Aluminum conservatories: advantages and design options

If you want to give the living space a more modern and well-groomed look, as well as equip a "rest corner" for your household, then be sure to organize a winter garden. You can use a loggia in an apartment for these purposes, but the ideal option would be to make a spacious extension to a private house, glazing it from all sides.

To build your dream winter garden, think over its location and, of course, provide high-quality glazing. It is on this that the exuberant flowering of plants in cold weather will depend. The temperature and humidity should be as comfortable as possible for the owners, because in a cozy winter garden you will probably spend most of the winter days. That is why the choice of material for building and glazing a winter garden is so important.

Metals are considered the most technologically advanced and durable finishing materials., one of the most common of them is aluminum. In the construction of winter gardens, an alloy containing 80-90% aluminum is usually used, with additives for additional strength and improved mechanical properties. Aluminum is able to retain its structural properties under any climatic conditions - it is not afraid of either 50-degree frosts or 50-degree heat.

In addition, this "winged metal" resists intense ultraviolet radiation and high humidity, which is especially important in coastal areas. The only drawback of aluminum is its high thermal conductivity, which means that temperature fluctuations will affect the parameters of the structure's elements. The combination of aluminum and glass in the construction of the winter garden will provide it with special strength and durability.

The aluminum frame is capable of supporting the weight of even very large-scale glazing. The glass roof must be safe so as not to crack under the onslaught of atmospheric precipitation, which is why the roof is usually made of plexiglass or polycarbonate. At the same time, the strength of the second option is many times superior to ordinary glass.

The slope of the roof can be up to 60 degrees, while the steeper the roof slope, the easier it will be to care for: precipitation will fall down, and condensation from the inside of the glass will drain off by itself. In addition, sunlight penetrates better through the sloped roof, serving as a natural source of heating for the winter garden in autumn and winter.

As for the location of the aluminum structure, the southern or eastern side of the house would be the best option. The sun enters the winter garden on the east side in the first half of the day - it does not shine as intensely and will not harm flowers as direct sunlight after 12 hours. Therefore, many types of plants will feel most comfortable here.

More than half of our compatriots choose an aluminum profile for glazing winter gardens, because this material has many advantages and benefits:

• a light weight;
• fire safety;
• ease of installation;
• mechanical strength;
• durability (the aluminum profile will last 70 years without major repairs);

• resistance to temperature extremes;
• strength and rigidity of the frame;
• resistance to moisture;
• affordable price;
• ease of maintenance;
• anti-corrosion protection (aluminum does not rust);
• resistance to precipitation and wind;

• safety for health, as it does not contain harmful substances;
• the ability to withstand the weight of the glazing;
• aluminum will organically fit into any interior;
• has good light transmittance;
• resistant to chemical attack;
• not afraid of exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
• plasticity, therefore, structures can be given any shape.

The simplest structure that you can build yourself is the extension of a winter garden with a pitched roof to the wall of the house. In this case, the slope angle should be from 30 to 60 degrees so that in winter snow does not accumulate on the glass roof. The gable roof design option is worth using if you plan to make a winter garden extended along the length.

An extension with a three-beam roof is a more complex, but beautiful design option with a lot of corners. This aluminum construction is recommended for a conservatory with a "rounded" layout. The corner extension is usually chosen based on the intensity of light during the day. A more complex corner version - with a three-beam roof and an unusual interior layout.

A very rare and complex aluminum structure - with a "tie-in" into the house, when the winter garden is integrated into one of the premises in the house, for example, a living room, a dining room or a recreation room. There are also options for winter garden designs separately installed from the house - with a gable, pyramidal, rectangular roof with bevels. Such freestanding aluminum structures require internal and external insulation from all sides.

Double-glazed windows in the winter garden are designed not only to let in sunlight, but also, if necessary, on the contrary, to darken some areas. The microclimate inside the greenhouse and how the flowers will grow depends on such lighting. When using different types of glass, it is possible to create several climatic zones in the winter garden at once for different types of plants that need a different thermal regime and level of illumination. Also, to control the microclimate of the garden, you can install humidity and temperature sensors.

Double-glazed windows can be transparent, reinforced, tinted, matte, hardened, mirrored, fire resistant and even with an automated self-cleaning system. The sloping part of the roof is usually glazed with a tempered glass unit on the outside and triplex on the inside. This is a safe type of glazing, when its fragments, if broken, will not injure others. Some modern glass structures also use innovative control panel hatches.

The glazing of the winter garden depends solely on your preferences and financial capabilities. The classic version is single-chamber double-glazed windows. If finances allow, then for additional sound insulation, you can use double-glazed windows around the perimeter of the winter garden, but they will be too heavy for shelter. For the roof, a double-glazed unit with triplex and a second tempered glass is usually used.

If desired and at an additional cost, the roof can be tinted to protect the plants from direct rays. The cost of the project for the construction of a winter garden will depend not only on the type of glazing, but also on the size of the bearing aluminum structures. The higher they are and the more there are, respectively, the cost of the project will be more expensive. At the same time, for some configurations of conservatories, additional steel support parts may be required.

Winter garden insulation can significantly reduce heating costs and grow heat-loving plants even in the harsh Russian climate. One of the ways to insulate is by gluing a special film on the glass.This will not only protect you from low temperatures in the winter garden, but also increase the strength of the glass.

In addition, insulation of windows and doors with a double layer of rubber seal will help to insulate the room. And if you need a very high temperature, for example, for growing tropical plant species in a greenhouse, then you can use a "warm" aluminum profile with an insulator.

According to the purpose and type of heating, several types of winter gardens are also distinguished. Unheated structures are non-residential and are suitable exclusively for plants, but, unfortunately, the microclimate here is unstable, so only unpretentious species of flora will take root in such a garden. An ideal option that will require significant investment is a constantly heated residential structure, where plants can delight their owners throughout the whole year.

Heating systems for an aluminum conservatory can be centrally connected, underfloor heating, warm air conditioner or electrical appliances. It is advisable to think over the design of the heating system even before the construction of the winter garden begins. At the same time, the outer side of the greenhouse also needs heating, so that ice does not form on the glass. For this, the glass roof is equipped with a heating cable system.

If you have an insatiable desire to be closer to nature, then an aluminum winter garden is just what you need. Even in the most severe frosts, you can relax and gain strength in the midst of flowering plants. It doesn't matter what size the winter garden is and where it is located - on the balcony, in the annex to the cottage, or even on the roof. In addition, it is a great option to expand the living space, which can later be used for practical purposes.

In addition to residential and suburban premises, aluminum winter gardens can also be seen in office and administrative buildings, sports complexes, health and entertainment centers. Aluminum structures will harmoniously fit into the interior of any room, even the most daring in design, and make it more colorful.

The winter garden is a link between nature and man.

The aluminum frame is very practical and durable.

The aluminum profile will organically complement the architecture of the building in any style.

The winter garden can be adjacent to the house or act as a separate structure.

For the advantages and options for constructing a winter garden made of aluminum, see the following video.