Frameless glazing

For a long time people use glass together with frames, as it allows to create a solid construction, which protects the room from the effects of cold. For centuries, frames were made of wood. Today, it is replaced by plastic and aluminum. However, in some cases you can do without using frames. First of all, this is permissible where there is no need for observing the thermal regime. We can talk about balconies and loggias. But why do you need frameless glazing, if it is much easier to insert windows with frames? The whole secret is that this technique gives more sets and creates a panoramic view, which is quite beautiful, and it looks wonderful from the outside.

What is the meaning of frameless glazing

? Any frames make the interior heavier, if not to say that they badly damage the balcony from the street. Frameless glazing technology was invented in Finland, where severe winters are also quite severe. They do not aim to insulate the balcony, but try only to protect it from the effects of wind and precipitation. At the same time, such premises are filled with the maximum of daylight. Even such a glazing can create a vestibule between the apartment and the street, which to a large extent preserves the home heat.

At us the basic sense of a glazing of a balcony is increase in a heated area of ​​small apartments, that is doubtless some skew in consciousness. In order to increase the living space, we sacrifice the opportunity to relax in the fresh air. If you use frameless glazing, then a balcony or loggia can easily be turned into an excellent recreational corner next to your apartment. In addition, if you open the windows, then the doors will not be visible, for such designs they are usually sliding or bend into an accordion.

Frameless glazing looks great on any balcony and loggia, though old, though new, elegant and cumbersome. This can not be said about the traditional form of windows with frames. When using them, you have to drive the design of the project very carefully to keep the appeal. In addition, frameless glazing has found its application in the construction of terraces, verandas, arbors and other similar objects.

The lack of frames forced the engineers to break their brains over how to fasten them in the openings of the glass so that they would stay there no worse than with them. As a result, the following constructive solution was invented:

• A special working profile of aluminum is fastened to the top slab of the balcony by anchor bolts. This is done with an accuracy of 2 mm along the outer boundary of the balcony.
• A rail profile is attached to the rail, which does not bear the load.
• For purposes of frameless glazing only tempered glass is used. On it before installation on a place glue all accessories. Other requirements are imposed on the glass: if the sheet height is less than 2 m, 6 mm glass can be used, if it is higher, then 8 mm is already required. The width of the leaves varies from 60 to 80 cm. Tempering the glass does not allow it to break from accidental impact or a gust of wind. Moving glass along the profile is carried out with the help of special racks with plastic wheels. To avoid rattling and jumping, glue all parts of the structure with polyurethane glue.
• An interglass acrylic sealant is always installed to protect against deposits between the panes. The profile and the flaps also do not contact directly, because there is a rubber gasket between them.
• To have an idea of ​​the frameless window structure, you can pay attention to how the door mechanism works in the sliding-door wardrobes.

• sliding-door wardrobes. Only long-lasting, reliable materials that are not afraid of corrosion, as well as polyurethane sealants, troughs are not susceptible to light.
• On the outside, polyester or plastisol ebb is installed.

There is another way to open the doors - the way "book".In this case, all the valves not only come along the guides, but also swing open. This design resembles an accordion.

Advantages and disadvantages of frameless glazing

To better appreciate the possibility of glazing the balcony of your apartment in a frameless way, you need to familiarize yourself with all the pros and cons of this design:

• The absence of frames allows you to create a panoramic view. It is especially in demand in those places where a beautiful landscape opens. And to get rid of the unusual sensation of visibility for all "as in the palm of your hand," you can apply tinted glass.
• In rooms where there is a glazed balcony outside the window, usually there is a twilight. If the glazing is rendered frameless, then in this room there will be an abundance of light, as if there is no balcony at all.
• The technology of frameless glazing is suitable for all types of balconies. The exception is the old round with pretent curved handrails.
• This glazing looks good in both straight and angular constructions. Even rounded balconies can be glazed with a special glass, reminiscent of the doors in the shower.
• Frameless glazing can reduce noise by about 10 decibels, which corresponds to 15% of the total noise background noise. This is facilitated by the presence of seals and sealants that delay the sound of
• . The doors of these windows take up very little space, thanks to their design.
• The ventilation of the balcony is very good, which does not allow the condensate to settle on the panes.
• On the balcony, you can fully open all the windows and breathe fresh air.
• Opening and closing windows is very easy if you install high-quality hardware.
• Cleaning the windows of dirt does not cause any problems, especially those that are capable of folding into a book.

There are some drawbacks to frameless glazing.

• You can use the balcony only in the warm season, as in winter it is cold almost the same as in the street.
• You can not attach an mosquito net to frameless windows. Therefore, there is no escape from mosquitoes.
• On the hardened glass there are dirty stains, which are conspicuous. Therefore, this design requires constant care.
• On the lower floors, frameless glazing can cause discomfort by creating the feeling that you are being treated in an aquarium.
• Frameless glazing can not provide even a part of the noise insulation that is available in double-glazed units.

However, tempered glass has such undeniable qualities as its strength and safety. Hardening creates a compressive stress on the glass surface, which guarantees increased strength. Even fairly strong blows are not capable of destroying its integrity. The only way to break glass is to strike at its butt. However, even in this case, the canvas is broken up into small cubic pieces that do not pose any danger.

So, if you want a beautiful, stylish and modern balcony, then order frameless glazing. But only it will not be able to perform the function of an additional warm room in the cold season.