The concept of "cottage" is always associated with the concept of "rest". After all, a good rest in the country is fresh air, peace and comfort. But to come out of town and close in the house is uncomfortable. I would like to open the space of the cottage, merge it with the surrounding nature, but at the same time do not lose protection from cold winds, precipitation and other inconveniences. For this, life has come up with such a wonderful summer room as a terrace in the country.
Functional features of the terrace
The terrace is a summer unheated room, slowly transferring from comfort in a country house to the surrounding natural environment. But the weather is always different: rain, wind, snow, frost. To protect themselves from external factors, architects often design houses with a terrace.
Following the conditions of maintaining maximum comfort, the terrace should be spacious and convenient to use. A reliable roof should protect it from above. Blowing the wind and the inconvenience of the sun, as well as crackling frosts, must be minimized.
Based on the climatic zones of our country, the outdoor terrace in the country can not be used the same way in summer and winter. Therefore, for the winter, such terraces are usually glazed and turned into comfortable winter verandas.
The competitors of the terrace in the country are open areas with a canopy or gazebos in the garden. But these are already separate elements of landscape gardening architecture. But the terrace is a part of the house, and it is more convenient and convenient to use it than a separate canopy or gazebo. I came out of a cozy house - and right in front of you is your native outdoor terrace. It is wide and spacious, but nothing flows on the head and does not blow from the sides.
How to decide on the idea of a terrace
First of all, you need to order a specialist architect the project of a terrace for a summer residence, as it is often a part of a summer house or an extension to it. It is best to initially focus on the design of a room with a terrace. Then everything will be done in a single architectural ensemble, and the open terrace will become a highlight and decoration of the cottage.
But if you got a ready-made country house without an open area, then it’s okay. It can be completed at any time, since this temporary structure and capital foundation for it is not necessary to fill. And there are no concrete building codes for an extension to a country house . So, you need to be guided by the situation and be guided by simple expediency.
Next, you need to decide what structures the outdoor terrace will be built from, because it needs to withstand moisture, rain, wind and frost. Finishing materials must also meet these conditions.
Where in the house to place a terrace
The most common option for the location of an open area is a continuation of the living room (common room), so that you can comfortably rest and relax on it, easily getting into it from both the living room and the kitchen-dining room.
Often a terrace is located at the entrance to the house to combine it with a porch. It is better to place it away from the entrance so that incoming guests do not interfere with vacationers.
When it comes to the terrace for individual relaxation, it is better to place it on the second floor of the house.
Orientation
The most important moment in the selection and execution of the terrace in the country is its orientation to the cardinal points, because you need to insolate it as much as possible. That is, to orient as much as possible towards the sun (to the south). It makes no sense to orient the open terrace to the northern part of the house. This will nullify all the rest on her. The only exceptions are the hot and southern regions of the country. It is better to have a terrace in the most darkened, eastern, and even northern parts of the country house.
Protection from winds and neighborly views
The first rule when creating an open terrace is to create an atmosphere that promotes complete relaxation on it. Here the issue of protecting the terrace from winds and slanting rains is very important. Especially in the eastern regions of the country. It is good when the house is oriented so that it itself protects the terrace from the winds.
When choosing the location of the terrace in the country, you need to remember about the "harmful" views of neighbors and passers-by. Therefore, it is better to orient the site not to the carriageway of the street, and not towards the neighboring section, but to the area of your favorite garden or vegetable garden.
A good way to protect yourself from unwanted looks is to fence yourself off with a hedge. In addition, green spaces, decorative planting of shrubs or grapes will qualitatively complement the landscape of the summer cottage.
Landscape role
An important factor in choosing a place for a terrace in the country is a view of the beautiful nature: a decorative corner, a luxurious tree that gives a chic, soft shadow to the terrace, a well-equipped pond, lake, pond and the like. Psychologists have proven that nothing affects our nervous system so favorably as a view of the magnificent natural landscape.
Dimensions and shape of the terrace
Determining the size and shape of the terrace, you need to be guided primarily by the size and shape of the country house, as well as the landscape features of the site. This means taking into account its orientation, topography and the ability to attach a site to the house in the right place.
The specific dimensions of the terrace in the country are determined by the amount of furniture and equipment that the owners are going to place on it. You must also consider the number of vacationers on it. From building codes and regulations it is known that the minimum width of the summer premises in residential buildings is 1.2 m. This allows two people to stretch out on it. But we are talking about the increased comfort of rest in the country. Therefore, the size of the terrace should be "the larger the better." But the optimal sizes, which make it possible to arrange everything functionally and beautifully in the summer room, correspond approximately:
2.5 mx 4 m = 10 sq m
The shape of the site depends on its position in the house with a terrace. It can be a completely independent building. The decisive role in the choice of form is played by its functionality. Not in the last place is also the issue of cost. The rectangular shape is the most acceptable and profitable: the furniture on it will always be located in the best possible way.
A round terrace is a more complicated construction, but such a configuration immediately changes the mood of vacationers on it. And it’s absolutely gorgeous when the terrace is complex. Especially when it is possible to organically fit it into the site.
Features of the constructive terrace
An important element in designing a terrace is laying the floor level. Indeed, in the case of an uneven surface in the area of the cottage, it will have to be leveled, and the site should be raised above the ground. In the case of a steep terrain, several subordinate terraces are connected with a decrease.
The exit from the cottage should be consistent with the level of the terrace. If it is open, then it is placed several steps below the floor.
The choice of building materials depends on the marking of the flooring and ceiling. To build a terrace is a simple matter, you just need a desire, mood and love for what you do. If you build a terrace in the country with your own hands, then this will be appreciated even more by relatives and friends. After all, they will rest and relax on it.
When building or completing terraces, they usually opt for a wooden version of the structure. Bribes:
- lightness of material;
- the possibility of giving any form;
- variety of decor and interior decoration.
In addition, wood is a warm and supple material. In addition, it is the most affordable for a simple summer resident.
Indoor Terrace Options
Terraces are classified into:
The best option is a closed terrace in the country. It differs from the open one in that it can be considered a full-fledged separate room. On such a platform, you can place equipment and furniture and use them year-round. It is very good when there is access to it not only from home, but also from the bathhouse, sauna.
You can build a terrace in the country from a profiled wood beam. This is perfect for the theme of countryside holidays. Especially if you add the steam room here.
A covered terrace in the country requires a lot of light. This is achieved due to the glazing of window openings of a large area. Often, to obtain additional lighting, they also use the roof of the terrace, attaching translucent lights there.
Now it’s impractical to glaze terrace windows at the cottage with heavy ordinary glass. It is increasingly being replaced by a magnificent and lightweight material with polycarbonate: light, safe, practical. In addition, they can overlap the roof, which is very convenient and effective for creating additional lighting.
The use of finishing materials
Since the most popular material for creating a terrace is wood, it is best complemented in decoration with natural stone or a material that imitates it.
Most often, the elements of the terrace frame are made of beams and sheathed with lining or various kinds of decorative plates made of wood. Different versions of the terrace in the country dictate their various finishes.
Floors and ceilings
Typically, on covered terraces, wooden floors are impregnated with appropriate antifungal and water-repellent solutions. But on open and partially closed terraces, it is appropriate to arrange a concrete floor with the corresponding decorative cladding of stone or tile. The flooring of such a floor should not be smooth, so that it is not slippery in winter.
The terrace attached to the country house looks elegant and modern, the frame of the walls and roof of which is made of a metal profile and glazed with light and durable polycarbonate.
Interior
When the construction of the terrace in the country house is completed, the question arises of decoration and interior, as well as its functional filling and aesthetic decoration. Naturally, the whole interior design is decided at the level of project development and idea formation. If, say, the terrace is prepared for wide walks and frequent reception of guests, then it is advisable to provide a place for cooking a variety of dishes and treats using a barbecue and electric grill.
If you prefer a quiet evening rest, then it is appropriate to arrange a fireplace. After all, sitting comfortably next to him and admiring the game of fire to the clink of glasses with good wine, you can live through many pleasant minutes on your own terrace.
Beautifully and tastefully selected tablecloths, napkins and curtains on the terrace at the cottage will give rest a warmth and a romantic mood. The presence in the interior of the closed terrace of beautiful wicker or carved furniture, as well as modern technology - a TV, a music center and the like, will enhance the pleasure of a pleasant pastime in conjunction with wildlife.
Any terrace options in the country are good in their own way. It all depends on the requests and the nature of the owners. From what their mood is, how life is arranged, what kind of work, lifestyle and, most importantly - how they know how to relax. And then the imagination and professional skill of the performer are launched. In any case, the terrace - both open and half-closed, and closed - requires a delicate approach to construction and operation, as this is the central place of rest, communication and relaxation of both owners and guests.
This room helps to unite everyone for a good rest in the fresh air.
Why do I need a terrace in the country?
There are many advantages of such a building in your country house. Consider the main ones:
- The terrace is not a luxury, but a necessary and multifunctional vacation spot for the whole family.
- This is a temporary construction and does not require capital construction, and therefore, large financial costs.
- The terrace gives the cottage an element of exoticism and attractiveness.
- The variety in the choice of materials for construction and decoration makes it possible to build a terrace, of any shape and functional content, which is separately standing or attached to the country house.
- This is a temporary summer room, which does not require heating and other energy costs for its operation.
- Sitting in the house is one thing, and breakfast, lunch and rest on the spacious, bright terrace, admiring the beauty of nature, is quite another.
Thus, the construction of a terrace in a country house is quite justified and definitely worth attention. Have a nice rest!