What is a panoramic roof. Panoramic roof on a car: myths, pros and cons. What is the difference between a sunroof and a panoramic roof?

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:

The panoramic roof (glass and transparent) on the car looks very nice, but only from the inside, because. from the outside, the roof is covered with factory tinting, if the car is light in color, then the dark roof will stand out, if the car is dark, then at first glance you won’t even notice from the outside that the car has a glass roof.

What are the advantages of a panoramic roof:

Sitting in the car, the panoramic roof adds visual volume to the car, but this is only for those who sit in the back, the driver and passenger seat next to the driver does not allow you to see the beauty of the sky, because. you have to raise your head, and it’s not convenient to steer. In any season of the year, rear passengers have visibility in all directions and upwards, at first glance it is quite unusual to see the sky in the roof of a car. At night, riding around the city, you can see the city, not limited to the view of the first floors. The panoramic roof is very popular with children.

The panoramic roof consists of thick glass and is designed to roll over the car, this is a fairly safe option if it is installed directly at the car manufacturer's factory. Even in the rain, there is no noise in the cabin from the panoramic roof.

What are the disadvantages of a panoramic roof:

In extreme heat, the dark interior heats up very much, tinting and curtains do not save from the penetration of sunlight, it is also not pleasant to drive with open curtains on a sunny day, even with air conditioning, the sun fries very much.

In winter, during severe frosts, snow melts on the panoramic roof from the outside, then freezes again and ice floes form that are not pleasantly cracking overhead due to uneven roads.

One winter, I drove with closed curtains on a panoramic roof and it turned out that warm air in the car reaches the curtains, and the glass is always cold and an ice cover forms on the roof from the inside. Another winter, I drove with the blinds open, and the glass on the panoramic roof was always clean on the inside, and no ice formed.

All cars test stoves and air conditioners, excluding panoramic roofs, because this is an additional option and the power of the air conditioner and stove is designed for a car with a metal roof and insulation. Therefore, cars with a panoramic roof need more time to cool or warm up the car interior.

There are also such moments that the mechanical curtains are made very jewelry and different latches and amplifiers are quite miniature, you can accidentally pull the wrong way or the child will pull in the closed position, the curtains instantly break. But it all depends on how the car is used.

Electronic blinds on panoramic roofs behave well, but in severe frosts the sunroof can fail, if any, in winter it is not recommended to open it.

In general, there are little things and shortcomings, but after driving for four years with a panoramic roof, you no longer want the usual one, you quickly get used to the good, not paying attention to the little things that are associated with weather phenomena and temperature changes.

Auto engineers never cease to amaze car owners with new products and offer new solutions for a more comfortable ride. Perhaps everyone is familiar with such an element as a sunroof in a car, but panoramic roofs differ from the usual "windows", as they occupy the lion's share of the "ceiling" of the vehicle.

They look very stylish, and the driver and passengers can enjoy the views thanks to the increased visibility. If someone is tired of looking at the beauties of nature or a person just feels uncomfortable, then the transparent roof can be closed with a special curtain - a false ceiling. Such a curtain can be equipped with an electric drive or closed manually. But, as many people think, glass is glass, and it just can't be any more convenient or as safe as a metal roof. Is it so? To understand, consider the main concerns of car owners.

Is the glass roof really unsafe and degrades the strength of the entire body

Before explaining that this fear is completely groundless, it is worth asking the question, what is the windshield made of? If the car gets into an accident, rolls over several times, or a brick flies into the “front-end”, won’t a person get hurt? But, for some reason, there was an opinion that it was a sunroof or a panoramic roof that could cause the car to twist into an accordion, and rain from fragments would fall on the driver.

Such a statement can only be based on if the glass element was added to the design of the car by a handicraft method (which, by the way, is prohibited by law, just because of security measures). For example, the owner of a Zhiguli armed himself with a grinder, cut a hole in the roof and installed the first glass that came to hand in it. In this case, he violated the strength of the entire body and doomed himself to the risk that even with minor damage, the “stylish” hatch would harm his health.

What is a factory panoramic roof

In reality, such elements can only be installed in the design of a car at the factory. At the same time, the calculations of the strength characteristics of the same machine with or without a panoramic roof will differ significantly even at the design stage. This means that the power frame of the car does not become more flimsy if a glass element is added to it.

An equally important point is the material from which the glass is made. Many will be surprised, but it is not only not inferior in its strength to the “frontal”, but, on the contrary, surpasses it (both in thickness and in characteristics). This was made possible thanks to the composition of the glass, which is a "sandwich" of five layers:

In the very center of the panoramic glass there is a sheet of polycarbonate film, which gives the transparent roof the necessary strength. In simple terms, polycarbonate is a polymer with high impact strength (1000 kJ / m2). Due to this, such a film is able to increase the strength of organic glass by 60 times, polystyrene by 150 times, and silicate glass by 200 times. Polycarbonate can be deformed, but it is almost impossible to break it (even if you hit it with a sledgehammer for a long time). Moreover, this polymer is lighter than ordinary glass. Polycarbonate retains all its properties at temperatures from -80 to +220 degrees.
Layers of a liquid polymer are applied on top and bottom of the polycarbonate film, acting as an adhesive.
Above them are glass.

The whole structure goes through the process of pressing and drying at extremely high temperatures. As a result, the product becomes homogeneous and very strong. The thickness of panoramic glass is 7.5 mm. At the edges it is thickened up to 9 mm.

Healthy! The panoramic roof is airtight, so you should not be afraid that water will begin to seep through it in bad weather. This is possible only with a handicraft installation of the hatch.

Metal, in comparison with such glass, can be called a more fragile material. Other than that, he's pretty tough. If the car gets into an accident, then both metal and glass are deformed, but not broken.

Interesting! Many experts even argue that the presence of such glass only improves the rigidity of the car body. Even if the glass is completely broken, it will not shatter into small pieces.

Therefore, you can safely forget about the idea that glass is fragile and breaks for any reason. But, since this is a relatively new trend, is it likely that the repair of such an element will cost a pretty penny?

If the panoramic roof is damaged, will the repair be more expensive

In this case, remember again that this element can be deformed, but not broken. Therefore, if a dent on the roof does not hurt your eyes, then there is no need to immediately run to a car service (glass is not subject to corrosion, so you do not have to fear that rust will start to creep around the defect).

Of course, the repair itself will cost a lot. But, you need to understand that if a block of ice collapsed on a car, then most likely the entire body was damaged. Accordingly, regardless of the presence of glass or metal on the roof of the car, you will have to perform expensive procedures to restore the power frame of the car.

Healthy! The most expensive mechanism is responsible for the movement of glass.

If we figured out the myths and reality, then it's time to talk about the other advantages of such modern varieties of hatches.

Benefits of a panoramic roof

First of all, the presence of such an element makes the trip more interesting. Passengers can enjoy beautiful views, look at a flying plane or the starry sky. A person ceases to feel like in an iron box and it is easier for him to relax.

In addition, the panoramic roof:

Visually increases the space of the car interior.
Gives the car a more stylish look (most of these windows are tinted at the factory).
Acts as soundproofing. If it started to rain on the road, then the sound of drops on the metal roof is very annoying. The glass surface is devoid of this minus. The car owner and passengers will not hear the wind and other sounds. The five-layer material will resist this.
Allows you to ventilate the car. There is no need to turn on the air conditioner again.

It would seem that everything is fine, but there is no smoke without fire. Therefore, it would be fair to say about the shortcomings of such elements.

Is it true that there are problems with heated glass

It really is. Most often, problems appear during high heat, or, conversely, in conditions of negative temperatures. If you leave such a car in the parking lot on a hot summer day, then the interior will turn into hellish hell in 10 minutes. Even if the shutters are closed, the element is multi-layered and there is a tinting material in the composition, the glass heats up quite strongly (since it has a high thermal conductivity) and cools down for a long time. In winter, the situation is reversed. The glass freezes over and stays cold all the time.

Important! In winter, the glass in the roof is covered with a layer of ice. It constantly rattles while driving. Not everyone will be pleased to hear such sounds overhead.

Because of this, car owners have to use the air conditioning system in more powerful modes. This, in turn, leads to increased energy consumption (and, accordingly, fuel) and time for heating. But even this does not solve the problem. The fact is that the engineers thought through the strength and other characteristics of the glass. But, they did not take care that other, more powerful air conditioning systems were installed in cars with panoramic sunroofs. Therefore, in such cars there are standard stoves and fans, which are designed only for metal with a thick layer of insulation.

Such glasses also have one more drawback - the cost. If you compare two identical cars in the same configuration, with only one difference - the presence of a panoramic roof, then their price will differ significantly. You will have to pay extra for a reinforced frame and a high-strength "window".

Also, do not forget that glass tends to get dirty. If there are windshield wipers on the “windshield”, then the panoramic roof is devoid of such elements. Accordingly, the picturesque picture of the sky overhead can be easily spoiled by a flying bird, succumbing to the call of nature. In order not to look all the way at the spreading feces, you will have to stop the car every time and wipe the glass surface.

In custody

So panoramic roofs are really safe and can change the way you drive. However, this does not mean that this element can be installed in any machine. It is dangerous to engage in the installation of such elements on your own. Therefore, it is better to either buy a car with a transparent roof from the manufacturer, or familiarize yourself with the shortcomings of such hatches and continue driving a car with a standard “ceiling”.

Modern motorists have recently begun to choose exquisite models of cars with a panoramic roof. Such a roof layout is much better than a convertible, since the top is closed from the effects of adverse weather events: rain, snow, strong winds. But the feeling that you are driving in a convertible remained. And that's great. Some models are equipped with a panoramic windshield. It extends to the backrests of the front seats and thus enhances visibility and light penetration into the interior. Such glass perfectly replaces the hatch.

Concerns about the fact that the glass roof is fragile are completely misplaced. The manufacturer has thought out the technology well, how to create super-strong glass according to the “sandwich” principle. It is either tempered or laminated. Therefore, you should not worry about your safety. A panoramic windshield or roof is necessarily covered with UV protection, so the “stove” effect in the heat is reduced.

What is the difference between a panoramic sunroof and a sunroof

Today, car sunroofs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, shades, and styles. The presence of a hatch in the roof of the car allows you to additionally ventilate the interior. In addition, more light enters the car through the sunroof.

Interesting to know! The first car sunroof was installed in 1930 by the German company Webasto. It was opened manually. Only 30 years later, the same company invented a mechanism for opening the hatch using electronics.

The panoramic sunroof is gradually replacing its usual counterpart, as it has a large viewing area, it can be tinted or transparent. Panoramic sunroof can consist of 1 - 2 panels. If the hatch is two-panel, then one panel automatically runs over the other, and then both are folded at the rear of the roof.

In the open state, it allows a person to stand up to his full height. The panoramic sunroof is an improved huge sunroof that allows light to freely enter the cabin. Passengers will be able to see clouds in the sky or stars and the moon. Panoramic roofs do not open(only a fabric curtain saves from the heat).

Did you know? The panoramic sunroof in the open state allows a person to stand up to his full height. For example, it is convenient for operators to shoot video on the go.

Advantages and disadvantages of a panoramic roof on a car

Pros:

Creates the feel of a convertible.

Increases visibility.

Does not take up space in the cabin.

Slightly affects aerodynamics.

Allows you to see the signals of the upper traffic lights.

Minuses:

Pleasure is expensive.

Constant thorough care (bird droppings, snow, dirt, fallen leaves).

The blinding sun hits the driver directly.

In extreme heat, the interior is still heated.

Tinted glass is more susceptible to damage than regular glass.

Sometimes there is a water leak.

A thaw and then a frost provokes the freezing of water on the roof curtains. The resulting ice cover cracks as it moves.

If the roof blinds are kept closed while driving in winter, then warm air from the passenger compartment will enter the curtains, but the glass outside will remain cold. As a result, an ice crust forms inside the roof.

Attention!In winter, it is better not to open panoramic roofs and hatches, because due to freezing, curtains that are controlled by electronics can fail.

In the event of a rollover of the car as a result of an accident, the risk of breaking glass increases (a hard roof is much more reliable).

Warming up the car in winter takes more time.

In winter, the glass above your head collects condensation.

Air conditioning works more intensively in hot weather than in cars with a hard top.

Attention! The "open - close" mode may not work in the off-season due to fallen leaves, dirt, sand and dust.

The poor condition of our roads, constant shaking on potholes, falling into numerous pits negatively affects the durability of the panoramic roof or the electronic mechanisms of panoramic sunroofs. Remember!Keeping the hatch open off-road is a bad idea: damage to the control mechanisms cannot be avoided.

The panoramic roof, unlike the sunroof, does not open.

Remember! Seals require regular lubrication.

Self-installation of a panoramic roof (forbidden!)

Self-installation of a panoramic roof is strictly prohibited! This is due to the fact that each design is designed for a certain load. You will not be able to calculate all the nuances on your own, and this is a risk to your own life.