Balcony glazing options. Which one is better to choose?

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Glazing of balconies and loggias in modern apartments solves several problems at once: increasing the safety of the home, increasing the reliability of protection from rain and snow, increasing the area, solving interior problems in the same style. There are a great many glazing options. Often, aluminum profiles or fairly popular plastic windows are used for these purposes. The most popular are frameless or panoramic glazing. This article contains everything about the types of glazing of balconies, advantages and disadvantages, consumer reviews. For those who have not yet decided which type of glazing to choose for their own balcony, a photo will help.

Cold glazing

The frequent use of the cold method is evident in balconies, which are located in public places and act as a source of fresh air. Due to its reliability and durability, this method is often used in the improvement of ordinary residential apartments.

Cold glazing will be an excellent option for those for whom the issue of heat preservation is not at the forefront .

Aluminum profiles reliably prevent precipitation from settling in the room and tightly close the balcony opening. Their use in residential and other adjacent premises will provide a comfortable microclimate. In addition, aluminum is a fairly light metal that is quite resistant to damage, is fireproof, and installation of such structures is carried out in the shortest possible time.

Brief overview of window fittings manufacturers

So, which company’s windows are better? If you have already decided on the type of windows, their material and profile, you should pay special attention to the choice of fittings. There are several leading popular manufacturers of window fittings, among which the following should be highlighted:

GU (Gretsch-Unitas)
Siegenia-Aubi
Winkhaus
Maco
Roto

The company's assortment includes high-quality window fittings, as well as a variety of decorative elements.

Warm glazing

This type of glazing is suitable for people who prefer to transform their balcony into a full-fledged, warm living space or simply to use the space as a winter garden or workplace.

This glazing method uses plastic and aluminum (with thermal inserts) windows that are completely sealed, which makes it possible to forget about such unpleasant moments as precipitation and drafts. These systems have a pleasant appearance, which makes them compatible with any room interior. Therefore, examples of such glazing always delight with their practicality and beauty.

Another important point should be noted: despite the fact that the pricing policy of the above types of glazing is quite high, their cost is fully recouped by their service life (about 30 years). For example, the use of wood for glazing requires certain maintenance, but for modern aluminum and PVC windows there is no such need. They are quite easy to care for – you just need to occasionally wipe them with a damp soft cloth using a non-abrasive detergent. Another little tip: when choosing a suitable glazing option for a balcony space, determine the presence of a micro-ventilation system - this will help you forget about the problem associated with the formation of condensation on window structures.

If you have already decided to glaze your balcony, but have no idea where to start, then this article will give you a lot of useful information, so to speak, the basics, by which you will definitely be able to determine the glazing option you need. If your only needs are protection from wind and dust, then cold glazing will be an excellent solution.

If your dreams are connected with a warm and cozy place to relax, then you definitely need to choose a warm type of glazing. Moreover, both of these options can be produced using different materials, which differ from each other and have their pros and cons.

Non-standard projects

This category includes semicircular, round, polygonal structures and balconies with extensions. The arrangement of excessively long or narrow rooms can also be called non-standard, but their glazing is not much different from the usual.

Round and semicircular balconies are glazed in one of three ways: chord, bay or radius.

Chordata. The perimeter semicircle is filled in sectors with straight frames, resulting in a somewhat angular structure. This option is the easiest to implement and the cheapest, but it does not look the best and is characterized by low energy-saving qualities.
Bay window. The glass in this case is also flat, but a special semicircular profile is used, thanks to which the angles between the sectors are smoothed and the structure is more rigid. Bay balconies are more expensive than chord balconies, but they are warmer and more reliable.
Radial. The most expensive and high-quality option. The profile goes around the contour of the fence, completely repeating its shape. The designs use special glass with good sound and heat insulation; panoramic implementation is possible without vertical profiles.

Glazing of polygonal individual projects or balconies in buildings of the p-44 series technically differs little from the arrangement of conventional straight or U-shaped structures.

Pros and cons of cold and warm glazing

In order to make a choice, you need to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of each type:

Cold glazing:

Pros:

The space is perfectly protected from dirt and precipitation;
Installation takes place in the shortest possible time;
Does not require huge material investments.

Minuses:

There is no way to fully use the space;
Low sound insulation;
Not very comfortable temperature.

Warm glazing:

Pros:

This results in additional usable space in the apartment;
Optimal temperature conditions;
You can implement interesting design ideas;
Good sound insulation.

Minuses:

Requires large material costs;
It is necessary to take into account the limiting load of the concrete slab and in no case exceed it;
If the balcony is located on the top floor, then you will also need to install and insulate the roof;
Requires special care, otherwise the glazing will lose its presentable appearance after some time;
Repair work takes more time.

Types of loggias

Unlike a balcony, a loggia does not protrude from the wall and is located on the same base as the room (More details in the article: “What is the difference between a balcony and a loggia”). It is closed on three sides by walls, and there is a fence in front. Corner modifications have two walls, semicircular ones have one.

Types of loggias:

External - the slab is supported on cantilever beams, and the structure itself is formed by attached walls, which are located perpendicular to the facade.
Built-in - with this type, the slab rests on load-bearing walls located outside.
Bay window - protrudes beyond the boundaries of the building, can be polygonal or round.

If the balcony may not have a roof, then the loggia is closed from precipitation by the ceilings of the upper floor. Also, this building is usually larger in size, so it is easier to equip a recreation room on it. But for this you will need to glaze the room.

Options for opening balcony windows

When approaching glazing responsibly, you should also think about the ways in which the windows will open. There are three main systems:

sliding;
swing;
with no frames.

Balcony glazing options with a sliding transom system are used when installing frames made of aluminum profiles with single glass or double-glazed windows. With this option, sliding frames save usable space on balconies when opening the window, but do not provide sufficient tightness. Accordingly, heat and sound insulation will not be at the highest level.

When open, they take up little space. Thanks to this, they are excellent for glazing small balconies and loggias.

Advantages:

In strong winds, you don’t have to worry about the window slamming shut. Accordingly, there is no need to secure it.
An open door will not accidentally damage furniture.
Convenience and ease of care.
Sliding glazing systems are practically not subject to atmospheric influences.
High tightness. Sliding balconies do not allow moisture, dust, or dirt to pass through. Durable service life.

Flaws:

Insufficient thermal insulation compared to PVC windows.
When using single glazing, there is poor thermal insulation.
Low noise insulation due to the lack of a multi-chamber profile and multi-layer double-glazed windows.

Hinged opening is more common: metal-plastic windows open with several ventilation modes. When glazing a balcony space, it is worth considering the load created by the structure. Due to the weight of the fittings, metal-plastic windows with a hinged sash opening system are heavier than aluminum or wooden structures with a similar opening system.

Advantages of swing glazing systems:

High level of sound insulation.
Ensuring comfortable temperature conditions throughout the year.
Easy to use and maintain thanks to the tilt-and-turn opening.
Reliability and durability with proper installation and operation.
Ensuring high tightness of the balcony and good heat retention.
Stylish appearance, which provides a harmonious addition to the interior of the building and significantly improves the facade of the building.

Flaws:

High price . Glazing balconies with plastic windows is a rather expensive method. It is advisable to use it if you need to make a warm room. If the temperature on the balcony is cooler, you can opt for a cheaper type of glazing.
High weight of the structure . Plastic windows have a significant mass and require a solid base for their installation. In older houses, for example in Khrushchev-era buildings, it is necessary to strengthen the balcony structures.

Frameless glazing of the balcony offers a panoramic view, which is suitable for houses located in picturesque areas. Despite the high cost, this type of glazing overshadows the traditional use of window frames - more and more people prefer this option.

Frameless glazing has many advantages:

originality of appearance
high light transmittance
using thick 6-8 mm tempered glass
ease of movement of the structure

But there are also disadvantages:

this is cold glazing that will not protect it from the cold;
with this option it is impossible to insulate the loggia;
transparency;
installation of mosquito nets is not provided;
poor sound insulation and tightness.

No. 5. Characteristics of double-glazed windows

Although the profile is an important part of the glazing, the largest part is occupied by the glass unit, so its choice should be treated with even greater care. A modern double-glazed window consists of several glasses, which are united by a spacer frame. Thermal and sound insulation indicators depend on the number and type of glass, the type of filling of the chambers, the distance between the glasses and other parameters.

Practice shows that in most cases, double-chamber conventional or single-chamber energy-saving double-glazed windows are suitable for balconies. To ensure that the window company does not deceive you and impose unnecessary things on you, you need to be aware of the issue of the range of double-glazed windows:

the main parameter is the number of cameras. Not to be confused with cameras in a plastic profile! If there are two glasses, then one chamber is formed between them, if there are three, two chambers, etc. Air is an excellent heat insulator, and the more air chambers, the better the double-glazed window retains heat. The heat transfer resistance of a single-chamber double-glazed window is 0.3 m2K/W, a double-chamber one is 0.5 m2K/W, and a three-chamber one is 0.7 m2K/W. However, the more cameras, the heavier the structure, and we are dealing with a balcony that cannot be overloaded. Therefore, the maximum in most cases is a double-glazed window. You can also take single-chamber with low-emissivity glass – its thermal insulation properties are the same as a two-chamber one, it weighs less, but costs more;
type of glass. The simplest option is the usual float glass 4-6 mm thick, with the thicker version intended for installation in noisy areas. Eat glass with special coating, which reflects heat rays. It turns out that in summer such a double-glazed window reflects the sun's rays, preventing overheating, and in winter it does not allow heat to escape from the apartment. Only one piece of glass in a double-glazed window is low-emissive. Thanks to this technology The heat transfer resistance of a single-chamber double-glazed window can be increased to 0.56 m2K/W. Just what you need for your balcony! When it comes to warm glazing, thermal insulation properties come first, but do not forget that other problems can be solved with the help of a properly selected double-glazed window. For example, for noisy areas they are intended noise-proof double glazed windows (produced on the basis of triplex glass and special film), for southern balconies - solar control double glazed windows, which reflect part of the rays. There is also impact-resistant and fire-resistant double-glazed windows, and the top of progress is stain-resistant double-glazed windows, as well as heated double-glazed windows;
distance between glasses. The smaller it is, the more compact the glazing will be, and this is beneficial for us - the balcony is not rubber. On the other hand, the larger the air chambers, the better the soundproofing qualities of the double-glazed window. If the balcony faces a busy street, it is better to take a double-glazed window with different chamber thicknesses. Glass of different thicknesses works well in terms of sound insulation - all of these are noise barriers;
glass chambers can be filled air, but the structure will be much warmer if argon is used. This is what is used in low-emissivity i-glasses.

Double-glazed windows are often designated by formulas like 6M1-10-4M1-8Ar-4I, which means that you have a double-chamber double-glazed window with different glass thicknesses (6, 4 and 4 mm), one of the glasses is low-emission, one chamber is filled with argon. Before choosing, evaluate the climate of the region, your own requirements, the characteristics of the area, as well as the heat transfer resistance of different structures, and only then place an order.

Which windows are best to put on the balcony?

Let's look at several options for glazing an external structure based on materials.

Tree

Initially, to protect the loggia from precipitation, wind and to partially reduce heat loss, ordinary window frames were installed on the fence. Standard wood was used for their manufacture, and the structures themselves were assembled using tenons and wood glue.
In such windows, single glass 4 mm thick was most often installed and secured with wooden glazing beads. This design did not provide proper tightness, so heat loss through this unit was significant.
Another disadvantage of conventional wooden windows was the loose pressing of the sash to the frame. Even when using sealing tapes made of porous material, the blowing was noticeable, because the temperature on the balcony rarely exceeded the street temperature by more than 8 - 100C.
Among the advantages of traditional wooden carpentry, I would name low cost (although plastic of the “if only it was” level costs about the same) and low weight. In general, wooden frames with single glazing should be installed only if energy saving is not important - for example, on the balcony of a country house, which is used only in the warm season.
If heat saving is important, then instead of conventional frames it is worth installing structures made of timber - the so-called Euro-windows. For the manufacture of their load-bearing elements, laminated veneer lumber is used, which is given a certain shape (profiling), and a sealed glass unit is used for glazing.

Note!

Windows used for glazing balconies and loggias are in contact with the environment for a long time. To protect wood from moisture, aluminum linings are used, which are installed at the junction of frames and sashes from the outside.

Such windows are not inferior to metal-plastic ones in terms of heat transfer resistance, while maintaining all the advantages of wood - primarily environmental friendliness and attractive appearance. But in any case, wooden structures require periodic protective treatment with water-repellent impregnations or varnishes - otherwise, sooner or later the frames will swell and become deformed.

Plastic windows

And yet, wood is not used so often for our purposes - old woodwork has modest performance indicators, while modern euro-wood windows based on bursa are quite expensive. So, much more often the glazing of loggias with windows is performed using metal-plastic structures:

The window frame, consisting of frames and sashes (opening parts), is made from a multi-chamber profile reinforced with greasy elements with a thickness of 1.2 to 2.5 mm.
Single- or double-chamber double-glazed windows are installed in the frames and sashes, providing a high level of energy saving. To reduce the thermal conductivity of glazing, in the last 8–10 years, so-called energy-saving glass coated with metals (tin or silver) has been used, as well as filling the chambers between the glasses with inert gas.
The pressing of the opening sashes to the frame is ensured by the operation of a special mechanism - fittings. The same mechanism allows you to open the doors slightly for ventilation with different intensities.

The high versatility of metal-plastic windows and a wide range of components provide them with a number of advantages:

PVC windows with steel reinforcement have excellent performance characteristics - they retain heat well, can be used as sun screens, and protect the balcony well from loud sounds.
Mechanical strength directly depends on the type of profile and reinforcement, therefore, even if we need floor-to-ceiling windows (i.e. glazing like a “French” balcony - from the top to the bottom floor without a parapet), we can find a suitable option.
Installing fittings expands the functionality of the products, while ensuring not only the convenience of ventilation in different modes, but also safety. Anti-burglary fittings quite effectively resist attempts to “squeeze” the sash from the frame from the outside, and it should be installed on balconies of the first and last floors, as well as if the balcony window opens onto an entrance or other publicly accessible area.
Finally, for installation you can choose not only standard white, but also colored (laminated with film or painted in the paste) windows - glazing balconies with such structures allows you to transform the room not only from the inside, but also from the outside.

The disadvantages include the appearance of the balcony - not everyone likes plastic surfaces, even if they are laminated to wood.

Well, the price, of course, is directly related to the functional parameters: if we want truly effective glazing, we will have to pay, and a lot.

Aluminum structures

If the size of the balcony exceeds 5-6 m in width, aluminum should be used instead of plastic. Aluminum structures on our market are presented in two versions - cold and warm:

“Cold” aluminum windows are assembled on frames made only from aluminum profiles. As a rule, one or two separate glasses are used for glazing, since the main purpose of these structures is protection from precipitation and wind.
The most popular form of “cold” glazing using aluminum is sliding. The moving parts of the frame are installed on a special guide profile and can be moved to the side, opening the opening. Naturally, it is almost impossible to ensure complete tightness in this case, so when filling gaps, they are usually limited to installing dust caps.
“Accordions” are also often made from sleek aluminum - folding frames that can be assembled in one place, completely opening the opening. Such transformable glazing is usually installed on the terraced balconies of private houses: in an ordinary apartment the need for such a complex structure almost never arises.

An alternative to “ cold ” aluminum is “ warm ” aluminum:

Structurally, the windows replicate metal-plastic products - their frames and sashes are of similar shape (adjusted for material), the double-glazed windows and fittings used are almost identical.
The peculiarity is that aluminum conducts heat well, and in order to prevent the frame or sash from becoming “cold bridges”, a polymer insert is added to them - the so-called thermal break.
Even with a thermal break, aluminum windows are inferior to plastic ones in terms of heat saving efficiency. But at the same time, the strength of the structure will be much higher, so if we need to glaze an object that experiences significant wind loads, then I usually make a choice in favor of aluminum.

Final comparison of glazing characteristics depending on material

Kinds

Advantages

Flaws


Plastic	• easy to clean; • high heat capacity; • good noise insulation; • low cost; • easy installation; • aesthetic appearance.	• Heavy weight; • Complete tightness with closed windows.
Wooden	• made from environmentally friendly materials; • beautiful appearance; • light weight; • increased level of thermal insulation.	• High price; • Fragility; • Mandatory regular care, periodic varnishing of the product; • If not properly cared for, it quickly loses its original appearance.
Aluminum	• a budget option; • light weight; • presentable appearance; • varied colors; • resistance to spontaneous destruction as a result of physical and chemical interaction with the environment; • environmental friendliness; • fire resistance; • allows a large amount of sunlight to pass through.	• The cost of the structure is significant in the case of laying a thermal bridge; • Low level of sound insulation.

Parameters for choosing quality products

Let's figure out how to choose the right PVC window and what you should pay attention to. Let's start with selecting a profile, since the overall quality depends on it.

What should you pay attention to first:

The presence of a large number of chamber compartments . It is thanks to such chambers that plastic elements retain heat in the room, creating a kind of buffer layer. For our climatic conditions, it is quite enough to use a three-chamber profile; it will fully meet the necessary requirements. For non-residential premises or buildings, it is enough to install a two-chamber system.
The composition of the material must meet all requirements and standards. You should check for certificates upon purchase.
The thickness of the profile walls should be 2.8-3.2 millimeters. Thanks to this, the window retains its rigidity and can last for a long period of time.

Approach the choice of profile with due attention, because the quality and thermal insulation properties will directly depend on the quality of the profile. It’s better to choose and install a better one than to regret it later.

The next stage to which you should pay close attention is, of course, the double-glazed window. Since glass makes up approximately eighty percent of the entire opening area, if you choose the wrong double-glazed window, you risk losing the required level of heat and insulation from extraneous noise.

What you need to pay attention to:

How many glasses are installed in a double glazing unit?
Type of glass used: energy-saving, tempered, reinforced glass.
Level of tightness and quality of sealants.

If you live close to a road where increased noise insulation is needed, then it is worth installing structures with a large number of glasses. The last thing to pay attention to is the fittings. The durability and quality of the thermal insulation of the opening depends on it.

When choosing fittings for your windows, you should consider just a few fundamental indicators:

Reliability and durability of the material and the entire structure.
Functionality that should suit your needs.

Glazing of balconies with a roof

Construction of the upper ceiling of a balcony is a difficult and time-consuming process, requiring correct and accurate measurements of the structure. Before construction, it is necessary to obtain permits from the administrative and economic body for the management of residential buildings. Moreover, construction work is carried out at heights, which implies complexity and a certain risk. Therefore, workers must have special training.

Derivatives of steel sheets are used as the outer covering of the roof, in particular, thin metallized sheets with longitudinal recesses in the form of a wave. The building material used in this capacity is coated with a layer of zinc and is called laminated corrugated sheeting.

When glazing balconies, most builders prefer inexpensive profiled roofing sheets. its choice is explained by the fact that it is rigid enough to withstand any load without subsequently changing the original shape.

As a rule, corrugated sheeting is mounted as a load-bearing roof. In this case, installation of auxiliary brackets is not required. The main disadvantage of this coating is that it must be covered with a soft roof for sound insulation. However, the cost of work will be high due to the installation of a rigid frame.

It is possible to glaze the roof itself. For this purpose, cellular polycarbonate or double-glazed windows made of durable glass are used.

Features of the structure of balcony roofs

Balcony roof structures can be dependent or independent. The first type of upper ceiling of the balcony is erected at the same time as its glazing. The roof is attached to the frame block and the vertical enclosing part of the house. The result is an insulated balcony. The canopy is mounted to the wall thanks to the cantilever support part. It is possible to install it separately from the glazing of the protruding part of the building. Roofs of this type are covered only with building materials with low weight.

An independent roof cannot be installed on the extreme floors of buildings due to the fact that it is not able to withstand large amounts of snow.

Is it necessary or not to obtain permission to glaze a balcony?

It would seem that there is nothing complicated about glazing. There is an open balcony, there are many manufacturers of various systems, and most importantly - there is a desire! Take it and do it! But not everything is as simple as it might seem at first glance. Whether the glazing needs to be approved is not even a question. In fact, it is necessary to coordinate with government agencies, since this is a redevelopment.

Where to start? First, see if there are glazed balconies on the facade of your house. If so, talk to the owners of these apartments and find out what they did in this case. Thus, you will find answers to at least two questions:

What authorities should you go through to get permission to glaze your balcony yourself?
Where exactly are these authorities located? (Street, house, office).

This way you can save time and nerves when searching.

It is also possible that the neighbors did not apply for any permission at all. But you should not follow their example. Sooner or later there will be a need to carry out some real estate transactions. Changing the design of a balcony can become an obstacle when performing notarial transactions with real estate.

If there are no glazed balconies on the façade of the house, you will be the first! Therefore, you should know how to go through the permitting procedure for glazing a balcony.

In different cities and regions of the country, the list of necessary approvals may differ slightly, but in general it is as follows:

BTI (Bureau of Technical Inventory) . Here we provide a project for changes to the balcony design. The project must be completed by a company licensed to perform the relevant type of work.
Architectural and planning management . In this institution we coordinate the issues of changing the facade of the house.
District department of state fire supervision . This department will definitely take an interest in how unhindered the possibility of evacuation is, how fire-resistant the glazing structures are and how they generally affect the fire resistance of the building.
Sanitary and epidemiological surveillance . Here they will check whether the building is being used for its intended purpose and compliance with sanitary standards.
Directorate of Building Operations. Monitors the impact of changes made on the operation of the building.
Housing inspection . Here the lucky person will receive a positive expert opinion on the compliance of the changes made with SNiP standards and other regulatory documents.
The last step is an interdepartmental commission . After submitting all the documents, he issues a long-suffering permit to carry out work on glazing the balcony.

Discussion: there is 1 comment

Mikha:
07/09/2020 at 23:27
helped, did it with a friend
Answer