An open veranda or gazebo is a favorite place for spending leisure time for the inhabitants of the country house. At hot noon, roof vaults shelter us from the scorching sun or summer thunderstorms, and in the evenings create an atmosphere that is pleasant for pleasant meetings with friends and relatives. But in order to make the rest as comfortable as possible, and the surrounding space more comfortable, it is worthwhile to design open walls of the structure by choosing the appropriate curtains for the gazebo and veranda.
Types of street curtains for gazebos
Street curtains are designed not only to perform an aesthetic function, acting as a bright accent of design, but also to solve practical problems:
- protect from sunlight and annoying insects;
- skillfully hide design flaws and advantageously emphasize its advantages;
- with the onset of cool days, keep warm indoors.
Curtains on the market can be conditionally divided into three types: fabric, PVC canvas and protective tents. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, you can simplify the task of selecting an option that fully meets all expectations.
Fabrics
Street curtains made of ordinary textiles are perfect for glazed arbors, as well as outdoor designs. They do not interfere with natural ventilation, creating the most comfortable conditions for relaxation.
Curtains made of silk, organza, chiffon look very impressive.
Thicker and heavier fabrics, such as canvas, linen or teak, are more convenient to hang like Roman curtains, forming them into laconic folds.
Curtains made from natural materials, such as straws, bamboo, hemp, are able to emphasize the eco-style of construction, naturally fitting into the landscape design. Particularly spectacular curtains made of natural materials look like a frame for arbors and verandas built of wood.
Blackout curtains help bring a touch of romance and create an atmosphere of privacy. Due to the multilayer and special structure of the fibers, the material completely retains light, shading the room by 90-100%.
But textile curtains are only good in the warm season. They will not save from gusts of wind and rain. And the service life of products even with careful care and gentle operation is limited to 5-7 seasons.
In order for curtains from light and translucent fabrics to repel insects, experts recommend that after each wash they are soaked with special water-soluble compounds, which can be purchased at garden centers.
Protective tents
I want to spend time comfortably in the open air not only on fine days, but also in bad weather. For these purposes, protective curtains for the gazebo are perfectly suited.
In the open state, such curtains perfectly retain heat. On cool days, in order to create a comfortable atmosphere under the arch of the roof of the gazebo, you can safely turn on the heater, without worrying that the heat will evaporate outside.
The basis for their manufacture is tarpaulin or polyvinyl chloride coated lavsan fabric. Also available on sale are synthetic canvases coated with acrylic and teflon varnishes. An additional coating ensures the resistance of the material to fading and destruction under the influence of UV rays. The processed material is able to withstand temperature extremes from -25 ° C to + 60 ° C.
Acrylic fabrics have good moisture repellent properties. The average density of the material is 280 g / m2, which provides him with high strength characteristics. Acrylic paintings are also famous for the fact that they are able to diffuse the rays of sunlight penetrating through them, creating an interesting light effect in the room. The only drawback of the material is its rigidity. This leads to the fact that with frequent folding and storage of the curtains when folded, not in the places of bends, folds and microcracks appear.
In addition, such protection leaves a mark on the appearance and interior decoration of the veranda. Therefore, the choice of a product should be approached thoroughly, carefully weighing all the pros and cons.
PVC transparent curtains
Colored and transparent PVC canvases today adorn many arbors.
The only difference between colored and transparent PVC canvases is that the latter are made without adding fabric cord to them.
If we focus on quality characteristics, then PVC curtains are more practical and reliable than their competitors. Cloths made of PVC materials have a lot of advantages:
- They are lightweight yet durable.
- They stretch well, but retain their original shape.
- Resistant to moisture.
- It is easy to work and stitch with them.
To eliminate contamination, just wipe the surface with a cloth dampened in soapy water. In case of repair, the defect can be fixed with PVC glue.
Transparent films perfectly let in sunlight, without refracting them, and therefore can easily replace glazing. Using such veils, you can safely furnish a space upholstered with textile furniture and not worry that it will deteriorate from dampness.
If we compare the quality characteristics of transparent and colored PVC cloths, the former are still inferior to the latter.
A significant drawback of all polymeric materials is that they retain moisture and accumulate heat with increasing ambient temperature. Being in the heat in the gazebo, the walls of which are framed with PVC canvas, it may seem that for a while I found myself in a greenhouse. For the same reason, in the walls of the gazebo, framed by plastic curtains, it is not recommended to install a barbecue and heating devices.
If you often lift the curtains for ventilation and fold the curtains, creases will remain on them. To get rid of them, some masters recommend hanging curtains on sunny days, so that the heated material straightens out on its own. The main thing is not to pull. Otherwise, you can only spoil the material.
Street Curtain Selection Criteria
The choice of this or that type of curtains largely depends on what task they are called to perform.
But in any case, there are a number of requirements that apply to street curtains for arbors and verandas:
- Material strength. The fabric must withstand short-term wind loads.
- Resistance to weather conditions. They must reliably protect the inhabitants from any kind of rainfall.
- Combination with other design elements. The awning should be in harmony with the architectural ensemble of the gazebo and the general design of the site adjacent to the building.
If we focus on the color palette, then curtains painted in natural shades are more suitable for decorating verandas and arbors. Street curtains in light shades do not burden the design and do not visually overload the space.
If plain fabrics seem boring to you, contrasting patterns can help bring vibrant touches to the atmosphere.
It is better to choose such tones that will be in harmony with other bright elements of the landscape design of the site. Otherwise, the gazebo will look like a foreign object on the site.
Those who are striving for unusual solutions will surely like the idea of decorating the openings with bamboo curtains.
As an alternative to traditional curtains, horizontal and vertical bamboo blinds are also great.
If you dream of creating a "paradise", it is worth considering the idea of decorating the arbor with a canopy.
If the opportunity allows, purchase in reserve two types of curtains: for everyday relaxation and special events. Then, at a festive event held within the walls of a cozy gazebo, you can surprise guests by favorably placing design accents with the help of elegant fabric curtains.
Curtain Attachment Methods
The way of fixing street curtains depends a lot on the material of manufacture and the design features of the building.
The curtains are hung, fixing with brackets, which can be made in one of two options:
- rotary elements;
- sliding system;
- brackets with straps.
A system using swing brackets is considered the most reliable. To install it through the eyelets, evenly spaced around the perimeter of the canvas, insert the brackets equipped with spring rotary mechanisms. When the bracket is rotated, the curtain is fixed in the deployed position, and the canvas is stretched.
By placing the eyelets around the perimeter of the canvas, you will be able to freely unfold the curtains in whole or in part, and after use, freely twist them into a tight roll.
The veranda or gazebo are open spaces that are exposed to aggressive environments daily. Therefore, when choosing guides for attaching curtains, it is worth choosing products from non-oxidizable materials.
No less convenient is the sliding system for attaching street curtains to the veranda. The method involves the installation of a guide and the rollers connected to it, or the installation of a cable with carabiners suspended on it.
If you plan to hang a lightweight fabric, the cables can be replaced with metal beams, and the carabiners with straps sewn to the curtains. To pull the canvas, you just need to put its holes on the staples and fix them with straps with a clasp.