Many private houses, as well as summer cottages, have open-air verandas and gazebos. To make them comfortable to use during the cold winter period, as well as in the summer, you can use soft PVC windows. They are perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Soft glazing of verandas and terraces is a simple and economical solution.
For soft glazing you only need a frame Source obrawa.ru
Functional and original solution - flexible windows for a gazebo
Soft windows, being a functional accessory, make your vacation more comfortable. They have many advantages:
- high quality;
- increased density;
- environmental friendliness.
They are also durable and not susceptible to fungi and mold, and are also safe for health.
For soft windows, both transparent material and opaque multi-colored material impregnated with acrylic can be used. To improve the appearance, colored edging is applied to the structure. You can also print on the film if desired.
Step-by-step manufacturing instructions
To manufacture and install soft windows with your own hands, you need to complete the following technological map (using the example of installation using the “loop-belt” method):
Before making a window, a flat and smooth horizontal surface is prepared.- A roll of PVC film is rolled out on a flat surface. If the work is carried out on site, all stones or other objects with sharp edges that could damage the material should be removed from the assembly area in advance.
- The surface of the material is marked and marked with a marker. Each cutting line must be clearly outlined on a ruler, without distortion.
- After marking, you should check the orthogonality of the corners, which may be distorted due to the soft material.
- Parallel to the marking, the overlap line necessary to create the edging is marked and applied.
- The film is carefully cut strictly along the marking lines, observing overlaps, using scissors or a construction knife.
- An edging is folded along the perimeter of the product, which is pressed against the main plane of the film and covered with a cloth or sheet of paper.
- The edging is fixed using an iron or a special device - a tinker.
- Eyelets are punched along the entire perimeter of the two-layer structure, which should be installed using a construction stapler. The device, which can be purchased at a hardware store, comes with special reinforcing rings made of brass or other metal that is not susceptible to corrosion.
- The eyelets must be placed in such a way that on each side of the future soft window the first hole is no further than 50 mm from the corner.
- Along the entire perimeter of the opening, on the outside, staples are mounted, which can be purchased ready-made, or bent independently from metal plates after cutting them, using a rigid steel rod and a hammer.
- First of all, the upper part of the window structure is fixed, after which the craftsman should wait from 1 to 3 days for the material to completely straighten under the influence of gravitational forces.
- At the last stage, using grommets and a belt, the side and bottom parts of the window structure are attached.
- If you are installing a window on a finished frame, you must first cut and assemble the framing structure on a horizontal plane, and then fix the material onto the clamping strips using furniture nails.
When stretching a PVC sheet, it is necessary to control the force, since too much tension can cause the formation of cracks in the entire structure, followed by its rupture due to temperature changes.
Video instructions for creating windows:
What are soft PVC windows for gazebos and terraces
A flexible window is a special film that is a replacement for modern double-glazed windows. It is made from lavsan and is additionally treated with liquid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which gives it thermal insulation properties. This product has a number of other names: soft windows, liquid, transparent, tension, street curtains.
Soft windows will quickly turn an open terrace into a closed veranda Source softglass.ru
Find areas where cold air is passing through
First, you need to determine where the areas are where cold air penetrates. To do this, you will need an incense stick, candle or any other source of smoke. You need to hold it near the window. This way you will be able to locate the leak.
To insulate the window, use a special sealing compound.
Advantageous characteristics of PVC windows
Flexible windows, which are becoming increasingly popular, have a number of advantages. Among them are the following properties:
- Strength. These products can be used many times.
- Safety. Soft glazing protects against the penetration of ultraviolet rays and does not ignite. And they are also impossible to break.
Soft windows are not afraid of a soccer ball Source tent-prof.ru
- High wear resistance. They are made of dense and flexible material that does not tear or fray. This allows the product to serve for many years.
- Waterproof. The quality of the material protects against the penetration of rain, snow, and hail. It is resistant to rot and mold.
- Landscape view. Soft windows allow you to enjoy the beauty of nature.
- Thermal insulation. The products are able to retain heat during cold periods.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the construction of small architectural forms.
Is it possible to do it yourself?
Every summer resident who has the necessary material at hand, a set of simple tools and little experience working with polymer windows can make a soft PVC product with their own hands.
As a rule, soft windows made of plastic film are installed in the following types of premises in private residential buildings, and, in some cases, apartments:
Freestanding gazebos.- Terraces attached to a residential building that do not have fixed window structures.
- Verandas, if this room was originally planned as an open usable space.
- Balconies and loggias in residential buildings, provided that the owners want to cover the cold rooms of their apartment or house only during rainfall.
- Porches of residential buildings, if the size of the space allows them to be used not only as an entrance group.
- Temporary awnings, tents and other collapsible structures.
- Street cafes, extensions to restaurants that operate in the summer.
- Open rest rooms in separate baths.
- Outdoor shower, in the absence of a centralized bathroom in the house.
Soft PVC windows do not in any way protect people under a canopy or in an open room from the cold, since they do not have an air gap. Enclosing structures protect the premises only from moisture, dust from the street and gusty winds.
Film for soft windows
The film used for soft windows is flexible, as well as structurally dense. Its thickness comes in two types:
- 500 microns. Can only withstand temperatures down to -20. Therefore, it is not particularly recommended for use in cities located in the central part of Russia
- 700 microns. It is the most practical and reliable option. It can withstand temperatures reaching -33.
Dense soft windows with a film thickness of 700 microns can be used in winter Source pel.gixekut.ru.net
Both types differ in the following qualities:
- Tensile strength;
- Translucency;
- Environmentally friendly;
- Protect from ultraviolet rays.
Soft glazing has a edging, the width of which is 5 cm. It is made of a material such as Oxford 600 PVC. This material belongs to the washable category and looks very attractive.
In structures with a width of about 1.4 meters, the films are soldered together. This becomes possible thanks to a hot stream of air, which is directed to the place of the necessary soldering. The resulting seam is about 3 cm wide.
Approximate costs
To create PVC windows with your own hands, the craftsman will need the material listed above. Below are the average prices for these products :
PVC film 500 microns – from 100-150 rub./m2.- PVC film 700 microns - from 200-250 rub./m2.
- Ready-made kit for installing a soft PVC window - from 0.8-1.0 thousand rubles/m2, from 2 thousand rubles. for a complete set with dimensions 1.5 x 1.5 m, brackets and belts.
- Belts and brackets included - from 300-500 rubles. for 1 set of 20 units.
- Straps for fixing with a buckle, canvas - from 80 rubles. for a unit.
Prices may vary slightly depending on the brand and the internal policy of the outlet.
Soft windows for gazebos and terraces - nuances
The shelf life of the film used for soft windows is long, 7-10 years. This is its advantageous difference from other similar materials, which within a year begin to lose their properties.
Soft windows for gazebos retain their original appearance for many years Source prostirco.com.ua
Flexible windows are suitable at any time of the year and protect the gazebo from wind, snow, hail, sun and rain.
In winter, you can install a heater. The thermal insulation properties of flexible windows allow you to retain heat.
Another advantage of this design is the ability to withstand temperature contrasts from -30 to +70 ° C and the ability to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscape at the dacha.
Features of caring for soft windows
Caring for soft windows is simple and requires no special detergents. A soap solution is used to clean them. For convenience, you can use a regular garden hose with a diffuser for watering.
The fabric used for edging (Oxford) is also cleaned with soap. In this case, you can use a soft clothes brush. Small areas and those places that are difficult to reach can be washed using a soft sponge.
They must be cleaned periodically, without getting too dirty, since in this case you will have to use stronger detergents and harsh brushing, which can damage the film.
To wash soft windows, a damp cloth is enough Source yunatex21.ru
Installing a transparent roof
You can install the transparent roof of your choice on the prepared frame. Lathing will help add additional strength to the roof structure. To reduce light loss, it is better to make it from wooden blocks with a cross-section of 30x40 mm.
If you choose double-glazed windows, it is better to entrust the process of installing a transparent roof to professionals. An error in calculating the required thickness of the base can lead to the destruction of the roof even under its own weight, which is dangerous from the point of view of injury to household members. The rest of the roofs are well attached to the wooden sheathing with special self-tapping screws with a large head.
Thus, we examined the technology for self-manufacturing a terrace with a transparent roof on a wooden frame. The main characteristics of roofing materials with high light transmittance were given, and their positive and negative aspects were considered.
Types of fastenings and accessories
Special elements are used for fastening:
- Nickel and brass locks. They are used for products with a width of no more than 2 m.
- Stainless steel swivel bracket. Forms a strong fastening and is used on curtains whose width reaches 5 m.
- Nickel swivel spring clamp. Installed on structures whose width exceeds 5 m.
- Straps with silicone bracket. In this case, adjustable fasteners are used. This is an inexpensive way.
- Sliding mechanism. It has a frame roller system and is the most attractive mounting method.
Fastening process
A special base is installed on the opening and the film is tensioned using self-tapping screws through a fastener (selected at the request of the customer).
During the installation process, the curtains may have irregularities, which are then leveled out, becoming mirror-smooth.
Installation of PVC windows is quick Source ko.decorexpro.com
Accessories
The list of main accessories used includes:
- Eyelets. They come in two types - rotatable and tucked with a strap.
- Edging. There is a wide choice of colors, which can give your veranda or terrace a more stylish look.
- Lightning. It is used as a mechanism that opens and closes soft windows. It is distinguished by quality, convenience and reliability.
- Anther. Protects from dust. Suitable for buildings with low foundations.
- Mosquito net. It has small cells, thanks to which there is free circulation of air in the structure and protects against insects.
With soft windows, it is advisable to install appropriate doors with magnets, which slam shut on their own and do not allow mosquitoes and other insects into the veranda Source pinterest.de
How to measure correctly?
The quality result of the manufacture and installation of soft plastic windows largely depends on the measurement of the opening. When determining the actual dimensions of the window, you must adhere to the following algorithm :
- A square or rectangular window should be measured at least at 3 points - at the corners and in the center of the opening.
- If one of the dimensions exceeds 1500 mm, the measurement line is divided into several segments so that the distance between them does not exceed 600 - 700 mm.
- When measuring a triangular or trapezoidal attic window, it is necessary to divide the opening into several simple shapes - a triangle and a square (rectangle).
- When taking measurements from a non-standard opening, you should not use a protractor, since it is enough to determine the lengths of all sides along the perimeter of the structure, as well as the height - the perpendicular lowered from the top of the upper corner to the base. When transferring these lines onto film, the angle is formed automatically.
- To measure a round or semicircular arched window, it is enough to determine the radius or diameter, and then substitute the value into the standard geometry formula 2pr, which means the circumference. Thus, the semicircle will be half of this value.
- When measuring a pointed arch or other original configuration, you will need to divide the space to be filled into many simple figures, or prepare a stencil from a lower-quality film for subsequent outlining of the opening configuration.
When cutting the material after marking, the craftsman should take into account the size of the bends with which the edging is created, as well as the overlaps outside the outline of the opening. As a rule, when creating a edging of 50 mm, it is necessary to leave an overlap outside the marking line of at least 100 mm.
