How to insulate a balcony with cold glazing without replacing the glazing

In all multi-storey buildings, the glazing of balconies is initially the same: aluminum frame panels with single-chamber glass are installed in metal-plastic window sashes. Cold glazing complies with generally accepted standards and repair and construction norms.

A balcony is not a living space, but to make it comfortable to be in this room, you need to install additional insulation. Let us consider in detail how to insulate a balcony with cold glazing without replacing the glazing.

Is it worth insulating a balcony with cold glazing?

Thanks to the insulation of the balcony space, many expand the total space of their home. In such a small room, you can organize a type of activity that was impossible until the balcony was heated.

Many who have decided to take such a step are beginning to wonder: is it possible to make a loggia warmer that will retain heat in the winter, and what materials are needed for this.

Organizing high-quality finishing of walls and parapets with insulating materials is a matter that does not require specific construction skills, but making a balcony suitable for relaxing in winter may seem like a more difficult task.

Any reinstallation of double-glazed windows leads to serious changes in the overall design of the facade.

In addition, reconstruction activities may not be approved by the relevant service. Therefore, before you start remodeling your balcony, it is important, first, to obtain official permission. If it does not exist, then there is a high risk of litigation.

Nuances of processing documents for installation permits

There is no specific legally justified reason for insulating a loggia. The regulations include a note about official repairs if it includes a significant redevelopment of the room.

Reconstruction activities include:

• installation;
• repainting;
• changing the configuration of the balcony frame;
• uninstallation.

In these options, you do not need to obtain permission to carry out repair work. The homeowner should be careful only in those moments when it comes to painting a large part of the façade and completely changing the window frame.

Disadvantages of a warm loggia

• Large weight of the structure . Before work, you must consult with a specialist and obtain permission to insulate the balcony. Some loggias are too fragile to install any structures. This is especially true for old buildings, where the future equipment of balconies was not envisaged. In addition, over time, balcony slabs wear out. It will be necessary to install an additional structure to make it possible to insulate the loggia.
• High price . Materials, work of professionals, installation of the structure, installation of plastic windows - all this will cost a large amount. You can choose a budget option, but this will have little effect on the overall cost. In addition to construction work, you will have to pay for the design and arrangement of small details. Electricity costs will increase, as it is necessary to install warm electric floors. This will greatly affect the energy consumption of the entire apartment.
• Reducing the area on the balcony . The loggia does not have a wide space, and after construction work, it will be even smaller. Insulating a balcony involves “building up” the walls; the additional layer will take at least 20 cm. As a result, the new room may not be very spacious. Opening window shutters reduce space in the room.
• Reducing transmitted light . Since you will have to install thicker double-glazed windows, they will muffle the sunlight. To feel comfortable on the balcony, you need to think about additional lighting, which will also affect costs. However, the difference will not be so noticeable; after some time, the human eye will get used to the new lighting.
• Cold neighbors' balconies . Most residents do not want to insulate their loggias due to the high cost and other disadvantages. When designing, it is important to take into account that there are cold neighbors’ balconies around, which will take away heat. This will also incur additional costs.
• Panoramic windows . This drawback applies to newly built houses, in which a panorama is most often installed. In this case, it is necessary to tint the lower part of the windows so that passers-by from the street do not see the home. Personal space must be inviolable.

How to insulate a balcony with cold glazing

The metal alloy frame with single-layer double-glazed windows provides protection from various weather conditions. This could be: ingress of precipitation, dirt, dust, wind. But this glazing will not provide complete protection in winter. There are many methods for insulation, both professional and amateur.

This:

1. Full insulation of a profile made of metal. From the inside of the balcony it is covered with Penoizol or Penofol. This method is practically useless, since there will be no protection from the cold. The insulator will only prevent your hands from sticking to the frozen frame when it’s freezing outside.
2. Single glass is covered with a heat-insulating film or replaced with other glass that has heat-saving properties. The film helps retain heat by only 30%. But this method also turns out to be ineffective when the glass and metal frame cool down in winter.
3. Replace single glass with modern multi-chamber glass. This is only possible with the help of professionals, since you will have to completely remove window sashes with cold glazing and build in another double-glazed window instead. The new PVC structure may not look very aesthetically pleasing due to the fact that it will not match the color of the aluminum frame. Also, the frame is not suitable for installation on multi-chamber heavy glass. Subsequently, this can cause the frame to break and even cause the glazing to collapse.
4. A financially expensive method is to install a frame structure with warm glass indoors. In this case, the cold double-glazed window is not dismantled. With this method of insulation, the area of ​​the balcony is significantly reduced, the aesthetics of the room are disrupted, and it will become much more difficult to ventilate the apartment. Also, dirt will accumulate between the two frames over time, which will be difficult to clean.
5. Replacing a cold aluminum frame with a warm one. It consists of two frames, made of a similar metal alloy, between which there is a plastic insert. With such a replacement, you will have to replace the completely cold glazing with a new one, so you should prepare for high costs. In cold regions, such a heat insulator does not protect the window frame from freezing and ice forms on it. A warm frame is relevant for the southern regions.
6. Wooden structures protected from the outside with aluminum profiles. Wooden frames will be a good heat insulator against frost. When installing them, it is important to completely remove the old frame. Multilayer double-glazed windows are placed in wooden sashes. The outside of the wood is coated with aluminum, which protects it from natural conditions.

Frame for laying insulation on floors and walls, warm floors

Common Mistakes

Cold glazing on the balcony
Typical apartments have a small area, which often makes the owners want to show construction creativity and increase the space. Sooner or later, the owner of the home gets to the balcony. That’s when the idea of ​​insulating the loggia and thus expanding the living space comes to mind. Of course, you can take such a step, but it is important not to make a number of mistakes that will only bring problems and annoyance. Common mistakes when insulating:

Redevelopment without permission

Each apartment owner has a registration certificate, which describes the housing he owns in black and white and in great detail. In particular, it describes the type of non-residential premises and the materials from which windows and walls are made. During redevelopment, which includes wall insulation, the owner runs the risk of making the apartment unsuitable for sale, because the parameters specified in the passport will not coincide with the real state of affairs. In order to avoid these problems, it is necessary to coordinate future changes with the BTI.

Of course, the owners want the new, enlarged area of ​​the apartment to be warm. The easiest thing, at first glance, is to move an electric heating radiator to the loggia. However, according to the rules, this is strictly prohibited: moving the heating radiator beyond the boundaries of the load-bearing wall is fraught with heat supply accidents. You will never receive permission for such thoughtless actions, and if you go against the system, then such arbitrariness in the future can cost a pretty penny.

A real and legal way out of the situation is electric floor heating. Modern technologies have advanced so far that they make it possible to install safe and high-quality floor heating by installing a special electrical cable. The laying step can be changed depending on the future heating temperature, which will ensure maximum heat transfer. In addition, the water electric heater can be easily replaced with an oil one.

Frameless glazing

This type of glazing seems beautiful and modern, in addition, it takes up a minimum amount of space. However, this solution will turn your balcony into a real freezer. Frost will regularly penetrate into the cracks between the frames, so discard this option immediately. Your option is double glazing only. The salvation in this situation will be plastic windows with hinged sashes. They are easy to care for and not particularly large; in addition, mosquito nets can be inserted into them.

If plastic double-glazed windows are not to your taste, pay attention to the advanced new products - tilt-and-slide windows with thermal insulation.

Remote glazing of a balcony with brackets

You will get another problem if you remove the glazing by 10-20 centimeters. On the canopy, which will certainly cover your glazing from above, piles of snow will accumulate in winter, and in spring and summer rainwater will knock loudly and obnoxiously on it. In addition, external glazing will ruin the attractive appearance.

Single-layer insulation

For some reason, many people believe that for complete insulation it is enough to line the inside of the loggia with one layer of foam blocks. This is fundamentally wrong, because such a wall will freeze completely. It is recommended to add stone wool insulation to this design.

Insulation without vapor barrier

Condensation is the main problem with insulation in a room. Temperature changes between the cold concrete panels and the warm air inside will certainly lead to the appearance of unwanted moisture. And condensation, as you know, brings with it other problems - mold and mildew, which are very difficult to get rid of. You can get rid of them by installing a vapor barrier. To do this, you need to cover the walls on the balcony or loggia with plastic film or foil. This method is especially relevant if you plan to decorate the walls with mineral wool.

Now there are materials on the market that combine insulation and vapor barrier. One of them is polystyrene foam with film or glassine applied to it. Another material is foil penofol.

Application of sealant without a protective layer

Polyurethane foam is an ideal material for sealing seams during insulation. But there is one problem - leaving the sealant in its natural state, you leave it to be torn apart by the sun's rays, which will always be in abundance on the balcony. They will simply destroy it, crumbling it into small pieces. However, this can be avoided by protecting the outside of the material. Excess sagging should be cut off, then sand the surface using sandpaper, and then cover it with any acrylic paint. In this case, putty or construction tape will also work—in short, anything that will protect the sealant from the sun’s deadly rays.

To avoid overloading the floor slab, it is worth choosing modern materials that are light in weight as floor insulation. Penoplex or mineral wool mats are laid in two layers on top of the vapor barrier substance. Next, the resulting structure is covered with waterproofing. The mastic-based strips are fastened together with a blowtorch. If it is not possible to use open fire for safety reasons, fastening is done mechanically. Next comes a layer of plywood, and then the floor covering itself - carpet or laminate.

You can also turn to a more traditional method of insulation, when wooden logs are laid on the floor slabs, and insulation is placed between them.

Extra work on insulating the wall between the room and the balcony

Spending money and time on this venture will be useless. The rooms are already warm enough to insulate the wall between them.

Carelessness in small things

Any detail that seems insignificant can cause big problems if everything is not thought through in advance. All the work done can be reduced to zero due to minor negligence. Therefore, it makes sense to consider this:

• gypsum putty is not used for sealing seams;
• before starting the insulation procedure, the gaps between the floor slabs and the glazing plane must be filled;
• Before starting glazing work, you need to consider the height of the handles on the opening window sashes;
• the width and shape of the window sill boards (if provided) must also be thought out in advance;
• It is also worth considering the number and necessity of installing mosquito nets;
• when using wooden elements for insulation, they must be treated in advance to prevent moisture and rot.

If all the above mistakes are not your case, it means that you were meticulous and attentive to the insulation of the loggia. This means that you will certainly get the desired result with high quality. The fruits of your home improvement efforts will delight you and your family for many years to come.

Insulate a balcony without glazing

If the loggia was originally without frame and glass and made in the French style, then it can be protected from the cold with the help of panoramic glazing. Such construction provides spaciousness, security and versatility of the fenced space.

Installation of this structure is a complex and materially expensive process, since the balcony will have to be glazed on all sides from floor to ceiling. But thanks to this installation, you can create an extraordinary loggia design with a view of the city’s beauty. The disadvantage of insulation is that stained glass windows are not able to retain heat in winter.

But there are several ways out of this situation:

1. Heat is lost through the glass insulation, so when installing stained glass windows it is better to choose laminated glass. It is desirable that the distance between the glasses be filled with inert gas. But still, it will not be possible to create complete thermal insulation without an external heat-storing source.
2. Heat loss usually occurs due to the profile allowing warm air to escape. The thickness of the plastic frame is from 80 millimeters. If the profile is made of aluminum, then polymer insulation is inserted around its perimeter.
3. It is better to mount the panorama using dowels in this process. This ensures that the frame fits tightly to the walls.

What materials are best to use for finishing a balcony with your own hands?

Lining

This is the best option for do-it-yourself interior decoration of a balcony. The lining is made of natural wood.

Pros:

• Beautiful appearance
• Environmental friendliness
• Simple and quick installation
• Sufficiently high level of thermal insulation
• Boards can be painted any color

Minuses:

• High price
• Labor-intensive installation
• Low resistance to moisture and temperature changes
• Prone to fire

PVC panels

Even a person who does not have relevant experience can work with PVC panels. There is no need to level the walls and ceiling during installation.

Pros:

• Quick and easy installation
• Large selection of colors and textures
• High moisture resistance
• Easy to care for

Minuses:

• Fragility
• Tendency to burn out in the sun
• Short service life

MDF panels

MDF panels consist of fine wood chips bonded with synthetic resins. They have a high environmental class - E1.

Pros:

• Easy installation
• Affordable price
• Aesthetic appearance
• Good thermal and sound insulation characteristics

Minuses:

• Burn out in the sun
• Low resistance to moisture and frost
• Higher cost compared to lining and plastic panels

Moisture-resistant drywall

Most often used as a base for finishing with other materials. You can also paint drywall or wallpaper it.

Pros:

• Low cost
• Easy to install
• Increased heat and sound insulation characteristics
• Possibility of mounting elements of complex shapes and configurations

Minuses:

• Fragility
• Using a frame for installation inevitably reduces the volume of the room

Tile

Tiles are considered the most suitable material for finishing open balconies. Subject to certain conditions, it can also be laid on closed balconies.

Pros:

• Durability, wear resistance
• Large selection of colors, shapes and textures
• Easy to care for

Minuses:

• Fragility
• Violation of laying technology worsens the quality of the coating and its appearance.

Decorative plaster

It is made on the basis of a synthetic or mineral binder with the addition of various fillers and additives.

Pros:

• Excellent decorative properties
• Durability
• Preservation of heat in the room
• Porous structure allowing walls to breathe
• Resistance to various mechanical damages
• No harmful substances in the composition

Minuses:

• To work with the material, you need to study the technique of application and decoration.

Sale up to 70%

Favorite client

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Decorative rock

This option for decorating a balcony with your own hands is suitable for people who want to emphasize their individuality and impeccable taste, as well as create an unusually cozy indoor microclimate.

Pros:

• Variety of textures and colors
• Resistance to high temperatures, rotting, insects
• Possibility of restoration
• Installation does not require special tools or professional skills

Minuses:

• High cost compared to other types of finishing materials

To decorate open balconies, you can use the following materials: plaster, decorative tiles, lining, moisture-resistant paint. To decorate the walls of closed balconies, it is recommended to use wooden and PVC lining, artificial stone, vinyl siding, MDF panels, and liquid wallpaper.

How to decorate the inside of a balcony inexpensively with your own hands? The cheapest option is to decorate the balcony with plastic panels. They are quite durable, and the honeycomb voids that exist in the material will serve as an additional layer of thermal insulation. And if you need to get a unique and inimitable design, you should give preference to decorative stone or natural wood.

The most durable materials are decorative stone and ceramic tiles. But PVC panels will last only a few years.

When choosing materials for finishing a balcony, the following factors should be taken into account:

• selected interior design;
• features of care for finishing materials;
• Is it possible to carry out minor repairs yourself?
• price;
• terms of Use.

Tip: If natural wood is chosen for finishing, before use it must be treated with a high-quality antiseptic to increase its resistance to moisture.

Features of balcony design in various styles:

• decorative plaster is suitable for a room decorated in a loft, hi-tech or minimalist style;
• finishing with tiles will be the best solution for a loggia decorated in a classic, minimalist, loft, hi-tech, country style;
• decorating a balcony with clapboards with your own hands will be appropriate in any style: from country to Scandinavian style;
• decorative stone is appropriate in the following interior styles: minimalism, gothic, baroque, empire, castle, hi-tech, minimalism, modern, ethnic, country;
• MDF panels are suitable for rooms decorated in a modern or classic style;
• PVC panels are characterized by a wide variety of colors and textures, so they can be used to decorate a room in any style.

Insulation of a glass balcony with cold glazing

Warmth in the loggia in winter can be achieved in several ways. But before this, it is important to dismantle the cold glass. They need to be removed from the frame, and then all remnants of finishing components must be removed from the window openings. After this, new frames are installed to install double-glazed windows in them.

Specialists install inserts with H-shaped guides into the upper part of the double-glazed windows. The glass is attached to vertical bars. Fastenings are installed using profile sections. Their length is 20 centimeters. Next comes the laying of rubber seals.

The profile made of rubber material guarantees a strong connection of the glass. Thanks to this, high-quality thermal insulation and sealing of stained glass windows occurs.

Insulation of floors and walls

You can additionally retain heat inside the balcony by insulating the surfaces. It is important to take into account the thickness of the insulating layer, which should be up to 63 millimeters, and this is equal to the height of the frame profile.

Floor insulation with polystyrene foam and laminate covering

Surface insulation takes place:

1. With low thermal conductivity.
2. Increased strength. It will no longer be possible to add another structure, so this will be the main covering.
3. The ideal material is polystyrene foam 50 millimeters wide or a high-quality screed 1 centimeter wide.
4. It is important to apply aluminum adhesive tape at the joints of thermal insulation boards.
5. It is recommended to insulate the inside walls on the sides with high-density polyester foam.
6. It is better to seal the external walls with a third polystyrene foam foil tape.
7. Particular emphasis should be placed on sealing the gaps where the heat insulator is attached to the frame.

Coating walls with thermal insulation

How does glazing replacement work work?

To replace glass you need to do the following:

1. Determine the mass that the parapet can support. In this case, glass that is too heavy cannot be used, as the balcony structure may collapse.
2. Remove cold windows. To do this, you need to cut off the mounting foam, remove the glass, and disconnect the fasteners.
3. Install new windows. It is best to use plastic structures with double glazed windows. They provide good thermal insulation.

Replacing double-glazed windows is of great importance.

Insulation of a balcony with a common facade

Each insulation method has its own nuances. Also, the problem of insulation can be solved through alternative methods. These options are considered universal and are suitable for insulating many façade balconies.

Warm floor

A viable option only if high-quality double-glazed windows are installed and heat loss is minimal. Film heating materials for floors have the following advantages:

• simple installation;
• The floor just needs to be connected to the power supply for it to work;
• the surface heats up quickly;
• If the system is turned off, the floor will cool down fairly quickly.

If the balcony with a combined facade is too large, then the overall space in it will be cooled. The main level of heat is retained only in a small layer of air located near the walls. Another insulation option is foil penofol. This material will slightly raise the floor, but the quality of the insulation is inferior to ponoplex.

A particular danger is the use of mineral wool. Without a vapor barrier, it will quickly become damp. This process will have a depressing effect on the condition of all surfaces on the balcony. Downstairs neighbors may notice condensation forming on their ceiling. Inside a room connected without a vapor barrier, condensation definitely occurs quickly.

Connection to room

Combining the balcony space with the living room is the best solution to the problem of thermal insulation. This option is one of the best, because the loggia will be heated by the general heating of the apartment. A significant disadvantage is that you will have to pay more for heating.

Additionally, you will have to complete permit documentation. Agreement for such repairs can be obtained, but the balcony will have to comply with the general layout of the building. When improving conditions, it will be important to rely on the structures of neighboring loggias. The entire process of approval and combination of two rooms will take about 6 months.

Insulation of the loggia

You cannot carry out the work yourself; it must be done by a professional . Insulating a balcony is much more difficult than other construction processes.

A warm electric option is used for floors. You cannot remove heating radiators and lay water floors, since in the event of an accident, the balcony of the neighbors below will be seriously damaged if it is not equipped with additional communications (which is more likely).

To achieve room temperature at any time of the year, it is necessary to insulate the floors, walls and ceiling. The following materials are used for this purpose:

1. Mineral wool.
2. Expanded clay.
3. Styrofoam.
4. Penoplex.
5. Penofol.
6. Polyurethane foam.

You can cover the insulation product with seamless lining, plasterboard or wooden boards.

It is also necessary to install plastic windows to retain heat in the room. You will have to pay a considerable amount for installation, as well as for the entire arrangement of the balcony.

Owners insulate the loggia when they want to expand the space or create a new small room. The options for its arrangement are different.

What happens if the appearance of the facade changes?

Replacing balcony glazing with warm glass is associated with certain risks. First of all, the appearance of the facade of the house may change. According to the law of the Russian Federation, if you intend to make adjustments to the appearance of the apartment, you must obtain special permission to do so.

It can only be issued by the Housing Inspectorate of the city in which the work is being carried out. To obtain this document, you need to develop a project for the appearance of the building indicating the changes, approve it in several instances and submit the documents to Zhilservice. There they will be considered for 30-45 days, and only then a decision will be made. Naturally, you need to understand that all manipulations will not be free.

If there is no permission, and the façade has been changed, then the culprit may be fined and forced to return it to its previous state. No one will reimburse the costs of work and materials. That is why everyone is trying to replace the glazing without alterations to the facade - otherwise the matter will drag on for more than one month and will require a lot of money.

Floor finishing

If you want the balcony to be comfortable and suitable for use as additional useful space in the apartment, you need to insulate it. It must be said that it makes sense to carry out thermal insulation even if you do not intend to heat the balcony in the winter, since as a result of this procedure you will insulate the room adjacent to the balcony.

Thermal insulation is required not only for walls, but also for ceiling and floor slabs. Therefore, next I will tell you how to finish the floor and at the same time insulate it.

The floor on the balcony is usually done in the following ways:

Next we will consider both options.

Wooden floor on joists

To install a wooden floor on joists you will need the following materials:

• waterproofing film;
• insulation – polystyrene foam, mineral wool, etc.;
• wooden beams;
• batten.

Do-it-yourself work is done in the following sequence:

1. You need to lay a waterproofing film on the floor. Instead, you can also use bitumen mastic, roofing felt or other materials;
2. then beams are laid along the balcony, which will serve as logs. The cross-section of the beam is chosen so that the wooden floor does not rise above the threshold located between the balcony and the main room. The logs must be aligned in level and relative to each other. To do this, you can place scraps of plywood or other suitable material under them;

1. then insulation is placed in the space between the joists;
2. then a waterproofing film is laid;
3. To complete the work, a floorboard is laid on the joists, which is connected to each other in a tongue/groove lock and attached to the joists with self-tapping screws or nails. Keep in mind that you need to leave about a centimeter between the walls and the flooring;

1. At the end of the work, you can lay the floor covering, for example, linoleum, laminate, etc. You can also leave the floorboard as a finishing coating, treating it with impregnation or opening it with varnish.

This completes the process of installing the floor on the joists. It must be said that some balconies have a fire hatch. In this case, the work will become somewhat more complicated, since by law it cannot be sealed.

Accordingly, you will have to make a cover. To do this, make a frame from the slats and attach the boards to it. A timber should be laid around the perimeter of the hatch, as shown in the photo above.

Parallel warm panoramic balcony

Insulation using geo-line technology.

The technology does not affect the existing facade structure; a warm contour of PVC structures is installed parallel to the panoramic glazing. This option provides maximum performance in terms of noise resistance and heat transfer, but is not entirely convenient when washing glass between the facade structure and PVC glazing installed close to the aluminum facade structure. This glazing option is the cheapest of all three possible options for insulating facade glazing. Only you will have to get used to the constant help of specialists who will remove double-glazed windows from PVC glazing every time they wash the inter-frame space (between the aluminum external facade and the PVC structure that fits tightly to the facade). Otherwise, this is also a very reliable and good option for solving your problem of good insulation of the balcony facade.

Stages of work and facade insulation technology

Measurement and approval of the project.

Our specialist comes to you for inspection and measurements, draws up an estimate on the spot, and coordinates access to the roof with the management company of your home.

Next, you make an advance payment of 70% of the contract price

After 2-3 weeks, delivery of new windows, double-glazed windows and components is carried out. When signing the acceptance certificate, the remaining 30% is paid.

Removal of glazing.

Installers remove aluminum glazing beads from the inside, or climbers (who have technical access to such work) hang from the roof of the house from the outside and remove the covers of the mullions and crossbars from the façade glazing from the outside. Fixed glass and aluminum sashes are dismantled.

Replacement of glass with double glazing in façade glazing.

Installation of windows and insulation of facade glazing. Thermal bridges made of polyamide are inserted into the racks and crossbars of the facade, creating a thermal break in the aluminum system, which eliminates “cold bridges” and increases the heat transfer coefficient of the structure. Spacers are used to level the facade line, insert energy-saving double-glazed windows into blind window fillings, and install new metal-plastic windows to replace cold sashes. The junction of the side walls of the balcony and the new glazing is insulated with butyl tapes and polyurethane foam. In some cases, insulation with penoplex and penofol requires interfloor ceilings. The installation seams are covered with plastic platbands or painted metal flashings. After these works, it is logical to finish the loggias and balconies.

Our vast experience in designing and installing translucent structures, coupled with the professionalism of high-rise installers, is the key to warmth and comfort in your home!

Call our manager and make sure there are no problems with installation or after it! Only convenience, comfort and joy!

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