Buildings with non-standard ceiling heights, as well as apartments located on the top floors of buildings, require a special approach when glazing balconies. The main nuance in these situations is that the balcony has a roof. It is with the installation of the roof that some problems can arise. Glazing of balconies is carried out together with the installation or replacement of the roof in the event that:
- The top slab does not completely cover the balcony.
- Glazing of the balcony with a take-out.
- The balcony slab is slightly destroyed.
- Installation of a canopy over the balcony is required.
The main goal in these cases is the correct installation of the roof structure. Glazing balconies with a roof requires a lot of money. In order to avoid unforeseen embarrassment, it is recommended to contact highly qualified workers who will assess the condition of the balcony and select the necessary materials.
In order for the balcony to be warm, dry and protected from the influence of the weather, there is a repeatedly proven option - the installation of aluminum or plastic windows. In this article, we will analyze all the main points of mounting a roof for balconies.
Roof requirements
- It is important that the roof is light (you must take into account the load that it will exert on the glazing).
- Reliable and durable, capable of withstanding strong winds and precipitation.
- Have a slope to avoid the accumulation of snow and water.
Materials (edit)
Wood is a popular material for balcony glazing. Inexpensive cost, ease of installation, low thermal conductivity are its advantages. However, this structure is unstable to environmental influences, and temperature drops can cause the structure to loosen.
The second most popular is metal, the installation of which will require a little more effort than wood. Its cost will also be slightly higher. However, the main advantages of metal structures are durability, coupled with high reliability.
The visor is usually covered with materials such as:
- Practical and inexpensive corrugated board.
- Sealed but flammable slate.
- Lightweight and durable polycarbonate.
- With good security and excellent appearance metal tiles (the most commonly used option)
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Types of balcony roofs
There are two main installation systems: dependent and independent.
The dependent system is an integral roof structure with windows. As an economy option, it is suitable for residents of emergency houses or those who do not want to spend a lot of money. The disadvantages include the unreliability of the structure and the fact that it cannot be used for glazing loggias.
An independent system consists in installing a canopy over the balcony. Installation is carried out using brackets to which the main cover is attached. The advantages of the system are the use of the widest range of roofing coverings and the distribution of the load on the entire structure as a whole. Naturally, this type of installation will cost more.
The independent balcony glazing system itself is divided into two types:
- The cantilever roof is a one-piece steel structure that attaches to the wall. The advantage of this type of installation is that it will be possible to deal with the windows after the roof has been installed. If you want to insulate a balcony, then this type of roof is perfect for you.
- The post-support roof differs in that the structure has special support posts. They allow you to create places for glazing in advance. In the future, additional roof reinforcement may be required, the entire weight of the structure acts precisely on the support posts.
Roofing material
- Galvanized iron is one of the most reliable and practical materials. There is simply no more ideal value for money. Relative durability and resistance to various kinds of weather conditions are one of the main qualities of this material. Of the minuses, perhaps, only high noise from rain and wind.
- Ondulin - unlike galvanized iron, has excellent sound insulation. It is very easy and simple to assemble. The disadvantages include the high price, low impact resistance and slight fading in the sun.
- Polycarbonate - Perfect for those looking to make a transparent roof. This type of material has a lot of advantages, however, due to the high cost, not everyone will have to afford it.
Roof installation
If you decide to glaze the balcony with your own hands, then you will need to carefully study the progress of work before this.
- We very carefully carry out measurements of the future structure and create a diagram of the balcony. Please note that the angle of inclination of the roof must be at least 30 degrees.
- We make a welded frame from a shaped pipe.
- Using anchors, we attach our frame to the wall.
- To increase the reliability of the structure, it is recommended to install metal supports along the edges of the structure.
- We fix the flooring on the roof frame.
- From the bottom of the flooring, we install the necessary layers - first waterproofing, and then thermal insulation (you can use polystyrene foam sheets).
Glazing
- We choose the type of glazing: cold - without insulation, or warm - using heat-insulating materials.
- For the cold version, we use reinforced aluminum profiles, for the warm version, we use double-glazed windows (PVC).
- You can make traditional glazing, or the French version, which consists in installing glass from ceiling to floor.
- We decide on the type of window opening, which can be hinged (traditional) or sliding (popular).
In conclusion, I would like to say that the glazing of the loggias should be left to professional workers. They will do all the work as competently as possible, and the balcony will serve you for many years. However, if you nevertheless decide to glaze the balcony yourself, consider all possible small nuances that may be. Not only your, but also someone else's safety depends on it.
