What could it be better than rest in the fresh air? Only an organized, civilized holiday with comfort. Most homeowners do not miss the opportunity to create such a place to relax in their private yard or on their personal plot and add a terrace to the house (or plan it during the construction of the building). It is not surprising that the word “terrace” contains the combination “terra”, which means earth. After all, a terrace is nothing more than a platform located on the ground or slightly raised above its level and equipped specifically for relaxation. Terraces can be free-standing or attached to the house. In this publication we will analyze the second version of this universal, practical and beautiful place for organizing outdoor recreation.
Depending on the degree of openness, terraces can be completely open, semi-closed or closed. But do not confuse a terrace with a veranda (usually a glazed area attached to a house) - a closed terrace is a structure with a roof, sometimes enclosed by one or two walls of the house, but not glazed.
On from covered terrace(on a deck without a roof) you can also place recreation segments, places for meals and even children’s play areas. But in such cases, it is important to take care of sun protection (especially for terraces located on the south and south-east sides of the building) and to provide for the possibility of stretching an awning or using garden umbrellas. Such umbrellas can be portable devices and can be mounted anywhere or be part of a table.
Among the terraces adjacent to the house, there are not many options in shape - rectangular (the most common type), square, asymmetrical and wrapping around the perimeter of the building. The latter become effective way for organizing outdoor recreation, if the area adjacent to the house is small, and the terrace cannot be made wide enough, and several functional segments must be placed on it (for example, not only a recreation area, but also a sector for dining).
Terraces can also be single-level or multi-level, located at the main entrance or overlooking the backyard. But, as a rule, they try to build a terrace (or plan to build it initially) on the south side of the building. This location allows you to enjoy the warmth sun rays the maximum possible number of days in a year.
Terrace styles
Today, the most popular styles of terrace design can be considered the following:
- modern;
- traditional;
- colonial;
- coastal (beach);
- country (rustic).
Modern style involves comfortable minimalism. The slogan “less is more” suits this style of terrace design perfectly. Strict lines, laconic forms, simplicity and functionality in everything. But at the same time, the style is not devoid of comfort and coziness. The furniture on such a terrace is simple but practical, often designer and original. Decorative elements on the terrace, decorated in a modern style, are completely absent or presented very modestly. Most often, quite functional items are used as decor - lighting fixtures, additional furniture (coffee tables, coasters). To create a modern terrace, durable, but unpretentious materials to use and maintain are used - metal and stone, various composites, PVC (it is possible to use high-quality imitation wood).
In turn, traditional style is not complete without decor. In the construction of the terrace itself, it can be present in the design of the railings (the use of balusters or forged patterns), and the use of skirting boards of various configurations. Instead of supports, you can use columns - hexagonal or round. In order to smooth out the corners and, as a result, soften the entire image of the terrace, octagons and tongue and groove corners are used. Most often, when constructing a traditional terrace, natural materials are used - wood and stone. Wood species with a beautiful natural pattern are selected - cedar or mahogany gives pleasant, cozy shades and lasts a long time.
Whether your traditional-style deck will have railings depends on the height of the deck relative to ground level, the presence of small children and pets, and your personal preferences. If you decide to use railings to increase the level of security of the terrace, then do not forget about the beauty of the execution of this architectural element. Carved wooden balusters or forged decor for metal railings – luxury option decor for traditional style terrace decoration.
Colonial style is based on the use of classical architecture motifs, but with the use of colorful elements. Colonial style is always practicality coupled with beauty, symmetry and convenience, decorating with flowers and borrowing architectural elements from former colony countries. For example, an accent detail of such a terrace can be a pergola, original bench or snow-white railings with decorative balusters.
If your home is located by the sea or lake, then a beach or coastal style will be the ideal choice for decorating your terrace. In such a place, more than in any other, you want all the buildings to be in harmony with the surrounding landscape, to fit as organically as possible into the overall picture. When making a coastal terrace Special attention it is necessary to pay attention to the choice of building and finishing materials. A good solution would be to use gray composite decking or use cedar in combination with gray paint. Of course, a terrace in the coastal part must be built with a view of the water - the sea, a forest lake or a river.
How to arrange a terrace attached to a house?
Summer living room
One of the most common options for arranging spacious terraces is to design this outdoor space in the form of a summer living room. In fact, a second living room is set up on the terrace, with upholstered furniture, coffee tables and even a fireplace in some cases. The only difference is that for the summer recreation area it is mainly used garden furniture made of wood, metal or wicker models made of wicker, rattan. In order to create a truly comfortable relaxation area, garden furniture is accompanied by an abundance of soft pillows, special seats with removable covers that are easily washed in a washing machine.
Outdoor dining area
Any dish tastes better if you taste it in the fresh air. Therefore, it is not surprising that most owners of private houses of urban or suburban type try to provide themselves with the opportunity to eat in the yard. To be able to host a family dinner or reception without fear of rainy weather, it is best to arrange a dining area on a covered terrace. On the one hand, there is a meal on the street, everyone enjoys the fresh air, on the other hand, no one is afraid of bad weather. To arrange the dining area on the terrace, mainly garden furniture is used, because the presence of a roof over the table and chairs does not protect the surface of the furniture from the usual effects of dust brought by the wind and dirt from our soles, which can smear the legs of the dining set.
Some terraces, in addition to designing an area for eating, are equipped with equipment for cooking. Barbecue area under the roof of the terrace – best option to provide hosts and their guests with dishes cooked over a fire in any weather. It is obvious that the cooking area is designed in a similar manner to the arrangement of the entire terrace.
Relaxation area with swings
Not only hanging beds These days they are incredibly popular among many owners of private houses and apartments around the world. Hanging sofas (and ordinary swings can hardly be called such comfortable seats with soft upholstery And decorative pillows), located on the terrace, allow you to relax in the fresh air with incredible high level comfort. For those who decide to fully relax on the terrace, there is also the opportunity to lie down on the sofa with a gentle rocking motion. Next to such a comfortable and at the same time original swing, as a rule, a small table-stand is installed to allow you to enjoy delicious evening tea or put books and magazines for reading in the fresh air.
How to decorate the terrace? It all depends on its size and the style of arrangement you choose. But there are also universal options that are suitable for terraces of all shapes and sizes, stylistic and design versions. Lighting fixtures can become practical decor. Lighting of the facade of a building refers to utilitarian or functional types, designed primarily to ensure the safe presence of a person near the house at night. But the lighting system is quite capable of serving as a decorative element. Beautiful forged elements wall lanterns or original, designer versions of pendant lamps with shades - find your own version of a non-trivial design lighting fixture Every owner can do it, with any size of wallet. Lighting on the terrace should be soft, diffused - not to hit the eyes with streams of light, but to create a comfortable, pleasant atmosphere, but at the same time provide the opportunity to move along the deck with a high level of safety.
One more practical option decorating the terrace is installing a fireplace. Obviously, the functional background of this structure is beyond doubt. And at the same time, watching the flames play is an incredibly relaxing pastime. If you are sitting in a comfortable chair or on a soft sofa, then relaxing in the fresh air can be considered highly comfortable.
An ideal option for decorating a terrace is to use plants – flowering and not only. Floor flowerpots, garden pots and mini tubs, hanging plant pots and entire compositions in the form of “living” walls – you can’t have too many flowers on the terrace. Unless you choose a minimalist modern design style for your roof deck.
Depending on the location of the terrace in relation to the cardinal directions, you may need to be able to protect its space from the sun's rays. You can decorate the terrace in the form of an oriental tent using light translucent fabrics or opt for a more standard version and choose regular curtains with eyelets. The main thing that needs to be taken into account is that the fabric should be easily removed from the curtain rod and cleaned by machine washing, because textiles on the street will quickly get dirty.
Some terraces have such a small area that it is simply not possible to install a fireplace, a barbecue area or a place to relax with luxurious sofas. But on any, even the tiniest terrace (more like a wide porch with a canopy), there is room for a couple of small garden chairs or at least chairs with backs. A terrace of any size can be decorated with flower pots or a small floor vase. Beautiful Street lamp will not only provide the necessary level of lighting at night, but will also become a decorative element. Accent items can be both garden chairs and a bright rug in front front door.
The veranda allows you to profitably expand the useful space of a residential building. In a properly constructed and well-equipped extension, you can comfortably spend time both in warm and cold weather. cold season of the year.
It is best to build the extension so that it covers the entrance door to the main house. Therefore, you will not be able to build a veranda on any desired side of the already finished main building. Otherwise, the veranda will be separated from the main building and you will have to enter it from across the street.
The dimensions of the extension are selected individually. For a family of 3-6 people, a veranda measuring 3x4 m is enough. It is also important to consider general form from the street. For example, if you live in a large two- or even three-story house, and the veranda is very small, the overall architectural ensemble will turn out to be inharmonious. For compact houses, you can safely add verandas the width of the entire wall of the main building - it looks great.
Important note! Regardless of the chosen dimensions and the overall features of the extension, its construction must first be legalized. To do this, you must have a project on hand. You can find it in open sources or order it from a specialized company.
WITH finished project head to your local architecture department. Department employees will study your project, make the necessary changes and issue a permit. Keep in mind that on average it takes about 2-3 months to review and approve a project, so it is best to resolve this issue in the winter, before the start of the construction season.
Construction site marking
We are starting to prepare our construction site.
First step. We remove about 150 mm of the top layer of soil from the perimeter of the future building and take it to the flower beds, vegetable garden or other place.
Second step. Align the resulting depression.
Third step. We carry out the markings. First, focusing on the project, we drive in metal or wooden pins at the corners of the site, then in the same way we drive in intermediate pegs every 1-1.5 m, and then we pull a rope between the pins. We will use it to guide us in the process of arranging the foundation.
Making the foundation
Most often, verandas are built on columnar or belt type. The depth of the support is assumed to be equal to the depth of the foundation of the main house. It is strongly not recommended to connect the main support to the foundation of the extension, because these structures will have widely varying weights. Consequently, the degree of their shrinkage will also vary. To prevent a heavy house from dragging down a relatively light extension, the latter must be built on a separate foundation. To do this, leave approximately a 3-4 cm gap between the foundations.
Important point! When choosing the type of foundation, consider, first of all, the soil characteristics in your region and the total mass of the veranda. For the construction of heavy structures on heaving soils, monolithic ones are best suited. Lightweight structures, for example, made of wood, can be built on columnar supports.
Tape base
A strip-type foundation is optimally suited for the further construction of a veranda on it from building blocks or bricks. The thickness of the base, as already noted, is maintained equal to the thickness of the foundation of the house. If this is a new building, keep the thickness at 70-80 cm.
First step. We dig a trench around the perimeter of the walls of the extension.
Second step. We level the bottom and walls of the trench, from wooden planks or panels according to the height of the future concrete support.
Third step. We successively fill the bottom of the trench with a 10-centimeter layer of sand and the same layer of crushed stone, making sure to compact each ball of backfill.
Fourth step. We lay a reinforcing mesh of 10-12 mm bars. The recommended mesh size is 10x10 cm. This way the base will be as strong as possible.
Fifth step. We pour concrete prepared from a portion of cement, three portions of sand, 4-5 portions of crushed stone and water.
Carefully level the fill and leave it to dry and gain strength for 3-4 weeks. In hot weather, we pour concrete every day to prevent it from cracking.
Columnar base
Perfect for a veranda made of timber or polycarbonate. It is recommended to make holes for posts with a depth of 80-110 cm. If the veranda is small (up to about 3x4 m), it will be enough to install supports in the corners. However professional builders It is recommended to install intermediate posts for any size veranda. We maintain the distance between supports within 0.8-1 m.
First step. We dig holes in the places where the pillars will be poured. The most convenient way to do this is with a drill.
Second step. We fill the bottom of each depression with a 15-20 cm layer of sand. Additionally, it is recommended to pour approximately 10 cm of crushed stone. We compact each layer.
Third step. Pour the concrete to the ground level and let it harden.
Fourth step. We coat the finished concrete supports with bitumen.
Fifth step. We fill the gaps between the ground and the supports with sand.
Sixth step. We erect the above-ground part of the pillars from brick. We make the height equal to the height of the foundation of the main house.
Making a subfloor
The floor can be wooden or concrete. For example, in a frame veranda made of wooden beam A wooden floor would be more appropriate. Concrete pouring will best fit into a brick extension.
We make a wooden subfloor like this:
- We fix the beam of the lower trim on the foundation. We use suitable fasteners, for example, anchors. To connect the beams directly, we first make samples at the places of their joints and additionally fasten them with galvanized nails;
- attach to the bottom harness wooden joists. We keep the step at 50 cm - this way the floor will definitely not fall through. We use the connection option described above;
- fill the space between the joists with expanded clay;
- make flooring from unedged boards or plywood about 50 mm thick. We attach the flooring elements to the joists with galvanized nails or self-tapping screws.
We make a concrete screed like this:
- fill the base with a 10-centimeter layer of sand;
- pour a layer on top;
- lay the reinforcing mesh. For the floor of the veranda, a mesh of rods with a diameter of 6-8 mm with cells of 25x25 cm is sufficient;
- pour concrete.
Important! The screed should be as even as possible. We carry out the work with the obligatory use of a level.
Building a wooden veranda
Basic properties of the material
Wood is one of the most popular and ancient building materials. Even after the appearance on the market of all kinds of blocks and other low-cost and easy-to-arrange elements, wood practically did not lose ground.
Almost anyone can handle the construction of a simple frame wooden veranda. You just need to properly mount the frame posts and cover them with shields, clapboard or other suitable material.
The undeniable advantage of wood is its environmental friendliness, beautiful appearance and relatively light weight. The latter property allows you to abandon the construction of expensive and difficult to construct foundations.
The main disadvantage of a wooden veranda is its fire hazard - installing a barbecue in such an extension or in the immediate vicinity of it is a very important undertaking that requires taking into account many nuances and details. Therefore, it is better to move the source of fire somewhere further outside the wooden veranda.
Another significant disadvantage of wood is its poor tolerance high humidity, which is why the material needs serious pre-treatment with special ones. Without such preparation, the wood will rot very quickly.
Construction order
To build the frame we use wooden beams High Quality section 100x100 mm. We already have the bottom trim and subfloor, so we continue to work, adhering to the instructions below.
First step. We cut grooves in the beam of the lower trim for installing vertical supports. We maintain a half-meter step.
Second step. We install vertical racks. To fasten the frame elements we use staples and screws or nails.
Important! The roof of our veranda, as noted, will be sloping. That's why vertical beam, installed at the bottom point of the slope, is made 50 cm below the opposite posts.
Third step. We mount the beam of the upper trim. On higher racks no questions will arise - we perform the connections in exactly the same way as in the previous stages.
When installing the strapping of lower supports, we do the following: first we connect the pillars longitudinally with a strapping beam, and then we fix the transverse crossbars connecting the high and low posts at the height of the low posts. We fasten the crossbars to the high posts using pre-created samples and nails.
Fourth step. Upper harness ready. The resulting slope will allow us to lay the rafters for the roof. Additionally, we nail a girder near roof slope. To fasten the beam to all supports, we use anchor bolts. For greater reliability, it is recommended to fasten the strapping beam with transverse boards or beams, if possible and necessary (we focus on the weight of the future roofing material). We will attach racks and struts to them for greater strength. rafter system.
Fifth step. We install in increments of 50 cm. For this we use a wooden beam with a section of 100x200 mm. We connect structural elements using any of the previously discussed methods.
Sixth step. We cover the frame. Lining is perfect for interior cladding, and siding or other material for exterior cladding. We lay layers of hydro- and thermal insulation between the external and internal cladding materials. We attach the film to the frame. The position of the insulation is fixed by transverse slats. The material is also attached to them. finishing. When covering, do not forget to leave openings for windows and doors.
Prices for various types of timber
Brick verandas
Basic information about building materials
Brick is excellent for constructing permanent verandas. A building made from this material will be cool in the summer and, provided the insulation is properly insulated, warm in the winter. Brickwork durable, fireproof and easy to maintain.
Main disadvantage brick building– heavy weight. Such structures are built exclusively on, which is not in the best possible way affects the total cost of construction.
The procedure for constructing a veranda
The foundation is ready and waterproofed, the screed is poured, the base is level and does not require any additional preparatory measures. Let's start laying out the walls.
Pre-select suitable look masonry The most simple options, perfect for self-construction verandas are as follows:
- spoon masonry. The final wall thickness will be 120 mm;
- bonded masonry. Wall thickness – 250 mm;
- chain laying. Allows you to obtain walls with a thickness of 380 mm.
First step. We attach a mooring cord to two opposite ends of the foundation with a tie. It should run along the edge of the base.
Second step. We place the corner bricks along the cord, and then fill the space between them in accordance with the chosen masonry method. To fasten building elements we use standard cement mortar.
Third step. We check the evenness of the first row and similarly lay out the walls on the desired height, not forgetting to leave openings for doors and windows.
Important! will be inclined, so we make the wall at the bottom of the slope, as well as the side walls adjacent to it, a row lower compared to the wall supporting the top of the roof.
Having laid out the last row of walls, we arrange an armored belt. To do this, we fix formwork about 70 mm high on each wall along the upper surface of the walls, place anchor bolts in the corners, lay reinforcing bars and pour concrete.
We let the concrete harden, and then attach a strapping of wooden beams with a section of 10x10 cm to the anchor bolts. The further procedure for arranging the rafter system remains similar to the situation with
If the veranda is planned to be used throughout the year, the walls can be laid in two rows, filling the gap between the rows thermal insulation material. For single masonry insulation, moisture insulation and interior decoration we do it by analogy with wooden veranda. Exterior decoration is at your discretion. You can simply carefully unstitch the seams and call it a day.
| Masonry size | Length, L | Width, V | Height, N | Number of bricks excluding thickness mortar joint, PC. | Number of bricks taking into account thickness mortar joint 10 mm, PC. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 m3 single brick masonry | 250 | 120 | 65 | 512 | 394 |
| 1 m3 thickened brick masonry | 250 | 120 | 88 | 378 | 302 |
| 250 | 120 | 65 | 61 | 51 | |
| 1 sq. m of masonry in half a brick (masonry thickness 120 mm) | 250 | 120 | 88 | 45 | 39 |
| 1 sq. m of masonry in one brick (masonry thickness 250 mm) | 250 | 120 | 65 | 128 | 102 |
| 250 | 120 | 65 | 189 | 153 | |
| 1 sq. m of masonry of one and a half bricks (masonry thickness 380 mm) | 250 | 120 | 88 | 140 | 117 |
| 250 | 120 | 65 | 256 | 204 | |
| 1 sq. m of masonry in two bricks (masonry thickness 510 mm) | 250 | 120 | 88 | 190 | 156 |
| | 250 | 250 | 65 | 317 | 255 |
| 1 sq. m of masonry in two and a half bricks (masonry thickness 640 mm) | 250 | 250 | 88 | 235 | 195 |
Prices for construction and facing bricks
Construction and facing bricks
Making a veranda roof
And the rafters are installed. All that remains is to make the sheathing, install the insulating layers and lay the finishing roofing material.
The lathing can be solid (for rolled materials) and sparse (for sheet roofing). We make a continuous sheathing from OSB boards. To do this, we attach them to the rafters with a 1-centimeter gap. We fasten the sparse sheathing beams at a pitch recommended by the manufacturer of the selected roofing material. On average, it is 30-35 cm. To attach the sheathing to the rafters, we use galvanized nails or self-tapping screws.
We fill the cells between the sheathing beams with mineral wool for thermal insulation. We lay a waterproofing film on top and attach it to the sheathing using a stapler with staples. In the case of arranging a continuous sheathing, we fix the thermal insulation from the inside of the room. We secure the insulation boards using transverse slats, nailing them to the sheathing.
Finally, all that remains is to mount. It is better that it matches the roof covering of the main house. For the rest, we focus on our preferences and available budget.
Finishing the floor
If the subfloor is wooden, we lay insulation in the space between them and fill the joists with flooring made of edged boards. We paint and varnish the boards.
On top concrete screed You can also arrange a boardwalk, similar to the previous method, or lay other material at your discretion, for example, linoleum.
Finally, all that remains is the doors, furnishing at your discretion and connecting lighting if necessary. We won't pull the wiring. It is enough to remove the extension cord from the house and turn on the necessary lighting fixtures.
Good luck!
Video - DIY veranda
A deck is a popular home improvement that not only adds to the overall value of the property, but also acts as a focal point for outdoor recreation with family and friends. This is the place where barbecues, evening dinners and other social events take place. The uses for a veranda are as extensive as the types of verandas that can be built. With this in mind, you'll likely want to carefully consider the available design elements that go into your porch. Tools and materials: measuring tape, graph paper and pencil, ruler, wooden stakes, level, hammer.
Location
The size and orientation of the lot and the house itself may limit you to just one or two verandas in various locations, however, within these limits, you can have much more choice than meets the eye. You can add retaining walls, doors, walkways, screened-in porches to create a private, personal environment, and you can choose from a variety of options to find the one that is most convenient for your use. The climate of the area and the view that you will see from the future veranda are key factors, which need to be taken into account when deciding where to place your porch. The north side of your home will likely be the coolest location. The south and west side of the house is likely to be very hot in mid-summer unless an additional awning is included in the building design, or shade from growing trees is used in the location. You can avoid exposure to winds, if any, by placing your deck on the opposite side, so that the house becomes a shelter. Additionally, careful placement will allow you to minimize traffic noise, eliminate unwanted views, and provide additional privacy. If you are planning to add to the veranda hot bath or swimming pool, privacy considerations for you and your guests can be very important.
Legal standards
Local zoning ordinances - may limit the overall size of your deck, the height of the walls, and the minimum distance of the deck from your home to the property lines. The regulations are structural - they can limit the appearance of the structure. Local building department - may require a building permit and request design plans. Local utility authorities - will help you locate installed pipelines, power lines and similar utility lines.
Size
You can build a veranda of any size you wish, within the limits of the law, of course. However, the huge deck located with small house, will look the same as a tiny deck next to a large house - wrong. If you think your proposed deck is too large for your home, break up the deck area by creating smaller sections on multiple levels. To test your ideas, take size measurements on your lawn. Install wooden stakes at the nearest corners of the proposed area of the future veranda and install longitudinal beam, approximately at the height of the future railings. You can place furniture on the lawn in the intended construction area to visualize how the space will work. The most common mistake people make when building porches is making them too small. Tip: If possible, measure your porch in different sizes, larger and smaller. You'll have to purchase standard lumber one way or another, and there's no point in wasting that material when you could have a larger deck for the same amount of money.
Shape and flooring
The veranda can have any shape you want, in fact, simple changes, like a beveled corner of a deck, or a 45-degree angle, can add flair to a building project. You can also add visual interest to your porch by installing it around the corner of your home, you can install benches, add a picket fence or cover the porch. As a rule, the flooring should go within five centimeters under the front door of the house. On a sloping site, you can build your deck with multiple levels of support to follow the slope. As a rule, where the height of the veranda exceeds 50 centimeters from the ground, the posts must have additional support to prevent vibrations. A spa or hot tub can be installed on a deck when the structure is reinforced enough to support the weight of the water; for this, the deck can be installed directly on a concrete slab, on the ground. In this case, the veranda is built around and on the slab. Existing trees or rocks, as well as other landscaping elements, can be integrated into the deck by designing and coordinating the deck around the elements. If you are building a veranda around a tree, leave at least 10 cm around the tree trunk, taking into account the growth of the tree. Allow 20 cm around permanent landscaping elements such as boulders, as decking can expand and contract under varying temperatures and humidity conditions.
Railing
Railings are the most noticeable visual element of the veranda, moreover, they offer great possibilities for the realization of imagination and creative ideas. They can be attached to poles that go into the ground, on the sides, from the edge load-bearing beam, or fixed directly to the flooring. They can be made in wood, metal, or even rope - almost all materials are suitable as long as they satisfy construction requirements and appearance. First and foremost, your railing design will be limited by building codes that are intended to ensure safety. As a rule, the posts that support the railings, in accordance with the regulations of the building code, must be no further than 40 cm from each other. Railings should not have voids larger than 4x4. The durability of the railing will also depend on the design chosen. For example, the ends of your railings should be painted or coated with specialized compounds to minimize cracking and splitting.
Steps and ladders
Steps and staircase structures carefully regulated according to building codes. As a rule, steps and stairs must be at least 36 cm wide. If you want the staircase to allow two people to pass each other, the required width is 48 cm. This solution is necessary to create comfortable conditions. The rise should be no more than 7.5 cm, and the step width should be no less than 15 centimeters. Building codes must also be carefully observed in the design of the stairs, on the steps of the veranda, support posts and the need for railings.
Structural Components: There are five main components of a traditional veranda:
Vertical racks. The racks are recessed into concrete or on stilts, usually located at a distance of 50 to 80 cm.
Horizontal beams. Installed on posts parallel to the decking, they must bear the weight of the veranda.
Beam. It is located between horizontal beams, usually at a distance of 16 or 24 cm from each other. They distribute the weight of the deck, allowing the deck boards to be used correctly.
Flooring. Boards laid on beams, veranda floor.
Railing. Typically 36-42 cm. Materials used, size and spacing of components are determined by local building codes.
Selection of materials
Materials for constructing a veranda must not only be resistant to destruction and damage by insects, but also withstand the effects of water and sun. Standard wooden structures include the use of pine or spruce, which resist rot, but this is not sufficient in extreme conditions weather conditions or in the ultraviolet rays of the sun. You get similar durability from pressed pine, cedar, or redwood, and they can be stained almost any color you want. When using redwood or cedar, remember that only the heartwood of these trees is resistant to splitting. Colored sapwood loses its qualities as quickly as pine and spruce. If you have a general idea of the future veranda, draw one or two sketches, choosing the best ideas from a variety of ideas. Use the porch as part of your yard landscaping and as a design element for your home. Use graph paper to maintain dimensionality and ensure that all elements are at a suitable scale. Take the sketch to your local home improvement market, store, or lumber supplier and ask for an estimate of the cost of the lumber.
Expand the usable space of a private home or country house possible due to lightweight extensions. They will allow you to fully enjoy the fresh air and the surrounding nature, not hide indoors during rain or sunshine, arrange functional area relax and organize dinner with friends. Many people ask questions about how to build a terrace for a house and what design to choose for it. There are many options, so there is a lot of choice. The main thing is that harmony is maintained with the main structure, and the site is as comfortable as possible for both adults and children.
General concepts
We can say that the terrace is a kind of open area installed on a prepared base in the form of a foundation. It is located close to the house and, unlike the veranda, is never heated. The terrace can be covered completely or partially with a roof, have a light canopy or remain open at the top. For safety reasons, it is fenced on the sides with low railings or simply handrails, but they must be left free place to go outside. If the platform is high, then a porch is attached to it.
The terrace always has an entrance to the house, leading to the hallway, living room or kitchen.
The extension can be erected either during the construction of the house or during its operation. According to experts, permitting documents for open terrace is not required, since it refers to temporary structures. But if the site is located under the same roof with the main building and has a common foundation with it, then such a tandem will fall into the category of capital construction projects. The possibility of its construction will have to be considered at the design stage.
Selecting a location
Before deciding on the option of how to build a terrace for your house, you need to carefully consider its location. The site is selected taking into account:
- free space;
- ease of access;
- cardinal directions;
- the presence of an attractive landscape;
- protection from the wind;
- harmony regarding the facade;
- presence of an entrance door.
The terrace can be built on one side of the house or along the entire perimeter. It can go out into the garden or be part of entrance group. In the northern regions, it is better to install the site on the south side, and in the southern regions, on the north side, additionally shading the extension with green spaces. You should definitely think about placing the terrace on the leeward side, otherwise you can forget about a comfortable stay in the fresh air. Convenience, as practice shows, depends on many factors, so you will have to take care of a lot.
Dimensions
The area of the terrace is determined based on two main indicators, namely:
- the size of the allocated territory;
- required functionality.
If the site is not limited by fences, garden plots or outbuildings, small architectural forms or green spaces, then the first thing to think about is the correspondence between the dimensions of the terrace and the dimensions of the main building. It is important to understand that the huge platform in the background compact house will look like a dance floor in a holiday park. At the same time, a tiny terrace can visually disappear into a bulky facade, turning into an ordinary porch.
When calculating the area of an extension, it must necessarily include the condition that at least two people must pass each other on it. In other words, the terrace cannot be narrower than 120 centimeters. If it is intended to be used as dining area, then you should take into account that a table, for example for six people, will take up at least 4 m2. For normal passage between people sitting on chairs and the edge of the platform, you will have to add the same figure. As a result, the final dimensions of the terrace intended for eating or sharing tea will be at least 7.5-8 m2.
The recreation area is planned taking into account the placement of a sofa, chaise lounge and other necessary furniture.
The dimensions of the terrace can be adjusted by its shape. It can be rectangular, oval, rounded, with broken lines, combined, etc. The choice depends not only on the available space, but also on personal preferences.
Materials
Based on the street location of the extension, preference should be given to materials that match the facade and roof of the main building. But they don't have to be an exact copy. Harmony may be color scheme or the chosen architectural style. For example, for brick house quite suitable wooden terrace, but forged fences are unlikely to fit into a facade decorated in oriental motifs.
Basic and finishing materials for cold extensions should be selected with water-resistant and frost-resistant properties. Besides, flooring should not be slippery, as it may get wet rainwater and snow. For the frame, metal structures, lumber treated with antiseptic impregnations, or brick are used. A column or slab foundation is poured with concrete. For a canopy, use any suitable roof covering, and the floor is laid on wooden beams or metal profiles.
Foundation
There is an opinion that a light terrace can be installed almost on the grass. But in this case you will have to prepare for serious problems. It is still necessary to know that the massiveness of the extension of great importance does not have. Trouble will most likely be caused by freezing in winter period soil, especially if it is prone to swelling. In this case, subsidence will be ensured, and even the terrace will be flooded under the entire area concrete slab will not save you from deformation and further destruction of structural units.
It's not worth the risk here. It would be wiser to remove the vegetation layer, go deeper below the freezing level of the soil, add a crushed stone-sand cushion, lay reinforcement and pour concrete into the formwork. According to this algorithm, both columnar and slab foundations are laid. All work should be carried out according to the project associated with the construction site.
Screw piles are much easier to install.
The issue of combining the foundation of the terrace with the underground part of the house worries many. It is not recommended to do this for a light extension, since its possible shrinkage in speed, time and final result will be much less than the natural shrinkage of the main, heavy structure. The terrace connected to the house will take on some of the loads that it is not designed for. As a result, cracks will appear and destruction will occur not only of the extension, but also of the structural components of the capital structure. There is only one conclusion - between the foundations of two objects you should leave expansion joints, providing mutual movements.
A closed veranda can serve not only beautiful extension home, but also a unique place to relax or work. In it you can enjoy the view of the surrounding nature and feel comfortable in hot summers and cold winters, as well as in any bad weather.
Photo closed veranda built to the house:
Project development
Attention ! It is imperative to develop a project before construction, since the quality of the future premises depends on it.
First you need to determine for what purposes you plan to build a veranda, whether you are going to use it winter time(then complete insulation will be required) or it will only be used as a closed summer veranda. Then its future location and size are determined.
A veranda is usually located near one of the walls of the house, and it is often built on the side invisible to prying eyes, so that you can feel secluded and completely free. There must be a door inside the room leading to the main building.
Photo of the enclosed veranda attached to the house:
Also, do not forget about the future view from the building and its location relative to the sun. So, for example, the southeast side will receive more sunlight than the north. So, if you live in the northern region, it is better to place it on the south side of the house, but for the southern region, on the contrary, it is recommended to build on the north side so that there is more shade.
The optimal size of a closed veranda is 3 m wide, from 3 to 6 m long.
Attention ! The veranda must correspond to the size of the main building, that is, if big house, then it should not be too small and vice versa.
Now you need to choose the design of the closed veranda. It is recommended to build it from the same materials as the dacha was built, or use those most suitable for the style of the main building, the main thing is that both buildings are in harmony with each other.
The height of the veranda foundation must coincide with the foundation of the house. If it is built after the construction of the house, then the foundation is most often made on pillars. It is better to make the floor immediately insulated.
Important ! The veranda should fit tightly to the house with its walls and roof so that precipitation does not get inside or there are no drafts.
The roof should be made pitched and flatter than that of the main building.
The veranda, by definition, should have a lot of light, which means there should be a lot of windows, at least two. You can even make walls entirely of windows, including sliding ones. Sliding panels can be opened by remote control or mechanically.
If the veranda will be used in winter, then thermally insulating double-glazed windows or polycarbonate should be installed.
Heat country veranda closed type can be used with ordinary heaters or a fireplace. Moreover, there are many types of fireplaces, so it can easily be selected for any veranda design.
In hot summers, you can hang blinds, curtains or any other curtains to protect yourself from the sun.
Photos of projects of a closed veranda built for the house:
How and how to close the veranda
You can glaze the veranda in the following ways:
- wooden frames with ordinary glass;
- PVC windows
- cellular or monolithic polycarbonate.
With all of the above methods, you can close the veranda yourself. But before you start closing the veranda, you should draw a diagram of future windows, because:
- the room should be spacious and bright;
- it is necessary to determine the number of opening windows;
- take into account the location of the furniture so that it does not interfere with opening the windows.
Let's consider one of the ways - how to cover the veranda with polycarbonate.
Advantages of polycarbonate:
- high strength (especially monolithic polycarbonate);
- blocks UV radiation;
- low thermal conductivity;
- plastic;
- environmentally friendly;
- Thanks to the wide range of colors, you can create an unusual design.
After the diagram has been drawn and the materials have been calculated, the frame is built. It can be made from metal profiles, wooden beams, bricks or other materials that remain from the construction of the main building.
Important ! When calculating the required building material, take into account the dimensions of the polycarbonate sheets and its minimum possible bending.
Before covering the veranda at the dacha with polycarbonate, you need to remember a few important rules for polycarbonate installation:
- sheathing pitch 60-80 cm;
- vertical channels cellular polycarbonate should only be positioned vertically so that condensate can flow out;
- The sheets are connected to each other with special connecting profiles;
- the cut of the sheet located at the top must be covered with a special tape and profile, the bottom cut is covered with a tape that is capable of allowing moisture to pass through, and several holes are drilled in the profile for the lower part for the drainage of condensate;
- It is recommended to secure the sheets with thermal washers, as they do not damage the coating during its expansion with temperature changes;
- also, when attaching sheets of cellular polycarbonate, it is necessary to leave free space inside the adjacent parts (for example, profiles) for expansion of the material;
- Remove the protective film only after installation;
- You can cut polycarbonate into the necessary parts with a jigsaw.
Below are photos of what a veranda closed from the outside with polycarbonate looks like:
Porch
A closed veranda with a porch will look much more comfortable and attractive, and will also take on a completely finished look.
The porch can be built from wood, brick, stone, concrete mix, metal or with the addition of metal elements.
The porch covering must be frost-resistant and non-slip to avoid bruises or injuries.
Advice ! The porch should always be clean and tidy, as it affects the entire appearance of the house.
The porch may be different forms and size, it all depends on your imagination and capabilities, the main thing is that it is also combined with other buildings. All of their types are equally suitable for both closed and open verandas.
Photo of a closed and open veranda with a porch:
Interior of a closed veranda
After the veranda has finally been built, it's time to move on to its interior.
During registration, you need to remember the location of the veranda. So, if it is located on the eastern or northern side, then, for example, the British colonial style would be most suitable:
- wicker furniture made of rattan, mahogany or bamboo;
- linen and cotton fabrics with floral patterns;
- many pillows with covers;
- tropical motifs (palm, ferns).
The floor can be covered with material dark color, since due to the location of the room it will not overheat.
If the building is located on the south side, it will be perfect Mediterranean style, where there is a lot of blue and white. Moreover, such colors are used not only in furniture, but also in room decoration. There must be a lot of fresh flowers and the presence of Roman blinds.
In each of these cases, you can apply any style with an ethnic flavor:
- Oriental;
- ecostyle;
- Scandinavian;
- Provence;
- country and so on.
All of them have a common feature - natural materials, that is, wood, bamboo, natural fabrics.
But whatever the style, there are universal things that will make any room even cozier and more comfortable:
- sofa cushions;
- tablecloths;
- chair covers;
- flowers in pots or trees, bouquets in vases, flowerpots;
- candlesticks, night lights;
- paintings, photographs, panels.
Photo of the design of a closed veranda:
In addition to all this, the interior of the veranda directly depends on the purpose of its use.
A closed veranda at the dacha can serve as:
- hallway, porch;
- kitchens, dining room;
- living room;
- children's;
- office;
- greenhouses.
Important ! When decorating a veranda, remember the main rule of designers - proportionality, that is, there is no need to fill a small veranda with huge furniture and vice versa.
Veranda-living room
Most often, the veranda is designed as a living room. For this occasion you will definitely need armchairs, chairs, coffee table and a sofa (if the area of the room allows). In order for each family member to use such a room, it is necessary to take into account the needs of each of them during registration.
Each furniture and element should be combined with each other in style. If furniture is arranged in groups, comfort will be felt best.
Photo of the design of a closed veranda-living room in a private house:
Veranda-dining room or kitchen
One of the most comfortable and pleasant places in the house. The minimalist style is perfect for such a case. An ordinary set of table and chairs, indoor plants and textiles. Or you can decorate it with sweet details or retro style.
In any case, since this is a kitchen, you should take care of excellent lighting.
Photo of the interior of a closed veranda-kitchen in a country house:
Veranda-office
Comfortable armchair, desk, a shelf with books - that’s what the most important thing should be in the office. The rest depends only on your desire and the size of the room.
Children's veranda
The children's room can be decorated in the form of a ship or a princess house. You will need a lot of colorful pillows various forms and characters cozy houses, a sandbox with balls and you can even install a swing.
