If from the windows of your apartment a beautiful landscape opens, and you like to admire the natural beauty for a long time, then installation of panoramic French windows will be a logical decision. Having installed French windows on the balcony, you will turn it into a cozy place where you can comfortably have a cup of coffee in the morning or relax after a busy day in the evening, enjoying the view opening. The French window instead of the balcony block, in addition to a beautiful panoramic view, will provide a high level of natural light throughout the day and in the adjacent room, which will save money on electric lighting. In addition, the French windows - a modern and very stylish element of architecture, which is an indicator of the prestige of the owners of the apartment. In this article we will consider the advantages and disadvantages of installing French windows on the balcony, and also show the original ideas of their design in the photo compilation below.
French windows on the balcony - advantages and disadvantages
The very term "French window" implies a panoramic window structure from floor to ceiling with a minimum number of partitions. This type of panoramic glazing does not lose its popularity over the years, as it is very attractive from an aesthetic point of view and has more advantages than disadvantages.
To date, there are three types of French windows:
- With sliding doors, called the "portal" This window consists of one or several glass sheets that move along special rails.
- With swinging flaps Often, swinging doors are used for panoramic windows, used as doors to access the balcony.
- Door-book The French balcony window, made in this format, is suitable only for a warm balcony or loggia, as this design does not have a good thermal insulation between the flaps. A feature of this type of windows is a certain number of leaves that fold into the "accordion" and open a wide passage.
The type of a particular French window, the size of its glass panels is selected depending on the installation location, as well as the taste preferences of the owners. Original versions of French windows on the balcony look at the photo below in the article.
What are the advantages of French windows:
- Visual expansion of the space of the balcony and the room with it;
- A significant increase in the natural illumination of the balcony and the room combined with it;
- No need to finish the exterior and interior of the balcony parapet
What disadvantages are the French windows:
- High cost of panoramic window constructions;
- The complexity, and sometimes the impossibility of installing large windows in houses or flats already built;
- Increased heat loss during the cold season, as well as overheating on sunny days in summer, due to the high thermal conductivity of the glass, will require additional costs for heating and air conditioning;
- A large-sized window is difficult to clean
Read also: French windows - a bold idea of the Renaissance or the peak of modern aesthetics
French window on the loggia: materials used to make
For the production of modern panoramic windows, only high-quality materials are used, since the window design must withstand the considerable weight of the glass panels. The most popular materials for the manufacture of window frames are wood, plastic and aluminum.
Metal-plastic windows
Metal-plastic windows доступны по цене и требуют минимум ухода. Недостатком французских окон из металлопластикового профиля является небольшой срок службы.
Wooden windows
French windows made of natural wood, the most expensive for the price, but have undeniable advantages. Such windows have a noble appearance and a much longer life in comparison with plastic windows. For the production of frames, wood of such breeds as larch, pine or oak is used.
Aluminum windows
French windows, made of aluminum profile, are comparable in price to wooden windows, they also feature the longest service life. The window profile of aluminum can be painted in a large number of colors, and also has a different shape, which can be selected to your liking.
What should be the correct installation of the French window
To ensure that your new panoramic window lasts long and does not cause problems, it must be installed correctly. Best of all, if the installation will deal with professional installers of windows that will give a guarantee for their work.
Installation of the French window is performed in the following order:
- Dismantling the standard balcony block and changing the geometry of the window opening to a new window;
- Installation of a window frame in an aperture with installation of window shutters;
- Alignment and fixing of the structure;
- Filling joints with mounting foam followed by waterproofing
