Winter garden in residential buildings. How to arrange a cozy winter garden in your own home. Protection from strong solar radiation

In the conditions of the harsh Russian climate, I want to keep the summer as long as possible and not give free rein to the winter, protecting it from it in my home. Since mid-autumn, nature begins to fade, with the onset of the first frosts, it freezes in deep sleep until spring awakening. A depressing picture: snowdrifts, "bald patches" of dirt, black trees with bare branches. Such a landscape really sets you up for depression and causes a breakdown. But who said that you have to let winter into your house? It is easy to stop it, keeping a piece of greenery, flowering and life. Summer is simply “preserved” in a separate room where numerous plants are grown. This is not an ordinary corner of living flora, and not a group of flowers in pots, but a real winter garden, with its own atmosphere and special microclimate. Its appearance and development is closely connected with the emergence of primitive heating, irrigation systems and methods of isolating individual rooms in order to preserve heat. In closed structures, a strictly defined temperature is maintained around the clock; in expensive options, special equipment is used that imitates various natural phenomena (rain, wind). The design of the winter greenhouse, in fact, is a mixture of interior design and landscape at their summer cottage. We will talk further about how to equip a beautiful, impressive winter garden, in which there is a place for both exotic and ordinary “summer” plants.

Origin story

The winter garden is a complex engineering and technical system. The first mentions of growing plants in houses are found in the written sources of Ancient Egypt. These documents are over 4,000 years old. The Egyptians at that time had just begun to apply the practice of planting plants and trees in pots of earth and stone vases. Pictures with similar decor are found on the walls of tombs and temples, where scenes from the everyday life of the Egyptians were depicted. The Romans liked the method very much, and they went much further. They began to use specially designated places for pots - window sills. And then the first perestiliums appeared - "inner" courtyards, which were fenced on all sides by a colonnade. Gardens were laid out in them, additionally decorated with fountains and large sculptures depicting deities and heroes of the epic. Although they were located in the open air, the isolation of the plantations became the first prerequisite for the creation of winter structures. Since modern polycarbonate, of course, did not exist in those days, primitive greenhouses were covered with a layer of mica, which had a relative transparency, which allowed the surface to pass scattered sunlight. The Mediterranean climate was ideal for such experiments. In the Old World, the king of Holland, Wilhelm, was the first to test the method of preserving summer plants in the palace in winter. His servants insulated the room so well that gentle representatives of the flora were not afraid of even severe frosts. The guests who arrived for the celebration were amazed by what they saw.

At the same time, an active trade in exotic plants began and a new method of transportation was discovered - in Ward's boxes, which became the prototype of modern florariums. For orange trees popular in Europe, "orange houses" are constructed - a kind of greenhouses. For other citrus fruits, date trees and heat-loving palms, special greenhouses are created. But the nobles and their retinue liked not only occasionally visiting their “green corners”, but also spending holidays in them, so the greenhouse method of planting plants in partially isolated soil was replaced with “room”, that is, in pots and tubs. This made it possible to free up more space, and the winter gardens themselves were moved to the spacious pavilions of the palaces. And so they appeared in the form that is familiar to each of us. To create a full-fledged winter garden, designers, architects and professional gardeners were involved. Until now, one of the most beautiful greenhouses in the world remains the Versailles, which was built during the time of Louis XIV. The king had a weakness for citrus fruits, so most of the garden is occupied by oranges. The greenhouse is still functioning, although it has gone through restorations and redevelopments that have changed its authentic appearance. For a long time, the winter garden was considered the lot of private property, and only by the end of the 19th century they began to be placed in fashionable apartments. Churchmen were the first in Russia to adopt the idea of planting plants indoors. The monks thus cultivated vegetables and fruits all year round.

In the conditions of the Russian climate, there is simply no other reliable option, except for the winter garden, for the preservation of exotic, heat-loving plants. Orange, pomegranate, lemon, and mango trees are sometimes planted outdoors, but surrounded by a solid structure with thermal insulation for wintering, which is associated with annual chores in anticipation of winter.

Features of creation and location options

To create a winter garden at home, you need to take into account a few rules, non-observance of which will make the entire campaign a failure:

The greenhouse should have good lighting, sufficient for the growth of various plants. For this reason, its walls and roof are often made of glass or other transparent material;
think over the competent location of the communication lines of the heating and ventilation systems. The first will be required in the winter, and the second in the summer. There is no need for them if the winter garden is located in a buffer room;
if the budget allows, then the greenhouse is also equipped with an automatic irrigation system. This will remove most of the worries about the garden from the owners. In economy options, you will have to independently water with a watering can and a spray bottle.

In addition, you will have to carry out all the usual procedures for gardeners and gardeners: loosen and replace the soil every couple of years, cut, remove diseased or weak branches, fertilize and treat plants from diseases, pests, plant overgrown bushes or transfer them to more spacious tubs where the entire root system will fit. Depending on the functional purpose, winter gardens are classified into three types:

residential - they are comfortable not only for plants, but also for humans;
greenhouses - this room is intended exclusively for flora;
buffer garden - it is equipped in a "cold" building, which can only be used in certain seasons (summer).

Depending on the location of the winter garden relative to the main building (country house, cottage, dacha), they are divided into three groups:

Embedded. They are located inside the dwelling and are often used in city apartments, where it is not possible to equip a winter garden separately. As a "victim" they usually use a balcony or loggia. Separate rooms are converted into a winter garden only in rare cases, if the apartment is too spacious with an excess of useful space or the cottage has a second (third) floor. The solution with the placement of the greenhouse under the glass dome-roof looks great.
Attached. They are an additional pavilion, which is usually built much later than the construction of the house. To get into such a garden, you do not need to leave the house. Buffer extensions, as a rule, separate the dwelling from the street, that is, in fact, these are converted verandas.
Freestanding. If the size of the private plot allows, then you can equip a huge greenhouse, which will completely replace the open garden. Such a solution will be effective in conditions of too capricious climate, which "kills" most of the seedlings. Ennobled arbors also look beautiful, which are insulated and made with tubs and pots with plants.

Depending on the location relative to the cardinal points, winter gardens are classified into four types:

Northern. Most of their windows "look" to the north. Although the room will quickly accumulate heat, it will not be able to keep it for a long time. In such gardens, it is recommended to install a high quality heating system.
Oriental. The best option of all. Plants will receive enough light, but they will not overheat.
Western. They are characterized by the preservation of heat for a long period. However, in hot, dry summers, this advantage is reclassified as a disadvantage, as the winter garden turns into a steam room.
Southern. In such gardens, by analogy with Western ones, overheating occurs during the hot season. It will be necessary to equip ventilation for the circulation of air flows and an irrigation system for irrigation.

Types of structures

The designs of winter gardens differ in the shape of the buildings themselves, the types of roofs (single-slope, gable, four-five-beam, with a break, domes) and in the materials of execution. If the first two characteristics are completely dependent on the style of landscape design of the site and the design of the exterior of the house to which they are adjacent, then in the latter case, strength and functionality play a role. For the construction of winter gardens use:

Aluminum. Durable, reliable and lightweight material that is not subject to corrosion. It is usually used to create mobile structures that are easily assembled and dismantled. Aluminum beams are not deformed, and due to the special strength of the material, the profile is made thin.
Wooden. A classic material that was used back in the days of the first greenhouse structures. Wood is capricious and impractical, because it will have to be systematically treated with special compounds that protect against moisture, pest invasions, fungi and mold. Otherwise, the wooden structure will begin to rot, deform and eventually become unusable. For the construction of a winter garden, birch, oak, pine, larch are used. The indisputable advantage of solid wood is its naturalness and special beauty.
Polyvinyl chloride. PVC is relatively cheap, and custom-made designs will allow you to realize the most daring decorating ideas. However, plastic greenhouses do not withstand heavy loads, so the overall premises will have to be further strengthened.
Metal-plastic. This material has collected the advantages of two main "components". From plastic, he adopted lightness, anti-corrosion and the ability to take any shape during manufacture, and took strength and relative flexibility from metal alloys.
All-glass. For such structures, a special type of tempered, laminated glass is used. It perfectly transmits light, but at the same time it does not react even to strong blows, since the triplex has super strength. If the surface still manages to strike a crushing blow, then it will only be covered with a pattern of cracks, keeping the fragments in place.

Also, the designs differ in the types of doors and windows with which they are equipped.

Lighting

Proper lighting is the key to the well-being of the "inhabitants" of the winter garden. It would seem that it could be easier than installing a couple of lamps and spotlights to flood the plants with light. But in fact, everything is not so easy. Some plants like shade (for example, tropical ones), while others need plenty of light for comfort. The power of the lamps and the intensity of lighting should be selected in accordance with the rules for growing certain species. This is especially important in our climate, since the sun rarely peeks out in winter, which means that the lack of his attention will have to be compensated artificially. In principle, a winter garden can be equipped even with ordinary incandescent lamps, but they are more suitable for rooms where people live, not plants. Their light spectrum is devoid of blue and red rays, which are necessary for the full growth of the flora. In addition, they have a high heat dissipation, which can burn the leaves of plants and cause them to wilt. Experts recommend choosing fluorescent lamps. They give a powerful stream of light, have low heat output and excellent energy-saving characteristics.

Ventilation and heating system

In addition to central or autonomous heating devices located around the perimeter of the room, it is necessary to install special infrared heaters. They are panels that are fixed on the walls or ceiling. This fallback option comes in handy during particularly harsh winters when the main system may not be up to the task. Such reinsurance is necessary in winter gardens, the design of which consists of more than 50% glass. Another option for additional heating is a modern "warm" floor, the temperature of which can be regulated. It will be comfortable not only for plants, but also for people walking around the greenhouse in slippers. The ventilation system can be artificial or natural. One way or another, fresh air is vital for plants. If unpretentious species are grown in the garden that can easily tolerate average temperatures, then natural ventilation will do. An artificial or mechanical option is used for capricious plants that react sharply to any changes in the environment. Such ventilation allows you to control and adjust the circulation of air flows.

The winter garden, like the house, has its own stylistic solutions. For its design, ethnic directions are mainly used, since the practice of decorating these premises in each country has gone its own way of development. A group of European styles is considered popular, which includes Dutch, French, English and Mediterranean. In these countries, the winter garden has become an integral part of country estates. For lovers of exotic flora, an African, Moorish or Mexican pavilion is suitable.

Classic style

In the classic winter garden there is a place for every member of the family. The floor is finished with stone, and the walls are plastered. Window frames are painted white. Decorate the room with wood panels. To preserve the spirit of conservatism, a soft sofa with coffee-colored upholstery, a pair of armchairs to match it, a large round dining table covered with a tablecloth are chosen from the furniture. It would be appropriate to place an antique cupboard for dishes. From plants choose palm trees, ferns, clematis and creepers. A stylish element in the decoration of the winter garden will be a fireplace.

English style

The British fell in love with winter gardens so much that they still spend most of their free time here. In the greenhouse they relax, drink tea, receive guests and even arrange modest family holidays. The English style is divided into several areas that correspond to a certain era in the life of the country:

Victorian. The style appeared during the reign of Queen Victoria. In the interior, they do not save on decorations, and the structure itself has a rectangular shape with a rounded end and a gable roof.
Georgian. The structure is in the shape of a semicircle with a flat roof. Windows are decorated with frequent internal partitions.
Edwardian. The winter garden has a strict rectangular shape, and its ridge is necessarily decorated with exterior decor. In interior design adhere to the principles of restraint.

In English winter gardens, windows are decorated with stained glass, and the floors are covered with large, soft carpets. Furniture is chosen antique, preferably antiques. You can also use wicker chairs and sofas. The coffee table is covered with a tablecloth with a floral pattern.

french style

In the French style, strictness and orderliness are observed. Shrubs in the winter garden are always neatly trimmed. Furniture is used soft and voluminous, as in a full-fledged living room. The color palette is dominated by pink, blue, white and gold. The interior of the winter garden is ideal for personal meetings and relaxing holidays alone. Its furnishings are luxurious. The living "filling" is dominated by flowers and exotic fruits, medicinal plants, vegetables and herbs. The tubs and pots with them are placed on special elevations so that the greenery is clearly visible from anywhere in the winter garden. Furniture is chosen massive with expensive upholstery. The decor includes mirrors in gilded vases, stucco molding, skillfully made porcelain vases, sculpture and floor lamps with a floral pattern.

Mediterranean

The Mediterranean style is laconic. The floor of the winter garden is finished with ceramic tiles, and the walls are painted in such colors as to give the impression of a surface “burnt out” under the scorching sun. The structure, as a rule, has a rectangular shape and is adjacent to the house. A warm climate has settled in this part of Europe, which does not spare anyone in summer, so the room is used as a saving oasis from the heat. The plantations are dominated by fruit trees and herbs. Decorate the room with sculptures, fountains and romantic pergolas entwined with climbing roses. Furniture is used simple and concise with forging elements.

Japanese style

It is quite difficult to create a Japanese winter garden without deep knowledge of Eastern philosophy. A decisive role in its design will be played by the correct construction of the composition. The Japanese, using a complex scheme, identify "energy" points, that is, accent zones, of which there are four in traditional versions. The winter garden becomes a place where three elements collide: air, earth and water. In the room there are necessarily artificial reservoirs, rock gardens, compositions of dwarf trees, moss and toro stone lanterns. Rest on wide benches. The Japanese winter garden is the best place for tea ceremonies and quiet rest in solitude.

If you want to arrange a winter garden in a private house, then this will require solving a whole range of engineering and architectural tasks - from competent integration with the rest of the building to organizing heating and ventilation. The winter garden attached to the house needs watering, maintaining a certain temperature regime, ventilation and high-quality glazing, but you can solve this problem with your own hands with the participation of one or two assistants.

Winter gardens as a building structure is a space that acts as an intermediate step between the premises of the house and the external environment. In such a pavilion, conditions are created for subtropical plants and others that do not survive in the cold, and as an addition, the garden can be used as a veranda, a dining room, a place of relaxation. Another way to use the winter complex is as a year-round source of greenery and some fruits for the home table.

The winter garden, attached to the main building, requires the following tasks:

Structural characteristics

The structure itself should be light, but strong and able to withstand extensive glazing (for frosty areas, even with double-triple double-glazed windows). It is created mainly from wood, but metal and plastic can be used.

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Sergey Yurievich

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Location - the choice between cardinal directions affects the need for additional ventilation, thermal insulation, the amount of water for irrigation and the complexity of the sun protection system.

Inundation of the winter garden

Heating - a winter garden attached to a residential building can be combined with the main heating system or provided with its own. Green "inhabitants" of such a pavilion need to maintain the temperature within 10-20 degrees, which can be provided with heaters, underfloor heating, air heating device, stove, and other methods.

Electricity

Electricity - Most green pavilion projects involve electrification, while sockets and wires must be protected from moisture and climatic conditions that benefit plants, but not wiring.

Lighting

Lighting - depending on the type of plants, the garden can be supplied with a certain amount of artificial lighting or, conversely, blinds and awnings to reduce the intensity of sunlight entering it.

Watering

Watering - plants in a small room can be watered manually, but a spacious pavilion of 10-20 square meters. m will require the organization of an irrigation system, possibly automatic.

The simplest winter garden, attached to a cottage or house, will require a minimum of effort - it can receive a small amount of heat from the main building, be ventilated through transoms and watered manually, but only frost-resistant plants that can be planted simply on plot. A pavilion capable of accommodating exotic or delicate greenery will require serious efforts - in addition to electrification, irrigation and ventilation systems, it will also be necessary to solve the issue of thermal insulation and protection of materials from climatic influences from the outside and from the inside.

Construction of a winter garden

The construction of a green extension to the house includes the following steps:

Construction plan

Creating a plan - here it is necessary to outline the future building, choose its location in relation to the house and the cardinal points, determine how the extension will dock with the main building, choose the foundation, decide on the frame materials, glazing, communications and organization of green space (in tubs, on the ground, etc.).

Foundation

Organization of the foundation - extensions with such a volume of communications and glazing can be quite heavy. Mostly, gardens are built on a columnar foundation, but the tape or slab method can be used. For the base, pits or trenches with a shallow occurrence are dug, a pillow of sand and gravel is laid there, reinforcement is imposed, concrete is poured, and boards are tied from above. The foundation must be erected at the same height as the main building.

floor construction

The floor is made of concrete, on top of which a coating can be laid - mainly stone, tile or porcelain stoneware. A tree can also be used if the plants are planned to be planted in tubs, between the foundation and the floor. Also, before finishing, hydro- and thermal insulation is carried out with a film and roofing material or specialized materials (mineral wool, polystyrene, foam, etc.).

Frame erection

The frame of the winter garden attached to the main building can be made of brick, profiled aluminum, steel, and other materials - the main thing is that they withstand the load of glazing and auxiliary structures. Fastening to the foundation of the frame is carried out with anchors, the connection between the elements can be carried out with nails, screws, dowels, self-tapping screws or welding (for metal) can be used. The distance along the guides depends on the width of the skin material. The joints between the garden and the wall of the main building are insulated with foam or caulked.

Winter garden glazing

Glazing - niches for glazing or places for fastening double-glazed windows should be provided in the frame. Extensions of winter gardens are most often made out in the middle lane with double-glazed windows, ordinary glasses, single or double, or light and damage-resistant polycarbonate can also be used. For natural ventilation, the structure is equipped with transoms (at least 40% of the glazing area) or ventilation holes are created in the walls.

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Sergey Yurievich

Construction of houses, outbuildings, terraces and verandas.

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Glass joints, transoms, sections of the frame are hydro- and thermally insulated, then the finishing and arrangement of plants, furniture, etc. takes place.

Additional elements

Glazed rooms attached to the house do not immediately become a winter garden; for this, the extension must be provided with additional communications:

ventilation - arranged with the help of transoms and ventilation openings, air conditioners or split systems, fans or combinations of these devices can also be used;
heating - a warm floor is considered a good solution, but it is difficult to repair it. A winter garden attached to the main building without complete integration, if it contains frost-resistant plants, can be equipped with one or more heaters, stoves or even central heating radiators are also used;
watering - an automatic drip irrigation system is considered the most convenient; automatic sprinklers, air humidification systems or just a manual hose can be installed;
lighting - phytolamps are considered the best option, and to reduce the amount of incoming sun, external awnings or awnings are installed. Ordinary incandescent lamps are not suitable for use, and glasses cannot be tinted (both cut off the necessary segments of the spectrum needed for plant photosynthesis).

Video about the extension of the winter garden to the house

We all try to create the most comfortable, warm and cozy atmosphere in our home. And what could be better than a year-round summer in your own greenhouse? Rest surrounded by lush greenery, exotic plants, in the midst of winter frosts is the dream of many of our compatriots. Nowadays, you can create your own winter garden not only in private households, but also as part of a dwelling in an apartment building. Of course, you will have to make efforts not only to create your own green oasis, but also to constantly devote time to the greenhouse to maintain plants and premises in proper condition. We offer you an impressive selection of 100 designs of a wide variety of greenhouses and we hope that they will inspire you to your own achievements in creating a green corner for rest and relaxation.

Origin of winter gardens

These days, greenhouses can be safely called green oases, a concentration of beauty and harmony for rest and relaxation. But for this, rooms with plants have come a long way. Even in ancient Rome, winter gardens originated as a phenomenon in architecture itself. Later, from the southern countries, moving westward, greenhouses literally conquered all of Europe. The most widespread free-standing structures made of glass and wood were in England, in the households of noble and wealthy people.

It was in England that significant changes took place in the very approach to growing plants in special facilities all year round: the methods of space heating underwent changes. From the most primitive measures, when holes were dug in the ground and filled with hot coal, to the appearance of a spiral chimney and, ultimately, a water heating system. By the middle of the 19th century, winter gardens began to appear not only in private dwellings, but also in multi-storey buildings.

In Russia, the first winter garden appeared in the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Solovetsky Monastery. The first stone greenhouses with a heating system in our country appeared there. The monks were able not only to cultivate a wide variety of plants in rather harsh climatic conditions, but also to grow vegetables in their greenhouses all year round.

In the 19th century, in Russia, winter gardens received a serious impetus in the development and distribution among famous nobles. Not only the Moscow GUM and the St. Petersburg Peter and Paul Passage were equipped with their own greenhouses, many noble persons could acquire indoor gardens in their estates. Over time, glass structures have ceased to be just a place for growing plants, but have become the focus of a relaxed pastime with the nobility. In the greenhouses, living rooms were practically located, guests were received. The fashion for indoor winter gardens with beautiful decoration was gaining momentum very quickly - not only exotic plants appeared, but also fountains and songbirds.

With the advent of Soviet power, winter gardens as a place for exquisite relaxation surrounded by exotic plants experienced a serious decline. Most compatriots had to worry at least about a roof over their heads and poor food. Nowadays, there are no restrictions in building and finishing materials, systems for creating a certain temperature and air humidity will help create optimal conditions for growing plants of the desired varieties. With the help of modern technologies, it is possible to create an uncomfortably comfortable place for growing plants, but a really comfortable space for rest and relaxation.

Features of creating a greenhouse

Obviously, for the successful cultivation of plants, it is necessary to create and maintain certain conditions. If the different crops in the greenhouse are not comfortable, then the whole operation of building, decorating and maintaining an indoor green garden will fail. In order for the creation of a winter garden to be effective, at least two basic conditions must be met:

the greenhouse room should have a high level of natural light (which is why most often these buildings are almost completely made of glass);
for a certain type of plants, special conditions are created and maintained - the desired level of temperature and humidity, timely watering and fertilizing of green spaces.

There are three options for creating a greenhouse in a private household:

the greenhouse is designed at the construction stage and is an integral part of the structure;
the winter garden is attached to the main building after the completion of construction work (it is possible that a lot of time has passed since the construction of the house);
the greenhouse is a separate building with its own systems of heating, lighting, ventilation and creating a certain humidity.

Of course, the best (in terms of cost and effort) is the way to create a greenhouse when designing a house. In such a situation, the winter garden and the foundation for it are laid initially, all communications are carried out together with the main building. But this method of erecting a steep garden is rarely used, due to the fact that the owners at the construction stage either do not yet plan to grow plants all year round, or this project does not fit into the overall financial estimate.

Most often, when building a greenhouse, the owners follow the second path - attaching a glass structure to the finished building. This method is relatively economical: the wall of the house acts as one of the walls of the winter garden. But saving on laying the foundation will not work. Glass structures (even of the most modest sizes) are only seemingly airy, weightless - glass is a heavy material and the foundation or plinth must be “drowned” deep enough. The size and depth of the foundation will depend on the height of the greenhouse, because many grow in their indoor garden not only undersized plants, but also dwarf trees.

The least commonly used method is the construction of a separate building in which plants will be grown and a place for rest and relaxation will be arranged. The unpopularity of this method is explained by the high cost, the need to use the free area of the yard or land, and also "pull" all communication systems at some distance from the main building.

Ways to design a winter garden

The choice of plants for the greenhouse is an individual decision of each owner. But in the ways of organizing recreation areas, you can find interesting ideas from famous designers. So, what can be organized as part of a greenhouse with plants? The first and most logical decision that comes to all future and real owners of the winter garden is the arrangement of the living room. Rest, receiving guests and just family gatherings surrounded by lush greenery of plants is a pleasure not available to every city dweller. That makes the time spent in such a relaxing atmosphere more valuable.

Garden furniture looks most organically in the interior of the greenhouse, namely, wickerwork. Armchairs and sofas, coffee tables and coasters made of wicker or rattan incredibly harmoniously fit into an atmosphere close to nature, creating a cozy and comfortable environment. In order to increase the level of comfort in the greenhouse recreation area, it is enough to equip wicker furniture with soft seats and decorative pillows.

In a spacious greenhouse, you can not stop at the installation of upholstered furniture and a coffee table for arranging a recreation area. Fountains and small waterfalls (imitation of water falling from a certain height) are appropriate in a room literally filled with green spaces. Built-in lamps and ribbon lighting of plants and a fountain will add originality to a refined atmosphere.

The second, no less popular way to design a greenhouse is to arrange a dining room. Any meal surrounded by lush greenery becomes more pleasant and tastier. It is enough to find a place for a small dining table and chairs. Depending on the size and shape of the room, you can use a round or oval (the most organic option for arranging the dining area), square or rectangular table. Depending on the model of the table, chairs are also selected. Very often, garden furniture is used to equip the dining area.

In some cases, it is convenient for the owners to arrange a full-fledged kitchen in the greenhouse with a working and dining area. But at the same time, it must be borne in mind that plants must be chosen resistant to temperature changes. The working kitchen segment must be equipped with a powerful hood to save the plants from getting even the smallest drops of fat.

Even a very modest extension with glass walls and a roof can be turned into a small green oasis if the available space is properly distributed. The arrangement of plants in tiers, the installation of shelving for plantings of small sizes, the creation of so-called eco-walls or "green walls" will allow even in a small greenhouse to find a place to install a round table with a couple of chairs to organize a place for short meals, relaxation and admiring lush greenery .

Exterior of the greenhouse

If we are not talking about the internal content of the winter garden, but its exterior, then the facade of the greenhouse, of course, must be in harmony with the appearance of the main building, regardless of whether it was originally designed, added after the main construction, or is a separate building. Most often, the walls of the greenhouse have a plinth, which is laid out of brick or stone. For the construction of the basement, foam blocks or hollow types of bricks are rarely used - such structures may not withstand the heavy weight of glass walls and a dome or a transparent roof.

The plinth, trimmed with stone in harmony with the design of the main building, looks luxurious. Glass surfaces bring airiness to the overall image of the entire structure. Even a small greenhouse in this case significantly changes the appearance of the facade of the household.

A similar situation develops with the use of bricks as a building or finishing material. Modern facade brick (intended for decorating house facades) can be textured, with fezzes, made in a wide variety of colors.

874 Dix https://www.pngDix 2017-07-26 18:58:04 2018-11-30 11:15:12 Winter Garden: 100 Modern Greenhouse Ideas

When the snow whitens outside the window or the dank gray sky frowns, watering people with its rainy tears, the lack of something bright and summer is especially acute. For example, juicy greenery of plants or colorful fragrant flowers. It has long been known that the green "inhabitants" of our dwellings do an excellent job with human blues, and they also clean the air in the room. Therefore, a winter garden can be an excellent solution. In a private house, it is much easier to equip it due to the large spatial possibilities. Where to start, what materials, plants and style to choose - you will learn these and other important aspects from this article.

Winter garden in a private house - how to equip?

Greenhouse, conservatory, greenhouse?

The first winter gardens were created by the ancient Egyptians: the richest and noblest of them installed large flowerpots with greenery in their palaces. Over time, the fashion for the maintenance of a "green oasis" in a residential area appeared among the French and British in the 19th century, and then spread throughout the world. Today, a winter garden in a private house is not uncommon. However, it is important to understand what exactly you are planning to create in your home: a greenhouse, a greenhouse or a real winter garden.

Table 1. The difference between a winter garden and a greenhouse.

Design name	Peculiarities
	It is located on the roof of the house or separately from it. Sometimes it can be adjacent to housing. Created for breeding and cultivation of fruits, vegetables and flowers, both local and "overseas". For a greenhouse, it is important to create special conditions, ecosystems for the comfortable growth of crops.
	Mini-greenhouse, located separately from housing. Use for cultivation of fruit and vegetable cultures or heat-loving plants. Plant comfort is a priority. Externally, the building is not very attractive, devoid of decorations, quite budgetary.
	Most often they are attached to housing, they are designed in advance. Plants are kept and bred inside, but they create it for people (rest, receiving guests). Based on this, the design should have an attractive appearance and be functional inside.

Types of winter garden structures

Before you start creating a home oasis, you need to think through many nuances. To begin with, it is worth deciding on the type of construction. There are several of them.

It is important that the place for construction is sunny. It is equipped with heat, light and plumbing. The greenhouse winter garden can be connected to the house and other areas of the site by beautiful paths. The option is not the easiest and very costly.

Important: whatever type of construction, it must let in enough daylight for the flowers to grow healthy.

Choose a place

If you are planning to place the structure of the future winter garden in an outbuilding, it will be very important to decide which side is best for this: south, north, east or west. Each option has certain pros and cons.

North. The place is not the best, because the accumulated heat of the garden will quickly give out. If it is not possible to choose the other side, you need to take care of a good heating system.
South. A good side during the cold season, when the daylight hours are short and there is little sun. On warm summer days, the plants will be too hot and stuffy there, the owner will have to water them more often, arrange shading and access to fresh air.
East. This is the most successful location option: in the first half of the day, the plants will be provided with light and heat, and in the remaining time, the flowers will “rest” from the sun. Thus, overheating of crops will be excluded.
West. The solution is also suitable: the heat accumulated during the day is retained all night. This is good for winter, but in summer you will have to provide additional ventilation and good watering.

Choose a form

At the stage of planning a winter garden, it is very important to decide on the form of construction of this room that is optimal for you. A separate building can be anything: a sphere, a hemisphere, a cylinder, a cube. However, usually it is rarely installed separately, due to the high price and complexity of execution.

Most often, a winter garden is part of a living space, in which case its forms also differ. There may be several options:

a rectangular annex with a shed roof (the simplest and most popular);
a structure adjacent to the outer corner of a residential building;
quarter-polygon (an extension to the inner corner of the house);
construction with a combined roof;
bay window design;
l-shaped extension with a gable roof.

Note: you can design the building the way you need it.

Choosing materials

The winter garden inside should be comfortable not only for people, but also for plants. This determines the specifics of the choice of materials for walls and roofs: these structural elements should provide your crops with maximum access to light. Based on this, most often when decorating walls and roofing, glass, polycarbonate, double-glazed windows, and sometimes plexiglass are used. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each of the materials.

Glass

This type of sheathing is the most used. Glass enjoys such popularity due to a number of significant advantages:

large bearing capacity;
aesthetics;
light transmittance (98%);
fast heat dissipation.

These positive properties do not exclude some disadvantages. Glass is a fragile, rather expensive and difficult material to work with.

Polycarbonate

The most modern and technological solution, which is popular in the field of construction and decoration. It has many advantages:

budgetary;
easy to process;
plastic (can be bent);
moisture resistant;
resistant to moisture, fungus, corrosion;
light.

Note: polycarbonate has a top layer of protection that does not allow moisture to pass through. This makes it virtually invulnerable to rainfall.

Polycarbonate would be the ideal material if not for some disadvantages:

low thermal efficiency (need good heating);
transmits less light than glass (88%).

To date, when creating winter gardens, double-glazed windows have become more often used, despite their high cost and heavy weight. This popularity is due to their high light transmission (like glass) and excellent heat retention. Also, if your budget allows, you can opt for energy-saving double-glazed windows: they will help to significantly save heat.

plexiglass

It is usually not used as a standalone. Suitable for side walls in combination with other materials. It has a significant disadvantage - this is a lot of weight, which makes you think about a more durable frame.

Foundation, floor and walls of the structure

The very first stage in the creation of a winter garden is the pouring of the foundation of any durable structure, that is, the foundation.

Important: the winter garden room needs a foundation, since heavy pots with plants will create a huge load, and a building without a foundation will simply sag.

The most convenient and common technology in pouring is strip foundation technology. It is important to follow the basic steps here:

Attention: keep in mind that pouring and drying the foundation will take 17-20 days.

ceramic tiles;
natural stone;
fake diamond;
porcelain stoneware;
boards (rare).

Based on preferences and budget, everyone decides for himself how to cover the floor in his winter garden.

Frame and roof

In appearance, the winter garden may look fragile due to its transparency and even some airiness. However, it is good if it only seems so. To withstand winds, snowfalls and the scorching sun, the structure must be strong and reliable. For this, it is also important to choose a good frame material. There are many options, consider their brief description.

Table 2. Types of frame materials.

Material name	Characteristic
	The most popular frame option, has many advantages: - easy; - durable; - durable; - not subject to rust. The main disadvantage of an aluminum profile is its high throughput (it does not hold heat), which means that you have to take care of thermal protection.
	Wood is often combined with brick, but timber is not a very popular material, because: - may rot - changes shape and size with temperature fluctuations; - afraid of moisture; - expensive and complex. If you choose durable and high-quality wood, then the building will be durable, but its cost will increase significantly.
	An indisputable plus of the steel frame is its high strength and durability. But the disadvantages are also significant: - very heavy weight; - high price; - prone to corrosion.
	Good material, has such advantages as: - resistance to UV rays; - excellent thermal insulation; - high sound insulation.
	To create a frame base, brick is used quite often. Pros: - strength; - moisture resistance; - ease of installation; - durability. However, the material is heavy and quite expensive.

Further, everything will depend on the selected materials and the type of future design. For fasteners, you can use a welding machine (if the frame is made of steel), a screwdriver, a drill, etc. Parts can be fastened with nails, dowels, self-tapping screws.

After the frame is made, the sheathing begins. The material from which the structure will be sheathed will determine the step between the frame guides.

Note: do not forget about the joints between the walls of the dwelling and the home "oasis" - they need to be treated with insulating foam.

If we talk about the roof of the future winter garden, it is also important to choose the right material. Of all these, glass is the least suitable: it may not withstand the weight of snow that has fallen in winter. The best option is polycarbonate or double-glazed windows (2 or 3-chamber).

Attention: do not choose double-glazed windows with a glass thickness of more than 5 mm, since such material is too heavy for the roof.

A pitched roof will be an excellent solution so that precipitation does not accumulate on the roof surface and does not interfere with the penetration of light.

Video - The assembly process of the winter garden

Choosing a heating system

Sunlight is a source of life and heat for plants. However, in cold weather, for their existence and growth, as well as for the comfortable stay of people in the winter garden, it is necessary to install an optimal heating system. The choice will depend on the following factors:

area of the room;
plant species;
frequency of people in the room.

The assortment of modern stores allows you to make the right choice from the many existing options.

Table 3. Types of heating devices and systems.

Name	Device Properties
Electric heaters	- easy to install; - mobile; - quickly heat up the air; - available; - high electricity consumption; - dry the air.
Split systems	- uniform and fast heating of the room; - the ability to regulate the temperature; - do not affect air humidity; - high price; - electricity costs; - not suitable for northern regions.
Water heating (from house heating system)	- temperature stability; - minimum costs; - the same microclimate; - installation difficulties (it is better to do this at the initial stage, when the house is still under construction).
Warm floor	- uniform heating; - convenience and comfort; - prevent freezing of the floor and walls; - high price; - the complexity of the repair; - Difficulty in installation.
UFO	- evenly and quickly heat the room; - it is possible to adjust the temperature; - will not affect the humidity of the air; - are expensive; - not suitable for large rooms.
Heating from stove	- low cost; - uneven distribution of heat; - risk of fire (in the absence of a person in the room).

Choosing a ventilation system

Any room needs regular ventilation, and a winter garden needs constant ventilation, because the green "inhabitants" of your cozy corner need fresh air. He can get from the street inside (and vice versa) in two ways.

Natural. Simply put, in the windows you need to provide vents, transoms. This is a cheap option, there is little noise from such ventilation, and by opening and closing the holes, you can easily adjust the air flow. However, such a system will fail in the warm season, when the temperature difference is minimal.
Mechanical. Involves the use of machinery, such as fans or more complex systems. They will create an excellent microclimate, but noise can interfere with your rest. It is also worth considering the cost of installation and payment of electricity.

Choosing lighting

The walls and roof of the winter garden are sheathed with transparent material, which means that there should be no problems with lighting. Still, plants often need additional light. There are a large number of sources of artificial lighting: mercury, sodium, fluorescent, LED, metal halide, phyto-lamps and incandescent lamps. Of these, fluorescent ones are the most popular because they conserve energy, provide excellent illumination, and have low heat dissipation.

Phyto-lamps are especially good: they have a positive effect on photosynthesis. The disadvantage of this option is its price.

Do not forget that too much light is also bad.

Choosing and combining plants

In the matter of choosing plants, you will have to rely not only on your own preferences and taste. It is very important that the cultures are combined with each other, because they will be in the same room.

According to zones and conditions, plants are divided into:

tropics;
subtropics;
desert;
humid tropics.

It is hardly possible to combine flowers from different climatic zones, so make sure that the requirements are approximately the same.

About watering plants

Is your garden small and compact? Then, in order to water all the flowers, you will need an elementary watering can, a spray bottle and a watering schedule. But in the case of a larger room, watering can be a problem and take a lot of time and effort. An excellent solution is a drip system: pre-laid hoses will ensure a regular flow of liquid into the substrate, and special sensors will be responsible for the humidity level.

Garden design: zoning and style

Upon completion of construction and installation work, it becomes necessary to plan the internal arrangement of the premises. Here such an effective technique as zoning comes to the rescue, i.e. dividing the space of the winter garden into functional zones. There are several of these.

decorative. This is a place reserved for plants and various decorative elements (fountain, aquarium, figurines, etc.).
Service. Fertilizers, inventory, and other things useful in caring for flowers will be stored here.
recreational- rest zone. For its arrangement, sofas, armchairs, hammocks and tables are used.
Communicative. Such a zone is found in large rooms. These are places for alleys, paths, paths that will connect all other zones with each other.

When it comes to decorating a garden in any style, it is also worth starting from your own tastes. The common features of a particular style will help create an aesthetically attractive cozy corner.

Details not to be forgotten

In conclusion, we will give some tips that may be useful in planning and arranging a home "oasis":

calculate the approximate cost of the planned structure;
determine the location of outlets in advance;
choose natural materials for furniture (vine, rattan, wood);
plan methods and ways of planting plants;
take care of fertilizers;
shade the garden in hot weather.

Master Class. An example of building a winter garden

So, now you know about all the systems of the winter garden and its internal structure, and therefore you can proceed directly to the construction process.

Step one. First, determine on which side of the house the building will be located. It is better to give preference to the western or eastern wall. Also, the winter garden can be located from the south, but in this case, you need a serious ventilation system, so that in the summer the optimum temperature is maintained inside.

step two. The construction site is cleared of plants, stones and debris. After that, the base is poured - a tape shallow foundation.

Step Three. The bottom trim of the frame is mounted on the base, and it must have a waterproofing layer on it. The position of the lower harness is controlled using a tape measure, stretched ropes and a building level.

Step Four. Horizontal / vertical elements of the future frame are mounted, which will serve as the walls of the garden. It is important that all connections are secure.

Step Six. Rubber sealing profiles are being prepared, and the glazing of the structure begins. Sheathing elements are transferred using vacuum suction cups - this is not only safe, but also convenient.

step seven. From the outside, the seals are closed with an aluminum profile, which is necessary to protect against moisture and sunlight.

Step eight. Mounted cornice profile. It is advisable to additionally equip it with a drain.

Step nine. When the construction of the garden is completed, water and electricity are supplied to it, irrigation and ventilation systems are equipped. Marking of places for plants is being carried out, interior decoration of the winter garden is being carried out.

On a note! As a result, you will get a comfortable and beautiful room where you can spend your free time surrounded by your favorite plants throughout the year.

Arranging a winter garden is not an easy task that requires utmost attention and consideration of various nuances. A well-planned and created home "oasis" will become not only a favorite vacation spot for the owners, but also an excellent platform for meeting guests and friendly gatherings.

The main task of the winter garden is to maintain a positive temperature even in the coldest winters, so that your house has a corner of greenery that will delight or even feed you. Many gardeners grow not only flowers, but also tropical fruit trees at home, so it is necessary that the future building be extremely efficient in terms of saving heat.

The second very important indicator of quality is absolute transparency. You must be in the bosom of nature, under the sunlight, which is necessary not only for the owner for a good mood, but also for the plants located there. It is necessary to use transparent and not easily soiled materials, which will transmit from 80% of the sun's rays. Only in this case, you can not only grow greens, but even enjoy tropical fruits or vegetables.

The third indicator of the quality of the structure is the excellent bearing capacity of materials, durability, and corrosion resistance. You are building not for 1-2 years, but erecting a capital structure, and quite expensive at that. It should stand for many years, not be destroyed by winds, snow, hail. That is why it will not work to cover the metal frame with a film - you need to find the most suitable option, where not only the frame will play the role of a supporting element, but the material of the walls itself is not subjected to physical impact.

Most often, a winter garden is made of glass, polycarbonate, plexiglass, PVC bags. Other materials are practically not suitable for light transmission or thermal efficiency. Consider the most popular buildings, their features, advantages and disadvantages.

Choosing a material

Glass winter garden - pros and cons

This is the most common type of building material when it comes to durable greenhouses, outbuildings. Its main advantage is a large bearing capacity (it is easy to withstand snow, hail and other impacts), as well as high throughput. Up to 98% of the light passes through this material, so your plants get the sun they need to thrive.

For a 3x4x4 meter building, it will be enough to use glass 12-13 mm thick as a supporting element of the walls and 3-4 mm thick, if you make high-quality metal stitching, create a kind of “crate” with squares of 100x100 centimeters. The glass is easy to clean, just pour water from the hose on top, pour cleaning products and rinse again - the roof will again let in light, delight you with its excellent appearance. The only drawback is the relatively high cost, but you can save a lot if you buy glass of a smaller thickness and compensate for its relative strength with the density of the metal jointing of the room. This will reduce costs by 2-3 times. 1 square meter of wall will cost no more than 450 rubles.

Another relative minus is fast heat transfer. If you heat the room to +25 degrees, but after a few hours the temperature may drop to 0, since glass practically does not retain heat and it quickly “runs away” through it. The foundation is not mandatory, but it does not hurt to eliminate all possible distortions. Fill with a depth of up to 30 centimeters and a thickness of 10-12 cm - enough. Do the jointing with metal: it is better to use 2 channels of 30 mm each, which are welded together with the back wall - it will be much easier to fix the glass.

The easiest way is to make the room square, and the roof at an angle of at least 55%, so that the snow does not linger and immediately falls (unless, of course, it melts from a warm roof). It will not be difficult to build a winter garden of such a plan; you will have to fool your head only with fastening the glass to the channel. To do this, you will need to buy a sealant, preferably under car windows - it is durable, not exposed to sunlight, does not freeze, does not crack, does not melt.

Polycarbonate structures - why they are chosen and how they are installed

Building a winter garden is not always a long, expensive process. To significantly reduce the cost of such a building, many use an innovative material - polycarbonate. It has many advantages: the weight is 15-20 times lighter than that of glass and 30 times lighter than metal. Transparency 88%, which will satisfy the requirements of even the most modern greenhouses. Easy to bend, you can make any desired shape. Does not crack, absolutely resistant to corrosion of any kind. It has a good bearing capacity, is mounted on metal supports, there is no particular need for a foundation.

The only drawback of polycarbonate is low thermal efficiency. You will spend a lot of money on heating in the winter, as it lets heat through like a sieve. If you do not need to constantly heat the room or you can maintain +5 degrees in winter when growing, then there is a point in building, but if there are tropical plants, heating will bankrupt you.

It is very simple to fix polycarbonate - you screw it directly to the metal, and you can use an ordinary corner as a support and a "crate". A corner with shelves of 20x25 mm will suffice.

Plexiglas winter garden

If you have chosen this material, then building a winter garden with your own hands will be very quick and simple. It is enough to cut the plexiglass of the desired size, drill holes and take it on the bolts. The room is ready. A minimum foundation is required, if the room is more than 2.5 meters in height - the material is heavy, the soil may sag. Thermal efficiency is high, light transmission is 85%.

The only, but very big disadvantage of this design is soiledness. With any touch, friction, plexiglass loses its transparency, so many have abandoned its use as a roofing material for winter gardens. Despite the relatively low cost, it is recommended to use it only indoors or only as side walls.

Why double-glazed windows are the best material for a winter garden

At first glance, it may seem that installing PVC windows as load-bearing walls and even a roof in a winter garden is money down the drain. In fact, this is an extremely large savings, since the construction of the winter garden is designed for subsequent savings on heating. The hermetic design will keep all the heat even 1-2 days after turning off the heating of the room, if everything is done correctly. Heating will be provided with a heater of only 300-400 watts, which will be enough to maintain an acceptable temperature for most plants.

Thus, in 3-4 years you will be able to fully return all the money spent on the construction of this building, especially if you are going to grow exotic species that require a temperature of 25-28 degrees.

Another problem when building a building from double-glazed windows is their heavy weight. It will be necessary to fill in a solid foundation, up to 45-50 centimeters deep and 12 cm wide, it is desirable to reinforce the base. As a result, you get a strong, heat-efficient building with light transmission up to 90%.

What can be planted in the garden?

You can plant absolutely everything, but the profitability of such cultivation depends on the type of premises constructed. If you want to grow exotic plants, fruits and vegetables from the tropics, then it will be beneficial for you to build only a room from double-glazed windows, since you will have to heat up to +28 degrees. If you just want some greenery, and it’s also nice to sit over a cup of hot tea in an “oasis” when there are meter-long snows around, then polycarbonate or glass will be enough.

Some gardeners make a mini-greenhouse in the building, planting plants for the winter garden, which not only please the eye, but also bear fruit. It can be radishes, indoor self-pollinated peppers, cucumbers, tomato trees, and even strawberries planted along. Very often you can see banana dwarf trees there, which have excellent appearance. They will not only decorate your oasis, but also delight you with delicious small fruits.

Many prefer tropical types of cucumbers and actinidias - they perfectly braid walls and upright strong plants, ripen quickly, they can be enjoyed at any time of the year. However, you can grow absolutely everything, the choice depends only on you, what you want to do with your garden, what goal you are pursuing when constructing this structure.