There is no doubt that a terrace is a plus, an added value for any home, both functionally and aesthetically.
However, this place designed to enjoy the outdoors, family, friends and, of course, moments of recollection and meditation, can become a wasted space. On many occasions, the lack of space inside the home, together with the accumulation of objects of little use, inclement weather or even the low maintenance required to have the terrace ready, are some of the reasons that relegate it to a secondary level. These and other reasons make us consider closing our terrace.
On the other hand, security, privacy, energy efficiency, as well as greater acoustic insulation, are other added reasons for making such a decision.
Questions prior to the perfect terrace
Before going fully into how to close terrace ideas, there are a couple of aspects that we must take into account before closing the terrace.
What are we looking for?
Broadly speaking, there may be two reasons for wanting to close the terrace.
One is simply to add a few square meters to the house, being able to enjoy one more stay. In this case, I would personally integrate it “with all the consequences”, that is, I would close it off with large windows. This has its advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is better thermal and acoustic insulation, without sacrificing light.
The drawback, the impossibility of enjoying open spaces during the warmer months.
The other reason may be the desire to enjoy 100% of our terrace throughout the year. In this case we can choose between different options that we will see below.
What design and functionality do we want?
At this point we must decide what type of enclosure we want. Sliding, folding, folding windows, fixed roof, sliding roof, etc.
The most used materials for this type of structures are aluminium, PVC, steel and wood.
The latter is one of the materials that provide greater warmth, elegance and beauty. But it is also one of the most expensive, not to mention the periodic maintenance it requires.
Steel also has the handicap of a higher price.
The cheapest material and, therefore, the most used is aluminium. In addition, this type of profile has a wide range of colors, integrating perfectly with practically any type of façade.
Whatever the materials we choose, we must install double-glazed glass with an air chamber, to guarantee proper insulation.
In areas with hotter climates, the use of low-emissivity glass and solar control is advisable.
Types of enclosures for terraces
For all of the above, below we will see some of the most efficient options that we have within our reach to transform our terrace into a perfect terrace.
Within the enclosure assembly, there are two well-differentiated parts. The roof and the vertical enclosure.
types of roofs
Here we find fixed roof systems, mobile roofs and bioclimatic pergolas.
Fixed ceilings
For the material of the fixed roof we can choose between glass, sandwich panel and cellular polycarbonate.
The fixed roof is a more compact system with which we will see below.
mobile roofs
The material itself is the same as the previous type, that is, the mobile roofs are made of laminated glass panels, sandwich panels or cellular polycarbonate, mounted on rails.
The advantage of this type of roof is that we make the most of the weather. With the roof closed we protect ourselves from the cold, the air, the rain and the extreme sun. With the roof open we enjoy soft sun and fresh air.
bioclimatic pergolas
The structure of the bioclimatic pergola is similar to that of the traditional pergola, but the difference between the two lies in its cover.
While the traditional usually has an awning. The bioclimatic has a system of adjustable slats that provides maximum convenience and comfort, thanks to the optimization of natural resources, controlling the amount of sun and air that we want to let in. In addition we can also direct the light where we need.
The bioclimatic pergola is a solution that is halfway between the traditional awning and porch. When the slats are in a horizontal position, they provide protection against rain and snow.
In addition to having a manual system, we can find it automatic thanks to the sensors and automatisms that it incorporates.
Types of vertical enclosures
Although enclosures with aluminum or PVC structures are in high demand, we want to focus on another option: glass curtains.
The glass curtains are made up of glass panels without any type of vertical profiling, which makes them practically invisible and allows us to enjoy 100% obstacle-free views.
Depending on how the leaves move, and how they look when they are open, different systems can be differentiated.
the of slide, whose load goes directly to the ground. It is indicated for high enclosures such as, for example, closing a porch.
the glass curtain without bottom guidewhich is especially suitable for restaurant and hotel establishments.
And the flip-up slider, the load is hung from the upper rail. Ideal for terraces with half-height masonry enclosure.
And you? What type of enclosure do you choose for your perfect terrace?
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