Stained glass glazing of balconies and loggias: what is it, photo - Setafi

Stained glass balcony glazing is a complete glass covering of all external surfaces. In fact, it turns out a loggia or a balcony, instead of the walls of which double-glazed windows are installed. This design has many obvious advantages. But there are also disadvantages that should also be taken into account. This and much more is discussed below.

The essence, pros and cons of stained glass

The name "stained glass balcony" does not fully reflect the essence of such a design. Initially, the stained-glass window was a glass mosaic composed of several puzzles, each of which is an integral part of the overall pattern. But in a more general sense, the stained-glass glazing of a loggia is a complete covering of the balcony surface with glass. Most often, it is installed in the gaps between the frames, less often there is a fully panoramic glazing of 1-2 large fragments.

Stained glass is a modern way of building a balcony, which is used in many new buildings. If desired, it can be implemented in the old house. If significant changes are made to the design, a permit will be required to carry out the work.

As you can see in the photo, the stained glass windows on the balcony really look very beautiful, both inside and out. The clear advantages of this design include:

1. Light weight - the frame and glass can withstand even old balconies in Khrushchev.
2. Both the balcony itself and the room will receive more sunlight.
3. The joints can be insulated and the balcony can be used for relaxing not only in summer, but also in winter.
4. You can save on interior decoration, since the stained glass windows of balconies and loggias do not require additional design.
5. Thanks to the installation of modern double-glazed windows, the noise level is reduced, which is especially important for houses located near highways.
6. The photo of the stained-glass glazing of the balcony shows that the room is illuminated much better. Therefore, here you can organize the cultivation of plants. And not only in summer, but also in winter. And if the loggia is large enough, you can organize the cultivation of seedlings here.
7. For the construction of the frame, aluminum profiles are used. They are resistant to temperature, water and sunlight. Therefore, this design will last for several decades.

However, when planning the design of a stained-glass balcony and general construction work, it should be taken into account that this technology also has weaknesses:

1. Thanks to the large glass area, both the balcony and the room inside will be clearly visible from the outside. Therefore, to maintain privacy, it is necessary to take care of sufficiently thick curtains.
2. Condensation can accumulate on the balconies, especially in the autumn-winter period (due to temperature changes). Knowing what stained glass is, it is important to maintain a stable temperature and monitor the appearance of moisture.
3. The stained glass balcony, the photo of which is shown above, can vibrate with gusts of strong wind. But this phenomenon is felt only on the upper floors of apartment buildings.
4. You will have to wash the windows from the inside quite often so that they are transparent. But the main problem is related to external processing. It will not work on your own - you will have to periodically call cleaning specialists.

Glazing types

Stained-glass glazing of loggias, as in the photo, is always carried out using durable double-glazed windows. Moreover, depending on the presence or absence of a frame, 2 types of construction are distinguished:

1. Frame - glass with fittings is attached to the profiles. This is the most common option.
2. Frameless - creating a glass structure in the form of a panorama. It is used quite rarely, because it is less stable, especially over large areas.

There is another classification of stained glass balconies, as in the photo. Frame structures, depending on their features, are divided into several types:

1. Post-transom - a frame with a crate, into the voids of which windows are inserted. Fixation is carried out with the help of a rubber seal and a glazing bead.
2. Structural execution - in this case, the elements are fixed with a special adhesive-sealant. Moreover, the glass is placed on the frame from the inside, that is, from the side of the balcony.
3. Semi-structural execution - in this case, profiled glazing beads are used, and not paste. Therefore, you can put sashes that will open.
4. Spider (planar) design - such stained-glass windows on the balcony with a photo are the most difficult. In this case, steel brackets with 4 latches are used. Each presses the glass in the corner, which ensures the strength of the structure.
5. Finally, there is a simple version of stained glass, as in the photo on the left - false glazing. In this case, single-glazed windows and an aluminum profile are used. The option can only be implemented in a quiet area, since there is no sound insulation.

How to choose materials

The design of a balcony with stained glass is of great importance, but the choice of materials for the manufacture of the structure is even more important. It consists of 2 key elements - the frame and the windows themselves.

frame

A stained-glass window on a balcony is almost always made on the basis of an aluminum profile frame. The metal is strong, light and does not corrode. When choosing, you should clarify the thickness of the strip - it should be 4-6 cm, regardless of the type of glazing. For example, for the winter or summer version, different double-glazed windows are used, but the profile itself remains the same.

Window

Balcony stained-glass windows consist of double-glazed windows of a single type or consisting of several layers, between which an inert gas is filled. The latter type is more practical, because it provides both heat and sound insulation.

Balcony insulation methods

Since the stained-glass windows on the loggia keep the room from the cold worse than dense materials, the question arises of warming the entire structure. There are 2 options here:

1. Glazing has already been completed.
2. The work is just being planned.

The first case is worse, because it is impossible to insulate an already finished structure. It remains only to put insulation on the floor, wall surface and ceiling. Moreover, it should be less than the height of the profile, that is, no more than 65 mm. For such purposes, polystyrene foam 50 mm thick is often used. When calculating, it is necessary to take into account the presence of a 10 mm screed.

If there is no stained-glass window yet, you can immediately choose materials that will provide maximum heat retention. First of all, these are thick double-glazed windows with an inert gas between the outer and inner surfaces. You should also consider that the structure is attached to the dowels, since it is they that ensure the maximum fit of the glass to the frame.

Balcony glazing has really become a trend in recent years. This is an interesting technology that allows you to make even the most ordinary balcony in Khrushchev beautiful. But when planning work, you should select very high-quality double-glazed windows and other materials. They will provide not only attractiveness, but also heat and sound insulation.