Glazing of balconies: types and stages of work

Glazing a balcony is a complex and lengthy process, which is accompanied by a lot of difficulties. What are the features of the implementation of such work, what types of glazing exist, how to organize the space of the repaired balcony - read about this and much more in our material.

A glazed balcony is the dream of every apartment owner. In this form, the loggia gains additional coziness and comfort. However, many refuse to repair the balcony due to a number of factors. The main ones are the complexity and complexity of the work, as well as the cost of glazing.

However, experts report that in fact, the procedure for installing balcony windows is quite simple. So, professionals are able to cope with this task in just a few days or even hours (depending on the initial state of the balcony).

As for the cost of work, it consists of a number of factors, among which are the type of structure, floor, type of glazing, type of glass, fittings and so on. Eventually the price is formed from the cost of certain types of work, including specialist visits, dismantling and installation, and the cost of building material.

In the modern world there are several methods for glazing balconies.All of them have their own individual characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Let's try to figure out which of the front glazings of balconies is better, and which is more suitable for you.

In total, there are 2 methods for glazing a balcony, which differ from each other in design: without removal and removal.

So, glazing without removal is the most traditional way. During its implementation, the frame is installed in the same plane as the parapet of your balcony. In this regard, the main load falls on the parapet.

The second version of the glazing is with removal (or expansion). If you work according to this method, you can increase the size of the balcony itself. Most often, such a variety is used if the balcony is initially quite small in area.

Certainly such work is more complicated than standard glazing without removal. This is due to the fact that when installing such a design, it is important to calculate the load that will fall on the frame as accurately as possible. This load must be distributed between several supporting objects: the parapet and the supporting plate.

The names of these types of glazing speak for themselves. So, one of the methods provides for the insulation of the loggia, and the other does not.

Cold glazing is a method that has been proven over the years. It was used back in the period when the possibilities of insulation did not exist. This type of glazing includes the installation of wooden frames with one glass (in rare cases, there may be 2). This variety is suitable for you if you do not use the loggia as a living room and do not spend a lot of time there.

The thing is that the temperature difference on the street and on the balcony, which is glazed by the cold method, will be no more than 5 degrees. Besides, the cold type is the only option if the carrier plate is in poor condition and cannot be replaced. It is also cheaper.

Warm glazing is a more modern and improved option. Thanks to him, you can use your loggia as a full-fledged living space by equipping it with an additional room. In the process of implementation, multi-chamber profiles are used with a special element - the so-called thermal bridge. This provides thermal insulation of the balcony.

However, in this case, it should be borne in mind that, in addition to warm glazing, you will also have to take care of the insulation of the floor, ceiling and walls. If necessary, you also need to install devices for heating. Only in this case it will be possible to stay on the balcony without freezing.

Another classification of the types of glazing of balcony windows is the division into full and partial. So, partial glazing is otherwise called classic or standard, since it provides for the installation of windows on an existing balcony parapet. This method is the most common.

Full glazing involves installing French windows. Thus, the area of ​​glazing increases significantly, and the windows are located from floor to ceiling. Such glazing is sometimes called light or light, as it turns a balcony into a literally transparent room.

Today, the construction and industrial sectors are experiencing their heyday. Due to this, a wide variety of materials are available on the market that can be used to make window frames in the process of glazing a balcony.

This material, undoubtedly, is the leader of our rating. The vast majority of apartment owners choose this material to update their balconies and loggias.

Advantages of this material:

• no installation restrictions;
• various degrees of thermal insulation, which is regulated by the number of cameras;
• choice of the number of glasses;
• the presence of insulation;
• durability and strength;
• durability.

Double-glazed windows will provide high-quality and reliable sound insulation. This feature will be especially relevant for residents of large cities (especially if your windows overlook a busy highway). In addition, PVC windows are presented on the construction market in a variety of colors, so you can choose a frame that fits perfectly into the interior of your apartment, and also allows you to stand out among your neighbors.

The use of aluminum profiles for glazing balconies and loggias is widely used when choosing a cold type of glazing. This material can also be used for the warm method, but in this case, care must be taken to equip the frames with a thermal bridge.

The positive characteristics of aluminum frames include their small mass, strength, environmental cleanliness. Just like in the case of PVC, the market offers a large color variety of aluminum frames. However, aluminum frames are much colder than plastic; therefore, they are not as widespread as plastic ones.

Wooden frames are the most natural and environmentally friendly version of the glazing of a loggia or balcony of all existing today. As you know, the material was widely used several decades ago. On the market you can find wooden frames with double-glazed windows, which have a large number of positive qualities.

In addition, modern wooden frames are durable, as they undergo rigorous processing against destruction. It’s also important to keep in mind that wooden frames are more expensive than plastic.

A special type of balcony glazing is frameless glazing. It is a type in which the frames are completely absent, and the functions of the separation of the double-glazed windows are performed by inserts from thick tempered glass. Typically, such inserts are pre-processed, so the possibility of injury and cut is excluded. This type of glazing is chosen by those who want to increase the amount of light entering the apartment.

With this type of balcony glazing, special attention is paid to the system of opening and closing windows. The owner of the apartment can choose one of several existing options: a sliding or folding window.

The first option is based on the rail mechanism. Specially organized guides help to move double-glazed windows to the right and left. The second option is based on a system that allows you to fold windows on the principle of a book. In this way, a more compact method that saves space is the first option.

Choosing the type of glazing, as well as the frame material, follows from the individual characteristics of your apartment, as well as your personal preferences. For instance, it should be taken into account in which house the apartment is located (in a panel, brick or other).

To begin with, you should answer the question of whether you plan to use your loggia in the cold season. If so, then a warm look is right for you; if not, it's cold.In the event that your balcony is quite small, and you want to increase its size - give preference to a design with a take-out. And also think about whether you are ready to put your loggia on public display - if not, then abandon the French windows.

First of all, it should be noted that balcony glazing is a rather dangerous job that should be entrusted to experienced professionals (especially if the apartment is on a high floor). At the same time, mandatory safety measures include the use of a safety rope (industrial or sports).

The rope for insurance must meet several requirements, namely:

• have a sufficient length (an indicator of 3 meters is considered the optimal length);
• a reliable carabiner that must withstand a mass 4 times the weight of the worker;
• reliable fasteners.

Installing windows on the balcony is a complex and difficult job. Therefore, traditionally, it is divided into several stages.

The dismantling stage is the removal of old glazing. Old windows are dismantled, and the condition of the bearing base (parapet) is also assessed.

Fastening can be done in several ways. So, you can construct a special metal base. And also the frame can be made of brick or foam concrete.

This procedure is suitable for those loggias that are adjacent to the apartments located on the top floors of the house. In this case, the glazing itself with a roof can be produced by several methods. For instance, you can create such a structure when the roof is part of the structure. The second option is to build a roof as a separate element. In this case, it is mounted earlier than the direct installation of windows.

Important attention in this case should be given to the design stage of the balcony roof. It is important that it meets all design requirements, including:

• the roof must combine reliability and lightness;
• resistance to adverse weather conditions (for example, strong winds) and precipitation;
• thermal insulation;
• tightness.

As a material for arranging a balcony roof, you can use profile flooring, metal or bituminous tiles, as well as polycarbonate. Each of these materials has its own individual advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when choosing. So, a corrugated roof needs additional sound insulation, and polycarbonate is a material that has a short service life.

Preparing a window frame is one of the most important stages of glazing a balcony. That is why it is very important to approach him in all seriousness. So, first you need to remove the sash. If there are blind flaps in your balcony, double-glazed windows are simply removed from them. In this way, the fastening process will be much faster and easier.

In order to remove the double-glazed window from the frame, you need to pry the glazing bead - the element on which the glass is fixed. This can be done using an improvised sharp object (such as a knife or spatula).

A profile that performs cantilever functions is also called a window sill or just a stand. Despite the fact that as part of the overall design, it is quite tight and close to the immediate frame, it is recommended to additionally insulate. To do this, the stand must be pulled out and then glued with a special material designed to seal the windows. And also at your request you can use ordinary mounting foam. After the procedure is completed and everything is thoroughly dry, you can insert the profile into place.

This stage applies only to those works that are associated with the glazing of the loggia. In this case the whole window frame rests entirely on the anchor plates, they are on all sides. However, when it comes to balcony glazing, such plates are functional only with respect to the side flaps.

During operation, the window frame must be fixed with a dowel. It is important to note that you can not leave large gaps (ideally, their size should not exceed 2 centimeters).

In addition, during this process, it is first necessary to install the central frame, and only then proceed with the installation of the side frames.

To carry out this step, you must use a mounting foam. However, in this regard, it is important to observe the measure - do not use too much material, as this can lead to a number of negative consequences, including a violation of the integrity of the frame itself.

In order to install the glazing beads in place, place them in the upper and lower corners, and then press down a little. He should easily be in the starting position. Wherein experts recommend installing long elements first, and only then short ones.

At this stage, everything is quite simple - you only need to put the shutters and make sure that they fit well to the frame and work correctly.

Low tide - this is an element that will provide complete and efficient water drainage, as well as protect the mounting foam from negative environmental factors.

The final and quite easy to complete stage.

Glazing of a balcony is an important stage of repair and arrangement of any apartment. In order for your updated balcony to be beautiful and reliable, it is important to choose its type, as well as the frame material. This is what consumer reviews say. However, even if you were guided by all the necessary factors when choosing, it is important to entrust the work of a professional company that has a good reputation in the construction market. According to reviews, a new glazed balcony can perform a number of functions, acting as an additional room in the house.

The new glazed balcony can be decorated in a separate room. Its purpose may be different. So, if you equip a large balcony with tinted windows, it can turn into a bedroom or a nursery. Consider the popular examples of the design of a balcony room.

In this case, the updated balcony can perform several functions at once. For example, to be a resting place with a sofa and a storage room, equipped with additional cabinets, chests of drawers, shelves and cabinets. And also a storage system can be arranged at the base of the sofa.

A spacious balcony can become a room for receiving guests. To do this, you need to arrange a sufficient number of seats: sofas, armchairs, chairs. If possible, if the area of ​​the balcony allows you, choose folding sofas so that guests can stay overnight if necessary. And also place here a folding table for tea parties.

Creative and unusual design of the loggia will help you create a flower greenhouse on your balcony. Such a green oasis will be the highlight of your entire apartment.In order to neatly and orderly arrange flowers with pots on the balcony, you need to purchase special flower stands and shelves.

And also as a cache-pot you can use baskets made using the macrame technique, suspended from the walls and ceiling. In this case, it is important to warm the balcony so that the flowers do not die. Make sure that enough daylight is supplied to the balcony for plant growth and development.

We have long been accustomed to the fact that the balcony is a place where various unnecessary things are stored or those that we use quite rarely. For example, bicycles, skates, rollers, boats, tools, carpets and much more. However, often all of this is chaotic and disorganized. If you want to turn your balcony into a stylish storage area, then you will need to purchase modern and roomy cabinets.

You can equip your home office on the balcony (which will be especially true for those people who work at home and want to separate the living and working space). In the loggia, you can make a learning place for the child. In addition, a balcony can become an office for your hobby, for example, a place for painting or embroidery. Put on the balcony a table, several storage cabinets and a comfortable chair. Be sure to take care of high-quality and adequate lighting. If you wish, add a little decor - a cozy and soft carpet, paintings or indoor flowers.

The technology for glazing the balcony with sliding aluminum windows, see the next video.