The traditional use of roofing materials in the construction of canopies and canopies is being replaced by the use of innovative polycarbonate material. Possession unique properties made it possible to significantly expand the forms and significantly reduce technical requirements to structures.

Polycarbonate is a polymer plastic widely used in many construction sites. It has established itself as a high-strength material with a low specific gravity. Has become an alternative replacement today PVC panels. The sheets are produced by processing and extruding polycarbonate granules.

Peculiarities

The purpose of canopies and awnings is to protect limited space from the elements external environment: rain, snow, wind and intense sunlight. The structure is erected using supports; the forms embody all the fantasies of the equipping owner, from simple to exclusive design solutions.

The basis for the popularity of polycarbonate consists of the qualities and characteristics of this material:

• plasticity and ability to transmit light expands application options;
• light weight allows the use of lightweight load-bearing supports;
• ability to withstand large temperature changes;
• thermal insulation properties, heat is retained throughout the entire structure;

• a variety of ready-made colors for polycarbonate sheets, so you can choose what suits you best in a particular case;
• ease and pleasantness of work during installation, the sheet can be cut using a regular stationery knife, does not require special devices and tools;
• despite its light transmittance, polycarbonate filters and protects from ultraviolet radiation;
• fastening to the frame is possible using ordinary self-tapping screws;
• the main technical characteristic of the material is its strength, achieved due to its viscosity;

Polycarbonate canopies are most often placed above a door or a welded staircase. This kind of roof can be suspended and have various components. It is advisable to be present beautiful finish. You can sheathe the product yourself.

Species

Taking into account the features and advantages of polycarbonate canopy designs, it is permissible to separate them by type.

Simple lean-to

A simple option that requires minimum investment. Designed for structures with one slope of the slope; manufacturing and installation do not require additional effort. Installation work is accessible even to a non-professional.

A single-pitch design will not require installation work ah profile bending. Therefore, there are no restrictions when choosing the thickness of the starting material.

When erecting a structure from this type of coating, the use of scaffolding will not be required; only longitudinal and transverse beams are used.

Most often this type is used for an extension to standing house or any other building.

One of the disadvantages is the small slope of the resulting roof, as a result of which in winter snow deposits will certainly accumulate on it and will require cleaning.

Arched canopies and canopies

Affordable, similarly unpretentious to install, they have an arched appearance. The main difference from the first option is the completeness and aesthetics of the finished structure. Manufacturing a curved frame and increasing the coverage area require additional financial investments.

This type especially popular today. They can be seen in private courtyards and in cities when arranging covered parking lots, bus stops and gallery passages between buildings.

The semicircle shape allows the snow to melt freely under its own weight., but when it rains, water flows down on both sides of the shelter. A nice feature is that the likelihood of damage to such a roof is very low, since the lowered sides protect against strong wind gusts. This type is suitable for both small canopies and for installing roofs over large structures.

When done independently, the difficulty becomes bending the profile.

Multi-slope structures

It is a structure that combines several types of slopes: both straight and curved. This combination leads to increased costs for the finished product.

During construction, the main difficulty is choosing correct angle the connections of the slopes, however, grow significantly performance characteristics finished design.

The lowered ends give better protection surfaces:

• from the elements of nature - wind and precipitation;
• tilt angles prevent the accumulation of snow deposits;
• the frame of the structure is made more rigid, which increases the strength of the structure as a whole.

It is used for parking lots, arranging barbecue areas, roofing pavilions and gazebos.

Complex or cascading awnings

They combine all types of structures. They require the development of projects and drawings and large financial investments. Installation work must be performed by highly qualified specialists. The client receives an exclusive designer building in accordance with his individual wishes.

The scope of application of this type of roofing is installation over summer gardens, flights of stairs, gazebos and other structures.

This method of making a roof is especially important from an aesthetic point of view of the finished structure, and thanks to the arrangement of the vaults in a cascade, precipitation is carried away to the side.

Projects and drawings

The durability of the structure can only be guaranteed if correct selection frame dimensions and technical characteristics of polycarbonate, its thickness and quality.

Before construction begins, the construction design is drawn up using the following parameters:

1. purpose of the visor design;
2. when choosing, take into account climatic conditions terrain;
3. technical characteristics of the building.

• wickets and gates;
• retail outlets;
• open summer areas and terraces of cafes and restaurants;
• greenhouses;
• arch;
• canopy;
• visor.

The components of the racks, polycarbonate sheets and guides are calculated.

At independent construction for light buildings in the form of canopies or canopies, it is possible to resort to calculation using an online calculator. To design more complex structures you should seek the help of specialists.

Using the example of a visor in the form, we will clearly consider drawing up a drawing and a project.

Before you make a polycarbonate canopy with your own hands, you will need to draw up detailed design drawings. But this is possible only after determining its location, since the support points of the frame depend on this.

The location distinguishes three types of completed structures.

1. Separately standing, independent. Depending on the size, a foundation is required. All support points are made in the form of pillars along its perimeter.
2. Extension. The frame for such a structure is made of a beam-supported structure. One of the sides of the ramp has support points on free-standing posts. The second side rests on a beam fixed to the wall of the building. When used to connect an extension with an organic structure, metal mortgages on load-bearing wall The fastening method is called cantilever-support.
3. Traditional visors. As a rule, they are attached using the cantilever method to mortgages in the wall of the room.

DIY frame

The initial task and the first stage is to create a project, calculate the starting materials and create a drawing:

1. we plan the size of the building taking into account its location;
2. when choosing a roofing option, loads from precipitation and wind are taken into account;
3. Design solutions for the frame design and color of the sheets are chosen from the general concept of the surrounding structures.

Having collected all the information, you can begin to calculate the source materials and frame drawings. When drawing up a drawing, use exact dimensions and the shape of the roof, technical parameters and material of the supports and the frame itself, the number of fastening elements and their characteristics.

Particular attention should be paid to the standard size of all types of polycarbonate sheets. Therefore, the joints between them must necessarily fall on the sheathing.

The width of the profile purlins is taken into account based on the parameters of the roofing material itself.

The height of the future structure directly depends on the wishes of the user; however, it is recommended that the lowest point of the roof be located at a level of approximately 180 cm from the floor.

To create the frame, the support posts are calculated in compliance with the following standards:

• the minimum permissible cross-section is forty by forty millimeters;
• if the supports are made of metal, the thickness is selected from one millimeter;
• the thickness of the foundation pillars is laid with a value greater than ten millimeters from the taken cross-section of the support posts;
• the depth of the foundation is at least half a meter;
• for rafters, a profile with a cross-section of at least twenty millimeters is used; for lathing, a thickness of fifteen millimeters is used.

For correct production Do-it-yourself frame drawings must be drawn up very accurately and in detail.

If your plans include building a structure with your own hands with an area of ​​eight square meters or more, it is better to entrust the creation of the project, drawings and calculation of materials to specialists. The roof area over such a building is quite large, and only a specialist can calculate the load level. Errors in calculations lead to deformation of the frame or complete collapse of the entire building.

The choice of material for the frame in the construction markets is quite wide and varied.

For polycarbonate structures it is usually used following materials.

1. Metal profile. Has durability during operation. It is unpretentious and requires minimal care in the form of treatment with anti-corrosion agents. The disadvantages include the heavy weight of the frame and its high price.
2. Rolled metal pipes, for example, aluminum profile. The advantages are the same as those of a metal profile. Of the minuses - round section not so convenient for welding or other fastening methods.
3. Wooden beam, rounded or profiled. An environmentally friendly, living material, if the frame of the building is stylized to a certain design. When doing work with your own hands, carpentry skills are required, wood requires some care, and performance its not as durable.

Installation and finishing works

Polycarbonate sheets are presented on construction markets in two classic versions execution.

Cellular

They are impact-resistant panels with a matte or transparent surface. Inside the shell there are balloons with stiffening ribs oriented along the entire length of the panel. This type has increased heat conservation, increased strength and low weight. A special feature is the ability to change the shape and bend the sheets in their cold state. Their use in structures with complex geometry is relevant.

The thickness offered by manufacturers has a range of product options from four to twelve millimeters inclusive.

Monolithic

They have an optically completely transparent appearance. There are no voids inside. The sheets are less flexible, which does not affect the impact resistance of the material.

New innovations are currently on sale monolithic polycarbonate with anti-abrasive coating and wave-shaped version. The latter option looks like metal tiles, and is already quite often used for roof repairs.

The standard sheet size is 210 centimeters wide and six to twelve meters long.

For a simple polycarbonate visor, a sheet thickness of four to eight millimeters is suitable. In regions where precipitation in the form of snow is increased, or rather strong gusts of wind are observed, the thickness is chosen from ten millimeters.

Optional construction markets They offer a cutting service. Typically, to minimize waste, the length is made a multiple of the width of the sheet.

For installation work you will need the following set of materials and tools:

1. polycarbonate sheets - the color is chosen in accordance with the color scheme of the building;
2. visor frame;
3. welding machine;
4. set of self-tapping screws;
5. electric drill and screwdriver;
6. tape measure and level;
7. indelible pencil.

Before starting the process of installing a canopy or canopy over entrance group It is necessary to make precise markings of the places where the frame is attached to the building.

A decent design of the central entrance to a house sometimes creates a more favorable impression than the building itself. One of the main roles in creating the exterior of the building will be played by the canopy over the porch. However, the spectacular and elegant appearance of the house is not the main task that the canopy solves. The primary function is to protect the front part of the entrance from external factors.

Requirements for canopies over the porch

Having a canopy over the porch has a number of positive aspects. Firstly, such a canopy protects the front door of the house from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation and the negative effects of precipitation. Secondly, the canopy provides protection for a person from snow and rain when opening the door, and thirdly, it is a decorative decoration of the facade of the building.

So that the visor lasts a long time and does not have to be remade after one autumn-winter season, the canopy must meet the minimum requirements:

1. The structure must withstand, in addition to its own weight, the weight of climatic precipitation. When making calculations, it is necessary to take into account the weight of snow that can fall on the canopy from the roof and the weight of the plantings wrapping around the canopy.
2. It is desirable that the structure protects the entire porch, and not just the front door.
3. The design of the canopy must include a water drainage system. This could be a storage tank, a gutter or a storm drain.
4. The appearance of the canopy should be harmoniously combined with the exterior, porch and roof of the house. However, it is not necessary to adhere to full compliance. It is important to choose the right material, color and shape or choose a reasonable contrast.

What to consider when designing a visor

Before developing a drawing, you need to decide on the basic design parameters:

• material for making the canopy, which will be in harmony with the architecture of the house and ensure sufficient strength of the structure;
• type of construction - gable, single-pitch, etc.);
• the dimensions of the canopy are above the front door or a canopy covering the veranda;
• location - the back porch of the house or the front entrance.

Design options for canopies over the porch

Canopies and awnings over the porch can be made independently within one or two days, using common, inexpensive materials. The complexity of the work is largely determined by the shape of the structure.

The most popular types of canopies over the porch:

1. A lean-to canopy is a suspended or supported roof, inclined at an angle for normal water drainage. A variety of single-pitch canopies are canopies with valance, straight and concave structures.
2. The gable canopy has two inclined planes. Such a structure is more convenient and reliable - the snow load is distributed equally between the two components of the canopy.
3. The tent canopy is made in the shape of a semicircle. The ends of the canopy frame the porch on both sides. Types of tent canopies: elongated dome and “awning”.
4. An arched canopy is a rounded canopy that completely surrounds the porch.

Advantages and disadvantages of visors made of various materials

Polycarbonate visor

Polycarbonate is widely used in the manufacture of fences, greenhouses, glazing of balconies, gazebos, winter gardens, designing shop windows, shopping pavilions, creating canopies and awnings.

Using polycarbonate in the manufacture of a canopy over a porch has some significant advantages:

• the material scatters the sun's rays and provides a normal level of natural light;
• the polycarbonate structure does not deform and maintains its integrity during temperature fluctuations/strong gusts of wind;
• the material is resistant to fire, does not fade in the sun, and is not susceptible to corrosion and rotting;
• mold and fungi do not form on the surface;
• polycarbonate is flexible, which makes it possible to manufacture canopy structures of any configuration;
• a wide range of shades and sheet thicknesses makes it possible to choose best option for any exterior and any operating conditions.

The disadvantages of polycarbonate include the instability of the material to UV radiation. Sheets without protective coating Over time, they may become cloudy/yellow and lose their strength qualities.

Using plastic to create a visor

The canopy over the porch can be made from special PVC plates, which are intended for outdoor use. The properties of PVC boards are very similar to polycarbonate, but plastic is lighter and costs less.

You can immediately buy plastic of the desired shade or change its color during use using a multi-colored film.

Canopy over the porch made of metal and corrugated sheets

A canopy assembled from metal is quite simple and inexpensive option. To create such a canopy you will need at least some skills in working with a welding machine. However, you can do without welding if you use rivets or nuts with bolts to fasten the elements.

The metal visor is strong, durable and has a long service life. The disadvantage of the design is the need for anti-corrosion treatment and the large weight of the canopy.

Important! When working with metal special attention it is necessary to pay attention to the calculation of the design and strength of fastening

Great alternative to the usual ones metal sheets- corrugated sheet. The material has a polymer protective layer on both sides, ensuring resistance to environmental influences. Corrugated sheets are produced in different sizes and different thicknesses. The color range is wide; you can choose a coating with a pattern that imitates wood, brick or stonework. It is easier to work with corrugated sheets than with metal tiles or sheet metal.

In terms of the popularity of making canopies, corrugated sheets are comparable to polycarbonate, but still, corrugated metal sheets are inferior to plastic and have some disadvantages:

• they don't let you in sunlight- the use of corrugated sheeting is not advisable for canopies of a spherical configuration;
• the material is not impact-resistant enough - marks from hail impacts may remain on the surface, so it is better to choose thicker corrugated sheeting.

Forged canopy over the porch

The forged visor is luxurious and presentable. It is the decorative forged flooring that will become the central element in the design of the exterior of the house. Of course, forging is expensive, but it is not necessary to make a completely forged visor. The presence of forging elements in the design will significantly transform the appearance of the structure. The combination of forging with materials such as polycarbonate, metal tiles, plastic and metal looks good.

Installing a forged visor is a responsible task. It is better to entrust the installation to professionals, since such a canopy has a fair amount of weight, and due to poor installation it can collapse under the load of snow.

Wooden canopy

With massive houses made of logs and buildings in rustic style A porch and canopy made of wood look most harmonious. It should be noted that in such a design only the frame will be made of wood, and as a roofing suitable material slate, roofing felt or tiles. Fragile polycarbonate and plastic canopies on such a mighty structure will look alien.

Important! It is necessary to carry out processing wooden frame- this is to ensure protection of the structure from rotting, insects and mold

Canopy made of metal tiles

This type of canopy has high decorative qualities and durability. However, some designers believe that a canopy made of metal tiles looks heavy and is not suitable for all homes. Optimally, use the same material to cover the roof and deck over the porch.

Advice. It is advisable to construct the canopy in parallel with the installation of metal tiles on the roof of the house. In this case, the remaining material will be used to arrange the canopy, and it will be practically free

The advantages of metal tiles include:

• relatively low weight;
• heat resistance;
• long service life;
• aesthetic appearance.

Metal shingles can be replaced with bitumen shingles - they are lighter. An additional advantage of bitumen coating is the absence of noise during rain.

Canopy over the porch made of polycarbonate: manufacturing instructions

The first step is to draw up a drawing of the canopy over the porch indicating all the required dimensions. The design design will help you decide on the type of flooring and calculate the amount of materials used.

When developing a drawing, the following parameters are taken into account:

• the width of the visor must be no less than the width front door(it is advisable to add 50 cm);
• visor length - minimum 80 cm;
• it is necessary to provide a slope angle so that snow does not accumulate on the roof, rainwater and garbage.

Important! It is better to make the canopy a little wider and longer for good protection of the porch. However, this can lead to overload of the structure: the larger the surface of the canopy, the more snow there will be on it in winter. Before making a decision, you need to know the amount of annual precipitation

After developing the scheme, you need to prepare construction tools and materials:

• sheets of cellular polycarbonate with a thickness of 1 cm or more;
• steel profile pipes;
• grinder, welding machine, screwdriver and electric drill;
• building level, pencil, measuring tape;
• self-tapping screws with thermal washers (plastic washer on a leg) for fastening polycarbonate sheets.

Let's take a step-by-step look at how to make a canopy over the porch of a house:

Video: do-it-yourself canopy over the porch

How to make a canopy over a porch on supports

The main advantage of a pole canopy is that it can be made from different materials. The process of installing a porch on beams can be divided into several stages:

1. Installation of supports. You can install two racks, leaving them from the wall of the house at a distance of about one or two meters. The best option is to lay out the supports from brick, cast them from concrete or make them from metal pipes.
2. Rafter part. Make recesses in the wall (opposite each support) for beams (depth 200 mm). Place one end of the beam on the support, and the other in the recess. Fasten to the supports using studs and nuts with washers.
3. Construction of the rafter part of the canopy. The roof of the canopy can be made flat or like a house. The first option is much simpler - just sew boards across the beams and cover them roofing material. To install a gable canopy, you will have to install a full-fledged ridge with a pitch of about 800 mm. The technology is the same as when installing a roof - a sheathing, a counter-lattice and a water barrier are installed.
4. Covering the canopy with roofing material.
5. Bottom lining of the canopy. To do this, use siding or plastic pvc panels. When carrying out the covering, you need to think about lighting - you can install spotlights in the canopy.

Canopy over the porch: photo design ideas

Canopy on supports with elements of decorative forging. The roof of the canopy is made of polycarbonate.

Harmonious combination of house roof and canopy. The covering material is metal tile, the support posts are made of wood.

Compact canopy made of corrugated sheets, made in the shape of a tent.

Shaped visor with protective sides - practical and inexpensive solution arrangement of the porch.

A wooden canopy on supports emphasizes the style and complements the architectural design of the building.

Video: canopy over the porch - photo of the idea

Many will agree that a canopy over a porch is an extremely functional and beautiful element of the exterior of a private house. Imagine: unpleasant rainy weather, you want to get into the house as soon as possible, but you must first unlock the front door with the keys that were lost somewhere in your bag. Naturally, it is much more convenient to spend this moment under a canopy, hiding from the weather.

The canopy over the porch really performs quite important functions. Thus, with the help of a self-made polycarbonate canopy, you can completely prevent snow from getting in and other precipitation on the threshold of a private house or directly into the corridor.

Of course, you can choose any material for such a canopy, but the most common and effective option is polycarbonate. To be convinced of this, just look at some photos of such visors.

2 Types of canopies over polycarbonate porches

3 Materials and tools for a do-it-yourself canopy

4 Design

5 Frame selection

6 DIY installation

7 Conclusion

Advantages of polycarbonate

Many people ask: “Why is polycarbonate the most effective material to make a canopy over the canopy with your own hands? Firstly, it is worth knowing that nowadays it is quite difficult to find a material that is as easy to use and will also meet some requirements as polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate boasts a whole list of advantages, which distinguish it from ordinary materials, which are not very convenient to use for a porch canopy in a private house.

Below you can find a list of the advantages of this material:

• The transparency of polycarbonate is only slightly inferior to ordinary glass.
• Low weight of the structure. This point is one of the main advantages of the material. Indeed, anyone who has ever installed window frame, will without hesitation confirm that such a fragile material is extremely heavy, which greatly complicates the installation process. With polycarbonate, such problems simply cannot arise: despite the large size of the sheet, it is extremely light, which simplifies the process of making a polycarbonate canopy over the porch of a private house with your own hands.
• The unique strength indicator can also only please us. According to this indicator, the polycarbonate structure is the most durable among all in this area.
• Regarding the care of the material during operation, it is also extremely simple. The fact is that keeping the polycarbonate canopy over the porch clean is a simple task. The reason for this is simple: polycarbonate contains special substances that increase its resistance to substances with chemical components.
• Due to the fact that polycarbonate is made in the form of plastic, flexible and lightweight material, the process of its installation cannot take much effort even from a person who is doing this type of work for the first time. Therefore, anyone can make a canopy over the porch of a private house.
• The protective properties of polycarbonate prevent the visor from becoming unusable. Even over time, polycarbonate will not change its color, will not crack and will remain just as transparent. By the way, even if brute physical force is applied to such a canopy over the porch, it will be very difficult to bring it into poor condition.

Types of canopies over polycarbonate porches

Even though a polycarbonate canopy over the porch of a private house is a fairly simple design, which without special effort done with your own hands, there are a considerable number of architectural solutions for its creation.

Thus, it is possible make a polycarbonate canopy:

As you can see, you can construct a canopy over a porch made of polycarbonate in almost any form. It all depends on your taste. For greater clarity, you can look at all types of canopies in the photo.

Of course, as in any other construction area, you can not only use a ready-made polycarbonate canopy structure, but also come up with your own. However, to do this you need to have a sufficient level of creativity and understand the principle of operation of this system.

DIY materials and tools for a canopy

As we already found out a little earlier, making a polycarbonate canopy on the porch of your own private house is not difficult for anyone. In this regard, before starting the installation process, it is necessary to prepare only a few specific tools and materials.

The tools you may need can be found from any self-respecting private home owner. So, you will need:

• the most primitive welding machine (220V);
• Bulgarian;
• drill;
• screwdriver (with a screw attachment).

Regarding the polycarbonate itself, it is best to choose sheet about 8 mm thick. For the frame, it is best to use the material that you like. However, the most common material for polycarbonate canopy construction is profiled metal pipes. You need to purchase:

1. Special self-tapping screws that eliminate the possibility of water seeping through at the fastening points. In their kit you need to purchase additional thermal washers.
2. Paint, primer and degreaser for everyone metal parts frame.
3. Special film designed for end surfaces.

Design

One of the most important stages Making a polycarbonate canopy for the porch of a private house is a design process.

It is very important to consider here polycarbonate sheet sizes to calculate the required width of the canopy, as well as its length. It is necessary to carry out all the calculations in such a way that the polycarbonate sheet can be cut into several pieces without much waste.

One of the parts will be used directly to make a polycarbonate canopy, and the remaining part of the material will remain “in reserve.”

It is very important to remember that in this case it is strictly not recommended to carry out all the work “by eye”. If you approach the process in this way, then the probability of an unsuccessful canopy design is very high. That is why it is necessary to approach the process with all seriousness.

In the event that you do not have much experience in design work, or are simply afraid of making an irreparable mistake, it is best to contact a specialist in in this direction. Moreover, you can do this completely free of charge using the Internet. You can find many on the Internet finished photos drawings and designs to help you.

Frame selection

I would also like to pay considerable attention to the frame. The fact is that polycarbonate is universal material which is excellent Compatible with any design.

But the choice of material for the frame should be approached with all seriousness, since the final appearance of your structure will depend on this choice.

Of the most common materials that are usually used in this direction, I would like to highlight the following:

1. Tree:
   • A frame made using this material is the simplest and cheapest. However, at the same time, not all experts recommend wood for a canopy over the porch. This is due to the fact that even at the installation stage this material can cause some trouble, not to mention the process of operation itself.
2. Aluminum:
   • A frame made of aluminum, relative to wood, has a number of significant advantages that force it to be used. These include:
     • ease;
     • high metallic strength;
     • plastic;
     • possibility of mechanical assembly;
     • there is no need to use paint and varnish.
3. Steel:
   • To install such a structure, a welding machine is required. So if you don’t have such a device in your inventory, it’s best to return to the previous option.
4. Forged frame:
   • The only one distinctive feature Such material is that the owner has the opportunity to create any architectural solution.

DIY installation

Now it’s worth talking about some of the subtleties of working with polycarbonate. First, you must remember that to work with polycarbonate you need to know how to handle it correctly.

When installing polycarbonate, it can only be bent in the direction in which the internal channels are parallel to the generatrix of such a bend. It is best to bend polycarbonate only if there is a profile base, to which it is already mounted.

If you make the diameter of the holes larger than the diameter of the fasteners, during operation, especially when exposed to material different temperatures, he will have the opportunity to move relatively freely.

If you need to connect individual sheets of material, you can purchase special building profiles at any hardware store, with the help of which this process gets pretty simple.

If you have any questions, it is best to look at the photo.

Conclusion

So, as we have already seen, the process of installing a polycarbonate canopy for the porch of a private house with your own hands does not take much effort and time. In addition, such work can be performed by anyone without contacting a specialist, which, undoubtedly, is another advantage of such structures.

A canopy over the porch, mounted using polycarbonate sheets, is practical and at the same time stylish solution to protect against all sorts of natural surprises. At the same time, along with purely practical functions, it also plays an important aesthetic role, as one of the elements decorative design buildings. The photo shows some amazingly beautiful decorative polycarbonate visors that give unique view everything appearance Houses.

Advantages of protective polycarbonate structures over the porch

Polycarbonate canopies installed above the porch have a number of functions that make them important element the entire structure of the house.

Let's take a closer look at all the stages of making such an external canopy on the porch or entrance doors to the house.

Types of polycarbonate

On modern market building materials, there are several varieties of this polymer that can be used to construct a visor.

Cellular. The most common and popular variety, widely used on the farm. Structurally consists of two thin sheets, connected to each other by longitudinal jumpers. The result is a structure from the inside that looks like a honeycomb, which is where its name comes from. The main advantage of cellular polycarbonate is its low cost and practicality in use. Standard sizes such sheets can be either 2 x 6 or 2 x 12 m. The thickness of the sheet can range from 4 to 16 mm. Such sheets are painted in a variety of colors, which makes them great option decorative design of the building facade.

Monolithic. As the name suggests, such a sheet consists of a solidly molded polymer that does not contain air voids inside. It differs from the previous type by increased strength and resistance to various mechanical damage. At the same time, in terms of transparency it is practically not inferior to glass. Its only disadvantages are more high cost and more complex processing.

Wavy. It is a type of monolithic polycarbonate, characterized by a wavy shape. This makes it even more durable due to the waves, which are stiffening ribs. A visor made from such material can easily serve you for decades. But its cost, unfortunately, is even higher than that of a monolithic polymer.

First stage. Design selection

Making a polycarbonate canopy with your own hands is not such a difficult task - the main thing is to take this matter seriously. First of all, you need to decide on the type of structure. You need to decide whether the visor will be made in the form of metal or wooden structure. A metal frame is much more durable, and with appropriate craftsmanship it looks much more aesthetically pleasing than a wooden one. However, to create a decorative metal frame with your own hands, you will need to put in a lot more effort.

However, today it is quite possible to order or purchase at a hardware store ready-made elements metal frame of various configurations. If you decide to make a metal frame with your own hands, you need, at a minimum, to be qualified as a welder. But if you want to create something extraordinary, for example, in the Baroque or Empire style, then you will need quite a deep knowledge of blacksmithing.

The simplest option is to make a canopy over the porch from wood. Of course, from the point of view of durability and its decorative qualities, this option is inferior to a metal frame. However, with appropriate skill in handling wood, you can make a structure that is quite strong, durable and beautiful.

In the same way, the size and shape of the frame depends only on your aesthetic preferences: whether it will be a small canopy directly above the entrance, or an extensive canopy along the facade of the house.

Second stage. Visor drawing

The next stage is drawing up a drawing of the future structure. To do this, use a tape measure to take all the necessary dimensions of the porch and transfer them to paper in the scale we need. Using this drawing of the porch, we determine the amount of materials we need - polycarbonate, wood or metal. After this, we purchase everything necessary and proceed directly to the manufacture of the visor.

Third stage. Making a frame with your own hands

After this, again based on the drawing, we begin preparatory work to create a visor. First of all, you need to mark and cut the material according to the prepared dimensions. The metal frame is best made from profiled pipes of square or rectangular cross-section. You can also use forged ready-made frames - they do not require additional supports and are attached directly to the wall of the house. Another option is a frame, one side attached to the house and the other side supported by support pillars. This design is usually used when there is sufficient large sizes canopy

Installation of supports

If you have taken on the task of installing a canopy over the porch with your own hands, then you will need to choose the type of installation of support pillars. The supports for the canopy over the porch can be made from any material. Will fit wooden poles, metal or asbestos cement pipes. They can be attached either to the surface of the porch or directly mounted on the ground. In the first case, wooden supports can be attached to the porch using anchor bolts. For installation on the porch surface metal poles You will need to weld embedded plates with holes for bolts to the bottom of the pipe, with which they will be secured.

Another option is a structure separate from the porch, resting directly on the ground. To do this, they dig holes 30-50 cm deep, at the bottom of which a gravel cushion 10 cm thick is placed. Then metal or asbestos-cement pipes are installed in them, which are filled with concrete. The canopy frame is mounted on top of the resulting supports using welding or bolts.

Canopy frame

The types of canopies over the porch can be completely different - arched, straight single-pitch or gable. It all depends on the shape of the frame you are going to make. In this case, you need to be guided by both practicality and aesthetics, since the canopy over the porch essentially becomes the “face” of the entire house. In this case, the distance between the rafters should not be made wider than 50 cm. During operation, this is sufficient lightweight material, like cellular polycarbonate, can experience quite heavy loads in the form of snow, which, if too much big step between rafters may cause it to break, crack, or bend. After assembly, both wooden and metal frames must be processed by special means, extending their service life.

Roofing device

The most technologically advanced material when constructing a canopy over a porch with your own hands is cellular polycarbonate - it is quite light and can be easily processed. This material can be cut with almost any tool - an angle grinder, a knife, a jigsaw. At the same time, it does not crack or break. And when installing it on a frame, thanks to its flexibility, it easily accepts the required form. At the same time, critical stresses are not created inside the sheet, which could lead to destruction of the material in winter.

The only thing that is recommended to do when working with cellular polycarbonate is to close its ends with special covers after installing the canopy over the porch. The point is that when high humidity air, especially in autumn and spring, condensation accumulates inside the leaf cavities, which freezes when the temperature drops at night, sometimes tearing the thin bridges that hold the plates together. And this, in turn, can significantly reduce the service life of a polycarbonate roof.

Bottom line

As you can see from all of the above, making a visor with your own hands is not so difficult. The most important thing here is to be able to hold an instrument in your hands, and to have some creative skills. First of all, have a penchant for spatial thinking in order to clearly imagine what kind of protective structure you would like to see over your porch. It is also important to be able to draw up drawings and work with them. Otherwise, it all comes down to patience and skill, without which it is impossible to build even such a sufficiently large one with your own hands. simple design, like a canopy over a porch.

Almost every residential building has a useful and necessary addition above the porch - a canopy. The canopy over the polycarbonate porch becomes especially noticeable during bad weather. It protects the owners from rain and snow while they are looking for the keys to the door.

A polycarbonate canopy increases the service life of the porch itself. The material from which the porch is built will be protected from the destructive power of moisture.

Canopy over the entrance door made of polycarbonate

Before you grab your head and say that you will never do this work, you just need to thoroughly understand everything. First of all we need to consider All possible options polycarbonate canopy, make a drawing of the most suitable one for your home, and indicate its dimensions.

You can make a frame of a certain size yourself or order it. If you make the structure yourself, then after welding you need to protect the seams as much as possible from corrosion.

This building material is used everywhere today primarily because which has an affordable price.

If we compare the polymer with others building materials, such as glass, Ondulin, wood or glass, then the polymer will be much less likely to require current repairs. And this is also very important in our life.

The advantages of the material can be added:

If the material has to be cut with a hacksaw or grinder, then this requires a lot of effort. Polycarbonate does not crumble or crack during the process, but this work still needs to be done carefully.

Since the sheets are flexible and elastic, they can easily be bent to the desired radius and placed in pre-prepared grooves.

The design of the canopy is found not only rectangular, but also arched. The second option is more common and looks very attractive.

Design selection

The shape and size of the canopy will depend on the shape of the porch and the preferences of the owners. If you take the issue seriously, you need to read a lot of information, look on the Internet detailed master classes. This is the only way to choose the right canopy shape and make the correct calculations.

After reviewing the above information, you can determine the installation method. It can be supporting or suspended.

If we talk about the frame, then it can be made of both metal and wood. A wooden base will cost less, but it will not last long. Steel structure must do experienced master on special equipment. This design will have a lot of weight, and to make it smaller, aluminum is used.

By making your choice even in favor of the simplest design, you protect yourself and your loved ones from rain and snow for some time. But what is also important is that you protect your yard, home and porch from precipitation, which will harm any building material.

Project preparation and canopy calculation

Depending on the size of the porch, a canopy is made. It is advisable to make it slightly larger than the size of the porch itself. This is necessary for to prevent moisture from entering and subsequently forming ice on the steps.

If the distance from the house to the gate is small, then you can make a canopy along the entire length of the path. This is a great idea, because in bad weather the path will remain dry, and you can easily get into the house without an umbrella. Despite the bad weather, it will be convenient to just walk on such a path.

A polycarbonate canopy over a porch should perform the following functions:

To make a canopy with your own hands, you need to take the correct measurements. A tape measure is used for this. Taking into account the width and shape of the visor, you need to calculate the required polycarbonate.

To make a purchase, it is advisable to contact any construction supermarket, where you can choose not only the color of the future coating, but also its density and type. If we talk about the types of products, there are cellular and monolithic polycarbonate. Cellular polycarbonate , if you look at it in cross-section, it has hollow cells, so it will be cheaper than a monolithic one, the name of which fully corresponds to its appearance.

The monolithic type is a solid polymer sheet that is characterized by high light transmittance. The material is universal, which is why it is often used instead of glass.

A canopy for the front door can be purchased in finished form, and in the form of a set of materials intended for its construction.

Making a visor with your own hands

If you decide to make a canopy for the front door with my own hands, then you need to prepare the following materials and tools:

To fix polycarbonate, you will need special self-tapping screws with thermal washers, which ensure reliable fastening.

Instructions:

The final stage of all work is the removal protective film made of polycarbonate.

Decorative properties of polycarbonate

This material, compared to corrugated sheets, has unique decorative properties. The sheets can have any color and shade; their transparent or translucent structure allows the passage of sunlight. Despite the fact that the canopy is a separate structure, it must be harmoniously combined in color not only with the walls, but also with the roofing.

The frame structure can be made unique. To do this, you can use several options:

With the help of polycarbonate you can implement the most interesting design projects. The material is durable, but flexible, so you can use it to make not only an arch, but also a dome or awning. The porch can be made completely closed using this material. To this important decorative element To make the building more attractive, you can use any suitable color.

Working with polycarbonate is easy. Even the most inexperienced master can figure this out. Installation and choice of fastening - that's all the tricks.

If you assemble the canopy correctly, it will last for decades. This is a very profitable and practical solution.

To make the structure as durable as possible, experts recommend buying a ready-made frame. Thanks to this, the work on arranging the canopy will be carried out much faster.