Atmospheric precipitation, wind and sun are three factors that negatively affect the condition of any building structures. Of course, you have to take protective measures all the time to extend their service life. But there is one element in the design of a house that often fails if it is not covered with something. It's about about the porch. An open porch is often found in private housing construction. This is especially true for small houses and cottages. But many developers, even at the design stage of their home, try to make sure that their porch is under reliable protection.
Some people build a canopy over it, others build a whole canopy. By the way, such a complex is called a covered porch. It is protected from above, but open along the entire perimeter, so it still cannot be saved from moisture. Therefore, for those who are planning to build a private house, we recommend that you consider a design that is protected from all sides. This is the so-called closed porch. Essentially this is finished room or vestibule, which can be heated or not, all at the discretion of the customer. Both options are pictured below.
The interior of the closed porch is also chosen according to the wishes of the owner of the house, taking into account the recommendations of the designers. And here outer side The extension has its own characteristics, both structural and design.
Features of the roof structure of a closed porch
We need to start talking about a closed porch with the roof. Why?
- Firstly, this is the protective part of the structure, which is responsible for preventing natural loads from penetrating into the premises.
- Secondly, this is, in fact, a continuation of the roof of the house itself. Therefore, the requirements for the porch roof are quite strict.
- Thirdly, as with all building structures, there are strength requirements for the porch roof.
Based on the first position, we can say this. There are a huge number of roofing materials that are used today in the construction of roofs, large and small. But since the closed porch of the house is small room, that is, it is possible to use lightweight materials to cover it. For example, flexible tiles.
For the second position. Designers believe that the (closed) porch must be covered with the same roofing material as the main building itself. As practice shows, this is not always applied in practice. Look at the photo below, where the house is covered with tiles and the porch roof is clear polycarbonate. It looks very original and airy.
Position number three. Snow and rain loads greatly affect the design of the porch roof. But in modern world, especially in the field of construction, there is no need to use any complex and heavy materials to make the roof, and indeed the entire structure, durable. There are a large number of modern lightweight materials and products that can withstand fairly decent loads. For example, aluminum profiles.
Attention! A closed vestibule is a full-fledged room, albeit small, but a room with walls, a ceiling, a floor and a roof.
Therefore, pay attention to the photo below, which shows such a vestibule in the form of a small house attached to the main building. The entrance to the house is completely closed, but the vestibule itself is equipped with windows and an entrance door. To build it, in addition to the porch itself, it was necessary to build walls, install a door at the entrance and windows on the sides. At the same time, the walls are raised to a certain level.
But the most important thing is that the roof of the closed porch is connected only to the main building, that is, it is fixed to the wall of the house. In fact, this is a separately hanging element that is not connected in any way to the walls of the porch itself. Windows in in this case They are not a support, they just simply close the opening between the roof and the walls. Therefore, when constructing such a vestibule, you must first take care of securing the roof. There are many options here, some complex, some simple. One option is to install consoles on the facade of the house itself.
Since it has already been said that today lightweight materials can be used to build a closed porch, I would like to focus on glazing systems. Again, we draw your attention to the photo below, where you can see very nice option, glazed on all sides. This lightweight design, transparent, so during the day there is no need for light on the porch.
This photo also shows the glass roof. This is one of the options, although this element can be constructed from different materials. The main thing is to carry out the installation and fastening correctly. Such a vestibule has one drawback - the glass will have to be cleaned and washed all the time.
As for the northern regions, here it is better to build a vestibule in the form of a completely indoors Of course, the entrance is equipped with a door. It is important to use materials during construction that can withstand low temperatures. Again, we draw your attention to the photo below, where a closed vestibule made of brick was erected. By the way, not in Color tone facade of the house, as recommended by designers. Small windows beautiful door- that's all that is needed.
By the way, this version of a closed porch is very easy to build with your own hands.
How to build a covered porch with your own hands
Let's look at how to build a closed vestibule from brick, which is shown in the photo above. We will not delve into all the intricacies of construction; we will be interested in the sequence and some nuances.
- As with any structure, you will have to build a foundation for a closed porch. The best option is slab. That is, a pit is dug to a depth of half a meter to suit the size of the object, which is covered with a layer of crushed stone up to 20 cm, and sand on top with a layer of up to 10-15 cm. This pillow is compacted layer by layer.
- A reinforcing frame is installed on top in the form of a lattice made of metal reinforcement with a diameter of 10-12 mm.
- Poured concrete mortar to the edges of the pit. Concrete must be compacted using a vibrator.
Attention! The foundation must be dried for 28 days. During this period, the concrete will reach its brand strength.
Now you can build the porch itself with steps. The simplest option is brick or blocks, which, after the construction of the entire closed structure, will be faced (see photo above). If you decide to make a porch from concrete, then you can immediately pour concrete mortar onto the backfilled cushion, laying the reinforced frame and installing the formwork. That is, in this case you can do without a foundation.
So, everything is ready to build brick walls. First of all, it is necessary to apply waterproofing under the masonry. Do not neglect protective operations, vestibule closed type- this is the first protective barrier on the way precipitation. The construction of brick walls itself is carried out using standard technology, which is based on a band of blocks. Openings for windows and the entrance door must be left with the installation of lintels or frames. The entrance is determined based on the width of the porch.
Attention! The walls of the closed porch must be attached to the walls of the building.
Therefore, every five rows of bricks you need to drive metal pins from reinforcement into the facade of the house. The pin must be at least 30 cm long and must be located between the bricks.
The matter remains under the roof. As mentioned above, it must be attached to the facade of the main building. But since our porch is built of bricks (a very reliable wall material), it can be installed directly on the walls of a closed porch. Most often this is a wooden structure, consisting of a supporting tier of beams that are mounted around the perimeter of the room. By the way, the beam located at the entrance to the house is attached specifically to the wall. The rest are to the walls of the extension.
If a shed roof is being erected over a porch, then another such wooden element is hung and secured above the support beam at the facade. The rafters on which it is laid are mounted roofing material. Final stage- finishing internal space. Everything here is at the discretion of the customer, although projects in this regard may be very original. By the way, don’t forget to hem the ceiling, although you can do without it if the porch is unheated. Before finishing, windows and a door to the entrance are installed, lighting is provided.
As mentioned above, private developers are increasingly using latest materials. Polycarbonate is one of them. It is durable, transparent and easy to process (cut, bend), so it is very easy to make a closed porch from it with your own hands. The only thing is that you need to build a wooden or metal structure under it. The second option is stronger, but more expensive.
The owners underestimate the porch of the house, but in vain, it can be significantly transformed with your own hands, as in the photo. The porch is important element facade country house, which is the face of the owners. The front entrance emphasizes the architecture and appearance of a country house. You won’t surprise anyone with buildings of the same type, so everyone wants to highlight their own structure. There are ideas that will make it beautiful, cozy for relaxing in the fresh air. We will talk about interesting design ideas - shapes, finishes, materials used, design ideas.
Projects
The choice of size and shape depends on:
- architectural features;
- the size of the house itself;
- owner's personal tastes.
Designers believe that the canopy and railings should be made in the same style as the roof and balcony of the house.
Let's give an example: a house with gable roof requires a similar porch canopy, but if bars are installed on the windows, the railings should have a similar wrought iron pattern. The type of columns, arches, and other decorative details is no exception.
Let us note several main types of projects and design:
- Openings are a popular type; most often has a canopy and railings; decorated with decorations that are carried into the house in winter.
- Closed - has transparent or translucent walls made of materials: glass, polycarbonate, mosquito net. Such canopies decorate the entrance, hallway, and provide a place to rest in any weather.
- Mounted - this type is built if there is a ground floor, and also, if such a need is required by the area near the house; the structure resembles a balcony.
- Terrace - an extended porch used as a place to relax.
In addition, it is worth noting possible types protrusions - round or rectangular.
The closed porch has a high level of heat and sound insulation. Glazing is recommended to be done using a composite.
To create a project, you first need to measure the area in front of the house. Of course, if you have a large space, it is better to make a porch-veranda, which will become an excellent protector from rain, snow, and will also play the role of a family resting place. If there is not as much space as you would like, a semicircular veranda is an excellent option. If you do not overload the interior with decor, a monochrome structure will visually expand the space.
Important points:
For a wooden house
A wooden house is characterized by comfort and complete safety for the human body. The most used materials for constructing a porch wooden house are timber, boards.
Advice
If you want to insulate it, you will additionally need siding. To make the extension look cozy, you can use clapboard.
You cannot ignore the presence of railings if the entrance has several steps. This item not only practical, but also perfectly decorates the decoration. Our advice is to spend a little time decorating the railings with carvings.
Wood is an inexpensive but whimsical material. Be sure to cover it with paint or varnish to avoid rotting and deformation. It is also recommended to coat the material special composition from various beetles. If this technology is followed, the structure will last for decades.
Using logs is a creative process. Here you need to adhere to the basic rule - we compact the site before construction. The rest is in the hands of the owner.
The porch and the house are one ensemble, but you shouldn’t limit your imagination when decorating. Want to make it sophisticated? Add a few lanterns, hanging flower pots, paintings.
If you like luxury and aristocracy, then your option is artistic forging, sculptures near the entrance, small fountain. An artificial fireplace will look great, adding warmth and comfort to a family vacation in the fresh air.
Varieties of porch
Porch: awnings
Every porch requires a canopy, because it not only protects from precipitation, but also protects from injuries in winter. If the canopy is being erected only for protection, then a conventional design with a simple, expensive structure will do.
The main principle in this case is neatness and cleanliness. Suitable materials for this:
- polycarbonate;
- metallic profile;
- metal tiles;
- soft tiles;
- corrugated sheets;
- slate.
You should adhere to the same style of house and shed.
Some people prefer more original canopies, for example:
- in Russian;
- classic;
- modern styles.
In this case, the selection of appropriate materials for the frame and flooring is required. For example, a house made of timber requires wooden structure, opaque roof.
The forged type canopy looks great. Unfortunately, there is little in-house power here; you will need to order the product from special workshops. Such a canopy not only performs a protective function, but is already a significant part of the design. Finish matches uniform design railings, platforms, stairs. You can add sophistication to the canopy with the help of lanterns and hanging flowerpots.
Advice
A forged canopy goes well with polycarbonate. Transparency makes it possible to appreciate the luxury of a forged product.
Speaking about the material, it is better to choose metal, as it is characterized by:
- High strength - metal supports can withstand any weight of the roof.
- Possibility to build a structure of any size.
- Fire resistance.
- Availability, wide range of materials in stores.
- Easy installation.
- Wide range of modeling capabilities.
- Easy to maintain.
The tree is slightly inferior to the above induced material relative to technical characteristics. But suitable for a canopy small porch, at the same time you will be pleased with the low price and aesthetic appearance.
Polycarbonate
A porch that is made entirely of polycarbonate is rare. Most often, this is just a canopy. In the case of using polycarbonate, the visor acquires several advantages:
- Originality, completeness of appearance.
- Protection entrance doors from sun rays, heavy rain.
- Practicality, originality, low price material.
- Characterized by excellent flexibility, stability, and reliability.
It is not recommended to make the entire terrace from polycarbonate, as it is not very beautiful. It is better to combine it with wood and natural stones. It looks quite stylish and unusual.
Small country cottage area, modest homes look good with a regular polycarbonate canopy. Wood combined with polycarbonate will add sophistication. A steel frame is suitable for mansions - original, solid. Dark shades will give maximum style.
Want more bright colors? Then flowerpots with cute flowers placed on a frame are great design element, giving comfort. Chairs and sofas can be decorated with bright pillows to match the main color.
Closed
An enclosed porch is an extension that is protected on each side. Essentially this separate room. The type of structure must correspond general appearance Houses. Is the aesthetic aspect important to you? Then combine these two elements with something common, for example:
For lovers of bold decisions, you will like the combination wooden extension and a brick / stone facade - suitable if the house has any wooden element - shutters, balcony.
Often there are extensions to private houses that have glazing and polycarbonate frames.
Visor
The canopy is an architectural facade structure that performs decorative and protective functions. It can be performed in the following forms:
- Modular – consists of prefabricated parts; easy to install.
- Monolithic - a single element along with the walls; as strong and durable as possible.
A canopy is an architectural façade structure
The choice of material depends on your taste, but still pay attention to the harmony of the overall style. This also applies to the shape; if you have imagination, it can even have unusual curves.
Visors are divided according to the method of fastening:
- Suspended – small in size, made from lightweight materials, hangers are used for installation.
- Supports – supports are used.
A canopy can give a building a unique look, which is why we pay maximum attention to this issue. Let's look at a few design solutions:
- The beams holding the structure can be made in the form of antique-style columns - this gives an elegant, luxurious look.
- Wooden supports can be stylized as antique, and a classic gable canopy will add a fairytale-like quality to the building; Don't forget about other decorative aspects in the landscape to complete the picture.
- Do you like brevity? Then your option is a monolithic canopy with the style of finishing the entire house - strictly but solidly.
- By using the same architectural details, you will definitely win, for example, it could be a veranda or a roof slope.
- The arched canopy is particularly impressive; it softens the shape of the facade and makes the house visually more comfortable.
The level of protection and visual effect depend on the size of the canopy. Small canopies are suitable for small houses. Large is most likely the necessary protection for solid buildings.
Lighting
The important part is the choice of lighting. If the canopy has a strict shape, it is better to choose built-in lamps, they will not disrupt the overall composition. The same lighting is ideal for highlighting active decor, drawing attention to the desired accents.
Lighting - an important part when planning the porch
For classic extensions it is better to choose pendant chandeliers small size. A universal idea - wall sconces. Neon lights and figures with artificial light look unusual.
Stylistics, textures
- façade;
- fencing;
- gate.
The following basic styles can be identified; design solutions will be outlined below. But the combination of different textures looks interesting.
For example, a path that smoothly turns into brick railings with wooden balusters. Try to smooth out the sharp roof with the smooth shapes of the path, and connect it with the sidewalk round balcony and rectangular steps.
Classical
Characteristic features: strict, seasoned, moderate style. The extension is equipped with a gable roof, which can be supplemented with beautiful columns and railings with rounded balusters. Facing materials, suitable for classicism - natural stones, ceramics, painted wood.
Russian style
The entrance has long been distinguished by its sophistication. The extension is decorated:
- carved elements;
- turned balusters;
- pillars made in complex shapes;
- various ornate patterns.
Now the Russian style is especially popular. It involves the use of natural materials and handmade decor.
Middle Ages
Enough current style. This veranda is similar to ancient fortresses, which are decorated with natural stone. You can decorate the front entrance with torch lamps, forged gratings, and rough-hewn logs.
This type will attract the attention of others with its luxury.
Country
A wooden structure with carved pillars and railings. For decoration, you should use the maximum number of colors in a variety of readings:
European
Distinctive features - the presence of regular shapes, restrained lines. The extension has the appearance of a small, discreet structure, for the cladding of which natural stones and ceramic tiles are used. Figurines and flower pots are used for decoration.
Mediterranean
Has two readings:
Combines Greek and Roman culture. A characteristic feature is a stone courtyard, complemented by multi-tiered steps. Sandstone is used for finishing, and metal elements are used for decoration.
A combination of Italian, Spanish, French style. The difference is maximum unevenness and relief. Appearance – open terrace, located in several tiers. The floor area is covered with paving stones, sometimes with clinker. The flooring near the house is made of deck boards. The canopy is built on columns. Concrete balusters are placed throughout the veranda. Fountains, flower tubs, and sculptures are used as decoration.
French
One of the varieties of European style with charm. The highlight is the availability glass door with an openwork grille. The structure should be decorated with figured elements, beautiful wicker furniture, and a variety of fresh flowers (pots on the floor, hanging vases).
House-fortress
Massive veranda, finished natural stones. Relevant details are the presence of forged grilles and torch lamps. The trellises can be decorated with flower pots.
"Gingerbread"
Combines metal gratings and decorative brick elements. Covered with a gable roof. The decoration is made up of climbing plants. Izre In this case, wooden parts are used, which are painted in natural shades.
Patio
A patio is an open terrace that is adjacent to the house. There is a table and benches on it. In such an area you can happily receive guests in the summer. The only difference is the absence of a canopy or roof. Most often, the patio combines a porch and garden gazebo according to its functionality.
Material of construction
Made of metal
More often, metal elements speakers:
- roof;
- steps;
- railing
But you can find completely metal buildings. The main advantages of such visors are high levels of strength and durability.
This design requires additional expenses for painting and coating with a special composition to avoid the appearance of corrosion and rust. A metal floor is a very bold decision, because it is cold. Terraces extra They are completely covered with wooden beams and concrete.
Metal construction - high strength
The design of this veranda is simple but stylish. To dilute cool shades, we recommend adding interesting decor, bright colors, install more light sources.
Made from concrete
Concrete construction is considered the cheapest, most versatile, but at the same time reliable material. The main advantage is long term service, since the monolithic structure is resistant to various factors. We note simple repairs and finishing. In addition, with the help of concrete you can create any shape, and this will not increase the price or construction time.
Concrete construction is the cheapest and most versatile option
For finishing it is good to use clinker tiles, natural stones and paint look good. If you are a supporter modern style, then leave the siding facade without finishing - this will emphasize the texture of the walls.
Made of brick
Reliable, unpretentious variation. A veranda made of such material is a little more expensive than those suggested, but it is quite an attractive solution. Although construction takes a long time and requires a lot of effort, in the future the owners will be pleased with the ease of maintenance. Let us immediately note that the floor and steps should be additionally covered with concrete.
Made from natural stone
Natural stones are strong, durable, beautiful material. This design has several variations. Excellent design solution– the use of two types of stones, one of which is for the base (more expensive, more reliable), the second for decoration. This extension is resistant to bad weather and does not require special maintenance.
Natural stones are a durable material
steps
Now let's look at the options for steps:
- Concrete stairs should be lined with ceramics, natural or artificial stones, the last option will save money. An excellent option for concrete and brick buildings. It is recommended to finish treads with rough tiles (without relief or pattern).
- Wooden steps can be designed completely different methods. Of course, you don’t want to hide the natural texture of the wood, so you can cover them with oil or varnish.
You can paint the steps. An elegant, cheerful option is alternating shades. But it is better to choose dark colors.
Wood finishing using the firing method looks good.
Metal steps are most often finished with wood, but there are stairs made from tin sheets. Although it looks aesthetically pleasing, elegant, it is not the best option, as wet or icy material can cause injury.
The steps will be completed with original railings, which can become a highlight. For decoration, vertical type balusters and horizontal crossbars are used, the main thing is an interesting shape that suits the style.
Ideas:
- For metal - use openwork forging.
- Wood – through carving.
For handrails, you should use wood (chopped, cobblestone, frame stairs) or plastic (concrete, brick). The parapet of the steps can be laid out beautifully facing bricks suitable shade.
It is recommended to install heated steps. Harsh winter climates turn your porch into an icy patch. If concrete was chosen as the base, a heating cable can be laid under it. For wooden buildings, a special anti-icing system is provided.
Country ideas
Here are a few interesting ideas regarding the design of a country terrace:
- Lots of space? Then add a small table and a few stools with cushions.
- Place flower pots on the steps and walls.
- A woven or knitted rug will add warmth.
- Climbing plants are a natural decoration for the veranda.
- You can hang compositions of dried fruits, plants, and flowers on the walls.
- Unusual idea for autumn - use old watering can, rubber boots for planting flowers.
- Home furnishings are provided with a carpet, a wicker table, and small rocking chairs.
- You can make a small rug from shells with your own hands.
- Dim, light-colored curtains will save you on a hot day.
Furniture
Decoration and landscaping of the veranda requires correct selection furniture. Garden furniture is suitable for this:
It is difficult to imagine a private house without a porch. The process of its construction may vary. The best option is the casting of the foundations of the house and the porch at the same time. However, steps are often thought about after the building is built.
In this case, the porch is attached, for which three types of materials are used - wood, metal, concrete.
How to build a porch correctly
Attaching a porch to a house with our own hands is within the capabilities of many of us. Once you decide on the direction of the steps (they can go in one, two or three directions at the same time), you need to choose the height of the porch. It is desirable that it be lowered by 50-70 mm in relation to the border of the doorway.
There are two points to consider here:
- blocking exception door leaf, opening outwards;
- preventing water from entering the house after precipitation
Calculation of the dimensions of the upper platform
For doors oriented outward, you should prepare an upper platform with a depth that is 300-400 mm greater than the width of the door leaf. At the same time, there are GOST requirements - the size of the site must be at least 1.5 times larger than the opening. For example, you installed a door whose width is 900 mm, then the size of the platform should be over 1350 mm.
Design of steps
When determining the parameters of the stairs, you can focus on the recommended step size of 15-20 cm. If you divide the height of the porch by this size, you can get the required number of steps.
Of course, you're unlikely to get an integer. Therefore, you can vary the height of the steps within the recommended limit, distributing the excess between them. Or provide a small step at the very beginning of the stairs. But the width of each segment can be within 30-40 cm.
There are also the following recommendations: if you sum up the tread size with twice the step value, then the result obtained should be 600-640 mm. For example, when designing steps with a height of 175 mm and a tread of 280 mm, the resulting value will be 170*2+280=630 mm, which fully complies with the criterion under consideration.
Selection of base
The heavier the designed porch for a private house is, the more powerful the foundation is required. If for relatively light wooden and metal structures You can limit yourself to a pile or columnar foundation, but a concrete or brick structure will require a strip foundation or a monolithic slab.
It is also important to understand whether you will connect the foundations of the house and the porch. You need to focus on the characteristics of the extension itself and the characteristics of the soil. If you don’t tie, you need to be prepared for cracks to form at the joint, for example due to frost, which will cause the structure to warp. Repairs may be required in the future.
A bound base also does not guarantee the absence of cracks. They may appear in the mass of the porch itself. Because reinforced reinforcement cannot always cover the difference in loads between the house and the extension.
This base option is recommended if the structure of the house and porch are quite massive. For example, when the latter is made of reinforced concrete. This requires a high-quality bond using reinforcement with a diameter of 12-16 mm, driven into pre-made holes in the foundation. Then the frame is built.
Selection of staircase design
Stairs can be built on bowstrings or stringers. Wood, metal or combinations, including with concrete, are used for manufacturing.
The bowstring option is suitable for a wooden or small house. The fastening goes like this. Inner surface the bowstring is connected to the support bars.
For metal parts, welding in a horizontal plane is used, and for wood, simply nailing bars and then attaching a step is suitable. It is also permissible to cut notches in the bowstring to install steps.
The use of stringers may involve the use of open supports. To do this, you need to cut triangles at the top of the board, the base of which will be the support for the step.
If you choose the method of cutting the stringer, you will need to orientate yourself by the height of the step and the width of the tread. It is advisable to connect them at an angle of 90 degrees. Many experienced craftsmen It is recommended to first make a general template, which you can use in subsequent work.
Remember you need to choose the right number of stringers. This depends on the parameters of the staircase itself and the thickness of the board.
Thin boards will require more frequent installation of stringers. For example, a 25 mm board requires a distance between supports of up to 60 mm. Deflection should be avoided.
Porch structures made of different materials
There are several options for choosing material for the extension. You must decide on the porch design yourself, based on the type of house, soil characteristics and your own preferences.
Wooden porch
This is a fairly popular material for making an extension of this type. It is recommended to use hardwood, such as oak. Larch, spruce and other conifers will also suit you. True, special impregnation will be required.
First, the load-bearing beam is installed. Teeth are pre-cut in it, and steps are placed on the horizontal ribs. This beam is called a stringer and serves as additional support. A distance of 500 mm is left between the stringers. Their number will depend on the intervals specified by the project.
To arrange the bowstring, take a thicker board. The two strings must be held together by crossbars. In between, stringers are attached to the beams.
Cutting out the ribs on which the steps will be fixed is done using a square. Mistakes can lead to sagging and swelling of the steps.
The width of the steps should ensure comfort for residents. And their number is preferably odd - this way you will get an additional stiffener. Well, don't forget about the railings. Their presence is desirable if the number of steps is more than three.
The presence of an overhang is determined general design. If you have glazing or reliable protection from bad weather, then his presence is not necessary. But at the same time, the overhang itself allows water to flow onto the plane of the lower step, preventing it from getting into the grooves after rolling down the riser.
When you mount the porch to a wooden house on the foundation, you can form a small trench by applying pressure to the lower beam of the stringer. Of course, if the concrete has not yet hardened. This will increase the strength of the ladder. To arrange the upper platform, take a board that has convenient dimensions. It is necessary to accurately adjust the joints to prevent the occurrence of deformations in the future.
Metal construction
This extension looks quite elegant. But you will need the ability to work with welding equipment and use standard parts. Moreover, the cost will not be too high. Although the use of forged parts will increase the cost and will require pre-ordering forging elements.
A simplified version of the design is mounted using channels and corners. And then install the filling material, for example, wooden boards or high-strength chipboard.
The channels are fixed parallel to each other. The distance is selected in accordance with the designed length of the steps. A corner is made to fit the size of the steps. It is advisable to provide an additional margin of up to 1 cm at the edges for the seam.
Similarly, the part of the corner corresponding to the height between the steps is cut off. Then they are connected in the shape of the letter “G” by welding and attached to the channel. The output is metal obliques, which are connected in pairs with corners.
Use of concrete
The structure being manufactured will be connected directly to the foundation. Each step requires high-quality reinforcement to avoid destruction of the material. First, a formwork is created for the bottom step. It is recommended to make the height of the first step 15-20 mm higher than the others.
Subsequent elements are done in the same way as laying the foundation. Each of them is securely reinforced with a mesh, and the transition to the next level is carried out after the concrete has dried at the previous level. Then rough tiles or stone are laid on top of the concrete.
You can evaluate the benefits of using each type of material from a photo of the porch. Appearance, quality of construction and durability in operation are important factors choosing a design solution.
Arrangement of the canopy
The owner of a country house can decorate his home if he builds a canopy over the porch of the house. This element will be an excellent protection from bad weather. You can use metal pipes and wooden beams for the frame. The casing is also made of metal, wood and plexiglass.
The canopy is mounted on piles pre-installed into the base. Tiles or a metal sheet, although polycarbonate is now gaining popularity. Be sure to provide a slope, on the lower edge of which a gutter is attached by welding.
Even a novice master can make a porch with his own hands. It is necessary to properly design this structure and carry out the work in stages, adhering to basic instructions.
Photo of the porch to the house
Holidays in the countryside or in country house always associated with big amount time in the fresh air, and there are always a million reasons why you have to regularly visit the house. And at one point you notice that the porch and stairs to the house are very inconvenient, and while there is time, you need to make or radically redo all the elements of the porch. It's better to make something new.
In most cases, the decision to rebuild a porch in a house comes spontaneously. As practice shows, such a simple porch, like an extension to a house, can be done in a few hours, in one go.
A simple staircase design suits us
Before you take your first steps in construction, you need to clearly understand how to build a wooden porch with your own hands step by step. Simply put, the design of the building should already be in your head, you just need to find suitable material and correctly assemble all the elements.
For the simplest porch that can be made from available material, the sequence of work will be as follows:
- The first step is to measure the width of the stairs and choose optimal height stage that is convenient for you and your family. Then it will be much more difficult to redo or make amendments;
- Select a suitable material, always dry; it is better if it is fresh dried lumber, timber or board from old stock, not used anywhere;
- Cut out two side load-bearing beams, called bowstrings or stringers, for more serious wooden buildings;
- At the next stage you need to make a support and steps;
- We cut out and fasten the railings, treat them with protective coatings; it is better to do this step right away, before the wooden knots pick up moisture from the air. The wooden porch is ready.
Advice ! Simplicity does not mean primitiveness. If you plan to use the porch for many years, then it is better to immediately make additional waterproofing from the ground.
Building a wooden porch is not as difficult as it seems
The most a good option wooden porch has always been considered double corner design, in which, thanks to the angular arrangement of the steps, the exit from the house turns out to be a semicircle, as in the photo.
You can walk down such a staircase without even noticing the steps under your feet. This is convenient if a lot of people use the porch, including children. But for a dacha, you can make a simpler staircase, this is the key to the reliability of our construction.
Cutting out a wooden base for the stairs to the house
The wooden frame for the porch can be made from pine beams or boards, at least 50 mm thick and at least 200 mm wide. Before making a wooden frame, we select right size future beams. For an ordinary staircase 70-70 cm wide, two wooden blanks 100-130 cm long will be enough. The boards must not have defects, chips or cracks, or be damaged by insects or fungus.
To quickly and efficiently make a wooden porch, in addition to a supply of lumber, we will need some tools:
- Manual disc or chain saw with protractor;
- Drill or screwdriver, nail puller and hammer weighing 400 grams;
- Corner Grinder with attachments for sanding wooden surfaces;
- Carpenter's corner, tape measure, pressing wood screws.
The first step is to cut the edges of both wooden blanks at an angle to the longitudinal surface of at least 45 degrees. You can make the angle larger, and the future wooden staircase will have a gentler descent, and vice versa, the smaller the angle, the higher the steepness. The angles on both workpieces must be exactly the same, as in the photo.
Next we will need a massive wooden block, in the future we will make a support for the stairs from it, but for now we need it for precise definition sizes of future stringers. Supporting the workpieces with cut edges on wooden beams at home, and uncut onto the timber, we specify the angle of inclination of the stairs and the height of the stringers. We mark and trim the wooden blanks in the lower part so that they rest tightly and securely with their entire surface on the timber stand, as in the photo.
How to properly attach stair steps
To make the steps, we need to temporarily fix the frame of the future wooden porch with nails, so at the next stage of construction we nail both wooden stringer blanks to the beam of the house, level them, and also attach the ends to the timber stand.
Advice ! We hammer the nails so that the head does not reach the wooden surface by 5-7 mm, this will allow them to be easily pulled out in the future and replaced with self-tapping screws.
Before moving further in the construction of the porch, we have the opportunity to once again clarify the most convenient size steps, height and width. If necessary, you can make a new one wooden stand and change the width flight of stairs as in the photo.
The steps can be made from the same wooden blank or board from which the side stringers were cut. Usually, to increase the strength and rigidity of the porch, it is recommended to use risers - wooden supporting elements on which the floorboards of the steps rest. But at the same time, the step itself will have to be made too wide for comfortable placement of the foot.
In addition, such a structure is very well ventilated and cleaned of moisture and dirt, of which there is always plenty at the dacha; if risers are made in the structure, dirt and moisture will accumulate in the cracks.
In our construction, we do not use risers in the staircase; this will allow us to make wooden steps narrower and thicker. At the same time, comfort will not suffer at all.
For your information! To attach the steps, we will not cut grooves, as is usually recommended by all drawings and diagrams of a simple attached wooden porch.
This greatly reduces the strength of the stringers and forces them to be much thicker than necessary for reasons of the rigidity of the wooden porch structure.
To attach the steps, you need to mark and cut short vertical supports from a board, 20-25 mm thick, as in the photo.
We nail them to the side stringers and secure them wooden blank steps, approximately as in the photo.
We move the staircase to the installation site on the porch and check how correctly its main elements were made. If there are no comments, remove the nails one by one and replace them with self-tapping screws.
How to build a porch railing for a house
When building the stairs, we did not sand the workpieces; there was practically no special need for this. For porch railings, it is extremely important to have smooth surface without the ability to push a drift or a thorn into your hand. Therefore, after choosing the appropriate size wooden block, you need, first of all, to carefully sand its surface, both the handrails and the vertical posts, photo.
It’s easier to make vertical posts for the porch if you first cut out one template-sized blank, adjust the angle of inclination to install the handrails, and then make all the other 7 pieces using it. This option will significantly speed up the process of making fences and porch railings.
We fasten the vertical posts directly with self-tapping screws. The workpiece should be screwed to the stringers with at least three fastening points every 60-70 mm.
We will install handrails on top of the racks, which can be made from the same block as the vertical supports themselves. It is clear that wooden surface, which you have to handle with your hands, it is better to polish it with a felt circle with paste. In this case, the handrails will acquire not only a smooth surface, but also a beautiful texture, as in the photo.
Oddly enough, one of the reasons why a wooden porch may lose its attractiveness is poor quality of surface treatment protective compounds. Even varnish or drying oil will not protect the wood from swelling. Therefore, for protection it is necessary to use a multilayer coating based on pentaphthalic enamels or alkyd varnish.
Final word
The proposed design of a porch for a house is simple and reliable, and even a schoolchild who has a little practice in safely handling power tools can do it with his own hands. If desired, the porch can be increased in size or supplemented with a concrete platform for the lower support of the stairs. Traditionally, the porch and entrance are located on the sunny, well-lit side of the house, this will ensure normal conditions durable.
The first thing people see when they come to visit is the porch, a kind of calling card of the owner of the house. It is important that it is not only beautiful, but also durable. A wooden porch that you can build with your own hands looks especially cozy. In this article we will tell you how to make a porch with a canopy made of wood using examples of ready-made projects.
A wooden porch is a fairly easy structure; it doesn’t have to be complicated. strip foundation. If staircase design built using stringers (strings), then a foundation on supports is sufficient.
Advice! Wood is good for piles coniferous species, it is durable and does not rot even in humid climates.
Attention! In order to make such a structure more stable, we attach the outer support to the wall of the house with hardware (screws or nails).
Making steps
We calculate the number of steps. The main thing here is to adhere to several rules:
- the number of steps must be odd;
- The width of the steps should be 36-45 cm, the height no more than 20 cm.
- The width of the porch is taken to be at least one and a half times the width of the front door.
We outline the profile of future bowstrings on a board. Because the support is connected to the logs on the porch, then we cut out spikes on the bowstrings and stringers.
Attention! If you want to build a porch with a patio or attic, then you need to install two auxiliary stringers and bowstrings for the stability of the structure.
To attach stringers and strings with lags, a tongue-and-groove design is used. To do this, you need to screw a board with grooves to the platform log, into which the spikes of the bowstrings and stringers are mounted. For reliability, the structure is reinforced with steel brackets.
Types of steps The final stage of making the porch
- First you need to lay boards on the area in front of the entrance. The boards are adjusted as close to each other as possible, because over time the wood will still dry out and come apart. Some experts believe that it is necessary to leave a distance of 2-3 mm between the boards so that water can flow there, and the distance that forms after the wood shrinks is not critical for people.
- After this, risers and treads are laid. They are connected to each other using the tongue-and-groove principle. Using a similar method, we attach the bowstring and riser. For strength, you can additionally connect the structure with self-tapping screws.
- A fence for the porch is made if there are more than 3 steps. Looks best on a wooden porch metal railings made of stainless steel or wood. You can also cover the flight of stairs with non-slip rubber mats for safety.
Scheme: wooden porch on concrete base Rules for painting a porch
- Before applying paint, the wood must be treated with a primer. It preserves the properties of wood.
- It is not recommended to coat soft wood with transparent varnishes, because... Over time, a lot of dirt and sand accumulate in their surface. But deciduous wood, on the contrary, looks beautiful if you cover it with transparent varnish.
- It is recommended to cover a pine porch with several layers paint coating, updating it every 3-5 years.
Open the finished structure with several layers of varnish - Re-coating is applied only after the old one has been removed.
- Mainly used for painting porches alkyd paints, they are the most resistant to abrasion. Other paints are less popular due to the harsh, unpleasant odor(oil-based), low durability (water-based) or high cost (reactive).
Making a canopy over the porch
First, choose the material for the visor:
- . Differs in variety color range, suitable for any home design. In addition, it is strong, durable, and very easy to work with, but it costs more than other materials.
- metal. A cheap and simple option for a visor. However, to make a canopy out of it, you need to have experience in welding. In addition, without additional anti-corrosion treatment, the metal visor will quickly begin to rust.
Diagram of a polycarbonate visor - . This material is easier to work with than metal, and a wide variety of colors makes it similar to polycarbonate, only cheaper. However, the big disadvantage is that if the top layer is damaged, this material will quickly succumb to corrosion. Thicker sheets of corrugated sheets are much more expensive.
- lightweight PVC boards. Just like corrugated sheets, they can be considered an analogue of polycarbonate. However, unlike corrugated sheeting, PVC is more durable and reliable.
- metal tiles. A great option if you have leftover material from laying the roof. If you purchase a different material than what the roof is lined with, it will be very noticeable. Some people don't like this material because of the noise it makes from the rain.
Having chosen the material, we make a sketch of the visor. Its length will be equal to the distance from the door to the extreme point of the canopy, and its height is calculated from the height of your house. It is also necessary to tilt the visor 20°.
Wooden canopy We make parts for the corners from wood. We take the length of the rafters equal to the height of the canopy slope. From the corners we make struts and a wall beam. We connect the entire structure with self-tapping screws. We mount the frame above the entrance: the wall beam is fastened with screws, and the struts with anchors. As lathing we use bars or planks, which are laid out at a distance of 30 cm from each other. We lay the sheets of the selected material end to end and secure them with self-tapping screws. We fix the metal strip to the top of the slope, and the cornice to the bottom.
In conclusion, I would like to say that this technique is given as an example of making a porch. If you wish, you can come up with original design railings, decorate the canopy with forging, make a large terrace on which you can drink tea, or build a porch-patio where it would be appropriate to put beautiful flowers in pots. It all depends on your skill and imagination.
DIY wooden porch: video
