With the help of French glazing, you can feel the real spirit of the city. various types glazing French windows on the balcony are becoming increasingly popular. A design, the peculiarity of which is the installation of a translucent material - glass, transparent PVC– from ceiling to floor, becomes an expressive accent of both the interior and the facade of the building. This glazing creates the feeling of a large free space filled with light.

French glazing of the balcony

Surely many city residents have noticed the unusual glazing of the balconies of high-rise buildings, which seem to serve as a huge window for one of the rooms. They seem to be its continuation or the original veranda adjacent to the apartment. Behind the high glass you can see flowing curtains from the ceiling to the floor, and the side of the balcony is decorated with a beautiful lattice. This design is called a French balcony.

Some modern variations of the French balcony do not have railings: this will make it look more industrial and fashionable.

French balcony has a centuries-old history. Previously, it consisted of doors surrounded by metal forged railings in the opening of the outer wall.

To a greater extent they:

1. Performed the function of windows;
2. Served for ventilation and lighting of rooms.

This type of architectural solutions was mostly common in France, Italy, and Spain. Having opened the door, only one person could go out onto such a balcony, not to mention placing furniture or arranging shelves there. The maximum that could fit on them was a few flower pots and containers.

IN modern construction the decorative function of the French balcony has given way to practice, and it already has its own platform protruding from the facade of the building, usually glazed panoramic windows. Its main feature is that French glazing balcony instead of standard reinforced concrete or metal fencing uses double-glazed windows in PVC, aluminum or wooden structures.

Such glazing is suitable for balconies located on the highest floors

As a rule, this type of glazing is performed on separately located balconies. The loggia is an unsuitable place for this, since the blank walls on the sides do not allow achieving the desired effect of a full panoramic view.

French windows in the interior of a balcony (video)

Pros and cons of a French balcony

When deciding whether it is really rational to install French windows on your balcony in your case, you need to thoroughly weigh the pros and cons.

Among the advantages:

• Created visual effect expansion of space;
• Due to panoramic glazing there is good lighting;
• The use of energy-saving materials allows you to save on insulation and cladding;
• During the installation process, you do not have to resort to expensive welding work;
• Provides good sound insulation;
• Guaranteed durability of the structure;
• Provides ample opportunities for exclusive, elegant interior design.

Panoramic balconies are made of the highest quality and modern materials: in addition, due to good lighting, the balcony becomes visually large

Some features of French glazing are considered disadvantages:

• Sometimes it is not easy to get used to a completely transparent balcony, especially in an apartment on a high floor - then it is recommended to cover the lower part with matte sandwich panels;
• In summer, in regions with a hot climate, on sunny days such rooms can create a greenhouse effect - in this case, shading with thick curtains and frequent ventilation will help;
• On frosty winter days, additional heating will be needed to avoid hypothermia;
• The design features the absence of a window sill;
• The frame must be further strengthened with reinforcing elements;
• Glass surface requires special means care to maintain crystal cleanliness;
• Glass is a relatively fragile material, and it is not advisable to allow small children to play near it.

The interior of your balcony will always be visible even from the street

Protect privacy You can protect yourself from curious prying eyes by installing blinds on the balcony. An alternative is to order tinted glass, which will open up a wide panorama of the street, but the apartment’s residents will not be visible from the yard.

Features of a French door on a balcony

Doors are an important part of the design of not only the balcony, but also the interior of the room to which it adjoins. Therefore, it is important that this detail fits into the styles of both rooms. It is immediately necessary to take into account that a standard narrow balcony door will distort the entire effect of the panoramic expanse of French glazing. And this will not brighten up even a completely glass door.

You should pay attention not only to form, but also to functionality:

1. Double swing option – perfect solution, only if the doors open into the room, so as not to take away the already large area balcony;
2. Sliding doors– chosen when the width of the room and the furniture allow the use of part of the wall on both sides for the movement of the product;
3. Accordion door– convenient in that it is easy to mount to any opening width, but small areas It is recommended to choose narrow sections.

Sliding doors are designed for small rooms: they are great for saving space

In the process of installing a French door, as a rule, a part of the wall with a window opening in the room is demolished. This is allowed to be done only if the balcony structure itself allows this according to its technical characteristics. This partition is not only load-bearing, but also supports the balcony slab.

Installation procedure for a French balcony

The process of installing a French balcony consists of several stages, but it is much faster than installing a traditional one, since there is no need to carry out welding, insulation and finishing.

To ensure a high-quality result, the structure is installed using a level

The work order is as follows:

• The required measurements are taken.
• If necessary and with permission, the window opening and partition of the balcony block are dismantled.
• Concrete and metal fences are being dismantled.
• The concrete slab is being strengthened.
• Double-glazed windows made of aluminum and plastic are installed, which can also be combined with sandwich panels if desired.
• IN doorway install the frame and sashes.
• The cracks and voids are filled polyurethane foam. The excess is cut off before it hardens. The joints are treated with plaster.

Which curtains to choose for French windows (video)

French glazing can transform not only the balcony, but also the interior design of the adjacent room. To remain satisfied with the installation work performed, it is important to weigh the pros and cons and choose the right door. Trust the specialists, and the process will not take much time.

The French balcony is perfect combination high quality, reasonable cost and original design. Such a balcony does not require additional internal and external finishing of the parapet. The fact is that the main handrail of such a balcony is the frame of a plastic window, so you can significantly save not only on materials, but also on work.

Initially, the French balcony (also known as a portfolio in the 17th century) was something like a door or window with a slightly protruding lattice fence. The area of ​​such a balcony is very narrow, designed only to allow you to put your foot down.

The French balcony is mounted from the floor to the top of the balcony panel. Therefore, instead of massive and unaesthetic railings, you can use a transparent structure. For convenience, the bottom of the French balcony is covered with a sandwich panel. In some cases, tinted glass is used instead.

At the same time, such a balcony is not such a light structure, so its frame must be further strengthened. But the most important thing is that a French balcony not only saves you money, but also significantly expands the space of the room and creates an unusual and stylish interior.

In our age, they not only preserve them in old buildings, but also make them in new ones: such balconies are very small, but their area is quite enough to go out, for example, for coffee time or just to be in the fresh air.

French balcony installation diagram

1. First of all, you should attach anchor plates to the balcony box. In this case, the step should not exceed 0.8 m.

3. After this, install the outer block on the sponge pads.

4. The adjacent block is installed, which is attached to the outer block with screws. In this case, the step should be about 0.4 m.

5. The structure is assembled according to the level.

7. If necessary, carefully foam the seams between the wall and the frame.

8. After this, you can begin installing the sashes and double-glazed windows.

9. Excess foam is carefully removed.

10. Handles and other fittings are installed.

11. And at the very end it is necessary to plaster the slopes.

Installing a French balcony takes little time and does not require special tools or expensive materials. Therefore, you can save your money and time, and also create a balcony that will fit perfectly into the design of your home.

IN bright room always creates the impression of spaciousness and lightness.

Options for French balconies

The French balcony is one of the most stylish types of glazing, which allows your home to visually look much lighter and more spacious. This is especially important if your balcony is on the north or west side, and there is not enough light into the space of the house.

And if you are the lucky owner beautiful view from the window, then making a French balcony is simply necessary.

There are several options for decorating a French balcony, which you should choose depending on your financial capabilities, the size of the balcony, and the interior of the room.

With the advent metal-plastic windows it became possible to install French glazing on the balcony; With such glazing, the size of the balcony area no longer matters.

1. One of the most popular types of French balcony design is the use of a frame for the surface. This creates a very cozy and stylish design, which can be used in almost any interior.

Using sprats on glass.

2. Another stylish design option for a French balcony is the use of sprocket bars, which are installed inside the glass. Shpros can be black, white or any other color that will match the interior of the room. In addition, you can use gold or silver-colored bars to make the design of the room more luxurious and rich.

Balcony using tinted glass.

3. Using glazing of different colors will also give the room originality and novelty. In this case, you can use tinted or frosted glass any shade. Depending on the level of natural light, it is recommended to use glass of different densities. To tint glass, a special film is used, which is applied inside the glass unit. In addition, this method of application eliminates the appearance of scratches on the film, so it lasts for a very long time without losing its external qualities.

4. French balconies with sophisticated and elegant fittings look very beautiful and stylish. You can choose handles and other fittings to match the color of the balcony itself, or vice versa, so that the fittings are the most bright element design. The most popular are silver or gold pens. In addition, the hinge covers look very nice.

Artistic forging in itself is a wonderful decoration for the balcony.

5. Recently, the use of forged elements for decorating French balconies. You can use forged sheathing, which will make your balcony a real work of art. Such elements combine very well with classic interior Houses.

Advantages of French balconies

In addition to the fact that the French balcony has an elegant and stylish look, he has and technical advantages, which must be taken into account when choosing the type of glazing.

The main advantage is that when installing a French balcony you can get the maximum level of room lighting. This is especially important if the room itself is quite dark. In addition, additional energy savings are created, because artificial lighting will require less time.

The design of such a balcony has glass that is used instead of walls. Thus, the space of the room visually expands.

If you decide to decorate your balcony in French style, you should add balcony flower girls.

A very important advantage of French balconies is significant savings on its exterior decoration, because such a balcony is glazed from floor to ceiling.

The French balcony looks very light and airy, so it is not necessary to use curtains. But if you cannot imagine a room without this element of the interior, then you should choose curtains that will have a light and transparent texture.

Disadvantages of French balconies

Despite all the attractiveness of this type of glazing as a French balcony, one should not forget about its disadvantages.

French balconies are much more difficult to clean than regular ones. The fact is that a French window has a larger number of blind elements, which are much more difficult to reach.

If you want a French balcony with forged elements, tinted glass and elegant fittings, then it will cost you much more than regular balcony. In addition, to glaze such a balcony, as a rule, double-glazed windows are used, which, although performance characteristics balcony, but also costs significantly more than a single one.

The French balcony has the maximum glass area, so summer time In the summer the room will be a little hot, but in the winter it may be cool. Therefore, you should install such a balcony only if your home has a well-thought-out system for ventilation, cooling and heating.

Minimalism - unbreakable fencing for a French balcony.

Calculation of a French balcony

When installing a French balcony, its surface is glazed from floor to ceiling. A feature of the French balcony is its almost complete transparency. Depending on the size of the balcony, its calculation is made.

The standard dimensions of such a balcony are a meter wide, 3 meters long and 2.6 meters standard height ceilings. However, in reality, you almost always have to deviate from these standards for one reason or another.

Therefore, before calculating a French balcony, you should choose a balcony design option that is interesting to you, the main materials and elements that will be used for its manufacture, as well as the type of double-glazed windows, the cost of which is not the least important in the overall balcony estimate.

When calculating a French balcony, you should choose one of the methods of glazing it. The first method is to install windows in a single frame, which is mounted from ceiling to floor. After this, the frame is installed in a sandwich of tiles, which are located at the bottom of the window. The second glazing method involves attaching the window frame using polystyrene foam, which is located under the plastic panels.

In addition, you should decide on the need for additional forged or welded elements that will give the balcony a finished look, as well as make it safer for your family.

Installing a French balcony is a very important undertaking, because the slightest mistake can ruin its final appearance. At the same time, taking the dimensions of the future balcony should only be done by professionals. At the same time, do not forget two rules: first, the width of the window should be no less than half the width interior space, and secondly, the glazing area of ​​the room surface should not be more than a tenth of the total area.

In addition, the glazing of French balconies is a very bulky structure, so a plan should be developed in advance for raising them to the upper floors. It is recommended to first break it into parts so as not to damage it during transportation on ropes.

Price of material and cost of installation work

The advantage of the French balcony is that it can be installed in houses that do not have upper balcony slabs, that is, in old Khrushchev and Stalin buildings. At the same time, the price of materials for glazing a balcony in this way will be much lower than during installation classic balcony. The main reason is that the French balcony does not need additional insulation, nor does it require external and internal finishing.

Forged balcony (blown-radius).

Installation of a French balcony occurs in three stages

First of all, this is welding work. At this stage, the old balcony is completely dismantled, the slab is expanded and restored. In addition, it is necessary to install the balcony roof if the balcony is located in a cottage or on the top floor of a multi-story building. Do not forget about the need to cover the balcony slab, as well as preparatory work in order to properly install a French balcony.

At the first stage, work and materials will cost about 30 thousand rubles

The second stage is the main one. It consists directly in glazing the balcony. For this purpose, metal-plastic structures are made and installed on the balcony. In addition, if necessary, glass tinting, manufacturing and installation of forged elements and additional fittings are performed.

This stage is the most expensive and, together with materials, the cost of work can be from 50 thousand rubles. The cost of this stage of installing a French balcony depends on the quality of the metal-plastic structure, the presence of forged and welded elements, as well as on the quality of the film with which the glass is tinted.

The last stage is final works for landscaping the balcony. It includes cladding and insulation of the balcony (if necessary), supplying electricity to the balcony, lining the balcony with bitumen and others interior work.

The cost of this stage, including materials, is about 20 thousand rubles. In addition, to save money, you can carry out some internal work yourself.

French balconies are usually installed in private houses and country cottages. However, this type of glazing has recently been increasingly used for balconies of ordinary apartments in multi-storey buildings. Thanks to French balconies, the room becomes brighter and more spacious. In addition, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful landscape that opens outside the window of your home.

Sketches and prices of French balconies

French balcony FB-1: Price: 4000 rub./m2.

French balcony FB-2: Price: 4800 rub./m2.

French balcony FB-3: Price: 4900 rub./m2.

French balcony FB-4: Price: 5600 rub./m.2.

French balcony FB-5: Price: 4200 rub./m.2.

French balcony FB-6: Price: 6800 rub./m2.

French balcony FB-7: Price: 3800 rub./m2.

French balcony FB-8: Price: 4200 rub./m2.

French balcony FB-9: Price: 4800 rub./m2.

French balcony FB-10: Price: 4100 rub./m2.

French balcony FB-11: Price: 4800 rub./m2.

French balcony FB-12: Price: 4600 rub./m2.

Modern housing should be multifunctional and well-planned. One way to rationalize space is to create a French balcony. Similar view glazing implies the presence of windows and doors and the absence of an impost.

In this case, the glass is installed from the ceiling to the floor. French loggia can become a decoration for your apartment and a place where you can enjoy your vacation.

What is French glazing

This type of glazing is being chosen by an increasing number of people. French windows to the balcony are ceiling-to-floor structures and contribute to maximum illumination of the space. Thanks to such windows, you can achieve a visual expansion of the space of the apartment.

Especially often, doors to the loggia are installed by apartment owners in top floors, as this allows you to observe the surroundings. If you want to install French windows, you don’t have to destroy them load-bearing wall, it is enough to install a similar structure on the balcony.

Benefits of glazing

As a result of this type of glazing, not only does the appearance of the balcony improve, but it also creates more comfortable conditions. The described products are created in a plastic or wooden frame. Most often, such products are installed in private houses or on the loggias of apartments located on the top floors. It is worth remembering that French glazing of a balcony can be either cold or warm.

Moreover, such windows look harmonious almost everywhere. After installing the windows, the loggia turns into a more comfortable place to relax, which resembles a small terrace. This type of glazing belongs to modern methods of furnishing premises.

To install the structures described, old windows and fences are first dismantled. Many apartment owners install the upper part of the loggia clear glass, and the lower one is equipped in one of several ways. An example is the matte French glazing of a balcony. Transparent double-glazed windows are also often installed.

By installing glass, you can make a French balcony more attractive on both sides. In addition, the described type of glazing has a number of advantages:

1. Installing the described type of windows allows you to make the room more illuminated. Thanks to this, you can save on electricity. But more importantly, natural light is more comfortable for human eyes, so the likelihood of vision deterioration is reduced.
2. Visual expansion of space. Thanks to this, the room becomes more comfortable.
3. Increase usable area premises. This is due to the fact that during the installation of glass there is no upholstery and fastening of the thermal insulation material.
4. Saving on finishing materials.

Disadvantages of glazing

By installing products from trusted manufacturers, you can make your French balcony not only more beautiful, but also comfortable, since, if desired, you can install insulated double-glazed windows. But, despite these advantages, this type of glazing has several disadvantages:

1. The cost of installing windows is high. This is explained by the fact that the installation of such structures involves the implementation of complex installation work. It is also worth noting that the price of windows of the described design is quite high.
2. Overheating in summer and hypothermia in winter. Due to the large number of windows, it is quite hot on the loggia in the summer. At the same time, in winter the temperature in the room drops. To protect yourself from the cold, you should only purchase quality products. If desired, you can purchase glass that does not allow some radiation to pass through, which helps maintain room temperature.
3. Frequent cleaning. To keep your French balcony cozy, you need to wash it weekly. outside. If this is not done, a lot of dust will accumulate on the glass.
4. Restricting the installation of windows. The described type of product cannot be installed on some loggias, as they have heavy weight. Before purchasing windows, you should find out how much weight your balcony can support.

By installing French doors on your balcony, you can be sure of their safety if you have children and pets at home. Reviews of the described products confirm that they look great on any loggia.

Warm and cold glazing

To choose a specific option, you should decide in advance how exactly the French balcony will be used. Cold option involves the use of an aluminum profile. Such products reliably protect against precipitation and provide some sound insulation. But it is worth remembering that when using such windows in the winter, the French balcony will be cold.

This option is chosen by people who want to spend less money on installing glass. Also, similar windows are installed by owners of apartments and houses in the southern regions.

Warm French glazing of a balcony involves the use of PVC double-glazed windows. Before purchasing such structures, it is worth accurately calculating the load on the loggia and determining whether it can withstand such an amount of glass. If necessary, the structure can be strengthened.

In some cases, it is necessary to move the glass a short distance so as not to reduce the area of ​​the room. A wrought iron French balcony can be a place where you can enjoy panoramic views.

Legal aspects of window installation

Before you begin French glazing of a loggia with the products described, you should contact the authorities that can approve the implementation of such work. An example is a situation in which the balcony is located on the front side. In this case, you must obtain permission.

If permission is not obtained, work is prohibited. Installation of the described products in some buildings may not be possible, since the dismantling of some concrete fences will not be possible.

Design reliability

When glazing a loggia, you don’t have to worry about the safety of the entire structure, since polyvinyl chloride, which is the main material when creating double-glazed windows, is strong enough to withstand heavy loads. In addition, such products are made from environmentally friendly materials.

Often, when asked what a French balcony looks like, not everyone can answer.

However, almost everyone has seen it at least once.

Translated from French, the name literally sounds like “door with window.” In fact, this is what it looks like.

And with an ordinary door and window, a similar design differs in the presence of a forged lattice instead of a parapet.

Previously, the French balcony was the name given to all balconies that were a narrow protruding area for one person with a wrought-iron parapet. Usually they had the function of ventilating the apartment.

Let's look at modern French-type balconies in more detail, talk about their positive and negative qualities, as well as the nuances that need to be considered when installing such a balcony.

What are balconies of this type?

Let's first look at the appearance of these atypical structures.

Nowadays, French balconies are mainly called balconies, glazed with panoramic windows from top to bottom with a transition to a small ledge with a fence in the form of a lattice, most often forged. Externally, such balconies have a slightly curved shape.

Such a structure does not have any specific tasks.

French balconies

Since the site is small in size, the balcony is not used as a storage room or for the purpose of arranging a living area. But such a balcony looks very original and will decorate the building well.

And if you love indoor plants, then you are doubly lucky - here they can be placed in huge quantities, which will also decorate the building and allow you to enjoy a pleasant evening in this small greenhouse.

Positive and negative traits

Like all balconies, a French-type balcony has its advantages and disadvantages.

Most often, its advantages are considered:

1) no additional costs are required for installing railings, Finishing work and strengthening works;

2) not required exterior decoration balcony;

3) no insulation required and interior lining balcony;

4) visual expansion of the balcony space with the achievement of its maximum illumination;

5) a panoramic window is created;

6) no need for welding work during installation;

7) budget savings when purchasing finishing materials;

8) a lot of design options.

But there are also disadvantages:

1) the design does not provide for the presence of a window sill;

2) reinforcement of the concrete slab is required;

3) required additional ventilation in summer and additional heating in winter;

4) high cost;

5) difficulty of care, because necessary wet cleaning large glass surface.

Parameters of French balconies

The main parameters are the width and height of the balcony, the availability of mosquito net, drainage and so on.

In addition, it is important to take into account the material from which the balcony is made, its quality, properties and color.

To reduce the weight of the balcony, they are most often used aluminum profiles. True, they are more expensive than other options, and their thermal and noise insulation rates are much lower. One of the main characteristics of glazing is the number of sashes in the windows, depending on the measurements and the required final result.

Glazing sashes can be hinged (opening outwards), blind (do not open at all) and partially opening.

The choice depends on you and on the structure of the double-glazed windows. Also take into account the finish of the facade on which the balcony will be installed and the installation height.

Variety of types

French-type balconies come in different types.

Most often there is a balcony in the form glazed door with a fence outside or inside it. Another option is a balcony with a small concrete overhang, most often supported by a decorative cornice. This is the traditional option.

Balconies also differ in how they are connected to the load-bearing wall.

Fastenings can be point-based (with a small use of metal parts), using a pipe profile, or using a metal profile fixed directly to the load-bearing wall.

In any case, what your balcony will look like depends only on you. You can install additional handrails or a forged parapet, or you can simply choose panoramic glazing all over the wall.

Installation of a French balcony

Installing a balcony of this type is not an easy process, so it is better to entrust it to specialists.

The installation process itself takes place in several steps.

If the installation is taking place for the first time, then first of all you need to measure the installation site and inspect the finishing elements. Installing such a balcony will take less time than installing a traditional balcony, especially since welding and finishing work is not required.

To install a French balcony you will have to, along with metal-plastic construction install a reinforcing profile and reinforcement elements. Such balconies have reliable fastenings thanks to special installation technology.

In addition, you can convert an ordinary balcony into a French one.

To do this, you need to remove the concrete parapet or metal fence.

It is preferable to choose aluminum profiles, as they have sliding doors, which is very convenient.

True, such glazing costs much more than metal-plastic. Choose 2-chamber double-glazed windows with energy-saving glass to improve the thermal insulation of the room.

Moreover, there is a lot of glass in this design, so the balcony will need good insulation.

It is also possible to install balconies with partial glazing, in which glazing is installed at the top of the balcony and sandwich panels at the bottom. This design does not require insulation or finishing.

It is better to choose double-glazed windows of maximum strength. This design is more practical and safe, especially if you have children in your family.

An excellent choice would be glazing that is transparent only with inside. It will perfectly hide everything that happens in the room from prying eyes.

French balconies are becoming more and more popular. If you like to admire the beautiful view directly from the apartment, then this type of balconies is just for you.

A French balcony will emphasize your sense of taste and add elegance and aesthetics to the apartment.

They are even suitable for private homes and decorate them perfectly.

So add a balcony with a wrought-iron parapet to the facade, and then decorate it with a small flower garden and get a chic decor for the whole house, accessible to many and at a low cost.

Video - wrought iron French balcony