For lack of spaces in the home or for a better use, the enclosure of terraces or balconies is always an alternative interesting in order to expand the useful space of the house and that Of course it can bring us some benefits substantial.
From a functional point of view it is appropriate to be able to add meters to the house, but before facing the reform it is better deeply analyze whether it is worth it, taking into account that enclosures are generally expensive, so you have to make an evaluation of different aspects and even the possible price – benefits or advantages when closing a deal terrace at home, as well as some negative aspects that we should take into account.
Apart from the utility, remember that you are looking for a result end of comfort for the house where different aspects in the enclosure of terraces such as: Trying to maintain a suitable temperature, use and determine the materials that are most convenient, the distribution of light, works... etc.
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Although technology offers us new materials or actually the enclosure of a structure can be combined with any type of traditional joinery that runs on plays. In a generic way we can define what There are types of enclosures for terraces that allow to adapt:
Obviously we don't want to be too hot in summer not too cold in winter. Here come into play a series of aspects to avoid such as air leaks, Avoid at all costs thermal losses, control the entrance of sun rays...etc, which will depend on the type of carpentry that we use when covering a terrace .
These are aspects that influence a lot depending on the type enclosure – carpentry that we are going to install in the terrace and that of course will also affect our electric bill.
The following figure shows the difference between the optimum and ideal thermal insulation:
Wood or plastic aside, the reason why that an exterior enclosure becomes more expensive is precisely because of the materials used in the execution.
Aluminum and PVC in carpentry are the most used they use when we close a balcony ,
This is where the glass of the frame comes into play. jointly they will be in charge of contributing what you read in benefit of comfort and well-being. So the ability to insulation what we can achieve on the terrace will be given by the following formula:
The factors that influence energy savings in the carpentry of a terrace when dealing with aluminum or PVC enclosures according to the framework that will be determined the insulation of the window and what we should consider they are:
Sometimes, we only think of a good profile but the glass It influences a lot, be it a balcony, patio, terrace, etc. Allows us increase the thermal resistance offered by the window, in addition to increase its acoustic insulation. In a home, since it more relevant is conserving heat (in most climates), the lower the thermal transmittance of the window, the better.
The following are some of the interventions that provide improvements in thermal performance on the houses:
PVC is slightly more expensive than aluminum to install in home. The latter are more versatile in terms of colors with respect to PVC. The enclosure of aluminum allows narrower profiles than PVC so there is more gain of natural light.
We also have to take into account the location, it is not the itself a enclosure in Madrid that is more cold, than in coastal areas like Valencia or hotter areas like Seville. As a rule, the colder it is, the more we will have to spend on carpentry and insulation, thus the budget to close a terrace will rise increasing the price of the project to hire.
As for wood, they are made, but to a much lesser extent scale because it becomes more expensive for the home. For a start, they have to be high quality woods, to which are added the treatments that must be done to resist the weather.
This can raise up to 40% the costs with respect to the previously mentioned solutions. Undoubtedly the wood is a noble and warm material, that both PVC and aluminium, they can't brag.
Wood cladding for exteriors are normally we delegated more to pergola structures due to an improvement in the esthetic. We have a whole article dealing with porches and wooden pergolas in gardens that will be useful.
One solution that you can opt for is to make a enclosure of aluminum to the outside and wood towards the interior with which the advantages of warmth of the wood and resistance to the exterior of the aluminum .
You have to remember some aspects when it comes to knowing how to close a small or large terrace , even if it is practicing it yourself at home, with professionals or in a more expensive or cheaper way.
Previously we have already seen the more technical aspects from the perspective of carpentry, now it is time to emphasize some ideas and advice before closing a balcony or terrace that we should not forget:
I think it is not necessary to remember that whenever we go to practicing a work on a terrace or balcony , we must request the licenses and permits pertinent to the administration. I can assure you that everything is legal, you will sleep peacefully Complaints are not cheap and at end the small work could become a headache quite big, be careful!.
The documentation to present for the licence of works on terraces in a house depends on the intended type of work (the installation of a pergola that completely cover a terrace by means of work) so for a greater concretion it is necessary consult the municipal technical services.
In homes that are in buildings with several neighbors, before we should ask the community for permission to undertake the works and remember, ask if they exist technical specifications when closing the balcony. In many cases the color of the carpentry is assigned, color of awnings... etc, so that they are in coherence with the façade of the building.
Sometimes we forget that when we execute the work of a terrace there may be elements that obstruct how a ventilation or air conditioning installation, drains, electricity installations or even some water pipes.
A piece of advice, the subject of how to close a terrace in a cheap and with cheap materials, in the end, it will be throwing away the money in the long run. It's worth it, wait and have a adequate budget.
This circumstance will harm or benefit us according to the orientation, that is, the South orientation is perfect for the winter (we are talking about Spain), we have a greater accumulation of natural heat but in summer it is possible that the terrace resembles a greenhouse. The North layout is much colder (We are talking about Spain) where should we use stronger insulating systems and more appropriate.
Orientation scheme and its energy cost (For Spain):
Let's remember that with more sun in winter, less expenses electrical and even, we can cover the patio or space outdoors with a slightly more economical without opting for the "top" in insulation.
Obviously we all want a gazebo, a nice balcony, or a terrace that are adequately insulated but that between a lot of light We should not only take into account issues of glazing with different types of glass used in windows for the entry of light, there are other aspects to consider.
The terrace cover is the part that it is more exposed to the weather and to the rays of light. Careful with the glazed enclosures on the deck , keep in mind note that we should protect ourselves with curtains or blinds that should be neutral colors to prevent a modification of the environmental color.
In the lateral enclosures for the best For light to enter, glass curtains can be used.
In the end, we practice the extension of a house to also have more space, so the separation between the housing and the new enclosure of the terrace should be practiced with large windows for a better entry of light or few elements that hinder the access.
Obviously the decoration should also go in concordance if we want to create spaces with harmony when we cover a sunny area to insulate it from the elements of time . So that the space that is added to the housing after the reform does not remain as a filler, it is important that the decoration of this is a whole with the rest of the house.
The carpentry is the first thing that should be right incorporated into the decoration of the house . If the interior doors are made of wood, ideally, for less, inside the enclosure is also.
When making a reform it is possible that the floor cannot be the same as the one in the rest of the room. In this case it can be concealed, for example, with rugs or mats, and even with wood that always works well and brings warmth.
