French balcony glazing

Traditionally, French is called a balcony with a very narrow platform or without it at all. However, such constructions did not take root with us, but many people liked the beautiful name. Therefore, in Ukraine and in some other countries, a French balcony is called, which does not have a capital fence, and the glazing goes from floor to ceiling.

Installation of a French balcony is a solution that has strengths and weaknesses. In the article we will tell you about them, and how such structures are mounted.

How is a French-style balcony arranged

The main feature of the French balcony is the absence of a capital fence or parapet. The frames are installed directly on the base, rigidly connected to each other and attached to the roof or visor from above. At the same time:

• For the manufacture of structures, a light but rigid profile is used. The minimum weight is needed to reduce the load on the base, rigidity — to protect against deformations and loads.
• Frames are usually divided in two by horizontal imposts, and the upper part is left open — for safety.
• Glazing can also be different. For privacy, the lower part of the structure can be equipped with a mirrored or tinted double—glazed window, the upper - transparent.
• Sometimes, instead of glazing, sandwich panels are installed in the lower part, but this solution is not too popular - it contradicts the very idea of a French balcony.

A common decorative element is an openwork metal fence outside the balcony. They put it not only for beauty: sometimes fasteners for flower pots are mounted on this fence.

Dignities

The price for a French balcony will be higher than for a standard balcony structure with a similar configuration. But the demand for such balconies is growing, and the reason is their advantages:

• A balcony of this type looks very attractive.
• You can remove the old balcony fence — concrete slabs and parapets in multi-storey buildings rarely look aesthetically pleasing.
• The large glazing area guarantees good natural illumination.
• The view will be excellent — panoramic windows are responsible for it.

In addition, when installing a French balcony, the costs of preparing the object are reduced, as well as for its subsequent finishing.

Disadvantages

Alas, a French balcony cannot be called a solution that is suitable for absolutely all buildings. It has disadvantages that must be taken into account at the design and configuration stage.

• Heat losses will be large even when choosing a multi-chamber profile and energy-efficient double-glazed windows. After all, the concrete parapet can be insulated from the inside and outside, which will make it possible to reduce the thermal conductivity of the balcony as a whole. For a French balcony, this possibility is not relevant, because you have to squeeze the maximum out of the glazing itself.
• In the summer months, the French balcony can get very hot — especially if it faces the sunny side. A possible solution is to install tinted or mirrored glazing. But such glasses let in less visible light, and they distort the picture when viewed. To reduce overheating when glazing balconies, multifunctional double-glazed windows are increasingly used.
• Time-consuming care. Large glass surfaces need to be kept clean — both inside and outside. It is difficult to do this on your own, and sometimes it is impossible.
• Problems with durability. If the supporting balcony plate is in poor condition, it may not withstand the mass of metal—plastic structures (wide profile multi-chamber double-glazed windows). Therefore, before installation, the plate is often reinforced.

Another disadvantage of the French balcony is its main advantage — transparency. Not only do you lose protection from prying eyes, but you can't use the balcony as a storage for things.

What influences the price?

The cost of a French balcony is almost always higher compared to the standard glazing option. The final amount is affected by:

• Dimensions of the structure. The higher the balcony, and the wider it is, the more expensive.
• Configuration. Rectangular balconies are the cheapest, bay windows and L—shaped ones are much more expensive.
• Equipment. The higher the requirements for thermal insulation, the higher quality profiles and double-glazed windows need to be used.

What to consider when installing a French balcony

Installing a French balcony is a difficult and time—consuming task. At the same time, experienced craftsmen necessarily take into account a number of factors:

• When dismantling the fence, it is important to preserve the capital base as much as possible. The plate must be durable, therefore, before installation work, it is either repaired or reinforced with welded metal structures.
• The frames for the French balcony are large, so they often have to be lifted to the installation site from outside the building. In addition, the use of rigid connecting profiles will be mandatory.
• In the upper part of the structure, it is necessary to provide a gap for the installation of a suspended or suspended ceiling. At the bottom — for thermal insulation of the floor on the balcony. To do this, expansion profiles or similar structures are mounted on top and bottom.
• When installing a balcony in an area of increased wind loads, additional reinforcement of the frame and fasteners may be required.

This is just a part of the important factors that need to be taken into account when installing a French balcony. Therefore, the installation of such structures should be trusted by highly qualified professionals — an attempt at self-installation will be associated with unnecessary (and unnecessary) risk.

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