Exposed and Hillside Gardens: Building for Wind
Gardens on the Pennine fringe, on moor edges and on open plots see wind that sheltered suburban patios never do. The structure is specified around that, not adapted to it afterwards.
Wind loading is a design input
Section sizes, post spacing and fixing type follow the exposure of the site. This is exactly why a per-metre price is meaningless.
Bases and anchors
Exposed sites need bases sized for uplift as well as downward load. Anchor specification is part of the survey, not a site decision.
Screens, carefully
Side screens make an exposed terrace usable, but they also catch wind. Zip-channel systems are used precisely because they hold the fabric edge.
Choosing the roof
Fixed glass generally behaves more predictably in sustained wind than an extended awning, which should be retracted in gusts regardless of location.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an awning on an exposed plot?
Yes, with a wind sensor and realistic expectations about when it stays in.
Will louvres handle high wind?
They are set to the recommended position in extreme conditions; the structure itself is engineered for the site.
Does exposure add cost?
It can, through larger sections or more substantial bases. It also prevents the failure you would otherwise pay for later.
Is glass risky in wind?
Correctly specified safety glass in an engineered frame is a very stable roof in wind.
Next step
Tell us how exposed your plot is — it changes the specification, so we need to know.
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