Veranda or terrace? Let's figure it out together
Content:
As you know, summer cottages and garden plots are of value not only for growing various crops and their own vegetable garden, working in the fresh air, but also for a good rest from the bustle of the city. For the arrangement of plots, the designs of terraces and verandas have recently become extremely popular - practical and original recreation areas, however, differing from each other. Most often, their construction is planned in the immediate vicinity of the site or as an extension of residential buildings, but there is a tendency to arrange them as a separate object. There can be a whole lot of nuances.
Veranda
The veranda is an open-type room, which, if desired, can be glazed during the construction process. Usually, verandas are arranged in the part of the house that is not heated. The most common reinforcement option is columnar.
Depending on the climatic conditions of your region, the material for building a veranda can vary: be it stone or wood. The first, as you might guess, is more suitable for hot climates due to better retention of coolness, but warm wood will not let you freeze in cool conditions. Do not forget about the veranda flooring - you should not allow the formation of cracks and gaps, use a plinth for this.
Remember that the same foundation for the veranda and the house to which you decide to attach it will not be the best solution in terms of reliability. Houses are subjected to a completely different load, so be sure to split the foundation. This is a very important point.
With the proper financial and territorial possibilities, later the veranda can be turned into a small winter garden - insulated with special materials, properly glazed, set up generous lighting for plants. Such a design decision can be a pleasant novelty for you, but it requires a serious investment.
Ultimately, a veranda is an excellent solution for arranging a personal recreation area, having good ventilation capacity in its advantages (at the same time, with proper insulation in cold seasons, you will protect yourself from drafts); reliable shelter from rain and dust, bright sunlight thanks to the roof's capabilities (you can also use light-colored curtains so as not to lose in the level of interior lighting); easy access to the living space at any time - you don't have to get wet in the rain, all amenities are at hand at any time. The veranda can be used for relaxation, tea drinking and just observing wildlife.
Terrace
The terrace is itself a landscaped area at ground level, in some cases slightly raised. It differs from the veranda in more open space and the absence of a roof. It is more sensitive to the landscape of the area, therefore, if your living space is uneven, then in the case of an extension of the terrace, it will be required that the platform must be raised to avoid discomfort.
The advantages of this type of recreation area is the simplicity of the design, so that if you wish, you can build it yourself. The terrace area can be square or rectangular; there is an option for decorating with borders or even decorative shrubs.
The terrace can be end-to-end, i.e. connecting different rooms and parts of the house in an open space, subject to its impressive size. Terraces can also be open and closed, the latter are valued much higher due to the fact that there is protection from adverse weather conditions.
Since most often it is possible to equip only an open type veranda, you should take care of its proper location. Constant exposure to sunlight, even when using protective measures, may not affect human health in the best way, so you should choose a location that is in the shade.
The choice of material for the construction of the site is also an important criterion - under the influence of climatic conditions, rains, excessive moisture, the terrace should not be damaged or, even worse, rotted. To avoid this, specially processed coniferous wood is used with the help of copper salts, as well as cedar, pine, and so on.
So, the terrace, keeping up with the veranda in turn, is variable in its own way and can offer the summer resident such advantages as: completely open space and being in the fresh air, not constrained by absolutely nothing; gives an unobstructed view of your own site, if suddenly it is necessary for certain purposes; simplicity in organization and design that does not require professional assistance.
A terrace or veranda can always become your corner of peace and relaxation from endless gardening work - digging, weeding, watering and planting. Every person just needs to take breaks, retire with nature. Otherwise, why do we need a personal plot and territory at all? Do not be lazy to equip comfortable armchairs or chairs, a practical table in the recreation area, put a vase of flowers - and then you can not only enjoy your vacation, but also please your guests and loved ones!