Buying a veranda is a big investment, and with so many different options available in the
market today, it can seem like a very daunting task. That’s why we have created this guide, to help you make an informed decision and choose the perfect system to suit your needs.
This comprehensive guide will take you through all the different options available to you and
provide advice to enable you to identify what to look for when choosing your veranda, including the various features that you should choose and avoid.
Construction Styles
When you start looking at the types of verandas that are available on the market, the first thing that you will probably notice is the types of designs on offer. There is not necessarily a good or bad design of a veranda, it simply depends on what suits your needs, what appearance you are going for and the size of the area you wish to cover. It’s always good to bear in mind that the design can also affect the rigidity of the structure.
Wall Mounted (Also known as lean-to)
Wall mounted verandas are the most cost effective and popular design. You will benefit from additional weather protection because it is fixed to your house, therefore all sides are not exposed to the weather because they are attached to your home. You will be protected
from the rain when entering your garden, whether it’s to sit and relax outside without
getting wet or for tasks you can’t avoid such as putting the bins out. Wall Mounted verandas tend to have the strongest design due to the front posts and the joining to your house/bungalow.
Cantilever
A cantilever veranda is designed so that the structure is supported from one side, and no
other support is required. This means the area is more open, with no posts, however make sure to check all necessary wind and snow loading calculations have been performed to ensure the veranda is structurally sound. We recommend that you seek professional advice from an independent structural engineer.
Cantilevered designs also tend to have smaller projections which means that you cannot cover large areas, always bear this in mind.
Free Standing
Free standing verandas offer flexibility as they do not need to be fixed to a supporting wall and you can therefore install them almost anywhere in your garden. However, because they have more posts they can be expensive. But on the other hand, if you require a freestanding canopy in your garden such as for cover over hot tubs, then the extra money is worth it.
This is an extract from ‘The Good Veranda Guide’ (12 pages) which will also give you information on the pro’s and con’s of Construction Materials etc. You can download a full copy from the Brochure Downloads link.