Panoramic balcony: design, pros and cons, insulation

When the picturesque sea or mountain scenery opens from the windows, night lights of a bustling city, a quiet park, it is unreasonable to hide this luxurious beauty behind heavy curtains. In addition, it is the panoramic glazing that makes the apartment more expensive, more respectable. But not in all cases, this option is winning. First, you need to understand the design features and in what balconies can be made panoramic.

In which cases will fit panoramic windows on the balcony?

Specialists consider the panoramic balcony in Khrushchev as the most successful, it will also be appropriate on narrow, elongated loggias - this will add space to the interior and become an important source of light; outside this structure will not look bulky and heavy. Large and wide loggias are appropriate to glaze from floor to ceiling in those cases when they come out to the north or north-east, as the rooms often lack natural sunlight.

In any case, a panoramic balcony requires the installation of a double plastic profile, since aluminum does not store heat as efficiently as double insulated double-glazed windows.

When is it better to abandon large windows on the balcony?

Psychologists say that some people feel more vulnerable when the whole room is open to other people's eyes. Therefore, a panoramic balcony does not fit, if it adjoins the bedroom, the innermost room of the apartment.

The south or south-west side is also a contraindication - in the summer the balcony will get very hot, filling with hot air and the adjoining room. In such African conditions, it will be difficult to garden it with potted flowers, it is also necessary to take into account the costs of electric power for cooling the overheated room.

The big risk is to install a panoramic balcony where winds often blow. At least carefully, with the help of professionals, to calculate all the parameters of the installation and carry out all the necessary preparatory work.

It must also be remembered that a panoramic balcony is not installed in apartments where ceilings are below 2.8 meters.

What else should I keep in mind?

The most important part is to find a designer who knows how to work with panoramic glazing and has a solid working experience, such a little, so his work will cost a lot.

No less important point is the correct legal design of the installation of this design: in the HOA can get permission to unite the balcony and the room. But city architects can refuse in the panoramic glazing of the balcony.

It will be necessary to equip the balcony with a floor convector to ensure a high level of condensation. Maintenance of glass sheets is complicated by the fact that they are often located on the upper floors and it is almost impossible to reach out to the hard-to-reach places from outside, in this case, the services of industrial climbers will be required, which is also not cheap.

It is necessary to think over the question of security, especially if the panoramic balcony is in a private house or on the lower floors. To criminals could not penetrate into the dwelling, the glass should be reinforced, laminated or covered with special metallized film.

The lower row of double-glazed windows should also be covered with a tint or a reflective film to preserve the privacy of their lives and not allow strangers to observe what is happening on the balcony and in the room.

Choose a glass is energy-saving - in winter cold it will keep warm inside, toning will save from annoyingly bright sunlight. Electrochromic glass allows you to adjust the level of transparency as needed.

Since the double-glazed windows, frames, the entire installation as a whole has a lot of weight, it is necessary to first strengthen the balcony slab, especially when it comes to houses "Stalin" or about the Khrushchev.

Frameless glazing looks particularly stunning, easy and unobtrusive, double-glazed windows are connected by a silicone layer, but in this case it is necessary to anticipate the possibility of ventilating the room in advance.

Advantages and disadvantages

In the photo, the panoramic balcony looks amazing, but it is worth to get acquainted with the opinions of specialists, as well as read reviews of those who have already installed panoramic balconies. Pros and cons do not always lie on the surface.

What is good about this option?

Panoramic windows add luxury and respectability to the general appearance, immediately declare the owner as a respectable person. This balcony will make a lasting impression on the guests.

Modern technologies allow huge windows to not yield to their classic counterparts in either reliability or high quality.

Even a small room will become much more spacious, lighter, filled with natural light, especially if a frameless type of glazing is chosen.

Glasses do not lend themselves to shocks, do not crack, do not break and do not wring out, which ensures peace of the home owners - uninvited guests can not get through the reinforced toughened glass with anti-vandal coating.

You can enjoy a beautiful view as much as you like over a cup of tea or coffee, you can arrange a study or a dining room - there are plenty of options.

Underwater rocks

The abundance of ultraviolet radiation can significantly spoil the interior decoration or furniture, this problem will be solved by toning or dense curtains.

Loss of heat can be significant, and condensation will lead to dampness and mold growth if the work is poor quality, the floor was not sufficiently insulated or a frameless glazing type in combination with an aluminum profile was chosen.

A single glass sheet does not allow airing the room, besides it can not be washed on its own.

One can not but note the high cost - the lower limit at the level of 7 - 9 thousand rubles. Per square meter, the upper bar depends on the possibilities and wishes.

Reduce heat loss to a minimum

Here are some tips on how to insulate a panoramic balcony.

Since the lower part of the parapet is a continuation of the window, one must take seriously the preservation of heat. At the stage of installation, it is necessary to carefully seal all the cracks between the frame and double-glazed windows, for this purpose, a sealant or mounting foam is suitable. Internal work is carried out on heat and waterproofing. Penofol cover the layer of insulation, extending the life of the insulation material. Aluminum tape is treated with seams. From the outside, there should not be uneven joints or gaps, otherwise it will entail great difficulties when using the balcony in cold weather.

Panoramic balcony dictates its requirements for heating. Here you can not install batteries and radiators, so warm floor is the most optimal solution. Infrared film, which is used to insulate the floor, is also suitable for the insulation of walls and ceiling.

These simple tricks as a result will provide heat to the panoramic balcony.

To rejoice the eye

It is nice to again and again enjoy the breathtaking views, going to the panoramic balcony. Design may be what you want - you can install a narrow window sill, if its presence is important and provides additional convenience. Usually it is not visible in the photo, but most often it is present.

Outside, the balcony can be trimmed with clapboard or covered with decorative plaster, inside the decoration of the panoramic balcony is dictated by the overall design of the dwelling. Make the room cozy and comfortable with the help of painting the walls, gluing the wallpaper, plastering adds a touch of sophistication - it all depends on the wishes of the owners of the balcony and their financial capabilities. A special atmosphere is created by flowers in flowerpots, a small table for unhurried tea-parties or gatherings over a cup of coffee, a glass of wine.

Summing up

If it is still decided that the panoramic balcony should be, it is worth familiarizing with the reviews of those who have already installed such a glazing, and those who are engaged in their installation. But we must remember that in this case the opinions are subjective, therefore, the estimates may be different, but you can find a rational grain in the reviews.

Before starting work, it is necessary to legally resolve all issues with permits in the HOA and urban architects.

To entrust a panoramic balcony it is necessary only to the checked up professionals not to test annoyance from the money thrown out for wind, not to freeze in the winter and not to languish with heat in the summer. Also at the stage of determining the price it is worth to know in advance what is included in the cost (dismantling, cleaning, etc.).

Maintenance of cleanliness on a panoramic balcony will require special efforts and financial costs.

For the psychological comfort of all households it is worthwhile to find out in advance whether there is any fear of heights, if there is any discomfort from proximity to nature.