Do-it-yourself balcony glazing. Glazing a balcony with your own hands - instructions from a master. Warm and cold glazing

Do-it-yourself balcony glazing.  Glazing a balcony with your own hands - instructions from a master.  Warm and cold glazing
Do-it-yourself balcony glazing. Glazing a balcony with your own hands - instructions from a master. Warm and cold glazing

A balcony is a multifunctional space in an apartment. Over the past couple of decades, it has evolved from a storage room for winter clothes, grandma’s compotes and outdated items that you didn’t dare throw away, into a full-fledged part of the living space. Of course, this only applies to options closed type. If it is still blown by all the winds and is regularly covered in knee-deep snowdrifts in winter, glazing the balcony with your own hands will save the situation.

Kinds

A glazed balcony allows you to intelligently optimize additional square meters in the apartment, turning it into a study, mini-dining room, dressing room, sports ground, a workshop for creative family members. You can break it in winter Garden or set up an area for your beloved pet.

It is quite possible to do the glazing yourself, but you need to take into account some of the nuances of the work.

Firstly, it is important to understand the difference between a balcony and a loggia. Many apartment owners confuse these concepts, and yet the types of glazing for a loggia differ from the types of glazing for a balcony. Glazing a loggia is simpler, since it is bounded on both sides by walls - it is located “inside” the living space. A balcony is a structure protruding from the wall of the facade of a building. It “hangs” over the ground and is placed outside the main area.

Secondly, you need to decide on the glazing method - cold or warm.

The cold one consists of a single layer of glass and a lightweight frame. This method provides relative sound insulation, protects the room from dust, wind and sunlight if the glass is covered with a UV filter, but does not retain heat. It is suitable for arrangement summer kitchen on the balcony, temporary bedroom or office, and in winter - for storing food in the cold.

Warm glazing requires more complex, heavy and reliable design. And more expensive. It consists of window frames with double sealing and double-glazed windows, which provide the ability to support on the balcony room temperature at any time of the year and use it in a convenient way.

Installation warm windows requires more time and strict adherence to conditions:

  • Good thermal insulation and waterproofing. Condensation between the glasses is unacceptable; they will fog up and retain heat less well.
  • Possibility to provide natural ventilation of the room.
  • The presence of an air circulation system between the balcony and the room.

Thirdly, it is necessary to study the legal side of the issue when planning to make changes to the design of the premises. The balcony slab is designed for a specific load. Exceeding the permissible weight can lead to its collapse, and this is fraught with negative consequences.

Nowadays, it is quite easy to obtain specialist advice and permission to make improvements of a similar plan that were not provided for during the construction of the house. It is easier to spend a little time studying the Housing Code before starting work than to solve problems that arise after.

Popular types of glazing

The most common ways to protect a balcony from rain, wind, accumulation of street dust, frost and visits from feathered guests are: sliding glazing, panoramic, with extension, on a supporting frame.

Each type of glazing has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Simple (classical) glazing using a wooden frame and single glasses belongs to the cold method and is installed mainly in Soviet-type apartments. It protects from moisture, noise and street dirt, but is not particularly aesthetically pleasing or has great capabilities.

Sliding

The design is equipped with a special roller mechanism, which allows you to easily move the doors apart and takes up minimal space. The mechanism works on the principle of guide rails: the doors slide one after another.

This type is not suitable for every balcony; specialist advice is required, but for small balconies it is best option. It doesn’t take up even half an extra centimeter, saves space, protects from insects, dirt and precipitation.

The negative aspects include the fact that roller mechanisms may not withstand the harsh conditions of the Russian climate in winter time of the year. If they freeze, it will become impossible to open the windows. The design involves single glass, so at sub-zero temperatures the room will be cold.

Panorama

This type of glazing implies the absence of any frame. Guides with grooves are installed along the top and bottom into which glass is inserted (using special fastening units). The glass fence occupies the entire space from floor to ceiling, offering a beautiful view from the balcony at any time of the year. In this case, the sections are glazed different ways: sliding, hinged, folding.

For panoramic glazing, special strength glass is used, with a special coating to neutralize thermal radiation. It looks beautiful and can provide maximum sound insulation. Has a number of disadvantages:

  • At high temperatures the glass glows and heats the room. Blinds must be provided during installation. During the cold season, it does not retain heat well.
  • The surface requires frequent washing, since dust is clearly visible on it, and water streaks are visible after rain.
  • The structure as a whole is much heavier and more expensive than any other material.
  • Installation involves risk and requires high professionalism, so it should not be done by yourself.

With removal

The essence of the method is that they weld to the balcony parapet steel profiles, on which it is fixed wide window sill. It is the basis that holds the aluminum or plastic structure for glazing the balcony. This glazing is suitable for narrow and small balconies with a strong parapet.

Modified balconies look beautiful (especially if a greenhouse is placed in them), expand the space practically and visually, and have a functional wide window sill.

The disadvantages are that the dead weight of plastic structures is quite large. It is necessary to correctly assess the current operational condition of the slab and parapet. Aluminum frames have less weight, but they hold heat worse. It will be cold on such a balcony in winter.

With supporting frame

Most the hard way, which implies serious changes in the appearance of the outer side of the balcony and requires large quantity time and several pairs of working hands. At the same time, it is the best, because it allows you to glaze completely open balcony, which does not even have a canopy, and turn it into a warm living space for the next 15-20 years.

This Soviet-style glazing is popular - despite the labor and heavy weight. Its advantages:

  • A welded steel frame is cheaper than other materials. At the same time, it is characterized by greater strength and wear resistance.
  • As paint coating Regular bathroom enamel is suitable. It provides a beautiful, long-lasting color, shine, reliable protection against corrosion, and costs much less than PVC.
  • Possibility to install a visor. This will not only turn the balcony into a living space, but will also distribute the load across the upper floor and place less load on the balcony slab.
  • You can replace the parapet with a frame. It is easier to install the frame, it costs less, and in appearance it is not inferior to a panoramic balcony in an elite house.
  • The frame can be easily insulated with plasterboard and polystyrene foam.
  • Any type of window can be inserted, from traditional wood to solid glass.
  • Thanks to the strength of the frame, only wind load, so they can be made to any width.
  • The problem of the old parapet does not matter. It can be eliminated, and the supporting frame can be made lower or higher than the previous level.

Materials

The balcony glazing system is represented by a set of window sashes, a window sill, thermal insulation material (most often foam), external flashings and interior decoration.

The choice of material directly depends on the purpose of the balcony room and determines final cost changes made. If the balcony is used as a place for drying clothes and storing preservatives, it makes sense to give preference budget materials: lightweight frames made of aluminum or duralumin and single glass. Such a balcony will not be insulated, and the difference with sub-zero temperature outside it will be no more than 6-7 degrees.

If you plan to set up an office, a playroom for children, or a place for receiving guests on the balcony, you should choose more reliable and expensive materials. This will be “full” or “insulating” glazing, which will allow you to use the balcony as a living space at any time of the year or combine it with a room by dismantling the wall between it and the balcony.

Plastic frames

They are convenient because they do not require additional efforts to insulate the balcony. In the case of low-budget repairs, they are suitable simple lungs PVC frames and single glass, massive windows with double glazing. For better sealing, you can foam the cracks.

The choice of type of double-glazed windows determines final goal repair. For any technical specifications, satisfying the requirements, the basis of windows of this type will be a frame-profile made of polyvinyl chloride. The kit includes all the necessary fittings, as well as a single-layer or multi-layer sealed glass unit.

The frame (static element) is mounted in window hole, and you can choose the “filling” at your discretion: in which direction the shutters will open, whether the window will have an impost (transverse slats along a horizontal or vertical line), what kind of slats the glass unit is attached to, what kind of glass the windows will be made of.

The most common material for the production of double-glazed windows is four-, five- or six-millimeter glass. A separate group should include “triplex” - double glass with a layer of transparent tape.

A double-glazed window can be single-chamber or double-chamber - depending on the number and parameters of cameras.

The PVC frame from the inside also consists of a number of jumper compartments (stiffening ribs). Their purpose is to create segments in the profile cavity that are filled with air. The more compartments, the higher the heat resistance.

The number, volumes and placement of air segments inside the profile are strictly defined, since some of them are necessary to ensure rigidity, some ensure the outflow of water, and some are needed for fastening fittings.

The level of thermal protection directly depends on the thickness of the glass unit and the distance between them. The warmest will be a balcony that is glazed with double-glazed windows. different thicknesses and at different widths from each other. An important role is played by the seals that are laid along the edge of the glass unit.

As for glass, its properties can be different:

  • reflex reflects Sun rays;
  • reinforced – fire resistant;
  • hardened – impact resistant;
  • colored absorbs solar energy;
  • laminated provides excellent sound insulation (another feature of “triplex” is that when strong impact it does not break into fragments, but cracks and remains inside the film).

Wooden frames

Their appearance has undergone significant changes over the past few decades, but the trend towards installing wooden frames continues to grow. They have a small number of advantages if we compare them with the same PVC profile: beautiful, natural, environmentally friendly. However, there are not very many disadvantages either - they require high-quality installation and good care. Wood must be treated with special protective solutions and paints, otherwise it will quickly lose its appearance, begin to rot and crumble.

Glass in wooden frames you can insert any. A cold single one without a seal will make the balcony beautiful, but unsuitable for use in the winter season. Expensive insulated double-glazed windows with a seal will solve two problems at once - both aesthetically and practically.

Stained or pseudo-stained glass looks beautiful in wooden frames. You can order it from a master or do it yourself. This can be done using a stencil printed on a printer and ordinary acrylic paints on glass. If you don’t have the time or desire to be creative, you can purchase a ready-made film stained glass window on any theme in the store.

Aluminum frames

Aluminum profile is the most current option balcony glazing. This is due to the fact that in most old houses the condition balcony slab and the parapet leaves much to be desired. It is not very safe to install a heavy steel frame on them, but aluminum is quite light and does not put such a load on weak floors.

An aluminum profile is convenient for small balconies. It allows you to save or even expand space by several tens of centimeters (due to the frame with offset). Frames made of this material look aesthetically pleasing and are quite durable. If you paint them with protective enamel, their service life will increase significantly.

The most important advantage is that it allows much more light into the room than a profile made of wood or plastic. And this is especially important if the balcony is used as an additional living space, and not a second storage room.

Precautionary measures

When starting work, first of all you need to think about how to minimize the risk of injury to yourself and passers-by below. A miniature home coffee shop in the spirit of Montmartre is, of course, good, but safety comes first. First of all, it is provided by a safety belt. The industrial one is considered the most reliable, but for one-time work a high-quality sports one is quite suitable.

When choosing a belt, you need to pay attention to the length of the safety cord (cable). It should not be too short so as not to make work difficult, nor too long so that a traumatic jerk does not occur when falling. The optimal length is 2.5 meters.

It is also necessary to take into account the information on the product certificate. The safety belt and carabiner must withstand a load of up to 400 kg. You should not purchase a product without indicating this information and uncertified products.

During repair work, the safety halyard is secured with an anchor pin with a metal collet. The collet must be firmly mounted into the main wall (at least 15 centimeters deep), and the pin must be screwed into it until it stops - using a screwdriver or pry bar.

“With your own hands” does not mean alone. Glass is not only fragile, but also quite heavy, so it is recommended to glaze a balcony yourself with at least one partner.

Once your own safety is ensured, it's time to take care of others. It is unlikely that compensation for damage caused to health from a mount falling on a neighbor’s head is included in the cost estimate for repairing a balcony. The space below should be fenced off with bright construction tape. It is worth warning neighbors on the upper and lower floors about the planned work.

Preparation

Balcony glazing requires a careful approach. Preparing for repair work carried out in stages:

  • Cleaning. The first thing you need to do is remove things from the balcony, remove the blinds (if they were installed), and eliminate anything that might interfere during work.
  • Assessment of operational condition. When the balcony is not cluttered, it must be carefully examined inside and out - for damage, dilapidation, broken concrete, cracks, rot. If the condition of the slab and parapet is satisfactory, you can proceed to the next stage.
  • Elimination of defects. During an inspection of the balcony, problems may be discovered during the construction of the house. Before installing the profile and glazing, it is recommended to level out all irregularities and bevels that may complicate the work.
  • Security.

How to glaze a wooden structure: step-by-step instructions

Self-glazing of the balcony wooden structure implies a sequence of steps:

  • Preparing the surface for work. When the balcony has been cleaned, inspected and in order, it’s time to get rid of all the internal and external coverings. Then you need to remove accumulations of dust and other contaminants.
  • Measurements. Measurement accuracy window openings determines how well the frame will fit to the base, so it is important to be extremely careful and double-check the resulting values.
  • Installation of a wooden “box”. The "box" consists of wooden beams, forming the base for the frame. It is fixed at the level of the existing balcony railings and the top beam. The side bars are mounted to the left and right surfaces of the wall. All beams are secured with metal brackets.
  • Installation of lathing for interior decoration of the balcony. If this step is included in the renovation, it is carried out right up to the glazing of the balcony. When the surface of the walls, floor and ceiling is covered with panels or lining, you can begin installing windows.
  • Installation of frames. Before glazing begins, the glass must be inserted into the frames and secured. They are made to order (according to custom sizes), purchased ready-made or made independently - from profiled wooden beams with grooves.

The glass is inserted into these grooves, pressed with slats and fixed with nails on three sides.

  • Treatment of cracks with insulating materials. Even with the most careful preparation, it is impossible to assemble frames without any gaps, as good designer. There will definitely be gaps that need to be treated with tow or foam.
  • Installation of platbands. It is carried out after thermal insulation, in no case before.
  • Processing of wooden frames protective equipment. The coating protecting against moisture is applied in 5-6 layers. The frame can then be patched, painted, or left clean.

Installation of metal-plastic

The most affordable type of glazing without the help of a specialist. During the installation and installation process you will need: drill, screwdrivers, hammer, spatula, knife, self-tapping screws, polyurethane foam.

Algorithm of actions step by step:

  • Preparing the slats. 10-15 fragments with an area of ​​4 by 4 cm, which are needed to align the parapet line and correctly align the windows along the horizon.
  • Removing the glass unit from the frame. The manufacturer delivers a solid structure made of PVC and double-glazed windows, but before installing the frame, the glass must be removed, otherwise the frame will not be liftable.

You should remove the double-glazed windows carefully, placing them in a row against the wall. For reliability, you can cover it with soft cloth or thin foam rubber.

  • Removing sashes from window hinges.
  • Installation of the stand profile. This required element kit, necessary for ease of installation of the window sill. Its height is only 20 mm and cannot be installed without a stand profile.

To install the profile, you need to rotate the frame 180 degrees, insert it into the groove, and secure it to the underside of the frame with a wooden (not steel) hammer.

  • Installation of frame fastenings. Stepping back 15 cm from each edge of the frame, fasten the plates to the top panel using a hammer and self-tapping screws 3 cm long.
  • Installation of windows. Most difficult moment at this stage - fix the frames on the parapet. It is necessary to do this with assistants so that the frame does not “peek out” beyond the perimeter. It is important to note that the self-tapping screws are not driven into the dowel, but screwed.

After fixing the upper level, the frame will hold quite securely. Then you can fasten the remaining sides, connecting them using self-tapping screws at a distance of approximately 6 cm.

The connected frames are leveled using a level and plumb line.

  • Treatment of cracks and gaps from the outside.
  • Window sill installation.
  • Installation of slopes and ebbs. At the same stage, the window perimeter and joints are treated with silicone.
  • Installation of double-glazed windows according to the instructions.
  • Hanging the sashes.

How to glaze a balcony with sliding windows, see next video:

Frameless method

Aesthetic frameless glazing is chosen when it is necessary to let in maximum sunlight into the room. It is a sliding system made of impact-resistant glass (transparent, tinted or stained glass). There are no frames or partitions, and the glass at the top and bottom is attached to metal rail profiles.

On the lower profile, under the outer sash, there is a fixing tape, which is needed so that the open sashes do not touch each other.

Such a balcony can hardly be warm, because it will not be possible to fit the glass to each other without gaps. The only way to reduce gaps is with acrylic inter-glass seals. They are included in the kit and are designed to be placed over the edges of the glass, like covers.

The system is complete rubber seals, which are laid outside - between the sashes and the aluminum profile. They are necessary in case of wet snow and rain.

The system seems quite light, but at the same time it is very durable (due to the thick glass) and perfectly protects from precipitation, wind, and noise. The thickness of the glass is selected in accordance with the height of the balcony. For heights over 200 cm, a thickness of at least 8 mm is required; for heights less than 2 m, 6 cm is sufficient. The width of the sashes varies between 60-80 cm.

Precipitation falls on a balcony without glazing, a lot of street dust accumulates there, and gifts from birds appear. Often apartment owners prefer not to store anything on such open area. To make a balcony a full-fledged indoor space, it is better to glaze it. Anyone can do this with their own hands.

What you need to be prepared for before starting glazing

Balcony glazing requires professional approach. In such work, it should be remembered that the balcony slab is designed for a certain load. Therefore, she may not be able to withstand the weight gain. To prevent a fatal collapse of the entire structure, it is better to seek advice from specialists. They will be able to give clear recommendations on materials that can be used for glazing in a particular case.

When glazing a loggia such detailed calculations bearing capacity There is no need to make a balcony slab, since the load of the side of the loggia is transferred to the main wall of the house. Glazing can be produced using almost any materials and methods.

It is better to do the balcony glazing yourself with your own hands together with an assistant. In such work you will have to constantly lean over the parapet, so it wouldn’t hurt to have someone who can provide backup. For safety, it is advisable to prepare safety equipment in advance.

Balcony glazing – choosing the best method

Glazing a balcony with your own hands can be done both cold and warm method. In the first option, lightweight frames with single glasses are most often used. In winter, it is quite cold on such a balcony, so during this period of the year this room is used as a pantry for food. Well, in the summer you can organize gatherings on the balcony with such glazing.

To avoid unnecessary hassle For maintenance, we can recommend an aluminum profile as a replacement for wood. This material is easy to install, environmentally friendly and has light weight. During operation, aluminum is not subject to rotting. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the destruction of this material. For such cases, the doors can be used as either rotary or tilt-and-turn. Recently, sliding doors have become increasingly popular.

Such balcony glazing requires a serious approach to work and careful calculation, since the dew point should not be inside the balcony. Due to improper insulation, condensation in the room can lead to mold throughout the apartment. To ensure that the dew point is not in the room, it is necessary to carry out high-quality hydro- and thermal insulation of the floor and parapet. Remember, even a small gap or cold bridge can lead to condensation.

For warm glazing balconies needed double-glazed window with seals. It is recommended to implement natural ventilation, which can be adjusted independently. For this purpose the manufacturer metal-plastic windows ventilation flaps are provided. To get rid of condensation, air circulation is required between the balcony and the room. For this purpose, it is necessary to install a fan in the window of the room, which will draw air out of the room. At the bottom of the balcony door you need to install ventilation grille.

Types of glazing

In elite multi-storey buildings As a rule, panoramic glazing of balconies is used. This option involves a glass fence from floor to ceiling. The most popular is frameless panoramic glazing, with it daylight the room increases several times.

For such glazing, shockproof glass 6–8 mm thick is used, which is treated with metal oxide. Such a double-glazed window is quite difficult to break. Thanks to special coatings, glass can reflect heat back into the room and allow ultraviolet light into the room. Such double-glazed windows have very high sound insulation properties.

Glass sashes can be hinged, sliding (on rollers) or folding. When small space the best option would be to use a balcony sliding mechanism. In this option, when opening the doors, the room area is not lost.

Aluminum profiles are also used for glazing. Weight depends on the thickness of the glass and the size of the sections, but, as a rule, does not exceed 20 kg per linear meter. m. Therefore, it becomes possible to carry out glazing of the balcony with removal. For this, detailed strength calculations are not required.

To assemble the sections, you will need to make guides at the top and bottom of the balcony opening. Then you need to install vertical racks. Then the frame is secured using latches and locks. It is imperative to measure the evenness of the location of the guides and racks. The skew should not exceed 5 mm per linear line. m.

Glazing of balconies can also be done using metal-plastic windows. In this option, the weight of the structure will be 40 kg per linear meter. m. It is recommended to install such glazing before installing the window sill. Racks made of metal-plastic profiles must be attached to the ceiling and parapet using self-tapping screws.

Before installation, it is necessary to remove double-glazed windows in all windows, since during installation work you can easily break the glass. To remove double-glazed windows from the frame, you need to pull out the window beads.

Also, before installing the frame, all sashes must be removed. To do this, you need to squeeze out pins in the upper loops, which can be pulled out using pliers. After this, the sash can be removed from the lower hinge.

If it is decided to make a winter garden or greenhouse on the balcony, then you can use glazing of the balcony with removal. This will require a parapet of increased strength. Additionally, you will have to take care of installing the visor.

Consecutive glazing of the balcony

Finishing and glazing of balconies is always carried out different stages. For example, with lattice fencing, insulation and decorative external finishing are done before glazing begins. But the interior finishing and installation of the window sill must be done after the window frames are installed.

If there is a brick or concrete parapet, you first need to level its surface using cement mortar. Then do exterior finishing. Only after this can glazing work be carried out. Interior decoration and insulation is done after installing the window sill.

If the balcony does not have top floor or is hanging, then you need to use pipe stands. They will be able to withstand most of the glazing load. External frames must be made from 40–60 mm angles. With the help of an angle grinder you need everything welds make amends After this, you need to do degreasing and cleaning. Then you can cover the entire frame with acrylic enamel.

The most labor-intensive stage of the work is creating the visor. It should protrude 15 cm beyond the glazing. As a rule, 40 mm corners are used. The height of the visor is made within 40 cm.

The first step for the visor is to make a frame, in which you need to drill 10-12 mm holes for anchor bolts. The distance between the holes should be 40–60 cm. You need to ensure that there are at least 4 holes along the entire length.

To mark the places for the bolts on the wall, you will need to attach the frame, level it horizontally using a level and draw marks in the holes. After this, you can start drilling holes for the anchors. Once the bolts are installed, the frame itself can be attached to the wall.

The next step is to create cross members and slopes that need to be welded to the frame. Then the outer crossbar is attached. Upon completion, you can begin installing the canopy roof. As a rule, galvanized sheets are used for this. They must be laid overlapping in one wave. To prevent water from leaking between the wall and the roof during rain, it is necessary to insert the sheets into the grooves.

Width load-bearing frames must be done with a small margin (10–15 mm) of the window thickness. According to experts, the frame can have maximum size 1100x1500 mm (subject to using a 40 mm corner). If a 60 mm corner is used, then the length can be made 1300x1700 mm. Using pipe stands, the frame must be connected to the canopy by welding.

Once the frame is completely installed, you can begin decorative finishing and insulation. For cladding it is possible to use metal sheets, which must be welded to the frame. As an option, you can use moisture-resistant plywood or plasterboard for finishing. A balcony covered with siding looks quite decent. As thermal insulation material basalt wool is used.

The glazing process begins with the installation of window frames, which must be secured to the corners with 6 mm self-tapping screws. The distance between the fasteners should be 25–30 cm. After the window frames are secured, all grooves must be foamed. Then the window sashes are installed and the double-glazed windows are put in place. Upon completion, you can begin interior decorative finishing. For this purpose they use wooden lining, plastic panels or drywall that can be painted.

Balcony glazing allows you to turn an open, undeveloped area into a comfortable room. Provided that the glazing is done correctly, the balcony can become an extension of the room, which will significantly expand the living space.

It is possible to cope with balcony glazing yourself. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of existing varieties. balcony structures, choose suitable option and complete the main stages of work in accordance with the instructions.


Types of balcony structures

Today there are 3 main methods of glazing balconies: using wooden frames, using metal-plastic structures, as well as the frameless glazing method.


Modern wooden balcony systems are different high quality, reliability and long service life. Such frames are in many ways superior to outdated analogues, effectively coping with the suppression of street noise and thermal insulation.

Significant disadvantages appear only when sliding wooden frames are used. They are designed in such a way that water can penetrate into the sliding elements. If the temperature drops below zero, this will cause icing window system that's not in the best possible way will affect her condition.

Metal-plastic systems


Modern metal-plastic systems- famous long-livers. Average term services similar designs is 40 years or more. The risk of frames freezing is eliminated due to the presence of a drainage hole in the design of the system.



Frameless glazing, despite its apparent lightness and airiness, provides reliable protection from precipitation, muffles street noise and transmits more solar heat.


The glazing procedure is as follows:

  • lower and upper guides for window sashes are installed. In this case, the functions of the guides are taken over by aluminum profiles;
  • tempered glass is fixed to the guides, characterized by very high strength and resistance to various kinds damage.

However, frameless glazing has significant drawback: the temperature on such a balcony will be only 2-3 degrees higher than the street temperature, so it will not be possible to fully use the balcony as a living and furnished space in cold weather.

Concepts of cold and warm balcony glazing



Cold balcony glazing performed using single glasses installed in lightweight window frames. In summer, such a room will be quite comfortable, but in winter, such a balcony can only be used as a storage room.

It is important that load-bearing frame for such glazing it was quite reliable. Save too much on this structural element no need, because it is the frame that takes on the bulk of the wind load.


Warm balcony glazing, equipped taking into account all the rules and technology requirements, allows you to comfortably use the premises at any time of the year.

When performing such glazing, it is important to create conditions under which the dew point cannot move inside the room. Otherwise, condensation will begin to form on your balcony, which will reduce all efforts to increase usable area to no. In addition, the dew point should not penetrate between installed glass. This condition is especially difficult to comply with if the balcony is located outside the contour of the building.

To avoid problems that can result from condensation, 4 basic conditions must be met, namely:

  • provide high-quality moisture and parapet. Any kind of cracks or thermal paths from outside to the room will lead to condensation;
  • install frames with double glazing and the same high-quality sealing. In the case of using ordinary wooden frames, it is necessary to create a double seal when installing swing doors and seal all the cracks in the blind structural elements;
  • provide for the possibility of providing controlled natural ventilation. Balcony systems Modern models made of metal-plastic are usually equipped with dampers from the very beginning. In the case of installing wooden frames, the valve is installed in the parapet;
  • provide required level air exchange between the balcony and the living space. To achieve this, the design of the window connected to the balcony is supplemented exhaust fan. In addition, a special ventilation grille is installed at the bottom of the door.

After completion, take the necessary measures to protect the structure from penetration of atmospheric moisture. To do this, fill the existing cracks with foam and sealant.




High-quality sealing will contribute to additional increase thermal insulation characteristics designs.

Good luck!

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Video - Do-it-yourself balcony glazing

Reading time ≈ 3 minutes

An unglazed balcony does not fully perform its functions. It seems that you can perform some actions on it, but there is always a fear that the weather is bad, or the neighbors are upper floors will make some adjustments to your plans. It cannot be used as a place to store things either. In order to protect a piece of your space, it’s right by decision There is balcony glazing.

There are a huge number of options for glazing balconies, you can see this by looking photo in the article, but the most interesting thing is to carry out such repair work yourself.

Preliminary measurements and calculations

Before you perform plastic glazing balcony, you need to clearly understand what dimensions windows are needed. To do this, we remove the previous glazing, if there was any, of course, and dismantle the frame and fastenings. We remove everything completely so that the ceiling from above and the base of the parapet are visible.

The next step is to directly measure everyone required sizes: from the ceiling to the parapet, and between two walls. It is also important to make sure that the parapet is horizontal using a level. After all, if there is a misalignment of more than 15 mm, the frame may simply not fit into the slot.

Preparatory work

At DIY balcony glazing preliminary work boils down to preparing the parapet for the future installation of the window frame. Carefully inspect the parapet; if you have any doubts about the strength and stability of its base, it is better to make a new one. To do this, we remove the old one, and in its place we put a new one in one brick, everything is strictly level.

After this, we make a frame to install the frame around the entire perimeter of the parapet. For this purpose, a metal corner with a cross section of 0.5 cm, which is screwed to the parapet using dowels, is perfect.

If you are satisfied with the old parapet, then if there is a gap, you need to seal it using a galvanized sheet. To do this, we measure the size of the gap, after which we insert a pre-cut piece of galvanized steel with outside under the railing and fix it with self-tapping screws. This type of work is best done with a partner.

The process of glazing a balcony with your own hands

  1. We take the glass unit out of the frame to lighten the weight by 25-30 kg. To do this, pull the glazing bead that is directed along the window, pull out the glass and place it next to it on the cleaned floor. The opening doors can be left with double-glazed windows.
  2. We remove the sash from the frame: push the rod in the upper hinge towards the bottom, then tilt the sash and lift it 3-5 cm, finally removing the sash from the lower hinge.
  3. We attach the plastic stand profile for the bottom of the frame.
  4. We install fasteners for the frame. Step back 150 mm from all extreme positions of the frame and, using silver self-tapping screws and a drill at least 3 cm long, secure the fasteners.
  5. We mount the frame into the opening. To do this, we secure the mounting plates with self-tapping screws.
  6. We assemble the frames into one whole using self-tapping screws. Check verticality and horizontality.
  7. We attach the frame to the parapet with anchors.
  8. We foam the cracks and install the canopy.
  9. We insert double-glazed windows and hang the sashes.
  10. After checking the tight fit of the closed sashes and the full functionality of all elements, we install the ebb and window sill.

Almost every owner of an apartment or country house there is a balcony, but not everyone knows that it can be used to increase living space. However, in this case it must be protected from dust and carbon monoxide, as well as the climatic conditions of the region. The solution to this problem can be glazing the balcony with your own hands.

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After all, in this way financial costs will be reduced and there will be a reason to be proud of the work done. You need to know that there are several ways to glaze a balcony, as well as 3 main types of material for window frames - polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminum and wood.

Methods of glazing balconies

IN present time many are trying to improve the balcony to create a relaxation area there free time or a study with a beautiful view, and some as a warehouse for storing supplies for the winter. You need to decide how you want to use it right away in order to avoid unnecessary financial costs, because to create an additional zone in the room it will require an external circuit, which in turn will reduce the cost of heating it. Modern building sector uses 3 main types of balcony glazing - cold, panoramic and sliding. These types of glazing for balconies have already stood the test of time and have proven themselves positively.

Cold glazing

Cold glazing of the balcony

This method of protecting the balcony from the penetration of dust and debris has been used since the middle of the last century. This method does not make it possible to create a seating area on all year round, after all insulation material will not apply. For this type, wooden frames or those made of plastic with single glass are used. The sashes can be sliding or simple rotary. You need to remember that behind wooden frames you need ongoing care To ensure that it lasts for a long time, it requires timely painting and treatment with insect repellents. Thanks to this method, you can relax there in the summer and store supplies in the winter; the temperature will not drop below 0 degrees.

Sliding glazing for balcony

This method is used on small balconies where it is not possible to install swing doors. The frame is assembled from aluminum profile, and roller mechanisms remove the sashes without reducing space. But this type has its disadvantages:

  1. Before installation, you need expert advice, because in some cases its use is impossible for technical reasons;
  2. If the temperature environment long time is below 0 degrees, the rollers will freeze and stop working.

Sliding design

Panoramic glazing of balconies

In this case, it is difficult to do with your own hands, but still possible. This method makes it possible to emphasize your uniqueness, because more often it is frameless, which creates the effect of the absence of glass; it will increase the illumination of the apartment sunlight. For this type of glazing, special glass treated with metal oxide and a thickness of at least 6 mm is used, which will give additional protection from mechanical damage from accidental blows.

Balcony glazing materials

Modern market building materials allows you to use various materials, but wood, aluminum and plastic are more often used. Each of them has its own positive qualities and shortcomings. Frameless glazing is also used, where only glass is used. After choosing a material for window frames, it is advisable to make sure of its quality, because now there are enough companies that sell defective goods, which over time will affect the integrity of the structure.

Example of complex glazing

Using wooden window frames

How can we glaze a balcony with our own hands using this material, and everything is simple, because you can reuse old window frames if you create a storage room. In this case, heat and sound insulation will be poor. Ideal option frames will be used for double-glazed windows, the wood in this case undergoes special treatment, and the indicators of protection from bad weather and reduction of heat loss will be excellent. The main advantage of this material is environmental friendliness, but the price will be much higher than others.

Use of aluminum frames

This type of material is more often used on balconies, where, according to technical data, heavy structures cannot be installed, because it is light and durable. Also positive characteristics are environmental friendliness, durability and high levels of heat and sound insulation. It is produced in white, but for an additional payment it can be purchased in different colors. It can be glazed either in the “cold” way with one glass or, but then a thermal insulation insert will be added to the design.

Using this material will not be cheap, but it will last a very long time without maintenance.

Design for an external balcony

Application of plastic window frames

Glazing a balcony with your own hands with windows plastic frames It’s better with a partner, because they are very heavy, which is one of the disadvantages of this material. Such frames do not need to be painted or subjected to other types of processing, but they are made of non-ecological materials. These windows have good sound and heat insulation and are relatively inexpensive, but due to their cost they are often counterfeited, so you need to purchase them from a trusted company that has been working with this material for many years. The sashes in this type of glazing are rotating and sliding.

Preparatory work

Any type of repair always starts with preparatory work, this case is no exception. The first step is to remove the old glazing, if any, and if it is missing, you need to check the strength of the parapet. If it does not live up to your trust, then it is better to dismantle it, and then lay out a new half-brick one. The masonry must be connected to the walls and the reinforcing mesh must be installed so that the structure is strong. It’s better to draw contour lines right away, which will make your further work easier.

External balcony with sliding system windows

Calculation and measurement of future windows

Before you glaze the balcony with your own hands, you need to take measurements and decide what it will be like. general form. You need to measure the distance between the walls, and also the height from the parapet to the top floor slab. The horizontal plane of the parapet must be level, because the window frame simply will not fit. After the measurement data, you need to report it to the supplier’s company, as a rule, they send a specialist who will double-check your indicators, and also inspect the balcony itself for defects, blocked walls and many other factors, and then tell you what type of frame will work best this type. Approximate cost The entire design can be viewed on the websites of window production companies; there is a special calculator there.

Installation of window frames and glazing

The last step is the installation process itself. Double-glazed windows need to be removed from the window frames, which will greatly facilitate the construction, but they cannot be removed from the opening sashes; the process of closing the window can be disrupted. Afterwards the frames are securely fastened with anchor bolts to the lower parapet, walls and ceiling. Anchors should be used at least 60 mm long. Then check the design for reliability and only then begin to insert the double-glazed windows into place. Afterwards, you need to check the opening doors; if they work poorly, you need to adjust them.

Glazing a balcony with your own hands will not only reduce financial costs, but also give the house comfort.

DIY balcony glazing video:

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