Glass roof: the pros and cons of a transparent roof

If you like non-standard and creative solutions, then you should explore all the features of ultra-modern glass roofs. More recently, only very rich people could afford the installation of such structures. But now they have become more accessible and common. Today we will examine in detail what the pros and cons are characteristic of these spectacular designs.

The glass roof is the ideal solution for owners who are tired of traditional design techniques. With this design, you can revive the look of a private house, giving it a special style and unique luxury.

Many consumers fear contacting glass roofs., because they doubt their reliability, strength and durability.However, a really high-quality construction is able to last for many years without requiring constant repair.

If you want to install a glass roof, then you should take into account all the features that are characteristic of it.

Because of this feature, it will not be easy to keep a comfortable microclimate in a room with such a roof. - there will be hot and stuffy. Remember about this feature of the glass roof should be at the stage of drafting the house. Be sure to take care of high-quality insulation of the building from direct sunlight. Install air conditioning in the room.

The seams present on the panoramic (otherwise called glass roof) structure must be treated with high-quality sealant. In addition, the roof must provide good insulation, because the glass in the installation process can not be laid overlap.

Of course, for such a roof is recommended to use only the most durable glass, but this does not mean that it can not be damaged or broken.Transparent roofs quickly become covered with dust, so they have to be cleaned with enviable regularity.

However, it should be borne in mind that the transparent design should be made only from the recommended materials, which we will discuss below. If the roof consists of them, then it is not necessary to worry about its durability and durability.

Beautiful glass roofs, like other types of roofing, have their pros and cons. With them you should definitely get acquainted if you decide to supplement the house with a similar structure.

For a start, it is worth considering in detail what the panoramic roofs are good for.

• The main advantage of the panoramic roofs is their unsurpassed design. Such designs look not only fashionable and aesthetically pleasing, but also very expensive. With the help of glass roofing, it is possible to transform the facade of a building advantageously.
• It's no secret that glass is a transparent material. Thanks to this quality in a home with such a roof will always be very light and clear.

• Glass constructions are water resistant and have excellent thermal insulation properties.
• Such roofs are environmentally friendly.
• Glass models are universal. They can be installed not only directly above the living area in the house. They are also suitable for a greenhouse, attic, veranda, greenhouse or terrace.
• A quality roof will surely please its owners with a long service life and good strength characteristics.

• Glass roofs have perfectly smooth surfaces. In addition, they are absolutely flat, so rain and snow will always roll down from them.
• Glass roofs feature a wide variety of shapes. Choose the perfect option will be able to every consumer. The most popular designs are in the form of a square, hemisphere, dome, triangles or pyramids.
• In the rooms located under such roofs, many interiors look harmonious. They can be made in a variety of styles.

Despite its durability and beautiful appearance, glass roofs have their drawbacks.

• The main disadvantage of the panoramic roof is its increased thermal conductivity. Because of such a roof in the room will always be hot, especially in the summer season.
• Glass roof will have to constantly clean.This is especially true of a snowy winter - one should not allow snow to accumulate on a glass roof, as it will cause serious loads on fragile material.

• As a rule, the panoramic roof of glass can not boast of sufficient waterproofing between the individual elements of the roof. In this case, it is permissible to use only silicone sealant. However, it cannot provide sufficiently reliable insulation of the structure.
• Requirements for the slope of such roofs are considered quite strict. If the slope does not reach 30 degrees, then water will accumulate on the roof.
• Despite the fact that such designs have become more affordable, their value is still far from democratic.

Glass roofs are different. Most often they differ in their forms. For example, flat designs are popular and uncomplicated. With this structure, the glass is laid directly on the floor beams. In this case, it is very important to correctly calculate the dimensional parameters of glass parts.

More complex and expensive are the beautiful multi-faceted pyramids. The process of their manufacture takes a lot of time and effort, so they are more expensive.

Beautifully and stylishly look roof, forming a glass dome.As a rule, such structures are used in the arrangement of winter gardens or greenhouses. The similar model of a roof is capable to make the housing elegant and light both outside, and inside.

You can make the space airy and fresh using an arched glass roof. According to consumers, with this design it is especially convenient to enjoy the panorama of the blue or starry sky.

Simpler, but no less attractive looks dvukhskatnaya roof of glass. In addition to aesthetic design, such models are also good because they do not accumulate moisture, moisture, snow and yellowed leaves. In addition, the gable roof best "catches" the annoying rays of the sun.

Also, panoramic roofs differ in their frames.

• Aluminum profile. Aluminum structures are quite common. They are distinguished by their low weight, which does not affect the strength characteristics. The disadvantage of the aluminum frame is a high thermal conductivity, which causes significant heat loss.
• Steel. For glazing of small sizes, a frame made of steel profile is best suited.Such constructions seamlessly withstand considerable loads, but at the same time they themselves weigh quite a lot. In addition, on steel guides often appear corrosion.

• Aluminum-wooden. Since metal frames are quite expensive, many buyers use combined specimens, especially when it comes to small areas. Not so long ago, functional heated roofs appeared in the sale. They are all equipped with automatic systems and most often have a frame structure. The design of the glass of such a roof can be absolutely anything, as well as its texture. With just one click, you can release a certain part of the opening by installing a sliding roof. Of course, such models are more expensive, but they are practical and very easy to use.

If you want to install a high-quality and durable glass roof, then you should refer to these options:

• reliable tempered glass;
• triplex (this material, like hot glass, has a polymer film on its surface);
• armored glass;
• laminated glass;
• transparent slate;
• plexiglass.

Slightly less often such roofing structures are made of plexiglass or monolithic polycarbonate. Double-glazed window constructions are recognized to be just as reliable and durable; however, it is worth remembering that they have a lot of weight, so working with them will not be so easy and convenient. In addition, with these products you need to be careful when adjoining the wall.

For the manufacture of a transparent roof, you can use a colorless plastic. As a rule, one sheet of this material is slightly wavy and rather dense.

PVC finished modules are used not only for the manufacture of transparent roofing, but also to create:

• hinges and visors;
• swimming pools;
• courtyards;
• greenhouses;
• gardens;
• greenhouses;
• winter gardens.

If you want to decorate your home with a beautiful transparent roof, then you need at the design stage of the project to ensure that the structure does not accumulate snow deposits on its surface during the cold winter season.To do this, you should spend a little money and build a high-quality glass heating system.

You can also apply to a more economical option - increasing the roof slope by more than 30 degrees. With such a structure, precipitation will themselves slip from the roof.

In the process of developing high-quality construction, it is necessary to pay special attention to waterproofing existing seams and joints. To do this, you can use not only the standard silicone sealant, but also special stekloizol.

In order for the design to be strong and durable, it is necessary to install a strong frame. By the time the joints are insulated, the roof must be securely attached to the frame base.

To build a roof of glass / polycarbonate, you must have the appropriate knowledge and skills. If you doubt your abilities, then it is better to entrust such work to professionals, since the roof is one of the most serious structures, which should be as safe as possible.

Installation of a beautiful glass roof is possible to do it yourself.

Consider this process step by step.

• First you need to correctly make all the preliminary calculations of the necessary elements, as well as pay attention to the design of the future structure.Without experience, counting materials is not recommended.
• At the time of design is very important to deal with the problem of accumulation of precipitation on a transparent roof. To do this, use slopes with a slope of not less than 30 degrees. In addition, not an extra will be an additional system of heating the roofing material.

• It is necessary to erect bearing structures made of steel, aluminum or wood combined with steel. So, metal frames are installed on wooden rafters. The structure must be fastened as securely and firmly as possible.
• All fasteners complement high-quality waterproofing. For this, it is recommended to use glass insulation, especially if you collect the roof not from PVC material, but from glass (any).
• After that, at the joints should be closed decorative components. The seams of the glass roof can be sealed with silicone sealant.

Before installing glass parts, frame parts made of metal are recommended to be treated with a protective compound so that corrosion does not appear on it.

They need to be sealed with maximum quality and reliability.Update the isolation of these areas every season.

If you are looking for a good alternative to glass, then you should prefer polycarbonate. When installing a roof made of such material, it is necessary to leave a small gap of up to 5 mm between the frame and the edge of the sheet, since this coating has a high coefficient of thermal expansion.

For the glazing is also often used structural glass. When mounting it, use special external clamping strips.

The heating function is not cheap, but experts recommend installing it. - it will not only protect the roof from precipitation, but will also combat the fogging of glasses and the formation of condensate.

It is recommended to wash glass roofs at least twice a year, as dust quickly accumulates on them. To protect the roof from such annoying problems, you can install at the top of a special exterior louvers or interior shutters. Buy and air conditioning.

To care for the glass roof does not need to stock up on expensive tools.It is enough to wipe them with a soft cloth soaked in clean water.

If a certain piece of the structure was damaged, you can always dismantle it and replace it with a new one.

To make the design more reliable and durable, you need to choose high-quality and durable profiles for the manufacture of the frame.

In the manufacture of the frame in any case, do not use materials that are commonly used when installing windows of facades of buildings.

Panoramic gable roof will look great in a bright private house with pastel trim and windows that have nice wooden frames. Use neutral tones and as many recessed luminaires as possible in such rooms. The result will not disappoint you.

Translucent roof on a metal frame - the perfect solution for the house in the style of high-tech or loft. Install large windows with thin frames in the premises of such a dwelling, and trim the walls with stone or concrete. Dilute rough features of green plants in pots and wooden pieces of furniture with glass inserts.

See below for how to install glazing for glass roofs.