Today, many people are replacing old windows with new ones. This is especially true when you need to replace outdated balcony structures or during renovation work. In addition, it often happens that windows are damaged during operation or under the influence of natural forces. At the same time, practice shows that dismantling is not a very difficult procedure even for people who have no experience of carrying out similar work in the past. However, in order for the work to proceed as quickly and efficiently as possible, a number of important aspects should be taken into account, which will be discussed in this article.
Removal of balcony windows
Balcony dismantling is a service that our people rarely use. More often, a decision is made to simply demolish a certain part of the balcony or loggia structure, which is in the most deplorable condition.
The main thing is to understand that if this part of a residential building or apartment is in disrepair, you should not delay repairs or demolition. Otherwise, you can wait for the moment when the structure simply collapses.
Everything becomes much simpler if the home owners simply want to dismantle the old balcony glazing. In this case, you need to start with preparatory work:
- first, you should remove things, furniture and other items from the glazed balcony that will interfere with dismantling and repair procedures;
- You should also remember that in the process of dismantling the windows, a lot of dust will appear, which can get into the room closest to the balcony, so it would be correct to remove things from here too. If things are too heavy or the owner simply does not have the opportunity to take them out, then all that is possible should be covered with plastic wrap;
- if the floors in the rooms of an apartment or house are finished with high-quality parquet or expensive laminate, then they also need to be covered so as not to be damaged during the work. Moreover, for this you should use not only film, but also sheets of plywood or cardboard.
When the preliminary preparation is completed, you can proceed directly to dismantling the window. To do this you will have to disassemble the frame. It can be made of different materials, including wood or plastic, aluminum.
Preparation for dismantling work
All preparatory work is carried out exclusively by agreement with the customer. Our specialists can take care of preparing the apartment and balcony for dismantling. For this company master:
- They will provide unimpeded access to the balcony - remove any disturbing furniture, cover interior elements with polyethylene to prevent dust, etc.
- Be sure to cover the floor with polyethylene or cardboard to avoid deformation of the floor covering (in the case of eliminating only the glazing).
- They will warn you about the need to remove curtains, blinds, curtains and other decorative interior elements that interfere with free access to the balcony.
- They will prepare the necessary machinery and equipment to carry out construction work.
You will be able to control all stages of dismantling and work being carried out. Removal of the remaining construction waste can be entrusted to representatives of our company by agreement.
Dismantling wooden balcony frames
If we are faced with the task of removing an old wooden frame, then the first thing we need to do is take on the window sill. It is usually made of strong, thick board. Therefore, it is possible that you will first need to cut the fasteners holding the window sill and only then pull it out by prying it up with a pry bar or a nail puller.
Next we move on to removing the frame. We remove the flaps; to do this, you first need to open and then lift the awnings. If further removal of the sashes and hinges is interfered with by all kinds of linings and decorative elements, they also need to be removed. If the frame is tightly clamped in the opening (which is extremely common), the problem can only be solved by sawing its lower part and removing the section.
At the same time, wooden balcony frames consist of two parts, the first holds the windows and sashes, the second holds everything else.
After the inner part of the frame with the window sashes is completely removed, all that remains is to remove the outer part, which is fixed in the opening. They are often attached to metal balcony railings using powerful ballets and self-tapping dowels. If it is impossible to unscrew these fasteners, then you should use a grinder or simply break them out with powerful force.
The main thing is not to damage the metal elements of the balcony or loggia itself; in some cases, you cannot do without a crowbar. Moreover, when working on a balcony, it is important to always ensure that nothing falls down from it.
It can be especially dangerous when removing windows. Being large in size, they can create a strong push when there is a gust of wind and knock a person off his feet. Therefore, you need to work carefully.
Remote glazing
Khrushchevka is often a small area. Designs with extensions allow you to increase the area of the room by 10 to 50 centimeters. Glazing with extensions yourself will not be cheap, the metal structure will be voluminous.
Remote balcony design - installation of the frame outside the slab.
To remove balcony structures, special brackets made of steel angles or sheet steel are used. Retractable balconies come in a variety of shapes. They include front or side windows, a front wall, and sometimes they make round-shaped structures.
Construction with extended window frames step by step instructions
- first take care of the reliability of the parapet, remove the old fence, install new supports for their pipes and corners.
- Be sure to connect the vertical posts with a horizontal overlap to provide additional rigidity. If you have a strong brick or concrete fence, skip this step.
- install the block with a remote control. Attach the horizontal ceiling where the frames will be installed.
- the frame should be as strong as possible; to connect it to the metal, use welding; for concrete, you will need corners, as well as anchor connections.
Balcony design with full extension
- Start by welding the metal frame; it will protrude beyond the stove.
- strengthen the frame, build a new parapet. Make sure that the load is on the outer wall of the house, since the slab in a Khrushchev-era house will not withstand such weight.
- make a metal ceiling for the roof.
- connect the roof reinforcement and parapet in the corners with vertical posts, the frame will become more stable.
- perform all types of installation work before glazing.
- Treat metal elements with a primer to protect against corrosion and extend service life.
Removing the plastic frame
Plastic frames are most often removed by two people. This can be explained by their rather large weight, especially for double-glazed systems. Holding such a structure alone will be extremely difficult, and given the height, it will be dangerous. You should also remember that if the frame parts are carefully removed, they can be used for installation on another object.
The design of plastic windows is very popular today and therefore they can be seen in every home. They are durable and reliable, however, over time, these horses also need maintenance and repair. To carry out such an operation, you will need to dismantle the PVC structure. In this case, work begins with lifting the dampers. Once they are found, you need to remove the pins and pull out the wings.
At the same time, you need to work with the plastic frame carefully, since it can crack over time and simply fall apart when dismantled. Therefore, you need to act slowly and correctly.
It should be remembered that if the owner wants to use this frame again in the future, then it is better for him to use the services of specialists who can easily dismantle even the most powerful and heavy frame.
If you still decide to dismantle the frame yourself, then you should proceed as follows:
- First of all, remove the pin that holds the desired wing canopy. It can be knocked out with a hammer, also using a special chipper. In this case, when one person removes the handle, the second must hold the wing.
- Next, the wing needs to be removed from the brackets;
- We disassemble the frame using a metal lever. A metal nail puller, crowbar or pry bar are also perfect for this. In this case, you need to lift the frame carefully so as not to break the plastic. If the window model involves fixing the frame with anchor bolts. Then during dismantling there will be nothing left but to cut them down with a grinder and remove the main structure.
About the features and subtleties of the process
Balcony glazing is an incredibly fragile structure, which with any wrong movement can crumble into many small sharp pieces.
When disassembling it is very important to take into account factors such as:
- glass block size,
- degree of frame wear,
- condition of fasteners.
Much depends on the height at which the work is carried out and the angle of inclination of the glazing system.
For example, in a five-story building, it is necessary to take care not only of the safety of the performers themselves, but also of the safety of people in the area where they are performing. Therefore, before starting work, a specialist will assess the scope of work and determine the need to use special devices - rigging equipment, manipulators.
Sometimes, in order to prevent a sudden collapse of the entire glass structure, work begins with the exact opposite of dismantling measures to secure its individual elements. For example, in the case of cracked glass, it can be dismantled either in parts or entirely, depending on the specific circumstances.
The glazing system includes both the glass itself and the frame in which it is fixed. Util Moscow professionals will disassemble a structure made of any material - glass, metal, metal-plastic. Moreover, taking into account the possibility of its secondary reuse.
In old buildings, the frame is the only thing that keeps part of the wall from collapsing. In such cases, it is necessary not only to comply with all safety measures during removal, but also to carry out work to restore the opening. Restoring the opening is necessary if you plan to install a new system. When determining its dimensions, measurers are guided by the parameters of the old frame. If the size of the opening increases as a result of work on its removal, they will significantly exceed the size of the manufactured double-glazed window. The polyurethane foam used in these cases is a poor replacement for the solution, because... it is destroyed by exposure to UV.
Removing aluminum frames
Carrying out dismantling work at a height of more than the third floor is extremely dangerous. Moreover, the danger lies not only in the height, but also in the fact that large glass structures, when removed, can deprive the master of balance and he will fall down. Therefore, when carrying out such activities, a specialist, first of all, must remember about safety precautions, use insurance, and work together with a partner.
Removing aluminum frames has its own specifics. First of all, this concerns the fasteners that are used in such structures. In addition, practice shows that old frames made of such material in most cases have to be removed by sawing them on site with a grinder.
First of all, the glass is removed, and the frame is cut and lowered down in small parts. Usually this work takes a little time.
Glazing on the top floor
If the apartment is located on the top floor of a Khrushchev building, you will need glazing for the balcony with a roof. To keep the balcony always dry, it is necessary to equip it with a canopy. Glazing a balcony on the top floors is a complex and dangerous task; this type of glazing is unlikely to be done with your own hands; it must be done by highly qualified specialists.
Pros and cons of dependent or independent roofs
- dependent roof when glazed with aluminum frames, is attached to the opposite wall on the frame of an aluminum block. This type of roof is inexpensive and easy to install. Disadvantage: a galvanized corrugated sheet coating is required.
- An independent roof requires installation with brackets, and its covering is attached to them.
To build a roof on the top floor, a metal frame is made, on top of which roofing material is laid. Here it is important to calculate the load of the balcony. Drainage drains, canopies, window sills are also installed, and the outer part is framed with finishing materials.
Removing the sliding balcony frame
Such a frame can be removed only after all doors and sashes have been removed. This is easy to do even for one person. You just need to lift the wings and pull out the flaps.
In this process, you need to follow certain rules:
- First, the master must remove the glass from the frame. If the glass is stuck and cannot be removed, you need to cut the frame using a hacksaw or electric tool. The main thing is not to injure your hands.
- Then all the windows are removed from the balcony. If the owner does not think to reuse them, then you can simply throw them away or take them to the garage.
- If the owner still wants to leave the frame, then he needs to carefully cut off the fasteners that hold it. Usually, a grinder is used for this, which is simply passed around the perimeter of the frame.
It is important to remember that when carrying out dismantling work, you should think about how the security system will operate. It is needed not only to insure the master, but also to ensure that nothing falls down from the balcony.
Design plus agreement
Installation without unpacking does not require the removal of double-glazed windows and glazing beads, since the frame is not attached to the wall through and through, but with the help of fasteners pre-fixed on its outer surface.
Before working on interior windows, you should carefully plan all future work. To do this, a project is drawn up, which is approved by the relevant authorities to obtain permission for reconstruction. Before completely dismantling the balcony door and window that lead to the loggia or balcony, you need to make sure that such reconstruction will not harm the wall of the house or cause destruction.
When drawing up a project, pay attention to factors such as:
- material for making the partition between the loggia and the living room;
- possibility of dismantling windows, balcony cabinets, moving the heating battery;
- option for insulation, finishing work, glazing.
Removing a sliding plastic window
The process of removing PVC sliding windows is largely similar to the method described above. However, there are certain features here.
First you need to seal the windows with tape or special film. This will avoid situations of their destruction during work. You should also remember that disassembling a PVC frame is more difficult than a wooden one, since it weighs much more. This is especially true for double-glazed window options.
The next step involves removing the mounting strips along the entire frame. True, this only applies to the inside of the windows. Once the slats are removed, you need to carefully pull the glass out of the frame. This is done with all windows in a particular frame.
