Soft PVC windows for gazebos and terraces: advantages and disadvantages

The main feature and pride of residents of country houses is the presence of a gazebo or an open terrace. But very often it is this place that becomes the main stumbling block arising from the fault of weather conditions or the invasion of annoying insects.

How to get rid of the discomfort in your own area in the heat and cold, without resorting to homebody, will be advised by professionals in the manufacture and installation of soft windows.

Today it is already difficult to be surprised at the various modifications of those items that we use on a daily basis. The era of consumerism continues to move humanity towards the maximum ease of life. Now on sale there are soft windows, which are used mainly in open gazebos, terraces and verandas.

They are a kind of stretch curtains, in which polyvinyl chloride (popularly known as PVC film) acts as the main material instead of fabric.

Flexible polymer windows have in their arsenal a number of pleasant features that emphasize their need:

• Protective function... Despite the fact that PVC film is often used for greenhouses, this material perfectly transmits air and light in the places you need and protects against insects and adverse weather conditions.
• Mobility... Easy to assemble, easy to remove if necessary. At the same time, the material itself does not suffer at all, does not wrinkle, and creases do not form on it. It can be removed like classic fabric curtains (secured to the sides of the opening), or it can be rolled up and fixed at the top.

• Combinatorial... Soft windows are also called curtains, but this does not mean at all that you have to abandon the use of curtains. The windows are perfectly combined with classic fabric curtains, paper roman blinds, vertical and horizontal blinds and even roller blinds of simple configurations.
• Variability... Flexible window curtains can be not only transparent. At the request of the customer, manufacturers will make tinted "glasses" that will not only hide you from prying eyes, but also reduce the percentage of penetration of ultraviolet rays and their effect on the eyes and skin.

• Availability of additional accessoriesthat facilitate the operation and maintenance of unique flexible windows. Here, manufacturers have a vast field for activity, since when purchasing such an economical device in terms of cost, the buyer will definitely ask about additional attributes to it.

The density of the film is of two sizes - 500 and 700 microns. It should be understood that the denser the window, the stronger and more functional it will be... But do not forget about the other side of the coin - the stuffy atmosphere in the room with thick curtains during the hot summer period.

The standard width of the window in a roll is 1 m 40 cm... For non-standard openings, two widths are soldered together with hot air, and a border is placed on top of the formed seam.

Another important feature of PVC windows for terraces and gazebos is the price, which starts from 1400 rubles per square meter and increases to 1700 for the same unit of measurement. It should be noted that manufacturers reduce the cost per square meter of PVC film, depending on the total amount. Also, an important role in pricing is played by the presence of non-standard sizes and the installation of these windows with the help of specialists. Wherein services for the measurement of openings and the selection of edging options are almost always free.

As with any construction innovation, it has its own strengths and weaknesses. Speaking of soft windows, it is very difficult to find flaws in them, according to customer and user reviews. And you can talk about the advantages for an infinitely long time, finding more and more of their advantages over any other materials for a gazebo, veranda, terrace or even a balcony.

The positive qualities of soft windows can be determined by comparing them, for example, with plastic ones. The main advantage in this situation is the price, which is almost 2-3 times lower. PVC glazing stands out for its high strength, lack of fragility, the inability to break flexible windows, like ordinary glass.

Frost and heat resistant, like plastic windows, such structures can remain functional in winter at temperatures down to -40 degrees and subject to the availability of additional heating means inside the room. And in summer, products can withstand up to +70 in the presence of climatic technology, which will cool the gazebo or terrace from the inside. Otherwise, the room will be too stuffy.

These unique stretch curtains allow daylight to fill the room to the fullest. A feeling of airiness and spaciousness is created, despite some limitation of these conventional transparent walls.

Soft windows are so durable and resistant to sunlight and fadingthat any other materials for street curtains and curtains cannot be compared with them. Fungus and mold do not form on them, and fire safety is at the highest level.

In addition to many advantages, the products also have certain disadvantages. For example, such a curtain is very easy to cut, hitting with something sharp, and in most cases it is impossible to patch the cut. The only solution is to replace the PVC window completely.

A large coefficient of thermal expansion is another disadvantage of such window structures. The fact is that as the temperature drops, the material shrinks. There is a risk of tearing at the tension points. And when the thermometer readings increase, the film stretches a little, and in the summer you can drag it, making the surface smoother.

The range of use of soft windows is wide enough. Most often, this method of protection is resorted to by the owners of outdoor summer cafes and restaurants. Since flexible window-walls can be not only transparent, most businessmen use them as an additional advertising space and a way to attract more visitors.

Additional functions of PVC windows are explained by the following properties:

• the ability to print a logo on PVC film;
• the use of a mosquito net on the back of the liquid window;
• protection from rain, snow, wind, dust and other vagaries of nature.

In private properties, protective transparent window-curtains are used to "glaze" gazebos, terraces and verandas. In some cases, PVC foil can be used to decorate balconies in apartment buildings.

Professionals advise rolling PVC curtains for the winterto avoid cracking or other damage. You can also tightly close the gazebo, leaving the windows taut. The main thing is to be attentive to the change in the temperature regime on the street, so that warming does not negatively affect the windows.

There are no peculiarities in the installation of soft windows that would be difficult to cope with. But some stages, for example, measurements, are best done by professionals.

Standard PVC structures are subject to exchange and return if they were not damaged when trying to install them. Custom made soft windows cannot be returned if measurements were not made correctly.

Outdoor PVC windows have three main types of fastening:

• Swivel brackets with spring mechanism... This is one of the simplest and most commonly used fastening methods. These brackets are placed around the perimeter of the window. Fixation and tension occur by turning the bracket in the desired direction.

• Plain staples + silicone or fabric straps... The main disadvantage of this method is the location of the brackets around the perimeter of the window in such a way that the tension occurs evenly in all its sections.

• Sophisticated sliding system, which attaches the film to special frames on rollers. There is practically no tightness in such a system, therefore it is more of a decorative character than a functional one. Used in the restaurant business.

Before installing soft windows on a veranda or terrace with your own hands, you must perform the following series of actions:

• order a professional measurement of the openings where the curtain windows will be located;
• choose a suitable edging;
• decide on the type of attachment;
• proceed with installation.

Installation is carried out by marking the location of the holes along the perimeter of the window on the base to which it will be attached. After applying the markings, fittings are attached to the indicated places. The window structure is installed on a prepared base.

Craftsmen are happy to share step-by-step instructions for making do-it-yourself soft windows. At the same time, production concerns not only the canvases made of PVC film themselves, but also linoleum eyelets, staples made of nails. The main tools here are: a hair dryer with the necessary attachments, a hammer and installation skills.

Since edging options are also important, you should dwell on them in more detail. The edging is an additional reinforcement around the perimeter of the film. These are film, fabric, PVC strips of various colors, the width of which is at least five centimeters. Thus, you can safely choose the "window frame" to match the entire street structure.

On wide areas of windows (more than one and a half meters) it is possible to additionally install a lock on the edging along the entire length of the canvasso that you can open and close them as needed.

Today there are two types of edging for flexible windows:

• awning - from Oxford cloth;
• moisture resistant - made of PVC.

Both are equally good and in demand. The PVC edging is usually soldered to the window itself, so the risk of breakage is eliminated immediately. Due to the special properties of polyvinyl chloride, such a frame does not fade under the influence of sunlight and does not lend itself to temperature extremes.

The awning edging is also quite strong, but it is attached to the main canvas by sewing on, which is not always effective. As for the color scheme of the frame, it has 10 options for each type. Basically, these are classic colors: red, white, brown, moss green, beige, yellow, black.

The colors of the edging and the soft windows themselves last up to 12-15 years with proper and constant care.

Keeping soft PVC windows for gazebos and terraces clean and tidy is not difficult at all. They do not require the use of expensive detergents or dry cleaning. It is enough to treat them with ordinary soapy water (even a classic dish detergent is suitable here) and rinse it all off with the pressure of water from a garden hose with a shower head.

Wherein it is not recommended to use sponges, brushes with coarse bristles... The former leave stains on the windows, while the latter can scratch them or even break through the material. The main thing is to remember that regular and timely washing of soft windows prolongs not only their service life, but also gives aesthetic pleasure, a sense of security and cleanliness.

To protect windows from insects, which are very fond of sticking to ordinary glass on summer evenings, manufacturers are ready to supply a mosquito net. It is as easy to clean as the flexible window itself.

If the PVC sheet comes into contact with the ground, experts recommend installing anthers, polyethylene or PVC strips (manufacturers call them "pockets"), which protect the gazebo or terrace from dirt and dust from the ground entering the room. A weighting agent is inserted into these strips - a special pipe. Anthers are also used when it is not possible to fix the soft window from below. They are an additional attachment in this kind of "glazing".

Thus, having examined and analyzed all the main features, advantages and disadvantages of this type of protective decoration for gazebos and terraces, we can draw the following conclusions:

• Windows are suitable for any outdoor building, including balconies.
• Have an affordable pricing policy.
• They can be of different colors and degrees of transparency.
• They have protective, moisture and fire resistant properties.
• Easy to install and clean.

When choosing roll-up soft windows, pay attention to the complete set and details: edging, fastenings and even the density of the canvas itself. And entrust the measurements and installation to professionals who know their business for sure. In this case, you will be satisfied with your choice for years to come.

For more information on soft windows, see the video.