Most modern cottages are equipped with terraces designed for outdoor recreation. A feature of such sites is that they are located above ground level, therefore, in most cases, railings are installed around the perimeter to prevent a person from falling from a height. Terrace fencing is far from always provided for by the project, and there are situations when the presence of protective structures becomes necessary already during the operation of the veranda. At this stage, the owner needs to decide on the design, material and method of mounting the protective elements. Today we will look at what is better to make a terrace fence, in what options it can be made and how to cope with the task on your own.
Types of structures
According to their functional purpose, closed and open fences are distinguished.
The first type is installed in order to protect the site from prying eyes, wind, rain and other atmospheric phenomena.
The open-type fencing structure performs a decorative function to a greater extent. It does not block the view of the site and does not prevent sunlight from reaching the veranda. When making a choice in favor of a particular solution, one should take into account what this structure is most often used for. For maximum contact with nature, sunbathing, growing plants or holding outdoor celebrations, outdoor options are best suited. But in this case, you need to be prepared for the fact that a sudden start of wind or rain can disrupt your plans.
According to what criteria to choose the material for the railing
First of all, the selected materials should fit harmoniously into the surrounding interior. The weight of the future design is also important. It is desirable that the products do not weigh down the terrace, the base of which was calculated for a certain load. The selected option must withstand the effects of the environment, be unpretentious in maintenance and easy to install. You should also pay attention to the availability of products, so that in the event of a repair, it is easy to purchase a replacement element.
The materials used to build fences are natural and synthetic. Each species has its own positive and negative characteristics, therefore, when making a choice, it is worth familiarizing yourself with each of them in more detail.
Synthetics
Terrace fencing made of synthetic materials is attractive because it does not require special care andprocessing. Such an exterior element is very resistant to moisture, temperature fluctuations and at the same time has a very spectacular appearance. This category includes products made of polyvinyl chloride and wood-polymer composite (WPC).
The last material looks very similar to painted natural wood. It is made by mixing polymers and wood pulp, resulting in a plastic mixture that allows you to perform the most unusual compositions. It should be noted that, despite its similarity with wood, this species is completely devoid of all the negative qualities inherent in natural raw materials. It is highly durable, resistant to moisture, not prone to deformation and does not lose its original appearance during use. The excellent performance inherent in WPC makes such products very popular - they are gaining more and more sympathy from the consumer.
PVC fences attract with their cheapness and ease of installation, however, the fragility of plastic does not allow it to compete equally with natural materials. Most often it is used as decorative elements, not designed to withstand any load.
Metal fences
Metal railings provide the highest degree of security for visitors to the veranda. Robust and stable structures perfectly withstand mechanical impact and prevent falling off the site. However, it should be borne in mind that the metal terrace fencing should have a very elegant look,since thick elements can greatly weight the structure and, as a result, the foundation will not withstand the additional load.
For the manufacture of forged railings, it is preferable to use stainless steels that have a longer service life in high humidity conditions. If we talk about the financial side of the issue, it is worth mentioning that the metal fence of the terrace cannot be installed without the use of special welding equipment, which significantly affects the cost of the entire structure. You can reduce the cost of construction by combining several materials. Recently, a combination of wooden and metal parts has become very fashionable, so the resulting fence will be not only durable, but also stylish.
Wooden structures
Terrace fencing made of wood is ideal in cases where the house and the site are made of the same material. Such products are the most popular, since the wood is quite simple to process, which makes it possible to produce railings of the most diverse designs. Their positive features include the fact that wooden structures are very stable and light in weight. Processing with protective solutions allows you to minimize the shortcomings of natural raw materials and extend the life of the product in outdoor conditions. If necessary, wooden railings are easy to restore and repair.
Skillful owners choose this material because it givesthe ability to manufacture and install a fence with your own hands, without special equipment. Considering this fact, we will further consider the method of manufacturing and installation of wooden structures.
Basic ways of arranging material
According to the method of execution, the following options for fencing terraces can be distinguished:
- vertical (when all columns, rails and other elements are perpendicular to the ground);
- horizontal (assuming the appropriate arrangement of lintels, balusters and supports);
- cross (masters arrange all the elements of the fence so that they intersect each other).
Wood selection
When planning to make a wooden terrace fence, special attention should be paid to choosing the right type of wood. This stage should be approached as responsibly as not every type of wood is suitable for outdoor use.
Pine is considered the best option. Its structure contains a high content of resin, which protects the material from moisture, prevents drying out and prevents the formation of rot, fungi and mold. Also, you can use more noble and expensive varieties. These include oak, beech and Siberian larch. The latter option is very durable - you can do without a protective coating.
The use of spruce is possible only after preliminary heat treatment. Ash wood, due to instability to atmosphericphenomena, not suitable for outdoor use.
Preparatory work
Before proceeding with the manufacture of railings, you should create a detailed drawing of the future design, which will indicate the width and height of the terrace fence, as well as the number and parameters of all parts.
For sites located high above the ground, it is better to install fences no lower than 1 meter. For low verandas, fences of any size can be used. The next step is to calculate the required number of supports. They are installed at all corners of the terrace, and if it is large, then every 120 cm.
As mentioned earlier, terrace fencing can be made in a wide variety of options that differ in the installation method. We will consider the simplest installation technology that does not cause any particular difficulties.
Technology for mounting supports
Based on the parameters obtained during the measurements, they begin to manufacture the fence. The supports are installed first. For them, they take a beam of square section, the thickness of which depends on the expected load and dimensions of the veranda. These elements must be rigid and strong enough, since the safety of vacationers on the territory of the summer playground depends on them. The height of the supports should be 20 cm higher than the railings themselves (in the event that the roof does not rest on the first ones).
The perimeter of the veranda is marking the places where the poles will be installed.
To mount them in a rack, a step is cut into the floor of a tree. The width of the notch shouldmatch the thickness of the base board. The resulting step is installed on the beam and screwed to it using furniture screws.
Handrail fastening
Most often, handrails are attached in the same way as the main columns. Chopped slats or pre-prepared balusters are used as railings. Also, it is possible to make a railing in the form of a frame, which, after assembly, is installed in the opening between two supports. Its lower part is attached to the base of the veranda, and a handrail is screwed to the top rail. At this stage, the wooden structure is tested for strength and stability. With the help of the building level, all errors are identified and eliminated.
In places of the greatest load, it is recommended to install additional stiffening ribs in the form of small wooden racks. They are positioned so that they do not interfere with the comfortable movement of the residents of the house.
At the final stage of installation, decorative inserts and various elements necessary for decorating the fence are fixed.
At the end of the work, all wooden elements are treated with protective solutions and covered with tint compositions that give a decorative effect.
