A terrace or a gazebo is not only garden decor, but also a cozy place to relax, helping to create a pleasant homely atmosphere in the country. Comfort is very important in all weather conditions, whether it be summer heat or wind and rain. It is very important that the material used to refine the arbor not only decorates the structure, but also is practical. One of the most common types of outdoor curtains are curtains made of soft but dense material - PVC.

What is a soft window?

In order for the gazebo to become the most comfortable place to relax, you need to protect it from adverse weather conditions by installing flexible windows. This is a great affordable solution for those who value practicality, originality and environmental safety.

In addition, the price of soft windows is quite affordable. Protective wraps are made of polyvinyl chloride (high-quality plastic). Their fasteners are made directly to the frame or facade of the building.

Did you know? Currently, PVC accounts for about 20% of all plastic produced in the world, second only to polyethylene. The main raw materials for this material are salt and oil.

Advantages and disadvantages

PVC protective curtains for gazebos are more practical and reliable than their competitors (glass blocks).

• The undoubted advantages of PVC curtains are:
• high protective properties of the material: a PVC window product will be a real salvation from direct sunlight, rain, windy weather, midges and insects, unwanted odors from the outside;
• lack of material deformation under the influence of various factors;
• ability to withstand significant temperature changes from + 70 ° C to -30 ° C;
• soundproofing;
• resistance to fire;
• lack of burnout of material in the sun;
• ability to keep fit;
• protection of the internal decoration of the open gazebo from dust and dirt;
• resistance of PVC to the appearance of harmful microorganisms, fungi, rot;
• practical value and simple care (cleaning with warm soapy water);
• the ability to observe landscapes outside the window thanks to colorless material;
• long service life up to 14 years;
• ease of repair in case of damage (except for cuts);
• lack of need to remove PVC curtains in autumn and winter;
• light weight;
• simplicity of installation and installation.

• Disadvantages of soft windows:
• With dense hanging curtains made of plastic material, a shortage of fresh air can be felt in the gazebo, that is, a greenhouse effect is created, as in greenhouses. By regularly ventilating the verandas and arbors, you will be able to avoid such unpleasant sensations. To prevent insects from entering the room during ventilation, it is recommended to install a mosquito net.
• Another disadvantage, which should not be discounted, is that you can not make a patch at the place of punctures or cuts, a complete replacement of the canvas will be required.

Varieties of materials

For the manufacture of flexible glazing, PVC film is used. It can be transparent, tinted, combined. Polyvinyl chloride most often used for the production of soft curtains.

Important! Polyvinyl chloride material does not respond well to bending when the temperature drops below 0 ° C. Creases may form.

Some owners of summer cottages prefer to put windows from polyurethane, since the material, like PVC, has good properties: reflects sunlight, has a high level of elasticity with a smaller thickness. Polyurethane film is often used to make doors.

Curtains from polyester prefer those who care about the fire resistance of a window product. And creative lovers will like the possibility of applying various patterns on the curtain. The opening height of the windows made of polyester can be adjusted independently, since the material is wound on a special shaft, and the curtain is fixed using a special strap.

DIY window manufacturing instructions

For flexible window products, a film is used whose thickness is from 500 to 800 microns. Experts believe that the most optimal option is 700 microns. There is a roll film on sale, the width of which is 140 cm. If the opening is wider than this range, the material will need to be soldered with a building hair dryer, leaving about 3-4 cm on the seams.

Strengthen fastenings thanks to a fringing. For her, they take a dense polyester fabric Oxford 600 PVC with a width of about 5 cm. The manufacture of flexible window products with their own hands is accompanied by mandatory actions.

Did you know? Identification, credit cards and even keys to hotel rooms are made of PVC.

They include:

1. Measurements. With a flat surface, measurements of the opening are made taking into account seams and edging. If there are protrusions, it is worth contacting a specialist in measurements.
2. Buying film and edging. The film material is cut in size.
3. Acquisition of fasteners. You will need locks made of metal of any color. The brackets can be rotary (located around the perimeter of the window, which thanks to this mechanism is well fixed in the right position and has high-quality tension) or simple, with silicone / fabric straps (an accurate calculation of the distribution of staples is important to get the perfect stretch of the canvas).
4. The film is cut in size taking into account the seams.. They put transparent material into the grooves of the edging, they are leveled so that there are no wrinkles.
5. Warm air flow it must be served not from above, but into the groove itself, pushing the upper part with a special device (spoon). It is better to start work from the middle, moving to the edges. Soldering must be accompanied by rolling with a roller. After the design is “sewn” on the one hand, you will need to turn it over and repeat the manipulation again. If the PVC film is thick, it is better to take a powerful soldering iron for soldering.
6. Purchased fasteners are mounted around the perimeter of the frame.

Video: Installing PVC curtains on the terrace

Methods and rules of fastening

Fix the structure in many ways. Often they are combined. For fastening PVC curtains on top, self-tapping screws with a washer are used. Side curtains are fixed using a bracket and eyelet with a strap. You can also apply another option.

It consists in fastening from a combination of a long strap (the color can be chosen the same with the edging or contrasting) and the grommet. In order to make it convenient to tighten the window product, use a pocket with a weighting material (armature or channel).

Important! The width of the border should correspond to the size of the plane.

For fasteners of transparent PVC window products, the width of the racks must be taken into account. A wide range of materials of which the surface is made is used to install the fasteners. It can be made of wood, metal, brick or concrete. Its parameters can range from 50 to 200 mm. For fastening, self-tapping screws or dowels are used.

If the film will be used opaque, then you need to take the dimensions of the rack and take into account the need to tuck PVC material for reliable installation of accessories. Sliding flexible windows are made with a guide on rollers or on a cable with carabiners and grommets that are inserted into the edging fabric. Removable fittings are installed around the entire perimeter of the window product.

Rules of care and operating features

Caring for soft window constructions is easy. It is enough to clean the contaminated areas with a damp cloth soaked in soapy water or a non-aggressive liquid detergent. If you need to clean a large window cloth, it is recommended to use a hose for gardening with a diffusion nozzle. The use of household chemicals for cleaning window structures is not required.

PVC canvases perfectly fit into the design of any gazebo or terrace. They will allow you to relax in your favorite place in any weather. At the same time, flexible windows will open the gaze of the most colorful landscapes.