Panoramic glazing of the balcony and loggia - the advantages and disadvantages of floor-to-ceiling windows

Disadvantages of panoramic glazing

Panoramic glazing of a balcony with a plastic, aluminum profile, has not only undoubted advantages, it also has disadvantages.
Cons of such a window on the loggia:

• the need for regular thorough care;
• the inability to get close to the outside of the entire structure;
• the strong influence of climatic conditions, due to which the apartment may be too hot or, on the contrary, cold;
• the project of such glazing can be expensive;
• increased visibility of the premises from the street side.

Systematic maintenance of windows on the loggia

Panoramic glazing of a balcony in a multi-storey building will occupy the entire wall, which makes it rather worse, practically negating the self-care for the cleanliness of its surface outside. However, atmospheric phenomena in the form of wind carrying sand, rain, snow, will form their footprints on the glass, impairing visibility and disrupting the aesthetic balance.

Important! If there is an industrial production near the house, then traces of its emissions, as well as chemical compounds, soot can be left on the glass. It is sometimes impossible to clean the surface on your own, which requires the hiring of specially trained people with equipment, which is fraught with additional financial costs

It is sometimes impossible to clean the surface on your own, which requires the hiring of specially trained people with equipment, which is fraught with additional financial costs.

Lack of access to the outer surface

When there is a panoramic window on the loggia, it impairs access to its outer surface. This creates not only problems with timely glass cleaning, but also with ensuring the safety of the owners of the premises.

In case of accidental hit of a sharp object, the glass can be broken, which will lead to a violation of its integrity, as well as shedding of fragments not only inside the room, but also outside it. Debris can fly downward, endangering passers-by.

Important! If a single panorama is installed, then the opportunity to carry out the ventilation procedure will be lost

Summer heat

Panoramic glazing of balconies and loggias often gives their owners problems with a constant excess of sunlight. If in winter it is only beneficial, then in summer, on the contrary, it contributes to the rapid heating of the room (especially if the windows face south).

The constant summer heat makes it impossible for a person to be in this room. Special sun-protection curtains will help a little to correct the situation, however, they can visually reduce the space of the room.

Important! To maintain the effect of a large space, experts recommend using translucent curtains, as well as air curtains equipped with a lifting mechanism

Winter cold

The glazing of the balcony with the installation of panoramic windows creates certain problems in the winter. Of course, modern manufacturers of window structures offer their customers the installation of energy-saving kits, but the problem of a cold floor does not disappear anywhere.

During the seasonal cold snap, the balcony freezes and the window openings fog up. To prevent the development of such a nuisance, it becomes necessary to install thermal converters, a floor with a heating effect, which requires considerable financial investments.

High cost of the project and construction

Panoramic glazing of the loggia has a rather high cost. This is due to a number of factors:

• the need to prepare special calculations and schemes, project development;
• the complexity of the design;
• the use of complex technologies;
• the need to use a special tool.

If we add the need to equip the balcony with insulation equipment, then the amount turns out to be quite impressive, which must be taken into account when deciding on the implementation of such a project.

View of the premises from the street

Panoramic windows on the balcony open an overview of everything that is in the room, not only for neighbors living opposite, but also for all people walking down the street. Of course, you can get rid of this drawback by placing special curtains, but they can steal the daylight for which the whole structure was mounted. Therefore, after installing such a window, you will have to forget about privacy.

In addition, the mandatory installation of ventilation is required, which also entails considerable financial costs.

Panoramic glazing: all the pros and cons

With panoramic glazing, the windows are stretched either to the entire front wall of the balcony, or to all three protruding walls. As with any construction innovation, panoramic windows on the balcony have their advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of this type of glazing:

• it is ideal for houses with a beautiful view from the upper floors;
• there will be more natural light in the balcony adjacent to such a balcony, which means that you can save on electricity and plant light-loving plants on the windowsills and on the balcony itself;
• the amount of interior and exterior decoration of the balcony decreases, respectively, the cost of materials;
• albeit a little, but the useful area of ​​the room increases;
• with further sale or lease of an apartment, its price increases due to such glazing.

The main reason why owners choose panoramic windows for their balcony is their aesthetics. Of course, this only works in cases where the windows will overlook natural or urban landscapes, park or forest.

If the balcony is directly opposite another house, such glazing will cause inconvenience to both you and your neighbors.

Cons of panoramic windows:

• costs of the project, materials and glazing process;
• the need to carefully think over all the nuances of work (type of glass, load on the balcony ceiling, etc.);
• the need to obtain permission to redevelop the balcony;
• mandatory installation of an air conditioner or split system and complete isolation of the room.

Also, the disadvantages include the fact that such balconies and loggias are clearly visible from the outside, especially on low floors (up to the third or fourth inclusive). But this problem can be easily solved with curtains or blinds.

How to insulate

Panoramic glazing of a loggia or balcony will give your home a certain status and at the same time will increase the illumination of the apartment due to sunlight. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the increase in heat loss of the room and the increase in costs when heating a balcony or loggia. The right choice of materials will help reduce heating costs.

The simplest glazing option involves the use of a single-chamber glass unit installed in aluminum frames. When using multi-chamber double-glazed windows in an insulated profile, it will reduce heat loss by about 3 times compared to a simple design. The main thing to remember is that thermal insulation of panoramic glazing does not affect the light transmittance of the structure in any way, but it will make your room warmer and allow you to significantly reduce the penetrated noise from the street.

What is the peculiarity of "warm" glazing?

For the device of warm panoramic glazing, it is necessary to use windows based on PVC profiles with a thickness of 70 mm or more. These designs have at least five chambers.The main manufacturers of such profiles are KBE, REHAU, VEKA, TROCAL, SALAMANDER. When choosing fittings, you should give your preference to manufacturers of high-quality fittings, such as MACO, ROTO, SIEGENIA-AUBI, WINKHAUS.

Warm PVC windows on a panoramic loggia

It is necessary to very carefully insulate large panoramic loggias with multi-chamber double-glazed windows, since the mass of double-glazed windows will be very large and there is a danger of collapse of the loggia slab

With panoramic glazing of such loggias, it is worth paying attention to single-chamber double-glazed windows coated with an energy-saving film, while the frame must be made on the basis of a "warm" profile, and the inner space of the double-glazed window must be filled with an inert gas such as argon

Unfortunately, the insulation of a balcony with panoramic glazing is not limited only to the use of the "warmest" glazing. An important factor will also be the insulation of the balcony floor. A popular option is the installation of a cable "warm floor". Before laying the cable, the floor is insulated with a layer of foam, a screed about 4-5 cm is made on top of the cable.

Foil penofol can be used as a floor insulation, but its thermal insulation characteristics are worse than that of penoplex. The main advantage of penofol is its small thickness. When applied, the floor will rise to an insignificant height.

An example of installing glazing from floor to ceiling with subsequent insulation is shown in the video.

Maximus windows - balcony glazing from floor to ceiling

Watch this video on YouTube

Another option for insulating a balcony with panoramic glazing is to organize additional heating by installing an electric convector or a radiator. By installing a heater, you can solve the problem of condensation on the glass surface.

Varieties of glazing materials

There are three types of panoramic glazing: frameless glazing is cold, but does not have a frame visible to the eye, looks like a large glass, a very interesting design move. Aluminum can be either cold or insulated. It has a small mass, partitions are noticeable, the price of the material is quite low.

Frameless glazing

With plastic, you can use relatively thin designs that will not be conspicuous. Plastic is heavy and is not suitable for installation on every balcony, however, insulation of a loggia with panoramic PVC glazing is not required. This will save money and space.

Panoramic plastic windows

Cold glazing is suitable if the loggia is not planned to be heated or used as an extension of the room. It will remain a delimited object that is used during the warmer months. If you use a loggia, for example, as an office, then you need to put a warm double-glazed window.

At the same time, the design of a balcony with panoramic glazing may even benefit. If you use PVC profiles, you can create a structure protruding by 30 cm, this will give additional space inside.

Advantages and disadvantages

Having decided the question of whether this type of glazing is suitable, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of such a design. This will help to make a final conclusion and make a decision.

pros

• View. Here we have already decided. The main meaning of panoramic glazing is a beautiful view from the window. Undoubtedly, panoramic glazing is far ahead compared to conventional windows.
• Shine. Panoramic windows let in more light, making the room brighter and more beautiful. This can be attributed, albeit a small, but still the saving of electricity, due to a longer and greater influx of light from the outside.
• Style.Undoubtedly, even if it is deep night outside, your friends and acquaintances will appreciate the presence of panoramic windows at your true worth. This type of glazing of the loggia automatically raises the prestige of the room. It is possible that friends will want to visit you in the afternoon, appreciating the view from such windows.
• Visual increase in area. Transparent glass looks light compared to conventional balcony trim. Running along the entire height and width of the outer wall, they undoubtedly visually expand the space.

Minuses

• Price. Let's start with the obvious. The cost of such a structure is much more expensive compared to the usual finishing of the balcony. Delivery and installation work is more complicated. From all this, a considerable cost of the entire structure as a whole is obtained. It is rather difficult to determine exactly how much panoramic glazing will be more expensive. The type of windows plays a role here, additional improvements, such as automatic opening of windows for ventilation.
• Maintaining cleanliness. A significant drawback of panoramic glazing. Windows are quite susceptible to dirt and not easy to clean. Tall ceiling-to-floor windows make this task even more challenging. At a minimum, you will have to stock up on special tools that allow you to reach the most inaccessible areas. In some cases, the services of special companies that wash windows at height may be required. And of course, time. Cleaning these windows takes a long time. Often for this reason, people refuse panoramic glazing.
• Excessive transparency. As mentioned earlier, the panorama outside the window gives an open view to those who are outside the window. It is difficult to find advantages in this, there are definitely disadvantages. Everyone can contemplate your personal life.
• Mosquitoes. A possible disadvantage of panoramic windows is the impossibility of installing a mosquito net. This question is not relevant for all apartment owners. For example, starting from the fifth floor, mosquitoes and flies, if they fly in, are rare.
• Noise. As a rule, you can forget about good sound insulation. Panoramic glazing is inherently very thin and does not cope well with this task. If you use special glasses and technologies, then you can spend an unreasonable amount of money.

Of course, the list of advantages and disadvantages of panoramic glazing is endless. Everyone looks at it from a different angle. For this reason, reviews of panoramic glazing are hesitant.

We have analyzed only the main points in order to have an idea of ​​what panoramic glazing can bring to its owners.

Along with the pros and cons, there are important nuances of this design. There are quite a few options for the execution of panoramic glazing.

Nuances

The first thing worth mentioning is security. Few people think that the balcony slab has a weight limit, which many do not comply with at all. Some will say that this is nonsense and have never heard balconies fall. But there were still cases. The permissible weight on the balcony slab is prescribed in building codes and regulations, in the column "loads and impacts".

When ordering the installation of panoramic glazing, you should know in advance the final weight of the structure. To this should be added the weight of people, floor finishing, possible furniture, which will be located directly on the balcony slab itself. Beauty is beauty, but your own safety is more important than any view outside the window.

Minimize heat loss

Here are some tips on how to insulate your panoramic balcony.

Since the bottom of the parapet is an extension of the window, keeping warm must be taken seriously. At the installation stage, it is necessary to carefully seal all the gaps between the frame and the double-glazed windows; for this purpose, a sealant or polyurethane foam is suitable. From the inside, work is being carried out on heat and waterproofing. Penofol is covered with a layer of insulation, extending the life of the insulating material.Seams are treated with aluminum tape. On the outside, there should be no uneven joints or gaps, otherwise this will entail great difficulties when using the balcony in cold weather.

The panoramic balcony dictates its own requirements for heating. Batteries and radiators cannot be installed here, so a warm floor is the most optimal solution. Infrared film, which is used for floor insulation, is also suitable for wall and ceiling insulation.

These simple tricks will provide warmth on the panoramic balcony as a result.

Registration of permission

Before carrying out glazing work, it is required to obtain permission from the relevant authorities. The procedure is as follows.

• Obtain a technical passport for housing from the BTI, which contains information about its original condition. This information is needed in order to develop a glazing project on its basis.
• Obtain permission for glazing from the organization that at one time developed the building project.
• Order the development of a panoramic balcony project in the appropriate organization.
• Agree on a project with the company that manages the house.
• Obtain a sanitary and hygienic conclusion on compliance with the standards in Rospotrebnadzor.
• Obtain an opinion on compliance with fire regulations from the State Fire Inspection.
• Coordinate the compliance of the project of the balcony or loggia with the appearance of the building (and if the house belongs to architectural monuments, then additional approval is required in the appropriate authority).
• All documents received must be handed over to the housing inspection, which ultimately will issue a work permit.
• After the window to the floor on the balcony is installed, it is required to invite representatives of the management company and the housing inspection, who will write an act on the redevelopment (but only if no deviation from the project is found)
• Invite a BTI inspector who will make changes to the apartment registration certificate.

Positive and negative sides

Finnish frameless glazing has many positive aspects. Among the main advantages it should be noted:

• Illumination of the room. The absence of a frame will allow daylight to freely enter the room. If the balcony is combined with the living space, the Finnish glazing looks especially attractive.
  The main advantage of Finnish glazing is the maximum illumination of the room
• Safety and convenience in glass care. Hinged and pendulum sashes allow you to clean windows from the inside of the room, saving the owners from dangerous forays outside the balcony.
• Increased glass strength. The partitions of the structure perfectly cope with loads such as strong gusts of wind and other external factors, since only tempered glass is used. Due to the high strength of the material for balcony glazing, the installation can be safely operated for an average of 20 years.
• Versatility. The design is easily applicable to all types of balconies, regardless of architecture and age of construction.
• Frameless glazing of balconies and loggias perfectly protects the room from dust and precipitation.
• Protects from cuts. The properties of tempered glass practically eliminate the danger in the form of wounds, since the broken material disintegrates into small cubic pieces and does not pose a danger.
• Movable castors allow the balcony to be fully opened.

Modern developments have made it possible to ensure absolute safety in the use of glass and even protect the room from burglary, since the strength of the tempered material is a serious obstacle to its breaking. Nevertheless, it is worth noting the disadvantages of frameless glazing. These include:

• Cold type.The frameless glazing of the loggia does not provide for thermal insulation functions, and therefore in the cold season the temperature on the balcony will approach the street temperature. Warm glazing of balconies must be carried out according to standard methods. The frameless method is also similar. It becomes necessary to lay insulation materials.
  With frameless glazing of balconies, thermal insulation is not provided
• Low noise insulation. Only a classic double-glazed window can save here.
• Technically, the design does not provide for the installation of mosquito nets, so you can protect yourself from insects only with the help of a special repeller.
• Inadequate sealing in heavy snow or rain can cause wear on the rollers and lead to instability of the mountings.

Options for opening balcony windows

1. sliding;
2. swing;
3. with no frames.

Glazing options for a balcony with a sliding transom system are used when installing frames made of aluminum profiles with one glass or double-glazed window. With this option, sliding frames save usable space on the balconies when opening the window, but do not provide sufficient tightness. Accordingly, heat and sound insulation will not be at the highest level.

They take up little space when open. Thanks to this, they are excellent for glazing balconies and small loggias.

Dignity

• In a strong wind, you can not be afraid that the window will slam shut. Accordingly, there is no need to fix it.
• An open sash will not accidentally damage the furniture.
• Convenience and ease of maintenance.
• Sliding glazing systems are practically unaffected by atmospheric influences.
• High tightness. Sliding balconies are moisture, dust and dirt resistant. Long service life.

Disadvantages:

• Insufficient thermal insulation compared to PVC windows.
• Poor thermal insulation when using single glazing.
• Low noise insulation due to the absence of a multi-chamber profile and multilayer glass units.

Swing opening is more common: metal-plastic windows open, while having several ventilation modes. When glazing a balcony space, it is worth considering the load created by the structure. Due to the weight of the fittings, metal-plastic windows with a hinged sash opening system are heavier than aluminum or wooden structures with a similar opening system.

Advantages of swing glazing systems:

• High level of sound insulation.
• Providing a comfortable temperature throughout the year.
• Ease of use and maintenance thanks to tilt-and-turn opening.
• Reliability and durability with proper installation and operation.
• Ensuring high tightness of the balcony and good heat retention.
• Stylish appearance that harmoniously complements the interior of the building and significantly improves the facade of the building.

Disadvantages:

• High price. Glazing of balconies with plastic windows is a rather expensive method. It is advisable to use if you need to make a warm room. If we allow a colder temperature regime on the balcony, you can opt for a cheaper type of glazing.
• High weight of the structure. Plastic windows are heavy and a solid foundation is required for their installation. In older houses, for example in Khrushchev, it is necessary to reinforce the balcony structures.

The frameless glazing of the balcony offers a panoramic view, which is suitable for houses located in a picturesque area. Despite the high cost, this type of glazing overshadows the traditional use of window frames - more and more people prefer this option.

Frameless glazing has a lot of advantages:

• originality of appearance
• high light transmittance
• use of 6-8mm thick tempered glass
• ease of movement of the structure

But there are also disadvantages:

• it is cold glazing that will not protect it from the cold;
• with this option, it is impossible to insulate the loggia;
• transparency;
• installation of mosquito nets is not provided;
• poor sound insulation and tightness.

Disadvantages of panoramic glazing

This type of glazing, despite the abundance of advantages, has some disadvantages.

Cons of the design:

• the need for a fairly long-term establishment of order, which should be organized on a regular basis;
• difficulties with the ability to get to each outer corner of the structure;
• the influence of climatic conditions, when, under the influence of the outside temperature, the room becomes too hot or cold;
• the high cost of work on the creation of a construction project;
• increased visibility of the interior space from the street side.

Systematic maintenance of windows on the loggia

The panorama fills the entire space from floor to ceiling. This creates difficulties for cleaning the glass surface from contamination that invariably occurs under the influence of dust, precipitation, and wind.

If you do not clean it regularly, there is a high probability that the visibility from such a window, as well as its aesthetic qualities, will deteriorate. This is especially evident when the house is located close to industrial plants, which often produce harmful emissions.

It will be difficult to cope with cleaning the surface on your own. It is much more efficient and safer (especially for residents of the upper floors) to hire special cleaning companies for these purposes. Unfortunately, this will entail additional financial costs.

Lack of access to the outer surface

Loggia, fenced with panoramic glazing, practically depriving access to its outer planes. This interferes with ensuring the safety of the owners, and also creates difficulties in caring for the glass.

An accidental hit of a sharp object can break the glass or violate its integrity, reducing the safety of the entire structure. The falling of debris can be very dangerous, both for the interior and for the area around the house.

Important! Installation of a single panorama completely excludes the possibility of airing rooms

Summer heat

Panoramic glazing of the loggia, in addition to the dignity in the form of the constant presence of daylight, can also create problems of the same property. In winter, additional light is beneficial, in summer, it is accompanied by strong heating of the room. This problem occurs especially often in rooms with windows facing south or east, when the sun shines directly on the loggia in the morning.

With strong heat, it becomes simply impossible to be there. Blackout curtains, blinds, special blackout designs will help to correct the situation. They will protect the space from the penetration of the sun, but visually narrow the space.

Important! To protect the room from heating by the sun, but, at the same time, not to clutter up the space, experts recommend using translucent fabrics, curtains with lifting mechanisms

Winter cold

The winter period can also create some problems. Despite the fact that the trouble in the form of cold penetration can be solved by installing energy-saving double-glazed windows, the cold floor will not go anywhere.

When the cold season begins, the window openings will fog up due to the temperature difference inside and outside. To prevent the situation, they install warm converters, mount an electrically heated floor. For these purposes, you will have to spend a lot of financial resources, but the expenses will pay off with the comfort of being on such a balcony.

High cost of the project and construction

When evaluating the pros and cons of a panoramic window mounted on a balcony, one should not forget about the price factor.

The cost of such devices consists of:

• the complexity of the design;
• the use of sophisticated technologies;
• the use of a special tool;
• the need to equip this room with insulation equipment.

View of the premises from the street

One of the disadvantages of such equipment is that the panorama creates a complete opening of the interior space to prying eyes. That is, all people passing by the house, or neighbors living in the building opposite, will know what is happening inside the apartment.

To get rid of this problem, curtains are suitable, but they will also prevent the penetration of daylight into the interior. As you can see, this device will nullify all the efforts of the owners, who installed such a design to save energy.

Important! It is mandatory to install ventilation devices that require financial investments.

Legal aspects of panoramic glazing of a loggia

Panoramic glazing of the loggia is a redevelopment. Accordingly, it can only be carried out after obtaining permits from government agencies. Unauthorized redevelopment is a violation of the law. Its result is a court decision to dismantle the erected structure at the expense of the owner of the apartment.

Permission for panoramic glazing is not always issued. For this:

• The balcony should not violate the integrity of the building.
• The features of the arrangement of existing balconies are taken into account. In old houses, they are supported by a concrete slab, and in new ones, aluminum structures are often found. The latter are easier to dismantle and modify.
• The load of the window structure on the floor is calculated.

If you have received all the necessary permits and have chosen a contractor, it remains to wait for the cardinal changes in the interior of the apartment.

Types of panoramic glazing of a balcony

There are two ways to glaze the balcony with windows to the floor. They differ externally, structurally and are suitable for different uses of the balcony room.

Frameless glazing

As the name suggests, this type of glazing does not imply the presence of frames. This design looks like a completely glass box - the impression of a balcony being weightless is created.

Special toughened glasses are mounted on roller guides from above and below, then fixed to each other and to the sides. The doors open towards the inside of the balcony or move like an accordion.

Advantages of frameless glazing:

• interesting design;
• ease of care and operation;
• maximum illumination of the room;
• maximum visibility.

It also has its drawbacks. For instance:

• poor isolation of such a balcony - it will not work to insulate and seal it;
• inability to install mosquito nets;
• danger of deformation of the structure due to strong gusts of wind, hail, falling branches, etc.

Basically, this type of glazing is chosen for the spectacular appearance of the balcony. With it, you can organize a recreation area, a small observation deck or an apartment garden.

Frame glazing

Glazing with a frame is a more reliable option. It is suitable for those cases when the balcony is on a high floor, and the house is in an open area. Isolation in this case is better, and there are technologies in which a panoramic balcony with such glazing can be used as a winter garden or even a living room.

There are several options for frames:

1. Plastic - perfect for warm balcony glazing. It is possible to install mosquito nets and choose different mechanisms for opening the sash. Due to the large weight of the structure, it is necessary to strengthen the supporting plate of the balcony before glazing.
2. Aluminum. This frame can be used for both warm and cold glazing. Due to the excellent quality and lightness of the material, aluminum frames serve for a long time, and their installation and operation are safer. The only negative is that they are more expensive.
3. Made of glass composite.This newest material for creating window frames combines excellent thermal insulation properties and resistance to mechanical damage. Naturally, the cost of glass composite frames is rather big.

Which one to choose depends on the purpose for which the balcony will be used and what visual effect the owner wants to achieve.

Frame glazing has many advantages:

• operational safety;
• sturdier construction;
• the possibility of warm glazing and soundproofing of the balcony;
• the ability to install insect nets, hang any blinds and curtains.

In terms of safety, this type of glazing has a great advantage. You can safely lean on the window, and also not be afraid of strong gusts of wind.

There are also disadvantages:

• the design does not look as elegant as the frameless;
• it is necessary to strengthen the floor slab.

In addition, there are several problematic nuances that relate to both glazing options. For example, placing furniture on the balcony, you will have to choose materials that do not fade in the sun or provide for curtains.

Warm type balcony glazing

Loggias combined with a hall, bedroom or kitchen are in trend today. For such a redevelopment to be functional, the glazing of the balcony must effectively retain heat.

The best solution for a warm balcony will be metal-plastic double-glazed windows. Plastic windows can be of any size and configuration, they contain the necessary fittings in the form of mosquito nets, fans and locks.

The double-glazed windows themselves are also different: they can be one-, two- or three-chamber, contain a layer of vacuum or argon. Such windows will reliably protect not only from cold, but also from extreme heat, loud sounds from the street, gusts of wind.

Advice! For balconies of a warm type, it is better to choose three-chamber double-glazed windows. Windows with an argon layer between the panes are especially effective at keeping heat.

It is metal-plastic windows that are considered the heaviest, therefore, before installing them, it is imperative to inspect the concrete slab and order a calculation of its resource from specialists.

pros

Panoramic glazing has its own advantages and disadvantages, like any other type of interior and exterior decoration.

• These spectacular designs provide a remarkable level of natural light that many apartments lack.
• Many owners are turning to other interesting redevelopments. They dismantle the wall adjacent to the balcony. This creates a large transparent wall.
• With such glazing, you can significantly save on electricity. During the day, you will always have enough light, so you will only need to turn on the chandeliers and bulbs at the late hours of the day.
• It should also be noted that panoramic windows save money on interior decoration, as they take up a lot of space.
• A wide variety of doors with different opening / closing mechanisms are suitable for this glazing. It can be both classic swing and sliding pieces.
• The design of the room with such details looks presentable and expensive.
• Such systems can be equipped with durable tempered glass. They increase the level of reliability of the entire structure as a whole.

Cold and warm glazing

When installing cold-type structures, a light profile (usually aluminum) with a small number of insulated chambers and without any additional insulation is used. As a translucent filling, either a single-chamber double-glazed unit of two sheets of 4 mm each, or a single glass, is installed.

Cold glazing has the following advantages:

Relatively low weight of the structure

The lightweight aluminum profile in combination with single glass minimizes the load on the load-bearing balcony slabs, which is especially important for glazing in old buildings.

Good transparency.The structure is assembled from a narrow profile, which takes up significantly less space on the total area of ​​the balcony

Thin glasses, especially in one thread, better let in natural daylight from the street.

Are cheap. Less expensive materials are used for production, assembly and installation of frames is easier. Cold balconies are cheaper by themselves, as there is no need to insulate the floor and perimeter.

The main disadvantage is low thermal insulation. In the cold season, the temperature inside the balcony will be 3-5 ° C higher than outside. Some types of cold structures are not designed to accommodate a mosquito net or pet screen (anti-cat system).

Warm glazing

If the balcony is supposed to be used as an additional living space, you will have to use a massive warm profile and a corresponding double-glazed window to glaze it. Warm profile systems have up to 7 insulated chambers, the energy efficiency of some models is additionally increased by special inserts made of polymer with low thermal conductivity.

Warm 7-chamber PVC profile 85 mm

The advantages of warm glazing:

• The microclimate of the balcony practically does not differ from the general one in the apartment.
• A wide frame profile and a double-glazed window allow you to achieve a high level of sound insulation, which is impossible with cold glazing;
• The massive and durable construction of the warm balcony provides better burglary protection than cold counterparts.

Disadvantages:

• The weight of the profile system and the double-glazed window makes the structure massive, which is why such glazing can not be mounted on every building. The balcony slabs of Khrushchev's houses, built in the last century, simply cannot withstand the weight load. Actually, they are designed for the weight of the glazing, but it is hardly possible to place any furniture on the balcony.
• Multi-layer double-glazed windows and a bulky frame profile let in much less light compared to the cold options.

The features of the components and the complexity of installation make warm balconies quite expensive.

In what cases is it not allowed to install floor windows on the balcony?

It is not always possible to obtain permission for panoramic glazing of the loggia. When is it impractical or unsafe? We list:

• the area of ​​the apartment is less than 200 m²;
• ceiling height less than 2.9 m.

When glazing into the floor, for safety reasons, it is recommended to install stops at the bottom of the balcony. And also use only tempered vandal-proof glass.

One of the design options for a panoramic balcony

Custom projects

This category includes semicircular, round, polygonal and outrigger balconies. Also, the arrangement of excessively long or narrow rooms can be called non-standard, but their glazing is not much different from the usual.

Round and semicircular balconies are glazed in one of three ways: chord, bay window or radius.

• Chord. The perimeter semicircle is filled in sectors with straight frames, resulting in a somewhat angular design. This option is the easiest to implement and the cheapest, but it does not look the best and is characterized by low energy-saving qualities.
• Bay window. The glasses in this case are also flat, but a special semicircular profile is used, due to which the corners between the sectors are smoothed, and the structure is more rigid. Bay window balconies are more expensive than chord balconies, but they are warmer and more reliable.
• Radius. The most expensive and high quality option. The profile goes around the fence contour, completely repeating its shape. Special glasses with good sound and heat insulation are used in the structures; panoramic implementation without vertical profiles is possible.

Glazing of polygonal individual projects or balconies in buildings of the p-44 series technically differs little from the arrangement of conventional straight or U-shaped structures.