An alternative to installing a metal-plastic frame is a glazing of a balcony with polycarbonate, it is fixed in a welded metal structure, has a low weight and beautiful appearance. This original design solution will decorate the facade of the house and is suitable for any interior due to the variety of shades manufactured.
In this article, we consider how to perform glazing with your own hands, what claims must be observed when working with cellular and monolithic polycarbonate.
Preparatory work
Balcony frame must be designed according to alleged loads.
We prepare the room to the installation of polycarbonate. Before starting the work, we calculate the permissible loads on the stove, we consider that the metal structure, welded to the wall, takes part of the load from the plane on the wall.
We prepare convenient approaches to the place of work.
We carry out the need for capital or planned repairs of the base of the balcony. On the stove accounts for all the load, so it should be in perfect condition, all existing cracks cleanse from dust, wetting and poured with concrete solution.
We strengthen or replace the metal railing, process steel by the anti-corrosion composition. If it is planned to use a balcony throughout the year as a residential premises, change the railing on the parapet of foam blocks.
Polycarbonate thickness choose depending on seasonality of the use of the room and the planned functional.
Calculation of material
To properly decide on the type of design and calculate the material, you must first draw a drawing on paper.
We measure the facade and side parts of the balcony area that are subject to glazing.
We calculate depending on the size of the polycarbonate sheet, how much material will go into waste. We compile a sheet of cutting to optimize the flow rate of the polymer.
Mounting polycarbonate with your own hands
We prepare the tools and buy the material. Transparent polymer will skip more light than matte. Installation of polycarbonate can be carried out by solid parts or small panels.
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Carbonate is well cut by a grinder or a stationery knife
You will need tools:
- Electric jigsaw, Bulgarian, screwdriver, drill;
- Construction level, roulette, construction knife;
- ladder.
Consider how to perform glazing the loggia and balcony with a polycarbonate with your own hands.
Stages of work:
- A metallic or aluminum frame is prepared. The frame is manufactured taking into account the thickness of the polycarbonate sheet. For the economy of a panel with a thickness of 6 to 16 mm, they are mounted on longitudinal supports in a step of 700 mm, for sheets with a thickness of more than 25 mm, a step can be up to 1050 mm.
- We cut on the necessary sizes with the help of a grinder or stationery knife. We take into account that the gap between the sheet and the frame should be 2, 5-4 mm. Drills in a sheet of holes under fasteners, they must be 1.5 mm larger than the diameter of the screw.
- The ends are coated with a special aluminum ribbon to protect against moisture and dust.
- Fresh polycarbonate to the frame on the self-tapping screw or screws on the clamping head locks (thermoshaba on the leg) thickness, slightly exceeding the same indicator for the sheet of material. This type of attachment protects the raw materials from the formation of cracks.
- After the installation of the installation work, all the joints with high-quality sealing silicone.
- Install the visor. For instructions on the installation of cellular polycarbonate, see this video:
Polycarbonate cannot perform the function of the carrier partition. In the process of mounting, sheets are aligned at the top edge. The side with ultraviolet protection must be turned towards the street.
Stage mounting nuances with arched bends
When mounting the roof of the arched or bending of the balcony, consider the maximum allowable bending radius of the sheet of the selected type of polycarbonate. Purchase material to allow the allowable bend radius was a little more than actually required.After installing the design of the arched edge of the edge of the connecting profiles, aligned with the jigsaw.
What you need to know when working with polycarbonate
In the course of work, the following features should be taken into account:
- The sheet is always installed by protective coating outward;
- The ends are rushed with a special aluminum ribbon or closed with plugs;
- The protective film is removed only after the end of the work, since the material has a small abrasive resistance, can scatter even with insignificant effects;
- When cutting out sheets and installing them to the ends to each other, we glue the seam by self-adhesive ribbon, then we close the end profile;
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If you set a colored polycarbonate, it will be beautifully playing glare when sunshine
Polycarbonate balcony looks very beautiful. This material protects against weather influences and retains warmth well.
Thanks to a wide range in various color shades, even the most bold designer project is easy to implement. Depending on the selected color sheets, the balcony will penetrate from 20 to 90% of natural light.