Glazing of balconies and loggias with plastic windows

The intention to glaze an open loggia or balcony, the repair of old balcony frames - which choice would be the most correct to solve these problems? Glazing with plastic windows, the advantages and disadvantages of a PVC profile, or in another way MPO (metal-plastic windows), as well as the complexity of the choice of double-glazed windows and accessories. Information about all of this can help and facilitate the task ahead.

Glazing of balconies with plastic windows has many positive qualities. Unfortunately, one cannot do without a fly in the ointment, there are also disadvantages, although there are few of them, and they are unlikely to outweigh the upcoming choice in the scales. A negative opinion appeared at the very beginning of the introduction of plastic windows into the everyday life of the whole country. This myth has common roots with the once prevailing anxiety about the damaging effects of newfangled mobile phones on human health.

Unfortunately, the increasing popularity has spawned many unscrupulous manufacturers, whose quality really leaves much to be desired and gives rise to negative opinions.

• Durability. These indicators are able to dispel the prevailing opinion about the unreliability of PVC material.
• Security. In fact, the PVC profile, made in compliance with all requirements, is absolutely safe for health - it does not contain formaldehydes, and a long-term neighborhood is not capable of harming human and animal health.
• Strength. The material is highly resistant to negative atmospheric influences and mechanical stress.
• Easy to install. Possession of basic repair skills will allow you to independently cope with the installation of finished double-glazed windows.
• Comfort in care. The material is so resistant to environmental influences that it does not attract dust particles, repels odor molecules. It is enough to wipe the windows from time to time. Glasses are easy to clean without leaving streaks, unlike traditional quartz glass.
• Soundproofing. The possibilities of the material and modern technologies allow you to achieve maximum soundproofing - it all depends on the protective level of the structure.
• Thermal insulation. Its performance corresponds to sound insulation.
• Wear resistance. The quality of the material makes it amazingly resistant to corrosive processes, it does not lend itself to attack by molds, chemicals, moisture.

Existing disadvantages.

• Repair. PVC windows cannot be repaired in case of serious damage, they can only be replaced. Small defects, in the form of failed seals, handles, must be replaced.
• Condensate. Its appearance is possible if only the production or installation technology is violated.
• Temperature conditions. Sharp temperature changes negatively affect the profile structure.

Until recently, two main types of balcony glazing were known - cold and warm. Now a combined one has been added to them - semi-warm. A little more detail about each of them.

Glazing of this type is more likely to be used for household purposes - in cold regions it is able to keep the temperature only a couple of degrees lower than on the street. From this it is clear that a balcony with a cold profile will serve as a lounge area only in the warm season. But it perfectly plays the role of a winter refrigerator, a pantry for temporary storage of bicycles, skateboards and other summer pleasures.

In addition, a forced preference may be given to cold glazing. The reason for this is the "age" of the apartment in the old housing stock, where the balcony slabs will not withstand a heavy load.

• The advantage of cold glazing is its compactness and light weight, which is why this type is preferable in older houses.
• The next important factor is the budget design. In comparison with multi-chamber MPO (metal-plastic), a lightweight aluminum profile with one glass or a frameless version will cost much less.
• And, of course, strength and durability are the parameters that remain among the most important.

Cold-type glazing is made of an aluminum profile. Despite its light weight, it is a very durable material with good resistance to corrosion, weathering, and increased stress. Frameless glazing is an even lighter type of cold-type glazing, which also has a stylish appearance, neatness, and airiness. Each of them has its own characteristics that must be considered when choosing.

This type of glazing has great possibilities, with the help of which you can turn a balcony, and even more so a loggia, into a part of a living space. By increasing the meters for the living room or kitchen, you can make a study, workshop, lounge area, winter garden. The massive multi-chamber profile used in this case provides high-quality sound insulation and a comfortable temperature in any season, and its tightness guarantees the absence of drafts.

There are practically no drawbacks, there are small drawbacks, one of which is the high cost of material and installation. The second is the ability to apply it only in new houses, where powerful slabs are able to withstand a massive structure.

This species appeared relatively recently and is rapidly gaining popularity. It uses the principle of combining the main types of glazing - cold and warm. A PVC profile is installed on the balcony, but instead of swing-out frames, sliding doors are mounted. The result of such a hybrid union is better insulation than with cold glazing, but worse than in the case of a warm version.

The principle of such a design is in demand in old buildings, since the combined structures weigh much less and do not overload the dilapidated slabs. They are used where balconies have an extremely limited area. Sliding doors do not take up useful space when opening.

The advantages of hybrid glazing.

1. Ideal for seasonal use or as a permanent storage compartment for any accessories.
2. With this method, there is practically no condensation - two glasses are installed in the glass unit and a drying frame between them. It is she who absorbs moisture, and the double sealed layer serves as an excellent insulation.
3. Thanks to the brush seal in the corners of the structure, drafts and rain drops, dust and dirt are completely excluded.
4. There is a reliable protection against penetration.

The disadvantages include weak noise and thermal insulation, compared to the warm type of glazing.

Plastic windows are so convenient and well thought out functionally that they even have several ways of opening the sash. This makes it possible to install them in rooms of any type and size. Most of it comes off inward, some outward, others rotate along the axis. All of them have an airing option.

• Blind flap. Such a sash does not open, and, it would seem, it does not belong in this list, but the view exists, so it would not be superfluous to mention it. This type does not open at all, the purpose is economic, the installation is in auxiliary places, shop windows.

• Swivel. The most used type of valves, more similar to the traditional one. The sash is hinged on one side, and on the other, it is closed with a handle and a lock. As a rule, they open inward, but on an individual order they will perform the "outward" option.

• Folding. Opens with a handle, the upper part leans back, entering the ventilation mode. Perform in combination with swing opening. Fully flaps are rare and are custom made.

• Suspended system. The lower part opens, the upper part is hinged.

• Swivel along the vertical and horizontal axes.

• Sliding sash. A convenient system that does not take up useful space, moves sideways. The sign on the diagram is a rectangle with an arrow inside, showing the direction of displacement.

• Foldable, it is "accordion". Most often used in windows with large openings and a requirement for full opening. The leaves, moving, fold like an accordion, going one after the other along or across the wall.

Manufacturers offer customers a variety of systems for opening the sash of plastic windows, we have already managed to make sure of their variety. This is a direct indication of careful attention to the choice of a plastic window and the functionality of the structure. It is necessary to think in advance how much free space the balcony has to open the doors.

A responsible manufacturer that values ​​its reputation will certainly offer various options for opening the sash. The specialist must calculate the load on the PVC balcony frame, suggest the most suitable system, taking into account the client's requirements - with one or two glass, lightweight or regular thickness. Knowing the symbols for opening the sash will help you navigate without problems and choose the best model.

The profile for a double-glazed window is the main bearing and structural element of the window. Several defining characteristics are used for selection.

Thickness of the inner and outer walls of the profile:

1. class A- the thickness of the inner walls - from 2.5 mm and the outer ones - from 2.8 mm, the most demanded option is responsible for ensuring thermal insulation;
2. class B - indicators of thermal insulation are lower, as well as resistance to mechanical stress, the thickness of the internal partitions - from 2 mm, external - from 2.5 mm;
3. class C - everything that does not meet the above standards and without specific requirements - for example, object models marked "Object".

After that, you should pay attention to the homogeneity of the material from which the PVC windows are made - the surface should be smooth and monolithic. The graininess indicates a violation of the technological process. It is better to abandon such profiles right away, especially since there are a great many manufacturers of MPS today.

In order not to fall for the bait of scammers and not to buy counterfeit as a branded product, you should make sure that the selected product has a manufacturer's mark on the inside of the frame. There should be a brand mark and numbers with mandatory information.

• The minimum width for a three-chamber profile is 5.8 cm, a width of 7 cm is used for 4-, 5-chamber models. The 9 cm wide profile belongs to the premium six-chamber profile.
• The number of double-glazed windows is chosen taking into account its purpose. For cold glazing of a balcony, the most optimal solution is a double-glazed window. For warm glazing, you need a three-, four-, five-chamber double-glazed window.

Before placing and paying for the order, you need to decide what type of glazing will be installed. If this is already a completed stage, and the client knows exactly what type of glazing he wants to use to decorate the balcony, it remains to choose the type of glass unit:

• for a warm balcony, two-, three-chamber double-glazed windows will be most suitable;

• the cold type fully accepts a single-chamber model - it is lighter, less warm, but has good decorative effect.

Additional options for warm glazing:

• energy-saving coating with infrared reflection of soft (i-coating) or hard (k-coating);

• multifunctional packages are capable not only of reflecting heat rays inward, but also repelling solar energy from the outside during a hot period, providing savings on the installation of an air conditioner.

You can order double-glazed windows with noise and shock protection, such a system is much stronger.

After completing the task of choosing double-glazed windows and profiles, it remains to order accessories - handles, hinges, other mechanisms.

• A rotary stop that does not allow a sharp and strong swinging of the sash from sudden gusts of wind.
• Latches that serve as an excellent stopper to prevent strong jerks. They offer mortise and overhead, mechanical and magnetic, angular and spring loaded roller.
• Decorative overlays. The name speaks for itself.
• Springboards are devices that protect windows from deformation changes and the appearance of gaps between the seal and the frame.

The starting point of the work is the preparatory front: drawing up a project for an insulated balcony, an estimate, choosing the necessary building materials, taking into account the installation of a structure in a "Khrushchev" or a new building, buying tools.

Step-by-step instructions for properly glazing the balcony yourself with plastic.

• The balcony and loggia must be freed from everything that can be taken out of the room, leaving only inseparable structures.
• It's time to start a general assessment of the condition of the walls, ceiling, floor - if defects are found (chips, cracks, decayed wooden parts), they need to be leveled or replaced.
• In the case when the already existing fence remains, check its reliability.
• Old frames, if any, are dismantled and removed.
• Finding a balcony on the top floor requires the installation of a roof, a visor.

After the completion of these works, the preliminary stage can be considered complete.

The time has come for accurate measurements of all surfaces of the interior space (a standard balcony is much shorter than a loggia, whose average length is 6 meters), side and front windows. After that, all designs are ordered.

Another preparatory measure is preparation for the installation of profiles and double-glazed windows. It is imperative to check whether the dimensions of the bottom and top floor are the same.This is done using a construction plumb line. Do-it-yourself balcony glazing requires a whole set of tools:

• hammer;
• hacksaw;
• screwdrivers;
• puncher;
• construction gun;
• nails, dowels, a set of screws.

Delivered constructions are freed from the packaging shell, frames from double-glazed windows. Double-glazed windows are not removed from the hinged doors, but the doors themselves must be removed - all this will return to its place after installation and the necessary adjustment of the structures. The support profile is installed in the prepared grooves, for strength they are knocked out with a mallet. At a distance of 15 centimeters from the edges of the frame, fixing plates are installed - they are hammered into the grooves and stabilized with self-tapping screws.

The frame must be installed in the resulting opening, aligned and secured with hardware. All remaining slots are filled with sealant, covered with strips. After that, it remains to put in place the removed double-glazed windows and sashes. Then proceed to the final stage: installation of the window sill and drainage.

In order for the glazing to be of high quality, and the design to please the owner for many years, we must try to avoid traditional mistakes.

• During the acceptance of finished insulating glass units and profiles, it is necessary to check the quality of the products, the availability of fittings, the operation of the doors and locks.
• During installation, you cannot use hardware that does not match in color with the profile.
• There must be a fitting and trimming of the window ebb, otherwise you can end up with an ugly design.
• Do not foam the floor around the perimeter, as this disrupts the air circulation and creates favorable conditions for the growth of mold.

Careful attention to these and other possible mistakes will help to avoid low-quality glazing.

For other nuances of glazing balconies and loggias with plastic windows, see the video below.