A glass roof may not be only for the elite - 5 options that are available to everyone
The glass roof visually expands the interior and improves sound insulation, but most importantly, it adds status to the car. Panoramic roofs are far from uncommon in our time, but this option is not cheap, so in order not to make a mistake when choosing a car with a transparent top, we choose the most impressive options available.
Opel Meriva
Among budget cars, this German stands out not only with an impressive panoramic roof, but also with doors that open in different directions. If there is too much sun, then an electric sunshade will cover you from it.
Volkswagen Touareg
On SUVs, the panoramic roof looks even cooler due to its impressive size. But the main advantage of the Tuareg's roof is that it can be fully opened, turning the SUV into a kind of convertible.
Nissan X-Trail
Another SUV, but this time Japanese. The glass roof of the car consists of two wings - the rear is stationary, and the front can move. In addition, the X-Trail is equipped with an electrically operated false ceiling and a deflector to reduce noise when the panorama is open.
Peugeot 308
The French were among the first automakers to offer buyers car options with a panoramic roof. In addition to beauty, Peugeot glass is incredibly durable and safe - the five-layer convex design will not crack or shatter into fragments even in the most severe collision.
Kia Soul
The huge panoramic roof, which the Korean model acquired in 2014, only benefited its popularity. The tinted glass top contrasts perfectly with the body of the Soul, thanks to which you can see a panoramic roof on it more often than other budget cars. Those who like to ride with the breeze will also be pleased that the roof is shifted, both manually and with the help of an electric drive.
Quite often, luxury cars and not only are equipped with panoramic roofs. This adds personality and luxury to the car. At the same time, the cost of this pleasure is quite high. We will try to reveal all the advantages and disadvantages of this type of roof.
What is a panoramic roof
The panoramic roof can be located both over the entire surface of the roof and in its individual sections. It should be noted that this type is not a hatch. It just has a transparent structure, sometimes with a slight tint.
There are the following types of panoramic roof:
- Fixed. It is located along the entire top of the car, it goes well with the main design and shape of the car. All stationary parts are made of high-strength laminated glass, which has a shade system.
- Panoramic sunroof. The sunroof consists of several panels, which, if necessary, fold or open to allow fresh air to enter.
Attention! This type of roof allows you to increase the flow of light into the interior of the car.
What is the difference between sunroof and panoramic roof
Despite the fact that the presence of a panoramic sunroof or roof increases the amount of light entering the interior of the car, they are completely different in structure. In order to decide on the choice of option, you need to carefully understand their design and functionality.
Designation
The hatch structure consists of a frame and a panel. The frame is made of metal materials. The hatch is a glass plate, which is equipped with a movable panel, also made of glass. If necessary, it is translated into an open or closed position, which allows you to adjust the air flow.
Important! The panoramic roof differs from the sunroof only in that the light enters the cabin, no matter what position it is in.
materials
For the manufacture of the sunroof and panoramic roof, light and durable materials are taken. They are mainly made of glass, but in some cases, when the overall design of the car requires it, they can be made of a special fabric that does not allow moisture to pass through.
Peculiarities
The main disadvantage of a panoramic roof is its stationarity, that is, it cannot move and change position. The hatch wins in this regard, because thanks to its design, it is possible to carry out natural ventilation.
Installation
It is already difficult to surprise someone with a hatch on the roof of a car. If the purchased car is not equipped with such a function at the factory, then this can be done at service stations that provide this service.
Cars with a panoramic roof type are much less common. This feature is more typical for cars operated in Europe.
Price
Of course, it became clear to many that installing a panoramic sunroof or roof would cost a lot of money. The cost of installing a sunroof will be much cheaper than a full glass roof. But it is also important to note that in case of need for repair work, it will also have to be spent significantly.
Advantages and disadvantages of a panoramic roof
Modern specialists working in the automotive industry are trying as much as possible to increase sales and attract as many customers as possible. Probably, it was for this purpose that such a feature of the car as a panoramic roof was invented and implemented. It is made of special composite glass, which has a high level of strength. Thanks to this, the upper part of the machine, made of this material, is not inferior in properties to its predecessors made of metal. Also, the panoramic roof has the following positive characteristics:
- this type of roof creates a visual impression of increased space. In addition, it leaves a huge impression on people who see a car with a special roof for the first time;
- thanks to such a surface, visibility is improved in the case of a close entrance to a traffic light;
- the presence of a dark color gives originality;
- in rainy weather and the contact of rain with the surface of the roof, there is no drumming sound that is inherent in metal.
Despite a considerable number of positive characteristics, this type of roof has its own certain disadvantages:
Is it possible to install a glass roof in a car yourself
It is simply unrealistic to independently install a panoramic surface. First of all, this snag concerns not the lack of special skills and tools necessary for installation, but the law. From a legal point of view, this change is considered an illegal change in the design of the vehicle. The thing is that before installing this type of roof in the factory, engineers conduct a huge amount of research related to the calculation of loads.
Attention! You can install a glass surface only in special dealerships. Here, a check will be made of the technical features on which the possibility or impossibility of installation depends.
Panoramic roof vehicles
The list of cars with a panoramic roof view includes a small number of models, but among them we have identified the best.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that the panoramic type of car roof has its own individual design-related drawbacks, its popularity is growing, especially in European countries and Russia. Due to the fact that this type of surface increases the viewing angle, its shortcomings are not always critically perceived. Basically, the disadvantages of a panoramic roof are related to climate control, as well as some other factors. But they are not so essential as to deny yourself such pleasure.
Overview of the panoramic roof on the example of the car Kia Ceed jd 2013:
A glass roof may not be only for the elite - 5 options that are available to everyone
The glass roof visually expands the interior and improves sound insulation, but most importantly, it adds status to the car. Panoramic roofs are far from uncommon in our time, but this option is not cheap, so in order not to make a mistake when choosing a car with a transparent top, we choose the most impressive options available.
Opel Meriva
Among budget cars, this German stands out not only with an impressive panoramic roof, but also with doors that open in different directions. If there is too much sun, then an electric sunshade will cover you from it.
Volkswagen Touareg
On SUVs, the panoramic roof looks even cooler due to its impressive size. But the main advantage of the Tuareg's roof is that it can be fully opened, turning the SUV into a kind of convertible.
Nissan X-Trail
Another SUV, but this time Japanese. The glass roof of the car consists of two wings - the rear is stationary, and the front can move. In addition, the X-Trail is equipped with an electrically operated false ceiling and a deflector to reduce noise when the panorama is open.
Peugeot 308
The French were among the first automakers to offer buyers car options with a panoramic roof. In addition to beauty, Peugeot glass is incredibly durable and safe - the five-layer convex design will not crack or shatter into fragments even in the most severe collision.
Kia Soul
The huge panoramic roof, which the Korean model acquired in 2014, only benefited its popularity. The tinted glass top contrasts perfectly with the body of the Soul, thanks to which you can see a panoramic roof on it more often than other budget cars. Those who like to ride with the breeze will also be pleased that the roof is shifted, both manually and with the help of an electric drive.
According to him, in the event of an accident, the body of a car with a panoramic roof is not as strong as a traditional metal structure. In addition, there is little pleasant in the glass fragments that fall on the head.
Reality:this is true only for hatches and panoramic roofs installed in an artisanal way. The roots of such a delusion go back to the first attempts of garage craftsmen to put hatches on ordinary Zhiguli, cutting a hole under them with a simple grinder saw. Don't try this again! It’s better to buy a car with a panoramic roof at a car dealership: the manufacturer, even at the design stage, calculates the consequences of installing such a design, which allows you to keep the power frame of the body unchanged. The installation of the roof itself takes place directly on the conveyor, in compliance with all technological requirements, and special glass is used in its design, which, when destroyed, does not injure passengers.
Myth two: in bad weather, water can enter the cabin through the hatch
Reality:again, this is possible only with a handicraft installation of a hatch of dubious origin, which almost no one does now. Panoramic roofs installed at the factory are completely sealed, which is guaranteed by mandatory tests in rain chambers at the design stage. In fact, in terms of their tightness, hatches and panoramic roofs installed directly on the conveyor are in no way inferior to ordinary metal roofs and retain these properties over time.
Myth three: thieves can break such a roof and enter the salon through it
Reality: everything is just the opposite! Due to safety concerns, the glass used in panoramic roofs is strong enough to break easily. On the contrary, an ordinary metal roof can be damaged by a large and sharp knife, similar to how we open canned food. But this method is too complicated for intruders - they prefer to get into the car through the door.
Myth four: if an icicle or something else falls on a car, then the cost of repairing a damaged panoramic roof will be very high
Reality: This is partly true, but only partly. Firstly, the panoramic roof is strong enough: a small piece of snow crust will not cause damage to it, while the metal panel can be wrinkled in such a situation. Secondly, when a large ice block falls, not only the roof suffers, but also the power frame of the body, and in this case the repair will be very expensive, regardless of whether the ceiling in your car is transparent or not. And thirdly, it is really possible to imagine a situation in which the replacement of panoramic glass will require more expenses than a similar repair of a conventional roof. But these are only special cases, an unfortunate combination of circumstances, which does not always happen. All panoramic roofs manufactured by Webasto are subjected to numerous environmental chamber, acoustic and vibration tests and strength tests. Comprehensive tests have confirmed full compliance with the requirements of the automaker, the absolute safety, reliability and durability of the panoramic roof.
Myth five: in a car with a panoramic roof, the driver feels “like in an aquarium” and experiences psychological discomfort
Reality: this statement is completely untrue. Indeed, window tinting and other ways to remain invisible to others inside your car are very popular in Russia. But the panoramic roof (unlike the removable top of convertibles) does not interfere with you here. According to the current legislation, its tinting is not limited, which in many cases is already done at the factory. And if you yourself are tired of the view of the bad weather, then you can tighten the ceiling with a special curtain - in this form, the car interior will practically not differ from the interior of a car with a metal top.
Myth six: in a car, even with a closed sunroof, the wind makes noise, and when it is opened, drafts occur in the cabin
Reality: this is wrong. Look, panoramic roofs and hatches on different cars differ significantly from each other in shape and size. This is done, among other things, because the design is always developed individually for each model at the design stage. In particular, the body of a car with a panoramic roof is tested in a wind tunnel, where experts ensure that during the movement there are no excessive turbulences that cause noise. The aerodynamics of the open hatch is also being worked out: most modern models have a special visor-air fairing that optimizes air flow, preventing unnecessary noise and drafts.
Nowadays, quite a lot of manufacturers use panoramic roofs in their models. This solution is positioned as an advantage, and in the case of an optional add-on, a glass ceiling is not cheap. In our article today, we will try to find out what advantages and disadvantages panoramic roofs have.
The design of the panoramic roof is absolutely identical to the standard metal version. The only difference lies in the material that covers the main space of its area. In the case of a glass roof, high-strength triplex or other types of damage-resistant composite glass are used. In terms of strength, they are in no way inferior to metal.
In the interior of cars with a panoramic roof, there is a movable false ceiling with which the glass can be closed. In some models this is done by means of an electric drive, in others the movement of the flocked ceiling panels must be done manually.
What are the benefits of a panoramic roof?
Installing a glass roof has a number of advantages that turn out to be quite important for the driver.
- Transparent glass visually increases the size of the cabin, creating a feeling of almost unlimited interior space. While riding in a car, passengers do not experience a sense of isolation, which contributes to improved comfort. Of course, this is just an optical illusion, but it helps to change the perception of the passenger area.
- Providing additional visibility and improving the visibility of overhead traffic lights. Moving around the city, you get the opportunity, without getting out of the car, to inspect tall objects, read signs or just look at the sky, appearing through the stone "jungle" of buildings. This mainly concerns passengers, although the driver also has the opportunity to take full advantage of additional visibility functions.
- Tinted glass roof gives the car a stylish appearance, flavored with model personality. The car looks much brighter. It stands out from the general flow of vehicles equipped with a standard metal roof.
- There are also practical benefits of installing a panoramic roof. It is expressed in the improved properties of the soundproofing of the cabin. If the driver has to move in the rain, he will not hear the sound of the monotonous sound of falling drops. The glass will completely absorb it. Metal cannot boast of such qualities, which creates certain inconveniences on long trips.
Cons of a panoramic roof
Do not think that panoramic roofs are the ideal solution. They also have their negative sides.
- The main disadvantage of the glazed ceiling is the insufficiently productive work of the cabin heater and air conditioning system. Glass has a much more powerful degree of thermal conductivity than iron. In summer, the entire volume of scorching sunlight is transmitted to the salon. The situation is similar in winter. The interior receives and accumulates much more cold air than it could receive from a metal roof. In both cases, such phenomena have to be compensated. This is done by the air conditioner and the “stove”, which makes the engine work in the mode of increased power loads and entails increased fuel consumption.
- The winter period is characterized by another "minus". Condensation accumulates on the inner surface of the glass roof, which during driving brings unnecessary moisture into the passenger compartment, and during periods of parking the car for a long time, it contributes to the formation of a layer of ice.
- The design of glass roof vehicles implies some height limitation that taller crew members will no doubt notice. The ceiling level drops at least a couple of centimeters. This is due to the need for unhindered movement of the panels and the need to install guide elements.
- Additional mechanisms are quite fragile, which can lead to their failure. Repair of elements, especially electronic ones, can be quite expensive.
Can you install a glass roof in a car yourself?
If it is not provided by the manufacturer, definitely not. An obstacle will be a law prohibiting the constructive change of the machine. The fact is that before installing such solutions, the engineers of automakers carefully calculate all the loads that arise in critical situations. It is important for designers to create such a strong roof, which in terms of its qualities will not be inferior to standard metal elements. Numerous tests are carried out, the main focus of which is on the behavior of the glass ceiling in situations involving a rollover of a car.
On the other hand, by contacting the official dealers of the manufacturer, it is theoretically possible to install a roof. The main condition for this is the availability of technical capabilities for the implementation of the plan. For example, your model may optionally have a glass top. When purchasing a car, you decided not to install it, but after some time you changed your mind. In this situation, you will not have any problems with the installation. The main thing is to have enough funds in the wallet.
Summarize
At the end of the article, we will say that the main advantage of having a glass roof is the image component. Of course, there is no unequivocal need for panoramic glazing, and the “cons” that such solutions have are more significant from the point of view of the practical operation of the car.
