Aluminum glazing of loggias: features and types

For many decades, the balcony was perceived solely as an additional space in the house for economic purposes: unnecessary things were stored here and clothes were dried. However, these days this space is increasingly used as a relaxation area, a study or even a bedroom. In order to make the room more comfortable and functional, it is necessary to perform its glazing, most often plastic structures are used, but many homeowners prefer aluminum glazing of their loggias and balconies.

Glazing of balconies has long and firmly entered our lives. It is used by both owners of private houses and owners of urban apartments. This is not surprising After all, after installation, the open air blown by the wind, flooded with rain and drifted with snow easily turns into an additional room, a sports hall or a winter garden.

Aluminum glazing can in no way be called popular among our compatriots - most likely the reason for such a low popularity is poor public awareness of glazing methods, warm and cold options, the advantages of aluminum loggias and their disadvantages.

We will try to fill this gap and tell in more detail about the pros and cons of the metal structure.

First of all, aluminum glazing attracts users with a low cost, which is an order of magnitude lower than that of window structures made of plastic and wood.However, the list of advantages does not end there. The most significant are the following advantages:

• aluminum profile is three times stronger than plastic and seven times stronger than wooden;
• aluminum is not susceptible to corrosion; when used in conditions of high humidity, fungi, mold and other pathogenic microflora do not develop in it;
• under the influence of direct sunlight the profile is not deformed;
• it is a practical and durable material that, if used properly, will serve faithfully for up to 70 years;
• glazing using aluminum profiles can be performed in the most inconvenient places - these profiles are lightweight, they can be installed even on old and worn balconies;
• Do not forget about the environmental friendliness of the material - aluminum does not contain radiation, and under the influence of ultraviolet rays does not emit toxic substances;
• windows based on aluminum profiles are easily and simply cleaned in the usual way using water and soft rags; once a year, the accessories are additionally treated with machine oil;
• Today, the market offers a wide selection of aluminum profiles of various shades, so everyone can choose the option that will harmoniously fit into the interior of the additional room.
• using aluminum, it is possible to glaze balconies and loggias on the upper floors, where the profile is part of the supporting structure, in addition, the material is often used for glazing stained glass windows and facades.

However, nothing perfect has yet been invented, so the aluminum profile also has its drawbacks.

• The increased thermal conductivity of the metal completely eliminates the possibility of creating the same comfortable microenvironment on the glazed balcony as when using PVC and wooden structures. This disadvantage is especially noticeable in the hot season, when the temperature inside the glazed balcony rises.
• In addition, the metal has a very significant coefficient of thermal expansion - this means that at temperature extremes characteristic of our climate, it has the ability to expand and contract within 10-15 mm. In the cold season, this leads to the formation of ice in the guides - moisture that has got inside does not have time to go through the drainage holes and freezes, this prevents the valves from opening until all the elements of ice have completely thawed out. When installing such a profile, special attention must be paid to the areas of abutment of the profile and the wall.

Aluminum structures on the balcony can be frame or frameless. Frameless performance allows you to achieve maximum illumination of the loggia, from the outside, these balconies look very modern and stylish. The width of the profiles in such frames is small, therefore, from the outside it is almost invisible.

Despite this, the vast majority of homeowners prefer frame options - such glazing also has an attractive appearance, moreover, it is easy to install, but it costs much less. The advantages of frame models can also include the possibility of further warming the loggia and the availability of mosquito nets. In terms of tightness, they, of course, are slightly inferior to plastic and wooden, but still protect the balcony from frost and cold much more effectively than frameless.

Aluminum profile can have a sliding structure - in this case, the shutters are fixed on the rollers installed in the lower and upper rails. Each model can have from 2 to 8 shutters installed on latches - it is impossible to open them from the outside, the shutters move along the guides completely silently.

Aluminum profiles can also differ in such details:

• number of cameras - the more there are, the warmer the room will be;
• opening mechanism - it can be oar, accordion or sliding;
• appearance.

Today, aluminum profiles of brands are in the greatest demand on the market. "SIAL" and "IAC". On the Russian market, recognized leaders are considered Provedal and Kraus manufacturers - both produce a wide range of profiles for warm and cold glazing, which structurally practically do not differ from each other and at the same time have rather significant advantages over the products of other manufacturers, namely:

• resistance to temperature extremes;
• non-susceptibility to corrosion processes through the use of high-tech aluminum alloys;
• high strength:
• exceptionally high quality of fittings - protection against external opening and opening in case of strong gust of wind is provided here;
• honed working mechanisms - thanks to the brush-type seal and rubber inserts, noiselessness, smoothness of movement, exclusion of drafts and freezing, as well as protection against the penetration of rainfall onto the balcony are ensured.

When choosing a type of glazing, it is first necessary to decide whether it should be warm or cold. Everything is elementary here - the cold type of construction involves the installation of a profile without installing an insulating thermal pad. Such frames are characterized by increased thermal conductivity, so in winter on such loggias and balconies the temperature will be the same as on the street - the difference does not exceed 5-7 degrees.

In order to be able to use the loggia as a living room and recreation area, it is better to give preference to warm glazing. The difference between a cold and a warm design is that in the warm one there are special gaskets that many times increase the degree of heat conservation and retention by aluminum. Such structures consist of three layers:

• outer layer of metal;
• insert thermostat, destroying the "bridge of the cold";
• inner metal layer.

In factory conditions, such products can be additionally insulated with reinforced fiberglass, as well as foamed materials and polyamide. The main advantage of the design is its low thermal conductivity - this means that heat is held indoors and cold does not penetrate. Such options, without a doubt, allow you to maintain a favorable microclimate in the room, but in price they are significantly inferior to cold ones - installation of glazing costs its owners by no means cheap.

The ease of installation of aluminum structures is combined with the ease of maintenance. In order for the product to serve you faithfully for many years, you should follow simple recommendations.

• The main load during operation falls on the fittings. To extend its service life, at least twice a year, all parts should be cleaned with solutions that do not contain abrasives, acids, alkalis, and resins, since they can damage the anti-corrosion coating; at the end of processing, lubricate the moving parts with machine oil.

• If cracks or scratches appear on the decorative part, Acrylic paint of a suitable color will help mask them.

• The ice that appeared as a result of temperature changes in winter can lead to deformation of the structure. therefore it is advisable to keep the casements in cold weather closed.

• When cleaning surfaces it is better to use a normal soap solution. The use of abrasive cleaners is not recommended.

• Special attention needs to be paid to heat seal gaskets., since the degree of tightness of the window directly depends on their ability to maintain their operational characteristics. To care for them, you should use products with silicone - this component softens the rubber, restores its elasticity, and in addition, repels water, dirt and dust.

• Glass is washed with standard cleaning agents for transparent structures - optimally acquire them in the same company that manufactures and installs metal structures.

Glazing technology with aluminum sliding windows is given below.