Turnkey glazing - balconies and loggias, private houses and commercial real estate

Glazing of balconies is a popular type of work, because it increases the service life of the balcony (rain, snow, wind does not get inside), and increases the area of ​​the apartment due to additional space. Before starting work, you should understand what types of glazing exist, what materials can be used to cover a balcony, what are the features, advantages and disadvantages of each option.

What is the best way to glaze a balcony in a panel house?

In Soviet-built panel houses, balconies served more of a decorative purpose than a practical one. They were a place for storing things that were not entirely necessary and for hanging washed clothes. Through them, cold penetrated into the apartment in winter, and city air heated by asphalt in summer. Today everything is changing. Modern building materials make it possible to insulate the extension in such a way as to minimize the level of urban noise and save expensive heat. The owner can only decide how beautifully to glaze the balcony with plastic windows.

Features of glazing balconies

Everyone decides for himself - simply protect the windows from dust, dirt and precipitation, or, if funds and a load-bearing balcony slab allow, install good thermal insulation and plastic windows.

Work should begin with isolating the apartment from drafts entering through leaks in windows and balcony doors. When this problem is solved, you can begin to strengthen the extension. In old panel houses, it consists of a concrete panel and a metal fence, closed on three sides with flat slate sheets.

You cannot install wide double-glazed windows on such a basis. It is necessary to strengthen the slab by covering it with an angle profile, which, in turn, is securely fixed in the wall. Then you need to lay out the masonry from the foam block. It will become the basis for the double-glazed window. Installation of vapor and waterproofing, external and internal insulation is carried out before installing the frame. Mineral wool is used for internal thermal insulation. After preliminary work, PVC double-glazed windows are assembled. Their main advantages:

• high level of energy saving and noise absorption;
• long service life;
• excellent tightness;
• reliable and simple design of tilt and turn sashes;
• resists the formation of mold and mildew;
• tinted glass that protects not only from ultraviolet radiation, but also has a low thermal conductivity coefficient.

The disadvantage of PVC windows in use is the large weight of the equipment. Therefore, it is better to entrust the installation of double-glazed windows to professionals from a specialized company. Free measurements, competent consultation, and high-quality work will ensure long and reliable operation of “warm” glazing.

Pros and cons of building a balcony

The possibility of constructing such a structure is available only if the house already has at least 2 floors, including the attic. Construction of a balcony in a private house has a number of undeniable advantages. These include:

1. Often, such an extension can be a great place for entertaining and relaxation, but it can also be used to expand the space.
2. The original design of a balcony can greatly decorate the appearance of the entire house and site. There are a huge number of design solutions, so the developer will be able to choose the most suitable option.
3. Quite often, such structures can not only be used to expand space, but also fulfill the purpose of an attic roof or porch, providing some protection for them.
4. Arranging a balcony will allow you to create an emergency escape exit, which can be useful in an emergency.

Lounge area on the balcony Source sageerp.ru
However, the construction of a balcony in a private house also has its weaknesses. Among them are:

1. The construction of such a structure should be included in the project plan when constructing the private house itself. An extension to an already built house will be quite expensive, and the work will be extremely labor-intensive.
2. Before starting construction procedures, you will need to make detailed calculations. It is better to entrust such work to professionals; they will be able to accurately calculate the dimensions of the extension and the amount of materials needed for this. Balconies are quite dangerous structures, and their construction without calculations can cause serious complications.
3. Installing a balcony door can lead to a large heat transfer from the entire house. This drawback is quite common in cantilever structures. Heat loss can be avoided by building on independent supports.
4. It is necessary to carefully study the need for such an extension, since often the construction of an open balcony on the second floor in a private house can become useless.

How to glaze a balcony with an aluminum profile?

For the purposes of sound insulation and fencing the balcony from rain, snow and dust, an aluminum profile is the most profitable option. Low weight of the structure, sufficient tightness, ease of assembly and operation are typical for glass on a metal frame. Another undeniable advantage is saving the family budget when installing the system.

“Moving” the structure outside, along with sliding doors, will add a little more space to the already small area of ​​the balcony. It should be noted that, unlike wooden windows, an aluminum profile will always maintain good tightness and protect against drafts. And the natural vapor barrier will prevent moisture condensation and fogging of the glass.

The aluminum profile can be of any configuration, which is very beneficial for glazing balconies in a panel house. The least thermal insulation of a protected room will allow you to retain heat in the apartment. In mild cold weather, the temperature in the extension can be positive. Before installing balcony glazing, you should consult with knowledgeable specialists and choose the best profile option.

New! Eco-friendly and beautiful wooden glazing!

This traditional method of glazing has recently been significantly improved. Wooden frames have come a long way in terms of thermal insulation and acoustic protection. At the same time, they have not lost such excellent properties as durability, versatility, natural aesthetics and environmental friendliness.

Solid wood windows

Our wooden windows are made of laminated veneer lumber. This durable, technologically advanced material combines the advantages of natural wood and the functionality of PVC structures.

The window profile is impregnated with special compounds that prevent damage by fungi, insects, rotting, and moisture penetration.

Our wooden frames are made from the following types of wood:

• pine,
• larch,
• oak.

1-2-chamber double-glazed windows provide wooden windows made of laminated veneer lumber with high levels of heat and sound insulation. Good seals and precise frame geometry promote a tight fit and prevent blowing.

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What balconies do we call Khrushchev’s and their varieties

Balconies in Khrushchev, Brezhnev and even some new buildings are combined into the concept of “Khrushchev balcony”. Three conditions for unification: size approximately 3 meters by 0.8 meters, metal fencing, balcony protruding beyond the plane of the building. We are combining because the work ahead is the same. We call it Khrushchevsky, because Khrushchevites are more often encountered in work.

Related article: The balcony above is leaking from the neighbors, what to do?

Such balconies are divided into L-shaped and U-shaped.

L-shaped

The L-shaped balcony has glass on both sides, and its third side is adjacent to its neighbors. It is usually simply stitched up.

U-shaped

A U-shaped balcony is a free-standing balcony with glass on three sides

Features and patterns of balconies in Khrushchev buildings

1. Glazing such a balcony in a brick house is more expensive than in a panel house. Because in panel houses the height of the frames is smaller. There are rarely exceptions.
2. Before glazing such a balcony, we always strengthen the parapet. Nothing fancy, just a flat board along the top corner and wooden supports. It’s impossible without this! The exception is when we are welding external glazing, then the welder will strengthen everything with iron. Another exception is new buildings, which have strong parapets.
3. Along with the glazing, at a minimum, you need to do the exterior finishing. If you don’t do it right away, then you’ll have to disassemble the frames or remove the glass to cover the parapet from the street. The exception is the first floor.

That's all with theory - then practice and prices.

Let's start with glazing

A balcony in a Khrushchev-era building, like any balcony, can be glazed with warm plastic frames or cold aluminum ones. Our advice is to choose cold glazing. Why? The parapet is very frail, it is all wobbly, and the warm frames weigh 3 times more than the cold ones. The second reason is that it is almost impossible to insulate a metal parapet to the level of warm window frames. For such insulation, you need to lay 15 cm of insulation. Balconies in Khrushchev-era buildings are usually 70-90 cm deep, take 15 cm for insulation and what is left for you?

The price of glazing includes strengthening the parapet with a wooden structure. Everything you need from materials: window sills, ebbs, canopies. Dismantling and installation works. Taking out trash to the trash can

Prices for glazing with aluminum profiles, rub.

Features of glazing and insulation of a balcony in a panel house: walls, floor

A balcony in a panel-type house has its own characteristics: at the end of the balcony slab there is not an ordinary railing made of metal reinforcement, but a thin reinforced concrete slab located vertically is welded. A technological gap is formed between them; through it, rainwater, if the upper balcony is not sealed or glazed, can flow onto the lower one, which somewhat complicates the installation of a metal-plastic window system.

There are two approaches to solving the issue of insulating a balcony in a panel house.

Under the main slab, a special stand is pre-welded from a profile and a corner, on which the window frame is placed. The frame practically slides inward, thus reducing the already small space. The frame can be installed under the end plate. The ebb on top should be wider and it should be pushed inside the balcony, placed between the slab and the frame, thereby closing the gap between the slabs. That is, in this case, the space retains its previous dimensions. To avoid the formation of condensation, the upper drainage is sealed and finished with insulation.

Possible glazing options

There are two options for glazing balconies - warm and cold. If the room is planned to be used mainly for household needs, then it would be more advisable to choose a cold option. This option is also chosen in cases where the base plate is not designed for intense loads. If you want the balcony to become an extension of the apartment, and in cold weather to maintain a comfortable temperature, then you should choose a warm type.

Cold glazing of balconies

Cold balcony glazing has two main advantages: compactness and light weight. Therefore, this design is often used for glazing in old houses - Khrushchev, Stalin, etc. Also, the cold type is more durable and durable. And budget-friendly - an aluminum profile with single glass or a frameless option will cost much less than multi-chamber metal-plastic double-glazed windows.

But there is one main disadvantage - the temperature on the balcony will exceed the street temperature by only 5-7 degrees. And for residents of the northern regions this is a very pressing problem. But if the room is not planned to be used as a living space, then the cold type of glazing is suitable.

You can glaze a balcony using the cold method:

• Using aluminum frames. Aluminum windows are very durable, lightweight, resistant to intense loads and adverse weather conditions.
• Frameless glazing method.
• Plastic single-chamber windows.

All these methods have their own characteristics that must be taken into account before carrying out work.

Warm glazing of balconies

Warm glazing, as the name implies, allows you to provide a comfortable temperature all year round. This balcony glazing technology is perfect if you plan to turn the balcony into an office, workshop, or recreation area. It also provides good sound insulation, tightness, and absence of drafts.

As for the downsides, warm glazing can only be done if the house and base slab are in good condition and the area of ​​the room is large enough. In addition, the cost of the work will be quite high. Warm glazing is performed using multi-chamber double-glazed windows, plastic or wooden.

Often heated floors are installed on an insulated loggia - this will make the room even more comfortable for work or relaxation.

Insulate the balcony: walls, ceiling and floor

How to retain heat is a question that is especially acute for those living in panel houses, since the panel itself is not very capable of retaining heat. It “leaves” through a concrete rib, which has high thermal conductivity, and even through interpanel seams that are not insufficiently insulated.

The thermal insulation layer, especially for cold latitudes, is installed on all walls, floor surfaces and parapets.

Insulation of balcony walls is carried out in the following order.

• A supporting frame is installed under the thermal insulation.
• Install insulation boards. When choosing a material, pay attention to its environmental friendliness, low thermal conductivity, non-flammability, vapor permeability, lack of shrinkage, and thickness. The most popular insulators are polystyrene foam, mineral wool, polyethylene foam and others.

Related article: Is it possible to attach a balcony to a room?

To eliminate the negative effects of moisture, the insulation must be vapor-insulated using a special vapor-proof film. Penofol, a polyethylene foam, has shown itself to be excellent in this capacity. This thermal insulator has an additional reflective effect due to its foil coating.

Air circulation between the vapor barrier layer and the interior finishing should also be provided. The best option is to install another frame, taking into account the thickness of the air cushion of at least 1-2 cm.

Floor insulation is carried out according to the following scheme

If the balcony is located on:

• basement or first floor (ground level or below):
• the façade of a building or from a corner, or more precisely, several of its load-bearing parts are exposed to precipitation, there is a need for additional waterproofing.

We must not forget that the neighbors below may not even have a glass balcony. Therefore, the floor on your side should be insulated so that even in extreme cold it remains warm.

The floor in panel houses can be quite uneven, and leveling it may require a considerable amount of material, which, among other things, has a significant weight. In these cases, it is much more advisable to use adjustable floor technology. It is based on the use of adjustable joists with screwed-in bolts, with the help of which the floor level is either lowered or raised. Also, floor repair may include installation of a certain type of heated floors, based on those allowed on the balcony.

For greater noise and heat insulation, insulation is placed between the joists. Then the floor itself is laid.

In finishing work for insulation, for example, materials such as:

• plastic lining - they are very beautiful, have a wide variety of textures and colors;
• cork panels are an environmentally friendly material with special heat and sound insulation characteristics and bactericidal properties;
• MDF panels are a material resistant to temperature and light, durable, distinguished by a variety of textured reliefs and colors, and many others.

The choice of finishing depends entirely on the taste preferences of the apartment’s residents, and their imagination is practically unlimited.