Balcony block is a structure that combines a window and a balcony door. It allows you to delimit the space of the balcony and the apartment. Often, metal-plastic structures with two- or three-chamber double-glazed windows are used for this. This design allows you to solve issues with the flow of natural light in the daytime, as well as reduce the noise that comes from the street inside. What types of balcony block are there and how is it installed? Consider in our today's article.
Varieties
Currently there are several types of window blocks:
- PVC construction with blind wide or narrow horse and door. The sash of the latter can be with a continuous double-glazed window or with a horizontal jumper (this is usually on the same level as the window). Tilt and turn mechanisms, latch and grip are mounted in the door. This type is the cheapest, but notpractical. What are the dimensions of this type of balcony block? They are as follows: window - 1400 x 1300 millimeters, door - 700 x 2100 millimeters.
- Design, where the plastic windows of the balcony block open together with the door. This is a more practical and convenient option. So, you can ventilate the room with different intensity. The door is a construction with a sandwich panel in the lower section. But there are also cheaper models, where the door has solid glazing.
- Two-section balcony block. Plastic windows here are deaf. Only doors open. The design assumes the presence of a long window sill. This allows many housewives to place pots with various plants. This type refers to the solutions of the economy option.
- Balcony block where plastic windows (combination) are joined to the door. In the people, such a design was called "cheburashka". Side plastic windows of the balcony block can be both opening and deaf. The design also involves the installation of wide window sills. However, here they will be located on different sides. If there are opening doors, micro-ventilation can be done without using the door itself.
Regardless of the type, the technology for installing a balcony block will be approximately the same. Below we will look at what is required for this and how to perform this operation.
Tools
How to mount the block with your own hands? So, to perform this procedure, we need to have available:
- Screwdriver.
- Bulgarian.
- Electric jigsaw.
- Punch.
- Roulette.
- Building level.
- Nail puller.
- Hammer.
- Foam gun.
- Drill.
- Rubber mallet.
- Metal shears.
- Square.
- Stationery knife.
- Marker or pencil.
As for fasteners, in accordance with GOST, for fastening a window-balcony unit can be used:
- Anchor bolt.
- Nagel (concrete screw).
- Anchor plate and dowel-nail.
The most popular mounting option when installing plastic balcony blocks is anchor bolts or dowels. This method is practical and reliable.
Note that, in addition to the above tools, we need to prepare the following components:
- Mounting foam (preferably several cans).
- Foam cleaner.
- Screws and self-tapping screws of different lengths and diameters.
- Liners of different thicknesses.
Preparation
Often such designs are supplied assembled. The door is in the box, the leaves are in the frame, and the locking mechanism is in the closed position. To prepare the window for installation, the sash should be removed from it. To do this, remove the hinge rod and open the locking mechanism. Next, open it and remove it from the bottom. If there is a blind part, you need to remove the four glazing beads around the perimeterdouble-glazed window. To extract the glazing beads, a clerical knife is usually used. The edges of the elements are pre-bent. After the glazing beads are finally removed.
Getting Started
It is desirable to install when only one frame remains from the block. Double-glazed windows should be put aside. Next, brackets for mosquito nets are installed on the outer part of the frame. Then, PSUL tape is glued along the outer perimeter of the structure (this is a pre-compressed self-expanding sealing tape). This tape is used for waterproofing and protecting polyurethane foam from UV radiation.
The next step is to make through holes from the end to the middle around the entire perimeter of the frame. The diameter of the holes must match the anchor bolts. Please note that holes do not need to be drilled everywhere. In the place where the window frame and the door frame are connected, no holes are made. The rest of the parts for greater reliability can be fastened with additional screws.
Next, the balcony block is placed on spacers in the opening. The spacers are distributed under the vertical profile of the box and frame. They should be of different thicknesses. The design is set strictly according to the level both in the vertical and in the horizontal plane. In order for the window block to look aesthetically pleasing, it is necessary that from the side of the street the frame profile extend beyond the outer part of the wall at an equal distance.
What's next?
After placing the block, you can proceed to fasteners. You need to use a perforator. The drill diameter must matchholes made. Having fixed the structure, proceed to the installation of the window sill, threshold and ebb. Next, sashes, doors and double-glazed windows are installed in place.
Foam
During the installation of the balcony block, attention should be paid to the seams between the structure profile and the wall. They need to be filled with mounting foam. The denser this layer, the less likely there will be drafts and heat loss in winter. To achieve a high-quality result, it is necessary to use a special gun for polyurethane foam. With it, we can easily penetrate the most inaccessible places.
After filling the seams, you need to close the doors and sashes and leave the block for a day to completely dry the mounting foam. After a predetermined time, you can begin to install slopes. They can be from:
- Plastic panels.
- Drywall.
- Plaster.
- Sandwich panels.
After that, the installation of the balcony block can be considered complete. In total, the work will take about three days, taking into account the solidification of the mounting foam. In order for the installation to go without delay, it is worth preparing in advance all the tools and consumables (including self-tapping screws, drills and anchors) in full.
Conclusion
So, we found out what types of balcony block are and how you can install it. Summing up, it is worth saying that the main task during installation is to install the structure strictly in a horizontal andvertical plane. If everything is done in a level, the balcony block will last a long time, and friction between the profile of the frame and the door will be eliminated. Also, on correctly installed structures, the sash will not spontaneously close.
