Frameless balcony glazing

Thanks to new technologies, plastic double-glazed windows are fading into the background, and the leading line is occupied by frameless glazing. Frameless glazing, above all, gives you a wonderful panoramic view from the window.

The glass is mounted on aluminum rails, which are installed on the ceiling or floor of the room, as a result of which you get windows without plastic frames. It is believed that this technology came to us from Finland, but the Finns claim that the idea came from the Germans. German manufacturers, in turn, say that the basis was taken over from Russian craftsmen.

Frameless glazing has a number of advantages:

• Suitable for all loggias and balconies. Thanks to the universal system, you can glaze any non-standard balcony that cannot be made with PVC windows.
• You can open the windows with a "book" or by turning them to the wall, and as a result, your balcony or loggia will be fully open. Recall that you can open plastic windows only where you have a special design.
• Security. The frameless glazing system is made of tempered glass with a minimum thickness of 6.8 mm. “Thick” glass is 10 mm. Therefore, such frames are not afraid of strong winds or hail. In order to break this glass, you also need to try.
• Panoramic exterior. Another of the main advantages of this system is a beautiful view both from the window and from the outside.
• Easy maintenance. The system does not require careful maintenance. While washing the windows, you will not think about how not to fall out of the balcony to wash the “blank” window. In a frameless system, all windows unfold, therefore, washing them on one side, you will freely start washing on the other.

Among the disadvantages are:

• Weak tightness. Unlike PVC windows, frameless glazing cannot please the owners with the same tightness. If plastic windows can capture up to 40 decibels, then the Finnish system will reduce the noise level by a maximum of 10 decibels. In addition, in heavy rain, the windows leak a little.
• A fragile profile. Due to a sharp temperature drop (for example, sunny weather in autumn is replaced by snow), the aluminum profile can be damaged, which will further affect the ease of opening the system.
• Complex installation. During installation work, even a slope from the level of 2 mm can seriously affect the entire structure. To avoid this problem, you need to choose a reliable company or craftsmen who will carry out the work with the utmost precision.
• No mosquito net. If you do not live in a large metropolis, then flies, mosquitoes and other animals that will fly through the window will become frequent guests in your apartment. Installing a mosquito net on frameless glazing is unrealistic - there is simply nowhere to attach it.
• Poor thermal insulation. Despite the fact that a frameless glass unit already exists, it cannot boast of the same properties as plastic windows. In fact, the Finnish system only protects you from bad weather.
• Price. One of the most important design flaws is its cost. The minimum price per square meter of turnkey frameless glazing starts from 30 thousand rubles from foreign firms, from 15 - from domestic ones.

Manufacturing firms have installed several types of Finnish glazing systems, which differ in the shape of the glass, the location of the aluminum profile, the thickness of the glass and other important characteristics.

• Metropol is best suited for glazing office buildings... These are rectangular windows with an easy sliding system thanks to their robust profile. This structure is made of 8 mm single safety glass. The profiles are located at the bottom and on the ceiling.

• Panorama is Business Class and is considered an enhanced performance option.... It is used for glazing balconies and loggias of all shapes and sizes. The opening of the window sash takes place inward and can easily bypass any corner. Each frame has steel bearings to ensure the overall structure is robust.

• One of the very first models - Lumon, which appeared on the construction market about 10 years ago. Windows can pass through corners, models have handles, movable rollers are not confirmed to be worn for a long time. Glass thickness: 4, 6 or 10 mm.

• Butterfly - differs in that the doors open both to the left and to the right side... This system can be used to glaze a balcony of any shape: from a circle to a square. The maximum wind load of the Butterfly system is up to 220 kg / m2.

• Sliding Slim is considered an option for terraces and gazebos.... This system is comparable to glass in wardrobes. An unlimited number of rails are used for sash installations. As a result, you can open up to 80% of the entire window surface.

• Sliding Track is another type that is used when glazing a balcony or loggia. The design has an improved seal.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to find a frameless warm double-glazed window for insulating a balcony. All systems are designed to protect you from precipitation, but nothing more. According to various estimates, frameless glazing keeps the temperature 3-5 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even a warm floor will not save a balcony with frameless glazing in winter weather.

When opening or ventilating the room, all glass must be opened towards the inside of the balcony. First you need to lift the handle on the first sash up, and then turn the glass to the wall.

You can fix the structure to the wall using a special wall holder. The bottom lining will contain a tape that you can use to attach the assembled windows to the wall.

You can order a special lock with which the windows will be blocked for opening by small children.

• "Book". The window sashes are guided smoothly thanks to two profiles. When fully opened, all the doors are folded like a book against the wall. It is this design that is presented by foreign companies by the Butterfly view.

• The flaps open along parallel lower runners. This system is in great demand when installing terraces or gazebos. There can be from four to 12 guides. For each there is a sash installation.

• Ceiling or top-hung system got its name from the powerful rail on the ceiling.

• One of the most popular foreign systems is TodoCristal, which is distinguished by its high tightness and strength. The Spanish manufacturer drew attention to the problem of strong air permeability. The lower profile of the system is created without bearings, and due to the connection of two aluminum profiles, a high tightness is achieved.

Among Russian manufacturers there are companies that offer a wide range of frameless glazing. For example, the European quality system ESTEL has been used in construction for over 10 years. It differs from foreign counterparts in the design of the guides, the installation of flaps. The manufacturer promises to provide you with high quality items at low prices.

Also, you can find in Russia the production of the Finnish company "Lumon Oy". In particular, in St. Petersburg the company "OKO style" is the official representative of the Finnish concern.

First, you need to decide: is your balcony an additional living space in the apartment or is it a place for relaxation with summer gatherings. If we are talking about the first option, then frameless glazing is not for you. Recall that a warm frameless structure does not exist. The maximum that you get with such glazing is that the air temperature is up to 7 degrees higher than outside.

First of all, choosing a domestic or foreign manufacturer should also be based on the characteristics of the balcony. If you do not plan to visit it often, then it is better to install the windows of Russian companies in order to save money. To get a summer veranda in an apartment, it is better to use products from foreign manufacturers.

By construction type, it is best to use Butterfly or Lumon. Most choose windows with a folding book system, which is collected at the end of the balcony. However, such a design will be about 30% more expensive than installing a parallel-sliding system, which saves space due to the movement of the sashes along the profile.

The profiles together with the guides are powder coated. You can remove street dust with a mild soapy solution, but do not use abrasive detergents. Avoid contact with acids and solvents.

It is best to clean glass panes with plain water or a special detergent that does not contain alcohol or solvents. It is recommended to clean the window with a soft cloth.

Forbidden:

• Use sandpaper to clean the profile or guides;
• Contact with solvent, acid, powerful detergents;
• Washing windows using special products containing acid, solvent or alcohol;
• Using a cloth with abrasive components when cleaning windows.

Most users of frameless glazing are happy to have used this particular system for their balcony. Among the advantages of this design, there is a wonderful panoramic view that opens from the balcony.

Also, unlike PVC windows, systems do not emit an unpleasant odor when heated. They are quite durable, despite the lightness of the construction.

Among the disadvantages is the fact that the structure cannot be used in winter. This is especially true for northern cities.