Terrace or veranda are annexes to a private house. They can be closed or open, have a large area or have small dimensions. Depending on the features of the annex, material is chosen for arranging a terrace or veranda. He must be characterized by certain qualities.
Today, the flooring for the veranda and terrace can be created from various materials. They differ in operational characteristics, price and appearance. To make the right choice, you need to consider all possible options. Knowing their basic qualities, you can equip an extension to the house in the best way.
Features of the extensions
When considering the types of floor coverings for a terrace , porch or gazebo, you must first understand the differences between these structures. Today, private real estate is increasingly complemented by similar designs.
The terrace is mainly equipped in the southern regions. Also for cottages, in which the owners are mostly in the warm season, this design can be used. The terrace is characterized by sufficient area for relaxation. This is an open extension. It can also be located separately from the main building on the site.
In the northern regions, where it is cool even in summer, the terrace transforms into a veranda. This is a glazed annex. It can be quite small, separating the entrance to the house from the street. Recently, however, spacious verandas are gaining popularity. Here you can put tables, make a study. A person can be in close proximity to nature in any weather. Finishing such outbuildings is carried out according to a special technology.
Material Features
The flooring for the veranda and terrace (photo below) should have a number of special characteristics. Since the extension can be open or subject to temperature changes, the finish must be frost-resistant. If the temperature outside the window drops even below -35 º, the material should not be deformed, crack.
The finish must be moisture resistant. Even in a closed annexe, increased humidity may appear. Due to the temperature difference, condensation may accumulate inside (with insufficient ventilation). Open extensions may be exposed to rain. The material must withstand all the vagaries of nature.
Also, the finish should have a high strength class to withstand mechanical stress. The surface should not slip, which will help to avoid injuries. When exposed to sunlight, the finish should not fade. Only with all of these qualities will the flooring be durable and safe.
Varieties
When we choose a floor covering for a veranda and a terrace , we are interested in the price and quality of materials. They should be in harmony with the main decoration of the house, have an aesthetic appearance. Today, construction technology does not stand still. Many new materials have been invented that satisfy the high requirements put forward for outdoor decoration.
Most often, decking, ceramics, concrete slabs, natural or artificial stone, as well as wooden planks, are used to decorate open extensions, porches or arbors. All of these materials satisfy high construction requirements.
A huge selection of artificial and natural materials will make it possible to design a terrace in almost any style. It is important to mount the selected finish correctly. Terrace, porch are built according to a certain technology. Only in this case it will be durable, reliable and beautiful.
Styles
First of all, when choosing a floor covering, they look at its operational characteristics. However, one must not forget about aesthetics. Exterior decoration should be in harmony with the style of the facade, landscape design of the site. Therefore, it is important to study the recommendations of professionals on the choice of a particular finishing material.
The flooring for the veranda and terrace in the Provence style is better made of wood. In this case, Siberian larch, thermal wood, and exotic species will look best. A composite board is also suitable for various eco-styles. Natural wood should be well processed.
It is preferable to design a villa in a Mediterranean style with porcelain stoneware. It harmoniously complements the overall exterior design. If the townhouse style is used, you can choose a brick brick. It will look harmonious in this design. Almost all modern finishing materials make it possible to equip the floor of a terrace or veranda with almost any shape.
Decking
Flooring for decking and decking terraces is very popular . This is a special board, which is made of plastic (20%) and wood (80%). The material is called wood-polymer composite (WPC).
This material has inherited the best qualities from natural wood and artificial components, which allow to achieve high aesthetics of the finish with its increased reliability. The boards look like ordinary wood. But caring for such a coating will be easier.
In the manufacture of crushed wood chips are mixed with artificial material. At the same time, it is possible to create a surface structure that is fully consistent with a natural board. Due to this, the coating does not slip. It looks beautiful. The cost of such material is lower than that of natural wood.
Advantages and disadvantages of decking
Flooring for decking and decking decking has several advantages and disadvantages. You need to know about them before buying. The material is characterized by high water repellent ability. It does not deform, does not lose its original characteristics in the temperature range from +80 to -45 º.
In the manufacture of WPC boards, you can create the correct surface texture. Grooves imitating a tree pattern allow avoiding slipping on the wet, snowy surface of the terrace. After installation, the surface does not need additional processing. Installing and maintaining the boards is very simple.
The disadvantages include the incomplete correspondence of artificial material to a natural board. It is impossible to create a complete imitation of it. Both the pattern and the tactile sensations differ. This is the only drawback of the material presented.
Ceramic tile
Considering the types of floor coverings for a terrace , one cannot but say about such a popular option as ceramic coating. Most often, porcelain tiles, clinker, and external ceramic tiles are used for such purposes .
Clinker (pavers) allows you to design a terrace, which was built directly on the ground or screed. This material is resistant to temperature changes, does not absorb moisture.
Porcelain tile combines the qualities of natural granite and ceramics. It has a wide variety of shades and textures. This material imitates natural stone, leather, wood. The surface for arranging the terrace should be rough.
Ceramic tiles can also be used to decorate the extension. For these purposes, only frost-resistant material is suitable, which is highly durable. This is a special tile for outdoor decoration. Its surface should be grooved. A smooth surface for the terrace is not suitable.
Concrete plates
Various types of flooring for the veranda and terrace allow you to create a unique atmosphere in the garden. If the extension is equipped on the ground, concrete slabs can be used. A sand-cement base is created for them. Plates are installed on a special solution for outdoor use.
Such material is characterized by a wide variety of dimensions and shapes. The surface may have a different pattern. This is a strong, durable material that will last several decades (with proper installation). They are easily and quickly installed on a prepared base. If necessary, they can be easily dismantled and installed again.
However, when arranging a terrace from this material, it will be necessary to observe the correct slope so that the water does not stagnate on the surface. This material, even with an ornament, can be slippery in winter.
Wooden boards
So that the installation of flooring for the veranda and terrace does not cause a lot of associated costs for paying the work of a highly qualified master, you can choose an easier installation option. With the necessary tools and minimal experience with wood, you can mount a terrace from the boards. It is a durable, beautiful and environmentally friendly material.
Boards are mounted on the frame. For open terraces use larch, oak, iroko, merbau. This is a very dense wood. They do not absorb water, have beauty, are not susceptible to pests (with proper processing).
However, natural wood also has disadvantages. It can change color under the influence of sunlight, weather. This material is quite difficult to care for. It is regularly required to be restored, covered with special solutions against pests, the formation of fungus.
Natural tile
The flooring for the veranda and terrace can be made of natural stone. This is a rather expensive coating, but its decorative effect will not surpass other similar material. It is mounted on a prepared site. To do this, make a gravel-sand pillow. Reinforced concrete slabs are laid on it.
Having prepared the base, you can mount a coating of natural stone. Its thickness is 1-2 cm. If it is planned to mount plates from the presented material directly on the ground, it is necessary to choose overall varieties. They have a thickness of 3-6 cm.
Most of all, granite, slate, basalt, syenite are suitable for such purposes. These materials are less susceptible to abrasion, do not absorb moisture. They look very stylish. Such materials even age aesthetically. However, they do not suffer the impact of a heavy object. Cracks may appear. Also, natural stone is very hot in the heat.
Options for interior decoration
A number of other materials can be used to decorate the glazed veranda . Most often, a plastic floor covering for the veranda and terrace is used for these purposes. Today, there are many options that will be quite durable and stylish. Vinyl and PVC coating are in demand. A wide variety of textures, shades of such materials allows you to create an original coating.
Plastic repels moisture, is not subject to temperature fluctuations. With it, you can complement almost any style of decoration. Artificial boards can imitate natural wood, stone, leather, as well as other textures.
Also, for interior decoration of the veranda , bulk floors can be used. They can become a truly original coating. Modern technologies for creating such a finish allow you to decorate the veranda beautifully, stylishly.
Some more ideas
Today, the market for flooring materials on the veranda or terrace is huge. If the room is glazed, and is also operated only in the summer, you can make an original, beautiful coating inside such a building.
Natural landscapes can mimic the flooring for the veranda and terrace. Grass made of artificial materials looks very harmonious on the veranda or in the gazebo of a country house. Here you can put a table for tea drinking. Even in rainy weather, the owners of the house will be able to feel in close proximity to nature.
Also, for the arrangement of the floor in the enclosed annexes, a flock is used. He imitates the appearance of textiles, suede. Moreover, this type of coating is durable, aesthetic. It is easy to look after him.
Having considered the options for flooring for the veranda and terrace, it is easy to choose the best option.