Some builders are sure that the vestibule is a useless part of a private house, the heating of which wastes energy. In contrast to this opinion, most owners consider a vestibule for the home to be a useful invention, and prefer to equip their home with it. Let's figure out what functions this compact room performs, what it is like, and what materials are best used for cladding and interior design.
Entrance vestibule design Source katlavan.ru
Vestibule functions
Somewhere in the tropics, the layout of houses or cottages looks impressive and quite unusual to our eyes: from the front door you go straight into the living room. In our latitudes, such a situation is simply impossible to imagine, and the point is not at all in the lack of hospitality.
The layout of housing in temperate latitudes is greatly influenced by weather conditions. Anyone who has an idea of the changeable Russian climate can understand why a warm vestibule is needed in a private home. In autumn, winter (and sometimes in summer), cold air rushes through the open front door, and only the vestibule can stop the cold from spreading further throughout the house.
This is the main function of a compact room: it serves as a reliable buffer, protecting the comfort of the home from the vagaries of Mother Nature. In summer it saves from dampness and dust, in winter – from cold, additionally helping to save on heating.
Protection from winter cold Source ivd.ru
The vestibule is also convenient from a hygiene point of view - outerwear and outdoor shoes are stored in it. A sufficiently large extension has an additional advantage: it is convenient to store things for which there is no place in the house (for example, tools, seasonal clothes). Here they often place a staircase to the attic or second floor, or provide access to the garage.
Layout
The vestibule can be erected several years after the main construction.
Designs are divided into two types:
The most popular are external vestibules. These are structures that you can build with your own hands using wood, panels or plastic.
When designing a vestibule, the following points must be taken into account:
The placement of the vestibule is largely influenced by air flows and climate features. If the central entrance is on the windy side, the outer door is installed on the side.
Varieties
The tambour as an idea is implemented in several ways; Structurally, it is made into an extension or part of a residential building. There is also a division into warm (with heating) and cold rooms; There are differences in the way of lighting. A modern approach to the design of private housing offers three types of designs for entrance vestibules to the house.
Porch with a protected entrance area Source ivd.ru
Seni
In a traditional Russian house, a canopy was a non-residential and unheated frame structure, which was usually built along the entire length of one side. The size of the entryway showed their importance for everyday life.
The canopy served as a heat-saving barrier and a place where things and various equipment were kept. During the cold period they were used as a convenient pantry for food. In warm weather, guests were accommodated in the hallway for the night.
In modern houses, the size of the canopy has decreased significantly, as the priorities of the owners have changed, and few people maintain extensive subsidiary farming. Increasingly, the role of a canopy is played by a glazed and insulated porch or a small extension at the front door. Tools, gardening equipment and other things that are needed at hand continue to be stored in the entryway. Here they provide access to utility (garage, boiler room) and residential premises.
An additional advantage of the canopy is that it prevents the smells and sounds of technical rooms from leaking into the house. For full use, the canopy requires a window, but it is not necessary to heat it.
Traditional style design Source pinimg.com
Hallway
A hallway means a small separate room behind the front door, which is included in the original project (it is not built separately). In small houses and apartments, the hallway is often combined with a corridor, which saves space. There is enough space to place shoe shelves, a mirror, and a closet for seasonal clothes.
In large houses, the entrance hall is transformed into a hall, a room of a larger area, but with similar functions. The hallway is part of the heating circuit of the home, so it is not heated additionally (a standard radiator will suffice). In well-thought-out designs, the hallway has a window, which allows you to save on lighting.
It is extremely useful to arrange ventilation in the hallway. This will allow you to quickly regulate air humidity, preventing condensation from occurring. In a room with exhaust ventilation, things will dry quickly; There is no need to worry about mold forming in the corners.
The glass porch leads to a small hallway Source pinimg.com
Veranda
A glazed veranda is a passage space between two entrance doors. This is a practical and therefore quite common way of organizing a vestibule, especially in the middle zone.
The advantages of the veranda are large windows and an area sufficient to create a full-fledged recreation area. On a standard veranda you can find a table with a bench or two, cabinets and a variety of storage systems (drawers, shelves).
When cold weather sets in, the veranda becomes a full-fledged buffer, a thermal cushion that reduces heat loss. The disadvantage of the veranda is the need to ensure high-quality (sealed) insulation. Among other things, you will need an insulated entrance door and double-glazed windows. The result of the arrangement will be quite expensive.
Glazed veranda with overhead light Source bau.ua
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in redevelopment of country houses of any complexity
Outdoor insulated entrance doors for the home
Pay special attention to the choice of entrance door to a heated room from the street. The door must have reliable seals and good thermal insulation. The door in the outer wall is installed so as to exclude a cold bridge through the slopes, bypassing the door frame.
The rebate of a steel street door TERMO with a thermal break. The steel outer and inner parts of the canvas and frame are separated by a layer of thermal insulation.
Do not place an ordinary single steel door at the entrance from the street to a heated room - it will freeze and become covered with condensation and frost.
It is necessary to install a special steel
street door, made using the technology of thermal break of frame parts and door leaf.
Entrance doors made of a special PVC door profile and double-glazed windows will provide thermal protection and natural lighting in the hallway of the house.
You can also install doors made of a composite metal-plastic profile like a window, but made from a reinforced door profile.
Traditional entrance doors from the street made of solid oak
Or street doors made of wood - preferably solid oak.
Two doors at the entrance to the house
Installation diagram of a double entrance door at the entrance to the house.
, two entrance doors are installed in the outer wall of the house . The door leaf on the street side opens outward, and the other opens into the room. The second inner door, together with the air gap between the doors, reduces heat loss and prevents the outer door from freezing. In this option, you can install a regular steel door on the outside. There are also no special requirements for a door that is installed from inside the house. You can install a regular interior door. It is not necessary to install locks on the interior door; sometimes it is enough to equip the door with a lock.
Installing two simple doors at the entrance may not cost much more than installing one special door with a thermal break. Some owners remove the inner door panel for the summer, and return it to its place when cold weather sets in.
Dimensions
The size of the buffer zone is regulated by considerations of convenience. You should not refuse to design a vestibule in a private house just because it claims to be part of the living space, which is always in short supply. How spacious the room will be depends on several parameters.
Construction standards (SNiP and GOST) set minimum dimensions through the parameters of the depth and width of the room. With a minimum width of 1 m, the depth does not fall below 1.4 m. The limitation is related to the dimensions of the doors - there must be enough space so that they can open without interference and not interfere with the free movement of one person.
With a minimum size, the functionality of the vestibule as a buffer zone is preserved. The person leaving can close the inner door before the outer door is opened, and heat loss will be minimal.
There is a requirement due to fire safety regulations. According to him, both doors should open outward. In the event of an emergency, the inhabitants of the house will be able to leave the premises without hindrance.
Doors do not comply with fire safety regulations Source decoredo.com
A miniature vestibule-porch has a right to exist, but is not the optimal solution. It, of course, performs a protective function, but it is impossible to arrange any convenient storage spaces in it.
A design with a width of 3-4 m is more practical. In the middle room there is room for all the necessary items: wall shelves or a compact closet, a shoe shelf and a mirror. If you think that a closet is too bulky for such a room, you can limit yourself to hooks for outerwear. A medium-sized vestibule will free up useful space inside the house.
A spacious entrance area, the width of which reaches five meters or more, can be arranged according to the principle of a veranda, insulated, lighted and large windows designed. Upon completion of the work, storage shelves are installed in the vestibule and a cabinet is installed. If desired, it is easy to accommodate a small table and enjoy leisurely tea parties overlooking the surrounding landscape.
Tambour as the center of symmetry of the house Source ivd.ru
Tambour with a brick plinth Source pinimg.com
- Ventilation. It is relevant in two cases: if a metal entrance door is installed, or if the owners are going to dry clothes in a small space.
- Doors. It is important to think about their relative position. If possible, they try not to place them opposite each other, so as not to create strong drafts. Sometimes they arrange it so that both doors open inward. This makes it more difficult to create a situation in which both doors are open at the same time.
- Cleaning. By default, there is more dirt and dust in the buffer room than in living rooms. The vestibule will be periodically subjected to thorough cleaning, so for finishing it is important to choose materials that are resistant to frequent dirt and equally frequent cleaning.
The main question to be resolved is whether to make the room warm or cold. Every decision has its positive sides. A cold vestibule reduces heating costs, and economy is in trend today. It may be convenient for a family with small children: the process of dressing can sometimes be delayed, and it is more comfortable to do it in a cool room.
Options from different materials Source stroygoal.ru
A vestibule with heating has its advantages. If you install tubular radiators, they can be used for drying outerwear (usually children's clothes). A fragment of a heated floor (warm floor) can be conveniently used for drying shoes, while vegetables and fruits can be stored in cold corners.
To heat or not to heat?
The question of the need and possibility of heating for the vestibule raises a lot of controversy. Some experts strongly recommend installing the circuit of the general heating system here to avoid the appearance of frost on the doors or ceiling of the room in winter. In addition, according to them, the vestibule can become so cold in cold weather that it ceases to act as a temperature buffer.
However, according to building codes, heating devices should not be placed in rooms that have external doors to avoid freezing of the coolant.
And most designers do not recommend connecting the vestibule to traditional heating systems: this leads to unnecessary, completely unnecessary energy costs. The very essence of the vestibule is to be a buffer, a mixing zone of cold and warm air.
Exterior finishing materials
To build the structure, they try to use the material from which the house was built; this is guaranteed to give the composition a harmonious look. But no one forbids choosing any other material if the replacement is equivalent. For example, a combination of brick or concrete walls with a glazed entrance looks stylish.
A fairly wide range of materials is used for the construction of a vestibule in a private house; The following options are suitable for exterior design:
- Tree. A wooden vestibule is the best solution for a house made of timber or logs. The building will be durable and stylish in appearance, subject to timely maintenance and periodic (every 8-10 years) treatment with antiseptics.
Wood paneling in a modern style Source reussirsaveranda.fr
- Brick. The extension turns out to be capital, resistant to wear and weather factors; it looks good next to a brick house. Despite the high cost of construction, a brick vestibule has its advantages: it can do without interior decoration, and during operation it will serve to protect the wall of the house from the cold.
- PVC panels and PVC windows. Suitable for installing both warm and cold vestibules. The structure is erected quickly and has acceptable sound and heat insulation.
Brick, glass and metal Source stroy-podskazka.ru
Wall insulation
The issue of insulation should be approached very responsibly. In this way you can create a comfortable indoor microclimate.
Basic recommendations:
- You can insulate the walls with polystyrene foam or mineral wool, fixing the material with a construction mesh, then you can apply plaster and move on to the outer cladding;
- to insulate joints with the walls of the building and the foundation, it is better to use fibrous materials and apply sealant on the outside;
- the joint on the roof can be covered with rafters with a cornice strip.
There should be no gaps in the corners through which heat will escape. You can eliminate them using polyurethane foam.
Video description
About the experience of using a vestibule in the Middle Urals in the following video:
- Polycarbonate. It produces an economical transparent structure that reliably protects from wind and rain. Installation is simple; An additional plus is that polycarbonate can be given a curved shape and create an original building with rounded walls.
- Glass. It is chosen to decorate the entrance to a wooden house with a vestibule in the form of a veranda. This solution looks impressive and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The disadvantages of the glass project are the high cost of implementation and the need for regular cleaning of the glass.
Tambour on the high porch Source lr-studio.ru
- Siding. The frame is covered with siding (and inside, for example, with clapboard) and insulated; It turns out to be budgetary and practical. The material is easy to work with, and the market offers various colors and textures; therefore, the design can be easily coordinated with the decoration of the house.
- Metal. Corrugated metal sheet is quite cheap (only plastic is cheaper), easy to install, and resistant to natural influences. Due to its good performance it is becoming an increasingly common solution.
The finishing of the entrance area can be made from a combination of materials. Tandems of brick and glass, or wood and glass are popular. The roof is designed as a single or gable structure that does not allow snow and water to remain.
Construction of a glazed vestibule Source mebel-go.ru
Roof
The tilting of the structure at a certain angle ensures natural removal of sediment. Between the roof and the ceiling, I recommend installing a thermal curtain of fans that will create a flow of hot air. The cladding can replicate the roofing of the house or be transparent (glass).
Source osteklenie-balkona-spb.ru
Interior design
Creating a convenient and practical entrance area is the main task of the vestibule in the house; but the design of the building is no less important. In order for it to maintain functionality, they think through not only the exterior, but also the interior decoration.
The inside of the vestibule is a walk-through area, and the quality of the flooring is of paramount importance. It is subject to requirements for wear resistance, resistance to temperature fluctuations and dampness. The floor should not slip and be subject to frequent cleaning.
These conditions correspond to a tiled floor (stone or ceramic) or porcelain stoneware covering. High-quality linoleum is suitable as a budget replacement. A plank or laminate floor will require additional effort (periodic treatment), and will still wear out faster.
Country style vestibule interior Source pinimg.com
Interior of the entrance area in a country house Source hzcdn.com
Reliable insulation
Whether the vestibule will act as a temperature barrier for other rooms depends, first of all, on its thermal insulation qualities.
The outer wall of the vestibule, being part of the external structures of the house, is an integral element of the thermal contour of the building, and its “pie” should help ensure and maintain the “thermos effect”.
The wall is made of the same material as the entire house. But if additional insulation, for example, for a wall made of ceramic block or laminated veneer lumber is usually not required, then in the vestibule area experts recommend installing a layer of thermal insulation made of foam plastic, perlite or mineral wool slabs (basalt or glass wool).
For the latter, a film vapor barrier on the inside is required, which will prevent the insulation layer from getting wet and losing its qualities. From the outside, a reinforcing mesh is strengthened onto the heat-insulating layer and then covered with finishing paint or plaster.
Briefly about the main thing
In most of Russia, equipping a private house with a vestibule is not a whim, but a necessity. The idea can be implemented in different ways: you can confine yourself to the hallway, build a canopy or veranda. The designs vary in size and design, but perform the same functions.
In order for any of these rooms to properly serve as a buffer, it is necessary to think through their arrangement, lighting and insulation. The vestibule can be made warm or cold, each option has its own advantages.
Tambours are built from a variety of materials: brick, wood, glass and plastic. Lighter, wind-protective structures are made from polycarbonate and siding. In interior design, special attention is paid to the flooring material.
Heating
To keep the vestibule warm, it is necessary to provide heating. You can do this in several ways:
- Remove the radiators from the central boiler - this will ensure a comfortable temperature in the vestibule. A costly but effective method.
- Making heated floors is an economical option that includes moderate comfort and practicality. Heating can be turned off if necessary.
- Install climate control - this heating method can be used in the off-season; during harsh winters it is better to abandon this option.
conclusions
- A house for permanent residence in most regions of Russia must have a vestibule.
- The vestibule must have two doors.
- The entrance door of the vestibule must be insulated and have no cracks.
- The vestibule should be large enough so that when entering and leaving the house you do not need to open both doors at the same time.
- The vestibule should not be too large so as not to lose a lot of warm air when opening the door.
- The vestibule does not have to be heated if you want to reduce heating costs.
- In the vestibule you can take off wet, dirty and cold clothes, but a separate hallway is required for undressing.
- If a vestibule is not provided, you can try glazing the porch. If this does not work, you need to separate the cold hallway from the rest of the rooms with a door.
Tool preparation
The most reliable method of insulation is considered to be frame. This design will be strong and reliable, in comparison with the usual gluing of insulating material to the required surface. In addition, the frame will allow you to lay any type of insulation on the walls and hide it under any sheathing - no matter what you choose, drywall or lining, everything will look aesthetically pleasing. To install thermal insulation you will need various tools. The insulation you have chosen, wooden blocks and slats of various sections, a hacksaw, a screwdriver, screws, nails, a level, a tape measure, a pencil, a construction stapler with staples, polyurethane foam, a roller, a protective antiseptic and a moisture-resistant film - here is a set of tools with which you can carry out all the necessary manipulations to insulate the veranda.
Tip from InMyRoom:
The size of the timber should depend on the number of layers of material used and its thickness. If only one layer is intended, then make a wooden beam 50x50 mm - after all, the insulation itself is 50 mm thick.
