Almost every apartment owner 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 climatic conditions region. Do-it-yourself glazing of the balcony can be a solution to this problem.

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Indeed, in this way, financial costs will decrease and there will be a reason for pride in the work performed. 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.

Glazing methods for balconies

At the present time, many are trying to improve the balcony in order to create a relaxation area there in free time or a study with beautiful view and some as a warehouse for storing stocks for the winter. How you want to use it, you need to decide 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. The modern construction industry uses 3 main types of balcony glazing - cold, panoramic and sliding. These types of balcony glazing have already passed the test of time and have proven themselves positively.

Cold glazing

Cold glazing 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 recreation area on all year round, after all insulation material will not apply. For this type, wooden frames or made of plastic with single glass are used. The doors can be sliding or simple rotary. You need to remember that behind the wooden frames you need constant care so that it will last a long time - this is timely painting and processing protective equipment from insects. Thanks to this method, you can rest there in summer, and store supplies in winter, the temperature will not drop below 0 degrees.

Sliding balcony glazing

This method is used on small balconies where it is not possible to install swing doors. The frame is assembled from an aluminum profile, and the roller mechanisms remove the sash, while not reducing the space. But given view has its drawbacks:

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

Sliding design

Panoramic glazing of balconies

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

Balcony glazing materials

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

An example of complex glazing

Using wood window frames

How can we glaze the balcony with our own hands using this material, but everything is simple, because you can also reuse old window frames if you create a storage room. In this case, the heat and sound insulation will be poor. Ideal option frames for double-glazed windows will be used, the wood in this case undergoes special processing, and the performance of weather protection 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.

Using 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. The same positive characteristics are environmental friendliness, durability and high rates heat and sound insulation. It is produced in white, but for an additional payment it can acquire a different color. It can be glazed both in the "cold" way with one glass, or, but then a thermal insulation insert will be added to the structure.

The use of this material is expensive, but it will last a very long time without maintenance.

Design for a remote balcony

The use of plastic window frames

Glazing the balcony with your own hands with windows with plastic frames is better with a partner, because they are very heavy, which is one of the disadvantages of this material. These frames do not need to be painted or otherwise processed, but they are made from non-environmentally friendly materials. These windows have good sound and heat insulation and are relatively inexpensive, but because of their cost they are often faked, so you need to purchase them from a trusted company that has been working with this material for several years. The doors in this type of glazing are rotary 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, in case of its absence, you need to check the strength of the parapet. If it does not justify trust, then it is better to dismantle it, and then put a new one in half a brick. The masonry must be tied to the walls and the reinforcing mesh must be settled so that the structure is strong. It is better to display contours at once, which will facilitate further work for you.

Portable balcony with sliding system windows

Calculation and measurement of future windows

Before glazing the balcony with your own hands, you need to take measurements and decide what will be general form... It is necessary to measure the distance between the walls, and also the height from the parapet to the upper floor slab. The horizontal plane of the parapet should be flat, because the window frame simply will not fit. After these measurements, you need to inform the supplier company, as a rule, they send a master who will double-check your indicators, as well as inspect the balcony itself for defects, blockage of walls and many other factors, and then tell you which type of frame is better this type. Approximate cost the entire structure can be viewed on the websites of window manufacturing companies, there is a special calculator.

Installation of window frames and glazing

The final step is the installation process itself. Double-glazed windows must be removed from the window frames, which will greatly facilitate the structure, but they cannot be removed from the opening sashes, the process of closing the window can be disrupted. After the frame is securely attached with anchor bolts to the lower parapet, walls and ceiling. Anchors should be used with a length of at least 60 mm. Then check the design for reliability and only then start inserting the double-glazed windows into place. After that, you need to check the opening sashes, in case of their poor performance, you need to adjust them.

Do-it-yourself glazing of the balcony will not only reduce financial costs, but also give the house a cosiness.

Do-it-yourself balcony glazing video:

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Glazing of the balcony allows you to turn an open, uncomfortable 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 independently cope with the glazing of the balcony. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the features existing varieties balcony designs, choose suitable option and perform the main stages of work in accordance with the instructions.

Varieties of balcony designs

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 of high quality, reliability and long term service. Such frames are in many ways superior to outdated counterparts, effectively coping with street noise suppression and thermal insulation.

Significant disadvantages appear only in the case of using sliding wooden frames. They are designed so that water can enter the sliding elements. If the temperature drops below zero, this will cause icing. window system, which will not have the best effect on her condition.

Reinforced-plastic systems

Modern metal-plastic systems are well-known long-livers. The average service life of such structures is 40 years or more. The risk of freezing of frames is eliminated due to the presence of a drainage hole in the structure of the system.

Frameless glazing, despite its apparent lightness and airiness, provides reliable protection from atmospheric precipitation, dampens street noise and allows more solar heat to pass through.

The glazing procedure is as follows:

• the lower and upper guides are installed for window sashes... 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 different kinds damage.

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

Cold and warm balcony glazing concepts

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

It is important to supporting frame for such glazing was reliable enough. To save too much on this structural element it is not necessary, because it is the frame that takes up the bulk of the wind load.

Warm balcony glazing, equipped with all the rules and requirements of technology, 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 could not move into the room. Otherwise, condensation will begin to fall out on your balcony, which will reduce all efforts to increase useful area to no. In addition, the dew point must not penetrate between the installed glasses. This condition is especially difficult to comply with if the balcony is located outside the outline 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 heat paths from outside to the room will lead to condensation;
• install frames with double glazing and the same high-quality seal. In the case of using ordinary wooden frames, it is imperative to create a double seal when installing swing leaves and seal all the cracks in the blind structural elements;
• provide for the possibility of providing regulated natural ventilation... Modern-style metal-plastic balcony systems are usually equipped with dampers from the beginning. In the case of installing wooden frames, the valve is installed in the parapet;
• ensure the required level of air exchange between the balcony and the living space. For this, the design of the window connected to the balcony is complemented by an exhaust fan. In addition, a special ventilation grill is installed at the bottom of the door.

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

A well-executed sealing will contribute to an additional increase in thermal insulation characteristics designs.

Happy work!

Prices for polyurethane foams and nail gun cleaners

Polyurethane foam and nail gun cleaners

Video - Do-it-yourself balcony glazing

If you warmly insulate and correctly glaze the balcony, the open area will turn into an additional living area. Armed with necessary knowledge, you can do it yourself, following the instructions for performing the main stages of work on the installation of the selected balcony structure.

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

The choice of glazing method

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

When choosing warm option glazing 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 by windows with transparent mirrored glass. High-strength glass frames are installed along the perimeter of the balcony space along the entire height. The solid glass sheet creates a stunning viewing effect.

Important. For comfortable use of the balcony at any time of the year, the space should be protected from condensation. Implement the task by using high-quality insulation with double sealing, as well as the presence of an adjustable ventilation system.

How to choose double-glazed windows

• 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 wooden frames... Massive structures made of natural wood they look soundly, but have a significant drawback - the need for careful maintenance.
• The current option for glazing a loggia in old houses can be considered an aluminum profile. Installing the lung the frame on the base plate of the balcony and the 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 balcony frames... Among the methods of self-glazing of an internal or hinged balcony, the following methods are most popular.

It is important to take care of exterior cladding balcony. From an already glazed room it will be difficult to deal with exterior decoration but to do external works it is better to turn to masters with special equipment for working at height.

Construction Guide

Getting Started Glazing own balcony do it yourself, you need to decide on the front of the preparatory work. Step-by-step instruction:

• having cleared the room of things and debris, assess the condition of the external and internal structures;
• if defects are found (irregularities, cracks, bevels), they must be leveled so that there are no problems during work;
• with the option of installing frames on a metal parapet, insulate it before starting glazing;
• leaving the old fence, take care of the strict horizontalness of its surface and strength;
• if old frames are installed, dismantle them, in the case of a balcony on top floor- install the visor.

After completing the preparation, they begin to measure each surface, not forgetting about the space from the processed parapet to the installed visor. The dimensions of the side windows and the frontal area must be made very carefully. The control is carried out by the difference in diagonals - no more than 2.0-2.5 cm.

Measurements and ordering the design

Inaccuracy of measurements threatens problems after the installation of frames, it is better to entrust the measurement work to a professional measurer. If you are not a professional, performing self-measurement will help you estimate the size of the approximate cost of glazing a balcony space.

Measurement work plan:

• the height of the balcony is measured as the distance from the plane of the parapet up to the bottom of the balcony slab located on top;
• for plastic construction from the obtained height, 8-10 cm are subtracted, in the case of an aluminum frame - 3-4 cm;
• the width of the loggia is determined by taking measurements in the horizontal plane along the parapet between its edges;
• at plastic version glazing from the obtained length is subtracted 5-6 cm, for the aluminum type - 2-3 cm.

Advice. Measurements are carried out with a construction tape, it is important to monitor the tension of its canvas. If the balcony room is wide, measurements are taken at a distance of a meter from each other. By choosing the smallest value among the obtained values, you will determine the height of the balcony.

Before placing an order for manufacturing balcony windows and the supporting structures of the frames, it is necessary to decide which ones will remain motionless and which ones will need to be provided with sashes. If deviations are found, they must be taken into account when ordering for the manufacture of frames with double-glazed windows.

The accuracy of measurements can only be guaranteed by a professional who will take into account the peculiarities of the structure, tell you the volumes of the necessary components, and give advice on decoration and insulation of the interior.

Additional preparation for the installation of glazing

When taking the dimensions of the hinged balcony, before measuring the front and side balcony handrails, you should make sure that the roof of the balcony hangs over its vertical fence with handrails. This is checked using a plumb line. Also check the calculated value of the upper perimeter with the lower one, they must match.

To do the installation of windows on an open balcony or loggia with your own hands, you must prepare a set of tools in advance:

• reliable hammer with a hacksaw, nails, screwdrivers;
• hammer drill with a powerful drill (8 mm), dowels, a set of self-tapping screws;
• a gun for construction work, a spatula;
• varnish and brushes, high-quality sealant, polyurethane foam.

Important nuances. From a legal point of view, work on the glazing of the balcony is classified as an apartment redevelopment; a permit must be obtained for this. To ensure safety, you will have to stock up on a safety belt, find a partner to install heavy frames with glass.

How to properly glaze a balcony with your own hands

If the parapet is not supposed to be dismantled, it will have to be additionally insulated to retain heat in the constructed room. The cracks of the vertical fence of the loggia are sealed, the unevenness of the surface is leveled, insulated and insulated.

Frame installation rules

The installation of the balcony is started after the installation of the visor. We take out the double-glazed windows with non-opening doors, the hinged ones are removed from the hinges. Such actions will protect the glass from damage, lighten the weight. window products... What to do next:

At the end of the above operations, the window sill (from the inside) and the drainage (outside) are mounted. After that, the installation of the glazed balcony is considered complete.

After sealing all cracks polyurethane foam it is possible to return the double-glazed windows to the frame without forgetting about the flaps. They need to be hung back, making sure that the opening mechanism is working.

Installation of ebbs

For reliable protection frames from moisture penetration choose ebbs from a material with a long service life. What the protective elements provide:

• top - drainage protects window structure from bad weather outside;
• bottom - to protect the joint window frame with balcony box railing.

The canvas of the upper ebb along the balcony perimeter is fixed with galvanized screws to the surface of the upper slab. The lower ebb is fixed under the lower part of the window frame with self-tapping screws designed specifically for the type of material from which the casting products are made. The do-it-yourself drainage is sealed.

Advice. For reliable protection against drift dew point and condensation balcony walls it is necessary to insulate not only from the inside, but also from the outside. If the old parapet is disposed of, the weight of the material of the new structure should be taken into account so that it does not load the base of the balcony.

Installation of wooden window structures

First you need to install a box made of wood. After fixing the lower beam (railing) and the upper part of the structure (ceiling), the side elements are fastened with brackets to the walls.

Step-by-step instructions for glazing a balcony with your own hands:

• installation and fastening of support posts made of wooden beams - corner, terminal, intermediate;
• insert the frames after first removing the glasses, first install the front glazing, then the side;
• if distortions or other defects are found, get rid of them by leveling with wedges;
• fixing the frames with self-tapping screws and anchors, seal the seams with polyurethane foam;
• return the double-glazed windows and the removed sashes to their place, making sure that the glazing beads fit snugly to the frames.

Advice. Before installing the wooden frame, treat the mounting surface of the main beams with a sealant and antiseptic. This will help protect the structure, which can be pre-painted, from the accumulation of moisture penetrating from the outside, and will make the balcony room much warmer.

Glazing of a loggia using an aluminum profile

Lightweight aluminum construction is most popular today due to the low cost of a fairly durable product. The high-strength structure, chosen for the cold method of glazing the balcony space, will last at least 80 years if it is correctly installed:

• install prepared wooden frame, we carry out sealing of all cracks;
• we dismantle all sliding elements, remove the glazing that is not tightly fixed;
• on the upper plate we fix the visor with special fastening fittings, and also install the ebb tides on the parapet;
• around the perimeter wall panels we attach the mounting plates to the frame in pre-marked places;
• we return back the previously dismantled elements of the balcony system, filling all the voids with polyurethane foam.

Video instruction:

Thanks to modern design and a wide range of colors, the aluminum profile is easily adaptable to any option home interior... A significant disadvantage aluminum structures is low noise insulation, high probability negative consequences associated with the difference in ambient temperatures.

Installation of frameless window structures

The frameless method of glazing balconies has a spectacular look, but it will take a lot of effort to create a home panorama. It is also important to take into account that when installing a glass sheet "in full growth" neighbors and passers-by on the street will become witnesses of your private life in the apartment.

What else will have to do for fans of the survey of the surroundings:

• take care of the safety of the space when people are there;
• to provide reliable insulation premises, which will increase the expense item;
• choose the option of shading glass - curtains, blinds, tinted glass.

Advice. When choosing frameless glazing, which you will do with your own hands, you will have to dismantle the balcony parapet. For this type of work, it is necessary to obtain permission, as well as a conclusion that the dismantling of the structure of the house will not result in negative consequences for its inhabitants.

Features of glazing with an extension

If on glazed balcony are you going to tackle the device winter garden, it is wiser to choose a glazing with an extension. But you will have to take into account some restrictions - a ban on the installation of a stem for old houses and the value of the maximum offset, it should not exceed 35 cm.

When there is no ban on taking out the balcony, you can implement the idea in one of the following ways.

1. on the windowsill. Additional metal structure, on which double-glazed windows are installed, but the floor area remains unchanged.
2. Expanding the balcony space along the floor line will take more time and effort. As a result, the owners receive not only visual expansion balcony space, but also real additional meters.

Remote glazing work on this type of balcony can be done independently with the appropriate knowledge and experience. But one cannot cope with a vast front of construction work alone, for installation supporting structure you need two people.

Glazing an apartment balcony with your own hands will significantly reduce costs and allow you to gain pride in your own work. But this is only if you have sufficient knowledge of the construction specialty, you can quickly assemble a small team of professional builders. V otherwise problems are guaranteed at the very beginning of the glazing work. It is much safer to spend money, but order a quality product created by time-tested masters of a well-known company.

A couple of years ago I decided to glaze my balcony. I wanted to give it a cozy look, put an armchair, coffee table... But without glazing, this was impossible. I decided at once that everything assembly work I will do it myself, because I have a little experience, and glazing a balcony with my own hands is a laborious process, but it is quite real.
A couple of decades ago, all apartments had only wooden windows, but nowadays in modern world there are several options for glazing residential premises. They have different characteristics, composition, and each has its own pricing policy. Therefore, everyone can choose the most suitable option.

Do-it-yourself balcony glazing

Choosing a material

Since I wanted to make my balcony cozy, the main task for me was thermal insulation. Therefore, I immediately stopped my choice on the "warm" version of glazing. But I will write more precisely about each.

So, there are three types of balcony glazing:

1. Cold - does not keep warm in the room, it is used for glazing balconies where maintenance is not required room temperature
2. Warm - maintains room temperature at any time of the year, does not let the cold through. It differs from the cold look by the set of materials used and their characteristics
3. French - glazed balcony around the entire perimeter and height. High strength and tinted glass are used

French balcony glazing with transparent mirror windows.

It remained to choose a glazing option for your balcony.
The most popular today is the option of glazing with PVC windows, but there are also:

• Aluminum profile
• Wooden windows

Glazing with an aluminum profile refers to cold balconies

The option of glazing with an aluminum profile immediately became impossible for me. This type of glazing belongs to cold balconies. The material is not heat-insulating - it is used on those balconies that do not need to maintain room temperature. The aluminum profile serves to protect the premises from wind, rain and snow.
However, this form has its advantages:

• Low weight of materials used
• Low cost
• Parallel sliding sashes

Balcony glazing - wooden frames

Wooden windows are made of two types of materials. If homogeneous wood is used, the cost of the windows is relatively low. If the material is glued laminated timber, then the price automatically rises and already becomes, on average, 60-80% higher than the cost of similar PVC windows.
For me, the option with wooden windows did not fit because of the price. Although it is beautiful, the financial side of the issue interested me no less. My choice was on PVC windows. Good ratio price / quality, heat and sound insulation properties were brought this material to the first places in demand.

Siding

In addition to the glazing of the balcony, I was interested in the option of the external cladding of the balcony. And for this I chose siding. This material is the most optimal, it is durable, consists of PVC and is not afraid sun rays, atmospheric precipitation. In addition, it enhances the thermal insulation on the balcony. Siding has a great color range, and the manufacturer claims the service life is not less than 50 years.

Balcony siding with your own hands

Advice! For those who decide to carry out all the work on glazing the balcony on their own, you need to know that the outer cladding of the balcony is best done before glazing. This will save time and money. After all, after glazing the balcony, it is not so convenient to carry out external cladding, and calling the masters who will do all the work with the help of climbing equipment will cost a lot of money.

It is quite possible to perform siding work on your own, but if you are confident in your abilities and have the skills in such work.
Otherwise, it is better to entrust all work on cladding the balcony with siding in apartments to qualified specialists who have professional equipment.

Balcony decoration with siding

The instructions for covering are described by me below:

• First you need to build fastening belts from wooden beams- top and bottom. In the future, siding will be attached to them.
• We fasten the beams to the wall using liquid nails. Connects them to each other using iron corners
• We proceed with the installation of siding - you should start from the sides. Do not overtighten the screws; they should be left in the middle of the hole.
• Upon completion of the installation of the siding, we hide all the screw heads with the help of platbands

Balcony cladding with siding

Balcony glazing

After all the work on the external cladding of the balcony was completed, I proceeded directly to the glazing of my balcony.
Next I will write step by step instructions, with the help of which everyone can try to do the glazing of the balcony with their own hands.

Advice! Start glazing with the installation of the visor - then you don't have to guess: where to attach this visor so that it does not fall off with the first strong wind... It will be enough to screw it to the ceiling using the dowel-nails.

Glazing of balconies with plastic windows

1. Before buying windows, you need to know what size they need. To do this, measure the length of the parapet to the ceiling and from wall to wall with a tape measure. You need to know if there is a bias on the parapet - the level will help with this. By the way, many companies selling glazing send their master, who makes his measurements. This is very convenient and minimizes the option of incorrect calculations. I did the measurements myself, I left the pass 1.5-2 cm in both directions, for those who are not sure that the diagonals are even, you can leave somewhere 1.5-3 cm. In any case, it will all be blown out by foam.
2. Next, we take out the double-glazed windows from the windows; this is not required for the opening sashes. There are a couple of reasons for this action - firstly, together with double-glazed windows, the windows are very heavy, and secondly, it is possible to damage the glass during installation.
3. Then we will fix the support profile. Turn the frame over and insert the profile into the grooves. Then we turn the frame back. Doing everything will be convenient and simple, the frame without a glass unit is very light.
4. We set the frame mounts with a distance of 15 cm from each edge. We drive the fixing plate into the grooves with a hammer, then turn it 90 degrees to fix it to the concrete wall.
5. The next step is to install the frame into the opening. A friend helped me in this. With the help of a level, we set the frame straight and fixed it in the opening with self-tapping screws. You don't need to drive them in - you need to screw them in.
6. After that, all frames are inserted according to the same principle, using a level and self-tapping screws.
7. Once all the frames were in place, I secured them to the parapet, ceiling and walls using anchors. Deepened them by about 60 mm.
8. It remains to close all the cracks. For this, polyurethane foam is used.
9. So there is just a little left - we insert the double-glazed window into the frame and return the flaps to their place. It is enough to hang them back on the hinges and check the performance of all mechanisms.

Installation of an ebb and a window sill on the balcony

In the end, I installed an ebb from the outside of the balcony, and inside I installed a window sill.
Although I spent quite a lot of time doing all the work, and then cleaning the entire room from construction dirt, I was satisfied. Self-glazing balcony can save you a decent amount of money. In addition, I gained valuable experience and new skills in construction works, a outer cladding balcony siding doubly pleases. Now the balcony looks perfect from the outside, and this is not only the merit of the siding manufacturer, but also mine.

Technologies and types of outside balcony cladding