Insulation of the balcony without replacing the finish. How to make glazing and insulation of balconies? Styrofoam is a standard solution for creating a heat-insulating layer

The widespread use of floor-to-ceiling balcony glazing in modern houses, the so-called “French” windows, give the exterior facade of the building an elegant, attractive look, and allow apartment owners to enjoy a wide panorama of the city, not interrupted by a blank balcony railing.

The eternal problem of the owners of a panoramic balcony in the climate of Russia with its harsh winters is the question: how do they insulate loggias with panoramic windows so that they can be used in the cold season.

First stage

Since the balcony, in most cases, is a remote structure that protrudes beyond the facade, with the exception of loggias, although they do not protrude constructively beyond the perimeter of the facade, but, nevertheless, are also an external structural element that is not intended for heating, glazing of panoramic balconies is carried out taking into account these conditions and is carried out, in most cases, using an aluminum window profile and with a single glass of increased strength.

With such a glazing design, it is impossible to talk about the insulation of the balcony and the possibility of its use in the cold season. To do this, it will be necessary either to make significant changes to the glazing system, replace the aluminum profile with an energy-saving one, which has plastic gaskets in the frame structure that prevent metal freezing, and in parallel with this, replace all glazing with multi-chamber double-glazed windows, which to some extent will reduce heat loss through large by window area. This is an extremely costly job.

In some cases, it will require obtaining permission to make changes to the design of the facade of the building, and coordinating work with the design organization, construction supervision authorities, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the SES.

This is the case in houses that already have panoramic glazing, and if you decide to arrange a French window in an old project house, the balcony railing in which is made of metal or reinforced concrete slab, then obtaining such a permit will become doubly difficult, since you will have to dismantle the balcony railing. hardly anyone will.

Nevertheless, even with a redevelopment permit in hand, you will encounter a lot of problems, the solution of which is difficult not only from a technical point of view, but will require the involvement of specialists in various fields. Doing the whole complex of work with your own hands is simply not realistic. First, it concerns the installation of the glazing itself. Manufacturers of panoramic windows will start work only on the basis of the technical opinion of a licensed design organization, since the weight of the structure and the selected type of glazing may exceed the allowable load on the balcony slab. With your own hands, you can perform a set of works on floor insulation, underfloor heating and wall insulation on the loggia.

If, due to technical features, it is impossible to install a multi-chamber double-glazed window due to its large mass, then modern energy-saving technologies will have to be used. Although with a large area of ​​glass, which is a good conductor of heat, neither IR film nor special brands of glass can significantly reduce heat loss.

Also, initially you need to be aware that heating a panoramic balcony with French glazing in the cold season will consume a very significant amount of electricity and the cost of utilities for you can increase significantly.

If you arrange a second glazing circuit on the balcony, you must strive to ensure that the PVC or aluminum profile and glass are as thin as possible so as not to overload the balcony slab with excess weight. But in the case of installing panoramic glazing for the first time, as part of the redevelopment of the apartment, on the contrary, you should use a metal-plastic profile with a thickness of at least 70 mm, at least with double glazing.

Work order

Since the insulation of a loggia with panoramic glazing provides for the indispensable presence of a warm floor, its arrangement with one's own hands should be done first of all, even before the installation of double-glazed windows. This sequence is due to the fact that the thickness of the insulation, the design of the heating elements, the screed and the flooring device in this case can be chosen by you arbitrarily. If windows are installed first, and then you start insulating the ceiling and floor, then you will be severely limited by the profile width, which rarely exceeds 50 mm. And to create a sufficiently warm floor with such an insignificant layer of insulation is almost impossible.

It will be possible to engage in ceiling insulation after the installation of panoramic windows. The thickness of the insulation layer on it is not so critical, besides, it will be fashionable to equip the ceiling with an infrared heater, which will minimize heat loss.

Arranging the floor with your own hands must begin with a thorough sealing of all cracks and cavities with mounting foam, which can be around the perimeter of the balcony slab and in places where it adjoins the side walls of the loggia. After that, cover the floor surface with a layer of foil insulation (penofol, isolon), with the metal side up. It will be enough to glue it with polymer glue without fixing it with dowels.

A layer of thick tiled foam is laid on top of the penofol layer, which will perform the main heat-insulating function. The plates are fixed with dowels, "fungi", the joints are glued with foil tape.

The third layer is again a thin foil insulation with a metal surface up. It turns out "layer cake". After that, you can lay out the heating elements, which will perform the main function of heating the balcony. The heating elements of the "warm floor" should be evenly spaced over the area of ​​the entire balcony, with a distance of at least 50 mm from the wall. and cover at least 70% of the floor area.

After laying the heating elements, installing thermoregulation sensors and laying electrical wires for connection, the screed is poured with cement mortar 40-60 mm thick. Before pouring, a damper tape 10 mm thick and 100 mm wide is laid around the perimeter of the balcony.

After setting the screed, you can proceed with the installation of glazing frames and subsequent insulation of the ceiling, which differs little in the sequence of work from floor insulation, with the exception of the stages of laying heating elements and pouring the screed. The thickness of the insulation can be significantly less. In the same way, the walls of the loggia are insulated.

Having completed the whole range of possible work on the insulation of a balcony with panoramic windows with your own hands, you will be able to fully appreciate the complexity of such work. At the same time, there will be no guarantee that on frosty days there will be a comfortable temperature on the balcony.

Summing up

Owners of panoramic glazing may face such a problem as the openness of your private life to prying eyes. The way out can be either pasting the windows with tinted or “mirror” film, or installing blinds that cover either only the lower part of the glazing, or all the glazing from ceiling to floor. The second option is preferable, as it helps to at least partially escape the heat in summer. After all, a fully glazed balcony is a kind of greenhouse attached to the facade of the house.

It may seem that attaching a balcony to a room is not such a difficult thing. However, people often face a situation where, after glazing the parapet and removing the old door block, the balcony becomes a source of enormous heat loss. Moreover, glaring mistakes are made not only by home craftsmen who decide to cope on their own, but also by hired professional builders. Let's figure out what misconceptions prevent you from doing everything right, what pitfalls exist, and how to get around them.

Myth #1: A balcony is practical and convenient

If we consider ready-made projects of country cottages, then almost every one of them has a balcony. As practice shows, in the private sector this element of the building is rarely used, especially when it is located on the front side of the facade. People make it, and then they safely throw it away. Until a certain point ... until the first troubles begin. Near the stove, the wall freezes and gets wet, the materials on the street are gradually destroyed (the coating of the site crumbles, the fences rust), the wooden door dries up and begins to see through it.

Important! Balcony stationary slab is tied with the outer wall of the building, it enters directly into the room at floor level and is a huge bridge of cold. In a private house, it makes sense to build a wooden balcony, it is advisable to use hinged and attached structures with supporting columns.

Approximately the same horrors are observed in the apartment of a high-rise building. But if in the private sector the owner can, by a strong-willed decision, completely abandon the construction of a balcony, then in a high-rise building people have nowhere to go, something has to be done. It turns out that the balcony is one of the most problematic places, for sure in the apartment. It turns out that "on the balance sheet" the owner of the housing has additional structures, moreover, external ones, which should be protected from wind, snow, rain, and the scorching rays of the sun. Every season you need to tint something, grease it, adjust it, etc.

So, the structures of an open balcony need regular careful maintenance, but some of the problems can be eliminated by glazing and insulation. The implementation of an insulated balcony is akin to a miniature construction site, since it will be necessary to build / assemble walls, create a roof (on the uppermost floor), take care of heating and electricity.

Myth #2: Any translucent structures can be used for glazing

In fact, there are two types of glazing: warm and cold. Frameless and most sliding structures are elements of cold glazing - if the balcony remains a space isolated from the rooms. The warm option is used when the area is attached to the room. For such purposes, only the most technologically advanced products are suitable, which are distinguished by the greatest resistance to heat transfer, because windows will be the main enclosing structures, and their area is quite large.

Most aluminum systems here cannot provide normal thermal insulation; it is better to give preference, for example, to wooden structures (of course, modern ones). However, PVC windows show the best energy saving characteristics on the balcony. But these should be models with a multi-chamber (5-6 chambers, total frame width from 80 mm) profile, which allow the use of filling with two-chamber bags and corresponding sandwiches (from 32 mm). Obviously, double-glazed windows must be used with maximum thermal insulation capacity - that is, with three glasses in which argon and special spraying are used.

Important! Swing systems with several sealing circuits have proven themselves best for insulation. Sliding models (as well as frameless solutions) usually do not provide sufficient thermal insulation and tightness, although there are so-called tilt-slide and tilt-slide systems that have quite a decent level of energy efficiency.

As for the configuration and configuration of the glazing, it is worth mentioning the mandatory use of some standard components, which, in all respects, correspond to the tasks assigned to the insulation. These include:

• corner connecting profiles (has cameras and allows you not to build a supporting frame);
• straight H-shaped connecting profiles (allows filling a long opening with several frames, has chambers and elastic seals);
• stand elements (makes it possible to insulate the floor);
• expanders (allows you to insulate the ceiling and blank walls).

To increase the resistance to heat transfer, the cavities of these components can be filled with mineral wool or polyurethane foam.

It must be understood that even the highest quality glazing has relatively small thermal insulation properties. Therefore, it is better to assemble a massive or frame parapet around the perimeter of the slab and insulate it, and install windows from a solid fence to the ceiling. If the PVC balcony structure is still chosen “from floor to ceiling”, then it is not necessary to fill all the frames with double-glazed windows, in some openings it will be more efficient to install a warmer sandwich (PVC + EPS + PVC) - for example, on the end walls of the balcony, the lower part ram.

Myth number 3: Enough of any modern insulation with a layer of 3-5 centimeters

Insufficient thickness of the thermal insulation layer is the most common mistake. It may seem that, since the area of ​​​​the balcony is relatively small, it would not be logical to “eat” it with thick enclosing elements. But, if you make simple calculations (see the article on calculating the thickness of thermal insulation), it becomes clear that the minimum layer of additional insulation will be 100-120 mm, and sometimes all 150-180. It is clear that polyethylene foam canvases, so much loved by domestic craftsmen, will not cope with the tasks. Here, clearly, it is necessary to apply:

• basalt wool;
• Styrofoam;
• or extruded polystyrene foam.

Moreover, of all the options in terms of density / thermal conductivity, it is worth giving preference to the most effective ones (thermal conductivity coefficient from 0.040 W / (m * K) and lower), which will allow you to perform high-quality insulation and still help save usable space.

Myth number 4: The ceiling and floor can not be insulated

Sometimes we hear that the owner of the property does not want to spend money on thermal insulation of some elements of the balcony / loggia, since “the neighbors from above and below also have glazed balconies.” But after all, we cannot know what level of thermal insulation is implemented there, maybe there is no insulation in the structures at all, and cold glazing was used. Even if it turns out that the neighbors have warmed up normally, then there is no guarantee that over time these or other residents will not change their minds and do something.

Also, do not forget that, as we have already noted, this is the most powerful bridge of cold: a concrete balcony slab with three of its ends faces the street. Therefore, in winter it easily freezes, and this happens all the more intensely if it is reliably fenced off from the heating system by a layer of heat insulator from the side of its neighbors. That is, it does not warm up and cools even faster, this cold from the balcony will definitely go to your apartment.

Important! Due to the freezing of a massive element from the end, the blank walls of the loggias are also subject to full insulation, even isolated from the side of the adjacent apartment.

Myth number 5: First of all, the frames are assembled, and then the heaters are laid

Frame sheathing is indeed the best option for finishing a balcony, which is subjected to additional insulation, because the wet method of bonded thermal insulation, as on the facade, seems to many to be too impractical indoors - for example, it is too prone to bursting. However, when assembling the frames, the craftsmen make the same mistake - first they install the subsystem close to the supporting base, and then they attach polystyrene foam or stone wool between the racks. As a result, the heat-insulating layer breaks, and cold stripes are obtained, which are clearly visible when examining the frame with a thermal imager. It turns out especially badly if metal profiles are used instead of wooden bars for the construction of the frame. A tree is preferable here, such insulation, of course, is better than nothing, but freezing is possible.

Important! Insulation, whether it be polystyrene foam or cotton wool, must be wound behind the frame elements and the sheets must be joined tightly with each other and with the supporting elements. If foam and EPS, such as foam plastic, are used as an insulator, it is recommended to foam the joints and gaps. When using direct hangers, they must be drilled in advance and fixed to the base through thermal insulating gaskets, and the heaters can only then be put on them by piercing (most likely, elongated U-shaped brackets will be needed).

Myth number 6: Moisture is not particularly terrible for a balcony.

Just exactly the opposite. There can be a lot of unpleasant options when water during the operation of an insulated balcony / loggia can get where it is not needed. The greatest danger is slanting rain. Glazed balcony is a prefabricated structure with a large number of elements and interfaces of various materials. Water through poor-quality junctions can get into the insulating layer, which then ceases to perform an insulating function. Most often, leaks are observed at the junction of the frames with the upper and lower plates, if the ebbs / peaks are not installed correctly.

Important! It is mandatory and in a special way to use metal or plastic visors. The upper one should be fixed to the plate, and the lower one - to the frame. Mounting gaps must be properly filled with foam. By the way, we must not forget about the docking zone of the frames and the outer wall of the house, very often they “forget” to use flashings here, which protect the foam from both water and ultraviolet radiation.

If you need to make a roof, then you can’t do without a corner that will cover the junction of the roofing material and the wall. It is best to use a Z-shaped galvanized profile with a polymer coating, which cuts into the wall with one shelf. Also, if the humidity in the rooms sometimes rises too much, then it is recommended to cover the heaters from the inside with vapor barrier films with gluing the sheets with adhesive tape.

Myth number 7: The radiator from under the window can be easily transferred to the parapet of the balcony

For a number of reasons, this is not the most reasonable solution. If, after removing the balcony door block, the part of the wall on which the battery hung is also dismantled, then it is better to install the heater on the side wall of the balcony. Even if you are engaged in transferring to the front wall, then the supply and return lines will have to be mounted in an open way. Laying the pipeline in the floor is dangerous, so on almost any winter day, the pipes located in the thickness of the insulation can be thawed and damaged by destruction if the heating is stopped for at least a day.

Perhaps the most practical and safest way to heat a glazed balcony will be electric underfloor heating. For example, realized with self-regulating cables, rods or infrared film that can be laid directly under the floor finish.

Glazing and insulation of balconies will add comfort to living in an apartment and modernize the appearance of the facade of the house, the main thing is that the process is carried out correctly. Therefore, do not forget to obtain a written permit from the authorized bodies in advance.

Glazing and insulating a balcony is the desire of many, since the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe apartment will increase, and external noise with cold will not annoy.

What are the proposed methods and types of glazing?

At the moment, consumers are offered various options for glazing. They differ depending on:

• designs
• frame type
• material
• project conditions
• door opening methods

Panoramic glazing

The "highlight" of this method of glazing loggias and balconies is the absence of shutters. Panoramic glazing can be partial (from the parapet to the ceiling) and full (full height).

By type, it is divided into:

• frameless
• warm (frames made of aluminum with a thermal break or PVC)
• cold (aluminum structures)

Panoramic technology needs the involvement of specialists, since the final result is possible only with:

• careful study of each glass
• free opening
• choosing the right window sill width

Sliding

The principle underlying this glazing is similar to the principle of opening a wardrobe. Therefore, it is advisable to use it when it is not possible to normally open pivot windows.

For insulation, it is necessary to carry out a number of auxiliary works:

• in addition to the installation of double-glazed windows, it is necessary to remove the gaps at the junction of the frames to the wall
• seal the gaps between the wall, parapet and frames with foamed polyethylene, polystyrene, special sealant, fill with polyurethane sealants

To save space (on the sides and top), expansion profiles are mounted.

The main methods of thermal insulation:

• interior
• outer

Requirements for thermal insulation material:

• breathability and moisture resistance
• low thermal conductivity
• no high load on the floor

Thermal insulation materials:

• polystyrene boards
• penofol
• mineral wool

Insulation of facade glazing is carried out in the following sequence:

• sash replacement
• thermostat setting
• secondary glazing

Which windows are better to put on the balcony plastic or aluminum

In the absence of financial opportunities, many are interested in the question of how to glaze the balcony yourself, while not turning to specialists. The process itself is not at all simple and needs to follow the sequence of work, therefore, we will make a reservation right away, it is better not to take on the job if there is no self-confidence.

When installing remote structures, it is not complete without wooden frames, devices made of plastic or aluminum profiles, characterized by increased strength and durability. But what are their differences?

Plastic profile windows are used for arranging a loggia. This option is popular due to its special tightness, which protects the room from the penetration of dust, moisture, heat loss and other manifestations. However, one glazing is not enough, it will be necessary to install additional heaters.

Advantages:

• high degree of tightness due to the seals provided in the design
• increased level of heat and sound insulation
• long service life (more than 40 years)
• resist temperature changes and moisture
• do not change the original color over time
• it is possible to laminate with special films
• ease of installation

Among the disadvantages:

• accumulation of static electricity
• susceptibility to mechanical stress
• heavy weight, weighted with double-glazed windows

Aluminum profile windows are lightweight - this is an excellent option for glazing and insulating the loggia.

Advantages:

• high strength and rigidity
• long operating life
• insignificant weight
• inexpensive material
• Possibility to paint in different colors
• protect reliably from noise, dust, precipitation, wind and other manifestations
• affordability
• external attractiveness

Among the disadvantages:

• periodic replacement of rollers in sliding windows
• low thermal insulation

Which option you prefer is up to you, but a few tips will prove useful.

If the balcony is planned to be connected to the apartment or insulated, then the PVC option will be more preferable.

Warm aluminum glazing is chosen so that the balcony does not overload too much, it is ideal for an uninsulated space. Do not forget about the aesthetic component - balcony windows should be in harmony with the facade of the building.

Which balcony frame is better to choose and what you can save on

To insulate the balcony well and inexpensively, the option of using aluminum frames is considered. This method requires accurate measurements of the balcony and refers to the cold.

The optimal glass thickness is 4-6 mm, and it is better to use an anodized profile.

Advantages of an insulated balcony made of aluminum frames:

• ease of installation
• high strength
• no need to reinforce the balcony slab
• looks great against any design
• no extra flaps

With PVC balcony frames, the glazing will definitely turn out to be warm.

Frames with inert gas are also offered, which makes it difficult for air to pass into the atmosphere and prevents the windows from fogging up. This type of frame guarantees sufficient insulation against noise and cold.

With a lack of space, aluminum sliding frames are used, it is enough just to mount their rail mechanism, which fixes the top and bottom of the sash. High-quality dense elastic bands are used for better tightness.

The main thing, when choosing variations, how to properly glaze the loggia with your own hands is to decide on the goals and after proceeding with the implementation of the plan, then the thermal insulation of the balconies, which provides for insulation and glazing, will not disappoint, but will be a pleasant addition.

With glazed balconies and loggias, a lot of problems are solved, and the possible arrangement of a winter garden will improve your mood and add positivity.

Replacing cold glass with warm glass

Usually, in order to improve living conditions and rebuild the loggia, during the overhaul, the insulation of the balcony with cold glazing is guided by the warm one. After replacement, it is possible to eliminate drafts, the accumulation of condensate on the windows, heat losses and financial costs for heating are reduced.

The choice of material is also important, it must be of high quality, without visible external defects, certified.

Most owners are interested in warming and glazing balconies, so it is better to do this not in the winter season, but preferably in spring, summer, or early autumn. But in principle, the process is possible even in the cold season without any exceptions, so it is possible to complete the glazing of the balcony even on your own.

Some nuances that you should still pay attention to:

• glazing a balcony at t -20 ° С is unacceptable
• mounting foam is not used at t -15 ° C, a special
• plastic frames crack in the cold
• aluminum profiles are not used at t -10°C and below

The manual for replacing cold glazing with warm glazing, including internal insulation, is as follows:

Step-by-step instruction:

• measurement of openings for ordering double-glazed windows, taking into account the gap for mounting foam
• after ordering, the design of double-glazed windows is dismantled: frames are installed, then sashes are hung
• for removal, the pins are removed from the hinges, if it is necessary to dismantle the double-glazed window, the spindle is installed in the space between the glazing bead and the frame surface, carefully pulled back and removed
• the frame is leveled to eliminate bevels and unnecessary gaps
• installation of window elements and sashes
• around the perimeter - sealing gaps with mounting foam
• sash correction, cutting off fragments of excess foam

Balcony block - features of the installation of a metal-plastic structure

We studied how to properly glaze a balcony, gave step-by-step instructions for glazing a balcony with your own hands, but why is a metal-plastic balcony block installed and in what cases is it advisable to do this?

Balcony block - a partition between the living room and the balcony itself, the design of which includes a plastic window without shutters and a door rigidly connected to each other on one side.

The technological process of installation involves the following operations:

• the place for installation is prepared, alignment and cleaning are carried out, measurements are taken
• installation points of fasteners are determined
• the door is fixed
• empty window frame installed
• fittings are being installed
• double-glazed windows are installed and fixed with glazing beads
• mounted window sill

This process can be done with your own hands, but it will turn out better by contacting specialists.

On the video do-it-yourself balcony glazing:

Video how to glaze the loggia with your own hands: