Verandas are usually used in the warm season as additional usable space. Based on the type of construction, they are classified into attached and built-in. The first ones are built after the construction of the house is completed. The presence of built-in ones is provided for at the design stage of a residential building. Also, verandas can be with or without glazing. In the second case, the site is essentially a terrace equipped with a canopy. Verandas with glazing can be used not only in bad weather in the summer and without fear of rain or wind, which previously interfered with quiet gatherings, but also in the winter if they are heated. In this regard, the premises are similar to attics, into which cold attics are converted. In the south, the veranda is most often used as a gazebo or dining room. On the hottest nights, you can set up a bedroom here, where the coolness of the night comes in abundance. In the outback, equipment for a summer kitchen is moved here if there is no free separate building for these purposes. A veranda can be called not only an extension to a house, but also a separate room on the site in which a greenhouse or a hall for receiving guests (formerly for dance evenings) is equipped.
The fashion for such spacious “gazebos” came from France. And the word “veranda” itself is of Bengali origin, which in principle is not surprising if we recall the close ties of Old Europe with the countries of South Asia. Balconies and loggias, in fact, are also verandas, but they belong to city apartments in multi-storey buildings. Suffice it to remember that they are also divided into “warm” and “cold”. We will consider options for glazing verandas in private houses.
Features and Benefits
Glazing a veranda is that rare case when, among the many advantages, the disadvantages are lost. The room can be warm or cold. In the first case, it can be used in winter as a residential space. If the glazing is cold, then the temperature inside the veranda will be only a couple of degrees higher than the temperature outside, that is, the difference is insignificant. This veranda can only be used in summer. The advantages of glazing a room include:
- Protection from wind and rain (for both cold and warm options).
- Noise insulation.
- Possibility of arranging a separate room. In the case of cold glazing we are talking about a “summer residence”. With warm glazing, the room can be used all year round, that is, another full-fledged room is added to the living space on a “permanent basis”.
- Possibility of connecting to heating and using the room in winter (only for warm glazing). It is quite possible to arrange a bedroom, a small guest room, a winter garden, a storage room and a kitchen or dining room here. The choice of functional purpose depends entirely on the size of the veranda itself and its capabilities.
- Creating a stylish, unusual element of the interior and exterior of the house. Glazing can be different, and original solutions will emphasize the creativity of the design of the entire building as a whole.
If we mention the features of the glazing of the veranda, then it should fit well with the design of the house. This is a mandatory and most important condition. Next, you should pay attention to the area of the translucent sheet in order to provide it with proper support in the form of frames and at the same time not reduce the strength of the entire structure. The next stage is the choice of material for the frame, but we will talk about this in detail later. Modern glazing systems offer great opportunities for owners:
- Partial roof covering with sheets of heavy-duty glass.
- Exact repetition of the shape of the veranda.
- A variety of door and window opening systems.
- Adjusting the width and height of open door and window openings.
- Possibility of installing mosquito nets.
Now let's talk about the types of glazing, their disadvantages and advantages.
Foundation load calculation
The amount of load acting on the foundation is the sum of:
- constant (the weight of all building structures including the foundation);
- temporal.
Live loads consist of:
- short-term (weight of people, wind and snow load);
- long-term (weight of furniture, equipment, glazing);
- special (seismic loads)
Wind and snow loads depend on the weather conditions of each specific region. Average snow load in Russia:
- 190 kg/m2 for Northern regions;
- 100 kg/m2 for the Middle Zone;
- 50 kg/m2 for southern regions.
The permanent load is calculated using tables of mass and density of a specific building material. It is not necessary to separately calculate the load from furniture and household appliances. The tables already contain a margin of safety, which makes it possible not to take into account the mass of individual items.
The weight of the walls is determined based on the material of the building. The area of the walls is calculated including window openings (simply multiply the height of the wall by its length).
Table of weight per square meter of walls (thickness 15 cm)
| Reinforced concrete | 350 kg/m2 |
| Brick | 250 kg/m2 |
| Logs or beams | 100 kg/m2 |
| Frame construction | 50 kg/m2 |
When making calculations, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the floors: multiply the floor area by the specific weight of the material.
Table of specific gravity of materials
| Reinforced concrete | 500 kg/m2 |
| Wooden beams (insulation density up to 500 kg/m3) | 300 kg/m2 |
| Wooden beams (insulation density up to 200 kg/m3) | 150 kg/m2 |
The weight of the roof depends on the roof area and roofing material. You can use the following table for calculations:
| Roof tiles | 80 kg/m2 |
| Slate | 50 kg/m2 |
| Soft cover | 50 kg/m2 |
| Metal | 30 kg/m2 |
The weight of the foundation is calculated taking into account its volume, material and design features. For example, the weight of a concrete foundation is equal to the volume of the foundation multiplied by the specific weight of reinforced concrete (2,500 kg/m3).
Based on these data, we can draw the following conclusion: the reliable foundation of the veranda, which is integral with the foundation of the building, can withstand almost any type of glazing. For a terrace attached to a house with a separate foundation, calculations will be required so as not to overload the fragile structure.
Types of glazing
There are quite a few classifications of glazing depending on its features:
- Warm and cold, which were already mentioned above.
- Frameless and with frames.
- Full and partial.
- Swinging and sliding.
Panoramic glazing can be included in a separate category. Let's talk about each type in more detail.
Cold and warm
Cold glazing is used when the owners have chosen “seasonal use” for the veranda. Suitable basic materials:
- Plastic single-chamber double-glazed windows.
- Aluminum profile as a frame, which also weighs very little, unlike heavy wood.
- Panoramic windows.
Cold glazing looks stylish and practical. At the same time, double-glazed windows reliably protect the veranda from precipitation, dirt and dust. In summer, the room can be used as a study, relaxation room, summer kitchen, and in winter it can easily be converted into a pantry for storing pickles or “gifts from the garden.” Warm glazing is usually carried out using plastic double-glazed windows that have special air chambers.
They act as a “buffer”, trapping heat in the room and preventing cold from entering from the street. Window sashes fit hermetically to the frames. Glass consists of several transparent sheets, the spaces between which are filled with a special absorbent that absorbs moisture. Such glazing does not allow cold, moisture and wind to enter the room. It reliably protects the veranda from the external environment and allows you to convert it into a full-fledged living space. If we talk about cost, then you will have to pay more for double-glazed windows, but this option provides many more advantages.
Full and partial
Depending on the functional purpose of the veranda, its glazing can be full or partial. The first option allows you to create warm or cold glazing, that is, the openings are completely closed with double-glazed windows and there are no “gaping” windows left in the walls of the room. Partial glazing is a simpler and cheaper option. It is appropriate in cases where, for example, the room needs to be protected on the leeward side. This veranda can only be used in summer.
Frameless and with frames
Glazing with frames is a popular and already quite hackneyed option. Sheets of glass are placed inside a special frame, which provides the structure with strength and stability. Relatively recently (just a couple of decades ago), the fashion for frameless glazing came to us, when the facade consists entirely of sheets of heavy-duty glass, which are sealed at the joints. The illusion of a completely open space is created. Sheets of glass are fixed with aluminum profiles at the floor and ceiling. This option cannot be called budgetary, but relaxing on such a veranda will truly take your breath away. It is appropriate to use frameless glazing only in cases where the room offers a beautiful view (of a garden, field, meadow, nearby river or sea coast). Although the structure looks fragile from the outside, in fact it will outperform any other double-glazed window in terms of strength. For frameless glazing, only tempered glass is used, which is almost impossible to break.
If a blow of enormous force nevertheless damages the surface, then it will only be covered with small cracks, but will not shower everything around with fragments. The design is equipped with additional protection against accidental opening. The only disadvantages that can be noted are low noise insulation and difficulty in maintenance. In order for the glass to retain its transparency and “gloss,” they should not be washed with substances with an abrasive effect that leave small scratches on the surface. You will also have to forget about the old “grandmother’s” method using crumpled newspapers instead of a sponge.
Panoramic
Panoramic glazing is carried out along the entire facade, that is, the windows occupy the entire space from the ceiling to the floor. This is a stylish, original solution that originates in the European traditions of decorating windows facing the garden. The veranda will offer a magnificent view of the nearby beauty. Panoramic glazing can be frameless or with frames. This option is popular not only for verandas, but also for glazing balconies and loggias in high-rise buildings with a slight difference: there the system is necessarily supplemented with a protective frame that prevents a person from falling onto the glass.
The only disadvantages noted are the rapid fogging and freezing of the transparent fabric in winter.
To avoid this, you must either install an additional heat source in which hot air flows are directed at the windows, or regularly lubricate the glass with a glycerin solution.
Sliding and hinged
The swing opening system is familiar to everyone: window or door sashes, after turning the handle, open inward (usually 90 degrees). Plastic double-glazed windows use a more complex swing system, which additionally allows windows and doors to be partially opened from above by pulling them towards you. This option is ideal for ventilating the room. Hinged glazing provides good tightness. With its help you can create both a cold and warm room. The sliding system works on a completely different principle: the doors are moved to the sides on special guides located below and above. They can only “drive” in a straight line (as in sliding wardrobes) or fold “accordion-style”.
In the latter case, we are talking about panoramic glazing with frames, when large “window-doors” are compactly assembled against one of the walls of the veranda. Sliding systems cannot provide complete tightness, therefore they are used only for cold glazing.
Types of window opening systems
The choice is strictly individual. Each has pros and cons.
Sliding
Gaining popularity in the private sector. This is the optimal solution if you need to glaze a room with a small area.
The principle of its operation is that the sashes move along guide profiles. There are several location options:
- type of wardrobe;
- an accordion or a book.
Individual parts may be removable. Open doors are unnoticeable and significantly save space.
The sliding system is suitable for summer verandas and gazebos, but in winter there is heat loss.
If you decide to choose this type for year-round use, then it is better to take profiles made of plastic rather than aluminum.
Swing
Due to its affordable price and ease of installation, it is in demand among owners of summer cottages.
There are at least two opening options:
- The window consists of 2 sashes. If both handles are pulled towards you, they will open.
- If the window is wide, it is made of several parts. One half can open, but the other cannot.
The advantage of the swing system is a high level of thermal insulation with minimal losses.
If you decide to glaze the veranda area in this way, then it is important to correctly calculate the width of the windows. An open wide window (1 m or more) protrudes greatly from the opening.
Recommended window width is 0.6-0.8 m.
In addition, if desired, you can order sections with a rotary or tilt-and-turn mechanism.
Construction materials
The glazing frame can be made of plastic, wood and aluminum. The materials are arranged by popularity, starting with the most popular. Of course, at first plastic began to be used everywhere in the glazing of city apartments. Gradually, it migrated to private homes, but wood and aluminum here continue to stubbornly hold their own. This is especially good for wood, which is involuntarily associated with the warm atmosphere of a country house and fits perfectly with the design in the chalet, country, and Provence styles that are so often used in the outback.
Aluminum
The main advantage of aluminum is its light weight. The material allows you to make the structure much lighter, but without compromising its strength. In terms of cost, aluminum also outperforms its main competitors. For comparison: the price of plastic glazing is twice as high as installing a similar aluminum structure. Unfortunately, the material did not become widely used due to its main drawback: the design retains heat very poorly.
A veranda with an aluminum profile can only be used in summer; in winter, it is most logical to install an “outdoor freezer” here. Although now manufacturers offer a rather expensive solution to this problem - thermal inserts and special liners that retain heat and create additional sound insulation. The aluminum profile is fireproof, so the risk of the structure igniting is reduced to zero, which becomes another advantage of the material when compared with wood.
Tree
Previously, only wood was used for glazing houses (not only verandas). With the advent of alternative options, this material began to be slowly forgotten, but its advantages did not fade. Wood has high noise and heat insulation. Although, of course, the glass itself receives the main “blow” in terms of heat conservation, a lot also depends on the frames. Unlike plastic or aluminum, wood does not need additional thermal liners, since the material itself prevents cold from entering the room and warm air from escaping outside. Wood has micropores, which allows it to “breathe”. Manufacturers of plastic double-glazed windows state in their characteristics that the maximum minus for the material is 30 degrees below zero. At this temperature, PVC loses strength and becomes brittle.
For wood, there is also a frost resistance limit, but this figure is so sky-high (minus 120 degrees) that even in the conditions of the Far North it is impossible to verify it. From this we can conclude: wood is the warmest material. The wood is environmentally friendly, but it will catch fire when in contact with an open flame. The material is pre-treated with special impregnations, which increase its fire resistance and moisture resistance. Contact with liquid is dangerous for wood. Material that is not properly processed can become deformed, rendering the double-glazed window completely unusable. And the main advantage of wood lies in its beauty, which neither aluminum nor PVC has. Warm, homely, “cozy” material will ideally highlight the design of an Alpine chalet, simple country, French Provence and rustic Russian style.
Plastic
Contrary to misconceptions, high-quality plastic does not emit harmful substances during operation. PVC retains heat perfectly, thanks to special rubberized inserts around the perimeter of the window and door sashes, the veranda remains airtight. Plastic windows provide good sound insulation. They are ideal for warm glazing, but are heavy, so they are not recommended for use in dilapidated dachas or old country houses. PVC cannot be called fire-resistant, but upon contact with an open flame, they do not catch fire, but begin to melt, releasing caustic substances.
Perhaps the main disadvantage of plastic glazing is its high cost. If you need to install one or two windows, then the purchase and installation will not hit the budget much, but for a panoramic double-glazed window you will have to spend a lot of money. Wood and aluminum leave PVC far behind in this regard, luring buyers with tempting prices.
Glass materials
The transparent canvas occupies the lion's share of the area of the glazed area, so its characteristics have a greater influence on the quality of the structure than the features of the frames and profiles. On verandas, not only “classic” glass is used, but also other materials that also ensure free penetration of sunlight into the room and at the same time protect from bad weather. Let's look at their varieties and evaluate the profitability of using them in veranda glazing.
Glass
For glazing houses, it is better to use special materials that have increased strength. All of them are produced in the form of sheets and belong to the large category of sheet glass. The following types are suitable for glazing the veranda:
- Tempered. Ordinary sheet glass undergoes special treatment: the mass is heated to high temperatures, followed by rapid cooling. The technology makes it possible to create strong glasses that can withstand heavy loads (compared to ordinary ones) and are absolutely safe for humans, since when hit hard they are showered with small fragments with blunt edges that cannot injure, even if the pieces fall on open areas of the skin.
- Laminated or triplex. Belongs to the group of tempered glasses with increased strength. Triplex is a layered “pie” of several sheets that are glued together. There are two types of such glass: cast and film. In the first case, gluing of sheets is carried out using a laminating liquid, and in the second - using a special film. When hit hard, triplex does not crumble like regular glass, but becomes covered with cracks sealed between two protective layers.
- Energy saving. A new product on the double-glazed window market, which so far only wealthy home owners can afford. Externally, glass is no different from ordinary sheet glass. It even has a standard thickness (no more than 1 cm), but from the inside its surface is covered with a special coating. It “repels” heat, redirecting it indoors, thereby preventing it from leaking out into the street.
- Stained glass. Glass is a decorative composition that is assembled from pieces of different colors enclosed in a metal profile. Previously, this option was widely used to decorate cathedrals and rich palaces in Europe. Real masters put together small pieces using the mosaic principle to create whole pictures that will become the highlight of the veranda interior. They have only one drawback - they do not transmit sunlight well, so they are often used in conjunction with ordinary transparent glasses and play the role of accent decor.
In addition to glass, there are several other transparent materials that are actively used for glazing verandas and gazebos on sites.
PVC film
PVC film is better known as “soft glass”. It is used only for cold glazing, since the material cannot cope with the vagaries of the domestic climate and harsh winter conditions. PVC film is sold in rolls and can have different thicknesses and colors. It is ideal as an alternative to expensive glazing due to its low cost. The material can be given any shape. Soft glass is often used as “flexible curtains”, which are rolled into compact rolls and secured in this position with ribbons. If it starts to rain or the wind rises, the curtains are lowered, but the street can be seen just as well as without them. The film is durable. With constant contact with sunlight, it can be used for up to five years. If operating conditions are more gentle, then this period is doubled.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is often used for glazing greenhouses, summer greenhouses and gazebos. The material is flexible and light. It is classified into two types:
- Monolithic. The sheets are more like glass, transmit light well, and have high transparency.
- Cell phone. The sheets consist of two layers of material, which in cross-section are similar to “honeycombs”, that is, the surface of the polycarbonate is decorated with “stripes” formed due to the cells inside. The material transmits light well, but it cannot be classified as transparent. Suitable for verandas that need to be hidden from the view of passersby.
From an aesthetic point of view, monolithic polycarbonate looks more solid and noble. From a distance it is generally difficult to distinguish it from sheet glass. Cellular material benefits in cost, as it is more accessible. Naturally, such glazing is not suitable for warm verandas.
How to choose a glazing method
The choice of type of glazing for the veranda depends entirely on the functional purpose of the room. The first thing you need to decide is the time frame for its use:
- End of spring, summer, beginning of autumn.
- All year round.
You can already build on this when choosing the type of structure and materials. For “winter” verandas, durable wooden frames or plastic double-glazed windows, tempered glass or triplex are ideal. For cold glazing you can use aluminum, polycarbonate, and soft glass. Of course, a summer veranda will cost much less, but a “warm” one provides more opportunities.
We install windows with our own hands
Let's take a step-by-step look at how to glaze a veranda with wooden frames.
Sequence of work:
- We treat the timber or logs that will serve as a frame with an antiseptic and fire retardant.
- We install supports around the perimeter of the site. They break the structure into sections. The recommended step is from 1 to 1.2 m.
- We order frames or cut them ourselves. They must have a clearance tolerance of up to 5 mm.
- We fix the frames without glass vertically. We fill the gaps with polyurethane foam.
- We treat the inside of the grooves with silicone sealant.
- After a couple of minutes, you can insert the glass, and once again apply sealant around the perimeter of the windows.
- Traces of silicone are masked by a thin wooden strip (glazing bead) and at the same time strengthens the position of the glass in the frame.
It must be remembered that the height of the openings should not exceed 2.5 m.
You should not neglect the installation of ebb tides. In the case when the glazing is mounted on a base or parapet, they will serve as protection for the bottom seam from excess moisture and mold.
In addition, craftsmen advise making as many opening doors as possible for normal ventilation of the room, especially in summer.
Design and decoration of terraces
The design of the veranda is selected to match the stylistic design of the house. The interior of this room should not stand out from the overall composition. Most often, verandas are used as a relaxation room. A wide sofa, armchairs, and a coffee table are placed here. The outside walls are covered with hops, grapes or ivy, and the windows are hung with light curtains. When the dimensions of the room allow, its interior is complemented with a couple of shelves with books and a cozy fireplace. If a loft is chosen as the main direction, then brick prevails in the decoration, and it is better to choose glazing with aluminum profiles. Similar designs are suitable for high-tech and modern style. Provence, modern, classic, chalet, and a number of ethnic styles are more impressed by wood. Plastic is universal and can be combined with any modern styles, but it is not suitable for luxury apartments, where every element of the interior should be associated with luxury.
Photo gallery
In our gallery you will find options for glazing terraces and verandas, differing in materials, design, and shapes.
The veranda expands the living space of the house, and an excellent outlook brings you closer to nature, creating a cozy homely atmosphere.
The nuances of self-glazing terraces
You can glaze the veranda yourself only if you plan to use wood as frames. You must first carefully take measurements and create design drawings. The glass is inserted into special grooves in the timber, which are cut out in advance. No matter how good a craftsman the owner is, his work will still be much inferior to ready-made double-glazed windows, which are produced in factories and undergo strict quality control.
