Do-it-yourself glazing of balconies and loggias

It can be a fun project to turn your loggia or balcony into a more fashionable and useful area. Not only does glazing improve these spaces’ visual appeal, but it also makes them more functional all year round. Do-it-yourself glazing can be a satisfying and economical project with a little perseverance and the appropriate equipment.

It’s crucial to comprehend the various glazing options before getting started. Different degrees of insulation and noise reduction are provided by single, double, and triple glazing. Your decision will be influenced by the demands of your space, your climate, and your financial situation. Spend some time researching and decide which option is best for your house.

Next, collect your supplies and equipment. Glass panels, a frame kit, sealant, and weatherstripping are necessities. Basic tools like a screwdriver, level, and measuring tape are also required. The process will go more smoothly and effectively if you make sure you have everything you need before starting.

You should put safety first above all else. It can be dangerous to work with glass, so put on safety goggles and gloves. Think about utilizing a safety harness if you’re working on an upper floor. It is important to always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when using any tools or materials.

Lastly, keep in mind that planning is essential. Before you cut or order your glass, measure your balcony or loggia precisely and make sure the measurements match up. For a safe and durable installation, make sure the surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and prepared. You can enjoy your newly glazed space for years to come with professional-looking results if you plan ahead and pay close attention to detail.

Steps	Details
1. Measure the Area	Accurately measure the width, height, and depth of the balcony or loggia to determine the amount of materials needed.
2. Choose the Glazing Type	Select between single, double, or triple glazing based on your insulation needs and budget.
3. Prepare the Frame	Install a sturdy frame to support the glass panels. This can be made of aluminum, PVC, or wood.
4. Install the Glass Panels	Carefully fit the glass panels into the frame, ensuring they are securely fastened and sealed to prevent drafts.
5. Seal and Insulate	Use silicone sealant to fill any gaps around the frame and panels. Add insulation strips if necessary to enhance energy efficiency.
6. Final Checks	Inspect the installation for any gaps, loose fittings, or other issues. Make adjustments as needed to ensure a snug and secure fit.

Differences between a balcony and a loggia

It’s important to know the differences between a balcony and a loggia before selecting a glazing option because many apartment owners make this mistake. They can be identified based on the following criteria:

• the balcony is always located outside the apartment, completely protruding beyond the facade wall. It has one load-bearing wall, and the structure is open on the other three sides. However, there are exceptions to this formulation: there are balconies in brick houses with two walls, when one of them is load-bearing, and the second serves as a fence for the neighbor’s loggia on the other side;
• the loggia is on the wall inside the building. It is limited at the back and sides – it is easier to glaze it.

As a result, loggia and balcony glazing schemes are very different from one another. It is sufficient to create a sizable frame for a loggia, and a supporting structure enclosed by glass is required to encircle the balcony. This accounts for the work’s varying material requirements as well as its extreme complexity.

An enjoyable do-it-yourself project that not only expands your living area but also boosts the insulation and energy efficiency of your house is glazing your own balcony or loggia. Homeowners can install glazing themselves and save money and feel proud of themselves if they have the proper supplies and some guidance. With the help of this guide, you will be able to achieve a professional-looking finish and improve the comfort and usability of your balcony or loggia throughout the year.

What is cold and warm glazing

With your hands glazing, similar to a balcony, but maybe in a version that’s colder, simpler, and warmer. Installing a light frame and a single- or double-glazed window with a single camera is the cold method. Although this technology essentially does not retain heat and does not offer sound insulation, it does protect well against wind and dust.

This approach is helpful for people who store goods on their balcony or loggia during the winter and use it as a makeshift bedroom during the summer. Saving on the frame is not advised, t.To. He pushes a heavy load through a glass in a windy situation.

For informational purposes, we advise people who enjoy sleeping outside to purchase glass that has an ultraviolet-ray-blocking filter to provide extra protection from the sun.

Double-sealed frames and pricey, thick double-glazed windows are examples of warm glazing. Creating comfortable conditions year-round balances the high cost and complex installation.

Apartment owners who are looking for a low-cost, do-it-yourself method of glazing a balcony can consider cold glazing. The warm method necessitates substantial labor and financial resources, but the instructions are fairly straightforward.

Mandatory requirements for warm glazing

The edge of the glass unit experiences a temperature differential when it’s warm inside the apartment and cold outside. The dew point should only be outside in order to maintain the room’s warmth and dryness. Condensation will occur otherwise. Because the balcony is situated behind the house’s facade, it is more challenging to accomplish than the loggia. There are two fundamental guidelines that when followed, will produce favorable outcomes:

• Install high-quality double or triple glazed windows with a good seal. For wooden frames, use a double seal on swing doors and carefully seal the cracks. All selected materials for finishing the walls and the bottom of the balcony, under the frame, must have a high level of noise and heat insulation.
• Natural air exchange between the street and the apartment must be maintained. Modern metal-plastic structures are equipped with dampers, and for wooden frames special valves are installed in the parapet. For natural ventilation, hoods are installed between the balcony and living spaces.

As intended by the reconstruction project, you will be able to utilize the loggia or balcony to its fullest extent for a very long time if you use high-quality materials and adequate ventilation.

How can you glaze a balcony?

It is important to determine why you are glazing the balcony before you do it yourself. You can select aluminum frames with a single glass if the glazed balcony is going to be used for a summer garden or the seasonal storage of jars with homemade preparations. If you want to set up a whole room, you will require pricey supplies.

Types of balcony structures

Every building material available has a range of benefits and drawbacks. This range enables you to select the material that will work best for your particular scenario and determine how to glaze a balcony.

Systems of metal and plastic. With a service life of over 40 years, these are well-known to be long-lasting, and drainage systems prevent the frames from freezing.

Frames made of plastic. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) frames don’t need extra insulation and are simple to install. Experts advise carefully caulking and applying sealant over all cracks to ensure a tight seal. Remembering that this is a low-cost glazing option is important.

Wooden frames. In many Khrushchev buildings, plastic windows were installed in place of wood during the euro’s boom period. Due to the notable improvements in the appearance and design of wooden frames, the opposite trend has started recently. Their benefits

• ecological purity of the material;
• naturalness;
• magnificent appearance, emphasizing the high status of the apartment owners.

Special impregnations that shield the wood structure from rot and mold have been developed for wood to increase durability. These frames enhance the beauty of stained glass windows, particularly in brick homes. Additionally, they are independently made, which adds another twist to the interior. You can use a film with a pre-made pattern on any subject to create a faux stained glass window.

While more expensive glued beams look more interesting and last longer without causing problems during operation, homogeneous wood is less expensive.

Aluminum-made frames. The parapet and balcony slab of the majority of older panel houses are too worn to support the installation of bulky wood or metal-plastic profiles. Aluminum that is lightweight is appropriate for spaces with flimsy ceilings. It is painted with enamel paint to lengthen its service life.

Aluminum lets in the most light and the least amount of heat, making it perfect for designing a living area on a balcony or loggia.

How to choose a double-glazed window

Frames are finished by manufacturers with a set of fittings. However, the double-glazed window is chosen independently. The balcony’s intended use will determine the final choice. Single-chamber units with 4 mm thick glass work well for the cold option. Warm balconies need glass that is at least 4-4-4 mm in combination with a double-chamber unit.

As an aside, we observe that customers tend to select 5 or 6 mm thick glass for balconies for unknown reasons, despite the fact that heat retention is determined by the number of chambers in the double-glazed window and the caliber of the sealant, not by this indicator.

The type of glass is something to consider when selecting one:

• sun protection (reflex) – designed to reflect the rays of the sun;
• impact-resistant (triplex) – reinforced with a special film that increases impact and bending strength;
• tempered (regular glass heated to 650-680 o with rapid cooling with cold air) – to increase resistance to mechanical damage;
• low-emissivity glass – transmits long waves and delays (reflects) short ones (light passes through, heat is reflected back). Placed inside a double-glazed window, significantly increasing its ability to retain heat on the balcony.

It makes sense that a glass unit would cost more the more beneficial features it possesses, but the quality easily offsets the cost, making the investment quickly pay for itself.

Popular types of glazing

You can do a variety of glazing tasks on your own.

Traditional. Simple glazing is a cold installation technique that doesn’t require any specialized building knowledge. In older homes, the technique is often employed. The low functionality—just wind and water protection—is one of the drawbacks.

Slipping. Without requiring additional room, the doors are pushed and slid apart by a roller mechanism on rails. Frequently positioned on compact balconies, as it conserves space. However, sliding mechanisms are not always resilient to strong frosts. For example, the rollers may freeze and become immobile during the winter, though they will thaw and function again in the spring.

View from above. Good visibility is provided by frameless glazing set into unique guide grooves on the top, bottom, and sides. This approach works best when factory landscapes do not obscure the street view.

Parts can be hinged, sliding, or folding. A panoramic window is always made of UV-neutralizing glass that is impact-resistant and consistently noise-proof. Among the drawbacks, specialists point out:

• complexity of installation, which in most cases does not allow you to do the work yourself. Professional craftsmen are needed for installation;
• openness to other people"s views will require careful maintenance of cleanliness on the balcony, or, alternatively, choose double-glazed windows with additional darkening at the bottom;
• in the heat, the glass heats up, so curtains or blinds will be needed;
• high cost of materials and installation.

This kind of glazing is common in new construction, but in older housing stock, installation requires BTI approval and necessitates demolishing the facade’s parapet or supporting slab. Because there is a significant chance of rejection in this situation, you must hire experts to finish the project, which is very expensive.

After removal. Steel profiles can be welded to the parapet from the outside of the balcony if the floor slabs and level of parapet wear permit it. For small balconies, the extension of the welded structure beyond the balcony platform is a great option as it greatly increases the space and volume of the future room.

With a frame for support. Due to its technical complexity, the method will need helpers. A welded frame coated in white bathtub enamel is installed in place of the parapet; both materials are low-cost. Since the entire weight rests on the sturdy steel structure, you can experiment with the width of the glass that you choose. For the best possible load redistribution across the floors, a canopy is installed. Plasterboard is used for insulation, which gives interior designers more freedom to express themselves.

Measurements and preparatory work

Before glazing a loggia or balcony, redevelopment work necessitates meticulous planning and calculation. Principal phases:

• Obtain permission to carry out work on balcony glazing from the relevant organizations. Unauthorized glazing leads to fines that can be endured, and the need to order a project, for which, if completed retroactively, they can charge a price of 200.0 thousand. rub. up to 500.0 thousand. rub. This practice is already observed in Russia.
• Remove all things from the balcony, take out the trash and wash – the construction site must be clean.
• Assess the condition of floor slabs and parapets.
• Eliminate detected defects, align all bevels that make work difficult.
• Check the top of the fence with a building level. If there are deviations, it is easier to dismantle than to level.
• If the frame is installed on a metal parapet, it is first insulated. Installation of the window sill is carried out last, after glazing.
• When installing the frame on a brick or concrete parapet, its top can be leveled with a cement mixture.

Both the side and front handrails are used for measurement. It is advised to create a drawing where all the marks should be made for convenience. You must verify that the upper and lower perimeters coincide using a plumb line; the balcony’s roof should hang over the railings. When placing an order for the production of double-glazed windows, it is necessary to indicate any deviations that are discovered.

Safety precautions

You can ask your nice neighbors and friends who enjoy doing manual labor to help you out instead of exerting needless bravery and doing the entire task by yourself. First of all, it’s never unnecessary to have an extra pair of hands, and secondly, someone will always be available to assist in an emergency.

With a safety belt, the chance of injury is minimized. A sports version that can support up to 400 kg of weight and has a cable length of up to 2.5 meters is appropriate. To attach the belay, use an anchor pin. A metal collet is first screwed into the wall approximately 15 cm into which a pin is inserted using a screwdriver.

Glazing instructions

For every type of glazing, hand-glazed balcony glazing instructions have been developed. comprises the tools and supplies required for the task as well as the technology used to complete it.

Taking on the task of glazing your loggia or balcony yourself can be a satisfying and affordable way to improve your house. It is totally feasible to design a beautiful and useful space if you have the proper supplies and a well-thought-out plan. Every stage of the process, from selecting the right kind of glass to making sure you have enough insulation and sealing, adds to the project’s final success.

Even though the process can initially seem overwhelming, it becomes much more doable when broken down into smaller, more achievable tasks. Crucial elements include precise measurement, material selection, and safety considerations. Proceed slowly through these steps; in the end, accuracy and endurance will be rewarded.

Additionally, DIY glazing lets you tailor the area to your own preferences and needs. Glazing your balcony or loggia creates a world of possibilities, whether your goal is more storage, a sunlit breakfast area, or a comfortable reading nook. If you take on the challenge, you’ll save money and obtain a customized area that fits your lifestyle in addition to a sense of accomplishment.

Remember, it’s advisable to speak with a professional or ask knowledgeable do-it-yourselfers for advice if you’re ever unsure. Although finishing a project like this on your own can bring you a great deal of satisfaction, making sure it’s done safely and correctly should always come first. Cheers to glazing!

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