DIY balcony glazing step by step instructions

The modest dimensions of most apartments force their owners to use each square as rationally as possible. The most attractive option to increase the useful space of the home is the glazing of the balcony. In the process of its modernization, you can get a convenient place for a summer vacation or a full-fledged living space, year-round available for comfortable use. To do glazing the balcony with your own hands is quite realistic if you possess at least elementary construction skills.

Types of glazing

At the initial stage, it is worth determining the nature and scope of the work. Depending on in which time range it is planned to use a balcony, you can choose a cold or warm version of the glazing of the loggia.

1. With a cold version, the balcony can be glazed using frames with a single glass. In this case, you can create a comfortable room for use in the warm season with minimal cost.
2. With warm glazing, window frames include at least two glasses. This option also involves warming everything. balcony or loggia for year-round use. In some cases, the balcony becomes part of the adjoining room, not even separated by a door. There is no need to specify that it is necessary to glaze the balcony with such an expansion of space as efficiently as possible.

By profile type

Balcony windows may vary. type of profile, which serves as the frame of the entire structure. They may be:

• Wooden. This type of glazing is the most familiar, available both in price and in complexity for doing it yourself. The main disadvantages of this type - the frames must be periodically painted to protect against decay. With warm glazing, it is problematic to wipe the double frames twisted together.

• From an aluminum profile. Lightweight, durable, reliable, not subject to the influence of the external environment. Cons - only a rectangular room can be glazed. With warm glazing, special thermal inserts will be required, since the aluminum profile conducts cold and heat well.
• Plastic. The most popular type of balcony glazing at present. With high-quality insulation of the entire loggia, it allows you to create comfortable conditions there at any time of the year. Plastic windows are convenient in operation and maintenance, have good indicators of durability, tightness and sound insulation. Among the shortcomings, in addition to high cost, one can name a considerable weight, which will require serious calculations during the design and, if necessary, strengthening the design of the parapet and the entire balcony in whole.

Frameless glazing

Aluminum profiles playing the role of a frame in this design are practically invisible. Such frames are very convenient in operation. But there are also enough shortcomings: a very high cost, DIY installation is almost impossible due to the complexity of the work, poor thermal insulation. In addition, over time, the glass in the structure begins to rattle due to a decrease in the rigidity of the frame.

Remote balcony glazing can be considered a separate species, in which the usable area is increased due to the removal of window blocks beyond the parapet plane. Naturally, such glazing requires major changes in the design of the entire balcony.

When choosing an option, the design of the parapet should be taken into account: if it is made of brick or concrete, then all glazing methods are available. A simple metal fencing of the balcony will have to be strengthened if it is planned to install plastic double-glazed windows. If the glass is from floor to ceiling, the parapet is removed.

Do I need to get permission?

Before you start glazing the balcony with your own hands, you need to take care of obtaining permission for these works. Installing windows on a balcony is not considered a redevelopment, but is equivalent to it. Therefore, complications after changes made to the design of the loggia are inevitable. At least in the absence of the necessary approvals and permits, it will not be possible to sell the apartment. For unauthorized glazing faces a fine, after which you will have to legitimize the changes made or to dismantle them.

In addition, an increase in the total weight of the loggia can provoke its full or partial collapse, which will lead to much more sad consequences. So it’s better to take care of permission and approval, as well as instructions for upgrading your balcony in advance. It is quite long and tedious, but necessary.

Balcony glazing stages

First, we highlight the general points that will be relevant for glazing a balcony of any configuration with any type of frame:

• The balcony is freed from all unnecessary items. All coatings are removed, down to concrete, dust and dirt are removed.

• The design of the loggia made the necessary changes. This can be a reinforcement of the base with a metal frame followed by leveling with a screed. If necessary, the metal parapet is additionally reinforced with corners or wooden beams. And when glazing with plastic windows - even aerated concrete blocks or bricks. If a remote structure is planned, then a frame of metal triangles welded to the parapet serves as a support for it. In any case, the loads that the loggia will experience after the changes made, including wind effects, should be taken into account.

• A thorough measurement of the window frames. If frames are made to order at installation of plastic windows with double-glazed windows or frameless glazing, then all necessary calculations are made by the measurers of the manufacturer. You can make yourself unless wooden frames for cold glazing or limit yourself to buying ready-made ones.

All work on leveling the surface must be carried out before mounting the frames. Otherwise, it will be inconvenient to produce them, there is a chance to damage the windows during operation.

It is better to postpone the insulation and final finishing until the moment the balcony is glazed. Delivery and installation of frames may take a certain period of time. Moisture that has got on the balcony at this time will spoil the interior finish and worsen the thermal insulation characteristics of the insulation.

Step-by-step installation instructions for wooden windows

Since wooden windows are most often installed with your own hands from beginning to end, we offer you instructions for glazing a balcony using a wooden frame.

Frame Installation:

• The mounting surface of the bars of the bases is treated with sealant.
• Using mounting dowels, the frame is mounted around the perimeter of the balcony.

Window mounting:

• Frames are installed without glass to prevent them from breaking.
• First of all, windows are placed on the front part, then on the sides.
• Seams are sealed with sealant and mounting foam.
• After the hardening of the compositions of the frames glaze. The glass should be pressed firmly against the frame with glazing beads.

When glazing a balcony, one should soberly assess one's abilities and skills. Such work is often performed at high altitude and requires high-quality insurance; there is a risk of glazing elements falling down. Therefore, in order not to risk oneself and the health of others and get a quality result, it is better to turn to the services of professionals. You should choose a trusted company engaged in the glazing of balconies and loggias, long working in the provision of such services in your village.