The decision to glass the balcony is the first step towards turning this space from a storage room into a full—fledged part of the apartment. However, every owner faces a dilemma.: what type of glazing should I choose? Not only the comfort, but also the budget depends on it. To glass a balcony in Minsk correctly and taking into account all the nuances, it is necessary to clearly understand the difference between cold and warm glazing. In this article, we will analyze each option in detail, their pros, cons, cost and scope, so that you can make an informed decision.
What is cold glazing?
Cold glazing is, in fact, the creation of a protective barrier against wind, dust, precipitation and street noise. It does not involve insulation of walls, floors and ceilings. The frame is usually made of aluminum profile, which can be either conventional or thermally fractured (a warmer version). Lightweight double-glazed windows (most often single-chamber) or plain glass are used as filling.
- Advantages: Lightness of construction (does not require significant reinforcement of the parapet), affordable price, durability, is not afraid of temperature and humidity fluctuations, maximum light transmission.
- Cons: The temperature on the balcony will be only a few degrees above the outdoor temperature, and it will be cold in winter. You will not be able to use such a room as a living room or a full-fledged recreation area in the cold.
Cold glazing is an ideal choice for those who want to protect the balcony from the weather, use it for storing things, drying clothes or as a summer veranda. It is also a great option for balconies with limited load-bearing capacity.
What is warm glazing?
Warm glazing is a full—fledged system that allows you to integrate a balcony into the common space of an apartment, creating an office, a recreation area or a winter garden there. It includes the installation of plastic (PVC) or wooden frames with multi-chamber double-glazed windows (two- or three-chamber), as well as mandatory insulation of walls, floors and ceilings, steam and waterproofing.
The key element here is the plastic balcony frame https://www.orbita.by/okna/balkonnye-ramy / the price of which varies depending on the number of cameras, accessories and the availability of energy-saving spraying. This frame provides reliable heat and sound insulation.
- Pros: Comfortable temperature all year round, the possibility of combining with a room, excellent sound insulation (especially important for houses near busy highways), energy saving.
- Cons: High cost (self-glazing, insulation, finishing), significant weight of the structure (requires an assessment of load-bearing capacity
