Do-it-yourself Balcony Glazing: Video Instruction Of Work

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Why it is worth glazing yourself
• Self-glazing balcony and loggia
• Measurements and ordering
• Balcony preparation for glazing
• Preparation of the structure
• Installation of the frame structure
• Features and recommendations
• Conclusion

One of the factors that provide additional heat and sound insulation in the room is the correct glazing of the balcony with your own hands. In addition, due to the glazing made, you will additionally receive a useful area that can be converted into a separate room, or simply used as an additional storage for things.

Why it is worth glazing yourself

Today, a large number of companies are engaged in the production and installation of glazing, but it is worth noting that the cost of the work of specialists is quite high.

Of course, the installation of an ordinary window may be included in the cost of the structure, but for full glazing of the balcony and loggia you will have to pay a good deal. That is why a large number of people think about doing all the work on their own.

And further, we will consider the nuances that should be taken into account when carrying out work and preparing for them.

Self-glazing balcony and loggia

There are a lot of types of glazing, but at the same time, the installation technology is practically the same, and has only some features. Next, using an example, we will consider how to independently glaze a balcony.

First of all, we propose to consider the layout of the structural elements:

Now let's look at the stages of the work, after which we will proceed to their analysis:

1. The first is the direct choice of the system. More often than others, aluminum, metal-plastic or wooden sashes and frames are used. They can be both sliding and opening. Naturally, the service life and quality of glazing depend on the choice of material. For example, wooden frames will not last as long as others, but they are easier to work with. In addition, you can glaze the balcony with them using ordinary carpentry tools.
2. The second step is to measure the balcony and order the design.
3. Further preparatory work. Within the framework of which it is necessary not only to clean the balcony, but also to check its integrity. Make sure the railings and parapet are secure. The parapet, if necessary, should be reinforced with brickwork, metal corner or welding.
4. The next step is the installation of the frame structure.
5. Then you need to install the ebb.
6. The last step is to install the flaps and adjust them.

And now let's go directly to the analysis of each stage of work.

Measurements and ordering

This stage is carried out after choosing the type of glazing, learn more about what they are and what you can choose in a separate material.

1. When the choice is made, it is necessary to order the design, but for this you need to know all the dimensions of the system.
2. Carrying out measurements implies a complete dismantling of the old glazing, if any. It is necessary to remove all frames, fasteners and free the balcony from the parapet to the ceiling from the old parts.
3. Now you need to measure the balcony itself, for this it will be enough to use a tape measure.

4. Measure the height of the structure from ceiling to parapet. From the resulting value, you need to subtract the thickness of the window sill, the level difference. The result is taken into account in the size of the structure.

   

5. Bay windows and corner joints are not taken into account when measuring the length of a structure.
6. The visor should exceed the length of the finished structure by 20-30 cm, and the length of the window sill will be 15-30 cm longer. Transfer the measurements to the frame manufacturer.
7. All measurements must be carried out with millimeter accuracy, since any mistake can lead to global problems during and after installation.
8. Next, draw a window diagram. When making a drawing, keep in mind that the width of the swing leaves should be larger or equal to the width of the balcony. Make the sash 10-20 cm narrower than the depth of the balcony, so that they can freely close and open.

It is worth noting that most companies do not really trust their own measurements of customers, and therefore they will send a measurer to you who will additionally take all the necessary measurements and help you choose the best combination of sashes.

He will also give advice on how to perform work (the need to strengthen the balcony, or even rebuild it). In any case, this measure is necessary, since you may not even be aware that you cannot glaze the balcony, due to the deplorable state of the parapet, and it needs to be redone.

After carrying out measurements and approving the project on site with the measurer, you can discuss the cost and terms of delivery of the structure.

Balcony preparation for glazing

Now that the order is made and you are waiting for the delivery of the window system, you can start preparing the balcony for the start of work.

The first thing to do is to check the condition of the parapet; if there are any defects (cracks, cracks), they must be eliminated.

Sealing gaps can be done with galvanized steel. It is enough to cut a piece from the sheet of the required size and fix it with self-tapping screws from the outside of the railing. It is quite difficult to complete the task on your own, therefore it is recommended to get an assistant.

If the parapet is in poor condition and is not suitable for glazing, a new one must be erected. As a standard, the parapet is laid in one brick on a sand-cement mortar.

It is imperative to control the horizontal and verticality of the parapet during the erection. Upon completion, a metal strip is fixed around the perimeter, which will later serve to fasten the glazing.

Preparation of the structure

After the delivery of the finished frames, proceed with the preparation of the windows. Before starting the installation, the following processes must be performed:

1. Initially, it is necessary to remove the double-glazed windows. This is very important, since there is a high risk of damaging them during installation, in addition, the structure is quite heavy and will complicate the process itself.
2. During manufacturing, most companies do not fully fix the glazing beads that hold the glass unit, which is done precisely to remove it before installation.
3. Directly for extraction, it is necessary to pry off and remove the glazing beads. This is done evenly from the center to the edges. Their removal is carried out in the following order: first the side ones, then the lower one, and the upper one is removed last.
4. Then the glass unit itself is carefully removed.
5. The glass should be placed on a clean floor, which must be cleaned of debris and dust, in addition, leveled.
6. The next step is to remove the sash. To dismantle them, there is a special rod in the loop at the top, which must be pushed through, then pushed out.

7. This leaves one hinge loose and the sash can be easily removed by tilting and pulling.

   

Installation of the frame structure

Now let's start directly installing the glazing with our own hands. It is performed as follows:

1. The system comes with a special profile (stand), it is installed first. This is a kind of plastic strip that is fixed at the bottom of the structure. Use a mallet to drive it into the grooves of the frame.

   

2. Now you need to install the frame mounts. Mark the location of the frames of the window system, then step back 15 centimeters from each edge and install the fasteners. For them, it is necessary to make special holes in the parapet of the balcony window.

3. Next, you need to install the frame on the mounts. You cannot do this alone, for this work you need 3 people. We install the frame in its place, after which, using a level and a plumb line, set it strictly vertically and horizontally.

   

4. After leveling, fix the frame with the stands.

5. Attach it securely to parapet, walls and ceiling. All fasteners must be driven at least six centimeters.

   

6. After the frame is installed, you need to fix the visor, which will act as a drainage system. Its installation is carried out with self-tapping screws on top of the outer part.

   

7. Seal the joints with polyurethane foam and hide visible foam with sealant.

   

8. We install double-glazed windows in the blind sash of the frame, in the same way as we removed them.
9. Now you can install the doors themselves. It is advisable to entrust this business to professionals, otherwise there is a risk that after a while your windows will "lead" and they will simply stop closing.
10. Next, install the remaining sash double-glazed windows.

11. The last step of the installation is to adjust the PVC window sashes, then check the tightness of the system and the correct operation of the structure.

    

On this, the do-it-yourself PVC balcony glazing installation technology is completed. The only thing you need to do is install a window sill.

Features and recommendations

Before starting the installation of glazing, it is necessary to carefully consider the entire system and variations in opening the sash of the structure. This step becomes necessary, since neglecting it, you risk in the future to face problems in the care of the system and its operation.

For many years, the most popular option has been the arrangement of opening doors through one with deaf ones.

It is also important to hide the joints of the window system and the parapet. It is done at the expense of additional fittings that must be purchased (since it is not included in the set for the windows).

Also, upon completion of work, all gaps must be sealed with polyurethane foam and sealant in order to protect yourself from the passage of moisture and cold. And only when all the work is completed, and nothing else is planned, it is necessary to remove the protective film from the frames and glass units.

Conclusion

As you may have noticed, self-glazing of the balcony (in the company of assistants, of course) is not very difficult. The main thing is to fully follow all the instructions, and you can save a lot on the installation of glazing. But if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to entrust this business to professionals, since any mistake during installation may result in the need to completely replace the glazing with a new one, and then the costs, on the contrary, will increase several times.

And in conclusion, we suggest watching a video on how to glaze a balcony or loggia yourself.

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