Aluminum sliding windows to the balcony: varieties, selection, installation, care

Balcony glazing is a rather important type of repair work. A closed space will allow you not only to store things there, but also to equip a cozy place to relax. If you decide to install aluminum sliding windows, then you need to know which type to choose and how to properly care for them. This article will highlight these issues, as well as discuss all the pros and cons of aluminum structures for windows.

Aluminum windows are a frame made of aluminum and its alloys with installed double-glazed windows. These metal structures have a small width, which means they can be mounted even on thin metal corners of the loggia.

Most manufacturers equip their products with reliable fittings that are almost impossible to break from the outside. The guaranteed service life of windows with an aluminum profile is about 50 years. A wide selection of equipment and dimensions allows you to choose the right number of windows for any balcony size.

Aluminum windows are not afraid of moisture, snow, temperature extremes. If desired, they can be covered with a special sunscreen film, and then they will not allow heat and UV rays to pass through.

All manufactured aluminum windows have special GOST 215119-2003 "Window blocks made of aluminum alloys", which ensures high quality products. These standards are international and operate in Russia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.This document was developed in close cooperation with the Eurasian Council for Standardization.

Like many quality products, aluminum sliding windows for balcony installation have a number of advantages.

1. The lightness of the window block. Such products do not create a large load on the building, which means that they can be installed in multi-storey buildings, as well as in old buildings, which, due to long-term operation, cannot withstand a large weight.
2. Long service life. The average service life of aluminum profile windows is 50 years. Some manufacturers claim that their products will last at least 80 years. However, such a long-term operation is possible only if the window mechanisms are handled carefully.
3. Not susceptible to mold and mildew formation unlike plastic and wooden models. In addition, aluminum does not corrode.
4. Environmental Safety... When exposed to high temperatures, the profile does not emit toxic products. The final powder coating is absolutely safe for humans.
5. High strength... Aluminum withstands loads that are 6-8 times stronger than wood and 3 times higher than PVC.
6. Ease of maintenance. For smooth operation of all window mechanisms, it is enough to lubricate them with machine oil once a year. Cleaning of frames from contamination can be carried out with most industrial as well as household products.
7. Versatility... Depending on the needs, one of three options for the design of sliding aluminum windows can be selected.
8. Wide range of colors... Modern manufacturers offer not only classic white frames, but brighter colors as well.
9. Low costespecially in comparison with wood and PVC.

However, in addition to the undoubted advantages, aluminum glazing systems also have disadvantages, such as:

• the product does not protect from the cold;
• frequent icing of frames in winter can make it difficult to open the doors;
• increased heat loss from the apartment through the "cold glazing" of the balcony;
• low sound insulation performance associated with the features of the sliding structure.

Aluminum sliding window frames are available in three configurations.

The operation of this mechanism is carried out as follows: to open the window, you first need to pull the handle towards you and to the side. This type of aluminum windows resembles the type of door opening on Ikarus buses. The doors often have a multi-level design that allows you to ventilate the balcony without opening all the doors. If the area of ​​the windows on the loggia is planned to be quite large, it is necessary to worry in advance about sufficient insulation of the frames, otherwise high heat losses cannot be avoided.

The principle of operation of this type of windows is similar to compartment doors, that is, the sashes move in one direction along the guide runners. Mobility is provided by small, robust rollers made of material that not afraid of temperature extremes, as well as resistant to mechanical stress.

Such windows are very often installed by Americans, so you can see them in almost every foreign film.

Such products are quite massive and not recommended for installation in small apartments and private houses.

In order to choose the right aluminum balcony frames for the loggia, a number of factors need to be assessed.

1. The technical condition of the house and the permissible load on the balcony block. There is a universal rule here - the older the house, the lighter the balcony glazing structure should be.
2. Cold or warm... If you do not plan to use the balcony every day as an additional room, for example, for recreation, then it hardly makes sense to install warm PVC options. It is expensive and impractical. It would be much more economical and logical to give preference to aluminum sliding or swing structures.
3. Budget. Recently on the market you can find aluminum profiles for balconies with insulation. However, they do not compete with PVC windows in terms of cost. Therefore, if you need savings, then you should give preference to cold aluminum glazing.
4. Suitable opening system... Please note that it is most convenient to take care of the doors that open, so there should not be too many blind blocks. Sliding systems allow you to save usable space even on narrow balconies, in contrast to swing options.
5. The quality of the fittings. Since the mechanisms will be used daily and more than once, they must be of high quality and be durable. German fittings are optimal in the ratio of price and reliability.

Whichever type of glazing is chosen, the durability of the structure will depend on the correct installation, as well as on the timely maintenance of mechanisms, their adjustment and periodic maintenance of frames and glass units.

The windows and frames of aluminum sliding structures for balcony glazing can be washed with any non-aggressive, low abrasive means.

To clean blind window blocks, you can use glass breaker, as well as a regular floor mop with a rubber nozzle. If it is not possible to get to hard-to-reach places outside the balcony, then it will be easier and safer to contact a cleaning company.

Aluminum glazing of balconies is an excellent modern option that allows you not only to save money on the purchase and installation of a structure, but also to make your loggia comfortable and functional.

About glazing technology with aluminum windows, see below.