Lean-to
Encyclopedia
A lean-to is a term used to describe a roof with a single slope. The term also applies to a variety of structures that are built using a lean-to roof.
One type of structure is free standing with only three walls and a sloping roof. The open side is commonly oriented away from the prevailing winds and rains. Often it is a rough structure made of logs or unfinished wood and used as a camping shelter. Temporary structures made from wood or textiles are also termed lean-tos if constructed with a single slope of the roof. In some cases the sloping roof often extends all the way to the ground. Thus the sloping roof itself forms one of the three walls.
It can also refer to a shed with a sloping roof and three walls that abut the wall of another structure. This form of lean-to is generally provisional; it is an appendix to an existing building constructed to fulfill a new need. Sometimes they cover external staircases, as is the case with the lean-to building built in the 15th century against one of the walls of the large chapter room of the cathedral of Meaux. Sometimes, they are built to protect entrances or to establish covered markets around certain large civic buildings.
A Finnish laavu, Swedish gapskjul or slogbod, or Norwegian gapahuk is also a lean-to, small building intended for temporary residence during hiking
or fishing
trips in the wilderness.
Laavus are commonly found in Finnish
Lapland near popular fishing rivers and in national parks. In principle, a laavu is a simplified version of a wilderness hut
. Like wilderness huts, laavus are not kept warm, and may not be reserved beforehand. Unlike wilderness huts, laavus lack door
s or window
s. A typical laavu is a wood
en building, about 10 m² in area and 2 m high, consisting of a roof, floor, and three walls. The fourth wall is left permanently open.
A laavu is intended to only provide a safe place to sleep during fishing or hiking trips. Visitors are expected to bring their own sleeping bag
s, as there are no other sleeping facilities. Most laavus also have a place to hold a campfire in front of them, but the laavu is built such that a reasonable fire cannot provide warmth for the night.
A laavu can also be an improvised structure of the same fashion built out of available materials (branches with leaves or pine/fir needles intact or moss or pelts for the covering and sturdier stripped branches or young tree-trunks as the supporting structure) for temporary camp deep in the wilderness, even for a single overnight stay. This is the traditional meaning of the word. Traditionally a log fire was used, made such that it did not need surveillance during the night (“rakovalkea” in Finnish, “nying” in Swedish and Norwegian). Nowadays suitable wood is seldom available.
In the United States this same type of structure is commonly referred to as an "Adirondack." Many youth camps use such structures to provide an inexpensive shelter for campers that is sturdier, and more durable, than a textile tent.
Laavus made of tent cloth are also sold, meant for 4–5 persons. They are lighter than tents and can be warmed by a camp fire. Some of the modern nylon laavus have a front wall that is pulled down for the night if fire is not to be kept.
One type of structure is free standing with only three walls and a sloping roof. The open side is commonly oriented away from the prevailing winds and rains. Often it is a rough structure made of logs or unfinished wood and used as a camping shelter. Temporary structures made from wood or textiles are also termed lean-tos if constructed with a single slope of the roof. In some cases the sloping roof often extends all the way to the ground. Thus the sloping roof itself forms one of the three walls.
It can also refer to a shed with a sloping roof and three walls that abut the wall of another structure. This form of lean-to is generally provisional; it is an appendix to an existing building constructed to fulfill a new need. Sometimes they cover external staircases, as is the case with the lean-to building built in the 15th century against one of the walls of the large chapter room of the cathedral of Meaux. Sometimes, they are built to protect entrances or to establish covered markets around certain large civic buildings.
Laavu
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
or fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
trips in the wilderness.
Laavus are commonly found in Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
Lapland near popular fishing rivers and in national parks. In principle, a laavu is a simplified version of a wilderness hut
Wilderness hut
A wilderness hut is a rent-free, open dwelling place for temporary accommodation, usually located in wilderness areas, national parks and along backpacking routes. As such, the tradition is largely found in Finland, and to some extent in Sweden, Norway, and northern Russia too.The huts can be...
. Like wilderness huts, laavus are not kept warm, and may not be reserved beforehand. Unlike wilderness huts, laavus lack door
Door
A door is a movable structure used to open and close off an entrance, typically consisting of a panel that swings on hinges or that slides or rotates inside of a space....
s or window
Window
A window is a transparent or translucent opening in a wall or door that allows the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound. Windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent material like float glass. Windows are held in place by frames, which...
s. A typical laavu is a wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
en building, about 10 m² in area and 2 m high, consisting of a roof, floor, and three walls. The fourth wall is left permanently open.
A laavu is intended to only provide a safe place to sleep during fishing or hiking trips. Visitors are expected to bring their own sleeping bag
Sleeping bag
A sleeping bag is a protective "bag" for a person to sleep in, essentially a blanket that can be closed with a zipper or similar means, and functions as a bed in situations where a bed is unavailable . Its primary purpose is to provide warmth and thermal insulation...
s, as there are no other sleeping facilities. Most laavus also have a place to hold a campfire in front of them, but the laavu is built such that a reasonable fire cannot provide warmth for the night.
A laavu can also be an improvised structure of the same fashion built out of available materials (branches with leaves or pine/fir needles intact or moss or pelts for the covering and sturdier stripped branches or young tree-trunks as the supporting structure) for temporary camp deep in the wilderness, even for a single overnight stay. This is the traditional meaning of the word. Traditionally a log fire was used, made such that it did not need surveillance during the night (“rakovalkea” in Finnish, “nying” in Swedish and Norwegian). Nowadays suitable wood is seldom available.
In the United States this same type of structure is commonly referred to as an "Adirondack." Many youth camps use such structures to provide an inexpensive shelter for campers that is sturdier, and more durable, than a textile tent.
Laavus made of tent cloth are also sold, meant for 4–5 persons. They are lighter than tents and can be warmed by a camp fire. Some of the modern nylon laavus have a front wall that is pulled down for the night if fire is not to be kept.