How to protect a balcony from rain and snow without glazing

Awnings have not found widespread use among consumers, so they can only be seen on designer structures.

Is it possible to tint the balcony?

Can be glued inside and outside. Of course, if you need to tint the windows on the balcony on the floor, then the work is definitely done from the inside. ... The tinting surface is treated with a soap solution and a window cleaning scraper (you need to move in a herringbone pattern) removes air bubbles.

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Soft windows

“Soft windows” are protective screens made of transparent PVC film.

The idea is not new, and the proposed solutions are somewhat reminiscent of the old method of constructing a translucent balcony fence made of dense polyethylene film. Of course, polyethylene quite significantly reduced the level of natural light in the room, but the balcony was closed from rain and snow, and the “Soviet carpentry” of doors and windows was less exposed to the cold wind.

Features of the device and mounting

PVC film for windows is quite widely represented on the market. Typically they offer a product made in Japan, Taiwan or China. Films may vary in density, tensile strength and maximum elongation at break. The thickness varies between 500-1000 microns, although the “golden mean” is mainly used - 700-800 microns. Only the operating temperature range is the same - from -30°C to +70°C, and the standard roll width is 1.4 m or 1.8 m.

As you can see, the temperature range is such that the film can be used all year round, and the width of the roll is sufficient to cover the front of a standard 3 m long balcony with two sheets. You can buy PVC film in a roll, but it is better to order ready-made windows, which can be either removable or for permanent mounting. In addition to transparent, there is a tinted film for sun protection.

To cover a balcony with soft windows, you need to arrange openings - a kind of frame to which you can attach the edges of the screen. The simplest option is frames made of wooden beams with rigid fastening to the facade, slab and fence.

Depending on the type of balcony fencing, soft windows can be of three types:

• Transparent. Installed if the fence is of screen type. The frames are placed between the fence and the upper balcony slab.
• Combined, with an opaque bottom. Installed if the fence is lattice type. The frames are placed between the slabs of your own and the upper balcony.
• Opaque. Can be installed on the sides of a balcony with any type of fencing.

Transparent soft windows are made with edging. The edging is a strip of durable opaque awning fabric, and it serves to accommodate fastening points. Both materials are connected with a soldered seam, which is not inferior in tensile strength to film. Combined soft windows differ only in that on one side, instead of a narrow edging, a wide strip of the same awning fabric is soldered.

The methods of fastening to the frame offered by window manufacturers are as follows:

• For staples and eyelets with straps. Metal brackets are installed on the frame, and square eyelets with straps are installed on the edging. They thread “their” bracket into the grommet and fix the position of the window on the frame with straps.

• On side swivel brackets and eyelets. Swivel brackets are attached to the frame, and oval eyelets are attached to the edging. The rotary bracket in the open position is threaded into the grommet and transferred to the closed state.

• Fixed fastening (for example, for side railings of a balcony). They are fastened with self-tapping screws and a washer through round eyelets of small diameter.

The first two types of windows can be either completely removable or pivoted, when the top edge is permanently attached to the frame, and the panel is rolled up and secured with straps.

It is extremely inconvenient to completely fasten a soft window onto the brackets - there is no access from the outside, and it is difficult to thread the last bracket into the grommet from the inside. Therefore, instead of eyelets, a pocket is sewn onto the lower edge, into which a weighting agent is placed. Typically, a propylene water pipe with a piece of fittings inside and plugs at the ends is used for this.

Retractable side wind awning

They protect you from the sun, wind and the eyes of your neighbors. Usually made of thin rubber or textile fabric. The material must be dense enough to protect against wind. Often such awnings are stretched between a wall and a supporting column.

The issue of safety at heights

If the balcony is located on the first floors of the building, their owners can easily carry out all repair and finishing work without resorting to professional high-rise equipment. But what should those who live above the third floor do and do not have the opportunity to hire trained workers for these purposes?

Next, you should think about ensuring safety for yourself and your assistant (it is strictly forbidden to carry out such work alone; you always need backup). A strong frame, a parapet, a platform with a fence, climbing equipment - the more different safety factors, the better.

Protect your terrace dining area from the wind

Most screens and awnings are made of water-repellent fabric, which protects your patio furniture and floors when it rains. In addition, the fabric dries quickly, which is another significant advantage.

Install several small blinds instead of large, bulky ones. This, like separate windows, allows you to block light into various different areas as you wish while leaving others open.

Awnings

The main purpose of a classic awning is sun protection. Rain protection depends on the waterproofness of the fabric, and comes as an additional bonus. There are three main types of awning designs that can be installed on the balcony:

• basket;

• elbows;

• vertical.

The first two types are used as a canopy (canopy) on the balconies of low-rise or apartment buildings, if there is no other balcony or roof above. They can protect against direct rain, but they won’t help against snow and slanting rain. In addition, due to the design and fastening features, basket and elbow awnings do not “hold” strong winds, so they are folded in windy weather.

Vertical awnings (also called “display awnings”) resemble roller blinds in their design, and for installation you need a frame with a strong crossbar for the box and sidewalls for the guides. Therefore, they are used only if there is another balcony or a stationary canopy on top with supports on posts, that is, when an opening can be created.

Dense hedge of trees or shrubs

You can protect yourself from climatic conditions and at the same time decorate your balcony with the help of a hedge. A dense row of plants, trees or shrubs can be planted on the windy side.

The disadvantage of this method is the need for constant care: the hedge will not only have to be regularly watered and fertilized, but also the branches will have to be trimmed.

Depending on the width of the balcony, behind such a fence you can place sun loungers, armchairs and a tea table. You can spend a cozy afternoon in the coolness of your own small garden.

Plants should be planted on the windy side. You shouldn’t completely isolate yourself from the world - in this case, you won’t be able to see the sun at all.

Open balconies cause inconvenience to a large number of people. However, their glazing is quite an expensive undertaking. Therefore, there are a number of alternatives to the banal methods of closing a balcony opening in an apartment.

Sealing the loggia

Sometimes it happens that after waterproofing work is completed, water still enters the room. There may be several reasons:

• cracks in window frames;
• gaps between the supporting structure and frames;
• large gaps at the junctions of the walls and the slab forming the ceiling;
• large gaps between the ceiling and the canopy.

Glazing leaks are eliminated using strips (self-adhesive parts).

Rice. 7. PVC corner.

To eliminate all other cracks, various sealants are used, mainly silicone-based. These substances are distinguished by their versatility and high sealing properties. Gaps at joints can also be sealed with polyurethane-based mastic.

Exterior finishing stages

Whatever material is used to cover the outside of the balcony, the stages of work are almost the same. First, all the necessary calculations are made and an estimate and design project are drawn up, after which you need to prepare the place for work and, if necessary, dismantle the old finishing of the balcony, make a special wooden or metal frame that will help strengthen the entire structure. You must remember to check the thermal and waterproofing of the balcony.

In addition, the methods listed above allow you to decorate a balcony not only in an apartment, but also in a cottage. And it doesn’t matter what it is, open or closed.

Exterior decoration of a balcony with your own hands is a labor-intensive task. We should not forget that in order to begin this type of work, you must have good physical fitness, because most often the work is carried out at heights.

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Curtains (tarpaulin, fabric)

If your building is of an open type, then installing any windows poses certain difficulties.

In this case, you can use massive curtains that will partially protect people in the gazebo from weather influences.

It is best to give preference to heavy and dense fabrics like tarpaulin. It will be necessary to consider the mounting not only on the cornice, but also on the support pillars.

Only by pulling the fabric tightly can you achieve at least something in terms of protection, otherwise you will get nothing but discomfort and “exposed” nerves.

Cold glazing

Of course, an open balcony looks beautiful in the warm season, despite this, you should consider the option of cold glazing. Cold glazing is performed using aluminum profiles and glass. A balcony glazed in this way will be reliably protected from wind, snow and rain. Since the glazing will be single, the temperature on the balcony will be slightly higher than outside. The balcony will be comfortable to use only in the warm season.

Having well prepared your balcony for winter, you will not need to put in a lot of effort in the spring and spend money on restoring it after the cold weather. We hope that our article will be useful to you.

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Portal about construction

Open balconies are the most exposed parts of apartments and houses from weather conditions. During rains and snowfalls, moisture penetrates through the smallest cracks, and mold forms over time. This is especially true for those whose apartment is located on the top floor of a multi-story building.

Not only the appearance suffers, the destruction of the load-bearing slabs begins.

Housing and communal services repairs only balcony slabs. To prevent the floor from flooding during rain, immediately after any repairs it is necessary to carry out work to seal cracks and seams.

Materials for waterproofing and sealing loggias

Waterproofing from the inside is carried out using 3 types of materials:

• rolled (surfaced, adhesive);
• painting (coating);
• penetrating.

Roll technology is quite labor-intensive and complex. There should be no unevenness on the base with a depth of more than 2 mm. It should be dry. To attach a waterproofer, precision, accuracy, and certain skills are required. But these coatings are the most reliable and durable. The simplest option is painting with oil paint. But this method is unreliable, since the quality of the coating decreases at subzero temperatures; new painting is required almost every year.

Water-repellent putties are much more reliable. They are no more difficult to apply than paint. Coating putties also include various ready-made sealants and mounting foams.

Rice. 2. Materials for waterproofing.

Penetrating compounds are supplied in powder form and diluted with water. These are ideal materials for concrete structures. Penetrating sealants also include putties made from polymers, which are applied when heated. The coating is elastic and reliable on all planes except the floor.

Fence repair

With a fence everything is much simpler. These are metal rods, often made from reinforcement, which can easily be replaced with others. Some people repair their balcony railings with their own hands to avoid high costs.

For example, you can use a hammer to simply straighten the reinforcement bars, make them vertical or horizontal if they have become bent during long-term use. The same can be done with the corners. Then the entire structure is simply covered with paint. This is the simplest repair of a windowless balcony.

It will be more difficult to line the fence. For this, two materials are most often used:

How are these flat materials installed on the outside of a balcony that has no windows? The simplest option is to cut the cladding to the size of the fence, then make holes in the sheets for mounting fasteners and install them with fasteners. Tie wire or bolts and nuts can be used as fasteners.

Structural elements

Decorative lathing

Recently, almost all gazebos are sold with wooden sheathing. This is not only beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, but also allows you to achieve the following effects:

The grille partially blocks wind and rain.

A good atmosphere is created inside, especially with a large number of people, when such bad weather is not an obstacle to relaxation.

People inside the gazebo are not visible, but they, in turn, perfectly see everything that is happening on the street. This is very convenient in those moments when you want to close yourself off from the attentive gaze of others.

"Greening" with plants

You can achieve protection for the interior decoration with the help of climbing plants, which create a dense “shell” of the gazebo, preventing rain, wind and sun from getting inside.

This method will be relevant only during the flowering season, when the leaves gain vitality and completely cover your recreation area. The rest of the time, the plants will be powerless against the elements.

Sheathing with polycarbonate, clapboard or boards

If the design of the building allows you to attach cladding material to it, then you can completely protect yourself from any natural disasters.

As cladding, you can use polycarbonate slabs, lining of any class or ordinary edged boards.

Two finishing options are possible:

1. “Tightly” close the walls.
2. Partially close the walls.

The second option looks more interesting, but is less effective. Rain and wind will easily pass through the casing. The first option will completely cover the gazebo, but will do so to the detriment of its appearance.

Let's sum it up

It turns out that turning a balcony into a favorite place for the whole family is not so difficult. And for this it is not necessary to glaze it. The open area will allow you to relax in the fresh air without leaving your own apartment . How pleasant it is to sit outdoors on a summer evening, admire nature, listen to your favorite music, leaf through a magazine, just chat with your loved one and have a cup of coffee with him.

In the design of even such a fairly small area, you can apply any design solutions and give free rein to your fantasies. Anyone can create a unique interior. Don't be afraid to experiment, fantasize, create, make your dreams come true by making them come true. Good luck and creativity in all your endeavors.

Screens for balcony balustrades

Screens for balcony balustrades protect not only from the sun and rain, but also from indiscreet glances, do not emit odor, do not lose color and are very easy to install. Not only the parapet, but the entire balcony receives a new aesthetic quality, both inside and out. These fairly rigid and durable screens combine perfectly with living vegetation and create a summer mood.

An interesting, spectacular and popular option is to place a kind of hedge around the perimeter of the balcony balustrades.

Nowadays, plastic shells woven between the railings are becoming fashionable. They are very durable and come in different colors. Balcony 3D screens are especially visually attractive. At the same time, it is worth paying attention to ensure that their color fits into the overall design of the balcony (flowers, umbrella, furniture), complementing its aesthetic appearance.

Unfortunately, balcony screens are not cheap, however, for reasons of reliability and efficiency, it is worth investing in such systems.

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Features of cladding from the street

Having decided what material will be used to decorate the outside of the balcony, you need to prepare all the necessary tools. So, when starting work, you can’t do without:

During installation, rope is often used; with its help, the material lies more evenly.

Before starting the main stage of work, the closed balcony needs to be strengthened. For this, a metal frame is used; it is often attached directly to concrete walls. Working with this type of cladding requires enormous effort and welding skills. After all, it is initially necessary to make a metal frame and only then attach the skin directly on top of it. When metal corrugated sheeting is used, the sheathing of beams can be omitted, since the structure will be strengthened due to the material used.

Regardless of what type of balcony is covered, this work has a number of features. Experts have compiled detailed step-by-step instructions for this. So, the old cladding is removed from the railings, observing safety precautions. The slab under your feet is initially repaired, and only then pulled together. To do this, a special beam is placed along its entire length. Most often it is made of wood and the structures are held together with tongue and groove. Meanwhile, wooden beams are placed on the upper surface of the balcony, thereby creating the so-called frame.

Anything made of metal must be pre-painted . Holes for self-tapping screws are made on the material that will be attached, thereby creating additional convenience for installation. Using a drill, it is attached to the frame, joining them together so that there are no gaps or cracks.

After the fastening stage is completed, cladding begins. Then special fittings and fasteners are attached to the edges.

The loggia also needs cladding. Making it is somewhat more difficult than for a regular long balcony. One of the features is the fact that you should not forget about the hinged protection. So, in order for the loggia to be closed, hinged canopies are often used (for more details, see the article “how to make a canopy on the balcony”). In order to install them, you can bring the planks to the top, and subsequently cover everything with plastic or, conversely, lay a slate floor. What is important is that in the case when metal profiled sheets are used for cladding, you do not have to install a wooden frame. This is done when the metal structure is initially tightly made. Better made of iron.

If a closed balcony that has glazing is sheathed, then if a sealed space is formed it can be used as another room, which adds an advantage to this type of finishing. But you need to decide on the interior design.

Roller shutters

Roller shutters, or roller shutter systems with slats made of dense materials, are used as additional protection for windows from penetration into the room. If you use monolithic polycarbonate instead of a metal profile or opaque plastic to make slats, then such a roller shutter can be installed on a balcony instead of glazing.

Transparent roller shutters, like any other, are made to order, using ready-made solutions and a standard set of accessories.

The characteristics of different manufacturers are usually typical and look like this:

• lamella thickness - 4 mm;
• connecting profile - aluminum;
• width - up to 5 m;
• height - up to 4 m;
• total area - up to 15 m2;
• drive - manual or automatic;
• painting the protective box and guides in any color on the scale

If we compare prices, roller shutters with polycarbonate slats are more expensive than wind-resistant awnings and much more expensive than soft windows. The cost of 1 m2 of transparent roller shutter is comparable to the price of a “cold” aluminum window with a swing-and-hing mechanism.

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Loggia waterproofing

First of all, cracks, crevices, and joints are sealed.

Rice. 4. Destruction of the walls of the loggia.

It is advisable to coat the ceiling with an antifungal compound. Further, the best option can be considered mastic, which does not require leveling the surface. If insulation is planned, it is necessary to apply reinforcement (5x5 mm mesh) to the putty and apply a second layer of the compound.

It is best to treat the walls with an antiseptic, then glue one of the roll waterproofing materials. The joints should be treated with sealant. If the loggia floor is concrete, then after leveling you can use one of the penetrating compounds. It will fill all the unevenness, the coating will be quite smooth and durable.

Painting waterproofing

Concrete areas are treated with penetrating mastics.

Rice. 5. Waterproofing the loggia floor.

The surfaces must be moistened and the composition applied with a brush. Before the putty has completely dried, apply a second layer (preferably perpendicular to the first). For three days, the treated surface should not be subjected to mechanical stress or sudden temperature changes.

Before applying the coating mixture, the surface is also moistened. When applying mastic, your hand should work in only one direction. The second layer is applied after 4-5 hours perpendicular to the first. At the seams between the plates, it is advisable to embed a 5x5 mm mesh in mastic.

Roll waterproofing

Rolled waterproofing materials are glued or fused using a torch. The most common is polymer-bitumen built-up roofing felt.

Analogs: filizol, bikroplast, hydroglass sol, isoplast, hydroisol. More modern: foam foil and penofol. They are made from porous polyethylene, then covered with a film that acts as a vapor barrier during insulation. The market offers self-adhesive foil insulation, which greatly facilitates installation.

Scheme of floor waterproofing with roll waterproofing:

Rice. 6. Scheme of roll waterproofing.

Plastic-based waterproofing materials are reliable because they prevent the accumulation of moisture in the form of condensation and reflect ultraviolet rays. If you want to increase the service life, the seams can be treated with sealant. The cost of waterproofers of this group is also relatively low.

Visor

A sun visor is a multifunctional product that protects the selected space, primarily from the sun, but may also not be the worst option against wind or precipitation. However, it can only be installed on the upper floors or if the house design provides for staggered balconies.

It is worth choosing a design option made of colored polycarbonate in tones that repel sunlight. Framed with figured forging, a sun visor can become an interesting decorative element of the balcony. In this case, it would be an ideal solution to decorate the balustrade with similar forged elements.