How to build a beautiful terrace with your own hands. Do-it-yourself wooden terrace construction - technology for making wooden terraces

The arrangement of terraces next to the house is considered by many people as a very attractive design solution. But, as with any type of construction work, there are subtleties that must be taken into account. If you do just that, building a great-looking structure turns out to be quite simple and accessible to almost everyone who knows how to work with tools. It is not necessary to invite professional builders for this.

Types of structures

Strictly speaking, terraces are only open (this is the interpretation given in SNiP), and all closed extensions to houses, no matter how they look externally, should be called verandas. The semi-open type - without walls or equipped with low walls - is characterized by sufficient space, and a roof or canopy will help to avoid the effects of precipitation and sunlight. But still, the furniture will have to be placed as far as possible from open places.

The terrace in the pergola version is ideal for dry places, and it is not at all necessary that the structure be covered with vine shoots. After all, metal lattices with dense weaving are considered self-sufficient, they allow you to decorate the space both from above and from the edges. Provides simultaneous closure from outside observation in harmonious sunlight.

When there is an intention to get the visual effect of graceful leaves, but not wait until the pergola is covered with vines, and do not care for them, you need to reproduce the appearance through carving. But you can make the outer grille very rare, only hinting at the intention of the developers. An exotic variety is a rooftop terrace. It is much more spacious than a simple balcony, and the supporting wall is almost never used, only a railing. There will be no talk of such an option, but it is worth considering its existence.

The wooden type of terraces is actually not the same either. Differences can be manifested in the size, shape, number of levels of construction, the possibility of free access to the structure or the fencing of its decorative plantings.

Project: dimensions and shape

The selection of the size and configuration is determined by the size of the site and the house built on it. Tiny terraces adjacent to a large building are perceived aesthetically unnaturally. Annex less than 4 sq. m uncomfortable, and no methods will help to correct the situation. The project should include the minimum consumption of concrete and ceramic slabs, as this will reduce the labor intensity of the work. Terraces are best made rectangular in order to combine the lines of structures with each other.

Important: tiles fit better in a rectangular terrace, and wooden flooring allows you to vary a variety of shapes through the use of electric jigsaws. But again, it is required to maintain a visual correspondence between the configuration of the extension and the main part of the house.

Barbecue terraces are considered one of the best design solutions. It should be noted that furnaces are very heavy and large structures, therefore it is necessary to build a foundation, possibly for the terrace as a whole. You will also have to make a good, smoothly functioning drainage system. The work associated with its arrangement is quite laborious and can significantly increase the total cost of construction. The screed must be reinforced, and the foundation must be strictly in the form of a monolithic slab.

The grillage is not made concrete; this type of structure would be unnecessarily complicated to work with. Usually it is made either from a channel, which is attached to piles by electric welding, or from a bar encircling the perimeter and axes of the supports. In a spacious terrace, the stove is best placed in the center, distributing space with its help to the guest and kitchen areas. The installation of a barbecue at one of the sides and a semicircular structure that cuts off the selected corner is quite widespread.

Frame construction can be made on the basis of both wood and metal.

The choice of a particular material is determined by the following factors:

  • convenience and work practice;
  • allocated budget;
  • the necessary strength of the extension.

Even the high cost and difficulty of processing solid wood does not negate its high strength and stable service for a long time. It is from such materials that the lower strapping of the frames should be formed. To save money, the upper part of them is made from softer and more accessible rocks. It is unacceptable to use a tree that has even the slightest signs of decay, cracking, chips, wormholes and similar defects. The highest permitted moisture content of a tree for the construction of a frame is 14%, but it is better to limit yourself to 12%, it will be much more reliable.

The metal frame obtained by welding is relatively strong. But we must reckon with the fact that the dismantling of its individual parts will be impossible, it will be necessary to remove the entire structure as a whole. The minimum allowable cross-section of round and shaped pipes is 0.25 cm. If you take a thinner design, welding will be harder, and due to the increased stress in the metal, significant deformations may appear. Before using a used metal block, it is imperative to check it for significant violations.

A terrace with a balcony always has an external fence and is quite narrow. When you need to attach a support beam to a brick structure, you will need to prepare connection points: holes are drilled in the walls into which dowels or wooden plugs are mounted.

Important: the placement of holes with a slight slope from top to bottom helps to increase the reliability of fastening, the same requirement is recommended when working with a wooden base. Often, the beam for support is shortened by the width of one lag at both ends, after which they are adjusted to the ends and attached with bolts, and suspensions will provide a link between the intermediate links.

Anchor bolts help to connect the beam and brick walls, special supports with a cross section of 5x15 cm can increase the reliability of this design. The distance between the supports should be 120 cm, and their use is especially important in areas where there is a lot of rainfall. Holes in the beam are made in increments of 400 to 600 mm, bolts with a diameter of 1 cm should pass freely through them.

Terraces from foam blocks are built much easier than when using wood or bricks. because the labor intensity of the work is significantly reduced. Products initially have the correct geometric contours and strict dimensions, which allows you to accurately calculate the need for material and design the structure without errors. Foam concrete-based structures are mostly created on top of strip foundations, but when the house is initially planned to be supplemented with a terrace, it is required to prepare a common slab base of the required configuration.

Legalization of the extension

Making a terrace in the country is technically quite simple, but regardless of the skill of home craftsmen or the cost of the services of hired builders, you will need to register the building with the authorities. It is impossible to do without submitting documents to the structures responsible for fire safety, sanitary and epidemiological control. The permits received from them are transferred to the administration of the locality or rural settlement. Spending time, effort and money on registration is not in vain, because in the future the absence of it can lead to sanctions up to the demolition of the building. And even if this does not happen, selling, leasing, exchanging, providing security for a loan will be impossible or difficult.

Tools and materials

Be sure to use various kinds of tools during construction.

Each master has their own set, but it is impossible to build a terrace without using:

  • electric jigsaw;
  • bayonet shovel;
  • building level;
  • hammer;
  • roulettes;
  • chisels and screwdrivers;
  • drill and marker;
  • staples and paint brushes.

As for materials, you will need to use high-quality boards, cement not lower than M400, an antiseptic, steel blanks for structures and paints and varnishes. A wooden terrace is relatively strong and as reliable as possible, guarantees comfort, looks more attractive. In addition, construction work will be carried out quickly, and the costs will be significantly lower. Bricks, concrete and natural stone are much harder, but their design capabilities are worse; it will not work at all to realize a certain part of the design ideas. The use of metal (steel and cast iron parts) allows you to create very elegant designs and decorative elements, but you have to put up with increased costs.

A metal terrace will be especially expensive for those who do not know how to work with such materials on their own - and welding skills are not as common as carpentry, and the situation is similar with a tool. The most modern options, like wood-polymer composites, are processed more simply than traditional products, and the original PVC coating makes it possible to do without impregnations that protect against decay. The most economical way is to use the elements left over from the construction or repair of the house, but you will need to carefully check them for the absence of deformations, for protection from negative natural phenomena.

Step by step construction instructions

Properly attaching a terrace to the house means meeting two key requirements: eliminating the deflection and spring effect of the floor, as well as ensuring the strength and safety of the mounted railings. It is recommended to provide for the construction of an extension already at the stage of designing a dwelling, then it will be possible to use a common foundation and coordinate the installation of different parts with each other as clearly as possible. But when the terrace is built after the completion of housework, you will have to order an individual project from professionals.

When building a terrace with your own hands, you need to consider:

  • climatic characteristics of the area;
  • the type of soil and the depth of its freezing in winter;
  • average annual level of snow cover;
  • the type and physical condition of the wall to which the building will adjoin;
  • required area and linear dimensions;
  • building materials planned for use.

All these data must be immediately stated in the application for designers. Usually the terrace is placed against the wall in which the entrance is located, thanks to which it is possible to use the building not only for leisure, but also as a hallway and as a porch. In cold areas, it is recommended to install all extensions in the south and equip them with wide canopies. Where it is relatively warm, it is advisable to place terraces from the east or south, focusing on the maximum shading of the place. Be sure to take into account the prevailing winds, especially with their considerable strength.

In any case, equip the waterproofing above the support beam to prevent penetration into the gap between the terrace and the house of various precipitation. Often use aprons made of aluminum or steel with an external galvanized coating. The foundation is waterproofed with bituminous mastic or adhesive material (laid in a couple of rows). To the question of how exactly to insulate the terrace, the answer is very simple: no way, anyway, the building will not be heated. After the manufacture of racks and rafters, their installation, it is required to sheathe such structures using boards or a polished slab.

The voids separating the opposite edges are saturated with sawdust. But long before the construction of the rafters, it is necessary to deal with the base of the terrace - there is also a lot of interesting things here.

Foundation

The construction of the foundation in most cases involves the use of concrete blocks with dimensions of 0.3x0.3 m, which are buried ½ of the height into solid solid soil. Usually, the parts are placed on a sand cushion in such a way that the edge protrudes upwards by 150 mm. Then the parts of the frame will not rot due to contact with consistently moist soil.

Important: concrete blocks cast in artisanal conditions can replace factory products only in warm areas where there is no soil freezing, or it is weakly expressed. The pile foundation turns out to be the optimal and most economical solution in the middle lane over heaving soil.

When choosing a design, they are guided primarily by the rigidity and stability of the structure as a whole, as well as the conformity of the base under the terrace and under the main house; if it is not provided, the buildings may begin to deform. Racks (that is, pillars) are prepared in advance, with the help of which the load created by the terrace will be evenly distributed on the foundation plane. For the most part, such elements are given a section of 10x10 cm, although for a large structure it will be necessary to increase the size of the supports.

Important: it is necessary to attach the racks to the foundation with brackets, since pouring concrete will lead to rapid decay.

Racks can be made in two versions: in one they support the beams, in the other they pass through the flooring, forming fences or benches. The placement of the beams on the uprights can be a simple overlay or attachment with screws (bolts). The beams are set horizontally, if necessary, linings are used for alignment. In cases where it is planned to use not a flooring, but a solid wooden structure, it is necessary to give it a slight slope away from the house (about 1%). By increasing the cross section of the beams, it is possible to make the span between individual racks larger, that is, to save on the number of blocks at the base.

For the manufacture of logs, boards of 5x15 cm in size are most often used., lay logs at a right angle with a gap of 40, 60, 80 or 120 cm - it depends on how thick the flooring will be created. It is required to use screw piles, grillage or a pile-monolithic structure when there is a reservoir in the immediate vicinity of the construction site.

Flooring

During the construction of the flooring, the logs should not be visible, but they should still be placed in advance with the same distance and strictly parallel. Then it will be easier to fix the railing later. Depending on the placement of the lag, it is possible to ensure an even and neat arrangement of the connecting screws. Or it fails - if the work was approached unprofessionally. Logs are attached with screws (bolts) to the support beam near the walls.

This beam is positioned so that a gap of 3 cm is maintained from the top point of the flooring to the base of the doorway. Then precipitation will not enter the room through the threshold. To fix the lag, it is necessary to use metal hangers in the form of the Latin letter U. This is tougher and more reliable than the connection of screws and nails. In the event of the slightest damage or shift, momentary savings will result in significant losses; All professionals consider the use of support strips to be the worst way to install.

When making a frame, most often the beams are attached to high posts passed through the boardwalks (since a completely finished railing column is immediately created). For a span of 180 cm, beams with a section of 10x15 cm are recommended, and for a larger size of 240 cm, this figure must be increased to 10x20 cm.

It is not surprising that the terrace of a country house becomes the epicenter of life in the warm season: it allows you to be in nature almost 24 hours a day, but in comfortable and well-maintained conditions. It is capable of performing several functions at the same time - serving as a living room for receiving friends, a dining area, a place to relax and a large impromptu playground. Every member of the family will find a place for a comfortable pastime there.

Wooden terrace

Wooden terrace, what are and their differences

Erroneously, the construction of a veranda and a terrace is attributed to the same type of work, although there are fundamental differences between these two structures, as well as a lot in common.




The first building is necessarily an integral part of the main building with which it is built (as a rule) on a common foundation and can be closed or open.

The second structure is separate, even if it is adjacent to the house: it has a separate independent base.

How to make a terrace to the house with your own hands, a detailed photo report:














Lumber for the terrace was dry (6%). Many elements were made independently.

classic terrace


A classic terrace is a platform equipped with a deck, which may have a lightweight roof to protect it from summer rain. It is located in the vicinity of the house or adjoining it, it can be located directly on the ground (hence the origin of its name: the Latin word "terra" - "earth") or on some elevation.

But since there is nothing permanent in the world, this structure has also changed, which is increasingly acquiring roofs and walls, and even windows and a door. Such a modern structure becomes an integral part of the design of the space near a home pool or artificial pond, is erected as a separate building and equipped as a summer kitchen or a picnic area with a stationary barbecue, oven, stove.

Picnic Terrace


It is also actively used in winter: comfort and warmth in it can be provided, for example, by infrared heaters. Therefore, the line between these two structures, intended for summer pastime in nature, is gradually blurred and they can actually be distinguished only by the type of foundation.

Terrace with unusual lamps


If, nevertheless, it is decided that we are building a terrace, then we should decide on its future appearance. In addition, one hundred they can be attached to the house or freestanding, they can be divided into three types according to design. Fully open are mostly freestanding, although for houses built in modern styles, such as high-tech, they are quite a natural addition. Their decoration is as concise as possible, but elegant.

Terrace with open roof


Open with a roof - the most popular type. The roof can be made of roofing material and wood, or it can be a light canopy made of awning or polycarbonate, and serves to protect against the scorching sun and precipitation. Protection from the wind can be used in the form of shrub plantings or plants for vertical gardening. External fences are not provided, except for a light fence in the form of wooden railings or forging.

Terrace closed, winter


Closed - all-season option. As melted, it has full equipment for a comfortable stay at any time of the year. But blank walls are usually absent - instead of them, large window openings are installed, letting a large amount of light into the room. There is only one exception - the wall of the house to which it is attached. The roof can be any, even insulated, but the most popular are translucent structures or, at least, the installation of a lantern in the center of the roof, which allows you to make the most of daylight.

The construction of the terrace can be done on one level or two - in this case, more opportunities are provided for zoning and space organization.

Design rules and terms for the construction of the terrace


You can think about how to build a terrace both at the stage of designing a house and after, realizing that without it on the site, country life is not complete. The need for it may also appear in the process of increasing the family: in this case, it becomes an ideal place for meetings.

Therefore, its construction can be carried out at any stage of the construction or operation of the house, especially if you choose such material as wood for this. In this case, its construction will not create any particular inconvenience in life and will not stretch out in time: having started construction, for example, in March or April, it is quite possible to have time to complete it by the beginning of the summer season.

Despite the fact that the structure being erected is lightweight, it is required to be entered in the building passport and to obtain permits for its construction, as for a capital structure. But it is imperative that before submitting it is necessary to decide on the terminology, that is, with the fact: the construction of a veranda with your own hands or, after all, a terrace will be carried out.

Summer extension to the house, veranda


A summer extension made of wood can be built not only to a house built from the same material. It will also become an organic addition to a stone or brick building. The main thing is to maintain the overall architectural style in the design and the terrace being built with your own hands should succinctly fit into the surrounding landscape design. The presence of green spaces: trees or shrubs will not become an obstacle to the realization of the idea: the former can be harmoniously introduced directly into the building itself, and the latter can become a beautiful perimeter frame, especially if a railing or other type of fencing is not planned.

When designing, it is desirable to take into account several of the following provisions:

  • the site should be located on the south or south-west side of the building, but preferably near the entrance to the house or with the possibility of accessing it from the kitchen or living room;
  • for southern hot regions, the location may be on the north side of the building, but only if it is planned to be used in the warm season;
  • if the presence of a roof is not expected, then the floor should have a slight (up to 3 °) slope in the opposite direction from the house;
  • the roof should have a projection of 30-50 cm so that raindrops do not fall into the open structure.

What else needs to be considered before starting work

Before you build a terrace to the house, you need to accurately measure how much area can be taken under it. The width should not be less than 2-2.5 m, as this is simply inconvenient - there is not enough space to accommodate a dining table and other interior items, and the semantic and functional purpose of this room is violated. And if it is planned to erect at some elevation from the ground, then it is imperative to provide for the installation of protective railings, which will perform the function of active safety when using an open area.

The most rational operation of the structure of the correct shape: square or rectangular. In addition, building a veranda with your own hands or making a portable summer terrace is easier and less expensive, since during construction, if the calculations are made correctly, there will not be much lumber waste. But rectilinear forms are not always able to organically integrate into the existing environment, therefore, when choosing the configuration and style of the structure, this must be taken into account.

Material number 1 for construction

Terrace board


If we build a terrace with our own hands, then we will have to deal with the choice of materials for its construction on our own. It is also necessary to calculate their number, which is determined by the area and other dimensions, the equipment of the future structure.

The ideal material for such a structure is wood, products from which fully retain all the advantages, but do not lose their shortcomings. Therefore, before a do-it-yourself veranda for the house or a summer open area on the site begins to be erected, it is necessary to carry out the mandatory treatment of lumber with antiseptic and water-repellent agents and fire retardants. Further decorative finishing with paints, varnishes, stains and other means can be performed only after that.

Wood could be an ideal material for such a construction, but its fragility does not allow this. But real natural beauty, with proper care, can please the owners for several decades. For construction, it is better to use hardwoods, which are distinguished by a beautiful warm pattern, or larch and cedar. Pine, due to its resinous and loose structure, is less preferred, especially for the manufacture of logs and flooring.

Ideal material for summer outdoor areas

Composite decking


For building a terrace with your own hands, artificial material made on the basis of a wood-polymer composite is more preferable, especially if the building is open, including when exposed to moisture and the sun. The terrace board or decking made from it has the advantages of wood, but is devoid of its disadvantages. In addition, products made of wood-polymer composite can be purchased not only for flooring, but also for arranging a log (beam) or finishing (various decorative elements).

Despite the fact that the cost of such material is higher than the average price of wood, it is quite justified to use it to build a terrace with your own hands. In this case, finishing costs are reduced - it does not require painting, processing, the material is durable, does not require special complex care to maintain a presentable appearance, and most importantly, it is easy to work with it, and use a special tool for installation.

Kreg Deck Jig Assembly Tool


It will be much faster and more accurate to build a veranda with your own hands, as well as laying the floor of a summer open area, if you purchase a special tool for laying a decking board - a Kreg Deck Jig installation device with which assembly will not take much time, even if it will be performed by a beginner.

The tool is made of durable composite material with additional fiberglass reinforcement. Its design features allow you to fasten even in hard-to-reach places. To increase the durability of the structures being erected, it is recommended to use hardware from this manufacturer, which have a durable anti-corrosion coating and are equipped with a cap of a special shape that prevents splitting of the material during twisting. Ease of use is added by the presence of a retaining ring, which provides drilling and screwing to a pre-adjusted depth.

Construction stages

Before you build a terrace with your own hands, you need to prepare its project, draw a sketch, according to which to determine the total amount of work to be done, depending on the type of future construction. But for all types, it is mandatory to install a lightweight foundation or foundation, laying flooring. For closed or roofed structures, the roof is installed and additional protective and decorative elements are installed: railings, window structures, and others.

In the case when a terrace is attached to the house with your own hands, it can be erected on a pre-prepared base, but if it is missing, you will need to make it. But it is important that the foundation for this easy extension in this case be independent.

Choosing the type of foundation for the terrace


You can opt for a columnar foundation, since it does not require the involvement of special equipment, it can be done independently, and the amount of earthwork is small. They are suitable for building a terrace and piles, which can also be mounted manually, but you will need the help of a friend.

It is quite possible to make a shallow strip base or use metal or concrete supports, but their installation involves the use of special equipment for driving into the ground. Similarly, it is possible to carry out work on the foundation and construction of a terrace with your own hands on a separate site, but in this case it is also possible to provide for the possibility of making a concrete base, especially for an object located near the pool.

If the question arises of how to make a terrace right on the ground, then you can limit yourself to a smaller amount of work. First, the construction site is cleared, the top layer of soil is removed from it, gravel or crushed stone is dumped (possible with sand), and for greater strength, a thin screed is poured on top. For the installation of flooring, laying directly on the ground is also allowed, but in this case, such a structure can be considered temporary, since its service life is limited, even if the wood is treated accordingly.

Installing a log for flooring


Summer recreation areas or do-it-yourself verandas attached to the house must have a reliable connection with the latter. And this role is assigned to the lags, which are laid on a base or a pre-prepared grillage and inserted into the prepared holes in the volume wall. Thus, a kind of strapping is obtained, which should be fixed with the help of anchor bolts. For free-standing structures, the logs should also be laid and fixed to the base and to each other using metal corners.

At the same time, it is imperative to check the quality of the processing of a wooden beam with antiseptic, hydrophobic and fire-resistant impregnations, paying special attention to the end parts. After laying the log, and if it is planned to install a fence or a frame for a closed building, proceed to the installation of these elements. If the structure is being built as an open terrace with your own hands, then the next step is laying the floorboards.

Making a terrace frame


In order to make the terrace closed, you will need to prepare a frame for its future walls. It can be made from both wooden beams and metal racks. The first option is more preferable, since it loads the structure less, in addition, it does not require the involvement of a specialist for welding. Installation begins with the installation of vertical racks, which must have a dressing in the lower and upper parts. If the structure is attached to a wooden house, then bolted joints or self-tapping screws can be used for fastening.

Ligation with a brick or stone building will require more effort: first, anchor fasteners must be mounted, and then ligation should be done with them.

After the installation of the frame, the construction of the terrace continues with the installation of fences, window structures and other elements provided for by the project. But if you need to figure out how to make a veranda with your own hands, then the general procedure is similar, but after installing the frame, you need to install the window sills to the planned height from the floor and start covering the walls. To do this, you can use wood products, for example, lining or other materials, including thermal insulation, if you plan to actively use the premises in winter.

Terrace roof


The question of how to make a do-it-yourself terrace with a roof can be solved in several ways. For outdoor areas, it is enough to provide places for attaching umbrellas that protect from the scorching sun. Closed objects will require a device of a special design, the simplest of which is a lightweight metal or wooden frame for stretching the awning. In this case, the roof can be either fixed or removable.

In order to equip a more durable and solid roof, it will be necessary to manufacture a frame, on which floor beams are subsequently attached, the cross section of which must be sufficient to withstand the selected roofing.

In the event that an attached open terrace is being built with your own hands, the photo of which conveys the airiness of such a design, the procedure will be as follows: a beam is attached to the wall for the length of the platform, and a second one is installed parallel to it from the outside on the racks. The first beam is attached to the wall with anchor bolts, and the outer ones are fixed to the supports using metal corners and self-tapping screws. Beams are installed on the timber, acting as rafters, and then a crate is mounted on them.

After that, you can proceed with the installation of roofing material, the choice of which is not limited, but several conditions will need to be taken into account. It is not recommended to use heavy roofing products, as they create a serious load on a lightweight structure. Be sure to take into account the architectural style of the house and the environment in order to prevent dissonance between them.

Polycarbonate terrace


For shaded areas, you can choose translucent materials, the most attractive of which is polycarbonate, presented in different colors, having a low weight, easy to install and inexpensive.

It is not forbidden to install glass structures, but their cost is high, especially if the construction area is large. In addition, they create a solid additional load on the bearing elements and have limited strength.

The thick main walls of the house serve as an excellent protection against bitter frosts, but in the summer, when the world around you is filled with greenery, sunlight and the chirping of birds, you really don’t want to hide behind them. However, constant stay on the street - in a hammock or on a garden bench - is not always convenient: there is no protection from gusts of wind, insects or unexpected rain. An ideal place for a summer pastime would be a terrace - an extension to the house, filled with light, air and the sounds of nature, but at the same time well equipped and protected from unwanted atmospheric phenomena. It will also come in handy in winter - as a vestibule or vestibule, preventing the penetration of cold into the house. How to build a terrace with your own hands, read on.

Terrace options for summer cottages

First of all, terraces can be divided into three types:

open buildings

An open terrace is an area attached to the house without a roof and walls. Elegant fencing made of stucco or hand forged, a sleeve built into the floor for installing an umbrella from the sun, simple lighting - all these elements can often be seen on outdoor terraces.

Partially covered

A terrace of this type may have a light canopy above it, which covers the entire area or only part of it. It is possible to have one or two walls made of light materials, or in the form of openwork structures entwined with plants, which serve as protection from the wind. What shutters exist on windows and how to install them is indicated in.

Closed

The closed terrace in the country house is already a full-fledged room with various equipment and furniture that can be used throughout the year.
In order for the closed terrace to be lighter, a large number of glazed openings are arranged in it. This applies not only to walls, but also to the roof, in which translucent lights are installed. There are also those that are just perfect for a country holiday.

Heavy and fragile glass is being actively replaced by more practical polycarbonate.

In addition to the affordable cost, the aesthetic qualities of this material play an important role, because it can be used to create curved surfaces of various colors. Also, tiles can be laid to the terrace, but which ones can be, the information on the link will help to understand.

Materials: wood, polycarbonate, stone

For each type of terraces, it will be appropriate to use materials of a certain group. So, for finishing open and partially covered areas, natural stone or its imitation is best suited. The advantage of this material is the combination of external beauty and resistance to climatic factors. Corrosion-insensitive plastic panels, aluminum and cast iron are quite suitable.

Closed-type terraces in most cases are light buildings, so they are preferred to be built according to the frame scheme. The most comfortable and environmentally friendly option is a wooden terrace, in which the frame elements are made of timber, and the lining is made of clapboard or chipboard. Wood is an affordable and easily processed material, but it is subject to decay, and therefore requires careful maintenance.
Often, the supporting elements of the frame are replaced with a steel profile, which has a much smaller cross section with higher strength.

If it is decided to make the walls of the terrace stone, as a rule, light building materials are used, for example, aerated concrete.

Building a terrace for a finished house with your own hands

If the terrace is provided for by the project of the house and is being built simultaneously with it, the homeowner does not have any questions. It is a different matter if the decision to build a terrace is made after the building has been erected. In such a situation, a number of nuances will have to be taken into account. Moreover, if you plan the construction of a one-story bath with a terrace, you will have to carefully calculate everything. All calculations for the construction of a one-story bath are available.

Country rest in the country is, first of all, the opportunity to breathe the fresh air of a garden or forest twenty hours a day. It is impossible to relax and at the same time be in a stuffy box of a country house, therefore, a summer resident who values ​​​​his health sooner or later equips a full-fledged summer terrace with an awning or a roof at the dacha with his own hands. Building a terrace with your own hands is much simpler than a gazebo or veranda, so arranging a special platform for a table and garden furniture, as a rule, will not require large investments, despite the fact that the effect will be quite impressive.

What is the secret of the terrace

Despite a certain external similarity between the veranda and the terrace, the purpose of these buildings is different, as, in fact, the sizes and designs differ. A veranda is a part of a house with closed walls, windows and a full roof. The terrace is a landscaped outdoor area for relaxing on a sunny day with a canopy, awning or awning. The difference is easier to understand if you look at a photo or drawing of a classic terrace.

When choosing a place and a way to build a terrace with your own hands, you can use the classic techniques for arranging a recreation area:

  • In close proximity to the house, using the platform and steps as a porch and platform in front of the entrance to the house;
  • Take it out as a separate platform and place it in a cozy, sunny and less ventilated place in the summer cottage. At the same time, a prerequisite is the arrangement of a path, stairs or steps, with which you can quickly get inside the house;
  • To build a special type of roof or ceiling for a terrace with your own hands, on which a recreation area will be located.

Important! It is clear that verandas and gazebos are not built this way, so any drawings and recommendations for the construction of terraces can be creatively processed, changing the dimensions according to your wishes. The main thing is that the design is comfortable, durable and safe to use.

The dimensions of terraced areas, as a rule, can be several times larger than the size of gazebos, and even more so, verandas. Almost always, the base of the site is built of wood or composite, raising the structure above the ground so that moisture and dampness do not affect the condition of the boardwalk.

Choose a device, design and dimensions

The terrace is a one-of-a-kind building designed not to create a shadow, but on the contrary, aimed at providing the possibility of a comfortable and safe stay in the sun. Therefore, when choosing a project and a site for the construction of a terrace with your own hands, drawings and dimensions, it is necessary to take into account the following features:

  1. In the construction of a site of any size, raised above the ground by more than 18-20 cm, there must be a fence and a railing for the terrace. For buildings that include several platforms located at different heights, intermediate steps and handrails are provided;
  2. Floors, railings and railings should be made of wood or a similar material, such as a polymer composite. The drawing must necessarily indicate the quality of wood processing and the type of coating applied - varnish or protective composition based on epoxy resins;
  3. In the presence of a canopy or awning, one edge of the roof must be attached to the main wall of the house, the second rests on stationary supports embedded in the ground to a depth of at least 40 cm with pouring a concrete blind area.

Important! Before choosing a diagram of how to make a terrace, it is important to choose the right material that best matches the design in the drawing.

The easiest way is to build a terrace at the corner junction of two walls of the house, as in the photo. In this case, we build a terrace and automatically get a platform in front of the entrance to the house.

Corner terrace design

The simplest option for a terrace would be to build a platform of wood on a primitive foundation of concrete blocks or slabs, as in the drawing. The corner arrangement provides protection of the terrace area from wind and rain from both sides, so there is no need for wind protection with polycarbonate sheets or wooden shields.

If necessary, you can install a fabric awning, curtain or canopy over the terrace, the dimensions of which will be limited only by the dimensions of the walls of the house. The disadvantages of the design include the fact that with an incorrect slope, a wooden platform can affect the distribution of rainwater, so the calculation and size of the slope of 3-4 ° must be immediately fixed on the terrace drawing. The size of the foundation supports for the flooring must be calculated according to the sketch or drawing, according to the measurements of the entrance opening above the ground level.

For a light frame structure of a terraced area, it will be enough to lay 12-15 concrete blocks or several dozen clinker tiles as a foundation. First you need to remove the top layer of soil, sprinkle with fine gravel, tamp and lay a sand cushion. The most difficult thing will be to withstand the size and thickness of the sand base so that the height of the foundation column or tile supports does not exceed the calculated value according to the drawing.

Geotextiles can be laid on the sand, which well prevents the growth of weeds and grass. To fill the floor of the terrace, experts recommend pre-tying the supports with a bar with laying log beams made of wood. But in this case, it is necessary to increase the vertical size of the terrace in height by 20-30 cm, which is not always convenient. In the simplest case, a beam measuring 60x60 mm is laid directly on the tile and fixed with pieces of reinforcement, hammering it directly into the ground.

The most difficult stage in the assembly of a budget terrace structure will be the sheathing of the flooring with boards. An oak or special deck board made of polypropylene and sawdust, 200x30 mm in size, is best suited.

Note! The appearance and dimensions of the composite material practically do not differ from the processed natural board. High resistance to moisture and absolute insensitivity to insects and pathogens make decking an excellent substitute for expensive oak wood.

When sheathing the frame of the site, it is necessary to carefully follow the recommendations for the installation of the decking given in the drawing. In a similar way, flooring can be made from ordinary boards pre-treated with an antiseptic.

Building a simple terrace on your own

The average size of the site is 4x2 m. We will install the wooden structure on wooden supports in a swinging pattern. Part of the terrace area will rest on pillars made of twin beams 120 cm long and 100x100 mm in size, the second part of the terrace will rest on the plank wall of the country house. Under the installation of the timber, we drill holes in the soil with a diameter of 90 mm and hammer the supports with a sledgehammer.

Further, the supports hammered into the ground must be tied with a flat board or a sheet of thick plywood, with a section size of 350x40 mm. When attaching the boards, it is necessary to additionally control the horizontal position of the strapping sheet.

We fasten the side strapping boards directly to the walls of a wooden house; in the supports, you will need to wash down for the installation of a longitudinal strapping board.

After assembling the strapping, transverse log beams are installed, 2.5 m in size with a section of 100x40 mm, which will increase the rigidity of the base of the terrace area and at the same time serve as a support for the flooring of the floorboards.

At the next stage, the terrace fence is assembled. Grooves are cut along the outer contour of the site in the floorboards, after which, as in the drawing, the supports under the railing are nailed. A vertical bar or board measuring 100x50 mm, 120 cm high is attached to the bottom strapping board using self-tapping screws. A groove for the crossbars is sawn from the inside of the uprights, after which the lower bar and handrails of the terrace area are installed.

Diagonal struts are stuffed between the posts, increasing the strength of the entire fence structure.

Conclusion

The above terrace design is simple and affordable for do-it-yourself construction. If desired, a small fabric awning or a full-fledged canopy made of polycarbonate or light ondulin can be installed above the terrace area. A wooden structure must be treated with protective antiseptics, and the floor must be periodically treated with wax or paraffin mastics.

The opportunity to be at home and at the same time on the street, enjoy the surrounding nature and not get wet in the rain, sunbathe and barbecue, arrange a winter garden, relax with the whole family - all these desires become feasible thanks to the ancient invention of architects, which is still popular today. Even to the finished house, you can attach a terrace with your own hands without spending a lot of money.

What is a terrace, its types

A platform near a house or in a garden, equipped for a comfortable stay, as a rule, adjacent to one of the walls of the house, traditionally raised above ground level, with flooring and a canopy - this is the standard definition of a terrace. In fact, there are many types of terraces. To choose the right option for your site, you should understand the differences and intricacies of different types of these sites.

Type

The division into main groups is done according to the design features and the degree of openness, as well as the location on the site. The choice of site type is influenced by the purpose and environmental conditions, for example, strong winds or the presence of a reservoir.

open

For a mild climate and if you want to relax in the fresh air, the outdoor terrace is perfect. It is made without walls and a roof, which allows you to enjoy the closeness of nature. For privacy on such a site, you can place tall plants or decorative elements, make a glass fence, mount balusters and railings.

The sun's rays and precipitation will fall on furniture and other interior elements, so it is better to choose sofas and armchairs from a material that is not damaged by water and does not fade.

For the winter, it is better to clean interior items in the house

semi-open

Today is a sunny day and I want an open area, and in the evening it will rain and get colder. In this case, a good solution would be a compromise between a covered veranda protected from all sides and a terrace open to the sun and fresh air. Semi-open options are without a roof, but surrounded by walls and with a canopy in combination with a different number of walls and partitions, columns.

The most advanced version of such a private recreation area is a structure with sliding glass or plastic walls and a canopy. When conditions change, you can close the shutters and find yourself in a room completely protected from the weather.

If you want to isolate yourself from immodest looks, then you can use curtains and curtains, put pots with indoor plants, hang flower pots, plant a hedge around

Closed

If the weather conditions in the region are difficult and often change, then the best solution would be to build a covered terrace where you can relax and enjoy the countryside landscape even in winter. This is a whole room with walls and ceiling, a canopy or roof, it can be heated and has a separate entrance from the street or from the house.

Winter gardens are often arranged in a closed terrace, and in order to make the site more open in summer, sliding frames and walls are installed.

By location

The terrace can be located in the depths of the garden, by the pond or pool, adjacent to the house. Depending on the location, recreation areas have their own design features and nuances of decoration and lighting.

Ground

A beautiful area in the garden can be arranged directly on the ground, having carried out preparatory work to strengthen and level the base for the terrace. A light canopy will shade and create privacy, wicker furniture will provide comfort, and garden plants and flowers around will give aroma and merging with nature.

To protect the terrace from the wind, you can install light partitions

Benefits of ground construction:

  • ease and speed of construction;
  • minimum financial costs;
  • open space and closeness to nature.

Among the minuses can be noted:

  • exposure to bad weather, the possibility of flooding;
  • the need to treat materials with antiseptics;
  • not recommended for unstable and complex soils;
  • need a level ground.

Ground

These floorings are slightly raised above the ground, they are mounted on logs or a concrete base. The finishing material for flooring is traditionally decking, which looks great and does not rot, has no splinters, is safe and pleasant to walk barefoot.

Advantages of ground sites:

  • can be both open and closed or combined;
  • small financial costs;
  • the flooring protects from water and dust;
  • great opportunities for design and decoration;
  • does not require fencing due to its low height.

There are also relative disadvantages:

  • the need to equip the foundation;
  • wooden parts require special processing.

The decking of the terrace should be 5 cm below the level of the threshold of the house so that melting snow and rain do not get into the room

Exalted

Such terraces are raised above ground level to a height of half a meter, have steps, fences or walls, partitions. This is the best solution for difficult terrain and sloping sites, houses with a high basement and porch, if you want to build a multi-level zone for a comfortable stay. The advantages of this terrace are:

  • the possibility of useful use of space with a slope or height differences;
  • the possibility of building multi-stage complex structures.

overhanging

If there is a natural reservoir, a pool or a pond near the estate, then the construction of an overhanging terrace would be a good solution. It is also recommended for difficult terrain and a large slope near the house. Overhanging structures are very popular in mountain resort areas and estates with beautiful views. Advantages of an overhanging terrace:

  • allows you to enjoy the proximity of water;
  • the possibility of useful use of areas with difficult terrain;
  • stunning view, the site seems to be floating in the air.

The disadvantages of the overhanging structure are the complexity of construction and the significant cost of the estimate, the need for fencing for safe rest

What can be built from

Various materials are used for the construction, the choice depends on the purpose and the presence of walls and roofs. For heavy structural elements, a stronger frame and a solid foundation will be required. On the market you can find special weather-resistant and expensive materials for outdoor use, and with a limited budget, use improvised and cheap ones.

Base and floor

For light open ground and soil galleries, it is enough to make a gravel-sand cushion. During its construction, gravel or crushed stone of medium fraction and sand are used, and geotextiles are laid between these layers. The geotextile will prevent sand from mixing with crushed stone and subsidence of the base, as well as strengthen and level the soil and prevent weeds from germinating on the terrace.

More solid wooden platforms are traditionally built on a base of metal screw piles, concrete supports, screeds and bottom trim made of wooden beams and logs.

For closed massive structures with a roof, the following types of foundation are suitable:

  • tape;
  • pile;
  • screw.

A tape and pile view is made of M-300 grade concrete, sand, water and a plasticizer, which is liquid soap. Reinforcement is carried out using a rod, metal mesh or improvised materials. When installing the formwork, you will need boards and bars for props, and the installation of piles involves the use of roofing material with fixed formwork and waterproofing.

The screw foundation is mounted from steel piles with blades at the bottom

The floor of the dirt terrace is not laid at all, furniture is arranged and enjoy the rest in good weather. You can lay out the site:

  • paving slabs;
  • tiled stone;
  • sprinkle with small sea pebbles of different colors.

A strapping is mounted on top of any foundation and logs are laid from a bar measuring 50x150 mm, an aluminum profile or a WPC for decking.

It is recommended to finish the flooring with a terrace board specially invented for the street. It looks neat and imitates natural wood of valuable and expensive varieties, has a rich palette of textures and shades, and provides ample opportunities for stylish design of a recreation area.

To fasten the deck board, you need to take galvanized or steel nails.

The advantages of this material:

  • does not rot, does not fade, does not burn;
  • does not deform under the influence of water and heat: does not warp or swell;
  • the service life is at least 30 years;
  • absolutely environmentally friendly and safe, it is pleasant to walk on it barefoot;
  • affordable price, ease of installation;
  • can be washed and cleaned with detergents.

Ordinary floor board is also used for flooring. Wood is inexpensive, this is its plus, but there are also disadvantages:

  • under the influence of moisture, fungus and mold form on it, insects start, dark spots appear, then the wood is destroyed;
  • boards are deformed from water, and dry out from dry air;
  • fire hazard.

To make it last longer, you should treat the board with antiseptic impregnation and cover it with several layers of weather-resistant or yacht varnish, and also choose rocks that are resistant to outdoor conditions, for example, larch.

Clinker or ceramic tiles for outdoor work, natural stone look great on the terrace. It is advisable to choose unglazed and non-slip coating options. Stamped concrete is an innovative material consisting of monolithic concrete, printed with polyurethane molds to form various textures on its surface.

Stamped concrete imitates wood, stone, pavers, ceramics

frame

The frame is the basis for the roof and future walls of the closed terrace, it carries the main weight load, therefore, for the strength of the frame, either a thick wooden beam or a metal profile is chosen. For lightweight sites, metal-plastic structures can be used.

Processing of wooden parts is carried out with fungicidal impregnation and varnish or paint for outdoor use

The standard size of the timber for the support posts is 100x100 mm or 150x150 mm, from the species you should choose larch or oak, coniferous. Aspen, birch or beech are not suitable for building a frame, as they are quickly destroyed by water. The support posts are reinforced with braces, which reduce the load on the supports and give the structure additional rigidity and stability. For these works, a bar with dimensions of 50x100 mm is taken.

canopy

Often a lightweight canopy is made on the terrace. It can be made of tarpaulin or other waterproof fabric, polycarbonate, wood, glass. The canopy is mounted even or with slopes, semicircular shape, complex configuration. During the construction of massive verandas, you will need support posts 150x150 mm, a truss system made of wood or metal and rolled waterproofing, as well as roofing material.

Soft roofing requires a continuous sheathing, it is used for domed roofs and tents

Polycarbonate is suitable as a roofing material. It is light, transparent, tolerates low temperatures well, can take a curved shape. Decking is inexpensive and easy to install.

Partitions

For a semi-open and closed area, it is necessary to install partitions and walls that will create privacy and protect from bad weather. Most often they are made of wood, they are solid and carved, in the form of lattices or low. With the help of partitions, the site is zoned into several corners with different purposes, for example, a summer kitchen and a dining area are separated from a recreation area.

Covered terraces look great with full-height glass walls that are equipped with sliding mechanisms to open on a fine day

How to make a terrace with your own hands

Building a terrace with your own hands will not take much time and is quite within the power of even a novice master.

Drawings and projects

If the main building has already been built and the terrace was not included in the project initially, you can design it later by drawing a detailed plan indicating all sizes and location on the site.

The owners of ready-made terraces post projects of their creations for general use on the Internet

If the terrace is attached to the house, then the length of the area adjoining the house is taken as the length

The floor area is determined by multiplying the length by the width. For example, for a terrace with dimensions of 3x4 m, the area will be 12 m². Layout and construction rules:

  1. Decking consumption for finishing should be increased by 15%, making a reserve for waste. We round up 13.8 m² to 14 and get the consumption of decking or other finishing material.
  2. The consumption of fasteners per 1 m² will be 22 clips and 4 starting fasteners per 1 linear meter. m. Each fastener has a hole for a self-tapping screw. Thus, for 12 m², you need to take 240 clips and 24 starting, 264 self-tapping screws.
  3. Along the perimeter of the finished flooring, the ends of the boards are closed with an end tape or a corner. The perimeter is 14 m.
  4. For the base, you will need 3 main beams of 3 m each, logs that are laid in increments of 35 cm, for 1 m² you will need to take 3 running meters of log. The standard log length from the manufacturer is 4 m. With an area of ​​​​12 m², you will need to buy 9 logs of 4 m in length. In addition, crushed stone, sand, concrete supports are required.
  5. Concrete pillars are dug in or poured to a depth of 40 to 60 cm every 1.5 m. The size of the supports is 40x40 cm, 9 supports are needed.
  6. The height of the terrace should be slightly less than the height of the first floor of the main building in order to be able to slope under the canopy. With a house height of 3 m, the height of the terrace will be 2.5 m.
  7. We count the support posts of the frame on the support blocks along the perimeter of the site, we get 8 racks of 2.5 m each. 16 m of timber 50x100 mm will go to the braces on both sides of each rack.
  8. Shed roofs cover spans up to 4.5 m, with a longer length it is necessary to reinforce the structure with girders and rafter legs. The step between the rafters from the boards should be 60–120 cm, from the timber 100–175 cm, from the thick timber 150–200 cm. With a step of 80 cm, you will need 5 rafters 3.5 m long and 50x200 mm in size, waterproofing 12m² plus margin for an overhanging visor, a total of 14 m².
  9. For the crate, boards of 25x100 mm are needed. Roofing material must be taken with a margin for the visor, which will be 14 m².

Wooden with a canopy

The project has been selected, the drawing is there, now you can start construction work. Consider, for example, all the stages of installing a wooden terrace with a canopy, one of the most affordable and popular options.

For construction, the following tools and consumables should be prepared:

  • tape measure, level, pencil, ruler;
  • shovel, hammer, hacksaw;
  • sand, gravel, water;
  • fasteners, screwdriver, drill with nozzles;
  • timber, waterproofing, roofing material, boards;
  • decking and accessories to it;
  • antiseptic impregnation, varnish or paint for outdoor use.

Substrate and floor preparation

Stages of preparatory work:

  1. The site is marked out according to the scheme, the perimeter is outlined, the places of the supporting blocks are marked. The top fertile soil layer is removed. Stones and debris are removed. Pits are dug under the supporting blocks, sand and gravel are poured to the bottom.

    The layer of gravel and sand in the pit should be 10 cm

  2. Ready-made supports are installed on the pillow, they should protrude 15 cm above the surface to ventilate the flooring. For waterproofing, they are coated with bituminous mortar and wrapped with roofing material. You can make a fixed formwork from roofing felt and pour concrete pillars. The support bar is mounted horizontally to the wall of the house 5 cm below the floor level.

    The beam is fixed with anchor bolts every 60 cm

  3. Beams are installed and fixed on the supports with reinforcement and fasteners, all junctions are waterproofed, logs are placed on top, attached to the support beam and beams, the strapping is knocked down.
  4. A terraced or ordinary floorboard is laid and fastened across the log.

    The ends of the terrace board are closed with corners

  5. The floorboard is polished and impregnated with stain and antiseptic, varnished in several layers.

Frame erection


canopy

For a wooden terrace attached to the house, the best solution would be a shed roof with a slope of 5-10º. Installation includes the following steps:


Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate has flexibility, transparency and lightness, is available in various shades, and is durable. Due to these qualities, it is often used for terrace construction, where it is an excellent alternative to wood and metal.

Polycarbonate is easily and quickly mounted by hand

Necessary materials and tools

To work, the master will need:

  • shovel, tape measure, level;
  • crushed stone, sand, concrete M-300, water;
  • wood or metal for the frame: profile pipe 80x80 for the main racks, 40x20 for the truss, embedded parts for the base;
  • polycarbonate transparent or matte;
  • welding machine;
  • fasteners: bolts, nuts, hardware;
  • drill, screwdriver, circular saw, construction knife.

Substrate and floor preparation

For lightweight polycarbonate, a metal frame and a columnar base are sufficient. Installation is carried out as follows:


Frame erection

Stages of work:


Canopy and walls

If the terrace is planned to be open, then it is enough to make a fence to the desired height. For a semi-open and closed recreation area, walls, partitions and a canopy are mounted. Work order:


Video: building a wooden terrace

Photo gallery: arrangement and decor of the terrace

It is beneficial to expand the usable space and equip a recreation area near the house with your own hands is easy and inexpensive. The result is a comfortable living room or dining room in the fresh air, in which the whole family will be happy to spend fine summer days.

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