The veranda and gazebo are a stylish and functional decoration of a summer cottage.
But, if a gazebo is a separate structure that can be used in the summer, then a veranda is a room attached to the house that has a roof, walls and is intended for year-round use.

A warm veranda can serve as a corridor, hallway or recreation room, greenhouse, winter garden, you can even place a swimming pool in it

What is the difference between a veranda and a terrace? These concepts are often confused, although they have structural and visual differences. The presence of a roof and walls is what distinguishes a veranda from a terrace and porch.

The veranda is provided during the construction stage of the house, but more often it is completed during operation. Therefore, many are interested in how to attach a veranda to a house with their own hands. Below are step-by-step (step-by-step) instructions for building a veranda for a private house.

1. Veranda project

Any construction begins with the development of a project.

Summarizing the experience of constructing verandas, it can be noted that they differ in the following parameters:

Location (adjacent to the house):

• Corner.
• End
• Facade.

Degree of closure:

• Open.
• Closed (glazed.

By installing sliding doors for the veranda, you can transform a closed veranda into an open one.

Design feature:

• Built-in veranda (built together with the house, has a common foundation with it).
• Attached (added as needed, has its own foundation).

Veranda shape:

• A popular shape is the rectangle.
• Round (semicircular.
• Polygonal (hexagonal, octagonal).

The main purpose of the veranda is to make the house or cottage more spacious and decorate the building. The extension of the veranda also performs a purely utilitarian function - insulating the house. Therefore, the question naturally arises of how to attach a veranda to the house correctly. Despite the fact that the veranda is a summer structure, its construction requires the implementation of a number of rules.

What is included in the veranda construction project:

• location of the veranda. The main options are indicated above. It is important that the extension is a continuation of the house, representing a single architectural ensemble with it.

Note. It is better to place the veranda on the east or west side, then most of the time it will be out of direct sunlight. Also, it is worth taking into account the wind load in the region and on the site in particular.

• entry point to the veranda. The entrance can be from the street, from one of the rooms, or through, across the street into the house;

• door installation location. It is not advisable to place the entrance doors to the veranda and to the house opposite each other, otherwise drafts cannot be avoided;

• size of the veranda in the house. The length of the veranda is usually equal to the length of the wall along which it is built. The width ranges from 2.5 to 7 m. It is important here that the size of the veranda is proportional to the size of the house.

Advice from the master. There is no need to save on the project. Its high-quality execution guarantees that the veranda will be built correctly, and obtaining permits will not cause problems.

An example of a typical veranda design is shown in the diagram

How to attach a veranda to a wooden house

Any extension to a wooden house is carried out after the structure has settled. A house made of timber or logs shrinks over a certain period (the most active is the first 2-3 years). To avoid skewing of the walls, you need to wait this period, or consider a connection to the house that allows the frame to play.

2. Documents for the construction of a veranda (permission)

Adding a veranda refers to the remodeling of a house. Therefore, it requires obtaining permits.

To obtain permission to build a veranda (for an extension, reconstruction), you need to submit to the architecture department:

1. a document confirming the ownership of the site;
2. house project with a veranda;
3. consent of all residents registered in the house;
4. application for registration.

Note. You need to start processing documents 2-3 months before the planned construction work. According to user reviews, this procedure takes quite a lot of time.

In principle, it is possible to complete a veranda without documents, but when selling, renting or inheriting, problems may arise with this property. The veranda is included in the total area of ​​the residential building; the BTI may regard this as an “Unauthorized increase in living space.” Especially if the veranda is heated (warm veranda).

When building a veranda, you should not deviate from the dimensions specified in the registered project. Any adjustment will entail a change in the project documentation and the payment of a fine. The consequences of unauthorized construction are spelled out in the Law of the Russian Federation “On Architectural Activities in the Russian Federation” and the Civil Code, an excerpt from which is given below.

The consequences for unauthorized construction are listed below

The last thing that will need to be done after the construction of the veranda is to legalize the construction with changes and obtain new documents.

3. Tools and materials for constructing a veranda

The tool depends on what material will be used in the construction of the extension. For wooden you need: a hacksaw, a screwdriver, a hammer and an axe, a sledgehammer, a tape measure, a plumb line, a level (construction and water level), a corner, a cord for marking, a shovel. For a metal frame, you will additionally need a grinder and a welding machine.

Material

The economy (budget) version of the veranda is a metal frame covered with plywood, OSB boards or plastic lining.

A veranda made of brick, natural stone or wood has a more presentable appearance. It is important here that the material of the extension matches the material from which the house or cottage is built or is in harmony (combined) with them.

To build a wooden veranda, you will need: lumber (log or timber, board, batten), fasteners (elements), protective solutions for wood, crushed stone, concrete, bitumen, drying oil or roofing felt, window and door systems, roofing material.

For a veranda with a metal frame: lumber will be replaced by metal corners and a steel profile, solutions for metal processing will be added, but otherwise the materials will be the same.

A polycarbonate veranda has proven itself well in that it allows you to freely admire the surrounding landscape. In addition, polycarbonate retains heat well, transmits light, and can be used for both walls and roofs. Plus, the cost of the material is quite reasonable. Cellular polycarbonate with a wall thickness of 14-18 mm is used.

Note. All materials requiring processing must be processed before work begins. Once the veranda is built, processing will be more difficult.

Preparation for construction

Construction of the veranda begins with preparing the site. The part of the site allocated for the veranda is turning into a construction site. Before starting work you need:

• remove the canopy over the entrance;
• dismantle the porch;
• clear the area of ​​green spaces and debris;
• remove part of the turf;
• think over the place for laying building materials and construction waste.

4. Foundation for the veranda to the house

Before you start pouring the foundation, you need to determine its type. The most widespread is the columnar foundation for the veranda, since it makes it possible to attach a veranda without being tied to the main foundation of the house. However, a heavier veranda requires pouring a strip foundation.

An important point is soil analysis, which makes it possible to reasonably choose the foundation for the veranda of the house. The following are taken into account: the ability of the soil to absorb moisture, the homogeneity and composition of the soil, the level of freezing, the height of groundwater, and the stability of the soil.

In addition, the choice of base for the extension will be influenced by the design of the house’s foundation and the condition of the walls (wall material).

Having decided which foundation for the veranda is best to make, they make markings for a strip foundation or mark the location for installing pillars (supports) for a pile foundation.

Note. For a small wooden veranda, it is enough to install pillars at the corners of the structure. For long and wide ones, provide additional posts along the length/width of the base. The recommended installation spacing for supports is 500-600 mm.

How to make a columnar foundation for a veranda

• dig holes for the posts about 1 m deep. It is important to know that the depth of the foundation for the veranda depends on the depth of the foundation of the house (must be the same) and the level of soil freezing;

• At the bottom of the pit, a cushion is made from a mixture of crushed stone and sand. They can also be covered in layers, first with sand, then crushed stone or gravel;

• the concrete base is poured;

• support pillars for the columnar foundation are laid out/inserted:

Made of brick. If you need to add a veranda to a brick house;

From timber. For a wooden veranda;

From asbestos pipes, concrete pillars or metal supports. For a frame veranda.

The ground part of the pillars is brought to the height of the main foundation of the house. If the base is high, you need to bring the extension to the level of the house.

Example in the photo (the first floor is used as a garage, the veranda is located at the level of the second floor).

The installation site is covered with sand to eliminate and strengthen the gap between the post and the soil.

The design of a veranda with a large mass requires pouring a strip foundation. To do this, you need to dig a trench, place the formwork (slightly higher than the required foundation height), and pour concrete. The process of complete hardening of concrete must be accompanied by periodic wetting with water to ensure uniform hardening of the concrete mixture.

5. Veranda frame

The installation of the frame begins with the completion of the bottom trim. To do this, timber is laid on the supports.

Note. The lower harness can have a double system. It is on this that the racks and floor joists will be attached in the future.

Next, supports are installed that form the frame of the veranda to the house. The frame of a wooden veranda is made of timber 120x80 or 100x100. When using logs, their diameter must exceed 120 mm. It is recommended to install supports at a distance of 500-600 mm, but in practice this is rare. However, supports must be installed in the corners and form door/window openings.

The height of the support is equal to the height of the veranda. In this case, the supports installed closer to the wall must be higher to form a pitched roof. Methods for attaching the racks to the bottom trim are shown in the figure.

Advice. The supports will be given rigidity by the jibs (braces) installed at the top and bottom.

When installing the frame, horizontal beams are installed, which will serve as the basis for installing the window sill board for glazing.

The installation of the veranda frame is completed by completing the top trim. It will serve as the basis for the formation of the rafter system, and will give the frame additional rigidity.

Note. To prevent the top trim from warping, the supports must be secured with temporary spacers.

Many people are interested in how to make a veranda frame from a log frame. Indeed, in this case, both the foundations of the buildings and the log house itself move. Therefore, all connections must be able to move (shift). Shrinkage compensators are installed from below, and from above the roof is firmly attached to the rafters of the log house.

6. Veranda roof

Part of the frame is the rafter system of the veranda. The installation of rafters and sheathing depends on what roofing material the veranda roof will be covered with.

From a design point of view, the following types of veranda roofs are distinguished:

Slope veranda roof.

The simplest and best option. In this case, the rafter system is mounted at an angle from the wall of the house, which allows rainwater or snow to flow down freely without causing damage to the building.

Note. A pitched roof is more convenient from the point of view of organizing drainage and, accordingly, installing a drainage system.

Gable roof veranda.

In this case, the veranda is attached to the house with a narrow part. It becomes like a passageway. This method has not found proper distribution. More often, such a roof is erected over a terrace.

The polygonal roof for the veranda is built in such a way that the angle of inclination is maintained for water drainage.

Installation of veranda rafter system

A purlin board (beam 100x80 mm) is installed on the wall of the house. The timber is secured with anchor bolts. The upper parts of the rafter legs are mounted on it.

A Mauerlat is installed around the perimeter of the frame. In small wooden extensions, this function is performed by the top trim boards. The lower parts of the rafter legs are installed on them.

The lower part of the rafters is mounted so that it is possible to provide an overhang (removal) of the roofing material, which means protecting the veranda from the ingress of flowing water.

Note. The distance between the rafter legs depends on the slope of the roof, the width of the veranda, and the weight of the roofing material.

When installing a polygonal veranda roofing system, a purlin board is additionally installed.

Depending on the chosen material, they fill the lathing (for metal tiles, ondulin, slate) or make a continuous sheathing (for flexible roofing materials).

How to attach a veranda to a house - video instructions

7. Floor on the veranda

Construction procedure, materials, methods of fastening and processing.

DIY flooring technology:

Logs are installed on the bottom trim boards. The distance between adjacent logs should be no more than 1 m. The logs are installed perpendicular to how the floorboard will be laid.

Attaching the joist to the frame is an important point; the quality of its implementation determines the performance characteristics of the floor. The installation of the log is controlled by the level.

What to make floors from on an open veranda

Concrete flooring on the veranda is cheaper, plus it is durable and requires subsequent finishing. For example, you can lay tiles or lay linoleum. The wooden floor on the veranda, even painted, will deform over time. It is also recommended to use plastic baseboards with wood decor.

How to cover the floors on a closed veranda

The floor of the closed veranda is being laid. In this case, installation begins with the board furthest from the entrance. It is attached to the joists directly through the board.

Subsequent boards are mounted using the tongue-and-groove method, and the hardware is fastened through the groove.

How to fix a floorboard on a veranda

It is recommended to fasten floor boards with self-tapping screws. Their length should be twice the width of the board. The distance from the edge of the floorboard to the wall is 10-15 mm. This gap will compensate for the expansion of wood during the hot season.

How to cover the floor on the veranda (open, closed)

Wooden veranda flooring is one of the most popular and easiest to install. Therefore, the relevant question is how to treat the floor on the veranda in order to extend its service life and preserve its aesthetic properties.

Floorboards will last longer if they are additionally coated with solutions that prevent the appearance of fungus. As a finishing floor covering, a decorative layer of paint or stain is applied, covered with varnish on top.

A new product among paintwork materials is Dufa “Liquid Plastic” paint, intended for outdoor use (well suited for an open veranda).

Of the transparent coatings that have earned the respect of users:

• Tikkurila Valtti (wood oil);
• Pinotex Terrace Oil;
• Alpina Oel Terrassen Dunkel;
• Watco Danish Oil.;
• as well as epoxy varnishes (yacht varnishes), which are intended for use in damp environments.

• the product must be intended for wood;

• be resistant to abrasion;

• be resistant to environmental factors (water, temperature, ultraviolet).

It is worth noting that veranda floor coverings are quite expensive, but this is justified by their service life, without refinishing, and high aesthetic properties.

8. Roofing material for the veranda

As a roofing material, it is better to use a material for the veranda roof that is installed on the main building (house or cottage). Bituminous shingles have proven themselves well. They are installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Note. To prevent water from flowing inside the veranda where the roof of the extension meets the wall of the house, you need to lay a joint strip on top of the roofing material.

Correct installation of the joint strip involves making a gash in the wall of the house and inserting the narrow edge of the strip into it.

You can admire the surrounding beauty in the warmth of the veranda by installing transparent roofs for the veranda. In this case, the role of roofing material is played by glass or cellular polycarbonate.

Telescopic awning roofs or sliding roofs for the veranda are considered new.

). Installation of finishing materials depends on their type.

It is important to know that the wall of the veranda adjacent to the house is secured with embedded metal elements (parts). The fastening must be rigid.

Today, it is popular to cover veranda walls with sliding systems, the upper half of which is glass and the lower half is wooden.

Note. Before moving on to the external and internal decoration of the walls of the veranda, you need to give it time to settle. This is especially true for a wooden veranda.

10. Glazing of the veranda

Windows occupy a significant part of the veranda wall area. Due to the fact that the veranda is a summer structure, single wooden windows are usually installed, most often plastic or wooden. Aluminum windows with multi-chamber double-glazed windows are used.

The large veranda is equipped with both opening and fixed windows. The first allow for ventilation of the room, the second - save on glazing. Noteworthy are the sliding windows, which allow you to turn the veranda into an open terrace.

Among the new products, flexible windows for the veranda stand out. They allow you to extend the operational period of the summer veranda. The advantage of windows is their relatively low cost and the ability to quickly install and dismantle them for the winter. They make a high veranda safe for children to play without compromising its attractiveness.

Soft windows for the veranda are roller systems (PVC curtains), which allow you to glaze the veranda of any configuration (round, semicircular, oval).

Installation of soft windows - video

A deck is a popular home improvement that not only adds to the overall value of the property, but also acts as a focal point for outdoor recreation with family and friends. This is the place where barbecues, evening dinners and other social events take place. The uses for a veranda are as extensive as the types of verandas that can be built. With this in mind, you'll likely want to carefully consider the available design elements that go into your porch. Tools and materials: measuring tape, graph paper and pencil, ruler, wooden stakes, level, hammer.

Location

The size and orientation of the lot and the house itself may limit you to just one or two verandas in various locations, however, within these limits, you can have much more choice than meets the eye. You can add retaining walls, doors, walkways, screened-in porches to create a private, personal environment, and you can choose from a variety of options to find the one that is most convenient for your use. The climate of the area and the view you will have from your future deck are key factors to consider when deciding where to place your deck. The north side of your home will likely be the coolest location. The south and west side of the house is likely to be very hot in mid-summer unless an additional awning is included in the building design, or shade from growing trees is used in the location. You can avoid exposure to winds, if any, by placing your deck on the opposite side, so that the house becomes a shelter. Additionally, careful placement will allow you to minimize traffic noise, eliminate unwanted views, and provide additional privacy. If you're planning to add a hot tub or pool to your deck, privacy considerations for you and your guests can be very important.

Legal standards

Local zoning ordinances - may limit the overall size of your deck, the height of the walls, and the minimum distance of the deck from your home to the property lines. The regulations are structural - they can limit the appearance of the structure. Local building department - may require a building permit and request design plans. Local utility authorities - will help you locate installed pipelines, power lines and similar utility lines.

Size

You can build a veranda of any size you wish, within the limits of the law, of course. However, a huge deck next to a small house will look the same as a tiny deck next to a large house - wrong. If you think your proposed deck is too large for your home, break up the deck area by creating smaller sections on multiple levels. To test your ideas, take size measurements on your lawn. Install wooden stakes at the nearest corners of the proposed area of ​​the future veranda and install a longitudinal beam approximately at the height of the future railings. You can place furniture on the lawn in the intended construction area to visualize how the space will work. The most common mistake people make when building porches is making them too small. Tip: If possible, measure your porch in different sizes, larger and smaller. You'll have to purchase standard lumber one way or another, and there's no point in wasting that material when you could have a larger deck for the same amount of money.

Shape and flooring

A deck can be any shape you want; in fact, simple changes like a mitered corner of the deck, or a 45-degree angle, can add some flair to a building project. You can also add visual interest to your porch by installing it around the corner of your home, you can install benches, add a picket fence, or cover the porch. As a rule, the flooring should go within five centimeters under the front door of the house. On a sloping site, you can build your deck with multiple levels of support to follow the slope. As a rule, where the height of the veranda exceeds 50 centimeters from the ground, the posts must have additional support to prevent vibrations. A spa or hot tub can be installed on a deck when the structure is reinforced enough to support the weight of the water; for this, the deck can be installed directly on a concrete slab, on the ground. In this case, the veranda is built around and on the slab. Existing trees or rocks, as well as other landscaping elements, can be integrated into the deck by designing and coordinating the deck around the elements. If you are building a veranda around a tree, leave at least 10 cm around the tree trunk, taking into account the growth of the tree. Allow 20 cm around permanent landscaping elements such as boulders, as decking can expand and contract under varying temperatures and humidity conditions.

Railing

Railings are the most prominent visual element of a veranda, and they offer great opportunities for imagination and creativity. They can be attached to posts that go into the ground, on the sides, from the edge of the supporting beam, or attached directly to the flooring. They can be made in wood, metal, or even rope - almost all materials are suitable as long as they meet the construction requirements and appearance. First and foremost, your railing design will be limited by building codes that are intended to ensure safety. As a rule, the posts that support the railings, in accordance with the regulations of the building code, must be no further than 40 cm from each other. Railings should not have voids larger than 4x4. The durability of the railing will also depend on the design chosen. For example, the ends of your railings should be painted or coated with specialized compounds to minimize cracking and splitting.

Steps and ladders

Steps and stair structures are carefully regulated in accordance with building regulations. As a rule, steps and stairs must be at least 36 cm wide. If you want the staircase to allow two people to pass each other, the required width is 48 cm. This solution is necessary to create comfortable conditions. The rise should be no more than 7.5 cm, and the step width should be no less than 15 centimeters. Building codes must also be carefully followed in staircase design, veranda steps, support posts, and the need for handrails.

Structural Components: There are five main components of a traditional veranda:

Vertical racks. The racks are recessed into concrete or on stilts, usually located at a distance of 50 to 80 cm.

Horizontal beams. Installed on posts parallel to the decking, they must bear the weight of the veranda.

Beam. It is located between horizontal beams, usually at a distance of 16 or 24 cm from each other. They distribute the weight of the deck, allowing the deck boards to be used correctly.

Flooring. Boards laid on beams, veranda floor.

Railing. Typically 36-42 cm. Materials used, size and spacing of components are determined by local building codes.

Selection of materials

Materials for constructing a veranda must not only be resistant to destruction and damage by insects, but also withstand the effects of water and sun. Standard wood structures include the use of pine or spruce, which resist rot, but this is not sufficient in extreme weather conditions or the ultraviolet rays of the sun. You get similar durability from pressed pine, cedar, or redwood, and they can be stained almost any color you want. When using redwood or cedar, remember that only the heartwood of these trees is resistant to splitting. Colored sapwood loses its qualities as quickly as pine and spruce. If you have a general idea of ​​the future veranda, draw one or two sketches, choosing the best ideas from a variety of ideas. Use the porch as part of your yard landscaping and as a design element for your home. Use graph paper to maintain dimensionality and ensure that all elements are at a suitable scale. Take the sketch to your local home improvement market, store, or lumber supplier and ask for an estimate of the cost of the lumber.

The terrace is an excellent option for a summer holiday in a country house. Agree, relaxing in the fresh air surrounded by greenery is much more pleasant, and what can I say in good weather, you can not only spend your free time there, but also have family lunches and dinners.

What is a terrace?

A terrace is basically an open space that is adjacent to the house. Thanks to the terrace, the area of ​​the house itself expands. In cold weather, it can be turned into a veranda using a sliding glass panel, which can be removed in summer, as it can be easily rolled up using rollers.

Basically, the terrace is built on supports. Which can be made from reinforced concrete blocks, wood or metal, but the terrace itself is built mainly from wood. A backfill of pebbles or coarse sand is made directly under the supports; all this must be compacted and brought to the required level. After that, wooden logs are installed, on which the terrace will be located. An already finished terrace can be tiled or trimmed with wood. It is also worth considering the fact that wood is quite sensitive to moisture, so all wooden coverings can be made removable so that in bad weather they can be removed and stored in the utility room.

Before you start building a terrace, there are several important aspects to consider.

Before any construction, it is necessary to plan the site, what size the terrace will be, where exactly it will be located, and what is necessary for this. Plan the place where the foundation will be located (if necessary).

When concreting the foundation for the terrace, it is worth noting the fact that it is not necessary to bury it deep into the ground; the easiest way is to remove the plant layer of soil, this is necessary so that it does not sag after precipitation.

The construction of a terrace is unacceptable without a durable flooring; it is best to make it from deck boards, which are placed with a gap of three to five millimeters so that water can drain freely, and also so that the flooring can be ventilated after rain.

The most resistant to moisture and decay is a type of wood such as larch, which is what is used for flooring. In order for the terrace to have a canopy, it is necessary to install a base that will be designed to support it.

Sometimes the terrace is placed under the same roof as the house to which it is attached, or it is additionally attached to a base installed for this purpose.
Today, frames for terraces made of metal are often used; they are considered a fairly strong support for a canopy made of polycarbonate. This terrace model will seem airy.

Each terrace raised above the ground requires fencing; for this, you can purchase ready-made plaques and railings at a hardware store.
Where is the best place to locate the terrace?

As for the location of the terrace, it is typical for the southern regions that the terrace would be located in a place where during the day, during the hottest periods, it would be shaded. In the northern and central regions, it is necessary to ensure that the terrace is protected from the wind and must be illuminated by the sun, especially in the afternoon.

Basically, the terrace is located on the opposite side of the main facade of the house, and sometimes an additional entrance to the house is located there. This is not to say that there is a specific place for the location of the terrace; it all depends on your desire.

In the case when the terrace is built simultaneously with the house, the foundation for them is created as a single one, in order to avoid various shrinkages, etc., and both the material and the depth of laying must be the same. In cases where the terrace is added much later, its foundation and the foundation of the house are not connected.

One of the most important factors when building a terrace is whether the terrace will provide a good view, and whether it will spoil the appearance of the house itself.

Terrace size.

The size of the terrace directly depends on its functional purpose, the size of the house and the composition of the garden. The attractiveness of the future terrace depends on the selection of landscaping elements, as well as on the thoughtfulness of its layout.

If the terrace is designed as a place for quiet relaxation, then a lot of space is not required; an area of ​​three by four meters is enough. If it is planned to receive guests, place a barbecue, etc., then in this case the area should be much larger.

Terrace shape.

Most often, a rectangular shape is chosen to build a terrace adjacent to the house. Although this shape is considered somewhat strict, it best suits the outline of the house, which is basically the same shape. To ensure that the terrace does not seem too conservative, when paving it, you can use several types of coating, add a variety of decorative elements, etc.

The terrace adjacent to the house can have a diamond, semicircular or trapezoidal shape. In cases where the recreation area is located at a distance from the house, it would not hurt to give it smooth outlines, thanks to which it will fit perfectly into the garden.

Terrace paving material.

Today, there are many materials that can be used for paving a terrace. When choosing them, you should take into account the appearance of the house, as well as the design and topography of the garden area, climate, requirements for external coatings, etc.

When a house is built in a modern style, it is best to use colored concrete slabs or porcelain stoneware for its paving. For a house made of wood, wooden flooring is best.

When paving a terrace, it is very important that the surface is level and safe. Under no circumstances should it be slippery, and water after rain should not stagnate on it. Sometimes, when paving a terrace, electric heating is used; in this case, the terrace area dries out quickly after rains and snow does not accumulate on it in winter. For better drying, and to avoid the accumulation of puddles, it is mounted with a slope equal to two percent from the house to the edges.

In cases where wooden flooring is laid, to prevent the wood from getting wet, a foundation is made underneath, mostly made of concrete. In this case, the surface of the terrace is raised above the ground, and the space under the floor is made ventilated.

Construction of a wooden terrace.

If you nevertheless decide to build a terrace yourself, then the simplest option would be to build a wooden terrace.
As mentioned above, you first need to mark the area where the future terrace will be located. To do this, having decided on the size of the terrace, you need to drive stakes at the intersection of straight lines. After all the stakes are driven into the ground between them, it is necessary to tighten the string, directly securing it to each peg, thus creating the extreme boundaries of the future terrace.

Piles are dug along the perimeter of the future terrace; for this purpose, hardwood timber is used, which has dimensions of 100x150 or 150x150, its height should be limited to the level at which the floor logs will be located. The distance at which the piles should be located is about one meters. In those places where the perimeter of the terrace is adjacent to the main building of a residential building and a load-bearing beam is installed at the corners of the building, its height should be equal to the height at which the future canopy will be located. The resulting structure is stitched together at ground level, at the level at which the floor will be located (the thickness of the floor board must be subtracted), and also at the level where the canopy will be located.

To do this, it is recommended to use a board made of a material such as larch; its size should be 150x50. The board must be fastened to the timber using M8 bolted connections with corrosion protection. Thus, having fastened all the necessary parts, you will get the frame of the future terrace.

After the terrace frame has been assembled, the floor can be laid. The level at which the lags will occur has already been set. The logs are attached along the length of the terrace in increments of one meter. For the logs, you must use the same board as for stitching the timber. Supports for the logs are located at a distance of one meter. For the floor, it is best to use a tongue-and-groove board made of coniferous wood, having a thickness of thirty-two millimeters to fifty millimeters. The board is attached to the joists using finishing nails through the groove. The ridges of the board must first be lubricated with PVA construction glue.

Once the floors are ready, you can begin the roof. For the rafters from which the terrace roof frame will be mounted, it is necessary to use boards that are lighter than for logs, for example, 40x100. They must be fastened “on edge” to boards that follow the level of the roof; the pitch should be equal to sixty centimeters. As for the rafter board, it is attached along the width of the terrace. A board twenty millimeters thick or plywood ten millimeters thick is laid across it.

In principle, the canopy can be considered ready, all that remains is to put a protective layer against rain and snow. In this capacity, you can use galvanized sheets, metal tiles, soft tiles or other types of roofing material.

After completing the roofing of the terrace roof, it can be considered almost ready, all that remains is to install fences and stairs. You can purchase these materials at a hardware store; to continue the compositional plot, you can install wooden stairs and fences; you can, of course, give preference to forged ones, then you just need to entrust the craftsmen to take the dimensions and make these details of the terrace.

The wall of the house, to which the terrace mainly adjoins, is sheathed with a block house or clapboard. In order to protect the tree from pests and directly from rotting, it must be treated with a special antiseptic composition. For final finishing it is coated with varnish or paint.
The final stage of constructing a terrace will be the installation of benches, lamps, etc. The most popular furniture for the terrace today are rocking chairs, armchairs, chairs, tables, bedside tables, etc. assembled from rattan and wicker.

You can expand the useful space of a private house or country house through lightweight extensions. They will allow you to fully enjoy the fresh air and surrounding nature, not hide indoors during rain or sunshine, create a functional recreation area and organize dinner with friends. Many people ask questions about how to build a terrace for a house and what design to choose for it. There are many options, so there is a lot of choice. The main thing is that harmony is maintained with the main structure, and the site is as comfortable as possible for both adults and children.

General concepts

We can say that the terrace is a kind of open area installed on a prepared base in the form of a foundation. It is located close to the house and, unlike the veranda, is never heated. The terrace can be covered completely or partially with a roof, have a light canopy or remain open at the top. For safety reasons, it is fenced on the sides with low railings or simply handrails, but be sure to leave free space for exiting to the street. If the platform is high, then a porch is attached to it.

The terrace always has an entrance to the house, leading to the hallway, living room or kitchen.

The extension can be erected either during the construction of the house or during its operation. According to experts, permits are not required for an open terrace, since it is a temporary structure. But if the site is located under the same roof with the main building and has a common foundation with it, then such a tandem will fall into the category of capital construction projects. The possibility of its construction will have to be considered at the design stage.

Selecting a location

Before deciding on the option of how to build a terrace for your house, you need to carefully consider its location. The site is selected taking into account:

• free space;
• ease of access;
• cardinal directions;
• the presence of an attractive landscape;
• protection from the wind;
• harmony regarding the facade;
• presence of an entrance door.

The terrace can be built on one side of the house or along the entire perimeter. It can go out into the garden or be part of the entrance group. In the northern regions, it is better to install the site on the south side, and in the southern regions, on the north side, additionally shading the extension with green spaces. You should definitely think about placing the terrace on the leeward side, otherwise you can forget about a comfortable stay in the fresh air. Convenience, as practice shows, depends on many factors, so you will have to take care of a lot.

Dimensions

The area of ​​the terrace is determined based on two main indicators, namely:

• the size of the allocated territory;
• required functionality.

If the site is not limited by fences, household or outbuildings, small architectural forms or green spaces, then, first of all, you should think about the correspondence between the dimensions of the terrace and the dimensions of the main building. It is important to understand that a huge platform against the backdrop of a compact house will look like a dance floor in a recreation park. At the same time, a tiny terrace can visually disappear into a bulky facade, turning into an ordinary porch.

When calculating the area of ​​an extension, it must necessarily include the condition that at least two people must pass each other on it. In other words, the terrace cannot be narrower than 120 centimeters. If you plan to use it as a dining area, then you should take into account that a table, for example for six people, will take up at least 4 m2. For normal passage between people sitting on chairs and the edge of the platform, you will have to add the same figure. As a result, the final dimensions of the terrace intended for eating or sharing tea will be at least 7.5-8 m2.

The recreation area is planned taking into account the placement of a sofa, chaise lounge and other necessary furniture.

The dimensions of the terrace can be adjusted by its shape. It can be rectangular, oval, rounded, with broken lines, combined, etc. The choice depends not only on the available space, but also on personal preferences.

Materials

Based on the street location of the extension, preference should be given to materials that match the facade and roof of the main building. But they don't have to be an exact copy. Harmony may lie in the color scheme or the chosen architectural style. For example, a wooden terrace is quite suitable for a brick house, but forged fences are unlikely to fit into a facade decorated in oriental motifs.

Basic and finishing materials for cold extensions should be selected with water-resistant and frost-resistant properties. In addition, the floor covering should not be slippery, as rainwater and snow may fall on it. For the frame, metal structures, lumber treated with antiseptic impregnations, or brick are used. A column or slab foundation is poured with concrete. Any suitable roofing covering is used for the canopy, and the floor is laid on wooden beams or metal profiles.

Foundation

There is an opinion that a light terrace can be installed almost on the grass. But in this case you will have to prepare for serious problems. However, it is necessary to know that the massiveness of the extension does not matter much. Trouble will most likely be caused by soil freezing in winter, especially if it is prone to swelling. In this case, subsidence will be ensured, and even a concrete slab poured under the entire area of ​​the terrace will not save from deformation and further destruction of structural units.

It's not worth the risk here. It would be wiser to remove the vegetation layer, go deeper below the freezing level of the soil, add a crushed stone-sand cushion, lay reinforcement and pour concrete into the formwork. According to this algorithm, both columnar and slab foundations are laid. All work should be carried out according to the project associated with the construction site.

Screw piles are much easier to install.

The issue of combining the foundation of the terrace with the underground part of the house worries many. It is not recommended to do this for a light extension, since its possible shrinkage in speed, time and final result will be much less than the natural shrinkage of the main, heavy structure. The terrace connected to the house will take on some of the loads that it is not designed for. As a result, cracks will appear and destruction will occur not only of the extension, but also of the structural components of the capital structure. There is only one conclusion - expansion joints should be left between the foundations of two objects to ensure mutual movements.

Owners of private houses and summer cottages love to create a place on their estate where they can relax, eat, and even work in the fresh air in a pleasant and comfortable way.

Such a place could be a terrace attached directly to the house. And if you still don’t have one, it’s time to start building.

The most important thing you need to do before adding an extension terraces to the house, this is its design taking into account its purpose, location, shape, size and, of course, the material that will be needed for construction. Let's deal with all these points in order.

Purpose - what do you plan to use the summer terrace for?

Before you build a deck, think about how and what you will use it for. If you need a terrace at your dacha for a family holiday, then a small building with a roof that provides protection from the sun and rain is sufficient. If you have a private country house, where you often receive guests and hold parties, then you should also plan a place to install a charcoal or electric grill in the fresh air. In this case, it would be advisable to build a structure made of brick or stone, paved, for example.

How to choose the right terrace location

Choosing a place where it will be built terrace to the house, several factors should be taken into account:

1. Where the sun rises.

If you often relax on the summer terrace in the morning, for example, at breakfast before work, then it is better to attach the terrace to the house on the eastern side - the sun, rising in the morning, will flood it with its light and lift your mood for the whole day.

On the other hand, if you manage to allocate more time for relaxation in the evening, then the western side, where the sun shines for the longest time, will be an excellent place to add a terrace to the house.

Are you planning to hide in the shade of the summer terrace in the hot sun? Then determine the place where it is most shady during the day.

1. Away from the road.

Roads are not only excessive noise, but also exhaust fumes, which are very harmful to breathe. In such conditions, rest will not be complete, so it is better to build a terrace at the dacha or on the site of a country house on the side where there is no roadway.

1. Conveniently close to the entrance.

It’s good if there is direct access to the terrace from the house - from the front door or from the kitchen. By adding a veranda in this way, it will be convenient for you to set the table for breakfast, lunch, dinner or entertaining guests.

What is the optimal size of a summer terrace?

For a family of 3-4 people, a summer terrace measuring 10-12 m² is quite enough. but if you want to put a rocking chair on it or hang it, perhaps even make a small play corner for children, then you should make a larger terrace project.

In addition, the size of the terrace depends on the size of the house itself and the area surrounding it. A veranda that is too small will look ridiculous against the backdrop of a large house, and a large terrace near a small house will also not cause rave reviews.

Summer terrace shape

A terrace attached to a house will look most beautiful in a rectangular shape. Its straight lines, combined with the lines of the house, will look harmonious. In addition, this form will facilitate the construction process itself.

To make the terrace look more original, several levels should be provided during its construction. Thus, a summer terrace made of stone can easily take on arbitrary shapes. If you build it from wood, you can add originality by cutting the edges with a jigsaw.

Country wooden terraces photo

In any case, the most important thing is that the terrace attached to the house was combined with its architecture or the style of other buildings on the site.

Of course, the project itself does not end there, and then comes the stage of adding a terrace to the house. But more on this in the next article.