Recommendation points
Comfort and coziness is the dream of every owner of his home. Rooms, kitchen, bathroom, corridor – everything is there, but something is missing. I would like to make a private corner for home gatherings, a separate study, a beautiful winter garden, for example. A balcony or loggia can become such a place. A pleasant pastime is fully ensured by the presence of desire and opportunities.
Let’s start with glazing
Wooden frames give a certain classic charm. True, today they are not mass-produced from solid wood. Glued laminated timber is used for production. Wooden windows will suit customers who prefer natural materials and natural beauty.
The disadvantages are: more thorough care (touch-up every 4 years), poor sound insulation and protection from moisture. When choosing, you should pay attention to the following points:
- The term for making an order should not be less than 1 month. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting low-quality products..
- During external examination, no paint sags, poorly processed joints should be visible.
- A modern product is made from a three-layer bar. This is a technology that has proven itself for more than one year..
- Northern conifers are most suitable for the latitudes of Russia.
Aluminum systems are durable, but the striking glass-metal design is more suitable for the building envelope. And the high thermal conductivity of aluminum will provide large losses. Another negative fact is that harmful compounds are used to paint such windows. The cost per square meter is from $ 40 to $ 140 and the manufacturing process takes more than one day.
On the other hand, the technologies of recent years have made it possible to launch a new product on the market – a profile with thermal notches, which has improved thermal protection properties. And the modern or high-tech style goes well with aluminum frames. Of these, mainly large-sized structures are made. Service life – over 90 years.
For an ordinary loggia or balcony, plastic window systems are suitable. Easy installation, accurate filling of the non-standard geometry of this area of housing, good energy-saving indicators, the possibility of using additional heaters (for example, inert gas in the cavity between the glasses or reflective films) – are far from all the advantages of such structures. Cons:
- PVC is not a natural material and contains harmful substances – cadmium, zinc, lead;
- ventilation in the room will be less;
- widely advertised windows from foreign manufacturers, alas, are not designed for Russian climatic conditions;
- the appearance of cracks or scratches is difficult or impossible to fix in principle;
- the property of PVC to expand in heat and contract in cold leads to the formation of cracks;
- the lack of moisture control devices leads to the appearance of a greenhouse effect.
Which profile to choose: KBE, Rehau, VEKA? These brands are the leaders of the Russian market. But, much more importantly, which company will produce a window from such a profile.
The issue price consists of many components. Installation work – is it about? the entire cost of the product. 10-15% will be taken by fittings. It is not worth saving on it. Let the design be simpler.
How do windows of different materials open? Wooden: inward and downhill for overhead ventilation. The plastic can additionally be rotated around the axis. Aluminum frames also slide to the sides or upward, saving space.
Some companies offer frameless glazing. It is the most expensive, but modern. It is an armored glass moving along guides. The window can be opened. But this type is more of a decorative function, because the balcony or loggia is cold. The cost of glazing on an area of 3×3 meters will be about 3,000 euros.
There are also combined window systems on the market that combine the advantages of two materials:
- Wood and plastic. PVC construction complete with wood trims and / or inserts. Outwardly looks like wood and has improved thermal insulation.
- Plastic and aluminum. PVC with aluminum overlays. This combination makes the structure more durable and adds metallic charm..
- Aluminum and wood. Outside is aluminum and inside is warm wood.
As a conclusion, it can be noted that materials such as plastic and wood are ideal for residential premises. They protect from cold, dust, noise. The first option is the optimal solution for the price, and the second is more natural and more prestigious.
Warming – continue
Before this step, you need to make sure that the room is waterproofed. If moisture penetrates into it, even the highest quality heaters will not save you from the feeling of dampness. It is better to seal the interpanel seams and gaps with a sealant, for example, polyurethane or a special building mixture.
For internal insulation of the ceiling and walls, it is recommended to use materials without harmful inclusions, lightweight and with low thermal conductivity. Mineral wool with a vapor barrier film or high-flammability foam is suitable. The thickness of the insulating layer is selected from 20 to 100 mm. Assembly seams are treated with sealant or foam. Additionally, you can use a layer of foil.
For underfloor heating, a wooden screed is preferable to a concrete one. It does not load the structure and is more rational. A vapor barrier film is laid under the main flooring, and plates are placed on top of it. The final coating can be linoleum, laminate, carpet and other materials. Modern craftsmen also have access to floor technology without a screed, which can be realized with their own hands..
Cladding – shutdown
The classic option is lining. But traditional wood is more suitable for an independent balcony (loggia). In the case of joining, it is quite logical to continue the general style of room decoration in the additional area. You can use plaster, having previously covered the insulation with drywall, or laminate panels.
As furniture, sliding wardrobes are ideal. They are selected in a color scheme that matches the interior cladding. Some equip insulated areas with flower shelves. Cozy winter garden can be completed with wicker chairs and a coffee table.
And some more recommendations:
- Before equipping a loggia (balcony), think over the future purpose of the room.
- It is better to abandon the idea of demolishing the bearing wall in order to increase the adjacent territory..
- The tempting bait of heating this area is illegal and can cause problems. Electric heaters are the best option.
- When taking measurements for glazing, remind the specialist of the need for a gap between the wall and the window on the sides of approximately 7 cm for the insulation layer, so that later the double-glazed windows do not seem “recessed” in the main cladding.
- Replacing doors to a balcony (loggia) must be carried out before laying the floor and finishing the walls.
- When choosing wooden windows, you need to be prepared for constant preventive maintenance. The fittings and the seal must be lubricated regularly. If the window is located on the south side – work is done twice as often.
- It is better not to use dark varnish for covering wood. During use, cracks will appear and the frame will begin to emit resin.
- Winter decoration of a balcony or loggia will be the most economical, because the demand during this period is small, there is an opportunity to take advantage of promotions and discounts. And also check the work immediately and identify shortcomings without waiting for suitable conditions.
Can anyone please share some advice or steps on how to effectively insulate a balcony or loggia? I’m looking for practical recommendations or techniques to prevent drafts, conserve energy, and make these spaces more comfortable. Any suggestions regarding suitable materials or insulation methods would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!