If you plan to glaze the balcony or change the old double-glazed windows to more modern and new ones, then you should pay attention to the windows with aluminum frames. Today there is a huge assortment of windows with a wide variety of designs and opening systems, the main thing is to make the right choice.
According to experts, aluminum glazing of balconies and loggias is not only beautiful, but also beneficial. Do I need to get permission to install double-glazed windows on the balcony? How to maximize the room and make it aesthetically attractive? What window constructions are the most convenient and practical?
Aluminum profile - what happens?
Recently, aluminum is very popular in glazing, this is due to the fact that this material is durable, light and compact. It does not carry additional load on the structure, such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride and more reliable than wood. In addition, prices for aluminum structures are lower than for metal-plastic ones.
The construction market provides a huge selection of profiles from this metal. The choice is made according to the following criteria.
- Counting the number of air chambers in the frame. Experts say that the more cameras in the window frame, the lower the thermal conductivity and better sound insulation. In addition, the more there are, the easier it is to install an improved reinforcing component and accessories. The standard number of air chambers in the profile is from 2 to 7.
- Type of frame. They are warm and cold. The cold profile consists of one glass and has no insulation, so it costs less. A warm profile has thermal inserts, air chambers and energy-saving double-glazed windows, which makes its cost more expensive.
- Options for opening systems: sliding, swinging, folding, etc.
- Possibility of mounting two-, three-chamber windows (energy-saving, noise insulation).
- Profile design. A variety of colors, metal or laminated frames.
The increase in space, the aesthetic appearance and the reliability of the design - all this gives the glazing of balconies and loggias. The photo below shows how attractive such glass units look.
Documentation
If your balcony is located on the front of the house, then permission for glazing is necessary. The reason for this is a possible discrepancy with the overall design or errors in the drawing, which face serious consequences. Even if you just want to change the old double-glazed windows to new ones or repaint the frames in a different color, coordination with the responsible services is a must.
To do this, collect the following documents:
- statement;
- documents establishing the right to real estate (original and photocopy, which must be certified by a notary);
- EZHD (single housing document, which reflects all information about the property);
- a drawing agreed with the responsible inspectorates (firefighters, Rospotrebnadzor, architects) - for this you need to copy the standard drawing and certify it to a notary public;
- technical passport issued by BTI employees.
It is important that all the rules for glazing balconies and loggias with an aluminum profile. Reviews say that permission may not be given if you live in a house that is a monument of architecture or if there are no title documents.
If permission is obtained, then after carrying out the work, a commission should be invited for verification. After they draw up the acceptance certificate, you need to make changes to the data sheet and legal acts.
Otherwise, you will have to pay a fine and return the room to its original appearance.
Destination
Those who are looking for an aesthetically attractive and practical option should pay attention to the aluminum glazing of the loggias. The balcony profile made of this metal does not require constant and tedious maintenance, unlike wooden frames.
In addition, this glazing performs a number of useful functions:
- protection from wind, rain, snow and partially from the sun;
- expansion of housing;
- sound insulation, heat preservation, and on this basis, minimal expenses for utility bills (electricity, gas).
The functionality of the double-glazed windows also depends on such a factor as the type of glazing: warm or cold.
Cold type glazing
This refers to an inexpensive standard aluminum double-glazed window, the main purpose of which is protection against precipitation and dust. Such a room can be used as a pantry, a summer terrace or a place for drying clothes.
Pros:
The most economical option is the cold glazing of balconies and loggias with an aluminum profile. Reviews say that such double-glazed windows are much cheaper than wooden or metal-plastic ones. That is why they are quite in demand in our time. And therefore, if you want to use the room for storing things, then such double-glazed windows are the best option.
Aluminum frames are light enough, and therefore they can be installed on any wall. Even some metal railings can support the weight of aluminum double-glazed windows.
Sliding frames - the scales are convenient to use, unlike swing. In addition, with their help, space is saved and they are safer. For example, if the street is windy, windows with such an opening system can be left open even without fixing, because thanks to the design features they still will not close, unlike swing open.
The design of aluminum profiles is so simple that they practically do not fail. And double-glazed windows are strong enough and with dignity resist any weather. In addition, frames from this metal are distinguished by their durability and high anti-corrosion properties. The minimum service life of such windows is 35 years or more.
A compact, lightweight and simple double-glazed window with an aluminum profile allows realizing external glazing - this is the installation of windows a little further than the wall. That, although not much, but allows you to increase the space due to the capacious window sill, which can be decorated with flowers.
If you made an individual order, the craftsmen will make windows with frames of any color. In addition, the double-glazed windows themselves are not only transparent, but also tinted or mirrored, which, of course, will affect their price. Double-glazed windows with an aluminum profile come in a variety of sizes. Panoramic windows with wooden or plastic frames are much more expensive than similar windows with aluminum profiles.
Minuses:
- High thermal conductivity
Standard aluminum frames are not insulated in any way (except for profiles with thermal break), and therefore in the cold season the temperature on the balcony will be quite low. Although they still retain a little heat between the window and the door.
At very low temperatures, the sashes and latches can freeze, which greatly complicates the process of opening and closing the window and threatens to break down the mechanisms.
The aluminum profile has a low tightness, and therefore, when closed, only the overall noise level is reduced.
However, these disadvantages are significant only in those cases when the room is planned to be actively used in the winter (for example, as a winter garden or study), which absolutely does not apply to windows with cold frames.
Warm glazing
The task of profiles with a thermal bridge (a layer with a low level of thermal conductivity between two materials) is heat conservation, therefore they are used for warming rooms. Such double-glazed windows consist of three parts - external, internal and gasket made of polyamide, which is called the thermal bridge. This is the warm glazing of balconies and loggias with an aluminum profile. The reviews confirm the fact that such designs not only have high thermal insulation properties, but also increase the level of sound insulation.
Unlike plastic and wooden profiles, aluminum frames with a thermal bridge are equipped with air chambers (3-7) and have a long service life (about 85 years). They have a complex and durable design and they are mounted thicker double-glazed windows (about 15 mm) than in cold profiles. All these factors increase the level of noise and heat insulation.
Aluminum profiles with a thermal bridge are slightly more expensive than wooden or plastic ones. This option is ideal for cold regions or for wealthy people who can allocate more funds for installation and finishing work.
Warm aluminum profile is used for a wide variety of leaf opening systems: sliding, hinged, etc. Windows with warm frames are distinguished by the method of fastening and sealing. The final version and its cost depends on the layout of the balcony.
Glazing systems
Aluminum double-glazed windows are presented by deaf, sliding, folding, oar and folding designs. The choice depends on the price of the window and the layout of the room.
Glazing systems for balconies and loggias:
This option is the most inexpensive. To save money, you can install a pair of opening profiles in the room, and close the rest of the space with deaf ones. These windows consist of a profile and a double-glazed window (1 or more).
In that case, if the room where the glazing is carried out is longer than 7 meters, then one double-glazed window will not be enough.
Such double-glazed windows are equipped with special devices that, at the time of opening, move parallel to each other. Such windows are not tight enough and cannot provide a high level of thermal insulation. The sliding glazing of balconies and loggias is most often used simply for protection from the weather, although they have an average level of sound insulation. These windows are easy to clean, as they can be easily removed.
Such double-glazed windows are distinguished by their functionality, they are suitable for warm glazing, they protect from rain, wind, noise, and have a high level of thermal insulation.
This system is used for both cold and warm glazing. Swing aluminum windows have a long service life. The design is quite light and strong. They perfectly protect from rain, dust and wind. They have a relative level of sound insulation, but are not very tight.
These are aluminum windows of the Accordion system; they are also suitable for warm insulation. They are quite compact and have a long service life. In addition, they have special reinforced rollers that withstand heavy loads (about 60 kg).
Luxury glazing
The most non-standard and exclusive methods include frameless glazing of balconies and loggias. This option is suitable for a beautiful country house or a prestigious apartment.
Unusual glazing options:
This is a panoramic version of glazing; for safety, sandwich panels and a metal fence are mounted at the bottom. It is unrealistic to insulate this type of glazing.
It is characterized by a low window sill and large double-glazed windows. Multi-chamber windows are suitable for insulation.
To strengthen the structure, you need to create a special metal base, which can be turned into a large window sill. Such glazing is advantageous in that additional space appears. However, this method requires checking the condition of the balcony by the responsible authorities and thorough preparation of the project.
This is a sliding system with 4 casters, on which the sashes easily move. They join each other and stack together. If they are fully opened, a large opening is freed. The design is equipped with a brush seal, which guarantees a high rate of tightness, so the temperature in the room is 15 ° higher than in the street.
Has a sliding sash opening system, double-glazed windows are not equipped with frames. They move along the rollers to the side, the wings turn over or move together. Material - tempered glass. They can be locked with a special key. Excellent visibility and light flow. Frameless glazing of balconies and loggias is suitable for rooms of any age and shape.
Advantages
Such glazing has a number of indisputable advantages.
Aluminum double-glazed windows are cheaper than wooden or plastic.
This is due to the fact that aluminum is a very strong metal, and therefore can withstand heavy loads. Aluminum windows are much stronger than plastic or wooden.
Another merit of the aluminum profile is that the metal has excellent anti-corrosion properties and resists any weather with dignity. If you correctly install and use such windows in accordance with all the rules, then they can last about 85 years.
- Environmental friendliness
All materials and accessories that are used during aluminum glazing do not contain any toxic substances, do not cause allergic reactions. So, such windows can be called environmentally friendly.
- Lightweight and versatile
Aluminum is a very lightweight material, and therefore such windows can be installed on those loggias that cannot be glazed with heavy wooden or plastic windows.
In addition, aluminum structures are suitable for balconies of any layout (shape, size).
- Convenient opening systems
Many methods of opening the valves, strong and reliable mechanisms that work without failures. Sliding structures are very popular, as they are easy to open, do not require fixing and will not break in windy weather. In addition, they are easy to remove and wash.
Aluminum structures do not require constant maintenance. All you need to do is wipe it lightly with a rag (lint-free), after wetting it in a light solution of detergent and warm water. And for the mechanisms to work well, they need to be moistened with machine oil once a year.
Modern aluminum glazing looks very creative and exclusive. If you measure and install the structure correctly, then it will adorn any, even the most modern, building.
Due to this feature, the designs look compact and have a large light flow.
- Profile with thermal bridge
Thanks to a special sealant, traditionally cold aluminum glazing turned into warm. In such a frame, you can install from three or more double-glazed windows.
If, in parallel with the installation of aluminum windows with a thermal bridge, the ceiling and floor are insulated on the balcony, then the room can be used as an office even in winter.
disadvantages
Protection from wind, dust and precipitation - all this provides a loggia glazing with an aluminum profile. Reviews of experts suggest that all variants of such double-glazed windows (except for profiles with a thermal bridge) are traditionally cold. Based on this, we can distinguish the main disadvantages:
- high thermal conductivity and, as a result, large heat losses - the average temperature on the balcony is 8 ° higher than on the street;
- aluminum double-glazed windows are not tight;
- if the loggia or balcony is located on the last floor of the house, then there is a risk of slight deformation when glazing a large area;
- freezing of mechanisms (sashes, latches) complicates the process of opening / closing windows;
- low noise isolation.
Prices
The cost of the issue depends on many factors: the purpose of the room, layout and size, the choice of double-glazed windows and much more. It is important not to forget about additional waste: accessories, installation work.
Factors affecting the price:
- Cold aluminum glazing is much cheaper than warm glazing.
- Layout and size of the balcony. A standard small balcony (3 meters) is cheaper to glaze. One of the most expensive options is glazing of round or p-shaped rooms and other complex shapes.
- Casement opening system. For example, sliding structures are inexpensive, they save precious square meters and are very convenient to use, if necessary, they simply shift to the side and do not “eat up” the space. Hinged double-glazed windows are more airtight and have a high level of sound insulation. Sudden changes in temperature do not affect window mechanisms;
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Reviews
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The metal element of the double-glazed window is painted with special enamel, which makes it resistant to mechanical damage and does not allow moisture to penetrate into the room. In addition, the profile is resistant to corrosion.
Sliding windows are equipped with automatic latches that protect the room from unauthorized persons. The mechanisms of sliding structures are quite reliable and can withstand heavy loads. The aluminum profile is very light and at the same time durable, which allows for remote glazing. Moreover, such windows are very easy to operate and durable.
Multifunctionality, low cost, high quality - these are their main properties. According to experts, aluminum structures are the leaders of the modern market. They increase usable space and are fireproof. In addition, they are made of non-toxic materials and are therefore considered environmentally friendly.
Useful Tips
To reduce the price of aluminum glazing, it is necessary that the design has fewer corners, turns, wings and fittings. You can also independently dismantle the old windows and deliver the new aluminum home on your own.
For quiet areas of the city, cold glazing of the balcony with an aluminum profile is suitable. Experts say that the standard design will not protect from the cold, but it will perfectly cope with precipitation, wind and dust. This option is many times cheaper. The main thing is not to store vegetables on the balcony, because they can freeze;
Installation of aluminum glazing lasts about 7 hours or more, in case you need to create fences for new double-glazed windows. But you can speed up the process. To do this, you can independently dismantle the old windows.
There are times when aluminum profiles break. The reason for this is improper installation or shrinkage of the house. When a gap appears near the frame, you need to urgently call a specialist who will adjust the flaps, replace the fittings and align the opening.
Sliding structures are better than swinging ones. They open more, do not eat up space and do not break from the wind. In addition, they have special locks, in which all the moisture falling into the profile flows.
Durability, practicality, versatility - all this provides the glazing of balconies and loggias with an aluminum profile. Reviews of experts say that such structures, subject to proper operation, can last from 35 to 85 years.