Speaking about the glazing of balconies, we are used to keep in mind the structure of plastic and aluminum. However, today quite often you can find glazing with wood. This option most resembles the traditional one, but progress does not stand still, and technologies are not inferior to modern ones. We will talk about the features, pluses and minuses, as well as the nuances of installation in our article.
Features
Glazing a balcony with a tree today is possible without much difficulty. Frames are made of the highest quality wood. They are treated with antifungal and refractory compounds, which ensures the safety of the structure. Functional features are also on top.
This is not to say that this option is less successful than aluminum and plastic windows. Wooden frames are equipped with rubber gaskets. Due to them, a full fit is ensured.
Modern swivel mechanisms are designed to open and close windows without hindrance. In addition, paints and varnishes are used to coat products. They not only provide an attractive appearance, but also protect the surface from moisture, and also do not allow drying out.
It should be noted that balcony glazing using metal or aluminum is cheaper. But the tree was and remains the most environmentally friendly option, therefore, has its admirers.
Advantages and disadvantages
Wooden glazing has its advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages can be noted environmental friendliness. The material is completely natural, it will not emit harmful substances, even when exposed to direct sunlight. The handling is not complicated. In addition, the product can be coated with paint and varnish so that it does not lose its attractive appearance.
We can not say about the long service life. Quality designs can last more than 50 years. They create a unique atmosphere of the room, and being in it is very comfortable.
You can make wooden windows yourself. However, the installation in any case will require special skills, so this issue is best entrusted to professionals who perform their work qualitatively.
At the same time, glazing with wooden frames will have its drawbacks. Wood is a natural material, which means its drying or swelling cannot be avoided. In many respects, the influence of climatic conditions.
Also, the products will have to be looked after. Periodically, it is required to tint or varnish. In addition, over time, the tree may deform slightly. To minimize all of the above problems will help high-quality manufacturing material, which has undergone thorough drying. Constructions will need timely care and treatment. They should be monitored not only inside, but also outside, tinting and treating the surface on time.
Preparatory work
Before starting installation, you need to make sure that the load on the base will not be excessive. In the case when there are metal fences on the balcony, you need to deal with their dismantling. The parapet is better to lay out of foam blocks. This will help to warm the room, in addition, it will be an excellent support for a wooden box.
Balcony fences need to be checked. It is unlikely to be level, so it may require digestion. The supporting wooden beam is fixed on a metal corner. It is here that the frames will be put in the future.
Under the beam, you should put spacers or in any other way ensure reliable fixation of the structure. You will need to close up all the potholes and cracks in the balcony. This can be done using ordinary glue mixture. The balcony slab is strengthened, as it has to withstand a considerable load.
Job requirements
The scheme for glazing the balcony is not too different depending on what material was used. However, the situation with wooden frames still has its own nuances. The basic rules must be followed.
Frames must be securely fixed on top and on the railing. Elements are securely fixed to each other. Seams are formed above and below, in addition, small openings will also appear near the walls. All these holes must be properly sealed. You can use ordinary building materials suitable for this procedure. If an inexpensive option for glazing with wood was chosen, a folding ventilation mode in this case is not provided. Opening the transom occurs only in a rotary way.
Among the shortcomings can be noted the weight of wooden frames. In addition, their design as a whole is not very durable. Therefore, the installation of modern double-glazed windows is an almost impossible procedure. If the frame is ordinary, with simple glass, then there can be no talk of tightness, and not only cold air, but also noise from the street will enter the room. therefore a lot depends on the right choice.
If we talk about euro-windows made of wood, such a problem does not exist here.. However, here the question of price comes to the forefront, which is significantly higher than for metal-plastic. Installation of such windows is not affordable for everyone. To date, wooden structures with double glazing are carried out by competent staff on highly professional equipment. This can guarantee high quality products.
Very often the material used is coniferous trees. They are very durable, easy to process and less susceptible to decay than others. In addition, the material is processed with special compounds that carry protective functions.
This procedure should be repeated periodically, then the products will not be damp and dry, and their appearance will remain attractive.
Installation of wooden frames
Before installing the frames, it is necessary to remove all the wings. If this is not done, there is a risk of breaking the glass during installation. In the case where blind windows are supposed, the glass from them is taken out in advance, and returned to their place after the frame is installed. The same applies to sashes, they return to their place after mounting the main frame.
To install the frame anchor plates with a pitch of 70 centimeters are attached to the base around the perimeter. The wooden box itself is set according to the level, and it is necessary to check the indicators both with respect to horizontal and vertical surfaces. Otherwise, the transoms are skewed, respectively, they will not be able to fit snugly to the frame, which means that they will not close either.
Experts do not recommend fixing wooden frames with spacers or wedges. Holes are hollowed out through anchor plates in concrete. A dowel is driven in, and an anchor is screwed on top. In the same way, the frame is fixed to the floor, walls and ceiling.
The use of plates can be discarded. To do this, through holes are made in the frame for the anchors, and through them deepenings are made in the surface itself, on which the structure should be installed. Next, anchor bolts with metal sleeves are carefully inserted.
To make the work even easier, attachment points can be identified immediately, and holes need to be made before the frame is installed.
Finishing work
After the frames have been installed, you can independently insulate the wooden windows. The seams formed at the joints of the structure must be carefully foamed.. After the foam becomes hard, its excess is removed with a sharp knife. The surface is putty, because if these places are left open, they will soon become unusable.
Next, you need to put the glass in place. For fixing, both glazing beads and silicone can be used. Sashes are hung in the finale itself. This ends the work of glazing the balcony with wooden frames.
For tips on glazing a balcony with wooden frames, see the next video.
