simple metal or wooden canopy supported by two posts to which the gate is attached.
Option 2: Gable house
First, a drawing is created based on the well ring. The diagram must show all the elements, taking into account their dimensions. The more accurate the drawing, the lower the likelihood of errors when constructing the structure.
They purchase building materials and prepare tools. The latter list includes:
- electric plane;
- roulette;
- jigsaw;
- hammer;
- circular saw;
- Phillips screwdriver;
- hacksaw;
- nail puller;
- building level.
To build a well house with a gable roof, you will need the following materials:
- wooden beam (dimensions 50x50, 50x100)
- log for a gate;
- boards and fittings for the door;
- edged boards;
- self-tapping screws and nails;
- roofing felt or slate.
Don't forget to buy an antiseptic. It's necessary for treating wooden parts. They must be sanded first.
Once everything is prepared, you need to follow the step-by-step assembly algorithm.
It includes several stages:
- Clear the area around the well, level it, pour in and compact the crushed stone, first larger, then smaller (15-20 cm thick).
- Building the frame. Create the base from a 50x100mm beam. The perimeter of the future structure should be larger than the diameter of the well ring. Attach two support posts of the same cross-section to the frame with metal plates and connect them with a 50x50mm beam. Attach four 50x50mm posts to the sides, cutting them at a 45-degree angle for a better fit.
- For the frame, use trimmed boards (12 cm wide and 4 cm thick). The next step is to fill the resulting gaps with boards. Leave the side where the door will be located unchanged.
- Making the gate. To do this, sand a round beam with a diameter of 20 cm and a width 4-5 cm smaller than the space between the vertical posts. Make holes in it on both sides, 2 cm in diameter and 5 cm deep. Drill similar holes through the posts and insert metal bushings. Hang the beam on 24 mm diameter steel rods. Bend the left one at a right angle, leaving the right one as is. This will make it easier to collect water. To prevent the gate from warping, use metal wire. Attach a chain to hang the water container.
- Install the assembled system onto the frame. Attach the braces (they act as reinforcements), install the sheathing, and lay the roofing felt. You can replace the latter with slate.
- Installing the door leaf. To make it, you'll need boards (20 cm wide) and screws. Secure the resulting panel with 25x30 mm beams. Then, install the hardware and hang the finished door.
- Decorate the house as you wish.
Option 3: a log house
It won't take much time to build.
To ensure a neat and multifunctional structure, follow these instructions:
- Install the racks, remembering to secure them with supports.
- Build the frame using rounded timber (10 cm in diameter). Assemble them crosswise. The bottom four will be identical, and the rest will be of equal decrease (like a nesting doll).
- Make a collar (see above).
- The final stage of construction is the installation of the roof, its lathing and covering.
Option 4: Sheet metal house
Construction costs depend on the complexity of the structure. A well house made of sheet metal will fit well into any landscape design. The structure can be octagonal, hexagonal, or triangular.
In addition to sheet metal and corrugated sheets, you'll need profiles, metal rods, a lock, and door hinges. The process is straightforward:
- Prepare your work surface.
- Build a frame by soldering metal rods together. Don't forget to leave room for the door.
- Assemble the roof.
- Weld it to the base.
- Install the structure in its proper place.
- Hang the door.
- Cover the structure with a protective compound.
Decorating a well house
To ensure the structure blends harmoniously into your yard, choose a finish that best complements the exterior of your home. The range of materials available is quite extensive, from art concrete to siding.
Wooden paneling, corrugated sheets, edged boards and block house are especially popular.
They are environmentally friendly, practical, and durable. The structure should not stand out with overly bright colors or pretentious designs.
The lifespan of a well depends largely on maintenance. For example, wooden structures require regular painting with waterproof compounds and treatment with special preservatives. Forged parts must be coated with anti-corrosion agents, otherwise rust stains will appear on the surface over time. Of course, you can buy a ready-made well fence and save a significant amount of time. However, by choosing this option, you risk buying something completely different from what you wanted. Despite the wide selection, finding a well fence that meets all your needs is unlikely.
By deciding to build it yourself, you can use your imagination and also reduce the cost of the finished structure.
