The renovation is in full swing and it comes to improving the balcony? Of course, the modern variety in the service market makes you tense. Everyone wants high quality and cheap. How about making a balcony glazing with your own hands? Let's figure it out together.
Stage one - preparation.
You cannot do without it. It is important that the balcony does not collapse under the weight of the structure, the windows do not fly out at the first wind, and the sheathing does not come off as quickly as it is being installed.
Technical analysis is one of the components of the initial action. Assessment of design features, the percentage of dilapidation (accident rate) of a dwelling - these parameters will make it possible to conclude whether the structure of the house is designed for the fact that there will be an additional load on the balcony in the form of glazing.
After making sure that all this will definitely not collapse, we proceed to additional strengthening of the parapet. Depending on the future load, the reinforcement is carried out by means of foam concrete blocks or metal.
Which material should you choose? The answer depends on your goals and the technical capabilities of the home. Metal will be universal, suitable even for extremely dilapidated balconies.
How to do this is indicated in detail in the diagram. We only note that a strong metal structure "ties" the parapet and is able to take on the main load of the glazing system.
If your balcony is strong and wide, then you can use foam blocks. This material also serves as excellent thermal insulation. But such a structure requires reinforcement with reinforcement. Otherwise, the desired effect will not be achieved.
After the preparatory work is completed, you can, without fear, deal directly with what, in fact, everything was started for.
Stage two - design selection.
- Wooden euro windows have a long service life, so you shouldn't worry that they will rot or dry out under the influence of external factors.
- Aluminum frames are cheap, lightweight and are most often used for cold glazing.
- If we take PVC, then they have a wide range in the field of additional functions - noise insulation, thermal insulation, imitation of a certain style in architecture, etc. Of course, they are heavier than aluminum ones and are used for warm glazing.
How are things going with the illumination of the room? In addition to frames, you should also pay attention to glass. You have a sunny side, but on the balcony you want to make a playroom? To prevent the baby's delicate skin from being exposed to ultraviolet rays, sun-protection glasses are used, which are covered with a film by means of a special technology.
How Energy Saving Glass Works
This glass absorbs almost 99.9% of the radiation. Or maybe the balcony is a future greenhouse? For this, tinted glass is used, which does not allow the sun's rays to penetrate through the glass and create a "magnifying glass" effect.
Colored glass, stained glass - these are ideas for specific styles of both interior and exterior. Well, and finally, energy-saving windows. The thinnest layer of metal is applied to the glass surface at the factory, which retains the heat inside the room.
Glass, construction, reinforcement - all preparatory issues have been covered, the decision has been made. It remains only to understand how you can glaze it at all. To do this, go to the next step.
Video - what is and what are the possibilities of energy-saving glass:
Stage three - the choice of the glazing method.
The variety is surprising, just look at the neighboring house. What you will not see there, but we focus on the methods.
a) With the removal. The internal space becomes wider due to the removal of the window profile (relative to the main fence). The increase is insignificant - 20-25 cm. A window sill can be placed on such a frame.
b) Frameless. In fact, you get a panoramic window without vertical frames and horizontal partitions. A lot of light is a plus. A problem with leaving (like washing) is a minus. The design is quite durable, so you shouldn't worry about bad weather.
Stage four - installation of the visor.
This should be done before the glazing system is installed, in order not to think later how to stick it there so that it does not come off. Using ordinary dowel-nails, we attach it to the ceiling.
After the visor is fixed, you can start glazing, but first, you should fix the anchor plates on all sides, except for the bottom.
Video - installation of a loggia with a visor:
Stage five - step-by-step instructions for glazing.
Of course, the balcony should be freed from everything that was previously there: chairs, flowers, linoleum, tiles, old rubbish and so on. The question of strengthening was touched upon earlier, so we will omit the description of this procedure.
Installation of wooden windows.
Correct installation according to gost
Installation of the frame. The bars that serve as the base are pre-treated with a sealant (but only the mounting surface). Further, a wooden structure is erected along the perimeter using mounting dowels.
Installation of windows. Frames must be glazed, as the glasses can simply break. Installation is carried out in the following sequence: frontal structure - side elements.
After - it is obligatory to seal the seams with the help of sealant and polyurethane foam. When everything hardens (at least a day), you can glaze. But first, all grooves must be treated with silicone sealant. The beads, with which the glass is fixed, must firmly press it against the frame.
Video - how to glaze a balcony with wooden windows:
Installation of an aluminum frame.
- We eliminate all unnecessary things, namely: we remove all the opening elements, so as not to complicate our life, we remove the glazing, as in the previous case.
- Plates for mounting are attached to the frame (with self-tapping screws for metal), with a step of 700 mm or more.
- Installation of the frame in the opening, followed by alignment (horizontal, vertical, plane).
- Fastening the mounting plates to surfaces with dowels.
- We hang the sash, return the glass.
- All holes and gaps are eliminated with polyurethane foam.
Video - how to install an aluminum frame with your own hands:
Almost every apartment has its own balcony. And this room serves everyone for different purposes: often some make a warehouse out of it for all unnecessary things in the house that did not fit into the closet or just interfere in the house, while others store vegetables there in winter and autumn, others do not use it at all ... Nevertheless, such use of additional space in the apartment cannot be called rational. After all, the balcony has a fairly large space, why not make your own study out of it, where you can concentrate and work calmly, a small winter garden, a workshop, a playroom for children, or just a comfortable place where you can relax. But in order to make all these fantasies come true, you need to take care of good glazing and insulation of the balcony. However, this is easier said than done. Further in the article, you can find out how to glaze a balcony with your own hands. To install windows efficiently and quickly, you need to adhere to some rules and little things. Let's take a closer look at everything.
How to glaze a balcony
In order to glaze your balcony, you first need to decide how to glaze it and in what way. Indeed, today there are many options. Let's look at them, then you can choose exactly the one that suits you both in terms of price and purpose.
Balcony glazing methods:
- Cold glazing.
- Panoramic glazing.
Cold glazing has been used for many years, but it has not lost its popularity even now. Single glasses are inserted into the lightweight frame. This is the cheapest option, since you can only protect the balcony from the external environment, but do not insulate it in any way in order to make a study or a place for relaxation out of the room. The main purpose of cold glazing is to protect the balcony from rain, wind, dust, dirt and debris. To some extent, you can protect yourself from the noise from the street, but not fully. To glaze a balcony in this way, most often they use wooden frames and an aluminum profile.
Advantages:
- the cheapest glazing option;
- creating a cozy space, protected from the external environment, where you can have a good time, especially in summer.
Disadvantages:
- lack of heat, which is felt in the winter and autumn seasons;
- if you make a frame out of wood, over time it can rot and collapse.
Panoramic glazing of the balcony is very attractive and effective and is often done in elite class houses. In this case, the glass railing is mounted from the ceiling to the floor itself, without the use of frames. Guides are installed at the bottom and top, into which glasses are inserted on special attachment points. Thanks to this, it seems to you that there is no glass at all on the balcony, and you are standing in an open space. To make such glazing, you need to use special durable glass, it is stronger and thicker than usual, they are not so easy to break with a simple blow, and they will not crack in severe frosts. By choosing this type of glazing, you can provide good sound insulation. However, it is impossible to perform such glazing on your own, since such work requires professionalism. Glazing sections can be hinged, hinged or sliding.
Advantages:
- beautiful view and attractiveness of the balcony;
- long service life of the entire structure;
- perfectly protects against external factors;
- much more light enters the room.
Disadvantages:
- you cannot do it yourself;
- correspondingly high cost;
- in hot summertime, the balcony will be exposed to direct sunlight even more, due to the lack of a parapet and frames, so it will be hot in the room.
Sliding glazing is used when the balcony takes up little space, so it is more advisable to complete it. Thanks to special roller mechanisms, you can simply move the sashes, which do not take up much space.
Advantages:
- protects the balcony well from wind, precipitation, dust and insects;
- saves space if you live in a Khrushchev and your balcony is very small.
Disadvantages:
- poor thermal insulation, since the structure is often made of an aluminum profile with one glass, which cannot fully retain heat.
Basic materials used for glazing
To glaze a balcony, the following materials are used:
- Aluminum.
- Wood.
Plastic is the most common material for work, since it is plastic frames with single-chamber and two-chamber double-glazed windows that are installed to provide heat and sound insulation on the balcony. This material is inexpensive and performs well for its intended purpose. Your room will be warm and comfortable. Of the advantages of plastic products, it should be noted the strength of glass units, good thermal insulation and tightness. Glazing the balcony with plastic windows, you will also save yourself from the need for frequent painting and complex maintenance. Moreover, such a balcony will look quite dignified and beautiful.
Aluminum glazing is performed using aluminum profiles - they are much lighter and thinner than plastic ones. This is its advantage over other materials. Due to their low weight, such glazing frames can be installed on balconies that are weak in structure, unable to withstand heavy loads. Most often, aluminum is used for cold glazing of a balcony using single glass.
The most budgetary option for glazing a balcony can be called wooden frames with single glass. Usually, cheap wood does not have sound insulation characteristics and can allow cold to pass into the room. However, this can be said about the budget option. If you do not save money, then you can buy modern frames that are much more expensive, but have excellent sound insulation and thermal insulation characteristics. Moreover, such glazing looks natural and gives the balcony a solid look.
So, having considered all the glazing options, having learned about the materials that can be used for this purpose, you can weigh the pros and cons in order to choose the option that will suit you both in terms of material and for the implementation of your goals. Now let's find out how to properly glaze a balcony with our own hands.
Some moments
If you live in a Khrushchev, then it should be noted that you will not be able to simply glaze the balcony, since you will face a number of difficulties. The first of them - when the houses were originally designed, no one expected that the balconies would later be glazed. Therefore, the balcony was an additional concrete slab protruding from the wall of the facade of the house, which was simply enclosed by a fence on three sides. Frames with glass or other devices that would separate the interior space were absent in such a balcony. That is why, when you decide to glaze the balcony with your own hands, it is important to consider that first you need to install a single structure, which would include a frame, opening mechanisms, a balcony parapet that needs to be sheathed.
All these additional elements will naturally make the entire structure heavier, which, in turn, will put additional stress on the balcony and supports. All this can lead to the fact that the supports will collapse.
It is worth considering that if you live on the top floor, then when glazing is carried out, work on the construction of the roof awaits you. Such work will significantly increase the labor intensity of the process itself, and will also affect the weight of the entire structure.
If you have already done all this, or your balcony is glazed with wooden frames that have already outlived their usefulness and become unsuitable for further use, then they just need to be replaced with new ones. Let's find out in more detail how this can be done.
Precautions for work
Before starting work, it is important to take care of your safety. It is good when the balcony is on the second floor, where the height is small. But when you live on the 5th floor or higher, the distance to the ground is rather big. And since the work will be carried out on an open balcony, wind or gravity can play a cruel joke on you. Therefore, all work must be carried out with a safety belt.
You can buy a regular sports belt, which is both cheaper and lighter than an industrial one. It is clear that an industrial belt is more reliable and durable, but a sports belt will be enough for glazing work, you are not doing climbing. When choosing, pay attention to the length of the halyard, which should be at least 2.5 m in order to ensure comfortable work. A belt with a short halyard will only complicate the work, and if it is very long, then if you fall, you can be injured. It is important that the belt as a whole and the carabiner can withstand a load of about 400 kg. The size of the load should be indicated in the certificate, but if there is none, do not buy this belt.
Now, after purchasing, you need to provide a secure fit for the tether. Therefore, for the duration of the glazing work in the main wall, it is necessary to fix the anchor rod, which has a metal collet, driving it in at least 15 cm deep. A safety rope will be attached to it. Thanks to the observance of basic safety measures, you can protect yourself from serious injury and even death, so be especially careful!
How to glaze a balcony using plastic windows
First of all, your task is to perform all the necessary calculations and measurements. The old glazing must be removed: the frames and all fixing structures are dismantled. Then take a tape measure and measure the distance from the ceiling to the parapet. Write the data down on paper. Then measure the distance from one wall to another, write everything down. Take a building level and, attaching it to the parapet, check its levelness. Everything should be smooth.
Now, having all the data, you need to contact a specialized company that sells plastic windows to place an order. If you just want to protect yourself from wind and rain, while there is no particular desire to use the balcony as a room, you can order a single-chamber double-glazed window, which is cheaper. If the goal is to insulate the balcony so that you can rest or work there, then pay attention to two-chamber double-glazed windows or even three-chamber ones.
To make the balcony warm, windows alone are not enough. We'll have to insulate the entire structure: floor, walls and roof. Only then, in the complex, can you ensure that your balcony becomes a warm place, a part of your warm apartment.
The windows installation process is as follows:
To bring everything to the desired "condition" and give the balcony a more attractive look, you need to make slopes. Please note that all work should be done slowly. Follow all the rules and adhere to the sequence of work. In fact, there is nothing difficult if you figure it out and understand what and how to do. By doing all the work yourself, you can significantly save your money.
Video
This video shows in detail how to make a balcony glazing with an extension, from dismantling old frames and finishing to installing new structures:
This video shows the installation of plastic windows on a balcony with a roof device:
So that the balcony area does not remain ownerless, you can carry out some work to transform it and turn it into a small, but very functional room. Since this room is not heated, first of all, it must be glazed and insulated.
It can become possible with your own hands if you study in detail the instructions for carrying out this process. But when the window frames have already been installed and glazed, nothing will interfere with the work on further insulation and decoration of the room - neither rain nor wind.
Glazing types
If a decision is made to upgrade, you need to start by choosing the type of glazing. It can be traditional - using ordinary wooden frames or euro-frames - aluminum, metal-plastic and wooden with the installation of double-glazed windows. In addition, glazing can be frameless, insulated and cold.
Warm and cold glazing
Glazing of balconies can be cold and warm, and both are performed both when installing ordinary wooden frames, and more advanced ones.
- Cold glazing includes the installation of wooden frames with ordinary glass or Euro-frames - also with one hermetically installed glass. It is used if the balcony is not planned to be used year-round as a living space.
The simplest glazing is of the "cold" type A balcony made in this way should not be subject to special temperature preservation requirements. Frames can only make the room neat and protected from wind, dust, and somewhat reduce the penetration of sounds from the street.
Cold glazing does not require additional insulation measures. The only thing that can be done is to arrange a wooden flooring on the floor for comfort.
- glazing is necessary if a balcony or loggia will be combined with one of the rooms. The whole room must be insulated with one or another thermal insulation material.
With such a change in the layout, frames with double-glazed windows with triple glazing are installed.
- Warm insulation requires a more serious approach.
If one of the Euro-glazing options is selected, then you need to purchase frames with thermo-in rates that fit between the profile and the glass unit.
Double-glazed windows should have one, or better - two vacuum chambers - this choice will depend on the weather conditions in the region.
Further, when creating a warm room, it must be remembered that the so-called "dew point" formed indoors. Failure to do this will lead to dampness and mold due to the formation of condensation - first on the balcony, and then in the room.
The formation of a "dew point" must not be allowed between the glasses installed on frames outside the perimeter of the balcony. In this case, it is much more difficult to achieve the correct balance of the effect of temperatures on the windows, since they can be cooled not only through the glass, but also from the lower and upper end sides. Therefore, their insulation must be carefully considered.
If wooden frames are chosen, then it will be necessary to "conjure" by installing good insulation between them, as well as a seal between the frame and the glass.
In order to prevent mold spots from appearing on the balcony, it is necessary to carry out a number of measures to help avoid dampness:
- sealing of cracks and gaps in the floor and on the walls of the room before it is insulated;
- waterproofing of the floor and balcony parapet;
- organization of effective ventilation.
The ventilation device is one of the main conditions for preventing the formation of condensation. But, in order not to cool down the insulated room, it should be regulated:
- on euro windows, it is installed in the upper horizontal part of the profile;
- when installing wooden frames, which are tightly closed for the winter, a through ventilation valve with an adjustable damper must be built into one of the upper sections of the window or wall.
Air handling unit prices
Ventilation units
Traditional wooden frames with glazing
In recent years, this option for protecting the balcony from rain, wind and snow is becoming a thing of the past, but nevertheless, some apartment owners prefer it due to the low cost of the material and the ability to carry out the process independently.
"Classics of the genre" - wooden frames Such glazing will not save from frost and will not make the balcony warmer in winter, nor will it create effective sound insulation from external noise, but it will become an obstacle in the way of dust, wind and precipitation. In winter, the balcony protected in this way can only be used as a refrigerator.
Nevertheless, if you install double wooden frames, insulate them well, as well as walls, floor and ceiling, and install heating devices, then in not very cold weather you can use the balcony as a living room.
Glazing of wooden balcony frames does not go quickly, since in each of them you need to install a separate glass on a special putty, securing it with carnations hammered through the glazing bead. It should be noted that this process is very tedious and requires the utmost care.
The disadvantages of such glazing include the complexity of putting the glasses in order, especially if double frames are installed, twisted together. In addition, wooden frames require special treatment and periodic painting.
Metal-plastic windows
Euro-glazed is called the installation of metal-plastic frames with double-glazed windows. This way of transforming a balcony will cost much more, but it also has much more advantages over wooden frames.
Modern approach - metal-plastic frames Double-glazed windows installed in metal-plastic profiles can have single, double or triple glazing. The advantages of this type of glazing are:
- Aesthetics and accuracy of design.
- The tightness of Euro-frames allows you to create effective heat and sound insulation, prevent precipitation, wind, dirt and dust from entering the premises. With additional insulation of all walls and the ceiling, the balcony becomes a full-fledged room in which you can arrange an office, workshop, greenhouse or a quiet recreation area.
- If you know the process of installing Euro-frames, then they can be mounted quite quickly on your own.
- Ease of maintenance will allow you to put them in order more often and faster.
- Frames do not require additional annual insulation events and painting.
- When installing special locks on the opening sashes of the windows, you will not be afraid that the child will be able to open the frame on his own.
Aluminum frames
Frames made of aluminum are now quite popular for installation on a balcony. They are used for both cold and warm glazing. In the first case, options with single or double glazing are used. But when organizing a warm room, frames with thermo-inserts.
Aluminum frames can be installed on parapets, or panoramic glazing structures can be composed of them. It should be noted that in the latter case, the thermal insulation of the balcony decreases, since the metal has a very high thermal conductivity.
When using aluminum frames, it is recommended to leave part of the balcony closed and install glazing only in front of the parapet. This design is called "French balcony".
Advantages of aluminum frames:
- This metal is very lightweight and at the same time has a high mechanical strength.
- Aluminum has good heat resistance indicators, it does not burn, and is not affected by corrosion.
- The service life of such structures is on average 50 ÷ 70 years.
- The lightness of aluminum makes it possible to use structures made of it in such conditions where heavier frames, for example, made of metal-plastic or metal-wood, cannot be used due to their greater weight. This speaks in favor of such frames for installation on balconies - no additional reinforcements are required, which will save a certain amount.
- Aluminum frames do not require painting and are easy to maintain.
- The balcony glazed with aluminum frames gets good sound insulation.
Frameless glazing
Frameless glazing of balconies is rarely used, since it — yetnew technology, but already gaining popularity. Glazing can be made from ceiling to floor or installed on a parapet.
Frameless glazing not only visually expands the space of a small balcony room, but also perfectly protects it from dust and external noise. It is perfect for a room where it is planned to grow various plants - due to the absence of frames, they will receive sunlight in maximum volume.
Frameless glazing is characterized by the following qualities:
- For this transparent fence of the balcony, tempered glass is used, which is 8 ÷ 10 times superior in shock resistance and strength, therefore it can withstand very high loads.
- It is impossible to get hurt with such glass panels, since all their edges are rounded and sanded in a special way.
- Such glazing is simply operation - construction is designed in such a way that it is easy to open and close, since each of the panels slides on a metal rail with rollers.
- Glass railing practically does not take up space, while frames always “eat up” 50 ÷ 100 mm of area around the entire perimeter of an already small room. This is especially true for floor-to-ceiling glazing.
- High sound insulation - noise absorption efficiency reaches 50–70%.
Glazing with roof device
The real problem is the balcony without a roof. Rain and snow, dust and leaves from trees - all this gathers on this small area. Such a balcony cannot be used functionally, you cannot rest on it, leave to dry your clothes, and in rainy weather you cannot even go out on it.
Therefore, the owner of the apartment has to solve the problem on his own by installing the roof and glazing the balcony.
Roofs above the balcony in a complex with glazing can be of two types:
- Dependent roof is installed only when installing aluminum frames. It is attached to the block built of them and the wall of the house.
The advantages of this design include its reliability, ease and speed of installation at a fairly reasonable price.
The disadvantages of a dependent roof include the fact that it can be installed only over narrow balconies and loggias. When installed over wide outbuildings, the structure becomes unreliable and is unlikely to be able to withstand the snow load in winter.
- The independent roof differs in that its installation is not associated with the glazing of the balcony. An individual metal or wooden frame is made, then there is can be done roof without even planning further glazing.
The advantages of this roof can be called the fact that it can be installed over a balcony of any width, the main thing is to correctly calculate the strength of the structure. In addition, if it is not possible to immediately install both the glazing and the roof, then you can first install the roof, and later - the balcony frames.
Building a roof over a balcony at a height is a rather dangerous undertaking, therefore it is recommended to entrust this work to professional craftsmen. Moreover, you first need to carry out accurate calculations of the brackets and the entire frame so that the structure does not one day be blown off by the wind.
Window prices
Safety measures when working on the balcony
When planning your balcony glazing, always keep in mind the dangers of working at height. Not only do you need to protect your life or health - you must not allow threats to other people, for example, in the form of tools or building materials that have fallen from a height.
- When performing work on the insulation and glazing of the balcony on your own, extreme caution is needed, especially in cases where any processes are performed from the outside. You should not take risks and fully rely on your strength and dexterity - you must definitely protect yourself with a safety belt. The belt is purchased industrial or sports, while the mount must withstand a load of 350 ÷ 400 kg, which should be indicated in the certificate. If such information is not available, then this product is not worth purchasing.
In addition, it is imperative to consult with a sales assistant who will clearly show you how to use this safety device.
- Not worth it do work alone - you must definitely invite a partner who can, if necessary, insure - this should be taken into account both for work outside the balcony, and when installing frames and double-glazed windows.
- To keep your hands safe when working with glass and metal, be sure to use gloves made of durable material.
Balcony glazing stages
Unlike a loggia, where one of the sides is glazed, frames on the balcony have to be installed on three sides. The work is complicated by the fact that it is necessary to correctly expose each of the structural elements and make their reliable connection at the corners. And, during installation, it must be borne in mind that only the end frames will be rigidly fixed to the wall.
The front part of the structure has the maximum size and weight, therefore it also differs in windage. It must be installed very carefully and immediately rigidly fixed not only to the balcony parapet, but also to the plate of the upper balcony (or to the visor).
Frame blocks can be purchased ready-made or ordered at the factory that manufactures them, specifying the exact dimensions of the balcony. Installation of ready-made blocks can be done independently if you carefully study the instructions.
Installation of frames
Before carrying out, it is necessary to make its glazing. The explanation is simple - you cannot create a risk of wetting insulation materials - they will simply lose their qualities.
The installation of frames is carried out according to the same principle, but the preparation of the base for them may differ. So, for example, frames can be installed on the base of the balcony, on the fence (parapet) or out of the perimeter.
Direct setting of frames - and with a small offset Preparing to install a structure on a parapet
It is good if the parapet of the balcony is made of brick or concrete - in this case it will be easier to fix the frames on a fence that is sufficient in width. It is more difficult to solve this issue if the parapet is made of a metal corner and a rod.
In this option, it is desirable to do the preparatory work, slightly expanding the basis for the convenience of fixing frame structures. This can be the installation of an additional corner with a wider shelf. One side of it is placed outward, creating a kind of enclosure for the lower frame profile. In the same way, you can fix the corners at the top.
The corners are screwed with self-tapping screws with a step of 150 ÷ 200 mm from each other to the upper part of the parapet.
Metal elements must be well covered with protective paint. It will not only reduce the influence of the external environment, but also give the structure a more aesthetic appearance.
Wider brackets, installed to expand the base for the frame structure, will also serve to fix the window sill inside the balcony.
Preparation for installing frames on the base of the balcony
In this option, you need to take into account the height to which it will be raised. For example, if it is planned to raise it by 100 mm, then a bar of the same size is fixed along the perimeter of the balcony. It will be easier to install glazing frames on such a base.
Frames can go panoramic from top to bottom In the upper part of the balcony, metal corners, wooden blocks can be used to fix the frames, or the frames can be screwed to the ceiling using special brackets. If, however, it will also be insulated, then it will be necessary to include in the scheme mounting a bar that sets the thickness of the insulation layer.
Preparation of the parapet base for the installation of frames with an extension
When expanding the upper part of the balcony due to the removal of frames beyond its perimeter, you will have to build a more complex structure for their installation.
Installation is usually carried out using a metal corner, from which a kind of shelf is cooked.
If there is no welding machine or welding skills, then you can build such a structure from a metal profile, reinforcing it with a wooden bar, laying it in the profile cavity and fixing it on the parapet and the balcony floor.
Using only a profile, it is impossible to obtain sufficient rigidity of the structure, and if you install it only from a bar, then under the influence of the external environment, the frame with a tank is less durable.
Brackets installed outside the parapet should be made in the form of triangles - this will give the greatest rigidity to the frame.
Finished frame - bottom view The upper, protruding part of the structure is also mounted from the corners, connecting them horizontally with the visor, and vertical posts - with the lower part of the frame. It is best to additionally fix the corners on the load-bearing wall of the house to the height of the entire balcony and fasten them to the structure of the protruding part - this option will give the frame maximum reliability.
If aluminum frames are used for glazing, for which it is not necessary to install a common frame, then they can be fixed in the upper part using metal strips. They are screwed to the end of the frame and to the upper balcony (to the roof).
Video: an example of a balcony glazing with a take-out
Expansion of the balcony
If the plans include an increase in the area of the balcony, then the slab of its floor must be thoroughly strengthened, so that the main load from the entire structure is removed from it. The possibility of this action must be agreed with specialists, as this will require an accurate engineering calculation of whether the load-bearing wall of the house will withstand the additional load.
Expansion is carried out with the help of a metal structure, which will be attached to the wall of the building with a frame outside it for installing frames. A similar method will help to increase the area at the base of the room by 200 ÷ 300 mm in width, and the window sill in the upper part taken out beyond the balcony - by 200 ÷ 250 mm.
Fastening frames
Fastening of frames (wooden or otherwise) is carried out according to the same principle - with the help of special perforated metal strips and anchor screws.
Fastening the brackets to the frame - on a wooden ... The fastening strips of the required length are screwed to the end sides of the top and bottom of the frame. Often they are used for mounting the sides of the frame. On each side, you will need two or three strips for fastening.
... or for metal-plastic 
If necessary, wooden spacers and supports are installed between the frame and the wall, which will help to achieve the desired position.
Often anchors are used to attach frames to the wall, for which the necessary holes are drilled. In this case, it is very important to choose an element of the required length, since it must enter the wall by at least 50 ÷ 60 mm.
Complex knots when installing frames on balcony are the corners. To connect them and fix them to each other, you can use several techniques:
- Use a special corner profile, which is embedded in the manufacture of frames.
- Install a metal corner 80 ÷ 100 mm in size at the corners, and fix the frames to it. Previously, the corner must be painted with a special protective paint.
- Attach the frames to a wooden block masked with plastic panels on the outside and inside after installation.
- It is easier to solve the issue with wooden frames - they are fastened together with corners or a wooden bar.
But here it should be noted that if the glazing is carried out along the entire perimeter of the room, it will not be warm, since it is impossible to create the necessary insulation at such corners of the connection.
After installing the frames, all gaps between the walls and frame profiles are filled with polyurethane foam. If the gaps are very wide, in order to save money, you can first install fragments of expanded polystyrene in some places of the gaps, and then apply polyurethane foam.
Glazing of frames
After the polyurethane foam has dried and the excess has been cut off, you can proceed to the installation of double-glazed windows in euro frames or cut glass - into ordinary wooden structures.
When installing double-glazed windows in installed frames, it is very important to follow all the recommendations.
Before installing a double-glazed window, special spacers must be installed in the lower inner part of the frame. pads-pads... They are also sometimes placed on the sides and on top, between the frame and the glass unit.
Lay the gaskets so that they with from the teklopaket was distributed evenly along the entire length of the frame profile. One of the sides of the gasket should protrude slightly beyond the perimeter of the glass unit. This must be done so that cracks do not form on the glass when the glazing beads are hammered. When driving it, the bead will select the final location of the lining by moving it the required (but not more) certain distance.
Further, on top of the gaskets, a double-glazed unit is carefully installed. For the convenience of its installation, professionals use special suction cups. They help to lift a rather heavy element without any problems and install it in the frame opening.
Having installed a double-glazed window, glazing beads are hammered with a wooden hammer. They should fit tightly into the gap provided for them and press the glass unit against the frame.
After the installation of double-glazed windows is completed, proceed to the installation of the window sill and the insulation of the ceiling, floor and walls.
Glazing of a wooden frame
To glaze a wooden frame, you will need small nails, wooden glazing beads, a rubber trowel, putty or sealant, drying oil and a narrow brush.
When installing glass in a wooden frame on a balcony, one may encounter one discrepancy, which is considered the rule in this work. Glazing beads used to fix the glass in the window opening must be nailed from the outside in order to protect the frame from moisture penetration, which is not always possible to reproduce in a balcony located above the first floor.
If the frames are small, then glazing can be done before the frame is installed on the parapet.
Provided that the wooden structure is massive, the glasses installed in advance will make it even more heavier and lifting it will be not only problematic, but also dangerous. Therefore, the glass will have to be installed in the frame from the inside, and there is nothing to worry about if this process is carried out correctly.
The first thing to do before installing the glass is to treat all the window openings in the frames with linseed oil, applying it with a narrow brush. Then you need to wait until the composition is fed into the wood and dries up.
If the frames are painted with paint, then the next step is to apply paint on top of the drying oil on the frame openings, which should also dry well.
After that, putty is applied to the folds of the opening using a rubber spatula in a uniform layer, thickness 2, 5 ÷ 3 mm. This will prevent water from entering between the glass and the frame.
Then the glass prepared to the size is installed in the frame opening, on a soft, not cured putty, and gently nestles against it.
Next, another layer of putty is applied on the inside of the glass, and a glazing bead is installed on it, which is very carefully nailed with carnations. Carnations are installed vertically or horizontally on the glazing bead, since if they are hammered at an angle, it is easy to damage the glass.
You can do without putty by using a silicone tube in place of it, which is cut one side along the entire length and put on the edges of the glass.
Another option for installing glass in the frame is to fix it only on putty, which is applied under the glass, and then on it with a sufficiently thick layer, and neatly leveled.
Sometimes they do without glazing beads - only with a layer of putty From modern materials, a sealant is used to seal the gaps between the frame and the glass. Many are afraid that it will firmly adhere to the glass, and, if necessary, it will be difficult to remove it from the opening. To prevent this from happening, the glass is lubricated along the edge with soapy water or liquid soap, and then it is attached to the sealant and fixed with a glazing bead, which is also nailed down with carnations.
Following the recommendations and knowing some secrets, you can glaze the balcony yourself without any problems. At the same time, the greatest difficulty remains the factor of working at height - this is very important to take into account. If the skills of working with tools and building materials are completely absent, then it is recommended to entrust this process to professional masters. Moreover, to date, some companies that produce euro-frames, when ordering their products, the installation is made free of charge.
Video: the work of professionals in glazing and insulation of the balcony
Glazing and insulating the loggia is the best solution to increase the usable area. The question of how to glaze a balcony on your own is solved in several of the most affordable ways: equip the room with sliding wooden or metal-plastic doors, install double-glazed windows, which will perfectly keep the heat in the room.
The choice of double-glazed windows must be taken responsibly, because through them, about 80% of the heat loss of the space of the glazed loggia occurs.
The most common methods of protecting a loggia from wind, dust and precipitation are:
- wooden structure;
- installation from metal-plastic;
- frameless design.
Glazing the balcony with your own hands using a wooden structure will allow you to isolate the room from noise and increase the temperature in the glazed room.
If the choice fell on an environmentally friendly wooden structure, then it is necessary to prepare tools and materials:
- glass of the required amount with a thickness of 3 mm;
- small nails;
- hammer;
- brush:
- platbands;
- polished strips of a triangular profile with a side of 7 mm;
- timber 50x50mm;
- protective compounds for wooden structures (varnish, pinotex or others).
To make a better and more reliable structure, it is better to install an additional galvanized visor on the loggia of the required size, which will protect the windows from moisture infiltration and make the external aesthetics attractive.
Stages of decoration and glazing with a wooden structure
Initially, it is recommended to free all external coatings down to the concrete itself. The surface should be cleaned from dust and other contaminants. After the preparatory work, the first to further action is the exact measurement of the opening, the manufacture and installation of a wooden box with a minimum gap, which will serve as the basis for the frames. This structure, made of a bar, which is fixed at the level of the balcony railing and the upper bar, which is mounted to the ceiling and side beams using brackets. The side rails, in turn, are mounted with brackets to the side surface.
The next step is to install the sheathing of the entire room for sheathing with the selected material. Only after the ceiling, walls and floor are sheathed with their own structure (wooden panels or lining are suitable for wooden frames), you should start installing frames with glass. In this case, the glazing method itself can be divided into several types:
- euroglass;
- simple;
- combined.
Each of the methods has its own characteristics. For the installation of wooden frames, the most common glazing is suitable. It is important to remember that glass must already be installed in the frames before glazing the balcony. Balcony frames can be purchased ready-made in standard sizes, ordered according to individual sizes, or made independently from a profiled wooden beam, into the grooves of which glasses are inserted and pressed by nailing with triangular slats.
The final step will be to carefully fill the cracks with tow or other insulating materials. Then platbands are installed. To protect the wooden structures of the loggia from moisture, a protective layer should be applied 5-6 times.
Installation of a metal-plastic structure
Frames made of metal-plastic in appearance resemble a puff pastry: plastic, metal, air chambers. Water flows through the drainage holes, therefore freezing of the structure itself and the room as a whole is excluded. Glazing a balcony with this method is quite simple. You will need the following tools and materials:
- hammer drill or drill (with carbide drill, diameter 8 mm);
- construction gun (desirable);
- hammer;
- screwdriver;
- putty knife;
- foaming gun;
- polyurethane foam;
- dowels or screws.
For self-assembly and glazing with a profile, you must be based on the instructions. When measuring the balcony frame, you should not make large tolerances. The first step is to determine the accuracy of the proportions. In order to check the symmetry of the opening, both diagonals are measured, and the difference should not exceed 5 mm. If you can achieve this ratio of diagonals, therefore, the angles should be exactly 90 degrees. Then, when measuring, the technological gap is taken into account (on both sides 15 mm).
It should be remembered that it is not recommended to lift the frame to the upper floor with glass units already installed, in order to avoid distortions and damage. When installing, do not leave protruding wedges, since later you have to cut off the protruding ends, which is extremely inconvenient. Spacer wedges during installation are made along the width of the frame.
https://youtu.be/xuQrjJXqx_g
The metal-plastic frame is mounted on spacer wedges, screws with dowels, mounting foam, additional fastening of windows with metal brackets is also provided. Additional fasteners will help to fix the frame with maximum accuracy until it is fully aligned. After the structure is blown out with foam, it must be left in the closed state for 8 hours until it dries completely, in order to avoid deformation of the frame.
Frameless way of glazing loggias
This is a new method that has become widespread among the consumer in a short period of time. Tempered glass is a very durable material that can withstand heavy loads. The thickness of the glass directly depends on the size. If the height exceeds 2 m, then glass with a thickness of 8 mm is used. The width of the sash maneuvers from 60 to 80 cm. If you wish, you can order tinted glass.
The opening process is very simple. First, the extreme flap is opened with the upper lock (it resembles a floor switch), by pulling it, the flap moves out of the upper and lower frame. The doors are open, then the lower lock, or rather the plastic handle, is used.
What frameless glazing consists of:
- glass;
- top and bottom profile;
- top and bottom glass cover;
- floor lamp lock;
- handle-lock;
- retainer;
- rubber compressor;
- fixing tape.
The retaining strap is necessary for attaching the sashes so that they do not sway or bump against each other. It is attached to the outermost sash of the lower aluminum profile. The structure is assembled (assembled) is extremely simple. Aluminum strips are glued to the glass doors from the top and bottom. Carrying wheels (hinges with rollers) are installed to them. With these hinges, the glass clings to the guide profiles (upper and lower). This type of construction is very similar to a wardrobe and consists of the following elements:
- glass, 6-8 mm thick;
- bearing wheels with a ball bearing device;
- top and bottom aluminum profile;
- platband;
- sliding device and latch;
- pad;
- bottom latch;
- plastic coated ebb.
As in other structures, upon completion of the installation work, it is necessary to fill in the gaps between the sashes. Acrylic seals are put on the edge of the glass, like a cover for skates. They can be easily dismantled, then ventilation gaps of up to 3 mm are obtained. Rubber seals are laid on the outside between the glass doors and the aluminum profile, reliably protect the structure from moisture penetration. The gaps between the sashes and the walls of the balcony are filled with sealant to match the profile color. The structure itself is fastened together with special glue, without nails and screws. And the most attractive is the hidden fittings.
A glazed balcony or loggia does not just provide additional thermal insulation and protect from extraneous noise from the street. Such a solution makes the owner of square meters the owner of an additional (albeit small) room, which can be arranged according to his own taste and according to his needs. Many construction companies offer their services in this regard, as do the sellers of PVC and aluminum structures. However, often the financial situation forces us to look for more profitable options in terms of savings, which involve doing most of the work or all of it on our own. The article will focus on how to glaze the balcony yourself.
Important: glazing of balconies requires official approval from the relevant authorities. If you do everything "according to the law", then you will first have to attend to additional "permissive" documents.
How best to glaze a balcony
There are a lot of ways, we will list all the main ones and give a small idea about them, which will allow us to determine the direction of work in the future.
Glazing balcony photo
- "Cold" glazing, regardless of the way the frames are opened, suggests that the balcony can be used as an additional “habitable” room only in the warm season. This is the most inexpensive option, since the structures made of aluminum profiles, which are most often used for these purposes, are quite affordable. Among the positive qualities of this type of glazing is light weight, so if there are doubts about the reliability of the support, then aluminum will be the right choice. The material is very resistant to external influences, it is not afraid of humidity and low temperatures, although it can still deform from sudden jumps. Sometimes for the "cold" method, wooden frames with one glass are used.
- There is an option with "Warm" aluminum profile... It uses double glazing and double glazing. And in addition, special plastic placed inside the profile keeps the heat inside and does not let cold air from the street. But such a design is almost not in demand due to its high cost.
- Usage frames made of wood considered a budget option, but laborious in terms of caring for them: the paint will have to be renewed once a year if the appearance matters. To reduce the cost, some use used wood. With proper care, it will last long enough. If income allows, it is possible, as they say, to install wooden "Euro-windows" once and for life. Their production technology makes them durable and they look very impressive.
- Panoramic view glazing assumes that special glass, additionally processed to increase the strength characteristics, serves as the basis for assembling the balcony railing from floor to ceiling. From the point of view of creating a spectacular space, this method takes a leading position. Due to the thickness of the material, the apartment becomes protected from heat loss and the sound insulation performance increases. The partition can be made of tinted glass and looks especially amazing when assembled without frames.
- Frameless way balcony glazing requires certain skills and literacy during installation. But the complexity is justified by the result, when "at the exit" a light, as if weightless construction of one glass is obtained. The absence of frames is compensated by special metal guide profiles. It is in them that glass sections are attached and move along them. A special tempered glass is used for such tasks.
- PVC profile frames are a popular and practical glazing method. The possibility of installing a double-glazed window with three air chambers significantly insulates the room, especially in combination with a wider profile. Installation is simple and quick, and the service life is long enough, and all this splendor does not require complex maintenance. For those who do not want to install plastic windows due to the fact that the sashes when opening "eat up" a lot of space, you can opt for the option with sliding sashes.
- If you want to glaze the balcony "with the take-out" of the structure, then you should be very confident in the strength of the parapet, because the load on it in this case will increase in two directions at once.
Important: it is better to carry out work on the exterior decoration of the balcony with siding or other materials before glazing. This sequence will facilitate the cladding work.
How to glaze a balcony with plastic windows
- This process is not very difficult, especially since the manufacturer itself takes measurements, so there should be no mistakes in this area. So, the finished PVC structures have been delivered, the decision has been made to abandon the installation, what next?
- The existing old doors are being dismantled and, along the way, the balcony must be freed from all objects and things that may interfere. The balcony space cannot be called large anyway, so ideally it is worth taking everything out of it. What else is the "deep cleaning" stage useful for? All the nuances that require revision and elimination during work on insulation, waterproofing, and so on become immediately visible.
- A wooden beam is fixed along the perimeter of the balcony using mounting dowels. When measuring, the presence of beams is taken into account. That is, the height of the finished structure will be equal to the height from the side of the barrier to the top plate minus the parameters of the crossbar. It is worth checking with the representative of the supplier company, what thickness of the beam he puts into the calculations.
- First, the PVC frame itself is installed without sashes. First of all, the main and largest frontal part is mounted. And then the side one. In order to save money, many people abandon glass in the side in favor of sandwich panels. This, of course, is already a matter of taste.
- From the side of the street, an ebb is attached under the frame. If a balcony with a roof is glazed, then it is imperative to fix the visor. It is wound under the structure and fixed with self-tapping screws, the cracks are filled with sealant. The visor will protect against moisture ingress and its leakage into the profile and into the room. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the issues of snug fit.
- When the frame is leveled and secured, you can proceed with the installation of the sashes in place. After installation, check them for tightness. An important indicator and smoothness of movement when opening and closing. If everything is done correctly, then the frames will open easily and close without effort, tightly fitting into the opening.
It is important to think carefully about the options for opening the sash. This structure will have to be washed, and it is better to plan it so that from the tear-off section you can easily reach the neighboring “deaf” one. It is unlikely that anyone wants to risk their lives, bringing cleanliness.
- Outside, it is convenient to hide the joints with additional decorative elements. They can be purchased individually or "included" when ordered from a PVC frame supplier. All gaps from the inside are sealed with polyurethane foam. When it dries up, it is trimmed, the protective film is removed from the frame and sashes. Further work continues on the final decor of the room.
Glazing balcony video
Glazing the balcony with an aluminum profile
Another plus in favor of a lightweight aluminum structure is the sliding opening system. It saves space, however, because of it, problems arise with the freezing of bundles in winter. If the choice is still made in her favor, then we learn how to properly glaze a balcony.
- Let's dismantle the previous glazing.
- If the parapet is made in the form of metal handrails, then on top of them it is required to install an "apron" made of galvanized steel. If the barrier is concrete, this is not required. The profile will stand directly on it.
- The visor is mounted.
- A window sill is being installed.
- To fasten the frame, anchor plates are installed in the opening. With the help of anchor bolts, a frame structure is installed on them.
- The ebb is attached to the frame.
- Sashes are installed in the openings.
- All seams are sealed with polyurethane foam and covered with strips (optional)
- As a final step, the fittings are adjusted. The flaps should slide apart smoothly without emitting a rumble. This indicates correct installation.
Glazing the balcony with wood
It is good if the home craftsman has carpentry skills. Then the option with glazing with wooden frames becomes cheaper. After all, he can use wooden beams, glazing beads and ordinary glass 4 mm thick to assemble the sashes, supplying them with the simplest fittings from the nearest store. However, even in the absence of such talent, you can order an inexpensive finished product in the workshop. Then you can proceed with the installation.
It is important to take into account that a large structure can “sail”. Therefore, despite the visual appeal of large and wide openings, this unpleasant effect is worth remembering.
- The preparation has already been written above, so we skip this stage.
- There are no special tricks in the installation of such a structure, moreover, the process itself differs little, say, from the installation of a PVC profile. Using metal fixing plates and self-tapping screws, we install a wooden frame without frames.
- Ebb, canopy and window sill are installed in the same way as previously described glazing methods.
- The seams are foamed and subsequently hidden under the trim.
- The doors are fixed in place, the fittings are debugged.
For a long time, this was the only way to glaze a balcony in Khrushchev. Of course, such glazing will never become the object of envy of neighbors. But done neatly and securely fixed, it can protect against dust, falling leaves and change the microclimate on the balcony by a couple of degrees.
How to glaze a balcony with your own hands in a frameless way
- A very spectacular type of glazing, but also a method that requires some effort and courage. The first thing many homeowners fear for when they are offered this option is safety. If we are talking about the installation of glass "full-length", then perhaps it is worthwhile to provide for some kind of removable structure, reaching a meter in height, and attached to the walls or floor at a time when children play on the balcony, for example. It is quite simple to weld it from small diameter metal pipes.
- The second not entirely desirable effect of a great view of the surroundings is an equally great view of the privacy of the apartment. Especially in the evening with the lights on. Those who do not want to provide neighbors and casual passers-by with the opportunity to watch the reality show "live", you can choose the following options for "salvation".
- Consider a curtain or blinds system. The second option will turn out to be costly, given the non-standard dimensions of the opening, and you will have to suffer with the fabric solution.
- You can choose the type of glass with one-sided transparency even at the planning stage. They look good, they are very good on sunny days, but in autumn and in cloudy winter weather, such glazing brings melancholy due to the low light transmission capacity. Alternatively, the presence of such glasses can be combined with conventional ones.
- If we are talking about frameless glazing of the balcony only in the part where most people are used to seeing the window opening, then the difficulties described above do not arise.
Important: glazing into the floor involves the dismantling of the parapet. Before doing the work, you need to make sure that the demolition is legal and will not cause negative consequences for the whole house.
- For all its attractiveness, the panoramic method requires additional costs for insulation, well, it is not worth choosing it if a “wonderful view” of the factory complex or dull neighboring high-rise buildings opens from the balcony.
- An aluminum panoramic profile will cost less, but its qualities to keep warm, let's say, tend to zero and you should think carefully before installing it.
There are many options, but each of them can be implemented on your own. Therefore, the glazing of the balcony can be counted among the type of work on which you can save money.