What to make a transparent roof on the veranda

What material to choose for the roof of the terrace

Terraces and gazebos are modern outbuildings designed to organize comfortable rest and relaxation of household members in a private house. To increase the comfort and give the terrace a more sophisticated appearance, the roof is often made of transparent materials.

Benefits of light-transmitting roofing:

• ease of installation of the structure and, if necessary, dismantling;
• lightness and strength of the coating;
• maximum illumination of the premises of the summer building with natural light;
• simple and uncomplicated work to clean the flooring from dirt and moisture;
• nice appearance.

In modern construction, one of the following types of transparent roofing materials is used:

• Polycarbonate plastic (polycarbonate) - due to its chemical structure, it has a high light transmittance, reaching 92%, shockproof in combination with low weight.
• Glass or ready-made double-glazed windows is a rather rare solution due to the complexity of the installation and the high cost of material and components. Has the highest possible light transmission.

Types of translucent coatings

If the painted picture suits you and the covered terrace with glass has already migrated from the science fiction camp to the department of pending projects, it will be useful for you to study the market for light-conducting materials. Indeed, today it is not limited to glass alone, but includes a whole cohort of light-conducting plastics. And now about these materials in more detail.

Acrylic

Acrylic, which we know from Soviet times under the name "organic glass" has long been used in the production of greenhouses, but sometimes it is also used in capital construction. According to its characteristics, it is 15 times stronger than classic glass, has a similar light transmittance and is easy to clean. But it begins to melt only at + 90 ° C, and even fire hazardous.

Polycarbonate

Much more interesting in this regard is polycarbonate, which differs little in cost from the aforementioned acrylic, but does not burn, is 200 times stronger than glass and begins to melt only at a temperature of + 160 ° C. Like acrylic sheet, polycarbonate has a cellular structure, flexibility and excellent transparency.

The natural disadvantage of thermoplastic is its dislike of ultraviolet light, but manufacturers have learned to deal with it by covering their goods with special protective films. Today, cellular polycarbonate has almost completely replaced acrylic panels and is used everywhere.

Transparent PVC

Another translucent material from which it is realistic to build a roof not only for a terrace, but also for an entire one-story house is PVC slate. Such, for example, is produced by the German company Salux. It has not yet become widespread in Russia, but there are prerequisites for this. The product is distinguished by its low cost, light weight and enviable survivability. The only mine is a relatively low operating temperature range, which is limited to + 60 ° C. But if the terrace is in the shade of the garden, the problem is solved by itself.

Glass

And finally, glass is still the most solid and at the same time the oldest window product. On his side

• Ecological cleanliness
• Chemical neutrality
• And an almost inexhaustible lifespan

If the glass is not broken, it will outlive not only the frame into which it is inserted, but also the bricks from which the walls themselves were erected. But this is a heavy and, most importantly, expensive product. After all, brands of impact-resistant glass are many times more expensive than what is used in the manufacture of ordinary windows. And they certainly surpass acrylic and cellular polycarbonate in price.

As you can see, only two fundamentally different transparent roofing materials remained on the agenda.This is glass and thermoplastic, otherwise polycarbonate. We will talk about them further.

Design

The construction of a terrace or veranda allows you to connect the enclosed space of the dwelling and nature into a single whole and opens up wide possibilities for the design of these buildings.

Fencing. They can be made protective or decorative, for example, in the form of a low, graceful fence or pergolas - canopies from several arches, decorated with loaches or potted compositions of bright ampelous plants. It is good to decorate the perimeter with ornamental shrubs and flowers.

• Instead of a standard roof, you can use a removable awning, retractable awnings, a portable umbrella.
• When a terrace or veranda is not attached to the house, but is placed separately in the yard, then a path is used as a connecting link between the buildings. To decorate the path, spotlights built into the niches of the ground covering, or LED backlighting plus one or more openwork arches to create the effect of a luminous tunnel, are suitable.

For a summer veranda or an open terrace, it is advisable to choose plastic of muted dark colors - smoky, tobacco shade, bottle glass color with a grayish or bluish undertone. Being on the veranda in red, blue or bright green can be irritating.

When the frame is made of wood, after antiseptic treatment and varnishing, the wood acquires a reddish color. In this case, brownish or orange polycarbonate is selected for the roof. These tones create a relaxing atmosphere and raise the color temperature of the veranda interior.

Project

The main value of suburban housing is the ability to relax in the bosom of nature. The presence of a terrace or veranda contributes to the realization of this desire in full and guarantees the most comfortable pastime outside the walls of the house. At the same time, the independent preparation of the project of these buildings has a number of features.

When designing a terrace, you need to take into account some points.

It is important to calculate the height of the building so that the structure does not get wet.
Residents of the middle lane are recommended to orient the building to the south. When the terrace is planned to be used mainly in the afternoon, it is logical to place it on the west side.
The ideal location of the extension implies a good view of the designer beauty on the site against the backdrop of the surrounding landscapes.

In addition to building a standard open area, several options can be considered.

• Combining the attic and the terrace by creating a separate exit to the open area. This will create an ideal place for relaxation, where it is convenient to drink tea in the mornings or evenings, admire the picturesque views and enjoy the unhurried flow of country life.
• Erection of a columnar foundation for a terrace. In this case, a roof is made at the building and, in fact, they get a spacious and comfortable open veranda.

If residents of warm countries usually relax on verandas, then in our climate these premises are distinguished by a wider field of application and are classified according to several criteria.

Location and type of foundation. The veranda can be an independent structure or a room built-in and attached to the main building and, accordingly, have a separate base or common with the main building.

Transparent materials for terrace roof

As noted above, a transparent roof can be made from a wide variety of materials. Modern manufacturers for their profile systems most often use tempered glass, structural insulating glass units and various materials based on polymers.The choice of this or that type of material is due to functional necessity and many other individual factors.

Fully glass roofs over terraces are rare. Such solutions are extremely difficult to implement and require serious costs, because each time it is necessary to develop a separate project and carry out a very complex installation. After all, if the roof of the terrace is glass, then it consists of double-glazed windows or individual glass blocks. In this case, double-glazed windows are presented in the form of two or more glasses, between which an inert gas can be in the formed chamber, which allows to provide, together with the tightness of the entire structure, a high level of thermal insulation. That is why such solutions are recommended for use on terraces where there is insulation and heating (i.e., for year-round terraced rooms).

A transparent roof of them is installed on many terraces in our country. Similar designs are made of polyvinyl chloride or polycarbonate. These materials are distinguished by a high level of resistance to the effects of temperature extremes, they are completely inert to moisture, have a low weight, therefore they are easily mounted on the terraces by the owners themselves.

Polymer roof of a light terrace.

The use of polymeric materials in private construction can significantly save on installation and repair work. Polymer materials (PVC, polycarbonate and others) not only have quite an affordable cost, but are also presented on the modern market by interesting and unusual models that differ significantly from each other. This allows you to make very attractive outwardly designs for private and public use from the same polycarbonate.

Preparation for arranging the roof of the terrace

Reliable and high-quality installation of the structure can be ensured with the use of special fasteners designed to connect polycarbonate material with supporting structures of various types. The selection of professional tools and components guarantees the durability and attractive appearance of the structure.

For the production of work you will need:

• connecting profiles - end, U-shaped, H-shaped (one-piece);
• corner profiles;
• set of ridge profiles;
• guide profiles for fastening material to wall surfaces.

The design solution involves the use of transparent and colored fixing elements for installing cellular polycarbonate.

What material do you like the most about the house?

Log house
25.47%

Brick house
19.38%

Log house
15.3%

House of aerated concrete blocks
13.93%

Canadian technology house
12.26%

Rounded log house
4.45%

Monolithic house
3.92%

House of foam blocks
2.63%

House of vulture panels
2.66%

Votes: 2627

Roof sealing

One of the most common problems in the operation of a translucent roof is a violation of the seal. Leaks can occur immediately after installation or after several years. In the first case, they are the result of poor-quality installation. Depressurization of the roof after a long service life is a frequent and almost inevitable process. Under the influence of wind, snow and temperature gradients, the coating deforms, which entails an increase in the gaps between the joints. Sealing elements made of synthetic rubber are subject to aging and deterioration.

Sealing objectives:

• prevent the ingress of moisture from the outside;
• improve the thermal insulation of the room, getting rid of the "cold bridges";
• prevent corrosion of metal elements and hardware;
• extend the life of the roof.

For sealing, 2 groups of materials are used: tapes and sealants.Let's consider the issues of sealing on the example of a polycarbonate roof.

Ribbons

To protect the ends of the web, continuous (sealing) and perforated tapes are used.

The adhesive layer of the tapes quickly and reliably adheres to surfaces, secondary plywood is allowed

These are self-adhesive accessories that can withstand moisture and frequent temperature changes.

Both types of tapes have their own characteristics. For pitched roofs, hermetic tapes are used to close the upper end of the canvas from precipitation (rain, snow). Perforated tapes protect the sheets from underneath. They have air filters with microscopic holes to drain condensate. If the translucent roof is made in the form of an arch, then only punched tape is used.

Sealants

The joints of the roofing materials are coated with sealants. Depending on the type of filler, they are divided into acrylic, silicone, bitumen and polyurethane compounds. For translucent roofs, rubber-based silicone sealants are suitable.

The sealant not only insulates the roof from moisture, but also prevents the panels from moving out of place

Physical and mechanical properties of silicone sealants:

• elasticity that compensates for material shifts during operation;
• excellent adhesion to the roof surface;
• resistance to temperature changes and mechanical damage.

Glass roofing for terraces

But when choosing a glass roof, more attention should be paid not to the glass itself, which all manufacturers have plus or minus one quality, but to the reliability of profile aluminum, but not PVC systems and accessories. It is the latter that allows you to create a sliding roof for the terrace, and this is an additional point to comfort, because without ventilation under a transparent canopy it will not just be warm, but really hot

By the way, the same three-pitched or flat roof of the terrace can, if you try, heat the whole house, or at least take on a significant share of energy costs compensation. After all, solar radiation energy, without hindrance, bypassing the roofing barrier, will accumulate in the interior interior and in the evening will spread throughout the living space. Such systems are widespread in the countries of North America, but they can be successfully applied in the Moscow region.

Video

If you also want to take advantage of the energy of a heavenly body, you will have to purchase energy-efficient glass, soldered into double-glazed windows. For ordinary awnings, it is rational to use single glass.

Required materials and tools

A sharp knife is required to cut the honeycomb material, but an electric jigsaw or circular saw is useful when working with a monolith. In both cases, you should also stock up on a screwdriver or screwdriver, drill, level, tape measure and always a ladder. In this case, it is better to create the necessary holes with metal drills.

As you know, the lathing is the main structure for installing roofing material. You always need to start by creating supports, frame and crate. For complex and intricate structures, huge metal beams, pillars (made of wood, reinforced concrete, brick) are used; it is recommended to install them on a closed foundation, for simpler and lighter ones - an aluminum profile, or steel supports. At the same time, for reliable fixing of the profile, it must be walled up.

Style directions

There are many styles in which the curtains for the gazebo are decorated:

• country;
• Roman;
• roll;
• blinds;
• thread;
• sliding.

Rustic country style will delight you with bright patterns and perky mood.

A practical option is roller blinds for the terrace, they have another name - fabric roller shutters.The roll is opened automatically by the remote control or manually. Acrylic fabric or blackout is often used. The same principle is used for roller blinds, they are mounted inside the room, and roller shutters - outside.

There are lovers of thread curtains - fabric bundles on a common basis. They can be made of natural jute threads, fishing line, plastic, wire. They often serve as an element of the terrace decor, they do not absorb the sun's rays.

For verandas, sliding panels with a rigid frame in the Japanese style are often chosen, they are attached to the cornice.

Types of polycarbonate roofs

Using durable and warm polycarbonate that transmits the sun's rays, you can create not only the roof, but also the walls of the room. Looking at such a structure, one might get the impression that it is too fragile, but in terms of strength, this thermoplastic is not inferior even to high-impact plastic. At the same time, being inside, people do not feel like in a confined space, like ordinary rooms.

The surface of the material used as a roof can be straight, curved, or broken. You can easily make an arch from it or install a more complex configuration. It is worth noting that even a completely flat roof surface should have a slight slope (at least 5 degrees). In shape, it can be single, gable or arched.

In order to solidify the horizontal parts, it is better to use wood or steel (baguette contour profiles). In this case, one of the edges should be based on the load-bearing wall of the building, the other should consist of beams arranged vertically (in this case, it is also better to use either metal or wood). It should be noted that if the frame is heavy, then for its support it is better to choose strong pillars (brick or reinforced concrete is well suited), arranged on a waterproofing foundation (a mixture of sand and gravel).

It will be interesting for you to learn about glazing the veranda with soft windows with your own hands.

How to make a transparent roof with your own hands

It has already been said that a glass transparent roof for a terrace can only be made by professionals and using special equipment. At the same time, when using polycarbonate, you can make a very good roof for a terrace with your own hands, without resorting to the help of expensive specialists.

It is recommended to make a strong frame that can ensure long-term operation of the entire system.

Technological transparent roof.

Experts point out that thick support beams are strongly discouraged for transparent roofs, because they will spoil the entire appearance of the material. Polycarbonate installation works are carried out in the following sequence:

1. The first step is to measure the roof of the terrace structure. The marking of the roofing material should be carried out in such a way that it is possible to lay polycarbonate sheets with an overlap of 1-1.5 cm.
2. After that, holes must be drilled on the polycarbonate for fasteners (self-tapping screws, screws). The diameter of the holes to be drilled must exceed the size of the fastener diameter by 3-4 mm.
3. Next, you need to screw in the screws, thereby fixing the polycarbonate sheets on the roof. In order not to spoil the plastic material, do not apply too much mechanical force when tightening the screws. Everything should go slowly and clearly.
4. When installing polycarbonate sheets between the wall and the roof, it is necessary to insert plastic caps and O-rings. To provide additional sealing, a profiled type of polystyrene is usually used.
5. If there is a slight slope of the roof, then the space formed under the overlap of polycarbonate sheets should be filled with sealant.

At the same time, the fastening of polycarbonate sheets can be performed using profiles. For this, connecting and end profiles are attached to the rafters, which correspond in size to polycarbonate sheets.After that, the plastic stops are fixed at a distance of 2-3 cm from the edge of the profile and the installation of polycarbonate sheets into the profile grooves is performed. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that a gap of 5-6 mm is observed between the material and the profile, which is required in case of expansion of polycarbonate when exposed to high temperatures. Fastening of sheets is carried out using special profile clamps. After that, you can remove the protective film and install the plugs.

Elements of the transparent roof of the terrace.

If this is not done, then by sight it is quite difficult to carry out such complex and non-standard work with material unusual for many. The cost of polycarbonate sheets on the modern market is relatively low, so there is nothing surprising in the widespread use of these materials. They are used not only for arranging the roof of a terrace, but also as a canopy for an impromptu garage, porch, playground, etc. The material is quite versatile.

Maintenance of outdoor curtains for gazebos and verandas

Maintaining outdoor curtains is often very simple. Depending on the material, choose dry or wet processing. It is recommended to wash the canvases once a season, but the degree of contamination should be monitored.

The main recommendations are as follows:

1. Cloths made of lavsan with PVC impregnation are undemanding in maintenance. To get rid of stains and dirt, you can use a soap-based solution and a silicone brush. After removing the dirt, the cloth is washed under water. Such care and careful operation of the curtains will provide the product with a service life of up to 15 years.
2. Washing the film outdoors is carried out with Kaercher devices or with water from a hose with a nozzle.
3. Fabric curtains with impregnation should be washed as rarely as possible, because this process worsens moisture resistance and dust repellency. It is better to vacuum or use dry methods for textiles. If water treatment is indispensable, a short cycle and a "Delicate wash" mode are set in the washing machine. Water temperature - not higher than + 30 ° С, detergents - in liquid form.
4. After washing, the curtains should be slightly squeezed out with your hands, straightened and hung on the street. Ironing - be without steam treatment.
5. It is permissible to remove contamination with ordinary laundry soap and water up to + 40 ° C. The spots are thoroughly lathered, brushed, and then washed off with non-hot water.

Correct installation of curtains on the veranda gives a high degree of comfort, regardless of weather conditions. With the help of this decorative element, the owner of the building can protect himself and his guests from the sun, wind, prying eyes, and also place accents or complement the interior. Self-tailoring is not difficult if there is material and the necessary tools, so almost every housewife can arrange a veranda.

How to choose curtains: selection criteria

Usually, when choosing curtains for a veranda, they are guided by the following criteria:

• resistance to precipitation;
• air permeability;
• material strength;
• easy care;
• convenience when washing.

Protective curtains on the veranda or gazebo completely cover the openings, allow you to spend time there before the onset of cold weather. They tightly cover the veranda, help keep warm when the heaters are turned on inside, and prevent insects from entering. Some summer residents consider transparent PVC curtains a worthy substitute for veranda glazing. They are also chosen because of their suitability in the winter season, they are not afraid of frosts and dampness. There are fastening systems that can be opened in the summer. Usually, transparent protective curtains are combined with fabric curtains inside, they save from the sun's rays.

The choice of curtains from moisture-proof textile fabric, acrylic is good if they are needed only for the summer season. They are not afraid of rainy weather and wind.You can look for a convenient roll-up version of blackout curtains, you can control them using a lever. Another plus: they suit any interior style. Caring for them is simple, just wipe them with a damp cloth. They have to be removed for the winter.

If protection for the gazebo or veranda is needed only from the bright sun and heat, it is enough to choose curtains made of decorative fabric of a color suitable for the interior. Fabric curtains can be beautifully decorated. The main requirement is that the fabric for them should be dense, firmly colored, easy to wash, iron. After all, an open veranda is susceptible to dust. The most suitable are burlap, linen or cotton linen, with or without a pattern - the hostess decides. Sometimes the gazebo is draped with tulle.

Having made the decision to close the veranda with curtains, it is important to understand what function they will perform: decorate the interior or protect from rain, sun, insects. This will help you choose the right option when buying.

Moreover, modern materials allow you to combine the aesthetic component and practical properties.

The need for the owners of garden buildings is usually in a moisture-resistant, covering from bright rays, attractive material, easy to maintain and durable, which will delight for more than one year.

How to care for a transparent roof

In order for a transparent polycarbonate roof to serve as long as possible, it must be properly looked after. The presentability of the appearance of such a structure and the ability to illuminate is guaranteed only when it is perfectly clean. To do this, it is necessary to regularly remove debris, branches, dust, traces of rain and snow from the surface of the transparent roof. This is especially true in autumn and winter, when the climatic effects on the roof are especially intense. At the same time, despite the rather great complexity of installation work and the high cost of material, such a structure is capable of very effectively decorating any building, house, summer house or gazebo.

Roof installation rules

It is better to entrust the installation of a roof made of double-glazed windows to professionals, while the installation of light plastic structures can be done independently.

Check out the description of the types of sliding glazing for verandas and terraces.

In this case, you should carefully study the features of the material used in advance and adhere to the following rules:

• the slope of the slope should be at least 8%, and the recommended value is from 10%;
• when designing a plastic roof with a complex bend, the minimum radius is 2.5 m;
• it is impossible to walk on plastic sheets; a special flooring or ladder is installed to move;
• ventilation of the roof space should be provided;
• the overhang of the plastic sheet should not exceed 20 cm;
• installation of plastic sheets is carried out without rigid fastening, nails or staples. To install such material, self-tapping screws with special thermal washers or seals are used that prevent the passage of moisture.

Transparent option

If the veranda frame has already been erected, it is covered with polycarbonate according to the following scheme:

1. The sheets are cut into the required fragments in advance. The protective film from the edges is turned off around the entire perimeter (but not removed until the installation is completed). The ends of the cellular polycarbonate are covered with protective tapes so that moisture and dirt do not penetrate.
2. Put the material in place with the side with the protective film facing up. The direction is chosen along the slope so that the soda flows naturally. The sheets are aligned with the ridge so that the lower edge protrudes slightly beyond the limits.
3. At the edges, we fasten the base profile with self-tapping screws, screwing them into the pre-drilled holes. The diameter of the holes exceeds the diameter of the stem by 2–3 mm.
4. Sheets are mounted on the eaves section.The side screws should retreat from the edges by 15 centimeters, the step between the others should be about 30 cm. Screw in until the washer fits snugly against the plate, avoiding dents.
5. The sheets are interconnected with connecting profiles. When the side sheet is in place, a clamping profile-cover is mounted along the end of the roof.
6. After completing the installation, remove the protective film from the panels.

In the end, you should think about the outflow of rain and melt water by building a drain.

The transparent roof of a polycarbonate veranda is much better than glass: it is not so fragile, durable, lightweight and beautiful.