Balcony block: advantages, types, do-it-yourself replacement

Currently, French balconies decorate apartment buildings and cottages not only in Europe, but also in our country. The photo of the article shows a selection of different options that can be found in any city. Such designs give the façade of the building an original look.

• 40 ideas for wrought iron balconies
• 30 ideas for decorating a balcony in Khrushchev

An example of a classic version.

In the classic version there is not much space. Only indoor flowers can be placed here.

Today there are three types of French windows:

• With sliding sashes, called “portal” This window consists of one or more glass panels that move on special rails.
• With swinging sashes Often, hinged sashes are used for panoramic windows used as doors to access the balcony.
• A French balcony window made in this format is only suitable for a warm balcony or loggia, since this design does not have good thermal insulation between the doors. A special feature of windows of this type is a number of sashes that fold into an “accordion” and open a wide passage.

The type of a particular French window and the size of its glass panels are selected depending on the installation location, as well as the taste preferences of the owners. For original versions of French windows on the balcony, see the photo below in the article.

What are the advantages of French windows:

• Visual expansion of the space of the balcony and the room combined with it;
• Significant increase in natural illumination of the balcony and the room combined with it;
• There is no need to finish the outer and inner parts of the balcony parapet

What are the disadvantages of French windows:

• High cost of panoramic window structures;
• The difficulty, and sometimes impossibility, of installing large windows in already built houses or apartments;
• Increased heat loss in the cold season, as well as overheating on sunny days in summer, due to the high thermal conductivity of glass, will require additional costs for heating and air conditioning;
• Large window is difficult to clean

French windows - a bold idea of ​​the Renaissance or the peak of modern aesthetics

This is interesting: Cold glazing of balconies - reviews of insulation and warm glazing of loggias with aluminum profiles

Material

The supporting frame of the structure is made of metal, such as aluminum. The profile type is selected based on the climate. For regions with warm winters and gentle gusts of wind, an aluminum frame is used, and for northern territories with a harsh continental climate, a metal-plastic bag is used.

For warm glazing of a balcony, it is necessary to insulate the floor according to the principle of an electric heating pad. A cable is laid on aluminum foil with a synthetic or natural coating, and a screed is poured on top. After complete drying, a “liquid floor” is applied and the floor covering (tiles, boards or other option) is installed.

Warm floors will maintain a comfortable temperature during the cold period. And condensation will not form on the windows.

How does a balcony differ from a loggia?

It is impossible to imagine a modern apartment building without a spacious loggia or a cozy balcony. A lot of useful and not so necessary things are stored there, laundry is dried, and jars of homemade ingredients are stored there.

Sometimes this space is used as a full extension of the living area. They set up a study area, a play area, and a small workshop there. Very often the concepts of “loggia” and “balcony” are confused, believing that they are identical. However, this is not at all true. These two structures have several design differences, which will be discussed in our article.

Visually distinguishing these structures is very simple. A balcony is a ledge near the windows, which has sufficient area so that you can place furniture there, store things, or use it for other purposes.

A loggia is a niche, a recess in the wall. From the street side, it looks flush with the facade, while the balcony protrudes from it to a large extent. This is a difference at a layman level. SNiP (building codes and regulations) will help you correctly determine what each structure is.

According to building regulations, a balcony is a reinforced platform that protrudes from the plane of the wall. Depending on the shape, size, type of construction and other parameters, balconies may differ from each other.

How to glaze a balcony yourself

A glazed balcony will not only expand the space of the room, but also protect the additional area from exposure to bad weather outside and reduce heat loss in the room. To decide on the direction of work, you need to know what types of glazing in an additional room exist and what type your balcony is.

Choosing a glazing method

For cold type glazing, single glasses framed with lightweight window frames are used. An inexpensive do-it-yourself glazing option, suitable only for summer time, is made with an aluminum profile that does not load the support.

When choosing a warm glazing option, you will have to install double frames with special plastic inside the profile. This design reliably protects from the cold from the street, but has a high cost and greater weight.

The French type of glazing is made with windows with transparent mirror glass. Frames made of high-strength glass are installed along the perimeter of the balcony space along the entire height. The solid glass sheet creates a stunning viewing effect.

Which double-glazed windows to choose?

• Plastic structures with single glass for low-budget reconstruction are considered to be the most convenient for installation on a balcony. The option of massive windows with the installation of double-glazed windows is more expensive.
• Lovers of antiquity prefer double-glazed windows framed with wooden frames. Massive structures made of natural wood look good, but have a significant drawback - the need for careful maintenance.
• An aluminum profile can be considered a current option for glazing loggias in old houses. Installing a light frame on the balcony base slab and parapet will not greatly load the weakened ceiling.

How to glaze a balcony with your own hands

Before starting installation work, you need to decide on the installation option for balcony frames. Among the methods of self-glazing an internal or hanging balcony, the following methods are the most popular.

1. Frames with glass are installed directly on the parapet. This is done if there is confidence in the sufficient strength of the original structure and the possibility of securing the frames around the perimeter.
2. Installation of the profile on an additional structure. The height of the parapet is increased using additional foam blocks to create a stronger base and increase the reliability of fastening.
3. Installation of frames to the full height of the balcony. To glaze the balcony area, the parapet is dismantled, and the window opening is partially tinted or another opaque material is used.
4. Installation of a balcony with removal. For glazing in this way, a particularly strong parapet is required, the reason is the distribution of pressure along the vertical and horizontal planes.

What it is

French balconies are structures that have a small (narrow) or no base at all; Quite often such a structure is called a false balcony. A detailed description is presented in the Wikipedia encyclopedia.

French balcony (English: balconet or balconette, also often referred to as Juliet balconies[1]) is a type of balcony that does not have its own balcony platform - the fence is installed directly in the opening from the outside, right in front of the door. An option with a platform is also possible, but it is very narrow, only sufficient for you to put your foot (“go out onto the balcony”). Source link.

The main difference between French balconies and standard models is precisely the absence of a platform , or its small size.

Photo Fine forging workshop

The width of the structure directly depends on the size of the opening. The dimensions of other types of balconies may vary and depend on safety precautions, wishes and financial capabilities of the customer.

Advantages of French balcony glazing

Rice. 3. French balcony.

Why invent and invent something if you can order regular or warm double-glazed windows and, if necessary, go out onto the balcony and admire the beauty through them? Owners of French balconies and companies that manufacture them will give you a dozen reasons for installing them.

Panoramic glazing, which quickly became fashionable, gained its popularity for good reason. It is naive to assume that choosing this option is an empty whim of residents who have “extra” money. In addition to the aesthetic component, these designs are also good for practical purposes, which we will discuss below.

Natural light

Rice. 4. Balcony lighting.

This advantage will especially please those whose windows face the north side, because with conventional glazing the room does not receive the proper light. By choosing panoramic glazing, we let in much more light into the apartment, and accordingly we get an illuminated room and save on light.

This advantage will also help to visually enlarge and lighten the interior - being transparent, the loggia acts as a continuation of the room, thanks to such a lightweight design it will become lighter.

Visual expansion of the balcony

Rice. 5. Visual expansion of space.

Sometimes you really want a larger balcony, but not everyone can afford it and wants to increase its area manually. This requires a significant amount of funds, materials and time. But it is possible to visually expand the room by installing French glazing.

Lightweight structures and the absence of partitions and bulky materials will add visual square centimeters to even the smallest balcony. And in combination with excellent lighting, you will get a visually wide and free space.

Actual increase in balcony space

Rice. 6. Extended balcony.

French windows on the loggia allow you to make extensions and glaze the increased space. If you are seriously thinking not about visually enlarging the room, but about actually expanding the balcony slab, then a panoramic structure can be installed on it.

In this case, first the balcony slab is strengthened and built on, and either the metal frame of the French balcony or the glass itself is attached to it, if you prefer seamless structures. It is necessary to understand that expansion work must be carried out impeccably - the safety of the entire balcony depends on it.

Saving money on finishing the balcony

Rice. 7. Balcony finishing.

Perhaps the most pragmatic advantage, and at the same time compensation for expenses on glass, is the fact that the panoramic balcony does not have walls that need to be finished. The only surfaces that will need to be repaired after installing the glazing will be the floor and ceiling, which significantly reduces the cost of both material and labor. The time required to repair the premises is also significantly reduced. If we are talking about a warm balcony, then the savings are especially significant, because we do not need to spend money either on insulation, or on leveling the structures, or on their external finishing.

Features of design and installation

Once upon a time, the peculiarity of a classic French window, or any other, was that the light opening was divided by frames into fairly small squares or rectangles.

This was explained by the fact that the technology for casting sheet glass had not yet been discovered. Now there is no point in dividing the movable sashes of a French window into separate squares in high frames in order to glaze them. If this is done, then only with the help of decorative frames, and not structural beams - otherwise additional reinforcement of the profile will be required, and the design of the high portal is already quite heavy.

Design Features

It should be taken into account that the French window must withstand both constant wind pressure from the outside and shock loads from gusty winds. From the inside, the structure and glazing must support the weight of an adult if he leans on the window. Therefore, profiles and double-glazed windows of standard windows and balcony blocks are not suitable for French portals.

For a French window, the reliability and strength of the structure is ensured as follows:

• use reinforced frames;
• window sashes are equipped with additional stiffening elements made of metal or modified wood (depending on the materials from which the French window is made);
• install double-glazed windows with energy-efficient glass (double-glazed windows with three glasses are also possible, but they are heavier);
• Tempered glass with a thickness of 6-8 mm is used for glazing.

Installation features

The installation of a French window also differs from the installation of a balcony block or a regular window:

• More powerful anchor bolts (8x150 mm) and mounting plates (more than 4 mm thick) are used.
• Provide additional points for attaching the frame in the opening. The spacing of anchor bolts should be no more than 0.5 m (depending on the wall materials and the size of the structure).
• In city apartments, a protective fence with a height of at least 1.2 m is installed on the upper floors. In private houses (no more than three floors), the height of the fence must be at least 0.9 m.
• The assembly seam is foamed in layers from the inside and outside to the entire thickness of the frame profile.
• On the upper floors of any building, either a French balcony with a small platform or a fence without an external platform is installed. In the second case, the fence is attached at four points to the facade or to the walls of the opening - two points on each side of the window.

Two design options can be used as a fence:

• Lattices. In the classic version, they are made from forged black metal, rarely flat - often convex at the bottom. In modern versions, they are made of stainless round or profile pipes. The lattice elements should have a predominantly vertical orientation.
  Read also:  Placing a kitchen on a balcony or loggia is an interesting technique for increasing space
• Screens. Unlike the railings of ordinary balconies, screens are made only from transparent tempered glass. Moreover, the thickness of the glass of the fence ranges from 8 to 14 mm (for wide portals it can reach up to 20 mm), which is much greater than the thickness of the glass in the window. In addition to glass, railings can also be installed on the fence as an additional protective element.

Will a balcony slab withstand French glazing?

Of course, the load-bearing capacity of the slab must be taken into account when glazing, especially if double-glazed windows are used.

The average weight of a PVC structure for a “Khrushchev” balcony will be about 400 kg, of which 150 kg falls on the parapet. And if the parapet is replaced with foam blocks, which still need to be insulated, then its weight will increase to 200–250 kg.

But when installing a “French” parapet, it becomes possible to distribute the glazing load over the entire area of ​​the balcony slab using an external welded frame.

It looks like this:

Remote welded frame.

Filling the space with mineral wool provides additional insulation.

The result is this: the load-bearing capacity of the glazing structure allows you to install both a warm and, even more so, a lightweight cold “French” balcony.

Calculated in theory and tested in practice.

French or regular balcony?

Which balcony is better: French or regular?

Let's list the features of French glazing that fundamentally distinguish it from a regular balcony:

1. Large glazing area.
2. Full transparency.
3. A French balcony is not 100% safe.
4. Worst thermal insulation.
5. Original design.

Let's look at each item in more detail and you can make your own choice.

Visually, a French balcony seems light and weightless (although you already know that in fact it can put significant pressure on the slab if you use warm metal-plastic profiles). Visually it increases the area of ​​a small loggia or balcony. For this reason, it is advisable to install this type of glazing on small and narrow external structures. Large long loggias are very expensive to glaze in this way. In addition, in the summer it will be incredibly hot and you will have to turn on the air conditioner at full power, which will not lead to energy savings (as in winter), but to additional costs.

The large glass area has another significant drawback - the glass will have to be washed frequently, because any stains on them are very noticeable. And since there will be a lot of glass, you will have to wash them longer than usual.

French glazing of a balcony increases its area not only visually. There is also a slight increase in physical area due to the removal of the parapet, lack of thermal insulation, etc. Thermal insulation on such balconies is worse than, for example, on a balcony glazed with a thick PVC profile (glass has high thermal conductivity), but sound insulation is no worse than that of a traditional wall.

When installing floor-to-ceiling glass, there is no room left for a traditional window sill, which for many apartment owners is an important functional part of the balcony. But you will definitely gain a few centimeters of usable space

A large glazing area has several other advantages: savings on interior and exterior decoration, long-term preservation of the impression of novelty - the glass does not crack, do not fade, or warp. Just wash them more often - and from the outside it will seem that the glazing was updated just yesterday.

Full transparency means increased energy savings in the fall and winter. Increasing the period of natural light will have a positive impact not only on electricity bills, but also on the morale of the people living in such a room. It is known that human activity decreases in the dark and under artificial lighting. But on the other hand, if the windows face south, it will be very hot in the summer. Especially if the balcony area with French glazing is large. Plants on such a balcony will feel uncomfortable from an excess of solar energy. And the apartment will be hotter than usual, you will have to turn on the air conditioner at full power. Therefore, worry in advance about installing light thick curtains or blinds on all windows. To prevent it from being cold in winter, waterproof all non-glass surfaces, insulate the ceiling, and make a warm floor.

Manufacturers of French-type glazing claim that it is absolutely safe. This is not entirely true. Glass is a hazardous material. It's not that hard to break. At the same time, the usual parapet, concrete or metal, is missing. Therefore, if you have children, you may have to think about additional removable barriers for the balcony. They can be both internal and external.

The fencing of a French balcony can be either internal or external. It guarantees the safety of people.

If you are still in doubt whether it is worth changing your regular balcony to a French one, think: you have nothing to lose. If you get tired of complete transparency, you can cover the lower windows with tinted film. To feel completely secure, it is better to immediately make external decorative barriers. And the problem of heat conservation can be solved with the help of heated floors.

What should be the height of the balcony railing?

Enclosing structures on a balcony of the correct height are a guarantee of safety. Almost all apartments located in a multi-storey building are equipped with protruding slabs onto which you can exit from the living quarters.

To ensure safe stay, they are provided with fences installed in accordance with the requirements of construction GOSTs and SNiPs. In addition to the direct functional purpose of the enclosing railings, many owners of balconies try to give them a sophisticated appearance. Recently, the aesthetic aspect has been given increasing importance.

Features of protective fences for balconies

Exclusivity and originality are added to the design of the railings of the enclosing parapet of balconies and loggias using metal elements with a variety of coating options: chrome plating, nickel plating, grinding, polishing, polymer powder painting. Stainless steel, durable plastic and glass are also used for these purposes.

Types of enclosing structures

The following types of fencing are used:

• Forged, the cost of which is significantly higher than the price of other balcony design options;
• Wooden, their attractive appearance is achieved through the installation of carved railings and balusters. Thanks to a well-chosen combination of horizontal and vertical structural elements, sophistication is achieved in the design of fencing for balconies and loggias.
• In the form of a brick or concrete parapet, providing a reliable base for installing frames made of metal-plastic, wood, aluminum;
• In the form of screens made of durable plastic or glass.

To connect all elements of various types of balcony railings, special fasteners or welding are used.

Design features

The fencing structure consists of:

• vertical posts that serve as a supporting frame;
• railings designed for comfortable support of people;
• various elements that directly perform the protection function.

The frame posts are securely attached to the lower balcony slab.

Railings are made in a wide variety of shapes and are selected in accordance with the individual tastes of residents.

Installation height of parapet and railings

Any fencing design must meet increased safety requirements for staying on them. As a result, during their construction it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations of GOST construction standards and standards. Basically, these requirements are described in the following regulatory documents:

• GOST 25772-83 – Railings for balconies and stairs;
• GOST 23118-99 – Steel building structures.

The given reference books describe in detail all the requirements for the design of balcony railings. For example, it states that in buildings with a height of no more than 30 m:

• fence height – at least 1000 mm;
• distance to the railing from the floor – 900 mm;
• For combined and screen enclosing structures, adjacent supports should be separated by a distance of no more than 300 mm.

If the building is erected more than 30 m, then the height of the fence and railings must be increased by 100 mm.

When developing an option and subsequent installation, the height of the fence on the balcony is of no small importance. A fencing structure that fully meets safety requirements will give an elegant, presentable look to the balcony or loggia of a private house or apartment in a multi-story building and ensure their safe operation.. Source: https://me-remount.ru/balkon-i-lodzhiya/remont/visota- ograzhdeniya-balkona.html

Source: https://me-remount.ru/balkon-i-lodzhiya/remont/visota-ograzhdeniya-balkona.html

Approval procedure

Before starting work on replacing the balcony block with a French window, you need to imagine the correct sequence of actions that will need to be performed by residents who decide to remodel.

The order is as follows:

1. Request from the BTI an apartment plan that corresponds to the real state of affairs.

2. Order from the designer a technical report on the possibility of redevelopment and a work plan, which must include thermal engineering calculations.

3. Submit a package of documents to the territorial housing inspection through the MFC.

4. After approximately 45 days allotted to the administrative authorities to make a decision, obtain official permission for the redevelopment.

5. Carry out repair work in strict accordance with the developed project.

6. Contact the housing commission with a request for the selection committee to visit the site to confirm the correctness of the redevelopment.

7. Receive a certificate of completion of the reconstruction of the premises.

8. The body that approved the redevelopment sends the necessary documentation to Rosreestr to make changes to the Unified State Register, for which 15 working days are allotted.

9. Order an updated extract from the Unified State Register through the MFC, taking into account the changes made.

10. A technical plan with a new window configuration can be ordered from the BTI.

There are often situations where a French window has already been installed, although the owner of the apartment did it illegally. In this case, you should still go through the approval process to avoid troubles.

To do this, you need to contact a design organization with the appropriate permission, which will check the nature of the changes made and, if the structure is safe, will develop the necessary project.

Having received a positive conclusion on the admissibility of the work performed, the owner of the premises submits an application through the MFC to the housing inspectorate for recognition of the redevelopment as legal. The further procedure remains the same. The commission checks the condition of the building and the nature of the changes. If no violations are found, then an act of completed reconstruction will be drawn up.

The only unpleasant moment for the owner will be the mandatory payment of a fine for illegal interference in the structure of the house.

French window instead of a balcony block

The opening together with the loggia with this solution requires additional insulation to prevent heat loss. Sliding structures used to provide access to the loggia, although they require additional work on glazing and insulating the loggia, significantly save space. The doors of such structures do not require additional space, since they slide on top of each other, and do not swing open or unfold like other versions of similar analogues.

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By expanding the kitchen at the expense of the loggia, you can place a dining area there. This option allows you to combine the kitchen with the loggia, thereby increasing the area of ​​the kitchen space. This redevelopment is very popular in apartments with a small area, where there is an acute shortage of every square meter. The solution to making an opening without further glazing has two implementation options: Clear the opening completely.

Remove doors

A few words about the French balcony

It is fundamentally different from the usual understanding of a balcony or loggia, because it does not have a wide balcony slab. This may be a small protrusion from the side of the window with its own fence, usually in the form of a forged lattice. Its area is so small that it is not functionally suitable for storing things. For this reason, it is usually used to decorate the home, for example, flower pots will look great here.

Some people are afraid that such a balcony will not only “open up” the room, but will also allow passers-by to easily peer into what is happening outside the window. There are several ways and methods to avoid this problem, the most popular is to use special glass.

They can be:

• transparent;
• tinted;
• matte;
• with a pattern (adhesive tape).

Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Thus, the light transmittance of tinted glass is slightly less than that of ordinary glass, and therefore they do not solve the problem of increasing the access of light. But with their help you can get rid of excess heat in the summer months. This option is chosen by people whose windows face south.

Tinted French balcony

Frosted glass almost does not interfere with the penetration of light, but at the same time they almost completely block the view. This means that this window is not suitable for those who have a beautiful view from the window. Adhesive-based designs are a compromise option. Finding one that suits your taste and style is not a problem today. Finally, you can choose a combination of different types of glass.

Owners of both standard apartments, including Khrushchev-era apartments, and private houses decide to undertake such alterations. Of course, in the latter case, the result will look much more aesthetically pleasing and beautiful.

What documents are required for approval?

Coordination of redevelopment related to the installation of a French window will not cause complications only if the load-bearing structures of the building are not involved.

To do this, the owner of the premises must collect a package of documents:

• application for approval of redevelopment;
• BTI technical documentation;
• a redevelopment project carried out by a competent design organization, ideally by the designer of the building being reconstructed;
• thermal engineering calculation confirming the preservation of normal living conditions, which can be a section of the redevelopment project;
• USRN extract certifying ownership of the object;
• technical report on safety if the redevelopment has already been completed;
• consent to the redevelopment of all owners of the premises;
• notarized power of attorney in case of submission of documents by an authorized person;
• consent of the credit institution if the apartment is pledged to the bank.

Opinions about the French window

Now there are many people who have already realized their dreams and installed a panoramic window.

Recently, my husband suggested installing a French window in the living room of our apartment that would go to the park near our house. I immediately remembered that my friend had a glass balcony on the floor. There are flowers in pots next to the window, but this does not solve the situation.

Feeling like you have a gap in front of you. Being on such a balcony on the tenth floor is not so pleasant. I immediately felt dizzy. We live in eighth place.

Therefore, her husband's proposal was not taken into account at all. A few years ago we installed a French window

I've already gotten used to it psychologically for a long time. I always felt like someone was constantly watching me from the outside

A few years ago we installed a French window. I've already gotten used to it psychologically for a long time. I always felt like someone was constantly watching me from the outside.

Especially in the dark. The regular curtains that I hung in the new window pampered the entire interior. So I had to contact support. He helped decorate the room beautifully and elegantly. The curtains weren't removed, they just installed new ones that fit inside. Now I feel more comfortable and our home has changed.

My wife has always dreamed of a French window. We lived in an apartment and it was very difficult to find there to collect the necessary documents, permits,

etc. I recently bought a cottage, and then they didn’t turn me away. We installed a window in our bedroom. I was actually worried that it would be cold in the winter. I found out that you can install a special radiator for French windows.

It was very convenient: it works worry-free, fits well inside, consumes little energy. In general, winter was a problem.

Our kitchen had a balcony door.

We have already turned the balcony into a house. Now they decided to install a French window instead of a balcony door. Just say it's okay.

There is more light in our small kitchen. We expected it to be cold, but everything turned out differently. The side of the sun, or the sun in the house, has become larger, and on hot days it even becomes hot. It is true that the man is poor: the window has become foggy. They called a specialist and said there were several reasons: cooking, poor ventilation or, as in our case, due to improperly installed heating.

It turned out that there should be no batteries near the window. Now we are planning to install a floor convector.

Therefore, you should carefully consider the decision to install a French window. All the advantages and disadvantages must be weighed, their capabilities assessed not only in terms of the installation of the window itself, but also in the event of changes in the heating system, as well as how interest in innovation will continue in the future.

Don’t neglect psychological factors, and think about whether you will be comfortable in a room with such a window. Well, if all this is already taken into account, it's time to get into the business and transform your home so it's always pleasant and comfortable.

Do not confuse with balconies for flowers on windows

Balconies on flower windows are compact in size and practically do not extend beyond the boundaries of the building’s façade. Therefore, they are often confused with French balconies. But there are differences .

Constructions of the first type are characterized by their small height . These dimensions are perfect for conveniently arranging pots and boxes with plants. Structures of the second type are characterized by standard dimensions , which ensures safety; this figure is approximately 1.0-1.2 meters.

Photo Firebird

Balconies for flowers are placed on windows of standard sizes; a French balcony looks most impressive in combination with a panoramic window .

However, the concept of “balconies on windows” can be interpreted in two ways. Thus, many experts and clients refer to both types of designs under this name.

Installation of a frameless glazing system for balconies and loggias

The design of frameless glazing is based on load-bearing aluminum profiles (top and bottom), which are attached to the parapet or balcony floor and the ceiling slab. The sash is glass with a one-component polyurethane adhesive glued to it and a glass profile riveted with two stainless steel rivets at the top and bottom, on which four rollers are located (two each at the top and bottom).

The design uses tempered glass with polished edges. As a result of this treatment, in the event of an impact, the glass will break into small pieces with blunt edges, which will minimize the risk of injury to people.

Frameless glazing of balconies involves the use of glass with a thickness of 6 to 12 mm. The choice of glass thickness depends on the number of floors and height of the balcony, as well as the strength of the wind load.

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Frameless glazing of balconies - advantages

• Versatility. Frameless structures can be installed on almost any type of balconies and loggias, of any size and shape, without fear of spoiling the appearance of the building facade.
• Safety. Thanks to special processing, the glass is not afraid of strong gusts of wind and even hail. It is very difficult to break such material, unless you deliberately hit it with something heavy. If the glass breaks, it will fall into small, blunt pieces, which is completely safe.
• Reliability. This design involves the free movement of glass in the profile using special plastic rollers. Thanks to this, you can completely open the balcony by simply folding the glass in the shape of a book or turning it towards the wall.

• Protection from rain, wind and dust. Thanks to the insulation of the inter-window gaps from a polymer seal, the balcony is reliably protected from wind, precipitation, debris and dust.
• Simplicity and ease of care. This method of glazing has minimal maintenance requirements: for good operation of the window system, it is enough to lubricate the parts with silicone a couple of times a year.
• Exterior view of the balcony. Frameless glazing of balconies, photos of which perfectly show all the beauty and originality of such structures, are noticeably different from conventional double-glazed windows. They create the impression of airiness and lightness without obscuring the interior space of the room.

Frameless glazing of balconies - disadvantages

• Strong transparency of the design. Because of this feature, others will easily see everything that happens on the balconies (especially those located on the lower floors). If you do not want to flaunt your personal life, you should think in advance about suitable blinds or curtains.
• Low level of thermal insulation. The main disadvantage of the frameless design is that it has, rather, a protective function, which is why the balcony can be fully used only when the outside air temperature is above zero.
• No mosquito net. Unfortunately, it is impossible to attach a mosquito net to the glass, so if the windows are open, insects can easily enter the room.
• Incomplete sealing. Frameless glazing of balconies and loggias, the price of which is slightly higher than that of conventional double-glazed windows, is significantly inferior to them in terms of tightness. The noise level is only 10 decibels lower, and in heavy rain the windows may leak.

• Difficult to install. Frameless glazing of balconies and loggias using Finnish technology requires very high-quality installation with almost jeweler-like precision. Even a slight shift of just a couple of millimeters can cause problems with moving and opening window panels.
• Need for frequent washing. Due to the fact that the glass gets dirty too quickly, the structure will have to be washed very often, otherwise the balcony will take on an ugly and unkempt appearance.

Types of glass and structures

Panoramic views are created using integral structures. At the same time, a rather attractive view opens with a divided window block.

Panoramic glazing is divided into two types:

• solid block without frames;
• sectional structures with aluminum profiles or plastic fittings.

Window blocks must be particularly reliable with a thickness of at least 7 mm and withstand vibration and shock. Window structures made of polyvinyl chloride profiles perform this function perfectly. Plastic double-glazed windows must have excellent sound insulation characteristics. In addition, multi-chamber structures reduce the amount of heat loss by approximately 3 times. But, having a lot of weight, if the design is chosen incorrectly, they can lead to the collapse of the balcony.

As an alternative, a single-chamber double-glazed window can be used with an inert gas in the form of argon between the panes and with an energy-saving film to reduce heat loss.

There are two types of structures:

• Cold glazing is a more budget option and is made from aluminum profiles. Protects from rain, wind, dust and provides some sound insulation. During the winter, the room will remain cold.
• Warm glazing - performed using double-glazed windows and PVC profiles. For this option, it is necessary to strengthen the balcony slab, insulate the façade and the floor. The cost of warm glazing differs significantly from cold glazing. But an undoubted advantage is the possibility of combining a balcony with a living space.

If the loggia is located separately from a single balcony structure, then two options are possible: frameless glazing or installation of an aluminum profile followed by fastening the glass. The windows on the “French balcony” can be sliding or tilt-and-turn.

Another feature of the glazing is that when two sashes are opened to the sides, the opening is completely cleared and there is no vertical stiffener. Thus, the structure is attached to the frames and secures the two windows together. The sides of the balcony can be made of frosted glass or plastic panels.

On the side with the sandwich panel you can place a storage system.

Is it possible to install an air conditioner on the balcony?

If you finally decide to buy and install an air conditioner, don’t rush to run to the store and buy it.

To begin with, you should find out all the details and nuances associated with the possibility of installing it in your apartment. Situations are quite possible when it is simply not possible to hang the outdoor unit of the device outside the building.

This may be due to the following reasons:

• your house may be an architectural monument and be of historical value;
• if there is a walking path right next to your windows;
• the company that owns the building may impose a ban on the installation of various climate control equipment.

In this case, you should not despair, because such a problem can be solved in a very simple way. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner can be placed on your balcony or loggia.

Everything can be much more prosaic if you decide to install this device in a room with a balcony.

Recently, installing an air conditioner on a balcony has become quite common due to its simplicity and practicality.

It is worth noting that the methods of placing the unit on a balcony or loggia can also be different:

• installation of an external unit inside an open balcony or loggia;
• installation inside a glazed balcony or loggia;
• fastening the external air conditioner unit outside the balcony or loggia.

Reasons for installing an air conditioner on a balcony

Unfortunately, sometimes there are situations when the external module cannot be installed on the facade:

• the air conditioning unit disrupts the appearance of the building;
• the building is classified as a historical monument;
• for technical reasons, it is impossible to install an external block on the external walls of the building;
• there is no permission to install an air conditioner on the wall of an apartment building.

In the above cases, if the indoor air conditioner unit is installed in a room with a balcony, then its external unit is mounted on the balcony or loggia

And it doesn’t matter - on open or glazed

When it is impossible to install the outdoor air conditioner unit on the facade of the house, it is taken out to the balcony or loggia. Installation is carried out regardless of the presence or absence of glazing

Installing an external air conditioner unit on a loggia or balcony has a number of advantages:

• the installation process is less expensive: no work at height is required;
• the block body is protected from negative weather factors: wind, snow, rain;
• the distance between the air conditioner modules is reduced;
• simplifies maintenance, cleaning and repair.

However, there are also disadvantages to this installation option. Let's take a closer look at them.

Pros and cons of air conditioning on the balcony

If you decide to install an air conditioner on a balcony or loggia, you should be aware that such a decision has a list of both pros and cons. The main advantages of installing inside a balcony include:

• Easy and safe installation. Workers fastening the unit are not exposed to any risk. For this reason, the cost of installation is significantly reduced.
• Protection of the outer box from the negative influence of weather conditions.
• Ease and accessibility of maintenance.
• A significant reduction in the length of the line through which drainage liquid is supplied, as well as the amount of liquid itself.

The disadvantages of this installation are as follows:

1. Installation is strongly recommended on an unglazed balcony or loggia. If the balcony is glazed, then all windows must be open while the unit is operating.
2. If the balcony or loggia is glazed, the problem of rapid overheating of the external unit of the air conditioner arises. In this case, it turns off automatically.
3. The outdoor unit takes up quite a lot of space, reducing the area of ​​the balcony.
4. Noisy. The sound of the unit running can be clearly heard in your room.