Winter garden … is a full-fledged building, not a specialized greenhouse or greenhouse. Which one of us didn’t dream of creating it on our site?
It is better to think about such a comfortable structure at the design stage of the country house. However, most often the construction of the winter garden gardeners “catch up” immediately. It happens that many years pass from the beginning of development of a site to the moment of realization of real need for the covered climatic space. For the most part of the winter gardens become a continuation of the country house is functionally integrated into the existing building. Although it is impossible not to mention the existence of free-standing structures. But they will meet infrequently, and so in this article we will focus only on the extension options. Such gardens are structurally divided into two-garden (extension to the inner corner of the building) and three-garden (adjacent to one wall).
three-garden winter garden
All you need is to download a new heated area, in addition to lush vegetation?
- From the Northern facade of the cottage there is advisable to place a study, which will simultaneously become a ” thermal barrier»;
- from the East — dining room;
- the West flank is the living room.
However, unambiguous canonical recommendations here can not be. Each owner has his own preferences. But in any case, the attached winter garden will expand the useful living area, while at the same time saving the heat of the cottage.
Winter garden “ascended” to the second floor
Designing a winter garden
Of course, the construction of a winter garden without the project can not do. Now this is done on a computer in the memory of which dozens, if not hundreds of options. In special programs the garden is modeled and” attached ” to the existing building.
In this brick cottage winter garden is already at the project stage
In practice, a fundamentally different space-planning solutions are used:
- three-or five-beam Victorian gazebo,
- lean-to garden,
- gable garden.
The last and the most organic look with a traditional gable roof, dominant in the Russian garden associations. In addition, the simplicity of the gable design a priori eliminates the problem of rainwater drainage. In the case of more” catchy ” forms, this problem should be solved individually. This is especially true for surfaces with a small angle of inclination. There, the heavenly moisture will not only” decorate ” the glass with unplanned dirt, but will try to penetrate through the seals and begin to drip into the already mounted structure. Therefore, when designing, pay attention to minimization, and it is better to exclude “dangerous” located glass surfaces, no matter how beautiful they may seem on the laptop monitor.
Winter garden design
Winter garden consists of a supporting frame and glazing elements.
Winter garden consists of a supporting frame and glazing elements.
The frame has to withstand serious static and dynamic (wind) loads. For example, after a heavy and unexpected snowfall, the results of which you do not have time to clean online, on the transparent roof of the garden will put pressure mass of several tons. This is a serious test. Therefore, the strength and rigidity of the structure should be taken care of long before it is tested by inclement weather.
Winter garden in Madrid’s Retiro Park
Frames made of aluminum
Therefore, the spatial structure of the winter gardens a well-deserved popularity of “winged” metal – aluminum, specifically, structural profiles made from it. It uses a combination of its best technological qualities – lightness, strength, corrosion resistance. In addition, aluminum:
- environmentally friendly material, it does not generate harmful compounds under the influence of UV radiation;
- indifferent to changes in temperature;
- not burn;
- enviably durable: aircraft, for example, fly half a century without signs of corrosion on the body.
But really he doesn’t have flaws? Of course, there is, but they do not belong to the sphere of performance, but to the size of the developer’s purse. The aluminum frame will cost you 2-3 times more expensive than the analogue of polychlorinated.
By the way, most modern designs of the buildings, the aircraft is already “changing” aluminium composite materials. Perhaps they penetrate into the construction of winter gardens. And if to dream even further, it is possible to present production (printing) of frameworks of winter gardens on vanguard 3D-printers. Who can guarantee that such progress will not reach this area of suburban construction?
Steel frame
Let’s move from aluminum to another metal, or rather, to stainless steel. Its corrosion resistance is improved by powder coating of exposed surfaces. Steel profiles can be mentioned as a successful technological solution. Moreover, the cavities available in them are filled with polyurethane, which acts as a thermal conductive damper. Thus, the high strength of 1.2 mm steel and thermal insulation capabilities of polyurethane are combined in one structure. This technological synthesis allows to build significant unsupported spans, to use large Windows and heavy Windows.
The extension is made of a metal frame
Frames made of other materials
For the construction of the winter garden are often used and combined load-bearing elements, for example, wood-aluminum frame. It is made of glued timber and aluminum profile, whose function is to protect the wood from the negative impact of celestial slabs.
It would be unfair not to mention plastic (PVC) profiles. However, their load-bearing capacity is incomparably lower than that of metal and even wood analogues. Therefore they can be used only for the small spaces attached to a base cottage which at the same time serves also as the main bearing design for a winter garden.
The above materials are used for the” skeletons ” of winter gardens. And the decisive role in these oases of flora and comfort is given to translucent structures.
The glazing of the winter garden
The main requirement for fencing glazing is not transparency, as it may seem at first, but safety. Therefore, in the construction of winter gardens used shatterproof glass or polycarbonate. The latter can be Matt, transparent or bronze.
Polycarbonate roof
According to the architects, the most acceptable option for covering winter gardens will be polycarbonate with a thickness of 8-10 mm, which:
- 15 times lighter than glass,
- resistant to cracking,
- it has sufficient load-bearing capacity for used structures.
However, back to the glass, which is not going to give up its position in the construction of winter gardens.
- To solve the problem of sharp pieces that occur when the sudden destruction of the roof, it is advisable to apply glass impact-resistant laminated glass.
- Security problems for vertical sections of the fence are not so acute — literally and figuratively. Therefore for them it is possible to use double – or single-chamber double-glazed Windows with energy saving glasses.
- With the first appearance of frost condensation appears on the glass, and the snow easily covers the roof with a dense wall. To prevent these minor problems can be installed double-glazed Windows with electric heating. Manufacturers claim that it simultaneously prevents the formation of fungus and mold on the glass.
Winter garden flooring
Floors in the winter garden makes sense to revet with water-resistant materials.
- You can choose a natural stone: it is durable, hard, strong, resistant to hydrothermal activity.
- Will last a long time and floors of ceramic coating: this coating is durable and light weight, also creates environmentally friendly for gardeners and plant-neutral environment. Today such facing (a tile or its variety — porcelain tile) combine with glass, metal and a tree.
Will last a long time and floors of ceramic tiles
- If you are planning to place an apartment in the winter garden-a study or a dining room — and not just a tropical greenhouse, the floor can be finished with natural wood: parquet, massive deck Board or, at the “thin end”, laminate. Moreover, the ends of the latter around the perimeter should be treated with hydrophobic composition.
Must be aware of the negative effects of sunlight: in summer the temperature in the Conservatory can “pass” and over + 60 °C. to Solve the problem to help different sun protection (blinds, shutters, awnings) or surface that accumulates heat (floors). That is why the floors in the winter garden, at least in winter, it is not recommended to cover with carpets, walkways, etc.
Creation of a microclimate
Although the volume of the space of the winter garden is significantly inferior to the size of a traditional cottage, the requirements for the microclimate in it are very “fastidious”. After all, the calculation is not only to find in it the owners, but also a variety of flora, sometimes exotic. The temperature should be maintained at +20°C…+25°C, relative humidity — from 40% to 60%.
Vanda — Orchid, growing in the winter garden
Here at the same time face the interests of different engineering systems, and consensus is not easy to find. Designers of the winter garden should take into account the problems of the organization:
- ventilation (natural or supply and exhaust);
- heating (as a heating device is advisable to use infrared heaters or electric convectors);
- lightings;
- ensure the desired level of humidity.
To ensure the microclimate of the garden had to use a lot of technology
One of the objective problems of the microclimate is regular watering and spraying of broad-leaved plants. Of course, this causes condensation. And it can eventually disrupt the waterproofing of the entire structure. You might have to think about a dehumidifier.
Natural ventilation is created by opening transoms. The sequence of their discovery should provide air movement for maximum trajectory, most likely by the space diagonal of the volume of the winter garden.
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