Glazing of the balcony in "Khrushchev"
Khrushchevs are apartments with a small area. Because of their size, they are considered not the most convenient, therefore, the owners of such dwellings are striving to increase the square meters by any means. To achieve this goal, balcony blocks are often used.
Advantages and disadvantages
Expanding the space with balconies is a very popular solution that many residents of small apartments turn to. But first, the balcony must be glazed.
High-quality glazing can make the room more cozy and comfortable. It protects the balcony block from temperature extremes, precipitation and other negative environmental factors. The room will become more functional: on the glassed-in balcony you can store vegetables, canned goods and other things that have no place in the apartment.
If we are talking about warm glazing, then on such a balcony it is quite possible to equip a full-fledged living room for rest, work or reading books. But in the conditions of Khrushchev, such a finish is not always possible, since it has considerable weight.
For balcony blocks in such houses, it is worth choosing such window structures that will not be too heavy, because the extra load on the concrete floor can lead to serious unpleasant consequences. Often, the facades of houses were covered with cracks due to the heavy warm and plastic glazing. The saddest ending can be the collapse of the installed structures.
But do not think that it is difficult to find suitable window designs for such balconies. For Khrushchev, not only cold aluminum frames with single-layer glass are suitable, but also beautiful and environmentally friendly models made of wood of different shades. It is also possible to install expensive warm glazing, but only if the technical condition of the house and floors allows it.
Before the direct installation of windows, you must contact a specialist who will assess the condition of the concrete floor and carry out all the necessary work to strengthen it.
It is not worth installing glazing on such balconies with your own hands. As a rule, concrete structures in Khrushchevs are old and fragile, so you should work with them very carefully and carefully. It is better to entrust this business to professionals.
Variants
There are several options for balcony glazing in Khrushchev. All designs have their own pros and cons that you should be aware of if you plan to install new windows on your balcony.
For Khrushchev, cold glazing is ideal. It is inexpensive and easy to install. Thanks to him, the inside of the balcony will be perfectly protected from the penetration of drafts, dampness and moisture.
Cold glazing is lightweight. As a rule, such structures contain aluminum frames - not only very light, but also strong, durable and wear-resistant.
Aluminum frames come in a variety of colors. You can choose the ideal option that will harmoniously fit into the overall ensemble of the apartment.
But such windows have their drawbacks. A balcony equipped with such elements will be cold. When you try to open the sash in winter, an unpleasant surprise may await you: aluminum profiles often freeze and become covered with an ice crust.
Even powerful heaters and insulation of the floor, walls and ceiling will not protect such a room from the cold. The temperature inside will not be much different from outside.However, cold-glazed balconies are ideal for hanging out on their territory in the summer. It will be cool and fresh inside.
Such window structures cannot boast of good sound insulation. The noise from the yard and the howling of the wind will be clearly audible in the apartment. This problem can be partially solved by installing a high-quality plastic door leading to the balcony.
You can create a favorable microclimate on the balcony with the help of warm glazing. This option is more expensive than the cold one, but it also has a lot of positive characteristics.
High-quality warm glazing will allow you to use the balcony room all year round, since it is hermetically sealed and have excellent sound and thermal insulation and allows you to convert a low-functional area into a residential and useful one.
With these designs, you can safely organize a small office, a winter garden or a recreation area with an upholstered armchair on the balcony. But it is worth considering the fact that it is not recommended to expose the structure to unnecessary loads, so you should not take out a large amount of furniture there.
Such glazing is heavy, so you should select structures in which lighter materials are present.
In the summer, it can be very hot and stuffy on the balconies with warm glazing. Many buyers attribute this nuance to the disadvantages of window designs.
If the premises are located on the highest floors, then they must be equipped with a roof. Such a detail will require additional costs and installation work. We must not forget that the installation of such a visor must be coordinated in the relevant organizations.
Balcony glazing can have different designs. Let's consider the most popular and attractive options:
- If you want to let in more light into your living quarters, then you should turn to the frameless option. Such systems look very light and airy. The doors open and close with plastic rollers. Do not think that such systems are fragile. For frameless structures, very strong tempered glass are used. For Khrushchev, they can only be picked up in a cold version, otherwise the balcony ceiling will be heavily overloaded.
- Panoramic windows are distinguished by excellent light transmission. These designs look very original and attractive. Such glazing will cost more than other options. Many apartment owners design their balconies so that they can then sell their living space for a higher price. Installation of such systems is more time consuming and laborious. You should not try to independently install panoramic structures in Khrushchev. Entrust this work to professionals.
- The balcony in the Khrushchev can be glazed with an extension. This option will increase the area of the room. As a result, you will end up with a large window sill that extends beyond the concrete slab. Visually, the space will appear more spacious.
- Nice French glazing is also suitable for Khrushchev. This option implies the presence of glasses going from the floor to the ceiling itself. Such structures are lightweight and provide excellent visibility. It is not recommended to install such window systems if the balcony is facing south. In such conditions, the room will turn into a real greenhouse.
Window types
The balcony glazing may have different frame options. These parts are made from strong and durable materials.
Plastic copies are the most common. They have excellent thermal and noise insulation characteristics. Plastic structures are inexpensive and look very neat.
Plastic does not require special and regular maintenance. It is very easy to clean its surface from dust and dirt. You do not need to buy special formulations for this. It is quite possible to do with simple detergents.
Plastic frames are not afraid of temperature changes and harsh weather conditions. This explains their durability and wear resistance.
However, warm glazing in this design will be too heavy and this option will not work for Khrushchev.
Aluminum frames in balcony glazing are distinguished by their strength and durability. Such details are most often found in cold glazing. They are lightweight and attractive.
Among the disadvantages of such structures, one can note their susceptibility to freezing at low temperatures and poor tightness.
With aluminum profiles, drafts and cold air will penetrate into the room.
Wooden structures can boast of unsurpassed appearance. They look harmonious on small balconies, have good thermal insulation characteristics, but require special treatment. The tree needs to be treated from time to time with special protective agents that will prolong the life of the material and allow it to maintain its attractive appearance for a long time.
But even regular maintenance will not save wooden frames from drying out and cracking. It will be impossible to get rid of such defects and outwardly the tree will become less attractive.
Selection Tips
To design a balcony block in Khrushchev, it is recommended to turn to light types of glazing. Such structures will not adversely affect concrete floors.
The best option for such a home would be cold glazing with sturdy aluminum frames. But you must understand that it will not keep warm in the room, and you will not be able to use the balcony all year round.
This option is suitable for those owners who want to store vegetables, jars or various things on the balcony, and not use it as a living room.
Cold aluminum glazing is also suitable for those who are not ready to spend large sums on the installation of a more expensive warm version and additional reinforcement of the concrete floor.
Wooden structures will be a good solution. They look pretty, but you will have to take care of them regularly.
If you plan to use the balcony in any season, then warm glazing would be an ideal option. Structures with plastic profiles and frameless options will have a lot of weight, so they are suitable for your balcony only if its technical condition allows.
Before making the final choice, be sure to contact the professionals who will come and assess the condition of the concrete slab on which the balcony block is located. Only they can tell you which glazing can be installed and which one is better to refuse.
You can get acquainted in more detail with the intricacies of glazing and other repair work on the balcony in the video below.
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