Rules for insulating balconies with panoramic glazing

Insulation of facade glazing is necessary for almost every apartment. A balcony with this type of glazing is designed in such a way that the residents of the premises are faced with the problem of lack of warmth even in the first winter. Sometimes apartment owners, when ordering glazing, think only about its appearance, not paying attention to practicality, but soon they also have to solve problems with insulating cold facade glazing.

The most affordable type of insulation is the replacement of cold glazing with warm glazing. The existing structure is completely destroyed or profiles that can retain heat are installed. When choosing a glazing method, it is necessary to pay attention to the features of the structure in which it is installed. In addition, you need to take into account the characteristics of the facade and the amount of work that will have to be paid.

Expert opinion

Konstantin Alexandrovich

Installation of facade glazing is carried out by professionals.

To give your loggia not only functionality, but also an aesthetic appearance, you can opt for Finnish frameless glazing of balconies.

What is façade glazing of a balcony?

This term refers to finishing the facade with glass material. To save money, developers make cold loggias . This is done to prevent precipitation and wind from entering this part of the housing. To make the use of balconies comfortable, apartment decide to glaze and insulate the loggia with a material suitable for arranging the facade.

Figure 1. Insulated balcony.

Advantages and disadvantages of external insulation

Insulation of balcony structures has a number of advantages:

• increase in usable area - you can arrange an additional room on a warm balcony;
• increased level of comfort;
• reduction in electricity costs due to high light transmission;
• pleasant aesthetic appearance;
• durable glazing reduces the possibility of unauthorized persons entering the apartment.

Glazing and insulation have disadvantages:

• reducing the area of ​​the loggia;
• in some new buildings it is prohibited to make changes to the outside of the building, which can lead to legal problems;
• replacing glass on the loggia will require additional financial costs;
• Poorly carried out work on insulating the loggia leads to the appearance of mold.

Legal aspect

Before insulating the balcony and reconstructing the facade, it is necessary to obtain permission from the Bureau of Technical Inventory (BTI). The absence of a document encouraging changes in the design of the building is a guarantee of fines and problems with the authorities. If the owner has not received consent from the authorities to change the front side of the house, the extreme measures that the BTI can take is to demand that the previous appearance be restored. This entails material expenses. In order to obtain approval from the authorities, you need to provide a list of documents, the collection of which does not guarantee a positive decision.

Before you begin replacing glass in multi-story buildings, you need to coordinate the event with the management company, since the work will be performed by industrial climbers.

Conclusion

Insulating such a loggia is a fairly understandable process, and almost any owner of the premises can do it. The cost of such a solution will be significantly lower than if you turn to professionals for help.

To decide how best to insulate façade glazing, you must first study the technical characteristics of the external facade and the building being directly insulated.

Which material to choose

The effectiveness of the work done depends on the material that was chosen as insulation. The modern construction market offers a wide selection that can satisfy the most selective. When insulating the facade of a loggia or balcony, choose the following materials:

• penoplex, foam plastic;
• mineral wool;
• isolon;
• penofol.

Each of them has both advantages and disadvantages. Detailed information is given in the table.

Note to the table: the higher the thermal conductivity index, the smaller the thickness should be used during installation.

Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene foam

These types of materials are among the leaders in frequency of use. The frequency of using polystyrene foam and expanded polystyrene when insulating a balcony is due to their low cost and good thermal conductivity.

Figure 2. Facade glazing of the balcony.

Polystyrene foam is a hardened foam material that retains heat due to the air content inside the pores. When choosing polystyrene foam for insulation, you need to pay attention to thickness and density. The optimal indicator for the first criterion is 5 cm. The higher the density, the stronger the warm layer.

Advantages:

• high thermal insulation qualities;
• low cost;
• long service life;
• absorbs moisture well;
• low labor intensity during installation;
• if chosen correctly, it has high strength;
• does not release toxins;
• no fungus develops inside the plate.

Has a number of disadvantages:

• ignites easily and burns well;
• does not allow air to pass through;
• transmits sound;
• instability to chemical finishing agents.

Extruded polystyrene foam has similar quality characteristics, but has another advantage. It lies in the fact that this material is more homogeneous. Due to this, low thermal conductivity is achieved. Manufacturers produce several varieties of penoplex, each of which is suitable for a specific type of work. To insulate loggias, it is best to use the “Comfort” series.

Other materials for thermal insulation

The closest competitor to polystyrene foam when insulating a cold balcony is basalt mineral wool. The popularity of this material is determined by its good characteristics:

• does not allow heat to pass through;
• does not absorb moisture;
• breathable material;
• resistant to fire;
• high strength;
• does not allow noise from the street to pass through;
• environmentally friendly material does not emit harmful substances;
• fungus does not multiply inside the mineral wool;
• It is possible to use chemicals for finishing.

Disadvantages include high cost and the need for additional protection during operation.

In order to insulate a loggia or balcony, penofol is often used: it is a foam material with an aluminum layer to reflect heat. It has good protection against low temperatures, moisture and noise. Its popularity is due to its versatility: there is no need to install several layers separately for thermal insulation, noise insulation and moisture protection. To improve the quality of thermal protection, complex use is necessary.

There is another material used for insulating balconies. In appearance, isolon resembles the previous material. It has advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of isolon:

• long service life;
• versatility of use;
• does not burn;
• resistance to temperature changes;
• flexibility facilitates easy styling;
• good thermal insulation and sound insulation properties.

Disadvantages include high cost, the need to follow instructions for use, and fragility.

The loggia has panoramic glazing. How to insulate it from the inside?

Insulating a loggia with installed panoramic glazing is possible by performing a series of more or less complex manipulations.

These include:

• closing and insulating seams between double-glazed windows;
• clogging of cracks formed in walls and corner parts of the structure;
• work on insulation of ceiling and floor coverings.

How to insulate seams

First, the seams are cleaned. If panoramic windows on the balcony were installed a long time ago, the window profiles are freed from the remnants of polyurethane foam, plaster and paint applied as part of seasonal cosmetic repairs. This work can be done quickly if you arm yourself with a spatula, the width of which is at least 100 mm.

At the next stage, all voids and gaps are eliminated. To prevent cold air and dampness from penetrating through the balcony into the living space, all detected gaps are filled with polyurethane foam or cemented. The best time for such work is dry, sunny weather.

When the mounting foam dries (this may take about a day), the surface is leveled, and the voids filled with foam are covered with a special construction tape that does not allow moisture to pass through. Sometimes the seams are puttied and sealed with special plastic strips.

How to insulate walls

If the so-called cold glazing of the balcony has already been completed, some of the warm air will escape through the frames. By insulating the walls, the homeowner will achieve partial sealing of the structure.

Work with walls is done as follows:

• Having created a wooden sheathing (for more details, see the article “how to make a sheathing on a balcony”), the master fills each cell with insulation;
• installs the top cladding. Experienced craftsmen prefer to sheathe walls with plasterboard sheets (read more in the article “how to sheathe a balcony with plasterboard”).

Tips for creating a heated floor

A significant portion of cold enters through the uninsulated floor. Therefore, the phrase “warm floor on the balcony” should not be taken with skepticism.

First of all, the balcony slab is leveled. Curvature of balcony slabs is a fairly common occurrence. Floor screed will help correct the situation. The procedure consists of the following steps:

1. Construction of a frame from wooden beams. Long pieces of wood are placed lengthwise, short pieces are placed across. The recommended distance between the cross beams is 50–60 cm. Self-tapping screws are used to make wooden sheathing;
2. Filling the sheathing cells with insulation. In most cases, foam or mineral wool is used;
3. Waterproofing film. This step is not necessary.
4. The final stage of creating a warm floor includes covering the floor with plywood (chipboard) followed by lamination. If you wish, you can get by with ordinary linoleum (for more details, see the article “how to lay linoleum on a concrete floor on a balcony”).

Ceiling insulation

Since warm air flows rise from bottom to top, an uninsulated ceiling will cause heat leakage. The insulation process will not cause any particular complications for the inhabitants of the lower floors. The work will consist of insulating the outer part of the balcony slab located above their heads.

Methods for insulating facade glazing

Insulation of facade glazing means carrying out work on thermal insulation of a balcony with the installation of a ventilated facade . Experts identify several methods that are used to insulate cold facade glazing:

• insulation of existing frames;
• installation of double-layer frames;
• replacement of double-glazed windows.

Each of them has its own characteristics and requires a certain algorithm of actions. When choosing a method, the technical side of the issue (possibility of application in a specific situation), safety, customer preferences, and material resources are taken into account.

Figure 3. Glazing replacement.

Installation of a plastic structure

This term refers to the glazing of a balcony with plastic windows . To perform such work, you need to adhere to a certain sequence: dismantling old window frames, installing plastic windows in a pre-assembled frame, eliminating cracks using construction foam, waterproofing. After checking the tightness, installation of the platbands is carried out. This is done for additional protection against low temperatures and to add aesthetics to the room.

Additional circuit

Insulating the façade glazing of a loggia using a second circuit is appropriate in cases where dismantling the previous one is technically impossible. This term means the installation of a second absolutely identical structure. To carry out this type of insulation, it is necessary to obtain permission from the authorities, since the second circuit not only performs the function of thermal insulation , but doubles the pressure on the balcony slab and load-bearing structures of the building . This method has several disadvantages - inconvenience when opening, reduction in usable area.

Glazing replacement

This type of insulation is considered radical, as it requires the removal of previously installed wooden frames and loggia windows. After dismantling, double or triple glazing is installed. This method is effective because the new glazing does not allow cold air to pass through due to its tightness. In this case, it is possible to install heating devices, which allows you to make the loggia a full-fledged room. Insulation of walls, ceiling and floor will be required to prevent heat loss.

If the owners are going to choose a double-glazed window that differs from the architectural design of the entire house, then they will have to obtain permission from the authorities.

Installation of warm aluminum profile

The term “warm aluminum profile” refers to the presence of a polyamide insert in the middle of an aluminum structure. A cold profile does not have a heat-retaining layer. For this method of insulation, the cold balcony facade is replaced with an aluminum window profile , in the middle of which plastic elements are built in. This requires a 2nd or 3rd glazing. This type will be the optimal solution for southern latitudes and is not suitable for northern regions.

Figure 4. Insulated glazing of the balcony.

Installation of plastic windows

In this case, the old cold glazing is dismantled, the frames remain in place. Window blocks are installed on prepared frame structures . Before installing decorative cladding, it is necessary to check the tightness.

The use of warm plastic windows allows you to save the area of ​​​​the loggia or balcony. The advantages of this method include low cost and low labor intensity.

Insulation of single frames

Provided that the previous frames are strong enough, a second layer of glazed frames is installed on the loggia to retain heat. Before installing the frame structures themselves, you need to make supports on which the second layer of glazing will be placed. The disadvantages of this type of window repair include high material costs and inconvenience in use.

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Insulation of a balcony with a brick parapet

Before making a decision on reconstruction and insulation of a balcony with a brick parapet, you need to coordinate your actions with the management company, which will determine the load for the balcony slab that it can withstand. After receiving permission and calculations, you need to check the condition of the brick parapet. If the balcony railing is outdated, it should be reinforced or completely dismantled. Without sufficient reinforcement, the parapet will not be able to support the weight of window structures.

Figure 5. Design of facade glazing.

The insulation of the parapet takes place in several stages:

• the layer closest to the parapet is a waterproofing layer (penofol or isolon);
• at the next stage, the sheathing is made, between the beams of which insulation is laid;
• To ensure tightness, the seams are filled with construction foam.

Strengthening the parapet

Before installing window frame structures, it is necessary to strengthen the parapet, since the mass of double-glazed windows is large. An unreinforced balcony fence is not able to withstand the load. Strengthening is carried out by several types of material: brick, blocks, metal.

When choosing a brick, you need to take into account its large weight, but at the same time it can withstand heavy window frames. A balcony slab is not always able to cope with such a mass. Permission from the management company will be required. In order to install a brick parapet, the old one is dismantled. The brick row must be stacked strictly vertically.

Strengthening a metal structure may not require removing the old parapet; it is possible to connect a new frame to the old one. If the previous fence is outdated, then you need to dismantle it, leaving the lower part for the subsequent attachment of a new frame. Pipes or angles are used to construct structures.

To strengthen an existing parapet, foam blocks are often chosen due to their low weight and long service life. The installation technology is similar to the installation of the brick version. Disadvantage: reduced area.

Glass insulation

The construction market offers glass film that can reduce loss. To insulate balcony glass with existing facade glazing, energy-saving film is evenly distributed over the glass, and the joints with the frame are covered with transparent sealant.

This method is chosen if there is no financial opportunity for radical insulation. Advantages of the film:

• low cost;
• ease of use;
• reduction of heat loss;
• does not affect the passage of light.

The disadvantages include a short service life (2 years). This type of insulation cannot replace high-quality installation of warm structures.

Floor insulation

Without additional insulation of walls, floors, and ceilings, it is impossible to turn a loggia into a living space. In order to eliminate heat loss through the floor, expanded clay is laid on which the heated floor is mounted. A cement screed is made on top of the heating element.

Insulation of walls and ceilings

To insulate the walls and ceiling on the balcony , you need to make a sheathing. A waterproofing material is attached to the parapet, on top of which the sheathing is mounted. Insulation is laid between its elements, and finishing is done on top.

Under the lining

If the balcony is strong and can withstand heavy lining, then you can sheathe the “box” with it. Insulation technology begins with gluing polystyrene foam, i.e. the lining is the second layer in the insulation system. This happens as follows:

• the surface is primed, after which a wooden sheathing is placed on it, which serves as a fastening support for the lining;
• sheets of foam plastic are glued into the cells of the sheathing;
• the remaining cracks are filled with mounting foam or sealant;
• wooden logs are laid on the floor, which are also filled with insulation;
• The lining is attached to the sheathing and joists, which can then be treated with varnish for aesthetics.

Preserving the heat of panoramic balconies

Insulating windows on balconies with panoramic windows requires a lot of effort, time and money. In order to turn a panoramic balcony into a living space, it is necessary to install double or triple glazed windows. They have a lot of weight that the balcony slab cannot bear. Therefore, load calculations must be carried out by a special organization. Without available documents on the permissible load, window installation companies will not cooperate. If replacing windows is technically impossible, all that remains is to insulate the floor and ceiling.

The procedure for insulating balconies and loggias is a labor-intensive process, but as a result it is possible to get a warm, comfortable additional room or a full-fledged room.

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.

Minvata

It is not very advisable to insulate a balcony with mineral wool, but this inexpensive material will last a long time if installed correctly. The stages of work are as follows:

• the surface of the balcony needs to be waterproofed with a film onto which mineral wool sheets are glued - you need a special glue of uniform consistency;
• the material is attached to the surface coated with glue without excessive pressure - otherwise the cotton wool will lose its heat-insulating properties;
• carefully join the canvases without gaps, additionally fastening the canvases with dowels (after the glue has dried);
• the top of the mineral wool is covered with a vapor barrier film and mounted with a reinforcing grid;
• floors are insulated in the same way, but with the installation of joists (beams), between which mats are laid;
• the entire “box” is covered with clapboard or PVC panels, timber.

Polyethylene film, special membranes or foil are used as a vapor barrier. You can avoid installing a separate vapor barrier if you use materials with low vapor permeability.

Preparing the surface for work

Before starting work, the wall is cleared of plaster and leveled.
If all the conditions for work are met (the parapet is strengthened, double-glazed windows without cracks, permission has been received), it’s time to start preparing the surface. Stages:

1. remove the old insulation from the wall on the balcony, if any;
2. level the wall;
3. wash the surface, remove debris.

For the plaster (wet) method of insulation, the wall must be as smooth as possible; for the ventilated method, it is enough to remove large flaws.