Glass roof for a terrace: and only the sky above the head

Envision unwinding on your terrace while enjoying the sun’s rays during the day or stargazing at night—all beneath an exquisite glass roof. Any outdoor area with a glass roof becomes a multipurpose haven that provides shade without obscuring the sky above. It blends the best features of both worlds—the privacy and security of an indoor environment with the freedom of the great outdoors.

Glass terrace roofs are a statement in design as well as functionality. They create a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, adding a touch of contemporary elegance to any house. When enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning or throwing a dinner party, a glass roof adds to the atmosphere by bringing in natural light and creating an air of spaciousness and openness.

The ability of a glass roof to optimize natural light is one of its main benefits. A glass roof lets light pour onto your terrace all day long, unlike traditional roofs that can block out the sun. This reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day, which not only makes the space feel airy and bright but also helps save energy.

In addition, a glass roof provides weather protection without sacrificing style. It keeps your outdoor space usable all year round by protecting you from wind, rain, and even snow. A glass roof offers a comfortable and sheltered way to enjoy nature, whether you’re basking in the summer breeze or watching the raindrops dance overhead.

"Transforming a terrace with a glass roof opens up a world of possibilities where the boundary between indoor comfort and outdoor freedom blurs. A glass roof not only shelters from the elements but also invites natural light to playfully dance through space, creating an ambiance that seamlessly connects with the sky above. It enhances the usability of a terrace year-round, offering protection from rain and wind while allowing an uninterrupted view of the changing skies. This architectural addition not only elevates the aesthetic appeal of any home but also enhances the living experience, turning a simple terrace into a versatile and inviting space for relaxation, entertainment, and enjoying the beauty of nature right above your head."

8 reasons to choose glass for the roof of the veranda and terraces

With a millennium of history and an unclouded future, glass is a timeless material whose qualities make it impossible to substitute with any other. Furthermore, the glazing on the veranda or terrace roofs is typically made of even better multi-layer or hardened glass rather than the standard kind, which includes:

  1. Extremely durable. The glass will easily survive the frame on which the walls and the supports are installed. Its service life has been calculated for centuries, and sometimes for millennia.
  2. It withstands a large weight. Any load that can occur in domestic conditions is not a problem for the glass roof of the terrace, verandas or other extensions. Moreover, with glass you can calmly block the roof of the main building.
  3. Self -cleaning. A very smooth surface and a small slope – this is the recipe always clean and transparent glass roof of the terrace.
  4. Chemically inert. Glass withstands the effects of almost all aggressive chemical compounds, including aromatic hydrocarbons, solutions of salts, alkalis, acids. Exceptions can be counted on the fingers, and under normal conditions, such substances on the roof will never fall.
  5. Light transparent. Conventional glass passes 88-91% of sunlight with a thickness of 10 mm, the photography of special glasses reaches 95%. In addition, glass does not distort the contours of objects and does not blur them, so the glass roof over the terrace does not prevent observation of the stars or meteorite rain.
  6. Durable. The shock strength of standard hardened glass is about 7 times higher than that of a regular. Multi -layer glasses even stronger. This is more than enough to withstand even a large city or a football hit. There are even special types of glass that easily delay the bullet.
  7. Fireproof. Glass does not burn, does not spread the flame.
  8. Protects from UV rays. Any glass reflects most of the ultraviolet rays, so the roof of glass on the veranda allows you to enjoy warmth without risk to get a sunburn. Glass with special coatings generally make sunlight absolutely safe, since the entire ultraviolet radiation is cut off, including UVA-rays-the reason for the skin photo mowing.

Glass makes a great roof because it is transparent and incredibly durable. Additionally, it is essential when the structure’s maximum aesthetic appeal and service life are at stake. For instance, the well-known Louvre pyramids are composed of glass rather than polymeric materials. Transparent roofing structures of affluent cottages and apartments are crafted from glass.

For objectivity: 4 significant and not very lack of a glass roof

If not for four drawbacks, glass could be rightfully referred to as the best material for a transparent roof and used to overlap the roofs only because there are no alternatives to glass windows:

  1. Light weight. Glass 5 mm thick weighs 12.5 kg per m 2, and 10 mm thick – all 25 kg per 1 m 2 . Therefore, for fastening glass blocks you need a powerful frame.
  2. The complexity of installation. For glazing the roof, you need to invite masters-steckers. Units can cope with this task independently: we need the skills of installing roofing coatings and the ability to work with glass.
  3. Rigidity. The shape of the hardened or multi -layer glass is given in only the glass workshop, so the arched or dome glass roof of the veranda should be made according to a separate project. It is impossible not to bend the glass in place with polycarbonate and any polymer transparent material.
  4. High price. The glass itself is very expensive, in addition, it needs a strong frame for it.

Two additional drawbacks emerge with the installation of the one-glass terraces on the roof: inadequate noise abatement and thermal insulation. However, double-glazed windows are an easy solution to this issue; even two glasses separated by air will effectively stop heat loss and reduce noise.

Glass is a high-end substance. Its roof is really well-looking, but the cost is high. In actuality, this is glass’s primary disadvantage. If you expand, all other drawbacks fall under the heading of "additional costs." The strong frame that makes up for light weight costs more than regular steel farms. Glass with the required shape can always be ordered for roofs with rounded edges. Furthermore, skilled master-stekwriters will merely charge more for their services than regular roofers. The only challenge is locating these masters. Although difficult, this is totally doable.

If quality and appearance are more important to you than price, then you should choose a terrace with a glass roof. It is preferable to select alternative transparent roofing materials, such as wavy PVC lists or monolithic or profiled polycarbonate, if the construction budget is extremely constrained.

Design features of the glass roof of the terrace

Prior to building a glass-covered veranda or terrace, you must decide which:

  • dimensions and shape;
  • frame material;
  • View of the roof;
  • double -glazed window;
  • type of glass;
  • optional equipment.

Selecting the right size and shape for an extension is usually easy because each home’s owner knows roughly how much sleep they require. In addition, a stronger foundation and frame are required for a structure of this type the larger the terrace’s roof area. This is caused by the weight of the snow as well as the mass of the glass itself.

The terrace with a glass roof typically measures 3.5–4 m wide and 5–6 m long. It turns out that a 17.5–24 m 2 recreation area is sufficient in most circumstances. You can place a sofa, a grill, and tables with chairs on this space. However, the terrace’s area can be greatly increased if needed; there are no limitations other than the structure’s ability to support its weight.

What to make a frame from

In order to install glass on the terrace’s roof, a sturdy frame with a large load capacity is required. It is therefore impossible to use a glass roof for the frame because regular metal-plastic profiles, which are used to make vertical windows and doors, simply cannot support the weight. However, such a load is readily supported:

  • aluminum profiles;
  • steel profiles;
  • tree;
  • Combined wood and aluminum frames.

Aluminum profiles

Due to aluminum’s remarkable strength, light weight, and corrosion resistance, which make it the primary metal used in aircraft construction. It is a good fit for building the glass roof of the veranda because of the same qualities. The aluminum frame withstands a substantial wind and snow load while also essentially not loading the foundation.

Aluminum’s high heat conductivity is its main flaw. Since the typical aluminum profile is practically incapable of retaining heat in a space, canopies and closed, unheated terraces and verandas are typically constructed using its frame. The creation of "warm aluminum," a unique profile with a thermal extension, helped to cut down on heat loss. An insert that insulates heat connects the two components of this type of aluminum profile. Although the profile with thermal extension is weaker and more expensive than usual, heat loss through it is much reduced. Despite this, it still has a higher heat conductivity than a tree or a standard metal-plastic frame.

Steel frame

Steel is a traditional material that is welded to the terrace’s glass roof frame. Because steel is stronger than aluminum, a steel frame intended for the same load has a profile cross section that is 1.4–1.7 times smaller, depending on the kind of metal. The roof is very airy because of the narrow ribs. Furthermore, the panoramic glazing of the veranda’s roof is made possible by the steel profile’s exceptional strength. Steel roofs with arches, domes, and other rounded shapes are the simplest to construct because the profile can be bent instantly using basic hydraulic machinery.

However, steel frames for glass roofs are rarely used in private construction. for two reasons: the finished frame’s heavy weight and the material’s propensity for corrosion. And rust is a major issue if the frame’s weight is not a major consideration for small terraces. It’s ugly, to start with. Second, unchecked corrosion can cause a significant reduction in the frame’s bearing capacity in as little as five to ten years.

Naturally, the steel used for glass terrace roofs is not painted in place; doing so would be futile as you will need to repaint the frame every two to three years. You will need to take the glass apart and reassemble it in order to accomplish this. However, the powder-coated steel eventually starts to rust because the wind and snow buildup on the roof progressively removes the paint’s protective layer. Although it won’t happen right away, the issue of maintaining the frame will still come up in 20 to 30 years. A steel frame is therefore typically an option for large-area roofs and awnings in commercial construction.

Black roof frame

The glass roof of the terrace has a wooden frame that looks rather exotic for a modern building. Despite this, the frame is most appropriate for log cabins and houses from a bar. The tree is not only visually pleasing but also environmentally friendly and has good heat retention, especially if it is made of valuable wood like oak, larch, cherries, or another type of wood.

However, it is very difficult to install glass on a wooden terrace or veranda roof. sealing joints in particular. Thus, glass is typically laid in one of two ways on a wooden frame:

  1. Glass is placed on top of the boards of the rafters and it is made in special grooves from above and below the roof: on the support beam and Mauerlat. Connect the sheets with special sealing profiles. They can be metal, plastic and even rubber – it does not matter, since there is practically no load on them: the glass is held in place with its own weight and fixed with boards along the edges.
  2. For installation of glass along the edges of the rafters on top, rectangular drinks are made 15-20 mm wide. The depth drank should be the same as the thickness of the glass. A sealant is applied throughout the width on the drink and the glass sheets are laid on top of it. I drank between the edge and the sealant is applied again, even if a visually glass leaf lay down close. From below and above, glass is made in grooves in the beam.

Regardless of the mounting method used for the terrace’s glass roof on a wooden frame, the glass appears to be on the boards rather than fixed with the profile. This makes it more likely that a roof of this type will collapse in the event of a strong wind. Furthermore, the glass should only have longitudinal joints rather than transverse ones. Thus, only a comparatively short slope length is permitted for a wooden frame.

The tree used for the frame must be treated with antiseptics and fire retardants (anti-piren), regardless of the type of wood.

Combined frame made of wood and aluminum

These frames combine the convenience and dependability of aluminum profiles with the beauty, low heat conductivity, and high bearing capacity of the tree. Aluminum is required to seal the compounds between the glass and ensure its stable fixation, while the wooden portion of the combined frame bears the weight.

There are two primary drawbacks to the combined frame:

  • Burningness. Thick boards of rafters do not allow you to create a truly air structure.
  • Less service life, than a purely aluminum frame. Such a glass roof of the terrace will last as much as the wooden frame will serve. And the tree is far from as durable as aluminum or, moreover, glass.

However, since the transverse joint of the glass can be easily designed using the same aluminum profile, there is no restriction on the length of the slope in this instance. Similar to a typical wooden frame, the combined is required to be impregnated with a fire retardant and treated with an antiseptic to prevent rot and fungus.

4 best forms of the glass roof of the terrace

Any type of glass roof, including shoe, gable, dining, and dome styles, can be installed on a terrace. This material is plastic and flexible, allowing for the creation of arbitrary complex shapes. The cost is the sole area of inquiry. However, the following four types of glass roofs are the most appropriate for patios and verandas:

  1. Flat roof. Always a good choice for terraces of houses in a modern style. The flat roof looks relevant and original, and in panoramic glazing, it creates the most complete illusion of an open sky above her head. Due to the minimum slope, snow lingers on it, so it is better to put glass with heated on a flat roof.

  • Single -toe roof. The most universal and easy -to -install roof shape. Neither snow nor rain is delayed on a single -sloping roof of glass on the veranda, it is slowly polluted, and ordinary rectangular glasses are used to block such a roof. The best option on reliability and price.

  • Arched roof. The elegant glass arch is no longer just a roof, albeit a transparent, but an important architectural element. Another arched glass roof over the terrace easily gets rid of snow, which leaves the smooth streamlined coating, practically without linger.

  • Dome roof. The most difficult, but also the most spectacular form of glazing of the roof of the veranda. Rarely in which architectural ensemble the glass dome will look organically. But if it fits, it will definitely become a magnet of attention and the main accent of the whole composition. From the dome roof, the snow slips even faster than from the arched.

The focal point of the house is the glass-roofed terrace or veranda. Therefore, although practicality is important, you should not focus on it when choosing its form. The roof’s ability to blend in with the architecture, enhance it naturally, and draw attention is what matters most.

Single or double -glazed window?

Ordinary windows have at least two panes of glass, and living rooms frequently have three. However, since a glass roof is nearly invariably composed of a single piece of glass, everything is totally incorrect. The cause is straightforward: a heavy load.

Because glass is heavy, a fairly strong frame and foundation are required even when installing the terrace’s glass roof in a single row. Furthermore, since a double-glazed glass packet containing two glasses weighs two to three times as much, stronger supporting structures are required for such a roof. Such designs will be more costly and appear rough. Double glazing is therefore only installed on closed verandas when insulation is required.

In this instance, there are typically two kinds of glasses in the double-glazed window:

  • hardened glass outside;
  • Triplex with an energy -saving coating from the inside.

In addition to lowering thermal losses, the low-emission coating prevents infrared radiation from being released into the environment, acting as a heater for the space between the glasses. Additionally energy-saving is tempered glass, provided that it is attached to the object externally rather than internally with a low-emission coating. Such glass will keep the insulated veranda from overheating in the summer.

Choose glass on the roof of the terraces

Terrace roofs are typically composed of triplex or hardened glass.

Not in vain, strained glass was called. The standard glass sheet is heated to 600 °C or higher to create tempered glass, and it is then rapidly cooled. This modifies the glass’s structure, making it safer and more resilient. If the hardened glass breaks, the small, non-hazardous pieces will fly out.

Triplex is a type of multi-layer laminated glass that has an inner and an outer layer of glass along with a polymer layer that connects them. It is made up of at least three layers. Triplex weighs two to three times as much as regular glass, but it is far stronger. Laminated glass is incredibly difficult to break; even powerful blows typically result in a web of cracks and the need to replace the damaged sheet. Little pieces are created if the glass is broken, and these mostly stay fixed on the polymer. As a result, triplex is typically used for single-layer glass roofs on terraces and verandas, despite their heavier weight.

The triplex polymer binder comes in two varieties: liquid photo-hard-to-resin or polymer EVA film.

Fillings are triplexes constructed from polymer resin. Their structure is homogeneous and they are much stronger than glass glued with an EVA film. However, movie triplexes are far more common than flood because they are easier and less expensive to produce. Film triplexes are also used more frequently for building terraces with glass roofs because their strength is sufficient for supporting any household load and because flood triplexes have no particular significance. Naturally, provided the film glass is of a good caliber.

The truth is that low-quality EVA film, which eventually becomes hazy and yellow, is used in extremely inexpensive laminated glasses. This procedure typically takes 20 to 25 years. Gradually, the triplex loses its aesthetic appeal and lets in less light. Because of the glass’s short lifespan, it is necessary to choose film triplexes from reputable, large manufacturers for glass roofs. In certain cases, this means paying more for the brand’s assurance of high quality.

The foundation is triplex, or hardened glass. Other technologies can be added to it:

  1. Enlightened glass with a low iron content without a characteristic greenish tint. Such glasses pass more visible light and do not distort the colors. Good if you need to get a wow effect.
  2. Low -emission glass with heat -saving spraying, which are placed on heated closed verandas.
  3. Sunscreen glasses, which do not miss the entire spectrum of ultraviolet rays, reflecting or absorbing them. Mandatory property of glasses from which the roofs of terraces or houses are made.
  4. Highly sustainable glass, Overheating terraces with a glass roof on hot days. They miss visible light, but reflect ultraviolet and infrared rays. Optimal if the terrace is completely glass, without areas with shading, and the region is characterized by a hot summer.

When selecting glass, consider the functions, weather, and elements of the terrace’s or veranda’s overall design.

Additional equipment for the glass roof terrace

In order to improve the comfort and dependability of a glass-roofed veranda, they install: on the roof:

  1. Electric heating system, which melts the snow that has fallen on the glass and prevents glaciation, preserving the roof transparent even in winter. The heating system can work automatically or manually turn on.

  • Blinds or rollers, which they cover the glass on a hot day to create a shadow.

  • Infrared heaters, which allow you to comfortably accommodate on an open terrace even at a relatively low temperature on the street – up to +8 ° C.

Additionally, multiple opening windows are made on the opposite sides of closed and partially closed verandas. This is necessary for the room’s ventilation. The opening windows can be swapped out for a climatic system, which combines supply and exhaust ventilation with air recovery, for increased energy efficiency.

By adding a glass roof to your terrace, you can create a tranquil outdoor area that perfectly connects the inside and outside. In addition to providing weather protection, it lets natural light pour into your room, making it feel spacious and light.

Your terrace looks better with a glass roof because it gives you a clear view of the sky above. From the comfort of your terrace, take in the beauty of every season, whether it’s bright days or starry nights. It combines sophistication with functionality to give any architectural style a dash of modern elegance.

The potential of a glass roof to increase your living space is one of its biggest benefits. It gives you shelter without taking away from the sense of being outside, enabling you to use your terrace all year round. Envision entertaining friends or spending intimate times by yourself while shielded from the elements—rain, wind, or intense sun.

A glass roof also raises the value of your home when you decide to sell it. Homes with well-planned outdoor areas that provide both privacy and openness are frequently attractive to potential buyers. It turns into a differentiator for your house in a crowded real estate market.

Video on the topic

The roof in the KP Pestovo Dmitrovskoye Shosse is completed. Glass roof made of closed glass 8 mm.

Glass roof, for a gazebo

Glazing of a veranda and a glass roof

Glass roof | Glass terraces and verandas | DIY Terrace, ready -made solution.#terrace

Glazing verandas, terraces and arbors – glass awnings and roofs

What do you think, which element is the most important for a reliable and durable roof?
Share to friends
Alexandra Fedorova

Journalist, author of articles on construction and repair. I will help you understand the complex issues related to the choice and installation of the roof.

Rate author
Innfes.com
Add a comment