Terrace - a covered, unheated structure raised above the ground, separately standing or attached to the main task. Such a building, decorated with light garden furniture and flowers, can not only decorate the courtyard, but also become a favorite vacation spot for all family members.
Terrace Options
Terraces are:
- open;
- closed;
- partially covered.
The open terrace is a platform attached to the house without walls and a roof. Here, in fine weather, you can comfortably sit in a chair and look through a magazine or do yoga. On open terraces, you can often see an elegant hand-forged fence, simple lighting and a floor-mounted sleeve for attaching an umbrella to the sun.
Partially covered terraces have a light canopy above them, covering either the entire area or only part of it. Perhaps decorative semi-walls made of light materials
The closed terrace is already a fully equipped room with many windows and furniture. It can be used all year round.
Terrace project
For a wooden country house, used only in the warm season, the best option for a terrace is the construction of a light wooden annex, decorated in a folk village style. The location and form of construction depends on the personal preferences of the owners and the particular layout of the house. The main thing is that it be comfortable in every way. The most common option is to build a terrace to the wall near the entrance. So it turns out a wonderful lounge, which serves as an entrance hall and porch. Also interesting is the circular construction of the terrace along the entire house.
The structure can be built near the living room or kitchen. Such accommodation is quite convenient, because it allows you to freely carry dishes and treat guests through the nearest passage.
When a terrace project is being made, the main condition that it is advisable to observe when choosing a place is that there should be access to the building from the house.
Those who wish to protect this structure from prying eyes can make it from the back of the house. Nearby you can plant beautiful plants and trees. In this place it will be a pleasure to relax for all family members.
Configuration and size
The dimensions of this design are affected by the purpose of its use and the occupied area. So, to comfortably accommodate two people, it is enough to allocate an area of 120 cm 2 . You should calculate the number of family members, take into account the number of invited guests. It is also worth remembering the area that is necessary for the installation of furniture: chairs, benches, deck chairs, a sofa. And there must still be space for the free movement of people.
The configuration of such an extension can be absolutely any: square, round, rectangular, polygonal. The most common option is to build a rectangular terrace. The standard extension width is 2.5 m, and the length is equal to the size of the adjacent wall of the house.
Regardless of the configuration, any design consists of 3 main parts:
- foundation;
- flooring;
- auxiliary elements.
Material selection
Before you build a terrace, you need to choose building materials. The best way to save money is to use those that remain after the construction of the house. Stones and bricks can be used to build the foundation. If the material will be bought, it is important to choose only the highest quality, since the structures will have to withstand both the scorching heat and the winter cold.
For the decoration of partially indoor and outdoor areas, the best option is to use natural stone or its imitation. The advantage of this material is the combination of resistance to climatic influences and external beauty. Also suitable are plastic panels, cast iron and aluminum.
Closed terraces are most often light buildings, so they are mainly built according to the skeleton scheme. The most environmentally friendly and comfortable option is the construction of a wooden terrace, where the frame elements are made of timber, and the lining is made of chipboards or lining. Wood is considered an affordable and easy to process material, but it rotts over time, so careful care is required. Often, the supporting elements of the frame are replaced by a more durable steel profile. The extension of the terrace can be made of light building materials, such as aerated concrete.