What is the temperature on the balcony with cold glazing?

What does a cold balcony mean?

A cold balcony or cold glazing involves the installation of aluminum or PVC windows with single glass (sometimes single-chamber double-glazed windows). Aluminum, due to its high thermal conductivity, is not able to maintain a comfortable above-zero temperature on the balcony. PVC profiles consisting of 3 or fewer chambers also do not provide effective heat conservation. In addition, the installation width of such frames is less than 60 mm, and therefore it is not possible to install a double-chamber warm double-glazed window. The cold type of balconies also includes frameless Finnish glazing, which lacks the usual window frames.

The main purpose of cold glazing

– this is protection from wind, drafts, precipitation and dust, as well as the opportunity to beautifully and modernly decorate this area at a relatively low cost. “Cold” windows will not be able to make your balcony or loggia warm, because they are not based on multi-chamber double-glazed windows with energy-saving properties, and the profile is not able to withstand low temperatures.

In this case, you should figure out whether it is worth insulating a balcony with cold glazing, how rational and economically profitable it is.

Conditions for long-term storage of vegetables

The main requirements for the balcony on which it is planned to “settle” plant reserves are the presence of glazing and internal or external insulation. However, the second condition is mandatory only for apartments located in a climate zone with cold winters, since most fruits and vegetables are best preserved at temperatures close to zero.

On unglazed terraces exposed to wind and rain, supplies will not last long. Although plants love high humidity, its excess significantly accelerates the decay process.

Some vegetables do well at room temperature

On a note. If you put pumpkin, potatoes and well-dried onions in boxes, drawers or baskets, they will quietly lie in the kitchen for a couple of months. But carrots, beets and cabbage will wither in just a couple of days in warm conditions.

How to properly store vegetables on the balcony in winter:

1. Various root vegetables (carrots, turnips, beets) love temperatures ranging from 0 to +1°C and high humidity (85-95%). Therefore, they will “live” the longest if they are sprinkled with slightly damp sand in well-ventilated boxes. Fabric containers or regular bags are also suitable for these vegetables.
2. Potatoes are one of the most unpretentious products and can be stored in almost any solid container (trays, metal mesh, boxes) in a layer up to 1 meter thick. The optimal temperature is from +1 to +5°C. An important condition is that the vegetable store with potatoes must be darkened so that the tubers do not sprout.
3. Onions and garlic are also “long-livers”. Their heads can be woven by their tails into braids or bundles, placed loosely in boxes or hung in nets and kept at a temperature of -2 to 0°C until spring.
4. Cabbage (white cabbage, savoy, red cabbage) - feels excellent at temperatures from -1 to + 2 ° C, especially if it is laid out on shelves or in large trays with the stalks facing up. Cauliflower and broccoli should be disassembled into inflorescences and frozen - simple refrigeration is not enough for these varieties for long-term storage.
5. Apples and pears - fruits are best placed in cardboard or wooden boxes with a capacity of up to 25 kg, distributed in 1-3 layers and sprinkled with sawdust or scraps of paper from a shredder. It is advisable to keep the temperature within the range from -1 to +4°C (for summer varieties, limits from +2 to +7°C are acceptable).

Is it necessary to insulate a balcony with cold glazing?

As my 20 years of experience in glazing and finishing have shown me, everyone has their own idea of ​​a warm balcony. For some, it is enough to be able to comfortably hang out clothes and smoke in the winter without wearing a down jacket, while others want to remove the balcony block and make this room part of the apartment. If in the first case the optimal temperature is +10˚ C, then in the second - on the loggia or balcony there should be at least +18˚ C at any time of the year! Different requirements – different approaches.

It is quite possible to improve the temperature regime for the first option by finishing with heat-insulating material - noise insulation will increase by an order of magnitude, the temperature will be 5-6 degrees higher than “overboard”. If you want the balcony to be as warm as the apartment, insulation will not pay off. After all, the main heat leakage occurs through window openings. In this case, you will have to reglaze.

I answer briefly the question, does it make sense to insulate a loggia or balcony with cold glazing?

– yes, but at the same time you will not provide such a level of insulation so that the temperature on the balcony is comparable to the temperature in the room. Since the heat transfer through “cold” window structures is too high.

Next, I want to examine this question in more detail, as part of other frequently asked questions, both on the Internet and in contact with me.

Infrared film floor

The heating of balconies insulated by us is successfully handled by an electric heated film floor. We insulate the balcony carefully, so other heat sources are no longer needed. Neither convectors nor fan heaters. One floor is enough in the coldest weather.

Moreover, it warms where it is most needed. If your feet don't get cold, the rest of the person doesn't get cold either)

Cost of heated floors for a balcony

The cost of a set of heated floors for a medium-sized loggia, for example, in a house of the 97th series, is 4,500 rubles. The kit includes: thermostat, heating film and reflective thermal insulation.

Power consumed by film flooring

About 200 watts per 1 square meter. The operation of the floor is controlled by a thermostat, which turns off the heating film when the set air temperature in the room is reached. In fact, the floor consumes energy no more than half the time. Of course, power consumption greatly depends on the area of ​​the window on the parapet. The larger it is, the higher the cost of heating the room. Therefore, we strongly advise customers to reduce its glazing area to reasonable limits. Why leave glass where there will be a closet, for example?

Installation of heated floors on a heated balcony

We make insulated floors of our own design on balconies covered with thick-sheet plywood. The thickness of the floor “pie” is at least 120 mm. It is durable, warm and will never squeak. Reflective thermal insulation made of 3 mm thick polyethylene foam is laid on top of the plywood. On top of it is the infrared film itself of the area that is needed. That's it - after this you can lay the flooring. The operation of the floor is controlled by a thermostat, which we install in a convenient location. Typically this is next to the light switch on the balcony.

In order not to lay a temporary coating during the final puttying and wallpapering, we completely assemble the electrical part, check it, but roll the floor itself again into a small roll. It does not interfere during finishing, and before laying the flooring you only need to cut the tape and level the film.

And of course, don’t forget to place a “reflector” under it with the shiny side up. Which we also leave in a roll with a reserve area. This job takes a few minutes. But, of course, we can roll out everything right away if the customer has temporary covering, for example, old linoleum from a balcony.

Durability and safety

Most of the heating film market in Russia belongs to Korean manufacturers. It does not burn and does not emit odor when heated, and is mechanically durable. The manufacturer guarantees trouble-free operation for 25 years. In fact, much longer. Even if the warm floor is covered with pillows, the most that can happen is the destruction of the carbon bridges inside the film itself. As a result, only a small part of the floor will stop heating, the rest of the floor will function normally. However, such experiments should not be carried out.

To prevent overheating of the floor, do not place bulky items on the floor, for example, a large bag or mattress. Also, you cannot install a floor under furniture with a blank apron at the bottom instead of legs. On legs or with a narrow support - please. Any place and any furniture.

The sad stories about women's shoes with heels that are told on the Internet are simply myths. This will prevent damage to the floor through the flooring. Even nails that penetrate it do not disable it. Unless the tester gets an electric shock. And even then not much.

Warm Balcony, 2016

Is it necessary to insulate a loggia if it is not used in winter?

An uninsulated loggia adjacent to the wall of your room or kitchen can become a source of air leaks (I think everyone is familiar with the expression “it’s coming out of the wall”). In addition, the doors to the balcony or loggia will still open one way or another, and at the same time cold will enter the room.

Nobody talks about the major insulation that we do under the room, but at a basic level it is quite rational:

close and insulate all seams between the window frame and the wall;

seal cracks in the walls, if there are any; most often they form in the corners of old structures;

put insulation with a reflective surface on the floor, walls and ceiling;

make finishing, for example, with PVC panels.

Inexpensive and effective in this situation.

How to insulate floors and ceilings

After insulation of the front part it will no longer be so cold and windy to continue the work. Now you can begin to insulate the base. Of the many options for floor insulation, one of the optimal solutions is the construction of a wooden frame, in the cells of which sheet foam is laid.

The procedure for thermal insulation of the floor:

1. Clean the base and seal cracks.
2. Treat the concrete base with liquid rubber or mastic.
3. Lay down plastic film for moisture protection.
4. Prepare wood blocks for assembling the frame.
5. Assemble the frame and attach it to the concrete base.
6. Place thermal insulation material into the frame cells.
7. Lay down the finished floor boards.

Insulation of the ceiling surface can be done using polystyrene foam or mineral wool, which must be reliably protected from moisture absorption.

As soon as the installation of insulation is completed, decorative finishing of the floor is done

Is it necessary to insulate a balcony with plastic windows?

Plastic windows come in different varieties, from basic assembly with standard parameters to premium class. Accordingly, the technical characteristics of such structures will differ significantly, despite the warm PVC profile.

Plastic windows ≠ warm balcony. It all depends on the configuration of the window systems.

Therefore, you need to insulate a balcony or loggia with plastic windows if you want to ensure there the same temperature as inside a living space. Plastic frames with 3 or more chambers really improve heat efficiency. But here also do not forget about the double-glazed windows and the quality of materials that are responsible for the tightness of window structures. Therefore, if you have plastic windows, but they use “unimportant” double-glazed windows, first of all replace the glass and check whether the rubber seal is worn out.

Preparatory work

Carry out preparatory work according to the following algorithm:

1. Take out furniture and belongings.
2. Remove old frames.
3. Remove the existing cladding.
4. Clean the surface to be insulated.
5. Seal cracks and joints with foam or caulk.

You should not damage the integrity of the metal railings, as they can be used as a frame for installing insulation, fastening siding or lining.

Homeowners often decide to remove the partition and combine the room with a balcony. To do this, perform the following work:

• remove doors;
• remove windows with frames;
• dismantle the wall.

After the opening is cleared, the following activities are carried out:

1. Check the condition of the opening.
2. Plan the surface.
3. Close up the cavities.
4. Perform waterproofing treatment.

Having completed the preparatory activities, proceed with the installation of double-glazed windows.

Due to the affordable price, almost everyone can afford PVC window structures

Is it necessary to insulate the ceiling on the balcony?

The main source of heat loss is not only window structures and walls, but also poorly finished ceilings. For some reason, he is underestimated the most and in vain. Firstly, warm air is always located at the top, so if there are any gaps or errors there, the heat will go either to the neighbors above or to the street. Secondly, due to the warm air accumulated at the top, condensation, dampness and mold form on the uninsulated ceiling.

In some cases, there is no need to insulate the ceiling on a balcony or loggia if your neighbors above have insulated the floor.

It is better to entrust the insulation of the ceiling on the loggia to professionals, because the quality and further operation of the balcony structure depends on the order in which the layer of thermal insulation, vapor and waterproofing is laid.

The vapor barrier layer is installed closer to the interior, and the waterproofing layer is installed closer to the street.

Is it possible to glass a balcony in winter?

Let us immediately clarify that we are not talking about frosts of -30℃ and below, but rather about a mild winter with temperatures above -20℃. During the warm months, it is preferable to do any construction work. In summer, special compounds and mixtures dry and harden faster, ventilation occurs without problems if repairs are carried out indoors. And when performing outdoor work, builders will not freeze and waste time taking breaks to warm up.

But glazing a balcony in winter is also possible and this is not such a rare occurrence. It even has advantages, we'll talk about them later. Therefore, the answer to the question whether it is possible to glaze a loggia in winter will be positive only if you do not live in the Far North. Most regions experience relatively warm, calm days during the winter months. It is worth planning winter glazing work at this time.

There is one recommendation when work on the loggia needs to be postponed until the cold weather subsides - restoration of the balcony slab is required. Concreting is done in the warm season.

Is it necessary to insulate the floor on a balcony or loggia?

I think many people are familiar with the situation when, going barefoot onto the balcony, you are faced with a cold floor surface; in winter it is unthinkable to go out onto such a balcony without slippers. Then what kind of warm balcony can we talk about? If you are making a warm balcony/loggia in all senses of the word, insulating the floor is not only worth it, but is mandatory.

In this case, before starting repair work, check the condition of the concrete slab, whether it is damaged and whether it can withstand additional loads from the concrete screed. If this is necessary, strengthen the base, and also choose lightweight modern materials with heat-insulating properties. Additionally, use hydro- and vapor barrier tapes.

Finishing

Answer: There are various materials for finishing balconies and loggias. The standard ones include lining, plastic panels, etc. You can read in more detail about the range of materials here – Finishing balconies and loggias.

Answer: There are 3 types of insulation: Minimum - 10 mm penofol protects from winds and retains heat. With aluminum glazing, the temperature in winter is -20° on your balcony -5°-10°. When using PVC glazing on the balcony, the temperature will not go to minus; Standard insulation is 30 mm penoplex + 10 mm penofol. With PVC glazing, the temperature outside is minus 20; on the loggia the temperature is positive (glazing and insulation reduce heat loss), if there is a heat source, then this is a separate living space; The maximum - penoplex 50 mm + penofol 10 mm is used when combining an apartment with a room.

Answer: For wall decoration we use plastic panels, lining, and natural wood. The floor can be covered with ceramic tiles, parquet or laminate. It all depends on your wishes!

Answer: Of course! We can implement almost any project, but the standard deadlines are slightly shifted upward.

Answer: We can produce any furniture for balconies and loggias, be it cabinets, cabinets, shelving, etc. All furniture is made to order. This guarantees that it will fit perfectly into the interior of your balcony and fulfill its purpose perfectly!

Answer: We specialize in insulating balconies and loggias; we have been working using proven technology since 2005.

Answer: The external decoration of a balcony includes its external cladding. As a rule, it is performed with corrugated sheets or siding. As a rule, external finishing is performed in conjunction with glazing.

Answer: It all depends on the volume, for example, a three-meter loggia with standard insulation, finishing with PVC panels and laminate takes 3-4 days.

Answer: If you do not feel the need for a warm balcony, you can choose a cold finishing option. It will save your home from noise, wind, dust, rain and snow. The finishing options are varied, you can choose what will match the overall style of the apartment and your taste.

Answer: To finish the slopes, we use a sandwich panel 10 mm thick, which allows you to preserve the warmth and attractive appearance of the windows for many years.

Many modern apartments are equipped with balconies and loggias. This space can be used effectively if the structure is glazed and insulated. In a well-insulated space, you can arrange a study, a relaxation space, and even a compact bedroom. In this regard, various questions arise. Among them are how to insulate a loggia so that it is warm in winter, what materials to use, and whether it is possible to insulate a balcony in winter.

Does it make sense to insulate a balcony without heating?

Heating is not the main factor in insulation; besides, it is forbidden to install radiators on the balcony in accordance with the general requirements of building codes. Functionally, the main task of heat-insulating materials is to retain heat inside the room and cold air outside. The insulation does not warm the balcony, it simply does not allow the cold to pass through, and therefore, given the general tightness of the box, to create comfortable conditions it is worth insulating the balcony or loggia, even if they are not heated.

If you want to additionally warm up this area, install an oil or electric heater there.

Is it possible to insulate a balcony with double-glazed windows?

To ensure a comfortable temperature regime, modern double-glazed windows are installed.

It is important to take into account climatic conditions, depending on which different frame designs are used:

• two-chamber. Allows you to maintain a favorable temperature with a slight decrease in temperature in winter;
• three-chamber. Provide an increased level of thermal insulation in cold climate zones.

When deciding to combine the living space of an apartment with a balcony, it is not advisable to install old wooden frames. They cannot provide a comfortable temperature level.

The next most important factor influencing the quality of insulation is the choice of insulation

Tips for glazing loggias

The main principle to be followed when glazing a balcony is its purpose - how you are going to use it.

• If the loggia is part of a living space or a greenhouse is planned to be created there, then an aluminum summer loggia will not be suitable. In this case, it is better to choose warm glazing: a loggia made of plastic or euro-timber with multi-glazed windows. Such loggias will retain heat indoors much better.
• If the balcony does not have such a purpose, then creating a summer loggia is the best choice. Then this space can be used for storing supplies for the winter, as a pantry or even a wardrobe.