Porch decoration with polycarbonate photo. Polycarbonate porch: how to design an entrance group in a modern style Installation of polymer sheets

Today you won't surprise anyone with a polycarbonate porch. Easy, delicate, fresh, airy, beautiful, affordable, practical and relatively inexpensive. Of course, modern materials open up wide opportunities for the implementation of both simple and the most incredible architectural ideas, and sometimes the design of a polycarbonate porch is striking in its sophistication and originality.

It cannot be argued that polycarbonate immediately won great demand and love of buyers, but over time it proved its competitiveness, and firmly took a leading position among building materials, thanks to its unique physical and chemical properties. Further, we will investigate in more detail why this material is so remarkable, and of course, we will tell you how to build a polycarbonate porch with your own hands.

An impressive set of advantages and a little about the disadvantages

Let's say so directly: polycarbonate is a unique material. Strong, lightweight, reliable, it transmits light well, and at the same time blocks UV radiation, thanks to a UV-stabilizing layer that is applied to the outside of the sheet. He is not afraid of large deltas of temperatures, and calmly tolerates drops from -40 o C to +120 o C, while not deforming, frost-resistant, practically invulnerable to chemical and biological effects, with zero hygroscopicity. It is important that polycarbonate does not ignite, and does not support combustion, and with a strong flame it only swells, it belongs to a material with a small ability to generate smoke, which is important both for private houses and for public buildings.

A porch made of polycarbonate, a photo of the most popular combination of materials, a transparent canopy and elegant forging, such extensions are suitable for almost any type of house

For the construction of porches, two types of polycarbonate are most often used: monolithic and cellular. The width of the sheets for all manufacturers is the same - 2100 mm, the length is 3000 or 6000 mm, such parameters are very convenient for transportation, and besides, no additional joints will need to be made in the manufacture of large structures. In stores, the material can be cut in half.

Monolithic cast polymer without voids, in appearance does not differ from the usual silicate glass, even the physicochemical characteristics of these materials are largely similar, but polycarbonate is 200 times stronger and 6 times lighter.

Cellular polycarbonate has a chamber structure. For the construction of a porch, a single-chamber material is usually used, which is 2 monolithic sheets, interconnected by stiffening ribs. The recommended thickness for outdoor canopies and porch canopies is 16 mm, although the owner is a master, and you can always choose a different thickness. If serious mechanical loads are planned on the material, then it is better to give preference to 2, 3, 4-chamber or more sheets. The air inside the material provides additional heat and sound insulation.

Cellular polycarbonate, samples of popular colors

Transparent polycarbonate is in greatest demand in the construction of a porch, but the material has a basic color assortment, and if necessary, you can always choose the desired shade: white, blue, green, bronze, gold, graphite, etc. Colored polymers do not fade in the sun, since dyes are added at the production stage, they are located in the very structure of the sheets.

We have already noted that polycarbonate is a very light material, which is very preferable in the manufacture of curtainsider structures above the porch, the low weight reduces the load on the load-bearing walls to a minimum. But when making canopies for a porch on vertical supports, the lightness of the material can present unpleasant surprises. So, for such extensions, it is impossible to arrange non-buried columnar foundations in areas with a high level of groundwater and strong heaving of the soil, the expansion of the soil will simply squeeze out the extension. Alas, you have to spend money on piles or slab foundation.

A single-pitched straight roof on pillars is the easiest option for how to build a polycarbonate porch with your own hands

Types of structures

A porch made of polycarbonate, photo examples in the article demonstrate the most successful ideas for an extension, it can be either very modest, in the form of a visor on the mensols, or impressive in size, even blocking the entire area in front of the house. Such entrance groups are in demand both in public buildings: hospitals, shopping centers, business centers, and in private construction, largely due to the ease of installation of the structure. A small porch in a country house made of polycarbonate can be built in a couple of days.

Porch-vestibule made of polycarbonate and brick

It would seem that the porch of a private house made of polycarbonate is somehow not at home, it is alien material in the green zone, it does not fit into the natural landscape in any way. But thanks to its transparency and lightness, polycarbonate is practically invisible and does not spoil the appearance. To make the building look harmonious, the main thing is to choose the right porch design.

Closed polycarbonate porch, photo of a light and practical design on a metal frame

A porch made of polycarbonate is either a hinged structure or a support structure on 4 or more pillars. All construction, in general terms, consists in installing a frame, and installing sheet material on it. It is the frame in this case that plays the main role, therefore it is important to make a preliminary design of the structure, think over the dimensions, shape, support points, from what materials it will be made.

The base for a polycarbonate porch can be made of wood or metal: forged, aluminum, iron corners and pipes. It is easiest to assemble a wooden frame with your own hands, but in order for it to serve for a long time, it must be impregnated with a fire-fighting agent and an antiseptic.

Porch made of polycarbonate, closed at the side, on a frame made of square metal pipes

Aluminum structures are very light and durable, assembled on special corners, do not require welding, the material tolerates the effects of an aggressive environment well, and does not require any additional processing.

The metal frame for the porch from the corners turns out to be very heavy, the cut parts will need to be cleaned from rust, if necessary, bend with a pipe bender, welded, cleaned the joints with a grinder, painted.

Covered polycarbonate terrace in a cottage village

A wrought-iron base for a polycarbonate porch is the most beautiful, but also the most expensive. But I must say that standard, but no less beautiful forged mensoles for suspended structures can be bought on the construction market at a very pleasant price.

Porch of a house made of polycarbonate, photo of a canopy in front of the house, the structure fully protects the entrance from precipitation

How to make a polycarbonate porch

To make a porch you will need:

  • metal pillars that will serve as vertical supports;
  • profile with a square section for the lathing;
  • the template according to which the arcs will be bent;
  • polycarbonate;
  • welding machine and grinder;
  • self-tapping screws with thermal washers;
  • tapes for joining and end profile for polycarbonate thickness;
  • metal primer;
  • dye.

First of all, install support pillars that will support the entire structure. Cut them to the desired height, and tie them with a shaped pipe at the heads to give the structure strength.

Then cut the square tube to size, lay it on a flat surface, and carefully make cuts. The distance between them depends on the flatness of the pipe, usually it is 30-50 mm. Bend the pipe carefully according to the template, all arches must have the same radius, the recommended distance between them should be no more than 600 mm. Weld the finished arcs with each other with longitudinal jumpers, and install on the prepared frame, weld the structure. Clean up the fabricated frame, prime, paint. After the metal blank for the porch has completely dried, polycarbonate can be attached.

Diagram of how to properly screw a carbonate sheet

To do this, it is necessary to cut the desired size from the sheet; it is better to cut along the stiffener. Next, mark and drill holes, which should be 3 mm in diameter larger than the leg of the thermal washer, so thermal expansion is neutralized. The distance between the holes should be 300-500 mm. Blow and vacuum the polycarbonate thoroughly to keep out debris and dust. Cover the ends with special tape, put on the end profile. Screw the polycarbonate to the frame, do not try to tighten the self-tapping screws tightly, the thermal washer should turn slightly with effort.

You can decorate such a porch with beautiful lamps or diode lighting; hanging flower pots on forged pendants will also be appropriate. Instead of metal railings, the sides can be sheathed with polycarbonate or even wood. But in principle, no additional polycarbonate porch finishing is required.

Porch made of polycarbonate and wood, an original idea for a summer residence or a country estate

The polycarbonate porch is very unpretentious in operation, it is easy to clean with warm soapy water. Do not rub the structure with abrasives, solvents, ammonia, acetone, phenol, ether. If you did everything correctly, a polycarbonate porch will protect the entrance from precipitation and dust for a long time. Be sure to watch the video on how to make a polycarbonate porch on a metal frame without using welding.

The porch can be called the hallmark of the house, its appearance is reflected in the mood of anyone entering the house, be it your guest or a person who has visited the house on some business. Aesthetics and convenience in the design of the porch shows the attitude of the owners to their home. Therefore, you need to think about so that the entrance to the house looks welcoming and conducive to visiting your home. One of the simple and successful solutions for the design of the porch is the choice of polycarbonate as the material.

What are the advantages of this choice

Polycarbonate combines the advantages of plastic and glass:

  • By weight, it is much lighter than glass, this greatly facilitates transportation, loading, delivery to the installation site and work with it;
  • It transmits the sun's rays well, transmits more light than ordinary glass. Thanks to this, the porch made of polycarbonate to the house will turn out to be light and cozy, moreover, it will be well warmed up by the sun, and moisture will go away faster after rain;
  • Polycarbonate is conveniently attached to a metal profile, it is quite resistant to screwing in self-tapping screws, so problems with assembling polycarbonate structures usually do not arise;
  • Impact resistant, not damaged by moderate impacts, withstands snow cover in winter;
  • Does not support combustion, is fireproof, moreover, resistant to sunlight, does not change color, does not fade with prolonged use;
  • For the price, it is a fairly economical option in comparison with other materials.

There are two types of polycarbonate: cellular and monolithic.

The honeycomb version of the material is distinguished by higher strength, as well as increased thermal insulation properties in comparison with a monolithic analogue. If your plans have an idea to make an insulated indoor entrance to the house, cellular polycarbonate will be a good choice of material for its implementation.

The advantages of polycarbonate include its ability to bend to certain limits, but this is quite enough to make canopies of various shapes and protect a porch made of polycarbonate.

Entrance group construction

When you choose the option for decorating a porch using polycarbonate, consider how the shape and size of the structure you choose will be combined with the entire building. Ideally, a porch with a canopy should look like a continuation of the structure of the house, so that there is not even a thought that in the place of this porch some other option could be built, as in the photo.

Choose a frame made of wood or metal

Canopy structures for installation on a porch made of polycarbonate can be on a metal or wooden frame. With the help of the frame, the structure of the canopy to the house is reliable and durable.

If you are planning to install a roof over a polycarbonate porch on your own, you can order the manufacture of a metal frame according to individual dimensions, and in advance choose the desired shape, the most convenient and suitable for the house.

An interesting choice would be the porch option, which will combine a polycarbonate roof with decorative metal fasteners, and decorative metal grilles for decorating the staircase and porch, as in the photo.

Such a neat porch will turn out to be light, as if openwork, suitable for a small one-story house made of brick or wood. Or maybe the owners will want to complement the exterior design of the house with the same metal decorative elements on street lamps, or install metal forged elements under the windows and at the entrance to the house that support flowerpots with flowers. This interior solution will decorate your home and make it cozy and welcoming, as in this photo.

Such a set of forged metal elements for the porch can be ordered according to your individual dimensions from craftsmen specializing in such works, and then installed on their own or with the help of specialists.

The porch of the house can be made of wood, this solution also has many advantages both in terms of decorative design and affordability and ease of installation. When choosing a wood base, opt for solid woods that will last a long time. In addition, the tree must be treated with special agents so that it does not rot and deteriorate by various insects. Polycarbonate in combination with wooden porch structures will favorably emphasize the beauty of the elements, as in the photo.

A porch with a polycarbonate canopy on a wooden frame will go well with a wooden house. A brick-built porch is suitable for a brick building, in combination with forged metal elements as a fence and handrails on the stairs. The style of such a design will be emphasized by a light and light polycarbonate roof, an example of such a solution for entering a house in the photo.

To protect from rain and wind, you can make a porch with side walls covered with polycarbonate, or with one wall and a semicircular canopy, as in the photo. In the case of building a closed, insulated porch, it is better to choose cellular polycarbonate.

Since polycarbonate transmits light well, the porch will turn out to be light and cozy, and there is no need to provide for the implementation of windows, as in the case of using other building materials for a closed porch.

What form of polycarbonate canopy over the porch to the house is better

The canopies over the entrance to the house made of polycarbonate can have different geometric shapes, repeat the shape of the roof or differ from it.

Canopy shapes:

  1. Single-pitched;
  2. Gable;
  3. Semicircular;
  4. Semi-hip;
  5. Sector.

For example, the roof of a house can be hip or gable, and the canopy over the porch can be semicircular or single-pitched.

Alternatively, you can choose a porch - a veranda. This design can be made both open for use in the summer, and in a closed one. In both cases, it would be appropriate to use a polycarbonate sheet to make the roof and walls, as seen in the photo.

When choosing an interesting and stylish version of the porch that is optimal for your home, you also need to take into account the color scheme. Options that match the color of the facade look best, or, conversely, the porch can be made in contrast to the exterior of the house.

Thanks to the wide range of colors of plastic produced, you can easily choose the option that will ideally match the overall design of the building.

The material can be bent to a certain limit, and this property is widely used to give a canopy or roof of a variety of shapes. For example, a canopy over the entrance of a semicircular shape looks very interesting and stylish, as in this photo

The visor can be made both colored and transparent by choosing the appropriate type of material, or you can dwell on an interesting combination of two or more colors.

A simple polycarbonate canopy can be made with your own hands, and if you want to create a grandiose structure above the entrance, it is better to seek help from specialists who will help you make your polycarbonate porch to your house correctly and beautifully.

The porch, as a functional and decorative structure, gives the whole building a complete and perfect look. For this to be so, it is necessary to design the porch in the same style as the house.

Not everyone can afford to decorate an entrance with expensive building and finishing materials, but they want it to be beautiful, original and individual. These requirements are met by a porch made of polycarbonate, which is the most affordable and has a lot of positive qualities.

In addition, the unique properties of the material, a variety of colors and types, allow you to find extraordinary design solutions for decorating the porch of the house.

In the article we will talk about the types of the material itself, its pros and cons, as well as the possibilities of using polycarbonate in the construction of porches, we will provide a photo of the most interesting design options.

Two types of polycarbonate have found application in construction - cellular (cellular) and monolithic (cast). Let's take a closer look at both of these types.

Cellular polycarbonate

The most affordable material is widely used in the construction of lightweight structures, such as:

  • Verandas;
  • Gazebos;
  • Porch;
  • Greenhouses.

It consists of two or more layers of polymer, connected by longitudinal stiffeners, between which voids remain. The structure of the leaf on the cut resembles a honeycomb or cells, hence the name. The thickness of the sheets varies from 4 to 25 mm.

The main advantages of cellular polycarbonate are:

  • Light weight.
  • Ability to withstand significant snow and wind loads.
  • Resistance to significant temperature changes without changing technical and operational qualities.
  • High heat-insulating and sound-insulating properties, exceeding those of some other materials, for example, glass.
  • Good light transmission (up to 85%).
  • Excellent flexural and tear strength.
  • UV resistance.

  • Many colors in bright colors.
  • Resistant to open fire.
  • The ability to use polycarbonate to create structures of various configurations.

Well, the most determining factor in the popularity of this material is its cost. For an affordable price, any owner of a country or country house has a chance to decorate his home with an entrance of an individual, original design.

A unique porch with polycarbonate can become the central figure of the entire architectural composition, and the main accent in the decoration of the building.

Molded polycarbonate

This type has a dense, smooth and transparent or matte structure with sheet thickness from 2 to 20, in some cases 40 mm.

The monolith has all the advantages of cellular polycarbonate, and in some respects it significantly surpasses it:

  • Particularly resistant to mechanical damage.
  • Low weight.
  • High light transmission (up to 96%).
  • Wide range of colors.

  • Preservation of transparency and technical characteristics when exposed to negative atmospheric phenomena, ultraviolet radiation, temperature drops.
  • Monolithic polycarbonate is an excellent substitute for glass, and is not inferior to it in transparency, and even much superior in shockproof properties.

The only drawback of this material is the rather high price, but it is justified by its excellent technical parameters.

Important! Due to the low weight of polycarbonate, to build a porch, you do not need to erect a monumental foundation, it will be enough to install a columnar or pile foundation, or get by with a light canopy attached directly to the wall of the building.

The strength and flexibility of the monolith makes it possible to manufacture complex structures of an arched or domed shape from it. The material is perfectly cut, so it is quite easy to cut out elements of any configuration with your own hands from it.

Gazebos made of polycarbonate, a porch or veranda will perfectly let in natural light and at the same time gently scatter bright sunlight throughout the entire interior area, illuminating every corner.

Profiled (corrugated) polycarbonate

This material is a kind of monolithic polymer, and has all the positive qualities. And thanks to its wavy shape (a kind of stiffening ribs), its strength increases significantly. It is available in transparent and matte versions, has a variety of colors, differs in size and waveform.

Finishing the porch with profiled polycarbonate is mainly in the structure of the visor, because it resembles slate. But it is not forbidden to install it as a vertical porch protection.

Today, due to the rather high cost, the profiled polymer is less in demand than other polycarbonate analogues.

Types of polymer canopies

Porch polycarbonate roof can come in various shapes. The most common are:

  • Single slope with a slope of at least 7%.

Such a roof does not require a complex frame, it can be built from any material, and the visor itself can be supported on light supports, or simply attached to the wall of the house.

Important! But if the width of the canopy is much greater than its length, then experts recommend installing additional supports under the outrigger. Otherwise, the structure may not be able to withstand the snow load.

  • Gable, which can be one- or two-level.

Such a canopy is convenient in regions with a lot of rainfall. The slope in these cases is made more for free rolling of water and snow.

  • Arched, simple or complex configuration.

This, the most common form of the canopy, is distinguished by its ability to withstand increased snow and wind loads.

  • The domed, original shape gives the entrance individuality and uniqueness.

A visor over a porch made of polycarbonate of such an extraordinary shape requires precise cutting of the material and a figured frame. In addition to these, the most common types of visors, other forms are also used. The figure below shows all possible canopy configurations.

But these are all common and often used forms of a canopy over the porch. If you decide to build an extraordinary porch to the house - the polycarbonate projects presented in the article can be taken as a basis and apply your personal ideas to them.

How else can you arrange a porch visor

I would like to note that some owners go further and use a combination of different configurations.

I must admit that such bold ideas look very original:

  • For example, a single-slope visor is in perfect harmony with an arched visor.

  • Or such an asymmetric version, when the arch smoothly turns into a straight shape.

  • This visor is made in the form of a dome, one segment of which is raised in the form of an arch.

  • In this photo, the unusual shape of the visor is duplicated by two more petals of smaller size at the edges.

Any options are possible here, and if you give free rein to your imagination, you can create a unique porch with your own hands made of polycarbonate, which will become not only the pride of the owner, but also a masterpiece of design art. In addition, to make the entrance group even more interesting, manufacturers suggest using special profiles for the construction of light sheds.

Polycarbonate frame elements

In order not to make the structure itself heavier, but to give lightness and transparency to the visor, frame elements made of the same polycarbonate are used.

  • The profile, of course, does not completely exclude the structure of the frame, but it will help to connect several sheets of polycarbonate into a single structure, which allows you to get rid of intermediate elements and increase the light transmission of the visor.
  • For example, when constructing a dome, the frame is only needed to support the sheets along the perimeter and racks, and the segments themselves can be connected using transparent profiles.

Important! When using transparent elements, it is necessary to accurately measure the dimensions of the sheets, the maximum possible area and weight of which will be explained by the instructions for the construction of small-sized canopies and awnings using polycarbonate profiles.

  • Thermal washers made of polycarbonate are used to protect the seams from leaking; they can also be matched by color.

  • Special profiles facilitate assembly of the frame and are ideally compatible with the polycarbonate itself in terms of mechanical properties (thermal expansion, bending radius, dimensions, etc.). The complete identity of panels and profiles allows for a light, airy and harmonious structure.

  • From exposure to sunlight, a coextrusion layer is applied to the profiles, so they are not threatened with destruction from ultraviolet radiation for a long time.
  • Using special profiles, you can easily make a porch with your own hands from polycarbonate, even without special skills in construction.

Porch types

According to the protection from atmospheric precipitation, there are three types of porches:

  1. Open.

This option is usually equipped with a canopy or canopy over the front door. Or they are absent at all, if the site falls under the hanging edge of the main roof or balcony.

Walls are not provided here, but if the porch is located in a recess or under the main roof, then the walls of the house itself can partially serve as protection from wind or slanting rain.

It is important to arrange an open porch in a private house, in a dry warm climate or in a country house. The canopy can cover a small area in front of the door from atmospheric precipitation, or cover a large area where a resting place is arranged.

It is advisable to do such a porch if there is a covered veranda immediately behind it.

  1. Closed.

This porch is characterized by the presence of walls that form a small vestibule in front of the entrance. They usually arrange it in cold or rainy climates. A closed porch perfectly protects the front door and part of the wall near it from snow, rain, wind.

The design of the vestibule can be different. The photo below shows a closed domed polycarbonate porch.

This form perfectly resists snow and wind loads, snow and water roll down from its surface without lingering. In addition, this configuration has increased strength.

The dimensions of the porch also differ: if the area allows, then inside such a building you can arrange a small resting place on a warm, clear day.

A transparent polycarbonate roof above the porch, and high light transmittance of the walls, allow you to arrange not only a resting place on a closed porch in the summer, but also a small flower greenhouse.

  1. Semi-closed.

This is perhaps the most common type, suitable for any climate. Several options are possible here:

  • With an open front side.

The front is left open if the porch is on the leeward side of the house. But before sheathing the porch with polycarbonate, you need to take care of protecting the frame. Paint the metal with paint for outdoor use, soak the wood with a special antiseptic composition. Otherwise, its surface will constantly suffer from negative atmospheric factors.

  • With partially raised walls.

This option is relevant if the entrance area is large and precipitation does not reach the front door. But it still does not protect against the ingress of a certain amount of moisture on the walls of the house.

  • With a closed roof and one wall.

This option closes the porch on the windy side, and protects the entrance from snow and slanting rain.

A porch for a private house made of polycarbonate according to the location of the site is divided into two types:

  1. Low.

As a rule, such a porch represents a platform at ground level, maybe a little higher. It has no steps at all, and if there are any, then no more than 2-3 pieces. It is equipped with a light visor or vestibule.

There are usually no fences near a low porch - in extreme cases, low sides around the perimeter. But it is quite possible to install railings for decoration and decoration, especially if they are delicate and beautiful. Typically, these are forged products.

  1. High.

Steps are made when the front door is much higher than the ground.

The ladder is made of various materials:

  • Wood.
  • Metal.
  • Natural stone.
  • Brick.
  • Concrete.

The last two options are usually finished with clinker tiles or decorative bricks, which allows you to create interesting, unique compositions.

If the porch platform is higher than 45 cm, it and the stairs, at the request of SNiP, must be equipped with a handrail for safety reasons. Fences are made of wood or metal. Metal railings with forging elements are very popular.

Materials for the device frame

Unlike other materials with a solid structure, polycarbonate cannot be used in a building without a frame, it is necessary to supply a base for it, which is used as the following materials:

  • Wood.
  • Metal.
  • Aluminum profile.

Since the polymer is lightweight, the framework for it does not need to be made large and cumbersome. The design of a polycarbonate porch requires thin, elegant frame elements, otherwise all the beauty of the material is lost.

In the photo, the cast polycarbonate mount is made using thin nickel-plated pipes located on top, and practically does not cover the space. This makes the leaf look just floating in the air.

The wooden frame looks completely different. It still has to be made more voluminous, based on certain technical characteristics.

Here it is necessary to equalize the bulkiness of the base and the elegance of polycarbonate with more careful processing of wood, precise geometry of the frame and contrasting colors. But a wooden frame will cost much cheaper than analogues made from other materials.

The metal base with forging elements looks especially advantageous. Such a frame is most suitable for any type of polycarbonate.

The same can be said about a thin aluminum or metal profile - these materials, when properly selected, can emphasize the lightness and airiness of polycarbonate.

Conclusion

There are a great many options for constructing an entrance group using polymer, in the photo we gave examples of different types of porches, talked about the material. We recommend watching the video in this article, which clearly tells how to make a porch out of polycarbonate so that it will delight you with its beauty for many years.

Polycarbonate is a relatively new material on the market, used mainly for the construction of sheds and greenhouses. However, it is very well suited for the construction of a porch of a country house, both open and closed.

This interesting translucent material bends easily and has a variety of shades. Therefore, a very beautiful, practical and original street staircase can be erected from it. We will talk about how to assemble a polycarbonate porch with your own hands in this article.

Types of polycarbonate covers

Polycarbonate covers come in many different designs. Sometimes even their walls have an original radial or curved shape, while the visors are a real work of art. The frame of such an outdoor staircase is usually made of galvanized or forged metal or wood.

Open porches made of polycarbonate are most often arranged near small country houses. In this case, only the visor and the railings are finished with this translucent material. However, a closed polycarbonate porch is considered much more convenient in design. In this case, it is completely sheathed with sheets.

Polycarbonate porch erection technology

Making a frame made of wood

The thickness of the polycarbonate porch frame beams directly depends on its dimensions. Since the material is very light, it is not necessary to use especially thick material. Usually the frame is made of 50 * 50mm timber. For large porches of verandas and terraces, thicker material is taken.

Polycarbonate porch. Photo of a large terrace on a wooden frame

The elements in this case are connected by means of a conventional galvanized metal corner. Bending wooden beams at home, of course, is unlikely to work. Therefore, a porch in a dacha made of polycarbonate on a wooden frame most often has a simple rectangular shape.

Advice: if desired, the bar can be tried and bent. To do this, it is steamed for half an hour, and then placed on logs of different lengths, securing the ends.

A simple method of bending a wooden beam

A wooden frame is usually used if the porch itself is made of polycarbonate and wood (march).

Metal carcass

A metal frame under a polycarbonate porch is assembled using a welding machine. Bolted connections are sometimes used. For construction, a profile or round pipe with a cross section of 50 mm or a regular profile is quite suitable. The material for the frame is bent using a pipe bender.

How to make a polycarbonate porch with a complex shape? Photo of a pipe bender with which you can make a curved frame

Advice: If a regular profile is used for construction, you can saw through one of its shelves in several places and try to bend it in a vice.

What you need to know when making a frame

There are several basic rules that must be followed when assembling the frame of the porch of a private house made of polycarbonate:

  1. When making a frame for a wide visor, it must be reinforced with transverse beams or profiles. The distance between such stiffeners should be at least half a meter;
  2. All joints of polycarbonate sheets should be located on a bar or profile;
  3. In addition to the supports, even if there are four of them, the visor must be attached to the wall of the house. The frame is usually fixed on anchor bolts intended for the material from which the house is erected.

Polycarbonate cover. Photo of a visor ready for installation

Important: The frame made of ordinary, non-galvanized steel should be painted with acrylic enamel. Before this, the grinder carefully clean the seams, trying to level them with the surface of the profile. Wooden beams are treated with an antiseptic before assembly.

How to make a polycarbonate porch. Sheathing

Important: Depending on the thickness of the sheets, they can only be bent up to certain limits. The minimum permissible radius is usually specified by the manufacturer.

Holes are made in the places where polycarbonate is attached to the frame (step - 30 cm). In sheets, they should be half a diameter larger than the self-tapping rods. The fact is that with temperature drops, polycarbonate can expand and contract. For the same reason, the screws must not be tightened too much. There should be a gap of about 1 mm between the cap and the sheet.

Polycarbonate is attached to the frame with special self-tapping screws with thermal washers

On a straight canopy, the material is placed with a slight slope away from the building with honeycomb channels perpendicular to it. On the arched - in parallel. This is necessary in order to ensure a free drainage of condensate formed inside the carbonate. On the walls, the ducts should be vertical.

Original beautiful porch veranda made of polycarbonate

How to decorate a porch from the inside

We have figured out how to build a street staircase made of carbonate. Now let's see how to style it correctly. The exterior design of a polycarbonate porch can be very different. The photos presented on this page eloquently testify to this.

Fully enclosed polycarbonate porch. Photo of a stylish street staircase of a brick house

Its interior design entirely depends on its size. If this is a porch of a veranda, it would be nice to arrange comfortable light chairs and a table made of plastic here. When using a forged frame inside such a porch, you can install forged elements (just not too massive and dimensional). A small plastic, rubber or even textile mat to match the color of the walls and visor will also be quite appropriate. Sometimes curtains are also hung on the transparent polycarbonate walls of such a porch of a private house. The decoration of steps and platforms is most often done from decking or edged boards or tiles.

Street staircase decorated with flowers

Idea: A very good solution would be to decorate such a porch with indoor flowers. Polycarbonate transmits enough light for the development and growth of plants. No wonder it is used for the manufacture of greenhouses. Flowers can be hung in pots by attaching them to the profile and arranged in tubs on the floor.

We hope now you understand how to build a polycarbonate porch in the country or in a residential building. It is not at all difficult to build such a structure with your own hands. In any case, even easier than a staircase with wooden, brick or concrete walls. However, of course, it is possible to attach such a closed or open porch only to buildings with an appropriate exterior design - more often concrete and brick.

Home »Country house» Decorating the porch with polycarbonate with your own hands

Do-it-yourself polycarbonate porch decoration

Today you won't surprise anyone with a polycarbonate porch. Easy, delicate, fresh, airy, beautiful, affordable, practical and relatively inexpensive. Of course, modern materials open up wide opportunities for the implementation of both simple and the most incredible architectural ideas, and sometimes the design of a polycarbonate porch is striking in its sophistication and originality.

It cannot be argued that polycarbonate immediately won great demand and love of buyers, but over time it proved its competitiveness, and firmly took a leading position among building materials, thanks to its unique physical and chemical properties. Further, we will investigate in more detail why this material is so remarkable, and of course, we will tell you how to build a polycarbonate porch with your own hands.

An impressive set of advantages and a little about the disadvantages

Let's say so directly: polycarbonate is a unique material. Strong, lightweight, reliable, it transmits light well, and at the same time blocks UV radiation, thanks to a UV-stabilizing layer that is applied to the outside of the sheet. He is not afraid of large deltas of temperatures, and calmly tolerates drops from -40 o C to +120 o C, while not deforming, frost-resistant, practically invulnerable to chemical and biological effects, with zero hygroscopicity. It is important that polycarbonate does not ignite, and does not support combustion, and with a strong flame it only swells, it belongs to a material with a small ability to generate smoke, which is important both for private houses and for public buildings.

A porch made of polycarbonate, a photo of the most popular combination of materials, a transparent canopy and elegant forging, such extensions are suitable for almost any type of house

For the construction of porches, two types of polycarbonate are most often used: monolithic and cellular. The width of the sheets for all manufacturers is the same - 2100 mm, length 3000 or 6000 mm, such parameters are very convenient for transportation, and besides, you do not need to make any additional joints in the manufacture of large structures. In stores, the material can be cut in half.

Monolithic cast polymer without voids, in appearance does not differ from the usual silicate glass, even the physicochemical characteristics of these materials are largely similar, but polycarbonate is 200 times stronger and 6 times lighter.

Cellular polycarbonate has a chamber structure. For the construction of a porch, a single-chamber material is usually used, which is 2 monolithic sheets, interconnected by stiffening ribs. The recommended thickness for outdoor canopies and porch canopies is 16 mm, although the owner is a master, and you can always choose a different thickness. If serious mechanical loads are planned on the material, then it is better to give preference to 2, 3, 4-chamber or more sheets. The air inside the material provides additional heat and sound insulation.

Cellular polycarbonate, samples of popular colors

Transparent polycarbonate is in greatest demand in the construction of a porch, but the material has a basic color assortment, and if necessary, you can always choose the desired shade: white, blue, green, bronze, gold, graphite, etc. Colored polymers do not fade in the sun, since dyes are added at the production stage, they are located in the very structure of the sheets.

We have already noted that polycarbonate is a very light material, which is very preferable in the manufacture of curtainsider structures above the porch, the low weight reduces the load on the load-bearing walls to a minimum. But when making canopies for a porch on vertical supports, the lightness of the material can present unpleasant surprises. So, for such extensions, it is impossible to arrange non-buried columnar foundations in areas with a high level of groundwater and strong heaving of the soil, the expansion of the soil will simply squeeze out the extension. Alas, you have to spend money on piles or slab foundation.

A single-pitched straight roof on pillars is the easiest option for how to build a polycarbonate porch with your own hands

Types of structures

A porch made of polycarbonate, photo examples in the article demonstrate the most successful ideas for an extension, it can be either very modest, in the form of a visor on the mensols, or impressive in size, even blocking the entire area in front of the house. Such entrance groups are in demand both in public buildings: hospitals, shopping centers, business centers, and in private construction, largely due to the ease of installation of the structure. A small porch in a country house made of polycarbonate can be built in a couple of days.

Porch-vestibule made of polycarbonate and brick

It would seem that the porch of a private house made of polycarbonate is somehow not at home, it is alien material in the green zone, it does not fit into the natural landscape in any way. But thanks to its transparency and lightness, polycarbonate is practically invisible and does not spoil the appearance. To make the building look harmonious, the main thing is to choose the right porch design.

Closed polycarbonate porch, photo of a light and practical design on a metal frame

A porch made of polycarbonate is either a hinged structure or a support structure on 4 or more pillars. All construction, in general terms, consists in installing a frame, and installing sheet material on it. It is the frame in this case that plays the main role, therefore it is important to make a preliminary design of the structure, think over the dimensions, shape, support points, from what materials it will be made.

The base for a polycarbonate porch can be made of wood or metal: forged, aluminum, iron corners and pipes. It is easiest to assemble a wooden frame with your own hands, but in order for it to serve for a long time, it must be impregnated with a fire-fighting agent and an antiseptic.

Porch made of polycarbonate, closed at the side, on a frame made of square metal pipes

Aluminum structures are very light and durable, assembled on special corners, do not require welding, the material tolerates the effects of an aggressive environment well, and does not require any additional processing.

The metal frame for the porch from the corners turns out to be very heavy, the cut parts will need to be cleaned from rust, if necessary, bend with a pipe bender, welded, cleaned the joints with a grinder, painted.

Covered polycarbonate terrace in a cottage village

A wrought-iron base for a polycarbonate porch is the most beautiful, but also the most expensive. But I must say that standard, but no less beautiful forged mensoles for suspended structures can be bought on the construction market at a very pleasant price.

Porch of a house made of polycarbonate, photo of a canopy in front of the house, the structure fully protects the entrance from precipitation

How to make a polycarbonate porch

To make a porch you will need:

  • metal pillars that will serve as vertical supports;
  • profile with a square section for the lathing;
  • the template according to which the arcs will be bent;
  • polycarbonate;
  • welding machine and grinder;
  • self-tapping screws with thermal washers;
  • tapes for joining and end profile for polycarbonate thickness;
  • metal primer;
  • dye.

First of all, install support pillars that will support the entire structure. Cut them to the desired height, and tie them with a shaped pipe at the heads to give the structure strength.

Then cut the square tube to size, lay it on a flat surface, and carefully make cuts. The distance between them depends on the flatness of the pipe, usually it is 30-50 mm. Bend the pipe carefully according to the template, all arches must have the same radius, the recommended distance between them should be no more than 600 mm. Weld the finished arcs with each other with longitudinal jumpers, and install on the prepared frame, weld the structure. Clean up the fabricated frame, prime, paint. After the metal blank for the porch has completely dried, polycarbonate can be attached.

Diagram of how to properly screw a carbonate sheet

To do this, it is necessary to cut the desired size from the sheet; it is better to cut along the stiffener. Next, mark and drill holes, which should be 3 mm in diameter larger than the leg of the thermal washer, so thermal expansion is neutralized. The distance between the holes should be 300-500 mm. Blow and vacuum the polycarbonate thoroughly to keep out debris and dust. Cover the ends with special tape, put on the end profile. Screw the polycarbonate to the frame, do not try to tighten the self-tapping screws tightly, the thermal washer should turn slightly with effort.

You can decorate such a porch with beautiful lamps or diode lighting; hanging flower pots on forged pendants will also be appropriate. Instead of metal railings, the sides can be sheathed with polycarbonate or even wood. But in principle, no additional polycarbonate porch finishing is required.

Porch made of polycarbonate and wood, an original idea for a summer residence or a country estate

The polycarbonate porch is very unpretentious in operation, it is easy to clean with warm soapy water. Do not rub the structure with abrasives, solvents, ammonia, acetone, phenol, ether. If you did everything correctly, a polycarbonate porch will protect the entrance from precipitation and dust for a long time. Be sure to see how to make a polycarbonate porch on a metal frame without using welding.

Do-it-yourself beautiful design of the porch of a private house

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