balcony glazing gives the owners of the premises a lot of unpleasant moments. There is no high-quality sound insulation, during the off-season condensation appears on the glass, the space inside the balcony is filled with moist air, as a result of which harmful fungal bacteria and mold form on the surfaces. In such a situation, the correct solution would be to dismantle the existing cold glazing and replace it with warm glazing without changing the façade, even though this process requires the presence of certain skills.

Advantages of facade insulation

The main task of warm glazing is the preservation of heat in the room. Warm facade insulation without changing the facade has a number of advantages:

• after high-quality insulation, the loggia can become an additional living room or a comfortable study;
• in a small apartment, combining an insulated balcony with a kitchen will help to rationally equip the working area;
• facade insulation will allow you to permanently get rid of condensate, the glass will stop fogging up, even if the temperature is below zero outside the window;
• panoramic glazing offers a beautiful view and protects the interior from unpleasant drafts and third-party sounds.

Profile types

To create the most warm glazing, reliable sealing is necessary. As a result of all the work, the replacement of facade insulation will not only make the balcony habitable, but will also change the exterior of the building for the better.

During a complete replacement of glazing, all dismantling work, including the installation of new double-glazed windows, is carried out from the outside. If the apartment is located on the second and subsequent floors, for the upcoming work, you should contact the services of industrial climbers.

Variants of warm glazing without changing the facade

Quick replacement of glazing is possible in two ways, each of which has both advantages and disadvantages.

Glazing with lintel insulation

All work is carried out without reducing the area of ​​​​the loggia or balcony. At this point in time, several variations are most actively used.

First option provides thermal separation of the existing aluminum structure. Separating elements are special thermally insulating lining from polystyrene foam. After that, a double-glazed window is inserted into the "warm" frame. For modern versions, rubber seals and aluminum clamps are used, securely fixed with self-tapping screws, and then covered with decorative panels.

Window lintel insulation scheme

In the process of work, you can install several additional doors, equipped with special tilt-and-turn mechanisms. This method allows for high-quality insulation of the interior without changing the initial size of the light openings.

The second stage consists of several phases. First of all, the existing glazing system is dismantled. After that established thermal inserts. To do this, apply heat-insulating polymer pads.

The principle of operation of the thermal insert
Insulating glass thickness compensator

Aluminum sashes are being replaced with thicker plastic double-glazed windows with a higher degree of protection against cold and drafts. The new design slightly reduces the standard window opening. It is necessary to insulate the internal area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe loggia and reliable sealing of the window structure. In this case, a slight change in the exterior of the facade is possible.

Replacing glass with double-glazed windows

Installation may be required additional a number of double-glazed windows. The interior space will be slightly reduced. First of all, it is necessary to seal the existing glazing system. Rubber seals will help to significantly reduce heat loss.

Varieties of rubber seals
Window seal fixing

Next, they order new plastic frames with double-glazed windows, indicating the exact dimensions, relevant existing frames. I mount the second circuit close to the existing one, both structures are connected into a single monolithic block. Thanks to this, in one opening installed two rows of glazing.

The gap that has arisen between the window contours should be closed with flashings. These elements made of plastic or aluminum are specially designed for high-quality insulation of the resulting gaps. It is possible to choose the shape and color of the flashings, taking into account the shade and texture of the window system. With proper installation of the structure, the second circuit also has swinging open sashes.

During installation, you should choose a new profile identical to the original glazing. For example, a PVC profile. Qualitative differences will not allow you to open the outer frame.

Additional glazing significantly increases the load on the load-bearing elements of the building, so this method requires prior approval from the relevant authorities. In addition, the most accurate calculations and measurements are required, otherwise the whole structure will turn out to be uncomfortable and unaesthetic.

If you entrust warm glazing without changing the facade to professionals, you can avoid many troubles, and the assembled structure will allow you to enjoy a lot of light and wonderful panoramic glazing.

Cold facade glazing before the start of work
Removing the outer clamps
Replacement of cold glazing with warm double-glazed windows Installation of spacers and thermal bridges Facade insulation with butyl tape Warm glazing

Monolithic balcony glazing from ceiling to floor has recently gained the most popularity. The original French windows allow you to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view, which is not hidden by the balcony railing. It is rather problematic to use a balcony with panoramic windows in the winter season.

Panoramic glazing

Most often, an unusual balcony has a remote structure, which extends significantly beyond the facade of a high-rise building. The exception is spacious loggias, but despite their design, they are also an outdoor architectural element, not intended for permanent residence.

As a rule, standard glazing is carried out using a single glass unit.

• change the old profile to a new, energy-saving one. High-tech frames have built-in plastic gaskets that can reliably protect aluminum from freezing;
• dismantle old inefficient double-glazed windows and equip modern multi-chamber glazing. You can use three-chamber double-glazed windows filled with an inert gas. They will significantly reduce heat loss.

The thicker the insulation layer in the lower part, hidden behind the mini parapet, the better.

All work requires large financial investments, and sometimes permission to make certain changes to the design of a multi-storey residential building. But even after receiving corresponding permission to carry out work on their own is simply unrealistic.

Stages of work on warm glazing

The arrangement of a loggia with panoramic glazing consists of certain stages of work. The first step is to insulate the floor. First of all, you need to seal all the cracks and cavities on the balcony with mounting foam. As a rule, these are the joints of floor slabs and vertical planes. Then a layer of special insulation is spread, with the metal side up and securely fixed with glue.

Further, a layer of foam plastic is evenly laid out, which performs a heat-insulating purpose. Dense insulation is fixed with dowels. A foil insulation is again laid on top of the first two layers.

Floor insulation on the balcony

After the work done, you can start assembling the "warm floor". All components of the heating system are evenly distributed over the balcony area. In this case, a small retreat should be made from the wall.

After the final laying of all heating elements, the installation of the necessary thermoregulation sensors and the laying of electrical wires, the screed is poured with a cement solution. Only after the final drying of the surface, you can begin to insulate the walls and ceiling. The whole process is not much different from floor insulation. The stages of laying the heating system and pouring the screed should be excluded.

Scheme of a warm floor device using a cable

Glass replacement

Panoramic glazing is found in several types: aluminum, plastic and without the use of frames. To create warm panoramic lighting, multi-chamber double-glazed windows are selected, completing insulated profile.

When arranging a spacious loggia with French windows, it should be borne in mind that everything that happens in a residential area will be perfectly visible from the street. To minimize this possibility, stained glass, reflective film or tinting of the lower part of the balcony are most often used.

Qualitatively installed panoramic glazing of a loggia or balcony will be a spectacular decoration of any interior. Designers suggest using various glasses:

• mirror;
• electrochromic;
• tinted;
• energy saving (low emission).

Mirrored
tinted
Electrochromic

To ensure greater safety of residents, glazing is made of special tempered glass. Its thickness is about 0.6 cm. In the case of arranging a sliding panoramic design, retractable rollers are made of durable material that perfectly tolerates atmospheric precipitation. The seals between the flaps are made of inconspicuous polymer material.

Panoramic glazing of a balcony or loggia will significantly increase the illumination of the apartment due to daylight sunlight. Vertical blinds or thick curtains will be an excellent protection from the scorching sun. Decorative window decoration helps to create a luxurious and unique interior in a living space.

The only drawback of the beautiful panoramic design of the balcony is the increase in the cost of electricity used to heat the premises of the insulated loggia. However, with the right choice of glazing, you can significantly reduce heat loss and therefore reduce costs.

Video

We offer to look at the technology of replacing cold glazing with warm glazing.

4616 0 0

The insulation of the balcony and the colonization of Mars, is it really possible to find something in common between these two events?

What is balcony insulation for? To make the room warmer? Not only. In this case, you can get by with high-quality thermal insulation of windows overlooking the loggia. But there is another more pressing reason in our realities: expansion of the living space of the apartment. In order to settle in new square meters, humanity was going to colonize Mars in general, while residents of multi-storey buildings can achieve their cherished goal much easier and faster.

At one time I also decided not to give up the only opportunity to expand my apartment and started insulating the balcony. How it was, you can see below.

Basic steps to "colonize" a balcony

So, one fine day, I went out onto the balcony and began to think about where to start arranging it. And first of all, he completely freed the site from the rubbish accumulated on it, after which he assessed the condition of the parapet and roof. In my case, there was complete order here: in front and on the sides there was aerated concrete masonry, and on top there was a reliable roof covered with metal tiles. There were not enough windows to sufficiently isolate from the outside world.

But you can rightly ask the question: “Where to start in Khrushchev, where instead of brick or aerated concrete masonry there can only be metal pipes around the perimeter?”

In this case, the amount of work increases:

1. Cut off iron fences with a grinder;
2. Raise the required number of bricks or gas blocks to your floor;
3. Mixing a special solution;
4. Build reliable borders that can further easily withstand the installed double-glazed windows.

If you have a metal loggia, then no matter how beautiful the forged ones are, they should also suffer the same fate.

Step number 1: installation of windows

How to glaze a balcony yourself? My process went like this:

If you doubt that you will be able to install the windows yourself, it is better to seek help from specialists. The cost of their services will be much lower than the costs that can be caused by improper installation of double-glazed windows.

1. What do you need to order double-glazed windows? Dimensions. So I took a tape measure, a plumb line, a spirit level and proceeded to take measurements according to the table:

I recommend measuring each opening at least at three points and using the smallest value obtained for ordering a double-glazed window. The fact is that, as a rule, there are no absolutely even balconies, and in this way you will protect yourself from acquiring a structure that simply does not fit, for example, between the curb and the roof.

1. Ordered new double glazing. You can also opt for three-chamber ones, it all depends on how much of the family budget you are willing to spend on warming the balcony. It is noteworthy that the approximate cost of a structure today can be calculated using one of the many relevant calculators available on the Internet;
2. Approximately one day before installation filled the support profile with mounting foam. If this is not done, then cold bridges may form in the lower part of the window, as a result of which not only there will be tangible heat losses, but also frequent condensation will occur;
3. On the parapet laid out special plastic substrates so that their upper surfaces are all in the same plane, as I was convinced with the help of a spirit level. Also, wooden blocks will fit for this role;
4. Exposed the first double-glazed window and fixed it with self-tapping screws through special mounting ears;

1. Sealed the perimeter with polyurethane foam;

Now that my balcony has stopped blowing from all sides, and the foam has solidified properly, I decided that I need to move on to the next step in "colonizing" new square meters.

Step number 2: choosing a heater

Before insulating a balcony, you need to choose the most suitable material for this. I did not go through all the options for the relevant products, but decided to focus on the most popular and affordable types:

• Styrofoam. This material consists of 98% air, which is an ideal heat insulator when stationary, and 2% polystyrene foam, which has excellent water resistance and durability. It also has good sound insulation. The only relative disadvantage is some fragility of foam plates, but this matters only during installation work, in the future, the insulation layer will still be covered with cladding. Technical specifications:

• Mineral wool. This material has a chaotic fibrous structure, which is made by melting rocks. We can safely say about the naturalness of such a product and its complete absence of combustibility. Technical description:

In the end, I preferred polystyrene foam, since it is easier for me to work with it personally. But at the same time, I want to note that both materials described perform their functions quite well, and if you choose mineral wool, you can also achieve an excellent thermal insulation effect for your loggia.

Step number 3: the choice of insulation method

How to insulate a loggia correctly: from the outside or from the inside? This is actually a very important issue, to which I want to highlight a separate item in the description of all the work being done. Why? As an explanation, I propose to consider both options:

1. External thermal insulation. From the point of view of physics, it is the most correct, since during its implementation the balcony border turns out to be in a warm zone, due to which all the fumes accumulating in the apartment freely go outside without harming the insulating material:

1. Internal thermal insulation. In this case, the curb is in the cold zone. As a result, water vapor coming out of the living quarters, easily overcoming the structure of the insulation, “crashes” into the cold and dense material of the parapet, after which it settles in the form of condensate. The accumulated moisture negatively affects the heat insulator, reducing its technical performance:

As you can see, the first option is definitely more practical and durable, but do-it-yourself finishing from the outside at a height is very problematic without special equipment and training. Of course, you can always hire professionals with climbing equipment, but it will not be cheap.

And how to cope with the task on your own in this case? There is a way out, and it depends on how you chose the material for thermal insulation:

• Mineral wool. In this case, it is necessary to create between the insulation and the residential part of the apartment vapor barrier from a polyethylene film, which will protect it from the steam generated in the rooms;

In this case, I recommend choosing dry materials for cladding, like plastic panels, so that moisture does not get into the basalt wool during installation work. Indeed, after the implementation of the vapor barrier, it will no longer be able to evaporate and will negatively affect the thermal insulation.

• Styrofoam. Here it is quite possible to do without additional vapor-tight barriers, since the foam itself practically does not let steam through. But at the same time, it is also necessary to observe a certain thickness of the insulating layer in order to satisfy both SNiP and ensure low thermal conductivity. So for samples with a density of 25 kg / m 3, which I also used, this is 8 cm. Here then, by the way, it is even easy to calculate how much the balcony will decrease during insulation.

The same options with a ventilated facade will also work perfectly.

Step number 4: floor insulation

After most of the organizational issues were resolved, I proceeded directly to the implementation of the plan. And started from the floor. The sequence of work looked like this:

1. Took bars with a section of 100 by 100 mm and cut them with an electric jigsaw in accordance with the width of my balcony so that I got three logs;

1. Two bars laid along the walls with an indent of 100 mm, and the third in the middle;
2. I drilled holes in them every half a meter, through which I made marks with a pencil on the concrete;
3. He removed the bars, put a Pobedite drill into the puncher and drilled out seats for plastic dowels, which he immediately hammered into them;
4. Returned the lags to their place and reliably fixed them with screws;
5. Styrofoam plates laid between the lags, which just turned out to be 200 mm lower. This guaranteed the presence of a ventilation gap between the insulation and the finished floor;

1. From above I closed everything with a clapboard, which I installed on the beams with the help of kleimers, which perfectly hide the attachment points. He left centimetric technical gaps near the walls, which he then hid with skirting boards.

Step number 5: insulation of the ceiling and walls

The technology of thermal insulation of walls and ceiling in my performance looked almost the same, so I will describe them in one paragraph.

So, step-by-step instructions on how to properly insulate a balcony from the inside:

1. First thing smeared all corners with special polyurethane mastic and other suspicious places. What for? The fact is that the corner zones bear the greatest heat losses, therefore, they also need increased protection. This is due to the fact that they have an outer area larger than the inner one:

1. Installed the crate from wooden planks, taking into account the fact that the thickness of the prepared insulation is 80 mm;
2. cut foam boards into suitable pieces with a regular clerical knife;

1. Then kneaded the glue for expanded polystyrene;

1. I applied the resulting mixture to the edges and center of the first piece., after which he pressed it tightly to the chosen place and held it for several seconds;

1. Similarly filled the entire surface, controlling the even position of the plates with a spirit level and, if necessary, leveling them with additional application or removal of the adhesive solution. After that, I blew out the seams with mounting foam;

1. Now you can either sheathe the walls with a clapboard or plastic ceiling, or plaster them. I settled on plastic wall panels, which are very easily fixed to a wooden crate, and installed a false ceiling on top.

At this stage, my warming of the loggia ended, but with a couple of nuances, I still want to acquaint you.

Additional upgrades

Is it possible to insulate a balcony to room temperature? This is not easy to do, since there are no heating radiators in it, but there are a lot of windows that lose heat in comparison with blank walls. That is, in any case, you will have to spend a lot, so think very carefully about the need for this event.

If you are serious, then I can offer 2 steps to create a microclimate in the loggia close to the main part of the apartment:

1. Install infrared heating film on the walls and floor of the balcony. Electric mats are too thick and will “steal” a lot of space, but IR sheets will lie perfectly. But this is additional work, and fixed costs for electricity. As a more economical, but also less efficient option, you can stop using a small converter heater;

1. You can still combine a balcony with a room. Of course, this is a completely radical decision, before the implementation of which it is necessary to weigh everything very well and take into account that in the end it may become cooler in the whole apartment. But on the other hand, you do not just “colonize” additional square meters, but even attach them to your possessions.

Conclusion

I told you how I performed the phased insulation step by step. As a result, I finally got the additional coveted space for arranging the office. By the way, a constantly heated computer compensates for the presence of some freshness in winter.

You can also definitely do what was previously considered impossible: expand your own living space. The main thing is to take into account all the recommendations described.

The video in this article contains some additional information that is directly related to the material presented. If the insulation of the balcony provoked the appearance of any other questions, then ask them in the comments.

September 14, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thanks!

You can increase the living space of the apartment due to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe balcony. However, for this it must be insulated. Sometimes only insulation saves the apartment from the cold and relieves the balcony door from icing.

For a balcony located at a level not higher than the second floor, the best option is considered to be external insulation with your own hands. At higher levels, it will be necessary to involve specialists with high-altitude equipment.

Let us dwell in more detail on the popular methods of external insulation of balconies.

Pros and cons of outdoor insulation

To exclude the formation, building codes recommend external insulation.

The advantages of this method of insulation are:

• the wall inside the balcony is in a warm zone;

• the usable area of ​​the balcony is not reduced;

• the appearance of the attached balcony is improved;

• comfortable living in the apartment increases, as heat losses in cold weather are reduced by up to 30%.

Although external insulation is more effective than internal insulation, it is still has its drawbacks:

• coordination of work with authorized bodies is required, as the facade of the building is changing;

• when performing high-altitude work, one cannot do without the help of specialists with special equipment;

• higher cost of heaters and works.

Material selection

There is a wide choice of materials with high insulating properties. Unfortunately, not all types are suitable for external insulation of balconies. Experts advise choosing the following materials for these purposes.

The use of mineral wool for external insulation of balconies is limited by the ability of the material to change thermal performance when wet. In addition, the use of mineral wool is abandoned due to inconvenient installation and mandatory sheathing.

Preparing for insulation

A high level of thermal insulation of the balcony can be achieved if the basic preparatory measures are completed. Such works are considered the most important.

1. Strengthening the parapet.

The balcony slab railing, which performs the function of ensuring safety and forming an aesthetic appearance of the structure, is called a balcony parapet.

As a rule, the insulation of the balcony involves its glazing. Modern double-glazed windows are very heavy, so you can not do without.

With your own hands, the parapet is strengthened with the help of various materials. The choice of material depends on the design of the balcony and the preferences of the owner. To strengthen the parapet are used:

IMPORTANT!

The brick is heavy. In addition, in wet weather, it absorbs moisture, which means that the weight increases further. Brickwork is not suitable for light balcony bases.

1. Glazing.

The most famous and proven following glazing options:

• wooden windows. The classic version of cold glazing. Best suited for do-it-yourself installation. The installed design is inexpensive, but has a short service life. In the absence of constant care, windows quickly lose their performance;

1. Surface preparation.

The quality of insulation largely depends on the condition of the surfaces under the insulation. Any irregularities reduce several times the effectiveness of the insulation. Heat is not retained if the insulation does not fit snugly, large gaps in the joints, and a fragile base.

There are rules for surface preparation:

• the base for laying is cleaned of dirt, dust, paint residues;

• metal gratings of the parapet are sheathed with boards, plastic or moisture-resistant drywall. Before installation, the material is treated with an antiseptic. The sheathing should fit very tightly to the gratings, and the seams should be sealed with sealant. All defects on the surfaces are leveled with foam, and then the excess is cut off.

Foam and polystyrene insulation

Both materials are a type of expanded polystyrene. They differ in manufacturing technology, so penoplex is obtained from polystyrene foam by extrusion (extruding).

To choose the right material, you need to get acquainted with their differences.

1. The main difference is in the structure of the insulation. Foam boards have voids among the granules. Due to the loose structure, the thermal insulation qualities of the material are reduced.

Thanks to a special technology, extruded foam boards have fewer voids.

Thus, the thermal conductivity of materials has a different value.

1. The strength features of materials are associated with the structure. Penoplex has almost four times the strength in addition, this material is produced in thinner sheets.

1. Due to the improved characteristics, foam sheets are more expensive. One such sheet in terms of thermal conductivity replaces several sheets of foam.

1. Penoplex, unlike polystyrene, practically does not let water through, which means that dampness and fungus will not appear under the insulation.

You can perform external insulation of the balcony with these materials in one of the ways.

1. Plaster method.

Cheaper and more common way. You can use combustible foam. The main thing is that the work is carried out when there is no precipitation and positive air temperature.

The following stages of work on the prepared surface of the balcony are distinguished:

1. Dry ventilated method.

It has great efficiency with large areas for insulation. With this method, along with insulation, a hinged facade is created on a crate made of wood or galvanized profiles. The work is being carried out in stages.

• insulation is glued between the ribs of the crate, and then it is additionally reinforced with dowels;

• on top, the insulation is covered with foil polyethylene, which is attached to the crate with slats up to 40 mm thick. It is important to prevent wrinkles and tearing of the film.

IMPORTANT!

The state of the finish of the reinforcing surface depends on the lathing, which determines the direction of laying the panels. It has been established that the panels in a horizontal position visually increase the width of the balcony, and when placed vertically, its height seems to be greater.

There is a wide variety of vinyl siding panels available. This material almost does not fade, resistant to temperature and humidity changes. Lined balcony does not require special care. A damaged panel can be easily replaced.

Plastic lining is considered a priority option for balconies above the first floor. It is distinguished by a simple way of sheathing, a large selection of textures, colors and shapes. Many are attracted by its price.

Modern plastic panels that do not have seams are considered a good, but not cheap option for cladding a balcony. Advanced production technologies allow producing panels to match the texture and color of any material. Their important feature is the antistatic qualities allowing to repel dust.

So, if you properly lay the insulation with your own hands and finish the surface, the balcony will be reliably protected from the influence of weather conditions, and in addition, it will acquire a unique appearance.