Project of a house with a winter garden (51 photos): when it is cozy for both people and plants. How to arrange a cozy winter garden in your own home Modern houses with a winter garden
The warm days are over. Autumn has arrived with dampness and bad weather. Little by little the garden becomes sad and loses its joyful colors. And we are starting to miss warm summer days full of bright greenery. But there is an opportunity to extend summer throughout the year - to make a winter garden in a private house. Like everything “magical and wonderful”, it is not cheap and will require the help of specialists. And in order to make the right decision whether you need a “piece of summer” in winter, let’s take a closer look at the complexity of the issue.
The history of winter gardens begins in the 16th century, but then they were simply greenhouses for growing exotic plants. Only in the 18th century did the design of the winter garden change; it became a place of relaxation, fountains were placed there, comfortable furniture, resettle exotic birds. In all rich estates they tried to create such a “paradise”.
Now the fashion for winter gardens has returned. After all, the rapid pace modern life forces a person to look for a place where he can relax, be alone with nature, and feel harmony and peace.
Do not confuse a winter garden with a greenhouse or greenhouse. A greenhouse is intended only for growing plants in conditions that are comfortable for them, and is a place where a special microclimate is created for exotic specimens. But in these rooms, unlike a winter garden, only plants are comfortable, and a person can only stay there for a short time.
Features of arranging winter gardens
When starting the construction of a winter garden, you need to decide on its location and type of construction.
This can be an independent structure, which must be combined with the general landscape design estates. But this option is rarely chosen, since there is no direct connection with residential premises, which can cause some inconvenience.
Most often, the design solution for a winter garden is:
- Integrated into the house (built-in) - penetrating inside the building. This type of winter garden is laid out at the design stage and built together with a residential building. This could be integration into the depth of the house, or maybe into the height - a two-story solution.
- Adjacent to the house - this is the most common option, since the desire to build a winter garden with your own hands most often comes after the construction of a residential building. This connection can be of several types:
- Adjacent to the house on one side (with a pitched, gable or four-beam roof).
- Attached to the corner of a building (external or internal).
- Superstructure over the house.
When choosing the location of the winter garden, it is necessary to take into account its orientation to the cardinal points.
North. When placing the garden on this side, you should know that heat will accumulate weakly and be quickly consumed, this will require more intense heating and prolonged lighting.
South. In winter, heat will be accumulated here well, but in warm time plants may suffer from overheating and will require additional cooling ventilation, watering and protection from sun rays.
West. The heat on this side will be retained very well, but in summer you will need protection from solar activity (blinds, roller shutters, awnings).
East. This direction is considered the best. Enough from this side solar heat and light, and the morning sun, even in summer, is not very aggressive.
A characteristic feature of all types of winter gardens is maximum glazing (facade walls and even roofs). In this regard, it is very important to make correct calculations for the structure, always taking into account the loads from strong gusts of wind and snow pressure. In this matter, when creating a winter garden in a private house with your own hands, you cannot do without the help of specialists. In addition, it is necessary to provide adequate protection from overheating or cold, sufficient light transmission, and protection from bad weather.
Winter Garden should have an area of at least 15 sq.m, and a height of at least 3 m. The roof must have a slope of 20-45 degrees, this will ensure optimal penetration of sunlight for plants, and will avoid accumulation of snow and stagnant rainwater.
The basis of the structure is a frame (frame) into which light-transmitting elements made of glass or polycarbonate are inserted. This structure is located on a strip concrete foundation.
To ensure that during the construction of a winter garden there is no distortion of the structure as a result of curvature or cracks in the foundation, it is important to know how deep the soil freezes. The foundation must be at least 0.5 m deep, in addition, it must be laid below the soil freezing level by 15-20 cm.
It is also necessary to ensure proper drainage. For glass roofs in ready-made designs it is already provided. The threshold must be at least 15 cm above the ground level; if this is not possible, then a drainage ditch should be dug in front of the threshold, which is then covered with a metal grate.
Frame materials
When constructing a winter garden, traditionally aluminum, wood, steel, PVC, and a combination of these materials are used to form the frame.
Currently, winter gardens made of aluminum profiles are especially popular. This material is durable, lightweight, resistant to negative weather conditions, corrosion and fire. Aluminum can be used to make a structure of any size. The color of the aluminum profile is traditionally white, but it can be painted with special paint in any shade. The thermal insulation of aluminum is improved using polyurethane foam. Winter gardens made of aluminum have a high price - this is their main drawback.
Plastic profiles are much cheaper than aluminum ones, and the thermal insulation of such a frame is much higher. But they are less able to withstand loads and are susceptible to temperature changes. To avoid deformation, PVC structures are reinforced with metal inserts. But even after this, when constructing large winter gardens, plastic structures are not used. To reduce the load, polycarbonate is inserted into such frames instead of glass.
You can make a frame for a winter garden from high-quality wood. This material is durable, environmentally friendly, expressive, and creates a warm and cozy atmosphere. But it is quite expensive, heavy, and requires regular maintenance and careful protection from various atmospheric influences. Aluminum profile linings are often used for external protection of wooden frames. When building a small winter garden with your own hands, you should not use wood for the frame, since the massiveness of such a frame will reduce the amount of light entering the room and will look bulky.
Steel frame structures are characterized by high strength, fire resistance, modern technologies made them completely resistant to harmful effects natural phenomena. But such structures are very heavy and have a low level of thermal insulation (they need additional insulation).
As you can see, each of these materials has its positive and negative sides. Based on this, manufacturers of greenhouse frames often combine these materials. A winter garden made of aluminum profiles using wood will be very successful. Wood retains heat well and creates comfort, and aluminum protects it from atmospheric influences.
Steel rods or inserts strengthen the plastic structure. And the combination of steel elements with aluminum profiles makes volumetric structures with reliable and strong long spans.
The garden has been known to people since the era of the most ancient civilizations. However, most often these were outdoor gardens. Winter Garden -…
Features of glazing of winter gardens
Glazing of a winter garden is a very important stage in construction, since most of the entire structure must be glass. Based on the features of this design and its purpose, the material must meet a number of important requirements:
- let in a large amount of daylight;
- have good thermal insulation;
- be soundproof;
- protect from various natural influences (snow, rain, hail, wind, active solar radiation);
- be durable and safe;
- have an aesthetic appearance.
There are many types of glass with various additional properties, namely: sun-protective, painted, energy-saving, reinforced, laminated, coated with a special film and others. Therefore, when glazing a winter garden, you can choose one that is suitable for each specific type of building, its purpose, climate zone and other conditions.
Coping with problems of sound insulation and heat retention, it was found perfect solution- double-glazed windows with energy-saving glass (preferably double-chamber). Inside the glass unit there is an inert gas with very low thermal conductivity.
Glazing of a winter garden has one important principle: the larger the span, the thicker the glass should be.
For side (vertical) surfaces, safety glass is preferable, but for the roof, glazing should be even more durable, reliable and safe. In such double-glazed windows, tempered glass is used on the outside, and its inner side is made of impact-resistant triplex (triple laminated glass).
If desired, the glass can be given a certain color - this will add a decorative touch to the design of the winter garden. The glass can be made mirrored (or tinted) to protect from the scorching sun in summer heat or from prying eyes. If there is a winter garden, install double-glazed windows with electrical heating. And for roof glazing, which is difficult to maintain, a new product - self-cleaning glass - is well suited.
If financial possibilities allow, then very interesting solution There will be the use of glass with variable transparency. "Smart glass" has collected best qualities modern materials for glazing. Its main disadvantage is the high price.
A good alternative to glass is a polycarbonate winter garden. Cellular polycarbonate with a thickness of 10-25 mm is a relatively inexpensive, but at the same time strong, impact-resistant, flexible and lightweight material. It has greater thermal insulation than glass.
Polycarbonate is:
- Transparent. The most widely used type of this material.
- Matte. It transmits light poorly, so it is used in places with increased solar activity.
- Dark. Lets in very little light, creating twilight. In a winter garden made of polycarbonate of this type, you can only make small decorative inserts that emphasize the design intent.
In addition, polycarbonate can be of different colors, which also allows you to make the glazing of the winter garden very original.
But polycarbonate also has some disadvantages:
- In dark, shaded places, polycarbonate turns green (microscopic algae appear from dampness).
- It quickly gets dirty, rubbed, and after prolonged use (after 10 years) it begins to turn yellow.
- Slightly lower density than glass.
When creating a winter garden from polycarbonate, you should take into account all its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, experts advise using this material for the roof and glass for the walls.
Creating a suitable climate: heating, ventilation, lighting
Arrangement of the frame and glazing of the winter garden is only half the battle. Now we need to create suitable conditions for the development of plants and human rest, that is, a comfortable microclimate.
In the cold season, if the glazing was done correctly, the sun's rays will penetrate through the glass and heat the objects located there (for example, furniture, floors) and this heat will accumulate. But it will not be enough and will be needed additional heating. But in the summer, the penetrating rays of the sun will no longer carry heat, but a very strong increase in air temperature, which can have a detrimental effect on plants and human health. This is where you need to think about shading. And, of course, at any time of the year, ventilation is very important for a comfortable microclimate.
Let's take a closer look at all the components of comfort in a winter garden.
Heating
The heat accumulated from the sun's rays and coming from a residential building through the doorway will clearly not be enough in winter. When choosing options for additional heating, you should take into account the size of the winter garden, what types of plants will be there (for example, tropical ones require higher temperatures), whether you will go there only to care for the plants or whether it will become a resting place.
Types of heating can be different and each of them has positive and negative sides:
Stove heating. Firewood and coal won't cost much. In addition, the stove can create an interesting design for the winter garden. But such heating requires constant attention and is a fire hazard. And the inability to regulate the heating temperature can have a detrimental effect on plants.
Electric heaters. They can be easily transported to any place, there is no need for special installation, and the heating temperature can be adjusted. However, such heaters dry out the air greatly and consume a lot of electricity, which is not financially profitable.
Air conditioners and UFO. Such heaters do not dry out the air, but are expensive in consuming electricity, and in addition, the equipment itself is also expensive.
Steam heating. Having equipped the winter garden with radiators and connecting them to home system heating, you will eliminate temperature differences between rooms and get relatively inexpensive heat. In this option, there will be costs and some difficulties during installation and integration into the overall system.
- "Warm floor". This system can be electric or liquid coolant. This type of heating has many advantages. The main one is proper heat distribution. But installing a heated floor is quite expensive; this must be done at the construction stage of the winter garden. In addition, repairing such a system is difficult.
Often, when choosing the optimal heating option, several types are combined.
Ventilation
Furniture placed in the winter garden and tall plants disrupt the circulation of warm air, and the difference in external and internal temperatures contributes to the formation of condensation and “stagnant zones”. Therefore, it is very important to provide ventilation.
Any time of the year without proper ventilation It is impossible to create a comfortable microclimate in a winter garden. Following the laws of physics, warm air is located at the top, and the cold one is at the bottom. Based on this law, the ventilation system is developed. It can be of two types: natural and forced.
Natural ventilation is achieved by opening equipped vents or transoms at the top and bottom of the room.
But for this type of ventilation to be effective, several conditions are necessary:
- room height of at least 2.5 m;
- the area of open sashes is at least 15% of the total glazing area;
- temperature difference is at least 5 degrees.
The disadvantages of this system include the need to equip open openings with mosquito nets, the threat of penetration, and the inability to open the windows in bad weather.
Forced or mechanical ventilation consists of supply and exhaust units. A technical device is placed in the supply opening, and a fan is placed in the exhaust opening. According to the principle of placement of these nodes forced ventilation there are two types:
1. The hood is installed on the roof ridge, and the air supply devices (usually two) are installed in the lower part of the front wall. In this case, the natural direction of the air flow is used.
2. Cross ventilation implies the installation of units on opposite side walls of the building, and the exhaust opening should always be higher than the supply opening, and the distance between units should not exceed 6 m.
Disadvantages of modern mechanical systems ventilation can be considered a significant energy consumption and maintenance requirement.
Progress is moving forward and by now the very idea of creating a heated summer shower for a summer house does not look scary...
Lighting
Light is vital for plants, so winter time and on cloudy days they need additional lighting. Lighting in the winter garden should be as close to natural as possible; it is also necessary to take into account the characteristics of the plants located there.
It is important to choose the right lamps for the winter garden, because lighting in this type of garden is primarily functional rather than decorative.
Incandescent lamps do not have blue rays that are important for plants in their spectrum, and also emit a lot of heat, which can lead to leaf burns. Therefore, they are not suitable for a winter garden.
Fluorescent lamps of blue-blue increased spectrum are a more suitable option, but they are very sensitive to voltage changes and constantly flicker. This negatively affects people's eyes and reduces the life of the lamps. When using them, you must use light-limiting caps.
Metal halide lamps are representatives of gas discharge lamps, small in size, but with very high luminous efficiency. They have a radiation spectrum close to natural. Suitable for very large rooms.
High pressure sodium lamps provide a lot of light. Their reddish emission spectrum has a beneficial effect on root formation and flowering. These lamps are manufactured with a built-in reflector. They are recommended for use with metal halide lamps to balance the spectrum.
Metal halide lamps are optimal for illuminating plants. They have an improved emission spectrum and greater power. However, they have a high price.
Phytolamps are specially designed for illuminating plants. There are fluorescent and energy-saving LED ones. However, they are not suitable for lighting the recreation area in the winter garden.
Lamps for illuminating plants are best used with mirror bulbs (reflectors) - they will not allow the light to scatter and direct it to the plants.
The placement of lamps must be carefully considered. The main rule is that there should be at least 20 cm between the lamp and the plant.
Of course, in addition to illuminating the plants, the winter garden should contain general and decorative lighting, as well as local lighting of recreation areas.
Protection from strong solar radiation
Protection from strong solar radiation is also a very important issue. If in winter the plants need to be warmed and additionally illuminated, then in the summer the effect is the opposite - the plants need to be protected from overheating and active solar flow.
In this matter it is very a good decision Winter gardens will be glazed with “smart glass”. But since this is not available to everyone, and such glass will not completely solve the problem, we will consider other protection options.
You can protect your winter garden from overheating and excess sunlight both from the inside and outside.
External means of protection are more effective. But these are expensive structures that require special installation and durable, weather-resistant materials with a reflective surface. Most often these are systems of vertical curtains, awnings, and awnings. Awnings, creating a shadow, do not interfere with admiring the beauty surrounding nature. The fabric on such awnings does not heat up and protects the walls of buildings from heating. When creating a winter garden with your own hands, you can use natural barriers as a means of external protection from the scorching sun - tall spreading trees and shrubs, weaving dense plants. This will not only create shading, but also decorate the facade.
Internal means of protection are less effective, but they are much cheaper and easier to install. These are various curtains and blinds that are made from fabric, plastic, thin wood, and bamboo. You should not use aluminum blinds, as they quickly heat up and release heat into the room. Internal protection means not only perform a practical function, but are an excellent decorative element when decorating a winter garden and create a cozy atmosphere in the room.
Winter garden on the roof
It is not always possible to create a winter garden in the form of an extension or a separate structure. In such a situation, the solution would be a winter garden on the roof of a private house. This can be the roof of not only a house, but also a garage or other room. An important point that requires careful checking is how strong the foundation of the building is and whether it can withstand additional load. It is also necessary to take into account the possibility of carrying out the necessary communications to the winter garden on the roof.
For installation on the roof, you should choose a winter garden made of aluminum profile. Since this is a fairly light material (it is advisable to minimize the additional load on the foundation). The frame is assembled and painted on the ground.
Glazing of winter gardens of this type is also carried out on the ground. The materials used are glass or polycarbonate. Glass has constant transparency, is denser and more resistant to rubbing. The main advantage of polycarbonate in arranging a winter garden on the roof is its lightness and good thermal insulation properties. But any of the selected glazing materials must be coated with a film that reflects ultraviolet radiation.
The winter garden structure, completely assembled on the ground, is installed at the top of the house. Then they move on to installation of communications. A rooftop winter garden also needs heating, ventilation and shading.
Ventilation in this case is quite natural with the required number of openable transoms. Shading is only available internally. The best heating option would be to install a heated floor.
As a winter garden on the roof of a house, you can use a skylight (a dome consisting of a frame and glass). Skylights can even be installed on sloping roofs with any angle of inclination. The variety of their forms is almost limitless.
We tried to figure out step by step how to make a winter garden in a private house. Of course, this is a complex process that requires certain costs. But a wonderful green oasis can bring peace and balance to your soul, drive away the blues and despondency, and give strength and vigor. Caring for your favorite plants or relaxing among the greenery and flowers, you will receive a sea of positive energy, and then it will become clear that all the efforts to build a winter garden were not in vain.
Endless summer is an unattainable childhood dream that becomes a reality thanks to the creation of a winter garden. By building a winter garden in your home, you will be able to recreate with your own hands the endless feeling of a joyful, carefree time, which everyone associates with the pleasant rustling of leaves, the air filled with the aroma of summer flowers, and sincere conversations under the evening sky of August. Thanks to the growth and development of innovative technologies, people have the opportunity to “preserve” summer under a transparent cap, which will allow them to enjoy lush greenery and the pleasant smell of flowering plants, regardless of the time of year. At first glance, a winter garden equipped in a house or cottage is just a beautiful toy that can become a pleasant place to relax, however, everything is much more complicated here, and a winter garden is a complex engineering structure, the varieties and nuances of its creation will be discussed in this article.
Winter garden: beautiful entertainment or complex design?
A winter garden is a specialized engineering and technical structure that is part of a residential building and is a room designed to house and grow plants.
Moreover, from the point of view of professionals, a winter garden is not only a collection of plants, but also an artificial landscape within the living space, which can serve as a pool room and a “green” living room space.” An equally relevant definition of the phrase “winter garden” is the following: This complex design, constituent elements which are vertically oriented or inclined surfaces, which are characterized by a wide variety of shapes.
Winter garden photo
Greenhouse, orangery and winter garden: what is the difference?
Since the winter garden represents an intermediate zone between the natural environment and the man-made space of a living space, it makes sense to talk about the distinctive features of a winter garden, greenhouse and greenhouse. The main difference between a winter garden and a greenhouse is that the purpose of the latter is limited to growing plants in specially created conditions, which determines the organization of the greenhouse separately from the living space. For example, it is very common to grow citrus fruits in a greenhouse, for which it is necessary to create a special climatic zone that is not favorable for human habitation. The main function of a winter garden, on the contrary, is to preserve plants and create a comfortable microclimate for them during the cold season.
Unlike a greenhouse, a conservatory is a transition zone between the confined environment of a living space and the natural environment. In addition, a winter garden is considered one of the ways to passively heat a living space using the energy of sunlight, which cannot be said about a greenhouse, due to its lack of connection with the house.
Winter garden project - the charm of nature within luxury interiors
Creating a winter garden project is one of the most successful and original ways transforming an unremarkable environment into an elite interior. Considering that the virtually unlimited variety of materials presented on construction market, allows you to use the most advanced, you get a unique opportunity to create winter gardens with the highest environmental performance, providing favorable conditions for life floral compositions, as well as a comfortable microclimate in the rooms adjacent to the winter garden.
How to choose the right location for a winter garden?
- South. The least successful choice for the location of the winter garden, which is due to excessive premature overheating of the plants, which will be a reason for extra costs to arrange a perfect ventilation system and excessive watering. However, a southern location also has its advantages: in the winter, a garden oriented to the south will retain heat much longer.
- North. Gardens oriented to the north tend to quickly accumulate heat and, at the same time, to quickly release it. But if you have chosen this side of the world, your primary goal should be to install a high-quality heating system.
- West. And there are pros and cons here. The ability to retain heat for a long time, especially valuable in winter, in summer can become one of the main disadvantages of a winter garden located on the west side.
- East. By building a translucent structure oriented to the east, you will protect it in advance from premature overheating, providing the most comfortable microclimate for future floral arrangements.
Winter garden structures: basic requirements
Since the main purpose of winter gardens is to provide optimal conditions for the life of plants, before starting to develop a winter garden project, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the basic requirements for winter garden designs. They are as follows:
- Ability to effectively retain heat;
- Absolute transparency, which implies the use of materials that ensure the passage of up to 80% of sunlight;
- Long service life and anti-corrosion resistance of the materials used;
- High load-bearing capacity of frame materials and their resistance to loads.
Knowing these requirements will allow you to build a winter garden with your own hands, which will not give you unnecessary worries about necessary repairs load-bearing structures.
Basic winter garden designs: types and designs
From a technical safety point of view, the most successful design The winter garden is a glazed extension to the living space, which is connected to it through specially equipped doors. The basis of such an extension is Basic structure, which can be characterized by a wide variety of configurations and made from various materials. The most commonly used are: aluminum, wood, less often steel, as well as their combinations.
Since in winter the construction can be subject to high loads, the main of which are snow, winter icing, wind, hail and rain, the structure must be highly resistant to such aggressive weight loads. IN to the greatest extent meets this requirement frame construction, which implies the support of trusses on vertically located racks, which allows for the most even distribution of loads. It is important to remember that if a winter garden roof is installed with a slope, snow may accumulate on it, and in the spring this can cause the outflow of melt water, making it difficult to avoid roof leaks.
If you choose to build a winter garden characterized by a large glazing area, you need to know that the main measure to protect the structure from loads is to increase rigidity, which involves the use of additional frame elements, such as window frames or sliding doors.
Choosing material for building a winter garden with your own hands
Glass
It is the most common type of building material with high load-bearing capacity. An equally important advantage of glass is its high throughput, guaranteeing the passage of up to 98% of solar energy.
Among the disadvantages of glass, one can note its high cost, which can be compensated by purchasing glass of a smaller thickness and increasing its strength by increasing the area of metal frame structures.
An equally significant disadvantage of glass is its rapid heat transfer, which can be verified by heating the winter garden room to 25 degrees. After a few hours, you will witness a rapid drop in temperature.
Polycarbonate
An innovative material, the use of which can significantly reduce the cost of constructing a winter garden. 15 times lighter than glass, polycarbonate, due to its high transparency, will satisfy all the requirements for building materials for a winter garden. Resistant to corrosion and cracking, polycarbonate easily changes its original configuration and has a high load-bearing capacity.
Double-glazed windows
Currently, the construction of transparent winter gardens is increasingly not possible without the use of double-glazed windows, which in a short period of time have become the basis of greenhouse construction. The production of double-glazed windows for the construction of greenhouses and winter gardens is carried out similarly to standard double-glazed windows. The garden glass unit is based on aluminum, metal-plastic or wood profile, holding several sheets of glass of a certain thickness. All existing connections are also treated with sealants, which allows you to create a structure that is resistant to aggressive environmental influences. In order to carry out competent, from a technical point of view, design of a winter garden, it is recommended to take into account various conditions operation. This involves the use of different types of glass, which have different performance characteristics:
- glass reflective glass;
- energy-saving glass;
- multifunctional glasses;
- transparent float glass.
Heating the winter garden. Choosing the most optimal method
Heating a winter garden is one of the main parameters of its efficiency. The most common are electric, gas, water, air and stove heating, as well as heating options that involve the combined use of several physical factors. In most cases, heating is considered in conjunction with ventilation and is organized taking into account the vital parameters of plants cultivated in the winter garden. The choice of the most optimal heating system is made taking into account the following factors:
- Dimensions of the winter garden. Obviously, what larger area winter garden, the stronger the need for more heat;
- Frequency of visits to the winter garden. For those gardens where plants grow that are resistant to low temperatures, and you only visit the paradise from time to time, an electric heater will cope with maintaining the optimal temperature in such a garden;
- Plant species diversity. For example, the optimal temperature regime for tropical plants ranges from 20 to 25 degrees.
Winter garden video
Ventilation in the winter garden
It should immediately be noted that the ventilation and cooling system in the winter garden are two different systems. Cooling the air with an air conditioner is a short-term measure, necessary for a person’s temporary stay in the winter garden. At the same time, for the normal functioning of plants, constant air circulation is necessary, which is the purpose of installing a ventilation system. There are:
- natural ventilation, which provides for the arrangement of vents, which should account for at least a quarter of the total wall area;
- artificial or mechanical ventilation, which provides for air inflow through vents and outflow using specially equipped fans.
Winter garden lighting system: main types of lamps
To compensate for the lack of light for plants in winter, it is necessary to take care of arranging a lighting system, the key to the effectiveness of which will be the correct choice of lamps. Currently the choice is quite large:
- Incandescent lamps are the least preferred option, due to the lack of blue light necessary for photosynthesis in their emission spectrum. In addition, they are characterized by a high level of thermal energy, the radiation of which can cause burns to the most temperature-sensitive plants;
- Fluorescent lamps are also not the best choice, as they are characterized by high sensitivity to voltage changes;
- Metal halide lamps, the emission spectrum of which approaches natural radiation, have the shortest service life, which, in fact, is their only drawback;
- Phytolamps are the most successful choice for creating a winter garden lighting system. Specially designed for illuminating plants, they are capable of creating the light parameters of the winter garden microclimate that are closest to natural.
Let's summarize:
Types of gardens depending on cultivated plants
- A tropical garden in which heat-loving and moisture-loving plants that require temperature regime in the range from 18 to 26 degrees. Among the usual assortment of plants for a tropical garden, begonia, dieffenbachia, dracaena, ficus and alocasia should be noted, which can be diversified with new landscaping products, among which tropical vines, hedychium and gloriosa are gaining popularity.
- The subtropical garden, whose average temperature does not exceed 12 degrees, combines palm trees and ficus trees, wisteria and jaccarandas in one area. You can’t do without citrus fruits here, which will not only become an aesthetic addition to the “subtropics”, but will also pleasantly delight you with fresh fruits in winter.
Decorative design of the winter garden
From the point of view of designers, dividing the winter garden into several zones helps to significantly increase its functionality. It would be optimal to distinguish three functional zones in the garden:
- Decorative, the main purpose of which is to grow plants and create landscape floral compositions. In the space of the decorative zone you can easily place a small pond, an aquarium, small decorative forms and various decorative compositions;
- A recreational area designed to create a cozy living space and soulful gatherings in friendly company. Furniture items are placed in the recreational area, the style of which is chosen in accordance with the general stylistic direction;
- Communication zone, which includes all available passages intended for movement from one functional area to another.
The stylistic direction in which the winter garden will be decorated depends only on your individual preferences. The most popular winter garden design styles are:
Classic style
Winter garden design in classic style implies a multi-cascade roof, decorated with bright stained glass windows and curtains. Artificially aged furniture will only complement the charm of the classics.
Japanese style
The most suitable option for connoisseurs of minimalism and tranquility, glorified by Japanese philosophy. The arrangement of a Japanese-style winter garden is carried out in accordance with the principles of the teachings of Feng Shui, the dogmas of which state that four elements should be present in the garden: earth, water, wood and metal. Arranging a pond in a winter garden is not an easy task, so we suggest limiting yourself to a decorative mini-waterfall.
Another distinctive feature of the Japanese style is strict geometry, complemented by decorative bonsai flowers.
High tech
At first glance, it may seem that the proximity of plants and metal objects is not the most favorable, but in practice everything looks completely different. Such a neighborhood is not only organic and functional, but also has a beneficial effect on plant growth, due to the huge amount of light and free space.
Country
It will be the best choice for gardeners seeking spiritual harmony with nature. Original plaster and an immense amount of greenery, wicker chairs and ceramic tiles on the floor - here distinctive features country style.
Modern
Don't you like saving on luxurious decorative elements? Modern seems to have been designed specifically for you. The direction in which there is a clear unity of styles will delight you with harmoniously combined contrasting combinations, repetition of the most advantageous motifs, clarity of architectural forms and original vegetation.
If you are planning to bring your grandiose plans to life, arm yourself with your rich imagination and our professional advice and start making your dreams come true!
Glazing of winter gardens in private houses- This is a room that is used for year-round use. To do this, a special microclimate is created in it, attention is paid to natural light, which dictates a certain glazing. Depending on the project: it can be either an additional extension or a converted room, the material of the frame and, accordingly, the glazing are determined. As a rule, when creating, in addition to the desire to create a comfortable recreation area, the goal is to increase usable area premises, especially if we are talking about a private house where a recreation area is created.
Choice of design and side
The main purpose of the room is to organize conditions for plants, so when starting to work on a project, it is worth considering the side on which it will face. In addition to aesthetic characteristics, it is better to decide on plants in advance, because not all of them feel the same way when there is an excess of light or a lack of it.
Since we are talking about arranging a room in a residential building, it should form a single whole with it. There is no need to maintain a certain style with the basic structure, but its size and shape are worth considering. When designing winter structures, you need to immediately highlight the location of recreation areas. The most optimal area for such premises is within 20 square meters. m. If the garden structure is adjacent to any room: a hall, an office, this is considered the most successful option, since this can significantly transform the interior of the room, making it even more comfortable and bright. It is also worth considering which side it will go on.
- North side. As a rule, there is little natural light here, but it is worth considering that the room will give off heat just as quickly as it will accumulate it. It is worth thinking in advance about organizing heating in the room and additional lighting.
- South side. An ideal option, given that the room will accumulate heat well and retain it, and this is a definite advantage in the cold season. But you need to understand that in summer you will have to create a special microclimate in the room, since many plants will be uncomfortable from constant overheating, which means that it will be necessary to carefully think through the ventilation and air humidification system, since even frequent watering can damage capricious crops.
- West side. In winter, plants on the west side of the house feel really great, due to the fact that the room warms up quickly and retains heat for a long time. However, in the summer they will be uncomfortable from overheating, therefore, as in the case of the south side, it will be necessary to create a special microclimate, monitor air humidification, etc.
- East side. This is the best option. The eastern side is, in principle, always the most beneficial for plants. They feel comfortable here at any time of the year. In winter they receive enough light and warmth, and in summer they receive the necessary shade and humidity.
The choice of design is determined solely by the wishes of the customer - aluminum profiles and glass are acceptable, because the main objective such a room is to ensure good access to light. If local area allows, the architects of our company are ready to design any structure. If an existing room is refurbished, partial glazing can be installed. Properly thought out and organized at home from a dream come true. We will help you draw up a project, select materials and organize this part of the house so that it is pleasant to relax and easy to care for the vegetation.
The design is created in rooms made of 90% glass, and the room adjacent to it, accordingly, becomes lighter and more spacious. An interesting solution is when, along with the side walls, the roof is also made of glass: the room becomes more spacious and voluminous. The design can be divided into two types:
- consisting of three facades that are adjacent to one of the sides;
- two-facade, built in the corner part of the house.
The structures can either protrude beyond the facade of the house in a certain part, or be built along it, regardless of the layout, creating a single space with the interior and rooms adjacent to the winter garden. Therefore, it can be installed almost anywhere in the house, both in attics or loggias, and above protruding parts of the building, for example, a garage. There is no need to worry about the aesthetic perception of such superstructures, since glass always looks harmonious on any facade. In a well-designed extension, both externally and internally, the attention should be drawn to the plants rather than the architectural design.
Even a minor design can radically change the interior. Firstly, the room immediately becomes brighter, and due to the many plants, it becomes more comfortable. Secondly, the microclimate that is created in such premises for the comfortable growth of plantings is also favorable for humans. That is why the structure is designed in rest rooms or hallways. Considering that most of the structure consists of glass, special attention should be paid to the base and frame. The main requirement is the ability of the material to withstand the weight load of the glazing. Among the materials used today, the undisputed leader is aluminum profiles. They have no equal in strength, and due to the lightness of the material and its ability to take any shape, you can create a truly beautiful project for original gardens.
Separately, it is worth noting the performance characteristics of the aluminum frame. Regardless of the location of the “green room”, the angle of the roof, possible winds and climatic conditions, it performs well and does not require additional care. Initially, the products are processed and are able to withstand any impact on it. Repairs do not require dismantling the structure, as happens with other materials: all problems are solved on site.
During the design of the structure, it is worth immediately strengthening the walls and roof, making them self-supporting. In this case, there is no need to additionally provide columns or partitions reinforcing the structure. With the help of aluminum frames this will not be difficult. Despite the fact that an aluminum frame will cost more than the same PVC profile, it is also preferred due to the thinness of the material, which makes the frame less noticeable. If you plan to grow southern plants, a warm aluminum profile solves the issue of thermal conductivity.
Types of glass for a winter garden
Having decided on the profile, it is worth paying attention to the glazing. Taking into account the design features, these can be double-glazed windows, polycarbonate or especially strong glass. Since the room is created to care for plants that are called heat-loving, thermal insulation indicators must be taken into account. For side walls, the use of thick double-glazed windows is regulated, but if the project plans to build a glass roof, it would be most appropriate to use triplex or tempered glass. To prevent fogging of windows, electric heating is provided.
The main function of glass in a structure is to provide good natural light needed by plants. In addition to light, they also need a certain level of temperature. You can increase the thermal insulation by using double-layer double-glazed windows, which will also add strength to the entire structure. Tempered and reinforced glass is used both for the roof and side walls. Among the listed options, reinforced double-glazed windows are most often used, since they have high thermal insulation characteristics and most convenient to use.
The main requirement for glass is the ability to withstand expected wind loads. The purpose of the extension is also taken into account: if it is created as non-residential premises and will be exclusively a room for planting plants, it will be enough to install ordinary double-glazed windows or impact-resistant glass. It is worth noting that double-glazed windows are also capable of creating the necessary microclimate in such a room, but they are also considered more convenient to use, due to the vents and opening sashes already provided in the design. Often in winter gardens they are the only way to ventilate the room and provide natural ventilation, but reinforced profiles must be provided for them.
Features of the foundation and floor
The foundation is determined solely based on the structure. In addition, the considerable weight of the plants is taken into account, which puts additional load on the floor. Therefore, in order to prevent soil subsidence, you should immediately pay attention to this issue. The best option would be to use strip foundation pouring technology. It is possible to provide additional strengthening of the base using reinforcement. Anything can be used as a finishing material: from wooden floors, before facing with tiles or porcelain stoneware. Here the interior is already taken into account, and the floor covering is selected taking into account certain design decisions. If you are making a winter structure on the balcony, you can provide additional heating in the form of heated floors.
Arrangement of the extension
This type of aluminum structure is created specifically in private homes. They may be designed as an additional extension to the house or located in one of the rooms. In the latter case, to create a full-fledged garden, only the design of the windows changes. Standard products are replaced with floor-to-ceiling French windows. To increase the space, they organize a projection behind the building in the form of a balcony. When organizing winter extensions, the style decision is also taken into account. English and Italian types are installed in ordinary rooms with loggias or in attic rooms, while the classic Japanese look dictates the presence of an additional extension to the house.
When choosing glazing for a roof, you should pay attention to double-glazed windows, tempered glass, and polycarbonate. The latter is characterized by its low cost and has proven to be practical material for such structures, since it is widely used in the construction of this structure around the world. It is quite durable and also belongs to lightweight materials. The ability to transmit light, making it scattering, provides optimal thermal insulation. If the project provides, then the ideal option is triplex, which has no equal in strength.
Profile lamination options
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cost of structures for a private house
 | ||
| Length | 4.0 m | |
| Width | 3.0 m | |
| Double-glazed window | 32 mm | |
| Glazing area | 41 m2 | |
| the total cost | 750,000 rub. | |
| Price per m2 | RUB 18,292 | |
 | ||
| Length | 4.0 m | |
| Width | 3.0 m | |
| Double-glazed window | 32 mm | |
| Glazing area | 43 m2 | |
| the total cost | 790,000 rub. | |
| Price per m2 | RUB 18,372 | |
 | Polygonal five-ray | |
| Glazing area | 53.0 m2 | |
| Double-glazed window | 32 mm | |
| the total cost | RUB 1,300,000 | |
| Price per m2 | RUB 24,528 | |
 | ||
| Length | 4.0 m | |
| Width | 3.0 m | |
| Double-glazed window | 32 mm | |
| Glazing area | 35 m2 | |
| the total cost | 650,000 rub. | |
| Price per m2 | RUB 18,571 | |
 | Combined gable four-beam | |
| Length | 6.0 m | |
| Width | 4.0 m | |
| Double-glazed window | 32 mm | |
| Glazing area | 75.0 m2 | |
| the total cost | RUB 1,475,000 | |
| Price per m2 | RUB 19,666 | |
 | ||
| Length | 5.0 m | |
| Width | 3.0 m | |
| Double-glazed window | 32 mm | |
| Glazing area | 50 m2 | |
| the total cost | 975,000 rub. | |
| Price per m2 | 19,500 rub. | |
In order not to part with summer even in harsh winters and to have the opportunity to enjoy greenery every day, you can arrange a personal winter garden. This kind of construction is most often carried out by professionals. But if you have the desire and time, then you can pick up a simple project and arrange a winter garden in a private house with your own hands. To save as much as possible on costs and still get a high-quality result, you should take the advice of experts and also comply with all technical requirements.
Deciding on the design and side
One of the most important stages in the construction of a winter garden in a house is the choice of cardinal direction:
- East. The best option, since the amount of solar radiation will not overheat the transparent structure, which means that the necessary microclimate will be maintained inside.
- West. The peculiarity of this side is the ability to retain the heat that has accumulated during the day for a long time, for example, at night.
- South. This option is also suitable for arranging a winter garden in a country house. It should be remembered: in order to prevent overheating of the room, it is necessary to take care of organizing powerful ventilation and abundant watering. There is another side - in winter, the garden, which is located on the south side, will remain warm for a long time.
- North. A garden located in the north is a bad idea. It will accumulate heat poorly and quickly lose it. If there is no other option, then it is worth considering a high-quality heating system.
When choosing a location for a winter garden, take into account not only the specified characteristics, but also the design of the house itself.
Also at this stage it is worth familiarizing yourself with the types of designs. They are divided into two large groups:
- adjacent to the house;
- free-standing.
Each option will make its own adjustments to the design and construction process. Do not forget that the shape of the winter garden room can be completely different. The most popular options:
- rectangular extension to the house (the most common form, complemented by pitched roof);
- rectangular structure with a pitched roof, complemented by a roofing part;
- a winter garden attached to the corner on the outside of the cottage or dacha;
- winter garden attached to inner corner(quarter-polygon);
- a building with a combined roof, for example, a four-beam one;
- extension on the inside of the corner.
In fact, there are much more design options for buildings, and everyone has the right to make their own changes and adjustments or combine two options into one combined one.
Types of materials for frame cladding
The modern construction market offers consumers a wide range of materials.
One of the most common types of cladding materials. Glass has been used for many years not only for winter gardens, but also for greenhouses, greenhouses, greenhouses and verandas. This popularity is due to its high load-bearing capacity, maximum transmission of sunlight (almost 98%), and rapid heat transfer. If we talk about the shortcomings, then here we can highlight only a few positions:
- fragility;
- high price;
- difficulty in processing.
The problem of high cost can be solved by considering glass of a smaller thickness, and to increase strength, the area of the frame structure should be reinforced.
This is one of the innovative developments, which, after appearing on the construction market, immediately gained great popularity and distribution in various fields. A winter garden made of polycarbonate will allow you to complete all the work in less time and at the same time reduce the cost of purchasing material. Its advantages include:
- availability;
- a light weight;
- ease of installation;
- transparency;
- elasticity;
- resistance to corrosion and fungus formation.
Upper protective layer The material does not allow moisture to pass into the structure, so it is not afraid of various precipitation.
One more fashion trend In the construction of winter gardens and greenhouses, the use of double-glazed windows is considered. The profile can be:
- aluminum;
- metal-plastic;
- wooden.
For the manufacture of double-glazed windows, different types of glass can be used: glass reflective, energy-saving, multifunctional and transparent float glass.
Construction technology
The intended design of the winter garden itself is a continuation of the area and roof of the house. With proper selection of materials and thoughtful design, the winter garden will not sag under the weight of snow. You must first draw up drawings and plans with dimensions. This will allow you to purchase the required amount of materials and carry out high-quality construction.
Foundation and floor
The first step in creating a winter garden is pouring the foundation. Here it is worth considering several nuances: a winter garden is one-story structure, where the overall load is especially affected by heavy tubs with various plants. Therefore, if you want to avoid soil subsidence, you should start pouring the foundation.
When deciding how to make a foundation, follow the tape version technology. To do this, it will be enough to dig a trench according to pre-applied markings. The depth should be about 50 cm and the width no more than 15 cm. Use reinforcement to strengthen the base. A cushion of a mixture of sand and crushed stone is placed at the bottom of the trench. It will play the role of thermal insulation. Don't forget about waterproofing: one or two layers of roofing material will be enough. Then the cement mortar is poured.
When choosing materials for the floor, it is best to choose concrete. After complete hardening, it is necessary to lay the finishing material, namely:
- tree;
- stone (natural or artificial);
- porcelain stoneware;
- tiles
When arranging the floor, do not forget about a layer of insulation and waterproofing. The first one will not release heat into the ground, and the second one will not let it in groundwater to the design.
Walls
To build a frame, you can also choose one of the proposed options or a combination of them:
- brick;
- aluminum profile;
- tree;
- metal (steel).
Depending on the chosen material, fasteners can be nails, screws, or dowels. Bonding can be done using a welding machine (for steel structure). The pitch between the guides is determined depending on the width of the material purchased for the cladding.
After construction, you can begin direct cladding (glass or polycarbonate) or install double-glazed windows. The joints between the walls of the house and the winter garden must be covered with insulating foam.
The ideal option is considered to be this combination: metal supports and aluminum profile.
Roof
When choosing a material for arranging a roof, you should take into account one very important point: glass will not be able to withstand snow cover, so you should not give it preference. It is best to sheathe the roof with polycarbonate or install two- or three-chamber double-glazed windows. There should also be a slope, which will allow the snow to fall down on its own and not block the path of sunlight.
The thickness of the glass in double-glazed windows should not exceed 5 mm, otherwise the roof structure will be too heavy.
Heating is the basis
To choose the right option, it is necessary not only to study the properties and capabilities of the systems, but also to know exactly the location and features of the winter garden itself. Financial capabilities should also be included in the selection criteria. Let's consider the main types of heating that can be used to heat a winter garden, as well as their positive and negative sides.
Electric heaters
Advantages:
- moving around the entire room depending on need;
- heating power regulation;
- ease of operation.
Flaws:
- high price of the heaters themselves and energy costs;
- additional reduction in air humidity.
Split systems and UFO
Advantages:
- temperature control;
- fast and uniform heating;
- do not dry the air.
Flaws:
- high price;
- additional energy consumption.
Advantages:
- constant temperature maintenance;
- affordable cost;
- no temperature differences with adjacent rooms.
Flaws:
- the need for professional tools (for example, welding), as well as the skills to install and cut into an existing heating system.
Stove
Advantages:
- available raw materials for heating (wood);
- colorful garden design.
Flaws:
- uneven temperature distribution;
- the need for constant monitoring;
- high fire danger.
Advantages:
- additional heating of the soil and plant roots;
- uniform and rapid heat distribution;
- the ability to avoid icing of glass walls and roofs;
- heating water in the irrigation system.
Flaws:
- high price;
- installation before the garden starts functioning;
- difficulties when performing repair work.
To create an optimal and efficient heating system, it is best to use several of the above options simultaneously.
Arrangement
A winter garden in a house can be classified as a complex engineering and technical structure that is built for the purpose of growing plants in comfortable conditions throughout the year. To implement this, you must adhere to the following mandatory conditions:
- tightness;
- humidity;
- temperature;
- lighting;
- watering;
- ventilation
Some points are worth going into in more detail.
Ventilation
Due to the large number of plants in the room, air humidity constantly increases, which leads to the formation of condensation. Avoiding this is quite simple - you need to install or equip a ventilation system:
- natural air ventilation will be achieved if there are a sufficient number of vents and air holes;
- artificial maintenance of a given climate is possible by installing a modern split system in the winter garden.
When organizing ventilation, it is worth considering that a draft is an enemy of plants that can destroy them.
By covering the walls and roof with transparent material, there will be a sufficient amount of natural light in the room throughout the day. But, at the same time, it is worth considering that in cloudy weather, as well as in winter, this will not be enough. Among a wide variety of sources artificial lighting, that is, types of lamps, it is worth highlighting only fluorescent ones. Among their advantages are:
- low heat transfer;
- high luminous flux;
- energy saving.
Recently, special phytolamps have become increasingly popular for creating lighting in a winter garden or greenhouse. They favor plant photosynthesis.
Watering
A constant watering system must be provided at the stage of laying the soil and forming flower beds with plants. A modern drip irrigation system is best suited for these purposes. Through the laid hoses, water will flow drop by drop into the ground. To control watering, use sensors that monitor soil moisture.
An artificial reservoir, for example, a fountain or a humidifier, will add humidity to the air itself.
According to designers, it is best to divide the winter garden into several separate zones. This approach will improve the functionality of the room. To plan your design correctly , Three main zones should be provided:
- Decorative. Growing plants and creating general landscape floristic compositions. A pond, fountain, aquarium, decorative forms and compositions can be placed here.
- Recreational. Equipment of living space for relaxation and free time. Furniture is being placed.
- Communicative. Passages and paths are concentrated here, along which you can easily move from one zone to another.
The stylistic direction of the winter garden design depends entirely on the wishes and preferences of the owners. Among the most common styles are classic, Japanese, hi-tech, country and modern.
It is impossible to arrange a spacious winter garden in an apartment. But the owners of dachas, country cottages and private houses can easily create a personal evergreen oasis in which they will enjoy spending time with a cup of tea on a frosty day. The shape and size of the winter garden will depend solely on your own capabilities and imagination.
A winter garden on the roof, depending on the arrangement, can be:
- Extensive. The main purpose of such gardens is to grow greenery. Their installation is simple, and such a garden is quite inexpensive. There is no rest area here. This garden is not designed for such use.
- An intensive garden is designed not only for growing plants, but also for active rest. It is quite appropriate that it be equipped with paths, flower beds, lawns and small trees. Accordingly, the price of this garden will be more expensive than its counterpart, used exclusively for growing plants.
A winter garden can be installed not only in house extensions, but also on the roofs/attics of private/apartment buildings, office buildings, sports complexes, banks and restaurants.
Below are the main advantages of this solution:
- The ability to enjoy the view of the night sky without the glare of electric lamps.
- The garden can be fully ventilated even in calm weather.
- There is no need to take into account the side of the world. Lighting/darkening can be arranged by adjusting film, curtains, etc.
- Your home will stand out from other buildings.
Before starting construction of a roof garden, it is necessary to take into account some nuances that should be reflected in the project:
- A winter garden means additional loads on the walls of the house/foundation. Therefore, it is important to determine in advance the level of these loads exerted by fertile soil, plants, equipment and decorative elements.
- It is necessary to create conditions that will prevent the roots from growing beyond the boundaries of the designated area.
- It is important to make a high-quality high layer of waterproofing. Your garden will be placed on it. You should also carefully consider the irrigation and drainage system. These measures must be completed, since the plants need watering, and in order to avoid destruction of the roof and rotting of the root system, excess moisture should be removed.
- The roof structure must be made in such a way that people can walk on it safely.
- In order for plants to feel comfortable in the garden, as well as for normal garden care, provision should be made for the installation of appropriate lighting fixtures.
At the first stage, you should clear the roof of roofing material and everything that will interfere with construction. As for the frame, it can be made from a wooden beam/metal corner. However, the most suitable material for this is aluminum profile/pipe. The main advantage of aluminum profiles/pipes is their light weight, the possibility of painting them in the desired color and the absence of the need to maintain the frame made from it in the future.
It is better to assemble the frame on the ground .
- Pipe/profile cutting according to the project.
- Assembly and connection of workpieces. A welding seam or hardware can be used as connecting fasteners. If you choose by reliability, the welding seam wins. However, to implement it you need welding machine and experience working with it. If you nevertheless connect structural elements by welding, then each seam will need to be cleaned and primed.
- Connection of sections. The lower elements of the sections must include everything necessary to install the frame on the roof.
- Each section is pre-primed.
The roof of the winter garden should have an inclination angle of 30º to the inside. So, water flow will be ensured, snow will slide, and more importantly, this angle will facilitate penetration more sun rays into the garden. The roof should be equipped with an anti-icing system, which will prevent its deformation in the future.
The number of doors is determined at the garden design stage. The entrance to the winter garden is usually from inside the room. Since we are talking about a roof garden, it is important to consider the presence of a staircase with railings.
The presence of vents will help with ventilation, which will promote constant air circulation. The area for windows/doors should be ¼ of the entire glazed area of the garden. Immediately install mosquito nets on the windows.
Arranging the rest engineering communications and the choice of glazing materials does not differ from the technology described in this article.
Video
See how the winter garden structure is assembled:
Photo
Scheme
In the diagrams you can see options for arranging a winter garden:
Do you live in your own country house and, due to the harsh climate, lack warmth and “greenery”? Would you like to have the opportunity to relax or communicate with family and guests in a warm place, among exotic flowers and plants, even in the most severe January frosts? Do you want to grow your own vegetables? all year round? Then you need a room or building within which you can create your own small ecosystem. Making a winter garden with your own hands is not easy, but it is quite possible. The main thing is to know how, with what and from what it is built.
A winter garden is a room that creates conditions favorable for growing various plants regardless of the time of year and temperature “overboard”. Such a structure is very similar in function to a greenhouse or conservatory, but there are differences between them. Firstly, the winter garden is aimed not so much at vegetable crops, but at flowers, ornamental plants and fruit trees. Secondly, such a room must be beautiful - it is created for a person to receive aesthetic pleasure, for relaxation and for receiving guests. This difference gives rise to one more, third – temperature, humidity and other parameters inside the winter garden should be comfortable not only for plants, but also for humans. Fourthly, such a room is usually created not separately, but as an extension to residential building. Often the winter garden is combined with a kitchen or turned into a living room.
Important! It is also worth noting that the winter garden is also used to preserve those ornamental plants, which are outside in the open in the summer.
Due to its characteristics and main function, such a room must meet certain requirements.
- Sheathing tightness. With the exception of vents and other ventilation systems, there should be no places in the winter garden where air from the street penetrates inside and where heat exchanges with external environment. The premises must maintain favorable conditions for heat-loving plants even in the coldest weather and at the same time with the least possible energy consumption for heating. Therefore, it must be airtight - no extra cracks or gaps.
- Availability of effective ventilation. If in winter airtightness is necessary in such a garden, then at the height of summer this can become a problem - a room with transparent walls and roof can heat up to very high temperatures, which is not acceptable for some plants. Therefore, you need fairly effective ventilation, which will allow you to control heat exchange with the external environment and direct flows of fresh air into the winter garden. It is desirable that such a system operate automatically.
Winter garden shape
Let's move on to considering individual parameters of the winter garden, such as the materials used in construction, the heating and lighting systems used, etc. Let's start with the shape, which for such a room can be very unusual. There are a large number of winter garden designs; we have summarized the most common ones in a table.
Table. Winter gardens - basic forms.
| Form type | Description |
|---|---|
| The simplest of forms. Therefore, it is well suited for self-building. Make the angle of the roof slope large enough so that snow does not accumulate on the skin of the winter garden in winter. |
| The number of roof slopes has been increased to two. Well suited for construction on the south side of the house. A winter garden of this shape can be made very long in length. |
| A more complicated version of the previous one, it has a more attractive appearance. |
| The number of corners in such a design can be changed. Well suited for a winter garden with a “rounded” plant layout. During construction, strict control over the position of individual frame elements is required. |
| Same as a regular lean-to form, but attached to the corner of a building. In this case you need to choose right place, which will be well lit during the day. |
| A more complex design, but at the same time attractive in appearance and unusual in terms of internal layout. |
| A rare and very complex form of winter garden. Most often in such cases, one of the rooms of the house, for example, the kitchen or dining room, is combined with a room with decorative flowers and trees. |
| Simple construction, installed separately. It can be supplemented with extensions from the middle or from one of the edges. Requires high-quality insulation from all sides, especially from the north. |
| A subtype of the previous version, but with a roof of a more complex shape. |
| A garden of this design is suitable for areas with relatively little rainfall in winter. Otherwise, the risk of roof collapse increases significantly. |
Sheathing and frame materials for the winter garden
Let's move on from the shape of the winter garden to what it is created from. Materials for such a room can be divided into two groups - sheathing and frame. The first include:
- glass;
- double glazed windows;
- plexiglass;
- monolithic and .
Important! Among the sheathing materials presented above, polyethylene was not mentioned. It is not advisable to use it for a winter garden - the film is very fragile and short-lived. In addition, it does not “keep warm” in severe frost conditions.
Glass– one of the most common materials used as winter garden cladding. In itself, it is durable and has an excellent light transmittance of 98%. Glass also stands out for its ease of cleaning - to wash it, all you need is soapy water and a cloth (or sponge).
Glass is one of the popular options
But at the same time, single glass is fragile and quite heavy. In addition, it has a fairly high thermal conductivity for a sheathing material - you will have to spend more fuel to heat the winter garden in cold weather. The glass is installed on the frame by fixing it to a sealant and clamping it with glazing beads or a rubber seal.
Most of the shortcomings of this material have been eliminated in double glazed windows– products that are laminated glass with air layers between them. Due to the latter, thermal conductivity is significantly reduced - to maintain comfortable temperature a winter garden with such cladding will require an order of magnitude less energy. But such savings are achieved by high initial investments in the purchase of material and its installation on the building frame. In addition, double-glazed windows have a large mass and will require the construction of a strip foundation made of concrete.
For certain reasons, plexiglass has not become widespread as a material for covering winter gardens, in contrast to monolithic and cellular polycarbonate. Both of its varieties are distinguished by their low weight, reasonable cost, good light transmittance, and ease of processing and installation. Due to the cells filled with air, cellular polycarbonate can be considered the most the best material in terms of heat loss. But at the same time, it and monolithic sheets of this polymer have one drawback - over time, under the influence of sunlight, they become cloudy and become more fragile. Therefore, the service life of polycarbonate cladding is limited to 8-10 years.
Important! Also, when using this material, take into account its high coefficient of linear expansion when heated - there must be thermal gaps at the points of fastening and junction with other sheathing sheets.
Cellular polycarbonate - characteristics
As for the frame, it can be made from the following materials.
- Tree– cheap and easy to process. Requires mandatory painting or protection from rotting with an antiseptic. Suitable for small-sized winter gardens attached to a simple country house.
Prices for cellular polycarbonate
cellular polycarbonate
Winter garden heating
After shape and materials, the third most important characteristic of a winter garden is the heating system used in it. You can view the available options in the list below.
- Pechnoe. Relatively cheap coal and firewood are used as fuel. With some skills, the stove used to heat the winter garden can be “fitted” into the interior. But such a heating system is only suitable for small rooms and is characterized by uneven heating. In addition, the owner of the winter garden will be required to strictly monitor the condition of the stove and fire safety.
Choose one of the options presented above based on your own preferences, the weather in the area where you live, the size of the winter garden and the construction budget.
Stove prices
Ventilation, lighting and watering in the winter garden
In addition to heating, the winter garden also includes other life support systems - ventilation, lighting and watering. Constant air circulation in the room can be ensured in several ways.
- Using regular windows. It is desirable that they occupy up to a quarter of the total area of the winter garden cladding. To free yourself from the need to spend time and effort opening and closing each individual shutter, install ones that will automatically control the vents depending on the temperature inside the winter garden.
- Using natural supply ventilation . In this case, one half of the transoms is mounted in the lower part, the second - under the roof of the winter garden. Air exchange between them is ensured due to the temperature difference.
- Using fans installed in the conservatory cladding. At the same time, it is advisable to disguise them so as not to spoil the interior of the room.
Incandescent lamps are not used to illuminate the winter garden - they are too ineffective. This task is better performed by fluorescent, LED or halogen lamps. It is desirable that the wavelength in the visible spectrum emitted by the lamps be the best way affected the life processes of plants.
As for watering, in a winter garden, when there are a large number of plants and sprinklers are unacceptable, only a drip system is suitable - water from a container or from the house is supplied through a system of hoses and drippers, through which moisture flows directly to the roots of each individual crop. If you have a special controller, watering can be made automatic - you just need to set the duration of operation and the time intervals between turning on the system.
Video - DIY winter garden
Building a winter garden - step-by-step instructions
Having become familiar with the structure of the winter garden and its main systems, we will begin the construction process.
Step 1. Determine the side of the building where the structure will be located. It is desirable that the wall be eastern or western. It is also possible to build a winter garden on the south side, but then you will need a very serious ventilation system to keep the temperature inside at an acceptable level in summer.
Step 2. Prepare construction site– clear it of debris, vegetation and stones. Fill shallow strip foundation made of concrete - a support for the structure.
Step 3. Begin installing the bottom frame frame onto the foundation. There must be waterproofing between them. Check the position bottom trim using a level, stretched ropes and a tape measure.
Step 4. Then install the vertical and horizontal frame elements related to the walls of the winter garden. Make sure connections are secure.
