What is a French door to a loggia - the pros and cons of installation

Even in large apartments, sometimes there is not enough space to arrange a separate area, so when decorating the interior, the focus is often on the balcony. Attention is paid not only to the interior decoration, but also to the design of the doorway. Modern designers in their projects, instead of a standard window block, prefer to use a design such as a French balcony door, which fits perfectly into any design.

Design suitable for any room

Pros and cons of a French balcony

When deciding whether it is really rational to install French windows on your balcony in your case, you need to thoroughly weigh the pros and cons.
Among the advantages:

• A visual effect of expanding space is created;
• Due to panoramic glazing there is good lighting;
• The use of energy-saving materials allows you to save on insulation and cladding;
• During the installation process, you do not have to resort to expensive welding work;
• Provides good sound insulation;
• Guaranteed durability of the structure;
• Provides ample opportunities for exclusive, elegant interior design.

Panoramic balconies are made of the highest quality and modern materials: in addition, due to good lighting, the balcony becomes visually large

Some features of French glazing are considered disadvantages:

• Sometimes it is not easy to get used to a completely transparent balcony, especially in an apartment on a high floor - then it is recommended to cover the lower part with matte sandwich panels;
• In summer, in regions with a hot climate, on sunny days such rooms can create a greenhouse effect - in this case, shading with thick curtains and frequent ventilation will help;
• On frosty winter days, additional heating will be needed to avoid hypothermia;
• The design features the absence of a window sill;
• The frame must be further strengthened with reinforcing elements;
• The glass surface requires special care products to maintain crystal cleanliness;
• Glass is a relatively fragile material, and it is not advisable to allow small children to play near it.

The interior of your balcony will always be visible even from the street

You can protect your privacy from prying prying eyes by installing blinds on your balcony. An alternative is to order tinted glass, which will open up a wide panorama of the street, but the apartment’s residents will not be visible from the yard.

Reviews

Alexander:

There is more light in the room, a beautiful view opens from the window, but you lose a piece of freedom. After installing French glazing, you can see the interior of the loggia from the street; each time you need to think about the appearance before going out onto the balcony, and also carefully monitor order. However, the situation can be corrected by installing a mirror film (tinting).

Marina:

I fully approve of full glazing. Our house has been transformed with the advent of these windows. But don’t forget to think about the arrangement of furniture in advance. For example, we moved the balcony door to fill the area to the maximum.
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How to choose

The choice of a balcony door is influenced by the layout of the apartment or house and what functionality it should have. And:

Safety

If there are small children or animals in the house, access to the balcony should be as convenient as possible for them or, on the contrary, be able to limit their access to the loggia. Free access to the balcony means there is no high or steep threshold from which children can fall.

Access to the balcony can be limited by a handle with a key, a mosquito net on the door, or a special lock. A safe balcony door is shockproof, even if it is completely transparent and consists of a profile and a double-glazed window. It is wrong to think that a completely glass door is not suitable for a family because it is dangerous and impractical. If the double-glazed window has 2 or 3 chambers and is made of tempered glass, its manufacturer has a good reputation, such floor doors can be safe. Anti-burglary fittings are useful for the balcony door of a residential building or loggia on the 1st or 2nd floor.

Functional

This concept is even broader than security. Today, a standard plastic door operates in two modes - opening and ventilation. Choosing a standard door to a balcony without the ability to tilt and ventilate the room is simply unreasonable.

If the door is too tall or wide, tall or, in simple words, non-standard, then it may not have a folding system. A blocker comes to the rescue - a plastic attachment on a box with “steps”.

Material

The main material is plastic (PVC) or wood. There are doors with an aluminum body - metal-plastic ones, but they are rarely installed in houses and apartments. It is expensive and impractical compared to the first two types.

PVC construction is the most popular on the market. The thermal insulation of even the cheapest plastic doors will be better than that of wooden doors in the middle segment, thanks to the tightness of each double-glazed window and a reliable sealing system. Plastic models isolate noise from the street well. They are durable: a standard plastic model will not lose its attractiveness even after 45 years - numerous tests prove it.

Exterior design

The taste preferences of each family are different: some choose a transparent floor-to-ceiling door, others prefer a model with a sandwich panel. Some people like natural textures and shades like wood, others like classic ones: white, gray and are not against plastic.

There is no exact opinion which doors are better - glass or separated by a plastic panel. Each of them is good and differs in cost: glass floor doors are more expensive. Sliding models look stylish; their price is 2 or more times higher than the usual swing doors for balconies.

Features and other features

It is not always possible to install a sliding door on a balcony - only if there is a free wall on which the door will be placed in the open position. If there is a threshold in the kitchen or room with a balcony, then this feature must also be taken into account when ordering the canvas. Before installing the sliding door, the threshold will have to be removed.

Which curtains to choose for going out to the balcony?

Just as in the case of a regular window opening, curtains for a window with a balcony door are selected based on the purpose of the room and the interior used in its design. Each room has its own design rules that follow when choosing fabric for curtains and cut.

Balcony in the bedroom

In the interior of a bedroom it is common to use soft, delicate shades, and this rule also applies to curtains. They are chosen a couple of shades darker than the wallpaper, or are in harmony with the pattern on the walls. Also, curtains can be the same tone as the bedspreads, a modular picture on the wall, or a panel above the head of the bed. A special charm in the bedroom is achieved by using lambrequins - they will add homeliness and comfort to the bedroom design.

To ensure a complete rest, the window in the bedroom is decorated with two types of curtains, night and light. The first of them are sewn from heavy fabric that does not allow daylight to pass through. Light curtains cover the window during the day, creating a special atmosphere of airiness and transparency. Instead of night curtains, you can hang roller blinds, horizontal blinds or Roman blinds. But it should be taken into account that horizontal and Roman types of curtains will only cover the window, and the glass of the balcony door will remain open. For apartments located on the lower floors, this can be a problem, so it is better to opt for roller blinds or thick fabric curtains.

Important. Curtains for exiting to the balcony always consist of two stripes

They converge opposite the door handle - this makes it possible to go out onto the balcony without moving the curtain along the eaves to the side.

Balcony in the living room

In the living room, when designing an exit to the balcony, you should be guided by the style in which the room is designed. In a spacious living room, you can use your maximum imagination and hang curtains with lush drapery, lambrequins, and all kinds of folds. In a room of modest size, the volume of the folds will look out of place, although you can also give free rein to your imagination when thinking through the design of the curtains.

During the day, the curtains are in the open position, and during this time they can be assembled in a special way, using decorative tiebacks with magnets, ribbons, twisted cords with tassels and fringe. All kinds of accessories for curtains allow you to decorate your exit to the balcony with a twist and make it your own.

Important. No matter how much you would like to hang the first model of curtains you like on the window in the living room, first of all you should correlate their design with the interior of the room

The window and door to the balcony should not stand out from the overall design.

A new product in the world of curtains is thread curtains. They are threads attached to a dense fabric strip. They are made in different colors, come with patterns, with threads of different thicknesses, and can be decorated with glass beads, beads and other decor. In addition to being decorative, thread curtains have another advantage - you can walk through them anywhere, simply by moving the threads apart with your hands, and they will return to their original position. When going out onto the balcony, you do not need to move the curtain along the cornice.

Balcony in the kitchen

If there is access to the balcony from the kitchen, this is a great advantage, the dream of every housewife. When decorating a window with a balcony door, you should take into account the size of the room. Usually it is not spacious, so it should be designed as concisely as possible. Roller blinds will help with this. They are installed on the frame and cover only the glass, so they do not take up extra space.

Roller blinds are mounted both on the window and on the glass part of the door. To prevent the curtain from deflecting on a window opened in ventilation mode, magnets are mounted at the bottom of the sash, which attract a metal strip built into the lower edge of the curtain. In this case, the fabric will fit tightly to the frame and will not sway from the wind.

Advice. To brighten up the severity of roller blinds, the opening is decorated with transparent curtains up to the length of the window sill. They can be of different cuts: diagonally, in the form of an arch, with hanging corners. The cut of the curtains needs to be thought out so that they do not interfere with opening the door and keeping it open.

When decorating the exit to the balcony from the kitchen, multi-layer textile curtains with complex draperies are not used; it is especially not recommended to use long curtains. Textiles absorb odors and attract particles of fat and burning that come from the stove during cooking, so they will have to be washed often, which makes it much more difficult to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen.

The main types of doors for balconies, terraces and loggias, their pros and cons

A classic double-glazed balcony door is a standard interior element for modern buildings. The exception is models for transitional balconies, which can be made blank or with a small window. Glass doors to the loggia allow a large amount of light inside; they perform not only the functions of protection from cold, wind and noise, but also an aesthetic function. The outer frame for a double-glazed window is made of different materials. This can be an aluminum profile, metal-plastic models, wooden, PVC.

Hinged doors to the balcony

The choice of material is a matter of functionality. As for the design and design of the opening to a loggia or balcony, we can distinguish their main types:

• swing doors to the loggia (single-leaf and double-leaf) with a window section;
• double-leaf shtulpovye;
• sliding systems for loggias and balconies;
• accordion doors (made not only for loggias and balconies, but also for terraces or verandas).

Hinged systems with a window frame on a loggia or balcony are installed more often than others. Firstly, this is the standard for modern construction. But there is another reason. Installation of another type of structure requires approval from the BTI, since it requires the demolition of a wall with an opening. Also, sliding doors to the balcony are installed only in cases where the balcony itself is glazed and insulated. The exception is the warm regions of the country.

Photo of sliding doors on the balcony

However, more and more often apartment residents are choosing sliding glass doors to a balcony or loggia. There are many reasons:

• beautiful and spectacular doors visually expand the room and unite the space;
• the panoramic door to the loggia lets in much more light;
• it becomes possible to move large objects onto the balcony;
• space in the room is saved (relevant for Khrushchev-era buildings and small apartments).

You can appreciate the appearance and variety of such models in the photo. Another name for such solutions is French sliding systems. Their difference is that these loggia doors are made of glass, which is held in a frame. There are no imposts (profile jumpers in the middle) in such models.

French sliding doors to the loggia

Sometimes sliding doors to the loggia are not installed in the opening between it and the room, but in this way the external glazing of the loggia is carried out. In this case, an aluminum profile is used. This solution looks unusual and bright, but is functionally inferior to other options for glazing balconies.

Good to know: Sliding door systems can be double-leaf, three-leaf or even four-leaf. In this case, you can open the door half the opening, 2/3 or ¾ of the width. There are also overhead models - then the compartment doors are completely hidden behind the wall, and the space opens up completely. The slats on which the doors slide can be mounted flush with the floor.

Stud models differ in that their latch is not fixed to the impost in the middle, but they seem to snap together. This is a convenient and practical option, but is more suitable for a private home. An interesting, but not very popular solution is accordion doors. They are also made of PVC, and the design consists of individual elements (profile and double-glazed window), and corresponding fittings. An accordion is not the best solution for leaving the kitchen; a large amount of frame takes away a lot of light.

Photo of doors on the loggia made with an accordion

Important: It is worth noting that most often PVC doors are installed on a balcony or loggia. They are practical, durable and inexpensive

Sometimes wood is used as a material - it is very beautiful and interesting. But a wooden door is more sensitive to temperature changes than a plastic one, and requires additional care. Aluminum profiles are used only insulated (with a heat insulator between two layers of metal); this material is quite expensive, but very reliable and practical.

FAQ

We want to remove the window sill blocks from both sides of the balcony and make it like a “French window” (1.9 x 2.7). The house is “Stalinka”, the ceiling height is 2.93 m. The craftsmen say that a window of such a height (2.65 m) cannot be made, the maximum is 2.45 m. And the two wide sashes are very heavy. Can I make a blind frame 50 cm high on top and swing doors on the bottom?

According to technical standards, such a window can be made, provided that all manufacturing and installation requirements are met. But still, it is better to make a capercaillie on top (at least 250-300 mm), since all constipations are usually designed up to a height of 2400. This will add rigidity and reliability. There are no problems with the width of the sashes, but it would be desirable that they also have imposts.

According to the project, the house has a glazed loggia, half of which is brick. I want to remove the glass, install railings instead of masonry, and French doors at the exit to the loggia. Is such a redevelopment possible?

For such actions, you first need 2 documents: permission from the municipal authorities and a decision of the general meeting of owners of apartment buildings (Article 44.46 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation). If you receive them, contact the BTI to draw up a project and approve it.

Is it possible to first install French doors with dismantling the window unit, and then coordinate the redevelopment with BTI?

Not worth it. It is better to first obtain permission for redevelopment, so that in case of failure you do not have to return everything to its original state.

I want to install sliding French doors as a partition in one room. Will this be considered a redevelopment and does it need to be approved?

No. Installing easily dismantled partitions without changing the configuration of the room is not considered redevelopment.

We installed French doors at the exit to the loggia with cold glazing. The window unit was dismantled, and the battery was moved to the adjacent wall. But in the first winter we were disappointed. The glass constantly fogs up. What is the reason and can it be fixed?

The cause of fogging is improper heating. For French doors opening onto cold balconies, it is better to install floor collectors directly under the door leaf. This will prevent fogging from temperature changes in the room and on the balcony/loggia.

Features and types of design

Panoramic doors have many design options. They differ in the material and color of the frames, the presence of a decorative layout, and the configuration of the glass (engraved, tinted, stained glass).

The appearance also depends on the type of structure. Traditional French doors with two hinged leaves are a laconic and successful option for country houses, where such a passage leads to a spacious terrace or patio. For city apartments, more ergonomic options are suitable: sliding or folding.

Sliding doors

They are designed on the principle of doors in a train compartment - the door leaf slides to the side along guides. The structure consists of a moving part and a static base. Sliding doors can have several working leaves, usually two. Due to the presence of fixed parts, the opening cannot be opened completely. Despite this design feature, sliding panels are popular and have advantages:

• no space is required to swing the doors open;
• the mechanism operates silently and smoothly;
• easy installation and maintenance.

Depending on the opening method, sliding models are:

• sliding;
• lift-and-slide;
• lift-and-slide;
• tilt-sliding.

Accordion French doors

The device resembles the design of a screen - when closing, the doors overlap each other. Unlike sliding doors, all parts of accordion doors are movable. This ensures maximum opening of the opening. The disadvantages include a large amount of unglazed surface, since each sash has a frame. This will affect the lighting of the room.

An accordion door can be installed in an opening of any size. This is its advantage compared to the sliding model.

When choosing a folding type of door, you need to take into account that the smaller the size of the doors, the visually the structure will look heavier. The feeling of spaciousness and airiness will be lost due to the large number of opaque parts. Sometimes designers deliberately make some doors opaque in order to better fit the canvas into the interior.

Do I need permission to install?

There are many legal subtleties when it comes to installing panoramic doors. The easiest way to resolve the issue is in your own country house. No permissions are required here and you can give free rein to any fantasies.

In a city apartment everything is much more complicated.

In many cases, the installation of such doors is considered a redevelopment and requires approval from regulatory organizations:

1. If you want to turn a former window into a door and install bars, you will need to contact the municipality. It is impossible to get permission for such a reconstruction in a historical building, since the facade cannot change its appearance. In a simple house, it is quite possible to arrange such a redevelopment.
2. Installing a portal as an exit to a balcony requires the demolition of a window block with a door. Theoretically, this is not a redevelopment. Removing a lintel is a redevelopment because it does not change the configuration of the space. But if the wall is load-bearing, permission is still required, and it is likely that a refusal will be received. If work is carried out without approval, problems may arise with the sale of the apartment. Don’t forget also about “good” neighbors who can file a complaint with regulatory organizations. Officials have the right to come to you with an inspection and oblige you to return the premises to their original condition.
3. Coordination will also be required if you decide to install French doors instead of interior doors with a wider opening. This is also considered a conversion and must be reflected in the documents. The situation is more complicated if the door is located in a load-bearing wall. The expansion will require strengthening and redevelopment must be approved.

French window on the loggia: materials used for manufacturing

For the manufacture of modern panoramic windows, only high-quality materials are used, since the window design must withstand the considerable weight of glass panels. The most popular materials for making window frames are wood, plastic and aluminum.

Metal-plastic windows

Metal-plastic windows are affordable and require minimal maintenance. The disadvantage of French windows made of metal-plastic profiles is their short service life.

Wooden windows

French windows made of natural wood are the most expensive in price, but have undeniable advantages. Such windows have a noble appearance and a much longer service life compared to plastic windows. For the manufacture of frames, wood such as larch, pine or oak is used.

Aluminum windows

French windows made from aluminum profiles are comparable in price to wooden windows, and they are also characterized by the longest service life. Aluminum window profiles can be painted in a large number of colors and also have different shapes that can be chosen to suit your taste.

A little history and interesting facts

Architecture connoisseurs call such a balcony a portfolio. The literal translation from French is door-window, which fully characterizes this part of the building. They became most widespread in the 18th and 19th centuries, when noble people wanted to show luxury from afar, and this trend was observed not only in France, but also in other European countries.

In large cities, the distances between houses were so small that very little light entered them. Such balconies at least somehow compensated for the inconvenience from the proximity of neighboring houses.

By the way, such a famous work as “Romeo and Juliet” also contains a description of a small balcony on which the young girl stood. It is believed that Shakespeare, when writing this work, was inspired by the architectural beauties of ancient Verona.

Juliet's balcony

It is believed that small balconies were also used for military purposes. In particular, the servants of the feudal lords could use them to monitor enemy observations or simply observe vast possessions.

Finally, not the most pleasant facts about French balconies are also known. As you know, hygiene in medieval Europe was not very good. Slops and sewage literally poured out into the street. And these small balconies were very convenient for being outside the room, stretching out your hand and pouring out the contents of the pot

Forged fences in this case were not only decorative, but had a much more important meaning - they guaranteed human safety

A few words about French windows

In this case, we are talking only about the glazing, and not about the balcony design itself. French windows are structures made of aluminum or metal-plastic from ceiling to floor. Sometimes they are called panoramic because they do not hide the view outside the window.

French windows

This is a current trend, since people want to bring as much light into their premises as possible, and do this not by artificial, but by natural means. And of course, the aesthetics of such a room increases many times over.

French balcony glazing also has disadvantages. The main one is the possible loss of some heat due to the lack of the usual wall up to waist level. But this can be eliminated if you install modern window structures with several chambers and additional insulation.

What is a French balcony

A modern version of this design is continuous glazing of the room, which is installed on a concrete base with or without lattice fencing. The frame consists of aluminum and metal-plastic profiles; special fittings connect the elements together. From the front side, such a structure resembles a voluminous basket.

Modern model of a French balcony. Aluminum profile and miniature fencing grille.

To create the lower part, choose the following materials: frosted glass, plastic, glass with a mirror film, or make a combined version.

Design advantages:

• There is no need for external and internal cladding of the parapet, unlike standard options (saving money on the purchase of finishing materials);
• A large amount of light enters the room;
• There is no need for welding during installation;
• Large selection of decor options.

Modern design: strict lines, a combination of metal and decorative plaster on the facade.

Terrace on a modern French balcony. The interior decoration uses natural shades and natural textures: wooden lining, wicker furniture, profiles with wood texture.

Minuses:

• No window sill. However, this disadvantage eliminates the accumulation of dust;
• The design must be as reliable as possible; for this purpose, the frame is supplemented with special elements;
• Massive glazing requires sun protection in summer and additional heating in winter;
• High price;
• A lot of work when cleaning glass.

Features of design in Provence style

Nuances of decorating the French style:

• For decoration, natural, most often wooden, materials are chosen, painted in light beige, white, sand, lavender and gray shades or models with an aged effect.
• Door hardware should be made of wrought iron, bronze, darkened or gold-plated metal.
• Various floral paintings, carved elements or transparent and frosted glass inserts are also appropriate.

Types of sliding systems: French door to the loggia

Sliding doors differ from each other in their opening mechanism. Before choosing one or another door, you must first determine which design will suit the interior of your room.

In order for sliding doors to serve us for a long time and reliably, while opening easily and silently, when choosing them, we need to pay special attention to the quality of the sliding fittings. Types of sliding systems:

Types of sliding systems:

• Sliding;
• Lift-and-slide;
• Harmonic;
• Lift-and-slide;
• French doors;
• Parallel sliding;
• Tilt-and-slide.

French doors are the most common. They retain heat in the room very well, are distinguished by their tightness and occupy the entire opening of the balcony or loggia. Due to the large dimensions of the structure, they allow a huge amount of sunlight and fresh air to penetrate into the room.

Current color solutions

Interior doors in Provence style are always white doors. The classic solution for a French interior is now at the peak of popularity in modern design. White color harmonizes well with various design styles and any setting. However, if you want something individual, you can always order interior French doors in dark or bright colors. Calm light shades will help you achieve variety without drastic changes: gray, sand, beige.

Features and Benefits

Unlike swing doors, they have guides, top or bottom, and move on built-in roller mechanisms. They perfectly protect from street dust, noise and wind.

Let's take a closer look at their advantages:

• Original. Their main difference from standard balcony doors is their unusual design. They are not so cheap, but for connoisseurs of refined and stylish apartment interiors this is not an obstacle. If your balcony is equipped as a greenhouse, a small gym or a relaxation area, then thanks to such original transparent doors it will become a full-fledged element of the interior.
• They let in a lot of light and air. The glazing area in balcony sliding door systems is slightly larger than in standard swing door systems. This means that more light will penetrate into the adjacent room, and if you open the doors, then air.
• Durable. In the event of a breakdown, this structure does not need to be completely dismantled; it can be repaired by replacing individual parts. Just call a specialist and he will help you troubleshoot. In general, these doors last a very long time, more than 50 years. But when installing them, every little detail is important, so it is better to entrust this work to specialists.

Other distinctive features of sliding balcony doors:

• have an increased level of sound insulation;
• do not steal excess space when opening;
• easy to open and close;
• are not afraid of temperature fluctuations;
• components do not contain hazardous chemical compounds.

The disadvantages include the fact that such structures, as a rule, require dismantling the window between the balcony and the room, the window sill block and the wall above the window. This requires a special permit, a redevelopment project. If you do not legalize such alterations, you can receive a fine and even an order to return the original appearance to the premises. In addition, apartments with illegal layouts are more difficult to sell.

Sliding doors are slightly more expensive than regular doors, they make some noise when opening and closing, and are also made to individual measurements.

Tips for choosing

When purchasing, check the suitability of the rollers for free sliding, as well as the strength of all existing fittings and fasteners. If you additionally install a latch or lock from inside the door leaf, this will prevent free access to the balcony; this is convenient if small children live in the room. The main thing is that the sliding system becomes practical to use

You need to pay attention to:

• number of double-glazed windows;
• material for profiles;
• dimensions (height, length) of the structure;
• room area;
• noise insulation characteristics.

Important! If you install the doors yourself on special rollers, then when purchasing, pay attention to the weight and strength of the rollers. Preliminary measurements of the room are taken, taking into account all the millimeter data. It is the rollers that create the mobility of the entire structure.

They have a lot of work to do

It is the rollers that create the mobility of the entire structure. A considerable burden is placed on them.

Example of design and decoration of sliding doors

Examples of doorway design

Thoughtful design of the doorway will help maintain the integrity of the entire design, harmoniously uniting all the interior details.

Advantages and disadvantages of sliding doors

Both professional window fitters and ordinary owners treat sliding systems differently. I also cannot evaluate such designs unambiguously: they have both strengths and weaknesses.

Pros:

1. Compact sizes. The shutters in such windows move parallel to the frame (or even inside it), so you can place anything near the window. Neither furniture, nor flowers on the windowsill, nor other objects will interfere with opening.

Opening does not require free space either inside or outside

1. Wind resistance. This applies primarily to the open sash, which is fixed not on hinges, but along its entire length where it enters the profile. There is no risk of slamming or swinging open during ventilation.
2. Ease of operation. Aluminum sashes move almost effortlessly, so both a child and an elderly person can open the window.

The roller system makes it easy to open even large doors

1. Aesthetic appearance. The sliding structures do not look too rich, but neat. In any case, they fit perfectly into modern interiors.

Minuses:

1. Low tightness. With simple sliding windows it is almost absent, with systems with a clamp the situation is better, but they are still inferior to casement windows. As a result, the window is blown around the perimeter, and the seal solves this problem only partially.

In the cold season, thermal insulation becomes the biggest problem

1. Low resistance to burglary. The absence of normal pressure allows you to remove the sash from the guides with relatively little effort. So such windows are clearly not for the first floors and the private sector.

Latches are relatively easy to break, which is why such systems are usually used on floors three and above

1. High complexity of fittings. Systems with clamping are more effective, but at the same time much more capricious - both accordions and tilt-and-slide mechanisms require regular maintenance and care.

The window fitting system with tilt-sliding and folding fittings is very complex and therefore demanding to maintain

Finally, a few words about the financial side of the issue:

1. If we take the simplest aluminum windows for a balcony or loggia, then we will most likely be able to save money compared to glazing based on PVC profiles.
2. If you install more complex structures, their cost will be much higher than standard ones - primarily due to the use of high-strength profiles and complex fittings.

How to install

To install structures, it is best to contact specialists, but if you have extensive experience and are confident in your abilities, you can try to do it yourself.

Here is a sample work plan for installing a sliding door.

• Take measurements. Add about 1.5 cm (distance to the floor) and the height of the guide to the height of the door. Now you can attach the guides themselves. A small space is needed between the groove and the wall so that the door does not scratch the wall. The guide should be twice as long as the width of your opening, you also need to add a little allowance.
• Now the assembled roller mechanism with fasteners can be inserted into the guide. Clamps are attached to the top; there should be as many of them as you plan to install the rollers.
• Place the door under the guide and secure with bolts. They also install a “leash” in the slot at the bottom end of the door. It maintains the correct position of the door when moving, preventing movement.
• Decorative door strips are attached to hide the mechanism and give the door a more aesthetic appearance.

Obviously, sliding or portal doors are an excellent solution that will make your apartment special compared to others where standard balcony doors are installed. Thanks to them, instead of a small window and a narrow door, you get a spacious passage with a panoramic view.

About the features and advantages of sliding balcony doors

Like all doors, sliding balcony structures must provide a protective function from bad weather and from outside entry into the room or limiting free passage.

Large spacious balcony areas and terraces must be protected by sliding door systems using modern technologies and special materials to create comfortable conditions and safety.

Therefore, manufacturers of glass for sliding door elements and hardware components are very demanding about product quality. The location of the sliding structures opens up a large spacious area, so some difficulties arise with the design of radiators in the heating system and lighting areas.

Also, enough space is required when moving sliding doors using the sliding method or the lift-and-slide method. The main feature of sliding structures is that they provide a spacious hall and a compact arrangement, which allows for economical use of room space.

And also, the panoramic view and the spreading landscape in front of the balcony, with a large amount of incoming light, amazes. By using sliding doors, new opportunities are created thanks to a wide range of services and a high-tech product.

The advantages of structures with sliding doors include the following:

• The designs are simple, even a child can open and close the door leaves;
• The compactness of sliding structures saves space;
• Resistance of materials and structures to temperature changes and environmental aggressiveness;
• Easy maintainability and ease of maintenance;
• High performance properties and durability;
• Allows you to create comfort, coziness and an elegant, modern room;
• High possibilities for introducing different designs and aesthetics;
• Environmental friendliness and safety of materials and components.

The disadvantages include the following:

• For a good overview of the panoramic view, it is necessary to clean the glass daily from dust, dirt and other things;
• Additional protection from ultraviolet radiation and overheating in the room is needed;
• When there is a temperature difference, to prevent fogging of the door glass, you need to blow or warm up the doorway;
• High cost of glass composite doors and glass structures with reinforced and additional capabilities.

Types of structures

Balcony doors can be easily divided according to their opening system. Among the many options offered by manufacturers, you can find the following designs:

• Parallel sliding models. Such products resemble a wardrobe, where the doors move using specially fixed rollers. This type of door and its design are considered quite simple and unpretentious to use. They are very relevant for cold climates, because even in winter you won’t freeze with them. Slider models are equipped with special guides, thanks to which the door can easily move to the side. As for various decor and accessories, all this is practically absent; the product itself is made in a minimalist style.
• Tilt-and-slide models. The design of this type of door allows you to open the transom slightly, that is, open the door slightly from above for ventilation. To fully open the product, you need to turn the handle to a horizontal position and pull it slightly, and only then move it.

Lift-and-slide structures have a special mechanism for lifting the sashes up and directing them to the side. The result is a picture where one door seems to overlap the other. Such doors are suitable even for very wide doorways. In winter, they are no less relevant than other models, since they are glued with a special hermetic seal. Products of this type will provide excellent noise and sound insulation.

Accordion doors. Unfortunately, such products are only suitable for insulated rooms.

If your balcony is not equipped with additional heating, then it is best to pay attention to other models. Such products are suitable for very large openings, will open completely and will not take up very much space.

A small disadvantage of products of this design is the large number of vertical profiles.

• Also quite a popular model for installation on balconies and loggias is the sliding door. This type of door is multifunctional and stylish. The mechanism of products of this type can slide into the wall, into its opening, or there is an option when the doors move apart on both sides.
• Glass partition doors are sometimes installed on warm balconies. In a matte finish they look the most unusual, creative and fresh. Basically, such partitions are installed when there is additional heating on the balcony and, for example, there is a mini-office for work or a small greenhouse.

It is also very important to distinguish between cold and warm models of sliding doors. Cold-type sliding doors will help protect an apartment or house from various temperature changes outside, but if the balcony is not insulated and the cold goes directly into the living space, then the situation will have to be corrected in any case

Products of this type practically do not increase the level of noise and heat insulation. Basically, such products are made of aluminum without special thermal protection in the form of inserts. You can choose products of this type only if you live in a warm climate or the loggia is already insulated. In all other cases, you should not count on the fact that such doors will solve the problem with cold and drafts.

Warm doors can easily maintain a normal microclimate in the living room and on the balcony. They are ideal for harsh winters. Models of such doors can be chosen even when the balcony is open and not glazed. Products of this type are equipped with special thermal inserts, which cold models do not have.

In general, we can say that today finding the very doors with the desired design will not leave any difficulty, since the entire choice should be based not only on the appearance of the future product, but also on how many rails there will be for moving the door, what kind of it will have weight and dimensions.

Suitable finishing materials

French kitchens are rich in decor and furniture, so surface finishing should be light, without unnecessary pretentious attributes

When repairing the ceiling, pay attention to the following materials:

1. Plaster is the easiest and most affordable way to make the ceiling aesthetic without additional costs. The plaster is not afraid of moisture and temperature changes, is easy to clean and does not lose its appearance. Designers recommend using exclusively decorative plaster - it looks attractive and lasts a long time.
2. Drywall. The material is appropriate in kitchens where artificial ventilation is installed. The advantages of plasterboard are obvious: it hides uneven ceilings and emphasizes French motifs in the interior.
3. Water-based paint is easy to clean, you can always refresh it without any problems and apply a new layer. Most water-based emulsions are environmentally friendly, do not have an unpleasant odor and dry quickly. In addition, they do not fade in the sun and are not afraid of heat and moisture.
4. PVC panels are one of the most common and affordable methods of ceiling finishing. They are easy to install, hide unevenness, and are easy to maintain. If damaged, such panels are easy to replace.

Ceramic tiles are used to finish the floor.
It has a high degree of strength, long service life, and attractive appearance. In addition to tiles, experts advise laying laminate flooring. It is easy to install, the choice of color and pattern is very wide. However, natural wooden parquet holds the palm. It has a luxurious appearance, which is so appropriate in the French style. It is pleasant to walk on this floor barefoot. Regardless of the choice of flooring, remember that the materials must be resistant to mechanical stress and temperature changes. As for wall decoration, designers opt for delicate pastel wallpaper. It is best to glue vinyl or non-woven ones. They are dense and easy to care for. In addition, most of them are vapor permeable and environmentally friendly.

It is reasonable to take a closer look at beige or purple canvases; against their background, a wooden kitchen set in the French style stands out. It is also possible to use simple patterns, such as checkered or geometric shapes.