Thermal insulation of aluminum windows in St. Petersburg and Leningrad region

Thermal insulation of aluminum window structures

When an aluminum frame is used for glazing, one cannot fail to note some of its properties: along with high strength, lightness and low price, this material has high thermal conductivity, which is not considered by everyone to be a positive characteristic.

The aluminum profile forms vertical posts and horizontal transoms, thus the glazing contour is divided into sectors. Either a window with opening sashes, or "dull" glass (fixed), or an opaque panel is installed inside each sector.

In some cases, a balcony or loggia is equipped with single glasses inserted into an aluminum profile. The cost of such structures is low. However, all the costs of insulation are borne by the residents.

There are several options to insulate such a window:

Thermal insulation of aluminum windows by installing a second row of glazing is the cheapest and easiest way to save the balcony from freezing, and also provides a good level of sound insulation. This technique is also used when it is not possible to dismantle the aluminum profile with which your loggia is equipped. However, this method has a drawback. A window closed with an internal thermal circuit is rather difficult to clean, and not every loggia can withstand a large mass of glazing. As a result, this method is rarely used.

In some cases, the loggia is completely freed from glazing: the entire aluminum frame is removed, and a "warm" contour is installed in its place. But insulation in this way is possible if the loggia or balcony has independent glazing within one floor.

With through glazing covering several floors, in order to insulate the window, the third method is most often used. The opening sashes are replaced on the PVC window structure, and the "blind" glasses are removed, and double-glazed windows are installed in their place. Then, with the help of sandwich panels, the remaining sections of the old glazing are insulated.

If the insulation is carried out in this way, then the loggia and the balcony can be safely used as a pleasant addition to the living space all year round.

Expert response

The choice of cold glazing is possible only due to technical and economic advantages. Second row of glazing - a cheap and easy way to save your house from freezing. This option is used if dismantling the aluminum profile is not possible.

Not a single structure can withstand a large mass, therefore, you should first consult with a specialist.

In winter, the loggia cannot be used as an additional room, since the temperature in the loggia will be lower than in other parts of the apartment.

To make full use of the entire space, plastic windows should be installed, which will prevent the appearance of "cold bridges" that cool the entire apartment.

A high degree of thermal insulation is the main technical characteristic of PVC, but the cost of installing such a system will be much more expensive than an aluminum (cold) window.

Before making a purchase of building materials, you should decide for what purposes the loggia should perform.

Wood-aluminum windows allow you to get a well-insulated loggia even in the winter season. They are of two types:

• With decorative inserts and overlays (from the window side).
• Wooden frames with decorative overlays (from the street).

Cold and warm glazing of the loggia

An aluminum profile window will not be able to retain heat at the proper level, therefore such glazing is called "cold". In winter, a loggia (balcony) with such glazing cannot be used as an additional living space due to the so-called cold bridges. Through them, the air inside will be cooled. So that the loggia can be fully used as a study or a winter garden, "warm" glazing is used, which provides for the installation of plastic windows. The advantage of PVC structures is a high degree of thermal insulation, however, a "cold" aluminum window during installation is much cheaper. Thus, when choosing the type of glazing, it is necessary to decide how the loggia will ultimately be used.

Of course, you can make insulation on your own, however, so that the balcony or loggia is not only a reliable shield from the cold for a long time, but also pleases the eye with a neat appearance, it is advisable to turn to professionals for help. will carry out all the necessary work, you will only have to enjoy the comfort of your home, looking through a warm window at bad weather or winter cold!

Insulation of windows yourself

As you may have noticed, this procedure requires very extensive knowledge and skills in the field of window repair. Moreover, it is very important to understand why this or that step is being taken: you can adjust the windows according to the instructions from the Internet (not all of them are relevant, believe us), replace the seal, even try to seal the slopes or window sill. But it is far from the fact that the effort and money spent by you will bring the desired result.

Without knowledge of the specifics of the functioning of the entire window system of a particular brand, your efforts and resources may be wasted. Moreover, you can aggravate the situation and cause serious damage, because a modern window with a double-glazed window is a complex and complex mechanism!

Contact our company for help - and you will not have a "headache" about finding quality materials and correct instructions and you will be able to do something really pleasant in warmth and comfort.

How can you insulate a balcony with cold glazing

Developers of residential neighborhoods in large cities, regional centers and even small settlements are commissioning houses with standard glazing of balconies and loggias. The standard scheme for its implementation is the installation of an aluminum profile frame and installation in the window sashes of a single sheet glass. This is due to the fact that, according to existing standards and building codes, balconies and loggias are not living quarters, but perform auxiliary functions and therefore do not need insulation. From a financial point of view, such a design is the most economical for the developer and relieves him of responsibility for imperfections that may arise during the installation of more expensive and demanding warm glazing.

Recently, a fashionable trend is the insulation of the balcony with cold glazing, which allows residents not only to save heat energy, which is subject to accounting and appropriate payment, but also to expand the useful living area of ​​the apartment. On a warm balcony, you can arrange a workshop, make a study, create a flower or vegetable greenhouse.

At the same time, the question arises for homeowners: how to insulate balconies with cold glazing. If the walls and parapet can be covered with effective modern insulation and sheathed on top with finishing from a number of common and popular materials, then the solution to the problem of cold glazing is much more difficult.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that any changes and alterations to the standard glazing can lead to a change in the appearance of the facade of the building, and the reconstruction may not be approved by the relevant services.As a result, replacing cold glazing with warm glazing may be prohibited. And in the case of work carried out without permission, penalties and a lawsuit may follow, as a result of which a decision is usually made to dismantle the installed glazing.

The procedure for insulating a balcony with cold glazing

In the cold season, the apartment residents face the question: how to insulate their glazed balcony in order to use it, just like in the summer, despite the terrible cold outside the windows. The solution to this problem will be step-by-step insulation of all surfaces of the balcony. For a comfortable stay on it in the winter season, it is necessary to correctly consider the choice of materials for thermal insulation. The quality and order of work are equally important in the process of insulation.

Thermal insulation of a balcony with a brick parapet

Insulating material will help to effectively insulate the balcony of their bricks.
Most of the facades of new houses make up a single architectural composition. Violation of its integrity by piling up additional materials for insulation is unacceptable or is associated with multiple bureaucratic coordination delays. The best way to insulate cold-glazed balconies is to use insulating materials from the inside of the room.

A balcony or loggia often has a brick parapet. Installation of aluminum windows with this design takes place directly on the top row of bricks. Insulation of such a room will be effective due to the fact that an insulating material with low thermal conductivity can be laid against the parapet wall.

Insulation of glass

Most of the heat will go through the glass
In the case when plastic double-glazed windows are installed, the window will not require additional insulation. To isolate the leaky joint between the glass and the frame, a special polyurethane sealant is applied to the joints to prevent air penetration.

The greatest heat loss will occur through the glazing.

Floor insulation

Penofol can be used as insulation
An important component in obtaining a warm room is floor insulation. For better thermal insulation, you can use the following materials:

1. Penofol.
2. Electrical floor insulation.
3. The bar is wooden.
4. Styrofoam or mineral wool.
5. Polyurethane foam.
6. Floor board.

Foil-clad penofol is laid on the surface of the concrete floor. This material has excellent insulating properties. It will prevent condensation from accumulating in the floor, providing oxygen access to prevent moisture and fungus. The next step is to install an electric underfloor heating.

Warm floor - one of the options for insulating a balcony

The thickness of the lag sets the size of the insulation layer. The larger the layer, the better the thermal insulation. When installing, it is necessary to take into account the height from the future floor to the parapet. In the standard version, it ranges from 95 to 105 cm. The safety of a person on the balcony is always in the foreground, so you need to choose the thickness of the log, taking into account the height of the floor construction cake.

Parallel to each other in one plane, wooden blocks are installed with a step of 30-40 cm. Mineral wool or foam is placed between them. All cracks formed during the installation process can be sealed with polyurethane foam. In the winter season, a special polyurethane foam is used, which has the properties of hardening at low air temperatures.

On the laid logs, a floorboard is laid for painting and varnishing. You can use rough wood and then lay some finishing material on it.

Insulation of walls and ceilings

For wall insulation, you can use the following components:

1. Penofol.
2. Wooden bars.
3. High density foam.
4. Polyurethane foam.

For strengthening the balcony, see the video:

Walls requiring insulation are sheathed with penofol. The lathing is usually made from a 50x50 mm bar. For convenience, the step between the bars can be made in accordance with the width of the filler. Styrofoam is placed between the bars and attached to the wall using plastic "fungi". The slots formed during installation are also sealed with polyurethane foam. Eurolining or imitation of a bar can be used as a cladding. Plastic panels are also suitable for wall cladding.

Thermal insulation of panoramic balconies

Panoramic balconies have an excellent appearance, have a number of advantages over partially glazed balconies in terms of aesthetics. But the insulation of such a balcony with cold glazing will result in large financial costs. Insulation of the floor, ceiling and walls, except for the facade, can be done in the same way as in the case of parapet balconies, but a glazed wall will require a different method of insulation.

For information on how to insulate panoramic balconies, see this video:

The frame of the cold glazing window system consists of an aluminum profile, which has excellent thermal conductivity.

The supply of heat to such a room at a negative air temperature outside will lead to the formation of ice on the glass, and heating will be insignificant due to serious heat losses.

As mentioned above, unauthorized changes to the facade of a residential apartment building can cause a conflict with local authorities and with the rest of the residents of the building.

Installation of an additional glazing contour

When installing an additional glazing contour, the usable space will not decrease much
Installation of the second row of double-glazed windows will not damage the overall appearance of the building. The resulting air chamber will provide heat retention on the balcony or loggia. The disadvantage of this method of insulation will be the inconvenience of washing the glasses inside the chamber. The usable space of the room will be reduced by the indent and the thickness of the inner wall, which can be a significant disadvantage in a limited area.

Energy saving film on glass

There is a special film that is glued directly to the glass. It significantly interferes with good thermal conductivity. With the help of energy-saving film, heat savings of 20-30% can be achieved. The appearance of the windows will not change at all when glued. Also, such a film protects against harmful solar radiation.

Watch this video on how to properly apply energy saving film:

Replacing a profile

To insulate the frame of the structure, you can replace the existing aluminum profile with the same analog, but with a special insert made of polyamide. This method is quite expensive, since you will have to completely replace the entire frame of the glazing wall.

Thermal insulation of the balcony, which was originally thought by the designer as a cold room, is a rather costly and time-consuming task. It is advisable to obtain competent advice from specialists in the field of construction before making a decision on insulation.

balkon.expert

Registration of permission for balcony glazing

There is no clear legal regulatory framework on the issue of glazing balconies, so it is difficult to answer whether it is necessary to declare this and whether there is any sense in the costly registration of permits. The current legislation provides for the procedure for official registration of repair work in a number of instances when redevelopment is carried out in apartments. Installation, dismantling, repainting and reconfiguration of balcony frames do not apply to reconstruction or redevelopment works, therefore the possibility of their implementation and the legality of installation are determined by local officials or representatives of architectural services. Complaints about the owners may arise if, during the modernization, the color of the entire profile frame or the shape of the window frames is changed.

Cold Glazing Conversion Techniques

An aluminum frame with cold single glass on the balcony protects the room from precipitation, street dirt, wind and dust, but not from the cold air in winter. The majority of residents are not faced with the question of whether it is necessary to insulate the balcony or loggia, they would all like to insulate the balcony with cold glazing. There are a considerable number of ideas and methods for solving this issue from craftsmen and reputable window companies, the reconstruction concerns the insulation of the profile itself and the replacement of glazing, the main methods consist of the following works:

• Thermal insulation of the aluminum profile. Most often it is pasted over with Penoizol or Penofol from the inside, the effectiveness of this method is close to zero, the only plus is that the insulator will prevent hands and other parts of the body from sticking to the frozen aluminum frame in winter.

Related article: Expansion of the balcony at the base of the slab

• Pasting a single glass with a heat-insulating film or replacing it with heat-saving types. In the first case, the film is able to reduce heat losses through the glass by 30%; when installing glazing with reflection of thermal radiation, heat losses can be reduced by one and a half to two times. However, these benefits are minimized by the curing of glass and metal balcony frames in winter.
• Replacement of window sashes. Some masters, due to the fact that it is technically difficult to replace single glass with a warm multi-chamber glass unit in the sash, remove the cold-glazed window sashes and install windows with multi-chamber double-glazed windows in their place. Since the aluminum frame is replaced by a PVC structure, the windows differ in color from the aluminum frame and violate the aesthetics of the exterior of the building. Another design flaw is the installation of heavy windows with multi-chamber double-glazed windows in an aluminum frame that is not designed for heavy weight - this can lead to breakage of the fragile aluminum frame, loosening of its fasteners and collapse of the glazing.

• Installation of the second glazing circuit. A radical method of insulating cold balconies and loggias is to install a second frame with warm glass inside the room. The method requires significant financial costs, leads to a decrease in the usable area, a violation of the aesthetics of the appearance from the inside of the room, difficulty in ventilation and the accumulation of dirt between the two glazing circuits in places that are difficult to access.
• Replacing a cold aluminum profile with a warm one. The method allows you to keep the typical appearance of the glazing, which does not cause complaints from housing and architectural services, and to reduce heat loss through the aluminum profile during finishing to a minimum. The warm aluminum profile is an external and internal aluminum frame, separated from each other by a plastic insert, which is a cold bridge. The reconstruction results in the complete replacement of all cold glazing on the balcony or loggia, so the costs are maximum compared to other methods. It is better to use the structure in southern latitudes than in cold climates - the insulating plastic partition does not protect the aluminum frame from freezing and frost appears on the glass windows.

An analogue of replacing cold aluminum frames with warm ones is the use of wooden structures, finished on the outside with an aluminum profile. In this case, the old cold aluminum glazing must be changed, wooden frames will cost even more, but will provide high thermal protection of the room in cold northern latitudes.

In this case, double or triple glazed windows are installed in wooden sashes, their advantage in comparison with standard wooden frames is that the outer part is finished with aluminum, which protects the wood from the harmful effects of the external environment (moisture, solar radiation).

Definition: cold glazing

Cold and warm glazing of balconies - which is preferable? Most often, when people buy a new apartment, there is already glazing on the balcony. But every developer wants to save money and for this they use such glazing of loggias and balconies.

Moreover, the cheapest materials are used, and the insulation of the balcony, if any, of course, is poorly done. In such a situation, the owners leave everything as it is, but some resort to replacing the cold balcony or loggias with a warm one.

However, this option will cost a pretty penny, so the best and more expedient option would be to improve and insulate a balcony with such glazing.

Experts advise that the best option for recreating an insulated balcony is to use a high-quality plastic profile. Aluminum frames lag behind plastic in terms of characteristics, since this metal is initially a heat-conducting material, so the balcony can lose heat very quickly. But plastic light glazing of the balcony can also be ineffective, most often this applies to single-chamber structures. Plastic frames do an excellent job of protecting the premises from wind, dust and noise, but they do not resist frost well. In this case, high-quality insulation of such a room plays an important role.

Professional insulation of the balcony frame

Some window companies carry out glazing and insulation of balconies with cold frames, using modern technologies and materials. When carrying out work, the following stages are the main ones:

1. Sealing cracks in the ceiling with metal plates and polyurethane foam.
2. Warming of frames around the perimeter with Vilatherm 60 mm., Polyurethane foam and Penofol
3. Insulation with Penofol and sandwich panels of the balcony parapet

Typical glazing and insulation of balconies and loggias of modern high-rise buildings currently does not satisfy many residents because of its budget and cold indoors in winter. It is better to insulate a loggia or balcony with the installation of new warm high-quality glazing with the help of window firms performing these types of work, while new multi-chamber double-glazed windows are installed and the aluminum frame is insulated.

Our advantages

For your plastic window to have excellent indicators of quality, reliability and durability, entrust the insulation work to professionals.

1. Experts offer services for the insulation of windows using the latest technologies. Our specialists will be able to perform any work related to improving the heat-shielding properties of the window.
2. For the insulation of plastic windows, we use reliable materials that correspond to the climatic conditions of Russia. The materials used do not lose their properties and their elasticity, so they reliably protect, not letting the cold into the room. The used sealing material after installation is able to provide the highest parameters of sound insulation, thermal conductivity and energy saving of a plastic window.
3. Warming is carried out according to clear instructions, which allows you to carry out all insulation work with maximum results in the shortest possible time.

Practical tips for insulating an aluminum balcony

In large cities, capitals of regional centers and even in small populated centers built on the basis of a master plan, new-built houses are increasingly appearing, and more often whole microdistricts from new multi-storey buildings, balconies and loggias of which have a complex semicircular contour and glazing. Glazing made in the same style and color scheme gives an attractive appearance and relieves owners who have purchased apartments in such houses from the worries of self-glazing balconies.

When designing glazing, architects proceed from the fact that a balcony (loggia) is not a heated structure.Therefore, the glazing provided by the project is always laid single, capable of protecting the balcony from wind, dust and precipitation, but not from low temperatures. More than 50% of Russians do not want to comprehend the simple truth in any way - a balcony is not a sauna or a greenhouse.

Having received a glazed loggia as a gift from the developer, they are immediately tormented by the question of how the aluminum balcony is insulated. In this article, we will look at various aspects of this problem.

How to insulate aluminum windows - The best facades of private houses

The balcony is a very important component in every apartment of a multi-storey building. It can serve as an additional layer of insulation so that the adjoining room has a higher temperature in winter and helps to quickly ventilate the room in summer. Also, the balcony can become an office or playground for children. By removing the partition and carefully insulating the walls, with its help, it is possible to increase the living area of ​​the rooms or the kitchen.

Options for using a warm balcony

Do-it-yourself insulation and decoration of the old balcony will help transform it, adjusting it to the design you need, and making it more functional. Well-done insulation will help to make your stay on it in winter comfortable and nothing will prevent you from spending time talking, drinking a cup of tea, or while away the evenings reading books.

Well protected from the effects of aggressive weather conditions, the balcony is able to break into a small nursery or work workshop.

But if you have not yet decided to completely insulate the balcony or do not have enough funds, then we will tell you how to insulate the windows with your own hands, to make the old openings warmer and able to withstand the harsh winter. We will also describe the methods of modern insulation and the main nuances when performing such work.

Various methods of insulation

To keep your home warm and cozy, you should make sure that there are as few sources of cold air as possible. Such sources are old windows, and sometimes new ones worn by time. If you insulate the windows well, then no wind and low temperature will be scary to you.

Let's take a look at the basic and most effective principles by which you should make your own window sealing.

1. A budget option for sealing the cracks that formed when a window, window or balcony door is not closed tightly is to use a sealing tape. They come in different thicknesses, so they can be matched to the required slot size. Thus, you seal the windows well and do not alter the aesthetic appearance in the least.
2. All cracks and joints in the window frame and the junction of the window with the slopes are clogged with foam rubber or cotton wool. So that they do not fall out and have a more attractive appearance, masking tape is glued on top.
3. To seal cracks and joints, you can also use a "porridge" of moistened toilet paper or newspaper. The paper is lowered into water, after which all the water is squeezed out, and the finished material is hammered into the right place. We glue it on top with masking tape or tape. Such a strange mixture keeps heat very well, since it has a rather high density.

Self-adhesive foam rubber, which is designed to insulate old windows, is very convenient. Thanks to the installed adhesive surface, installation is very easy and quick.

It is sold in building and hardware stores, in rolls of several meters.

• Covering seams with plasticine or window putty is an effective method, but rather inconvenient. To then remove all the sealing mixture, you will need to work hard and spend a lot of time.
• If you don't have any foam or cotton wool at hand, you can simply close all the cracks with plastic wrap. Polyethylene does not allow air to pass through and is able to maintain temperature well. Only such a film should be glued very well and not leave gaps.

"Cold" aluminum window profile

Usually, when glazing balconies or loggias, the developer uses the so-called "cold" aluminum window profile with single glazing for glazing. The choice in favor of such glazing is made for economic and technological reasons. This option is the cheapest and does not increase the cost of square meters in a new building. It allows you to easily glaze a semicircular or complex contour of the balcony.

The design of the aluminum window profile does not provide for the installation of a 2-3-layer glass unit.

Even a 3-chamber double-glazed window will not reduce heat loss from freezing of aluminum, which has excellent thermal conductivity.

Therefore, the developer, by installing such glazing, warns the owners to insulate the balconies and increase energy costs due to the high consumption of heat energy used to heat the street.

But restless citizens, in spite of everything, want to have exactly "warm" balconies. The inability to physically insulate the cold aluminum profile of the balcony window makes them look for all sorts of ways and go to various tricks.

Thermal insulation of a solid structure

If there is a strong frame that can withstand additional loads, insulation of aluminum glazing on a balcony or loggia can be done by replacing single-layer glass with double-glazed windows. For this, packages of suitable sizes are made and installed in the gaps of the frame structure.

Depending on what result you want to get in the end, double-glazed windows or part of them can be installed together with plastic frames. This makes it possible to obtain opening sections with a high quality seal.

Replacing only double-glazed windows will not give the desired effect. Thermal insulation of cold frames is also required. Initially, the installation of double-glazed windows and plastic sections is planned so that the structure retains a margin of thickness for insulating aluminum profiles. After installing the frame insulation, the inner surface of the glazing is leveled approximately in the same plane and the whole structure takes on a finished look.

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Frames are best insulated with polyurethane foam. Such insulation of the aluminum profile not only retains heat, but also additionally binds all structural elements together, fills gaps and gaps, and blocks the possible appearance of slack during operation.

Full insulation consists of three components:

• installation of multilayer double-glazed windows;
• insulation of metal frames and other supporting structures;
• thermal insulation of the parapet, floor, side walls and top slab (ceiling)

The legal aspect of changing the facade of the building

Any changes made to the enclosing structures of the facade of the building (and these include the parapets of the balconies), as well as glazing that does not correspond to the general architectural concept, require permission from the local executive authorities.

At the level of each constituent entity of the Federation, relevant regulations have been adopted.

In Moscow, this is the Government Decree of October 25, 2011 No. 508 "On the organization of the reconstruction and (or) redevelopment of residential and non-residential premises in apartment buildings." One of the clauses of this Resolution provides for the mandatory obtaining of a permit if “- the shape of window and door openings in external enclosing structures changes;).

The procedure for obtaining such a permit consists of five consecutive stages and the approval of about 40 documents.

The cost of the services of law firms (in Moscow) providing services for the approval of facade changes for a full package is about 1,000,000 rubles. There is something to think about.

Warming methods from "craftsmen"

The simplest way that they are trying to solve the problem of insulating the cold aluminum profile of a window on a balcony is pasting over its frame with thermal insulating material - penoizol or penofol. The efficiency of such "insulation" tends to 0. This is understandable. Even using the thickest foam foam of 10 mm, it is impossible to provide sufficient thermal insulation. Such "insulated" aluminum windows lose heat not so much due to freezing of the metal frame, but due to heat loss through a single window glass.

Pasting a single window glass with a heat-insulating (energy-saving) film of high quality can reduce heat loss in winter by up to 30%. But, of course, it cannot completely replace the second or third glazing circuit with the help of a film. Some craftsmen completely remove the window frames from the aluminum profile, leaving only the crossbars-guides, and in their place they mount the PVC-profile windows with double or triple glazing. In this case, the appearance of the facade of the building immediately suffers. Since the PVC profile is thick and visually very different from the aluminum window profile. Such a replacement is not acceptable if the balcony is semicircular.

Another trick to insulate the balcony is to install a secondary glazing system made of PVC profile with double glazing behind the existing glazing. This significantly reduces the area of ​​the balcony and makes it impossible to wash window panes between adjacent window units.

All these "partisan" methods of insulating the cold aluminum profile of balcony windows are either ineffective and still do not allow using it in the cold season, or lead to a critical loss of appearance and functionality.

Various methods of insulation

To keep your home warm and cozy, you should make sure that there are as few sources of cold air as possible. Such sources are old windows, and sometimes new ones worn by time. If you insulate the windows well, then no wind and low temperature will be scary to you.

Let's take a look at the basic and most effective principles by which you should make your own window sealing.

1. A budget option for sealing the cracks that formed when a window, window or balcony door is not closed tightly is to use a sealing tape. They come in different thicknesses, so they can be matched to the required slot size. Thus, you seal the windows well and do not alter the aesthetic appearance in the least.
2. All cracks and joints in the window frame and the junction of the window with the slopes are clogged with foam rubber or cotton wool. So that they do not fall out and have a more attractive appearance, masking tape is glued on top.
3. To seal cracks and joints, you can also use a "porridge" of moistened toilet paper or newspaper. The paper is lowered into water, after which all the water is squeezed out, and the finished material is hammered into the right place. We glue it on top with masking tape or tape. Such a strange mixture keeps heat very well, since it has a rather high density.

Self-adhesive foam rubber, which is designed to insulate old windows, is very convenient. Thanks to the installed adhesive surface, installation is very easy and quick.

It is sold in building and hardware stores, in rolls of several meters.

• Covering seams with plasticine or window putty is an effective method, but rather inconvenient. To then remove all the sealing mixture, you will need to work hard and spend a lot of time.
• If you don't have any foam or cotton wool at hand, you can simply close all the cracks with plastic wrap. Polyethylene does not allow air to pass through and is able to maintain temperature well. Only such a film should be glued very well and not leave gaps.

Replacement for "warm" aluminum profile

More radical is the replacement of the existing glazing with a "warm" aluminum profile - a structure with disconnecting elements made of PVC or other plastic with a low coefficient of thermal conductivity. Thanks to this, the aluminum profile of the window does not freeze, since no cold bridges are formed. “The warm aluminum profile used for balcony windows can have 2nd or 3rd glazing or double-glazed windows like PVC windows.

For southern and middle latitudes, such a replacement can be an excellent way out, since choosing an aluminum profile that matches the width and color is not a particular problem. Outwardly, from the side of the facade of the building, such a window will not stand out from others like it. Perhaps with a different glitter of glass.

But for northern latitudes, even a "warm" aluminum profile is not suitable for insulation. He freezes anyway. If the heating is functioning on the balcony, then ice and icicles form very quickly on the windows and frames.

This is due to the fact that the dew point is shifted towards the balcony and water vapor condensation and freezing occurs inside the balcony room.

Low thermal insulation properties of aluminum windows are incorporated in the very design of the manufacturer of the most popular window systems in Russia: Provedal (Provedal Sistemas, Spain).

Wood-aluminum windows

The best option for fully insulating the balcony and making it suitable for use in winter as a warm room is wood-aluminum windows. They are of two types:

• Aluminum profile with decorative wooden trims on the inner (room) side of the window.
• Wooden frames decorated with aluminum strips from the street side.

The first option of windows is absolutely unacceptable, since in terms of its thermal insulation properties it does not differ in any way from a "cold" aluminum window.

Of interest is the second option - wooden frames, glazed with 2-3 double-glazed windows and having outside, from the street side, aluminum plates that not only give the window a "techno" style, but also protect the wood from the effects of precipitation.

In terms of the width of the profile, such windows will differ from the usual cold profile with single glazing. But on the other hand, you can precisely choose the color of powder enamel, which is usually used to paint aluminum windows from the outside, and thereby minimize the visual difference between your balcony window and other balcony windows along the facade of the building.

Thermal insulation of the balcony by replacing the aluminum profile

How is the insulation of a balcony or loggia with aluminum glazing done so that it is possible to equip an office, a library, a greenhouse, etc.? This will require a complete replacement of the glazing and the use of heating.

It should be noted that when replacing the glazing, the appearance of the building should not change, that is, the new profile should not differ from the neighboring ones. This cannot be achieved using standard PVC windows. Therefore, preference is given to wood-aluminum windows. They can be of two types:

• made of aluminum and have wooden lining on the inside of the room;
• made of wood with aluminum lining on the outside.

Using such frames with suitable double-glazed windows, you can insulate a loggia or balcony with aluminum glazing. In this case, the facade will not undergo any changes.

The next step will be the installation of a heating system, which can be a warm floor, wall convectors, etc. In some cases, connecting the balcony and the room will be a good solution.

How to insulate an aluminum profile on a balcony before it turns into a piece of ice?

From the author: hello dear readers! Now I want to share my experience so you know,

how to insulate an aluminum profile on a balcony on your own and at the same time achieve the maximum effect.

Once, while installing a balcony made of metal profiles in an office building, the customer thought that the temperature on the sixteenth floor in winter would be an order of magnitude higher than below, and refused artificial insulation. As a sane person, I tried to insist that such a decision was wrong, especially if this area will be used not as a place for relaxation, but as a conference room with a gorgeous view of the city.

In response from the customer, I only heard that I was trying to rip off more money from him, and that all the arguments that I give are stupidity, and nothing more.

Construction work was carried out in the winter, so he could not immediately assess the scale of the tragedy. My wait was not quite long, because with the first cold weather that hit in the second month of autumn, I received a call from the same customer, who thought that now the insulation of aluminum windows on all balconies of the office would be more acceptable.

Having explained to him that these works presuppose almost complete dismantling of the structure, and having announced the amount, I was again sent by this character so far, where no human had ever set foot. A little more than a month later, just at the time when the first December frosts began to draw patterns on the windows of our houses and apartments, my phone again burst out with a call from the same person who tearfully apologized, realizing that the price I was calling then was the top tolerance.

Alas, high-rise work is a service that is paid differently in summer and winter, and rude words in my direction resulted in a fine. However, the total was still lower than usual and we got to work. The conclusion from this asks only in the form of a proverb that the miser pays twice. And in the case of insulation of a balcony with aluminum profiles - even three times.

Prices for insulation of aluminum windows in Moscow

The cost of insulating aluminum windows and doors depends on the type of work being done. Often there are several defects that lead to a decrease in the thermal efficiency of the structure, which increases the complexity and cost of repairs. A detailed price list can be requested from our managers.

Is this work at height?

Yes, you might wonder why the insulation of aluminum balconies is a high-rise work, because the whole process is carried out from inside the room. This is true, but in the event that you are the owner of a panoramic structure that has already been fully installed, and you decided to preserve heat only a few years later, then it must be completely dismantled. Not many construction teams will dare to remove windows on the sixteenth floor of a skyscraper in frosty weather, and even with a possible strong wind.

In my short story, which I gave a little above, the situation was just such that not every master who does not have experience in working at height would give the go-ahead for such work. And since this phobia is the most common after the fear of the dark, finding someone with enough courage will not be easy.

Is it real at all?

Insulating a loggia with aluminum windows is as real as making a double somersault. Yes, it will be a bit of a hassle, but patience and work will grind everything. You will need a little knowledge and my experience, which I will gladly share right now.

Many people say that the efficiency of insulation drops every time you want to increase the amount of glazing in a room. I assure you - this is not so, and if you have rented or bought an area that is made very cold due to the large number of windows, then you can insulate them too.

An uncomplicated solution, which may not seem entirely reasonable, is to cover part of the glass.For some it seems nonsense, although this option has a right to exist. If you do not need to create an extensive view from the window, and panoramic glazing on the loggia was not your idea, then nothing will stop you. Of course, with a high degree of probability, you lose the internal volume of the room, but it does not disappear, but only begins to serve you in a different role.

I am not telling you now that you will need to completely remove the entire lower part of the balcony. I have come across cases when we sewed a window together with glass. Having insulated it on both sides, you thus get a wall of insulation that will keep the high temperature in the room much better.

But, before resorting to such drastic measures, think twice if you need it so as not to throw money down the drain. It is also worth paying attention to whether this will interfere with the mechanical action of the opening windows. Agree that it will not be very cool to sew up the lower part of the balcony so that the upper one cannot open.

Let's go directly to the works

Before insulating a loggia with aluminum glazing, you need to make some preparatory steps, without which insulation may be useless.

1. Clean the entire aluminum profile from unnecessary elements. The remains of putty, polyurethane foam or other construction debris - remove all of this. In small quantities, they will not greatly affect energy saving, but the inconveniences during installation will be obvious.
2. Fill up any unnecessary holes or slots in the profiles. It often happens that when installing the frame, a screwdriver could come off or a sander could slip off. There were no defects of such a scale that they could be thrown away or cut off, but you can suffer a little when insulating. Ordinary sealant will help you solve this problem.
3. Choose insulation. In this case, since the process will be associated with small objects, many experienced builders suggest using ordinary construction foam. I do not recommend resorting to such drastic methods due to the fact that it can deform the frame, which will create unnecessary problems when installing the windows themselves. The most adequate, in my opinion, is the use of mineral wool. In this case, you can purchase a roll, not plates, which will be cheaper, and fill all the cavities in the same way.
4. Prepare your instrument. In the event that you use polyurethane foam, all you need is a special gun into which the cylinder is inserted. If your finger falls on mineral wool, then a small spatula, stationery knife and tape measure will be enough.

If you do not know how to properly pour the foam, you can see how to do it in the video below:

So, we decided that there are two options for the material with which we can insulate an aluminum balcony - these are foam and cotton wool. A few notes to keep in mind when working with the first one:

• do not overdo it, because a large amount of material can lead to deformation of the profile itself;
• buy more construction foam than you need. You see, if she is not enough, then it will be an order of magnitude worse than the case when she remains. It should dry out all at the same time, and not in parts after purchase. Better to stay, because it can always come in handy;
• fill the profile evenly and penetrate into all cracks. This is the only way to achieve maximum results.

If, when insulating an aluminum loggia, you use my choice, which appears in the form of mineral wool, then do not forget that correct calculations will help you save a lot. The main advantage is that you will not in any way affect the size, shape or stability of the aluminum frame itself. We calculated how much to cut, cut off, placed, straightened with a spatula - and voila! Everything is ready!

Insulation of aluminum windows

The list of works on the insulation of aluminum windows includes the following main processes:

1. Insulation of slopes.

   Thermal insulation of slopes. Violation of the technology for finishing the slopes leads to the appearance of gaps between the wall and the window frame. To ensure a tight abutment of all elements of the window and slopes, the slots are filled with polyurethane foam or basalt fiber.

2. Debugging or replacement of fittings.

   The specialists of the service center adjust the degree of clamping of the window sash using specialized equipment - eccentrics. Worn fittings must be completely replaced.

3. Replacing the rubber seal.

   The sealing material that has lost its elasticity is replaced with a new one. After replacement, the sash pressure level is adjusted.

4. Sealing of seams.

   To increase the sealing of the seams, the workers of the "Help for Windows" service department use modern materials:

   • sealants - when solidified, they acquire the properties of rubber, with their help gaps up to 5 cm are closed;

   polyurethane foam - used for foaming gaps up to 35 cm;

5. Isonel glue-based sealing harnesses - the material is easy to install and retains heat well.