Panoramic glazing of balconies and loggias

Often you hear complaints about the lack of light in the apartment, the stupid balcony, which only obscures the sun, but does not provide additional space or a beautiful view. Also, the last heat goes away. Many of these problems can be solved by panoramic glazing. It is gaining increasing popularity both abroad and in our country. And this is due to a number of reasons.

If you choose a very simple definition, then panoramic glazing is full wall windows. Most often it is used on loggias and balconies. Such decoration is especially effective in high-rise buildings or houses with picturesque views outside the window. In modern construction, there are also houses where 1, 2 or all the walls are made of glass.

Varieties of panoramic glazing

In fact, panoramic glazing is presented in a wide variety of options. Thanks to a wide selection of materials and design methods, it is possible to make full-wall windows in any region, even with a cold climate.

Panoramic glazing of a balcony or wall can be of 3 types, depending on what material is used for the frames:

1. Cold aluminum.
2. Plastic
3. Frameless.

Each option has its own characteristics. So, the latter is considered "cold", so most often it is used to create a panoramic balcony or loggia, not connected to the main room. Also in this case can be used 1-chamber double-glazed window. Frameless glazing is also suitable for southern areas where winters are short and warm.

If the winters in the region are cold, then attention should be paid to the option with plastic or aluminum frames and multi-chamber double-glazed windows. This will avoid heat loss.

Types of glasses and coatings

There are various types of glass for facades:

• "I-glass" - reduces noise, provides a high level of thermal insulation.
• "K-glass" - gives a high level of security.
• Tempered glass is durable and reliable.

One of the most significant drawbacks of panoramic glazing is the high probability that someone from the street or from the windows of the opposite house will be able to observe the private lives of residents.

To avoid personal privacy, there are various options for finishes and coatings for glass:

• Mirror coating.
• Tinting. Allows you to choose different dimming coefficients and even more original design of the facade. You can only process the bottom of the window on the balcony, which will protect personal life from prying eyes.
• Electronochrome glass. The amount and intensity of light transmitted through it can vary. A special remote control is used for control.
• Energy-saving (often referred to as low-emission). Does not pass infrared radiation.

When choosing a frameless option, you need to pay attention to all the details of the facade decoration. To hide the seams and create the feeling that one large sheet is used, it is necessary to use a transparent polymer sealant to seal the seams and crevices.

Frames can be expandable or solid. With the second case, everything is clear: the glass stands still, it cannot be moved. In the first case, swing or sliding structures can be used. For swing special loops are used. For sliding - rollers and guides. The second option requires more thorough finishing and sealing.

Features of frameless panoramic glazing

As the name implies, this option does not use frames. The whole balcony is covered with glass. Sheets are attached to the rails on the floor and ceiling. The maximum size of the transparent plate is 3 × 0.65 m. There are 2 types of mechanisms for opening windows:

1. Swing.
2. Folding (as a "book").

Frameless glazing has its advantages:

• The balcony takes on an elegant, weightless and light look. Sometimes it seems that he is not at all.
• The maximum level of illumination. On such a balcony is always light, regardless of which side of the house it is located.
• If the “book" mechanism is provided, then all glasses can be washed independently and without risk.
• The area of ​​the balcony is increasing.

There are some disadvantages:

• Frameless glazing is leaking, so rain and dust will fall on the balcony.
• This is the so-called panoramic “cold” glazing, since it does not retain heat well. Between the glass there will be gaps through which warm air will escape, in winter it will be cold.
• Low noise isolation.
• Through open windows, insects can fly in unhindered, because the design does not provide for fixing the mosquito net.
• Frameless panoramic glazing loggias or balconies Significantly more expensive than all other types of finishes.

Glazing

In this case, glass in the frames are installed on the balcony, which can be made of plastic or aluminum. The advantages of this type of glazing:

• More reliable and durable construction.
• It is possible to make "warm" (with plastic frames) or "cold" (with aluminum) panoramic glazing of your choice.
• High level of sound insulation.
• The frame structure is airtight, so snow or rain does not get on the balcony, and dust does not penetrate.
• Can fix mosquito net.
• A comfortable temperature is maintained on the balcony if a “warm” option is selected.

However, you need to consider the possible disadvantages:

• In this case, the panoramic glazing of the balcony loses its lightness and weightlessness, becomes more bulky and heavy.
• Due to the temperature difference, the windows may fog up, therefore, when combining the balcony with the room, radiators or slot convectors.
• The amount of light that penetrates through the balcony into the room is reduced.

Question about redevelopment

Panoramic glazing of a balcony is an element of redevelopment of an apartment. Therefore, it must be legalized. Otherwise, problems may arise during the subsequent sale of the apartment. The penalty will definitely not be avoided. In the worst case, controlling organizations may find such a restructuring illegal and order them to be dismantled. Then the owner of the living space will have to independently return the former look to the balcony, and all costs, of course, will fall on his shoulders. No one will reimburse the costs.

In order not to encounter such an unpleasant situation, it is necessary to harmonize and legitimize the glazing of the balcony.

This is done in a few steps. Need to:

1. Contact the architecture office and find out if panoramic glazing in a particular house is possible, if there are any restrictions (for example, a building can be recognized as an architectural monument, then any changes to the facade are prohibited, or the demolition of the building through 2-3 years).
2. If this option is possible, then you need to draw up a project. If one of the neighbors has already received permission to carry out work, then you can use the ready-made option.
3. Coordinate the project with BTI. The Bureau makes a conclusion on the technical feasibility of the submitted project.
4. Coordinate the project with the city architecture department. Here they decide whether the appearance of the building deteriorates from this, whether its facade changes too much, etc.
5. Wait for a decision from the housing inspectorate and the redevelopment commission. Behind them is the last word.
6. After all work has been completed, it is necessary to sign an act of completion of the redevelopment. The papers will have to go to the Criminal Code and the housing inspectorate. They will check whether the design is in accordance with the declared design.
7. Transfer data on completed work to the Unified State Register.

Only after completing all the points can we assume that the installation of panoramic glazing is fully legalized.