Balcony Glazing

Additionally, a glazed balcony is ideal for storing items that are rarely used but kept for long periods. If you enjoy plants, a well-insulated and glazed balcony can easily become a beautiful greenhouse.

Material Selection and Frame Manufacturing for Balcony Glazing

The main structural element in balcony glazing is the frame, onto which windows or fixed panels are later installed. Frames can be made from wood, metal, or plastic. Wood is the most affordable and widely used material. Metal is the most durable, while plastic offers the best balance of cost and practicality. Ultimately, the choice depends on the homeowner, but even low-cost wood can create a strong and long-lasting structure if properly treated and protected from weather, insects, and wood-boring pests.

One advantage of wooden frames is that timber can be processed at home with minimal tools. No special machinery or workshops are needed. Many traditional craftsmen worked with just a plane, hammer, and chisel, creating masterpieces from simple 100x50 mm timber. To prevent UV damage, which degrades wood’s mechanical properties, the finished balcony structure should be treated with a colored sealing or lacquer-based wood preservative.

Wooden frames serve as the base for hinged or fixed panels. The simplest approach is to build a single frame and attach sliding or hinged windows separately. The frame is secured to the balcony’s perimeter and the floor slab above, with additional rigidity achieved through the 'wedging' method: lower frame parts are fixed with anchors, while the upper section is pushed away from the concrete wall or slab using wooden wedges.

Installing Glazed Panels

When installing windows or panels, consider their weight when choosing hinges—load capacity must exceed the panel’s weight to prevent sagging and air gaps. Royal-type hinges are ideal, secured to the frame using special wood screws. DIY balcony glazing allows full control over the placement of sliding and fixed panels, ventilation windows, and other features.

Important note: fixed frame and panel sections can be glazed after major work (including wood treatment), but all moving and sliding parts should be fitted with glass before installation—this makes the process much easier.