Glazing verandas and terraces: options and methods
Verandas are usually used in the warm season as an additional usable area. According to the type of design, they are classified into attached and built-in. The first are being built after the completion of the construction of the house. The presence of built-in is provided even at the design stage of a residential building. Also, the verandas can be glazed and without it. In the second case, the site, in fact, is a terrace equipped with a canopy. Glazed verandas can be used not only in bad weather in the summer and not be afraid of rain or wind, which used to interfere with quiet gatherings, but also in winter if they are heated. In this regard, the premises are similar to the attics, which are converted into cold attics. In the south, the veranda is most often used as a gazebo or dining room. On the most stuffy nights, you can equip a bedroom, where night coolness abounds.In the outback, equipment for the summer kitchen is transferred here, if there is no free separate building for these purposes. A veranda can be called not only an extension to the house, but also a separate room on the site in which a greenhouse or a hall for receiving guests is arranged (earlier for dance evenings).
The fashion for such a spacious “gazebo” came from France. And the word “veranda” itself has a Bengali origin, which in principle is not surprising if we recall the close ties of Old Europe with the countries of South Asia. Balconies and loggias, in fact, are also verandas, but related to city apartments in high-rise buildings. It’s enough to recall that they are also divided into “warm” and “cold”. We will consider options for glazing verandas in private homes.
Glazing of the veranda is the very rare case when, among many advantages, flaws are lost. The room is warm and cold. In the first case, it can be used in the winter, as residential. If the glazing is cold, then the temperature inside the veranda will be higher than the outdoor temperature by only a couple of degrees, that is, the difference is insignificant. Such a veranda can only be used in summer. The advantages of glazing include:
Protection from wind and rain (for both cold and warm versions).
Soundproofing.
The possibility of arranging a separate room. In the case of cold glazing, we are talking about a "summer residence". With warm glazing, the room can be used all year round, that is, another full-fledged room is added to the living area on a "permanent basis".
The ability to connect to heating and the use of the premises in the winter (only for warm glazing).It is quite possible to equip a bedroom, a small guest room, a winter garden, a pantry and a kitchen or dining room. The choice of functional purpose completely depends on the quadrature of the veranda itself and its capabilities.
Creating a stylish, unusual element of the interior and exterior of the house. Glazing can be different, and original solutions will emphasize the creative design of the entire building as a whole.
If we mention the features of the glazing of the veranda, then it should go well with the design of the house. This is a prerequisite and the most important condition. Next, you should pay attention to the area of the translucent canvas, in order to ensure proper support in the form of frames and at the same time not to reduce the strength of the entire structure. The next stage is the choice of material for the frame, but we will talk about this in more detail later. Modern glazing systems offer great opportunities for owners:
Partial roof covering with heavy-duty glass sheets.
An exact repetition of the shape of the veranda.
A variety of door and window opening systems.
Regulation of width and height of open door and window openings.
Possibility of installing mosquito nets.
Now let's talk about the types of glazing, their disadvantages and advantages.
Types of glazing
There are quite a few classifications of glazing, depending on its features:
Warm and cold, as mentioned above.
Frameless and with frames.
Full and partial.
Swing and sliding.
Panoramic glazing can be classified as a separate category. Let's talk about each of the species in more detail.
Cold and warm
Cold glazing is used when the owners have chosen "seasonal use" for the veranda. As the main materials are suitable:
Plastic single-chamber double-glazed windows.
Aluminum profile as frames, which also weighs very little in contrast to heavy wood.
Panoramic windows.
Cold glazing looks stylish and practical.At the same time, double-glazed windows reliably protect the veranda from precipitation, dirt and dust. In summer, the premises can be used as an office, a relaxation room, summer kitchen, and in winter it can be easily converted into a pantry to store pickles or “garden gifts”. Warm glazing is usually carried out using plastic double-glazed windows, which have special air chambers.
They serve as a “buffer”, trapping heat in the room and not allowing the cold to penetrate from the street. The sash fit tightly to the frames. Glass consists of several transparent sheets, the gaps between which are filled with a special absorbent that absorbs moisture. Such glazing does not allow cold, moisture and wind to enter the room. It reliably protects the veranda from the external environment and allows you to convert it into a full-fledged living room. If we talk about the cost, then you will have to pay more for double-glazed windows, but at the same time the option provides much more advantages.
Full and partial
Depending on the functional purpose of the veranda, glazing for it can be full or partial. The first option allows you to create warm or cold glazing, that is, the openings are completely closed with double-glazed windows and there are no "gaping" windows in the walls of the room. Partial glazing is a simpler and cheaper option. It is appropriate in cases where, for example, the room needs to be protected from the leeward side. You can use such a veranda only in the summer.
Frameless and framed
Glazing with frames is a popular and already quite battered option. Glass sheets are placed inside a special frame, which provides the structure with strength and stability. Relatively recently (just a couple of dozen years ago) frameless glazing came to us, when the facade consists entirely of sheets of heavy-duty glass, which are sealed at the joints. It creates the illusion of a completely open space.Sheets of glass are fixed with aluminum profiles at the floor and ceiling. This option can not be called budget, but rest on such a veranda will really be "breathtaking." It is appropriate to use frameless glazing only in those cases when a beautiful view is opened from the room (garden, field, meadow, nearby river or sea coast). Although the design looks fragile in appearance, in fact, it will give odds to any other glass unit in strength. For frameless glazing, only tempered glass is used, which is almost impossible to break.
If a blow of enormous force nevertheless damages the surface, then it will only be covered with small cracks, but will not shower all around with fragments. The design is equipped with additional protection against accidental plowing. Of the disadvantages, only low noise isolation and difficulty in care can be noted. In order for the glasses to maintain their transparency and “gloss”, they must not be washed with abrasive substances that leave small scratches on the surface. You will also have to forget about the old "grandmother's" method using crumpled newspapers instead of a sponge.
Panoramic
Panoramic glazing is performed throughout the facade, that is, windows occupy the entire space from the ceiling to the floor. This is a stylish, original solution, which originates in the European tradition of decorating windows facing the garden. A magnificent view of the nearby beauty will open from the veranda. Panoramic glazing can be frameless and with frames. The option is popular not only for verandas, but also for glazing balconies and loggias in high-rise buildings with a slight difference: there the system is necessarily supplemented by a protective frame that prevents a person from falling onto glass.
Of the shortcomings, only fast fogging and freezing of the transparent sheet in the winter are noted.
To avoid this, you must either install an additional heat source, in which the flow of hot air is directed to the windows, or regularly lubricate the glass with a solution of glycerol.
Sliding and swinging
The swinging opening system is familiar to everyone: sash windows or doors after turning the handle open inward (usually 90 degrees). In plastic double-glazed windows, a more complex swing system is used, which additionally allows you to partially open windows and doors from above, pulling them “towards you”. The option is ideal for airing the room. Swing glazing provides good tightness. With it, you can create both cold and warm rooms. The sliding system works on a completely different principle: the shutters are pushed to the sides on special rails located below and above. They can "drive" only in a straight line (as in sliding wardrobes) or they can be folded "into an accordion."
In the latter case, we are talking about panoramic glazing with frames, when large "window-doors" are compactly assembled near one of the walls of the veranda. Sliding systems cannot provide complete tightness, therefore they are used only for cold glazing.
Construction Materials
Glazing frame can be made of plastic, wood and aluminum. Materials are located in popularity, starting with the most sought after. Of course, at first plastic began to be used everywhere in the glazing of city apartments. Gradually, he moved to private homes, but wood and aluminum here still continue to stubbornly hold the defense. This is especially good for the tree, which is inadvertently associated with the warm atmosphere of the village house and is ideally combined with decoration in the style of chalet, country, Provence, which are so often used in the outback.
Aluminum
The main advantage of aluminum is its low weight. The material allows you to make the design much easier, but without compromising its strength. In terms of cost, aluminum also outperforms its main competitors. For comparison: the price of plastic glazing is two times higher than the installation of a similar aluminum construction.Unfortunately, the material did not begin to be used everywhere because of its main drawback: the design retains heat very poorly.
A veranda with an aluminum profile can be used only in summer, in winter it is most logical to equip a “street freezer” here. Although now manufacturers offer a rather expensive solution to this problem - thermal inserts and special inserts that trap heat and create additional sound insulation. The aluminum profile is refractory, so the risk of ignition of the structure is reduced to zero, which becomes another advantage of the material when compared with wood.
Tree
Previously, only wood was used for glazing houses (not only verandas). With the advent of alternative options, they began to slowly forget about this material, but its advantages did not fade. The tree has a high noise and heat insulation. Although, of course, the glass itself receives the main “blow” to the conservation of heat, a lot also depends on the frames. Unlike plastic or aluminum, wood does not need additional thermal liners, since the material itself prevents the ingress of cold into the room and the release of warm air outside. There are micropores in the wood, which allows it to “breathe”. Manufacturers of plastic double-glazed windows in the specifications voiced the limiting minus for the material at 30 degrees below zero. At this temperature, PVC loses its strength and becomes brittle.
There is also a limit on frost resistance for wood, but this figure is so sky-high (minus 120 degrees) that even in the Far North it cannot be verified. From this we can conclude: wood is the warmest material. The wood is environmentally friendly, but lights up when it comes in contact with an open flame. Previously, the material is treated with special impregnations, which increase its fire resistance and moisture resistance. Contact with wood fluid is dangerous.Material that is not properly processed can be deformed, which will render the glass packet completely unusable. And the main advantage of a tree lies in its beauty, which neither aluminum nor PVC possesses. Warm, homely, “cozy” material will perfectly emphasize decoration in an alpine chalet, simple country, French Provence and rustic Russian style.
Plastic
Contrary to misconceptions, high-quality plastic does not emit harmful substances during operation. PVC perfectly retains heat, thanks to special rubberized inserts around the perimeter of the windows and doors, the veranda remains airtight. Plastic windows provide good sound insulation. They are ideal for warm glazing, but have a lot of weight, so they are not recommended for use in dilapidated summer cottages or old country houses. PVC can not be called refractory, but when in contact with an open flame, they do not light up, but begin to melt, releasing corrosive substances.
Perhaps the main drawback of plastic glazing is its high cost. If you need to put one or two windows, then the purchase and installation will not hit the budget very much, but for a panoramic double-glazed window you already have to spend a lot of money. Wood and aluminum in this regard leave PVC far behind, enticing buyers with seductive prices.
Glass materials
A transparent canvas occupies the lion's share of the area of the glazed area, therefore its characteristics affect the quality of construction to a greater extent than the features of frames and profiles. On the verandas are used not only "classic" glass, but also other materials, which also provide free penetration of sunlight into the room and at the same time protect from the weather. Consider their varieties and evaluate the profitability of using in the glazing of the veranda.
Glass
For glazing houses it is better to use special materials that have increased strength.All of them are made in the form of sheets and belong to a large category of sheet glasses. The following types are suitable for glazing a veranda:
Hardened. Regular flat glass is subjected to special processing: the mass is heated to high temperatures, followed by rapid cooling. The technology allows you to create durable glasses that withstand heavy loads (compared to ordinary ones) and are absolutely safe for humans, since with a strong blow they are showered with small fragments with blunt edges that cannot hurt, even if the pieces fall on exposed skin.
Laminated or triplex. Belongs to the group of tempered glasses with increased strength. Triplex is a layered "cake" of several sheets that are glued together. Two types of such glasses are distinguished: jellied and film. In the first case, the gluing of the sheets is carried out using a laminating liquid, and in the second - using a special film. With a strong impact, the triplex does not crumble, like ordinary glasses, but is covered with cracks sealed between two protective layers.
Energy saving. Novelty in the market of double-glazed windows, which so far only affluent homeowners can afford. Externally, glass is no different from ordinary sheet. It even has a standard thickness (not more than 1 cm), but from the inside its surface is covered with a special coating. It “beats” heat, redirecting it into the room, thereby preventing it from seeping into the street.
Stained glass window. Glasses are a decorative composition that is assembled from pieces of different colors enclosed in a metal profile. Previously, this option was universally used to decorate cathedrals and rich palaces in Europe. Real masters put together whole pictures from small pieces according to the mosaic principle, which will become the highlight of the interior of the veranda.They have only one drawback - they are poorly exposed to sunlight, therefore they are often used in conjunction with ordinary transparent glasses and play the role of accent decor.
In addition to glasses, there are several more transparent materials that are actively used for glazing verandas and arbors in areas.
PVC film
PVC film is better known as soft glass. It is used only for cold glazing, as the material does not cope with the vagaries of the domestic climate and harsh winter conditions. PVC film is sold in rolls and can have different thicknesses and colors. It is ideal as an alternative to expensive glazing, as it has a low cost. The material can be given any shape. Soft glass is often used as “flexible curtains,” which are twisted into compact rollers and fixed in this position by ribbons. If it starts to rain or wind rises, then the curtains are lowered, but at the same time the street can be seen as well as without them. The film is durable. With constant contact with the sun, it can be used for up to five years. If operating conditions are more gentle, then this period is doubled.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is often used for glazing greenhouses, summer greenhouses and gazebos. The material is flexible and lightweight. It is classified into two types:
Monolithic. Sheets look more like glass, transmit light well, and have high transparency.
Cell phone. The sheets consist of two layers of material, which in a section are similar to “honeycombs”, that is, the surface of the polycarbonate is decorated with “strips” formed due to the cells inside. Light transmits light well, but it cannot be classified as transparent. Suitable for verandas that need to be hidden from the eyes of passers-by.
From the point of view of aesthetics, monolithic polycarbonate looks more solid and noble. From a distance it is generally difficult to distinguish from sheet glass.Cellular material wins in value, as it is more affordable. Naturally, such glazing is not suitable for warm verandas.
How to choose a glazing method
The choice of the type of glazing of the veranda depends entirely on the functional purpose of the room. The first thing to decide is the time frame for its use:
The end of spring, summer, the beginning of autumn.
All year round.
This can already be repelled when choosing the type of construction and materials. For "winter" verandas, durable wooden frames or plastic double-glazed windows, tempered glass or triplex are ideal. For cold glazing, you can use aluminum, polycarbonate, soft glass. Of course, a summer terrace will cost much less, but “warm” provides more opportunities.
Terrace design and decoration
The design of the veranda is selected for the stylistic design of the house. The interior of this room should not be knocked out of the general composition. Most often, verandas are used as a relaxation room. They put a wide sofa, armchairs, a coffee table. The walls outside are twined with hops, grapes or ivy, and the windows are hung with light curtains. When the dimensions of the room allow, then its interior is complemented by a pair of shelving with books and a cozy fireplace. If a loft is chosen as the main direction, then brick prevails in the decoration, and glazing is better to choose with aluminum profiles. Similar designs suit high-tech and contemporary style. Provence, Art Nouveau, classic, chalet, a number of ethnic styles are more impressed with wood. Plastic is universal and can be combined with any modern styles, but it does not fit into luxury apartments, where every element of the interior should be associated with luxury.
The nuances of self-glazing terraces
Do-it-yourself glazing of the veranda is possible only if it is planned to use wood as frames. First you need to carefully measure and create design drawings.Glasses are inserted into special grooves in the beam, which are cut beforehand. No matter how good the master may be, his work will still be much inferior to the finished double-glazed windows, which are produced in factories and undergo strict quality control.
Conclusion
Glazing the veranda in any case will require a sufficiently large investment. This room will be an excellent substitute for the gazebo and will allow you to enjoy unity with nature in any weather. Agree that it is foolish to spend time outside the city, while limiting yourself to four walls. If the terrace is designed only for summer vacations, then it is worth thinking about partial glazing or the use of cheap polycarbonate as an alternative. If the house is very small, then the extension will add to its area another living room with unique cosiness and warm atmosphere.
Verandas are usually used in the warm season as an additional usable area. According to the type of design, they are classified into attached and built-in. The first are being built after the completion of the construction of the house. The presence of built-in is provided even at the design stage of a residential building. Also, the verandas can be glazed and without it. In the second case, the site, in fact, is a terrace equipped with a canopy. Glazed verandas can be used not only in bad weather in the summer and not be afraid of rain or wind, which used to interfere with quiet gatherings, but also in winter if they are heated. In this regard, the premises are similar to the attics, which are converted into cold attics. In the south, the veranda is most often used as a gazebo or dining room. On the most stuffy nights, you can equip a bedroom, where night coolness abounds.In the outback, equipment for the summer kitchen is transferred here, if there is no free separate building for these purposes. A veranda can be called not only an extension to the house, but also a separate room on the site in which a greenhouse or a hall for receiving guests is arranged (earlier for dance evenings).
The fashion for such a spacious “gazebo” came from France. And the word “veranda” itself has a Bengali origin, which in principle is not surprising if we recall the close ties of Old Europe with the countries of South Asia. Balconies and loggias, in fact, are also verandas, but related to city apartments in high-rise buildings. It’s enough to recall that they are also divided into “warm” and “cold”. We will consider options for glazing verandas in private homes.
Content
Features and Benefits
Glazing of the veranda is the very rare case when, among many advantages, flaws are lost. The room is warm and cold. In the first case, it can be used in the winter, as residential. If the glazing is cold, then the temperature inside the veranda will be higher than the outdoor temperature by only a couple of degrees, that is, the difference is insignificant. Such a veranda can only be used in summer. The advantages of glazing include:
If we mention the features of the glazing of the veranda, then it should go well with the design of the house. This is a prerequisite and the most important condition. Next, you should pay attention to the area of the translucent canvas, in order to ensure proper support in the form of frames and at the same time not to reduce the strength of the entire structure. The next stage is the choice of material for the frame, but we will talk about this in more detail later. Modern glazing systems offer great opportunities for owners:
Now let's talk about the types of glazing, their disadvantages and advantages.
Types of glazing
There are quite a few classifications of glazing, depending on its features:
Panoramic glazing can be classified as a separate category. Let's talk about each of the species in more detail.
Cold and warm
Cold glazing is used when the owners have chosen "seasonal use" for the veranda. As the main materials are suitable:
Cold glazing looks stylish and practical.At the same time, double-glazed windows reliably protect the veranda from precipitation, dirt and dust. In summer, the premises can be used as an office, a relaxation room, summer kitchen, and in winter it can be easily converted into a pantry to store pickles or “garden gifts”. Warm glazing is usually carried out using plastic double-glazed windows, which have special air chambers.
They serve as a “buffer”, trapping heat in the room and not allowing the cold to penetrate from the street. The sash fit tightly to the frames. Glass consists of several transparent sheets, the gaps between which are filled with a special absorbent that absorbs moisture. Such glazing does not allow cold, moisture and wind to enter the room. It reliably protects the veranda from the external environment and allows you to convert it into a full-fledged living room. If we talk about the cost, then you will have to pay more for double-glazed windows, but at the same time the option provides much more advantages.
Full and partial
Depending on the functional purpose of the veranda, glazing for it can be full or partial. The first option allows you to create warm or cold glazing, that is, the openings are completely closed with double-glazed windows and there are no "gaping" windows in the walls of the room. Partial glazing is a simpler and cheaper option. It is appropriate in cases where, for example, the room needs to be protected from the leeward side. You can use such a veranda only in the summer.
Frameless and framed
Glazing with frames is a popular and already quite battered option. Glass sheets are placed inside a special frame, which provides the structure with strength and stability. Relatively recently (just a couple of dozen years ago) frameless glazing came to us, when the facade consists entirely of sheets of heavy-duty glass, which are sealed at the joints. It creates the illusion of a completely open space.Sheets of glass are fixed with aluminum profiles at the floor and ceiling. This option can not be called budget, but rest on such a veranda will really be "breathtaking." It is appropriate to use frameless glazing only in those cases when a beautiful view is opened from the room (garden, field, meadow, nearby river or sea coast). Although the design looks fragile in appearance, in fact, it will give odds to any other glass unit in strength. For frameless glazing, only tempered glass is used, which is almost impossible to break.
If a blow of enormous force nevertheless damages the surface, then it will only be covered with small cracks, but will not shower all around with fragments. The design is equipped with additional protection against accidental plowing. Of the disadvantages, only low noise isolation and difficulty in care can be noted. In order for the glasses to maintain their transparency and “gloss”, they must not be washed with abrasive substances that leave small scratches on the surface. You will also have to forget about the old "grandmother's" method using crumpled newspapers instead of a sponge.
Panoramic
Panoramic glazing is performed throughout the facade, that is, windows occupy the entire space from the ceiling to the floor. This is a stylish, original solution, which originates in the European tradition of decorating windows facing the garden. A magnificent view of the nearby beauty will open from the veranda. Panoramic glazing can be frameless and with frames. The option is popular not only for verandas, but also for glazing balconies and loggias in high-rise buildings with a slight difference: there the system is necessarily supplemented by a protective frame that prevents a person from falling onto glass.
To avoid this, you must either install an additional heat source, in which the flow of hot air is directed to the windows, or regularly lubricate the glass with a solution of glycerol.
Sliding and swinging
The swinging opening system is familiar to everyone: sash windows or doors after turning the handle open inward (usually 90 degrees). In plastic double-glazed windows, a more complex swing system is used, which additionally allows you to partially open windows and doors from above, pulling them “towards you”. The option is ideal for airing the room. Swing glazing provides good tightness. With it, you can create both cold and warm rooms. The sliding system works on a completely different principle: the shutters are pushed to the sides on special rails located below and above. They can "drive" only in a straight line (as in sliding wardrobes) or they can be folded "into an accordion."
In the latter case, we are talking about panoramic glazing with frames, when large "window-doors" are compactly assembled near one of the walls of the veranda. Sliding systems cannot provide complete tightness, therefore they are used only for cold glazing.
Construction Materials
Glazing frame can be made of plastic, wood and aluminum. Materials are located in popularity, starting with the most sought after. Of course, at first plastic began to be used everywhere in the glazing of city apartments. Gradually, he moved to private homes, but wood and aluminum here still continue to stubbornly hold the defense. This is especially good for the tree, which is inadvertently associated with the warm atmosphere of the village house and is ideally combined with decoration in the style of chalet, country, Provence, which are so often used in the outback.
Aluminum
The main advantage of aluminum is its low weight. The material allows you to make the design much easier, but without compromising its strength. In terms of cost, aluminum also outperforms its main competitors. For comparison: the price of plastic glazing is two times higher than the installation of a similar aluminum construction.Unfortunately, the material did not begin to be used everywhere because of its main drawback: the design retains heat very poorly.
A veranda with an aluminum profile can be used only in summer, in winter it is most logical to equip a “street freezer” here. Although now manufacturers offer a rather expensive solution to this problem - thermal inserts and special inserts that trap heat and create additional sound insulation. The aluminum profile is refractory, so the risk of ignition of the structure is reduced to zero, which becomes another advantage of the material when compared with wood.
Tree
Previously, only wood was used for glazing houses (not only verandas). With the advent of alternative options, they began to slowly forget about this material, but its advantages did not fade. The tree has a high noise and heat insulation. Although, of course, the glass itself receives the main “blow” to the conservation of heat, a lot also depends on the frames. Unlike plastic or aluminum, wood does not need additional thermal liners, since the material itself prevents the ingress of cold into the room and the release of warm air outside. There are micropores in the wood, which allows it to “breathe”. Manufacturers of plastic double-glazed windows in the specifications voiced the limiting minus for the material at 30 degrees below zero. At this temperature, PVC loses its strength and becomes brittle.
There is also a limit on frost resistance for wood, but this figure is so sky-high (minus 120 degrees) that even in the Far North it cannot be verified. From this we can conclude: wood is the warmest material. The wood is environmentally friendly, but lights up when it comes in contact with an open flame. Previously, the material is treated with special impregnations, which increase its fire resistance and moisture resistance. Contact with wood fluid is dangerous.Material that is not properly processed can be deformed, which will render the glass packet completely unusable. And the main advantage of a tree lies in its beauty, which neither aluminum nor PVC possesses. Warm, homely, “cozy” material will perfectly emphasize decoration in an alpine chalet, simple country, French Provence and rustic Russian style.
Plastic
Contrary to misconceptions, high-quality plastic does not emit harmful substances during operation. PVC perfectly retains heat, thanks to special rubberized inserts around the perimeter of the windows and doors, the veranda remains airtight. Plastic windows provide good sound insulation. They are ideal for warm glazing, but have a lot of weight, so they are not recommended for use in dilapidated summer cottages or old country houses. PVC can not be called refractory, but when in contact with an open flame, they do not light up, but begin to melt, releasing corrosive substances.
Perhaps the main drawback of plastic glazing is its high cost. If you need to put one or two windows, then the purchase and installation will not hit the budget very much, but for a panoramic double-glazed window you already have to spend a lot of money. Wood and aluminum in this regard leave PVC far behind, enticing buyers with seductive prices.
Glass materials
A transparent canvas occupies the lion's share of the area of the glazed area, therefore its characteristics affect the quality of construction to a greater extent than the features of frames and profiles. On the verandas are used not only "classic" glass, but also other materials, which also provide free penetration of sunlight into the room and at the same time protect from the weather. Consider their varieties and evaluate the profitability of using in the glazing of the veranda.
Glass
For glazing houses it is better to use special materials that have increased strength.All of them are made in the form of sheets and belong to a large category of sheet glasses. The following types are suitable for glazing a veranda:
In addition to glasses, there are several more transparent materials that are actively used for glazing verandas and arbors in areas.
PVC film
PVC film is better known as soft glass. It is used only for cold glazing, as the material does not cope with the vagaries of the domestic climate and harsh winter conditions. PVC film is sold in rolls and can have different thicknesses and colors. It is ideal as an alternative to expensive glazing, as it has a low cost. The material can be given any shape. Soft glass is often used as “flexible curtains,” which are twisted into compact rollers and fixed in this position by ribbons. If it starts to rain or wind rises, then the curtains are lowered, but at the same time the street can be seen as well as without them. The film is durable. With constant contact with the sun, it can be used for up to five years. If operating conditions are more gentle, then this period is doubled.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is often used for glazing greenhouses, summer greenhouses and gazebos. The material is flexible and lightweight. It is classified into two types:
From the point of view of aesthetics, monolithic polycarbonate looks more solid and noble. From a distance it is generally difficult to distinguish from sheet glass.Cellular material wins in value, as it is more affordable. Naturally, such glazing is not suitable for warm verandas.
How to choose a glazing method
The choice of the type of glazing of the veranda depends entirely on the functional purpose of the room. The first thing to decide is the time frame for its use:
This can already be repelled when choosing the type of construction and materials. For "winter" verandas, durable wooden frames or plastic double-glazed windows, tempered glass or triplex are ideal. For cold glazing, you can use aluminum, polycarbonate, soft glass. Of course, a summer terrace will cost much less, but “warm” provides more opportunities.
Terrace design and decoration
The design of the veranda is selected for the stylistic design of the house. The interior of this room should not be knocked out of the general composition. Most often, verandas are used as a relaxation room. They put a wide sofa, armchairs, a coffee table. The walls outside are twined with hops, grapes or ivy, and the windows are hung with light curtains. When the dimensions of the room allow, then its interior is complemented by a pair of shelving with books and a cozy fireplace. If a loft is chosen as the main direction, then brick prevails in the decoration, and glazing is better to choose with aluminum profiles. Similar designs suit high-tech and contemporary style. Provence, Art Nouveau, classic, chalet, a number of ethnic styles are more impressed with wood. Plastic is universal and can be combined with any modern styles, but it does not fit into luxury apartments, where every element of the interior should be associated with luxury.
The nuances of self-glazing terraces
Do-it-yourself glazing of the veranda is possible only if it is planned to use wood as frames. First you need to carefully measure and create design drawings.Glasses are inserted into special grooves in the beam, which are cut beforehand. No matter how good the master may be, his work will still be much inferior to the finished double-glazed windows, which are produced in factories and undergo strict quality control.
Conclusion
Glazing the veranda in any case will require a sufficiently large investment. This room will be an excellent substitute for the gazebo and will allow you to enjoy unity with nature in any weather. Agree that it is foolish to spend time outside the city, while limiting yourself to four walls. If the terrace is designed only for summer vacations, then it is worth thinking about partial glazing or the use of cheap polycarbonate as an alternative. If the house is very small, then the extension will add to its area another living room with unique cosiness and warm atmosphere.