Balcony glazing protects the building structures Object library for

Balcony glazing protects the building structures
Object library for balcony balustrades
and balcony glazing systems
Views of three architects
1
Contents
Space on the edge
3
Finland is a pioneer in balcony glazing systems
4
Everyone loves balconies
6
Timo Vormala. Helsingin Pronssikallio
7
Stefan Ahlman, Veneentekijänkaari
8
Juha Mutanen, Espoon Huvilinnanpuisto
10
Design: Architectural Office Stefan Ahlman
13
Glazed balconies can be used for many purposes
16
Glazed balconies improved quality of life for the elderly
16
Doctor of Balcony Science
18
Balcony glazing protects the building structures
20
Tested solutions
22
From St. Petersburg to Nahodka
24
Balcony glazing, Mediterranean style and Lebanon
26
Scandinavian co-operation
28
Sea breezes add spice to high-rise living
28
Playing by the rules
30
Object library for balcony balustrades
and balcony glazing systems
The Lumon Group’s customer magazine
for partners and interest groups.
Published by: Lumon Oy
Kaitilankatu 11, 45130 KOUVOLA, Finland
Tel. +358 (0)5 740 900
Editor-in-Chief:
Tapani Kinnunen, Tel. +358 (0)5 740 900
Editorial Staff:
Jyrki Hutri, Erkki Hilliaho, Seppo Välimäki
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Advertising Agency Kari Eklund DM Oy
Printed by: Painorauma Oy
Edition: 5 000 copies
ISSN: 1459- 0352
31
Space on the edge
Residential buildings must fulfil a number of different needs. One of the most
important things that must be taken into account during the design of residential
buildings is the way in which individual dwellings relate to the outdoors. In blocks
of flats, one answer is to add balconies to the building. Balconies form a major
element in the design of flats – a delicate zone between the interior space and
the outdoors.
For residents, balconies are a key factor in the enhancement of living comfort, as
they provide a connection to the building’s external natural or urban environment. Balconies help residents to interact with the physical and social world that
surrounds their home. The balcony provides a channel through which the residents can enjoy the environment from within their home, while also giving them
the opportunity to relate to other people how they live. Well-designed balconies
re-create the feeling of activity and human scale in residential areas, something
which is sometimes hard to find.
Our need, on the one hand, to withdraw from the rest of the world and to protect ourselves and, on the other hand, to open up to the outer world varies,
depending on the time of year, time of day and our mood. Therefore, we must
be able to modify the zone between the private home and the public outdoor
environment. The ways of life in different parts of Europe have developed in different ways and at different times. The reasons for these differences are,
undoubtedly, related to the climate, population density and cultural differences.
However, the need to relate to the outdoors and to control this link is something
that all people have in common, irrespective of where they live. In a country
such as Finland, with a dramatically variable climate and changing seasons, the
need to be able to control the link to the outdoors is straightforward. Balconies
not fitted with glazing are, in practice, useless for more than six months a year.
Occupants want to make the most of the warmth of summer, the sunlight and
perhaps even enjoy the sounds and scents of summer whenever possible. If the
balcony is big enough and is equipped with easily moveable panes, the balcony
can be used as an invaluable extension to the flat for a longer period of time
throughout the year irrespective of the weather.
We at Lumon have a comprehensive approach to the design of balconies. Balcony structures, including balustrades, glazing systems, balcony dividing walls
and additional structures, are continuously exposed to the elements and, therefore, require careful design. Our ability to manage balcony projects from beginning to end is a great benefit when integrating the different balcony structures in
terms of technology, functionality and aesthetics.
Thanks to its flexibility and versatility, the Lumon system offers many ways to
implement design ideas and build balconies and spaces with a different
perspective. However, as demands increase, we must be able to provide new
ways of creating flexible living space. This will mean new elements and even a
new approach to exterior design. We at Lumon are ready to face these challenges and to participate in the development of the zone between interior and
exterior spaces together with architects and other partners in the building
industry.
Pete Lattunen
3
Glazed balconies are an essential part of the facades of Aaria, Serenaadi, Duetto and Sonaatti, NCC
Finland Oy’s housing estates on Bulevardi street in the centre of Helsinki.
Finland is a pioneer in
balcony glazing systems
Finland’s northern location and snowy winters are one reason for
the popularity of balcony glazing systems in this country. Glazing
extends the period that balconies can be used long into the
autumn and, in addition, allows you to start enjoying your balcony
early in the spring. Why, then, haven’t people in other countries
realised the opportunities that balcony glazing could offer them?
Balcony glazing offers an even greater benefit in southern countries, because glazed balconies can be used all year round.
Glazed balconies provide architects with the opportunity to
design impressive facades that
make the appearance of buildings more interesting. Corner and
bay windows would improve the
appearance of buildings, but the
higher cost of such solutions often
means that simpler design structures must be used. Balcony glazing provides a more cost-efficient
alternative, because all blocks of
flats currently have balconies.
As glass is a light and impressive building material, it has
become increasingly popular as
a facade material. Aluminium,
which is used in balcony glazing
systems together with glass, is a
4
light and durable material. Powder coating allows the aluminium
components to be painted in the
same colour as the other materials used in the building. Glass and
aluminium together make an aesthetic and practical alternative.
Flat buyers demand
balcony glazing
’Almost all of the new flats we sell
nowadays are fitted with glazed
balconies,’ says Riikka Korkia-aho,
who sells flats for NCC Finland Oy.
’Balcony glazing has become
almost a standard feature.
A glazed balcony effectively
means that there is an extra room
in the flat. Our customers have
started to demand balcony glazing. If a block of flats does not
have glazed balconies, people
often ask whether it is possible to
retrofit glazing to the balconies.
’When people come to look at
a flat that has a glazed balcony,
they start planning the balcony
furnishing right away. People
have all kinds of plans for using
glazed balconies. For example,
some people want to use their
balcony as a conservatory. For
others, a glazed balcony means
extra space, particularly if the
balcony adjoins the living room.
‘I think balcony glazing systems are excellent. I like most of
all those systems where the panes
can be opened and stowed
away. If I was to buy a flat, it
would definitely have to have a
glazed balcony.’
Builders appreciate
component trade
Skanska Etelä-Suomi Oy is building a housing estate in Meilahti,
Helsinki. The flats in the housing
estate, Pronssikallio, are fairly
large, as the average size is
97 m 2 . The flats have one to three
bedrooms. ’All flats are fitted with
glazed balconies,’ says Simo
Laihi, general foreman at Skanska
Etelä-Suomi Oy. ’Some of the flats
even have two glazed balconies
facing south and west. As the building is located on Paciuksenkatu
street which has fairly heavy traffic, balcony glazing provides
better protection against
traffic noise.
’The share of flats with balcony
glazing has increased in the
blocks of flats we have built. Residents demand that their balconies be glazed. This is a good
trend from the builder’s point of
view, because balcony glazing
increases the service life of balconies. The balustrades are made
from aluminium, which is a corrosion-free and maintenance-free
material. And we mustn’t forget
that glazing also protects balconies from rain and snow.
’Lumon supplies the balcony
glazing systems to our houses.
Lumon has standardised balustrade solutions, and the opinions
of architects have been taken
into account in the design of the
glazing systems. Lumon is responsible for the structural design of
these solutions and has them
approved by the building inspection authorities. The Lumon service also includes installation, so
that all we have to do is accept
the finished product.
’This approach is beneficial to
all parties. If we had to design the
balcony glazing systems from
scratch each time, additional
costs would be incurred and, as a
consequence, the price of the
flats would be higher. In addition,
from the residents’ point of view,
of course it is cheaper to have the
balconies fitted with glazing systems in the first place than to
have them retrofitted separately
for each flat.’
5
The housing estate Helsingin Pronssikallio was
designed by architect Timo Vormala. The
designer is satisfied with the factory-made yet
light and aesthetic balcony solutions.
“In new buildings, glazed balconies can now
virtually be considered a standard,” says Riikka
Korkia-aho, who sells dwellings for NCC Finland.
Simo Laihi, general foreman at
Skanska Etelä-Suomi Oy, is pleased
with Lumon’s prefabricated components.
Balconies became an increasingly popular addition to
flats in the 1930s, when functionalism was the mainstream
design style. The inclusion of a balcony has become a
fundamental right for residents. It is a place where urban
citizens can enjoy the outdoors and a lighter, more open
home. For an architect, a balcony is a way of introducing
depth, rhythm, repetition and contrasts to the facade, in
addition to being used as an element that increases resident comfort.
Let us have a closer look at three projects where balconies are an essential part of the general appearance of
the building and of the way of living.
Everyone
loves balconies
6
The location by the sea and considerable differences in height create
interesting living environments in the centre of the city of Helsinki.
We have always wanted to see far, and an impressive landscape is
a mark of high-quality urban dwellings. But how can the designers
ensure that the view can be enjoyed by the residents?
Professor, architect
Timo Vormala
Helsingin Pronssikallio
Design: Architectural Office Gullichsen Vormala Arkkitehdit Ky
You can see far from a height
Our example housing estate, Helsingin Pronssikallio, is located in
Meilahti, close to the centre of the
city of Helsinki. The housing estate
Pronssikallio, which means ’Bronze
Rock’ in English, stands on a high
rock. From the crest of the rock
there’s an impressive view over
the woods in Meilahti, and from
the top floors you can see as far
as the shorelines of Lauttasaari
island. ’We had drawn up a preliminary plan to develop the plot
years ago, and the area has
been part of the town plan for ten
years,’ says architect Timo Vormala, who designed the estate.
’Actual design work was commissioned 18 months ago by Skanska.
Now we have already completed
two single-entrance blocks of flats
in the area. The standard of quality of the flats can be characterised as extremely high.’
Lots of space and terraces
full of atmosphere
According to Vormala, balconies
are part of modern living in blocks
of flats. ’Balconies can be used
throughout the year and have
increasingly become an
extension to the living
room. And in buildings
where there are
exceptional views,
such as Pronssikallio, balconies have an
even more
important
role.’ All the
flats in Pronssikallio have
an unob• established in 1973
structed
• number of employees 18
view to the
• References: the start block of the
south and
Näkin puisto estate, residential buildings
west. ’All balFokka and Spinnu in Ruoholahti, Meritähti
in Lauttasaari, Kesäkatu
Architectural Office
Gullichsen
Vormala
Arkkitehdit Ky
7
conies are spacious and, of
course, glazed, which is typical of
modern design and reflects the
standard of quality of the flats.’
’We wanted residents to be
able to enjoy the view also from
indoors. Therefore, we used
Lumon’s aluminium structures and
clear glass panes in the balustrades. Wooden slats were laid on
the balcony floors to emphasise
the terrace-like atmosphere.’
High-quality balcony glazing
and durable balustrades
The Architectural Office Gullichsen
Vormala Arkkitehdit Ky has extensive experience of similar projects.
’We have used Lumon’s balcony
glazing systems and balustrade
elements in a number of projects.
Thanks to its excellent corrosion
resistance, aluminium has
become a strong competitor for
steel.’
continued
Architect Stefan Ahlman
In Helsinki, the sea is an essential element of the landscape.
For many people, houses built by the sea with a sea view represent top-quality urban housing.
Veneentekijänkaari
Design: Architectural Office Stefan Ahlman
Urban living by the sea
Lauttasaari is an urban district by
the sea in Helsinki. The new development at Veneentekijänkaari
street represents a clear, industrial
style that is characteristic of
architect Ahlman. ’SATO commissioned us with a challenging job:
all the flats were to be of equal,
high quality,’ recalls the architect.
’However, as the flats were
financed without a state subsidy,
we were able to think about solutions suitable to the standard of
quality required by residents.
There were more building blocks
to play with, so to say.’
Lauttasaari attracts people
who appreciate high-quality
housing and are sea-minded. The
appeal of the Veneentekijänkaari
estate is, indeed, based on its
location: it is near the centre of
the city yet in the middle of a
marine environment. The location
demanded a lot from the designer. The buildings had to fit into a
densely built neighbourhood,
while they also had to look good
in the surrounding seascape.
’Balconies play an important
role in this building because of
the scenery. On the one hand,
residents must have an unobstructed view of the waterfront
continued from overleaf
boulevard and on the other, the
wind is always blowing from the
sea, which means that the balconies must be protected from the
wind. In addition, it is important
that residents can use their balconies as a cosy, intimate space
where they can entertain their
guests and spend time with their
family. Therefore, we had to reconcile an unobstructed view with
sufficient privacy and protection
from the elements.’
Glass was the key word!
’We achieved our objective
by using translucent glass
for the balconies’ sides
to provide privacy
from the neighbours. An unobstructed front
view was provided by using
transparent
glass balustrades, and
•
the balcony
•
glazing
•
offered the
necessary
protection
against the
wind. The glass
and metal bal-
cony elements were supplied by
Lumon, our long-time and ever
reliable partner.’
’A compact town plan requires
exacting architecture, as was the
case with this project. However,
balcony elements and pillars are
always less than perfect. Luckily,
any variations can be corrected
by using glass and metal facade
elements. We architects can use
them to create an entity that fits
in with the environment, can be
accurately measured and looks
neat. I wouldn’t say, though, that
the Lumon people had an easy
job when they had to match
accurately measured products
from the precision-metal industry
with less precise concrete products. That requires skill and the
ability to co-operate.’
Ahlman has realised a number
of building projects with Lumon.
’Lumon always has a good overall
picture of the entire project.
Lumon people understand their
role in the finishing of a building
and provide customers with their
know-how and problem-solving
skills rather than just off-the-shelf
solutions!’
Architectural Office
Arkkitehtitoimisto
Stefan Ahlman
8
established in 1981
number of employees 11
References: Helsinki Conservatory of
Music, Theatre Academy of Finland, Poly
technic Arcada, the Compaq headquar
ters, the Kalljärvi Parish Hall. In addition,
several residential buildings, industrial
plants, renovation projects etc.
9
Architect Juha Mutanen
The Helsinki Metropolitan area attracts newcomers from all parts of
Finland. There is, consequently, great demand for houses. The most
popular housing districts are rapidly becoming full. This means that
small-scale blocks of flats where the needs of residents are taken
into account must be constructed on small plots of land.
Housing estate
Espoon Huvilinnanpuisto
Desing: Architectural Office Mutanen-Salminen-Vaarna Oy
’In 1999 the Architectural Office
Arkkitehtuuritoimisto MutanenSalminen-Vaarna Oy was commissioned to design housing estate Espoon Huvilinnanpuisto. The
estate consists of two 4–5-storey
single-entrance buildings with a
total of 32 flats. The division of flats
is typical: most of the flats have
one or two bedrooms, while flats
with four bedrooms and a terrace
are located on the top floors,’
explains architect Juha Mutanen,
who was responsible for the
design of the project together
with Elina Seppänen. ’Housing
estate Espoon Huvilinna is privately financed and represents highquality owner-occupancy. The
interior design corresponds to the
general level of flats on the market – including parquet floors and
tiled bathrooms. Flats of such high
quality absolutely must have spacious glazed balconies.’
Small is beautiful
The buildings are characterised by
a small foundation area. ’As the
plot was small, the land had to be
continued from overleaf
thanks to the large windows, while
also serving as an extra room.
Mutanen strongly believes in the
benefits of balcony glazing. ’Given
our climate, balcony glazing
lengthens the period when balconies can be used by at least one
month in the spring and another in
the autumn.’ Mutanen thinks that
lines of balconies are also an
excellent design opportunity for
architects. ’Thanks to glass balustrades and balcony glazing, balconies form a single design element that can be used to create
rhythm and an impressive look to
the facade when necessary or,
alternatively, an unbroken surface.
In this project, we used Lumon’s
balustrade system and Lumon’s
toughened glass for the sliding
panes. The top floors with terraces
have been fitted with storey-high
terrace glazing. The balconies are
partly recessed into the frame of
the building, partly outside the
frame. We used perforated metal
plate to separate balconies located next to each other; the perforations let some light through,
while the metal plate blocks the
view of the neighbouring flat and
provides shade from the sun when
necessary.’
Mutanen got to know about
Lumon’s balustrade solutions some
three years ago. ’I was designing a
housing estate with 248 flats near
the Puistola railway station in Helsinki. When the client suggested
that Lumon’s balustrade system be
used in the buildings, I contacted
Lumon and asked if they were
interested in designing a balustrade system suitable for this
project. They were, and we have
worked in close co-operation ever
since.’
used efficiently,’ says Mutanen.
However, an architect sees this as
an opportunity rather than a limitation. ’Usually the courtyard area
of blocks of flats is not to scale or is
bordered by high buildings. This
time we were able to create a
small, resident-friendly courtyard.
The outdoor recreational spaces
and the nearest children’s sandbox are located on the buildings’
own plot, under a pergola that
creates an intimate atmosphere. The other outdoor
areas for residents,
such as a play
ground, a place for
Arkkitehtitoimisto, Architectural Office
beating and airing carpets and
clothes lines are
located in the
communal
courtyard.’
• established in 1996
• References: Shopping centre Jumbo,
Visible yet
a residential quarter next to
sheltered
the Puistola railway station in Helsinki,with
Balconies pro248 flats, residential quarter in
vide small flats
Perkkaa, Espoo,with 151 flats; housing
with a feeling
estate Helsingin Sini, with 61 flats, the
of space,
centres of the Espoonlahti and Kivenlahti districts in Espoo
Mutanen-SalminenVaarna Oy
10
jatkuu seuraavalle aukeamalle
11
jatkuu edelliseltä aukeamalta
12
Glazed balconies
can be used for many purposes
Glazed balconies have something to offer for everyone. The housing company and the residents
can reduce building maintenance costs.
Architects are able to design more versatile flats and more interesting facades. Residents have an impressive,
comfortable outdoor space that has
all the benefits of a heated indoor space and can be used for most of the
year. When a flat is up for sale, a glazed balcony may be the decisive
buying factor. No wonder the popularity of glazed balconies is dramatically
increasing.
continued
13
jatkuu edelliseltä
aukeamalta
continued
from overleaf
“If a customer wants to have his or her balcony retrofitted
with a glazing system, we examine the case carefully. In
most cases, retrofitting is possible,” explains Jorma
Vesanen, customer service manager at NCC Finland.
Additional floor space
as you like it
Wouldn’t we all like to have additional space at home? Glazed
balconies, which are not included
in the floor area of properties, can
be used for many purposes. Why
not place a dining table on the
balcony for a cosy breakfast or a
cup of coffee in the evening? If
you have green fingers, you can
turn your balcony into a green
paradise. Babies can have naps
safely on the balcony. The balcony is a perfect place for sitting in
a hanging chair and simply taking
it easy, or for reading, knitting,
weight-lifting, playing darts,
repairing a bike… Glazed balconies can be used for virtually any
purpose you care to name.
Retrofitted balcony
glazing
’Some flats built by NCC Finland
Oy have glazed balconies fitted
as a standard,’ explains Jorma
Vesanen, Customer Service Manager at NCC Finland Oy. ’We
design light, open balconies that
require glazing. For example,
under-the-roof flats have been
provided with covered terrace
space. The terraces of first-floor
“VVO’s residents can have their balconies retrofitted with glazing systems
if they like,” says Helena Huusko, service manager of VVO Kiinteistövastuu.
flats can also be fitted with glazing, so that part of the yard is covered. We have priced these additions separately and quote the
extra price to the customers, so
that they can estimate the total
cost incurred.
‘Our operations are steered by
the customers’ needs. In practice,
retrofitting starts from the floor
plans. Digital drawings help us to
present alternatives to our finished
projects, the architect finds out
about the required permits, and
then on we go from there. We
never say no before determining
what we can do. For example,
one of our customers wanted to
have an additional balcony on
the second floor; we acquired the
permits and concluded a building
contract with the customer.’
Rented flats can also have
glazed balconies
’Our new buildings are always fitted with glazed balconies to
reduce noise if the building is next
to a busy street or railway,’ says
Service Manager Helena Huusko
of VVO Kiinteistövastuu, a corporation that owns a large number
of rented flats. ’Most of the balcony glazing systems are retrofitted
14
to the buildings we own. As an
extra, residents can have their
balconies fitted with glazing systems and then pay an increased
rent. The amount of the increase
depends on the number of
glazed walls.
‘Almost all balconies can be
retrofitted with glazing systems if
the residents so desire. The only
exceptions are those balconies
the structure of which makes it
more or less impossible to retrofit a
glazing system; luckily, these
exceptions are rare. In some cases, residents have to wait for their
balcony glazing systems. If we
know that the facade of a building will be repaired within the
next three years, the balcony
glazing systems will not be fitted
before that.
‘A balcony glazing system can
also be fitted separately to a single flat even if the block of flats
has no glazed balconies at all.
Lumon takes care of the application of permits for the housing
company. An inquiry is sent to the
other residents to find out if other
people are interested in acquiring
a balcony glazing system at the
same time. Lumon organises
evening meetings with the resi-
dents so that they will be able to
see finished glazing systems
before making up their minds.
‘If the housing company
already has glazed balconies, the
resident who would like to have
his or her balcony glazed must
start the procedure by ringing the
house manager at Kiinteistövastuu. The resident is asked to sign
a contract that specifies the price
of the balcony glazing system.
After that, a Lumon representative
measures the balcony and installs
the glazing system.
‘Balcony glazing systems have
become popular for a number of
reasons. A glazed balcony means
that the balcony can be used for
longer during the year, and it also
provides extra space. Most residents are very content with their
balcony glazing systems. In some
individual cases, however, residents have not understood that a
balcony glazing system does not
make the balcony completely
watertight.
VVO has 40,000 flats in Finland.
Balcony glazing systems are
becoming increasing popular in
our flats.’
15
“The residents of the service home are pleased with the balcony glazing systems. They can now
safely use their balconies to get a breath of fresh air, do their hobbies or keep up to date with
what is going on outside,“ says Pekka Heiskanen, director of the Käpylä Service Centre in Kouvola.
Glazed balconies
- improved quality of life for the elderly
The Käpylä Service Centre in Kouvola, eastern Finland,
includes 72 service flats and a home for 12 people suffering from dementia. The service centre consists of two renovated buildings and a new building, with a combined
floor area of 6,321 m 2 . The service flats vary in size from
bed-sitters to flats with two rooms and a combined living
room and kitchen. This private service centre selects residents according to their health.
16
The average age of the residents
in the service flats is 80.4 years.
Old age has led to deteriorated
health; for example, residents
may be physically challenged or
suffer from memory problems or
some other ailment that prevents
them from moving about outdoors independently. Each flat in
the service centre is provided with
a glazed balcony, and some flats
even have two. Thanks to the
glazed balconies, residents can
get out in the fresh air whenever
they like, follow what’s going on in
the street or the yard, enjoy the
changing seasons or, for example,
do a little bit of gardening on
their own balcony.
’Glazed balconies definitely
improve the quality of life for the
elderly,’ says service centre manager. ’If people who are selecting
a service flat have a choice of
one with a glazed balcony, that’s
the one they’ll take, definitely. A
glazed balcony means that you
have an extra room where you
can enjoy summer for six months
of the year and where you can
pursue many kinds of hobbies.
Glazing protects the balcony from
rain, snow and wind. Balconies
are furnished by the relatives of
our residents, who are only too
pleased to be able to make use
of the extra space. Many of our
residents have a swing bench or
other garden furniture on the balcony. Beautiful summer flowers
are a treat for the eyes, and balcony gardening is an important
hobby for many people.’
Safety and pastime
’Physically challenged people are
able to enjoy the outdoors on a
glazed balcony, and wheelchairs
can also easily be rolled on to the
balcony. If you have memory
problems, you can have a
breathe of fresh air without the
fear of getting lost outdoors,’
explains Pekka Heiskanen. ’It was
an extremely good idea to design
balconies so that part of the balustrade is made of glass. It’s now
easy to see out even if you are sitting in a wheelchair. Glass balustrades give more light to the flat
and improve the appearance of
the building. In addition, balcony
glazing improves safety for elderly
people, because glazing also
provides efficient protection
against burglaries.
’Our glazed balconies face in
two directions. On one side of the
building, balconies face a children’s day care centre that operates in the same grounds as the
service centre, and you can also
see the main entrance to the
church next door to these balconies. Therefore, our residents can
sit on their balconies, as if on a
box seat, and watch children play
on the yard or follow summer
weddings in the church-yard.
Some of the other balconies face
a sheltered inner yard.
’In addition to the balconies of
each flat, we have common
glazed balconies on each floor
and at each entrance staircase.’
Easy to use and maintain
’Glazed balconies are easy to
keep clean. There are lots of pine
trees in the vicinity of the service
centre, but the glazing prevents
the pine needles from getting on
to the balconies, so that you have
less cleaning up to do. In the winter, what could be easier than
give your bedclothes a good airing on a glazed balcony. As the
glazed balcony is at the front of
the flat, the glazing prevents wind
from coming into contact with the
exterior walls of the building and
therefore keeps the flat warmer.
This saves energy. In the long run,
we will also be able to cut maintenance costs,’ believes Pekka
Heiskanen.
Architect Tarmo R. Paju has successfully used glazed
balconies in the Käpylä Service Centre in Kouvola.
17
Jari Heikkilä completed his
doctoral decree at the
University of Oulu in 1996.
Doctor of
Balcony Science
Balconies can be examined from many points of view.
For residents, they increase living comfort; for architects, they are a design element, and for housing companies, they are something that requires maintenance.
“I wanted to pick a practical topic,” says Jari Heikkilä when he talks
about the subject of his doctoral
dissertation. “I teach at the University of Oulu in the Department of
Architecture. During the practical
courses held in our department,
students are taught among other
things to design a block of flats. In
Finland, flat dwellers like to have
balconies, and I noticed that very
little research on balconies had
been previously carried out, even
though there were some 900,000
balconies in Finland in 1996. One of
the things I studied in my doctoral
dissertation was balcony glazing,
as architects tended to have two
opposing attitudes towards it.
Some architects accepted balcony glazing, whereas others did not.
The greatest concern was the
effect of glazed balconies on the
townscape. I wanted to find out
what balcony glazing was all
about.”
Jari Heikkilä’s doctoral dissertation examined balconies from
many points of view, including their
history, architecture, technology
and resident satisfaction.
Balconies reflect their time
In Finland, the first balconies were
built in blocks of flats in the 1930s.
Pulmonary tuberculosis was common at that time, and was treated
by having patients lie outdoors so
that they could get fresh air and
be exposed to the sun. It was considered that balconies promoted
health. Another factor that boosted the spread of balconies was
democratic ideology, according
to which balconies, which were
previously built only in upper-class
residential houses, were also made
available to the working class.
In the 1960s people started to
discuss the functions of residential
buildings, which had an effect on
the way in which space was used
in flats. Housing research led to
detailed design instructions concerning the different rooms in flats,
and size requirements were
extended to include balconies.
The need to protect balcony
18
structures from the elements arose
in the 1990s. Residents wanted to
control the conditions on their balconies themselves. In Finland and
in other northern countries, balcony glazing extends the use of balconies by up to 14 weeks a year,
i.e. by more than three months.
Technical point of view
The doctoral dissertation also
looked at the size, orientation and
safety of balconies, as well as
drainage and the effect of noise,
wind and sun on balconies. The
research included an evaluation of
the condition of Finnish balconies
and their renovation requirements.
Residents’ evaluations
Jari Heikkilä examined the opinions
of residents concerning their balconies; the sample consisted of
1000 flats. The respondents were
asked to give their opinions on the
size of their balcony, balcony furniture, the way they use their balcony and their satisfaction with their
balcony. The study included a
comparison of open and glazed
balconies. Fifteen per cent of the
respondents had a glazed balcony; this percentage was approximately the same as it was in 1996
in the entire country.
As regards glazed balconies,
the result was unambiguous. All
respondents were completely satisfied with their balconies and
thought that the benefits of a balcony glazing system more than
compensated for the expenses
incurred.
Respondents belonging to the
oldest age groups were least satisfied with their balconies. They considered that their balconies were
generally too small. The users of an
open balcony reported the following problems related to the use of
the balcony: rain and snow, dust
and dirt, wind and noise, in that
order of importance. The users of a
glazed balcony reported that they
had started to use their balcony
more, both on a daily basis and
throughout the year since their balcony was glazed. Cleaning had
also become easier.
Among the respondents who
had had their balconies glazed,
94% considered that problems
caused by the wind had
decreased;
98% considered that problems
caused by the rain and snow had
decreased;
88% considered that noise had
decreased;
93% considered that there was
less dust and dirt.
All experiences related to the
use of glazed balconies were very
positive. No one reported any
drawbacks, not even when asked
if there were any.
Conclusions
“Balcony glazing systems improve
the quality of housing and their use
should, therefore, be encouraged.
Balcony glazing systems are technically simple as they are maintenance-free and do not include
parts or mechanisms that wear out
or break,” explains Jari Heikkilä. “All
the parties involved in the construction of flats, designers, builders, manufacturers and residents,
currently understand the benefits
of balcony glazing systems.
“When buildings are renovated,
it is always recommended that
balconies are fitted with glazing
systems. When new buildings are
designed, balconies should be
glazed in the first place or, if this is
not possible for some reason, provisions should be made during the
design phase for the subsequent
addition of balcony glazing.
“Balconies reflect the period
when the building was built. Old
buildings often have small balconies. With old balconies it is often
technically and aesthetically difficult to install glazing. However, in
most blocks of flats, built since the
1960s, balconies can usually be
glazed without the appearance of
the building being radically
changed.
“People were initially afraid that
balcony glazing would have an
adverse effect on the uniform
townscape and building facades,
but these attitudes have since
reversed. Balconies have offered
architects with a new, threedimensional element in the design
of blocks of flats. Glazing has provided designers with a new, light
facade material. Thanks to spacious glazed balconies, interesting
facades of different types can now
be designed and townscapes
have become attractive.
“The idea of building balconies
came to Finland from the Mediterranean countries in the 1930s.
However, balcony glazing is a Finnish innovation, and balcony glazing systems have also become
important export products. Glazed
balconies are now becoming
increasingly common in the Mediterranean countries.”
jatkuu seuraavalle aukeamalle
19
Special researcher Jussi Mattila, Tampere University of Technology
Balcony glazing protects
the building structures
The effect of balcony glazing on the maintenance interval of balconies has now been studied for the fi rst time. Researchers at the Tampere University of Technology have developed a device and a
measuring method that can monitor the progress of building deterioration. Jussi Mattila, special researcher at the Tampere University
of Technology specialising in construction engineering, is the main
researcher in this project that started in 1998.
The research project will continue
until at least the end of 2002. The
idea is to gather information on
the deterioration that weather
causes to balconies and buildings.
Three blocks of flats, completed in 1978, are included in the
study. Two blocks of flats are
located in Tampere, central Finland, and one is near the coast, in
Suvela, Espoo, near Helsinki. Both
glazed and unglazed balconies
are monitored in all the buildings
included in the study. The balconies that are being studied face
south or west, i.e. the directions in
which deterioration usually occurs
the fastest.
Promising results
“The study monitors the progress
of corrosion in the reinforcements
of concrete structures, as corro-
20
sion of the reinforcements correlates with the weathering of concrete,” explains special researcher
Jussi Mattila. “The speed of corrosion of the reinforcements makes it
possible to estimate the progress
of deterioration of the concrete.
The condition of the structures is
being monitored continuously. The
data is recorded by measuring
devices and transmitted to the
Tampere University of Technology
via a mobile phone.
“During the eighteen-month
monitoring period researchers
have already gathered clear evidence that balcony glazing does
protect balconies. Balcony glazing helps to keep balconies dry
because it almost completely
prevents rainwater from getting
on to the balcony. The weakening
of concrete structures has been
30% or even 50% slower on glazed
The study compares the
condition of the structures of
glazed and unglazed
balconies over several years.
balconies. The longer the monitoring period, the more reliable the
results will be, because weather
conditions change from year to
year.”
Conclusions
“Balcony glazing systems also
have other technical advantages
as well as protecting the structures,” continues Jussi Mattila.
“Glazed balconies are on average 2–2.5 o C warmer than
unglazed balconies all year
round. While a higher temperature on the balcony helps structures to dry, it also saves energy
required for heating the building.
“Balcony glazing decreases
the need for maintenance of
building structures and coatings
in both new and refurbished
buildings.
“People know now that the
useful service life of concrete
structures depends on the maintenance work done. Best economies can be made when new
buildings are provided with
glazed balconies. If the balconies
of a building that is to be refurbished are subject to weathering,
balcony glazing can help to
extend their service life. Balconies
may not have to be renovated if
the situation is anticipated and
balconies are glazed.
“It goes without saying that I
am all for balcony glazing, mainly
for technical reasons. Balcony
glazing increases the service life
of balconies, cuts maintenance
costs and makes cleaning easier.
Balcony glazing also improves the
energy efficiency of buildings to
some extent despite that fact that
the doors to glazed balconies are
occasionally kept open more
often than doors to unglazed balconies. Other plus sides include
aesthetical considerations and
improved comfort.”
“The higher the floor on which
a balcony glazing system is
fitted, the greater stress the
panes must withstand,”
explains Panu Visa, Lumon’s
product development
manager.
Tested solutions
Testing is an important element of Lumon’s product development programme. Tests also help reassure customers that balcony glazing
structures are durable and can be used in different conditions. Lumon
works in close co-operation with the Technical Research Centre of
Finland (VTT). In addition, the most important test laboratory on the
international market for Lumon is the Institut für Fenstertechnik (ift),
based in Rosenheim, Germany.
“Our product development
work is continual. In addition
to laboratory tests, we also
carry out research work in real
field conditions,” describes
Markku Lehtonen, Lumon’s
technical director.
’Large customers are particularly
interested in our test results,’
explains Panu Visa, Lumon’s Product Development Manager. ’Test
results are also used to support
the strength calculations required
by building permit authorities.
’VTT’s tests are carried out to
analyse the effects of wind load
and the load resistance of hinged
glass panes that are opened.
Wind load is tested using a maximum of 1.5 kN/m 2 overpressure
and underpressure. Opened
hinged panes are loaded by
pressing them downwards from
the open corner with a force of
500 N. A closed hinged pane is
loaded horizontally with a force of
200 N. After the load test, the
pane is opened and shut several
times.’
Stricter requirements
at Rosenheim
’German standards are renown
for their strictness,’ says Panu Visa.
’When it comes to glass panes
used in balcony glazing systems,
the strictness of the requirements
is well founded. As balcony glazing systems are also used in high
buildings, glass panes must meet
more stringent wind load requirements. Window structures are tested in accordance with the DIN EN
77 standard, according to which
the maximum wind load which
they are subjected to is 2.6 kN/m 2
22
in the most demanding load
class. Tests carried out by the ift
are highly appreciated in Central
and Southern Europe. The wind
load test includes parts that test
the fatigue caused to structures
by recurrent stress. Structures are
also subjected to dynamic loads.
’In the test, the entire balcony
glazing structure is subjected to
wind load. The load is transferred
to the aluminium profiles via the
components. The tests showed
that Lumon’s glazing structures
withstood a wind load of 4
kN/m 2 . Lumon’s balcony glazing
systems with a large pane area
have been installed in a
100 -metre high building in Vienna; the balcony glazing system
has withstood the wind loads well.
Thicker, 8 or 10 mm, glass is used
in the balcony structures in high
buildings.
’Plastic components are also
tested. Plastic components made
from polyamide are subjected to
UV and thermal ageing tests.’
All metal components and
brackets used in Lumon’s balcony
glazing systems are corrosionresistant as they are made from
acid-resistant steel, stainless steel
or aluminium.
More warmth all year round
’Glazed balconies breathe,
because they are not completely
airtight while at the same time
they resist moisture well. Thermal
expansion is taken into account
when the system is installed. Studies have shown that glazed balconies retain the heat from the
sun efficiently even in extremely
cold weather. When the temperature is -20 o C outside and the sun
is shining, the temperature on a
glazed balcony easily goes
above zero.’
Less noise
The effect of balcony glazing systems on the noise level has also
been studied in Germany. ’The
test was carried out in laboratory
conditions,’ says Markku Lehtonen, Lumon’s Technical Director.
’In the test, there was a seal
between the glass panes. The
glazing reduced the noise by
12 decibels.
‘The ability of balcony glass
panes to reduce noise in real conditions, on real balconies, was
studied in Tampere, Finland. The
noise that was studied was
caused by a nearby railway and
ordinary traffic. Microphones
were installed both outside and
inside a glazed balcony. The noise
level outside was 50 -60 dB. On
the glazed balcony, railway noise
dropped by 8 dB and traffic noise
by 10 dB. This is a significant
reduction, because it means that
the perceived noise level is
reduced by 50%. When the normal 6 mm glass pane was
replaced with an 8 mm pane, the
noise was reduced by a further 2
dB.
’The building authorities would
have prohibited the inclusion of
balconies in this block of flats in
Tampere because of the noise.
However, the balcony glazing system reduced the noise level to
such an extent that a building
permit for balconies was granted.
When the aim is to reduce noise,
8 or 10 mm glass is often used in
balcony glazing systems,’ states
Markku Lehtonen.
23
Gazprom, Moskow
Kuntsevo, Moskow
From St. Petersburg to Nahodka
Lumon’s balcony glazing systems blend in well with the Russian building style.
Although Russia is a vast market area, Lumon’s operations are focused mainly
on St. Petersburg and Moscow. However, Lumon has delivered balcony glazing systems as far as Nahodka on Russia’s Pacific coast.
In Russia, Lumon’s balcony glazing systems have not only been fitted
to residential and business premises, but also to sports facilities. Russians, just like Finns, are hockey enthusiasts, so that local ice stadiums
throughout the country are regularly refurbished. The latest refurbishment project was in Yaroslavl, where the viewing boxes in the ice stadium were fitted with Lumon’s Elegant glazing system. The transportation, assembly and installation of the glazing system were carried
out by Planeta AL, Lumon’s local dealer. The work was carried out
smoothly and the result has more than pleased all the parties. Skanska East-Europe, the developer, already knew Lumon, as Lumon also
glazed the boxes in the St. Petersburg Ice Palace, which was the venue for the 2000 World Ice Hockey Championships.
In addition to Elegant glazing systems, which are handled by
local dealers, Lumon delivers finished products to Russia and installs
them itself.
24
25
Balcony glazing,
Mediterranean style
26
In countries with a warm climate, glazed balconies
provide an additional room that can be used
throughout the year. In Spain and Lebanon, glazed
balconies have become increasingly common.Costa
del Sol in Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The sun, the sea and the wealth of
leisure activities attract tourists from all parts of the
world. Some visitors like the Spanish way of living so
much that they decide to stay for good. The area
offers housing alternatives to suit every taste, and
and Lebanon
some apartments even have glazed balconies.
Hacienda Playa,
Marbella Malaga
The balconies of the Hacienda Playa housing
estate are extremely large, from 20 to 50 m 2 . Therefore, the developer, Nesgar Promociones, decided
to offer the residents the opportunity of having the
balconies glazed, so that the apartments would
have plenty of additional space at a low extra cost.
Residents were allowed to select the balcony glazing supplier themselves, and they unanimously
chose Lumon.
Because of the design of the balconies in Hacienda Playa, the balcony glazing systems could not
be attached to the balustrade. The glazing panes
extend from floor to ceiling, and the pane height is
an impressive 270 cm. The installation of large and
heavy panes required more employees than usual,
but everything went well and the residents are satisfied with their new balconies. So is the developer: a
new glazing project with Lumon is already in
progress!
Developer: Nesgar Promociones
Myramar Playa,
Fuengirola Malaga
After the Myramar Playa housing estate was
completed, residents started to wonder if their
balconies could be glazed. The company that
had built the housing estate was used to cooperating with Lumon, so the housing estate
gave Lumon full responsibility for designing and
installing the balcony glazing systems.
The different shapes of the balconies made
the implementation of the project challenging:
all balconies had at least four corners, while the
largest balconies had up to 15. However, installation work went smoothly and everyone is
pleased with the result. Residents are happy
because they get some extra space and the
management of the housing estate likes the
improved facade!
Design: Arquitectos de Myramar
Developer: Construcciones Myramar S.A.
27
Scandinavian co-operation
Lumon’s export operations in Scandinavia started almost ten years ago.
Currently, Svenska Lumon AB, a subsidiary of Lumon, is responsible for
the company’s operations in Sweden and Norway. Four independent
dealers also complement Lumon’s services in this market area.
Swedish and Norwegian architects have not only shown considerable interest in Lumon’s conventional balcony glazing systems but also the balustrade
systems, which have already been supplied to two large projects in both
countries.
Lumon’s latest project is the housing estate Östre Lie III in Halden, Norway.
When plans were being made to renovate the facade of the buildings, the
residents hoped that the usability of the balconies would be improved at the
same time. The solution was to install Lumon’s balustrades and glazing systems on the balconies. The renovation was designed by architectural firm
Moth Arkitekter AS and the developer was NCC Norway.
Lumon’s new partner in the Norwegian market is architectural firm
4B Arkitekter, which has designed several projects that incorporate Lumon’s
balustrades. At the request of 4B, Lumon has started studying the possibility
of including awnings in its balcony glazing systems.
28
Sea breezes
add spice to high-rise living
Living in a modern block of flats close to nature is probably a
Scandinavian custom. In 2002, Stockholm saw the completion of a
new high-quality residential area, Gåshaga Pirar, in a metropolitan
setting by the sea.
Gåshaga Pirar consists of 350 flats
the sizes of which vary from 69 to
182 m 2 . The most important
attraction of the area is its location, close to the sea. In addition
to the harbour, recreational walking routes and the built-up shore
area, the residents can enjoy a
first-class sea view. All the flats
have balconies, and most balconies face the sea. The balconies
foster a marine atmosphere in the
flats, but enough sea air can
sometimes be enough: the balcony glazing keeps out the wind,
which can sometimes become
quite strong.
White Arkitekter, the architectural firm responsible for designing
Gåshaga Pirar, announced at an
early stage of the project that
Lumon’s balcony glazing systems
would be used in the buildings.
The idea of using Lumon also suited Skanska, the developer of the
area, and the companies worked
in close co-operation during the
entire project.
Residents are happy with their
glazed balconies and put them to
good use. The developer and the
architectural office are also satisfied with the result: Gåshaga Pirar
will be expanded by adding three
new buildings, and Lumon is
already designing their balcony
glazing systems!
Gåshaga Pirar 1,2 and 3
Lidingö
Stockholm, Sweden
Developer: Skanska
Design: White Arkitekter
29
Lumon’s technical director Markku Lehtonen knows the EU
legislation related to the building of balconies inside out.
Playing by the rules
Balcony glazing has quickly become part of everyday life in Finland.
However, this has not always been the case. Lumon started to develop
balcony glazing systems as late as 1989, and the fi rst balcony glazing system was not installed until June 1990. The introduction of an innovative idea
always demands a lot of work, and balcony glazing systems were not an exception. The Lumon
people had to demonstrate the products, inform people, explain the benefits and agree upon
the best way of incorporating balcony glazing systems into construction projects on the
domestic market. The export market is now going through the same initial phase.
Safety is always a primary concern
in construction projects. The industry is regulated by international
standards and guidelines that
make work easier for designers,
suppliers and builders. However,
there are no such common guidelines in the field of balcony glazing.
‘Fortunately, the biggest problem
has been solved: a balcony that is
single glazed is always considered
an open, cold space and is, therefore, not included in the permitted
building volume or the floor area of
the flat. This makes permit procedures easier, particularly in the
case of new construction projects,’
explains Markku Lehtonen, Lumon’s
technical director. However,
detailed guidelines are yet to be
agreed upon. ‘There are no uniform EU standards in the field. The
standards regulating facade glazings can partly meet our needs,
but they are not sufficient at
present.’
Lumon was one of the first
companies to use toughened
glass in its balcony glazing. Frameless glass panes are a Finnish innovation that has been warmly welcomed in other European countries. Architects, in particular, have
been impressed by the potential
of frameless glass panes. ‘Toughened glass is manufactured in
accordance with EU standards.
There are separate standards for
the manufacture of aluminium
profiles and surface treatments,
but no standards or recommendations apply to the actual construction phase. This field is so new that
the legislators have trouble keeping pace with developments’.
Austria, Vienna
Standards benefit us all
‘We, of course, know the strength
of all of our products, right down
to the smallest components,’ says
Lehtonen. ‘All components have
been tested in Finnish and German research institutes. We have
used the test results and calculations to draw up our own recommendations that determine the
pane thickness and the maximum
glazing height for each project. In
practice, the lack of standards
30
means that our export marketing
people must check the regulations
and recommendations for each
individual target country, sometimes even for each individual
project. Standards would make
things easier for our partners, while
they would also help customers,
who are naturally interested in
product safety,’ explains Lehtonen. ‘A construction product
directive accepted by the EU is
required for balcony glazing systems, because it would specify the
product requirements set by the
construction project. Products
complying with the directive could
be labeled with the CE mark and
exported to other EU countries
with much less hassle.’
For a common cause
Although Lumon is the world’s largest balcony glazing manufacturer,
the entrepreneur’s good will alone
will not do. As glazing systems are
becoming increasingly common,
we need to co-operate with partners, both in Finland and overseas,
to draw up common standards.
The Lumon way of doing things
is to always take into consideration
the customers’ needs and expectations. However, common guidelines for the entire industry would
make things easier for all parties
involved. ‘Our most exacting overseas project to date has been a
35-storey tower block in Vienna.
Our tests convinced the client,
and the end result can be
described as gorgeous, with very
good reason!’
Architect
Pete Lattunen
Object library
for balcony balustrades
and balcony glazing systems
Architects rely on object libraries in their compute
raided design (CAD) work to help them model the different
components used in structural designs. Libraries of components such as kitchen fixtures and windows have been
available for some time, but now a library of Lumon’s glazed balconies has also become available
’Lumon’s balcony facades are
well designed, so they were also
easy to model,’ says Lauri Melvasalo of the software house
M.A.D. Oy, who implemented the
new product object library. ’Modelling was carried out in the same
way as usual using ArchiCAD,
which means that it will be easy
for designers to introduce the
models and to learn to use the
program. The library was tested
during its development phase
with Skanska projects so that
feedback on the usability and
applicability of the program
could be obtained from architects.
’The GDL (Geometric Description Language) object library
includes variable parameters,
such as materials, post spacing,
the method of attachment, the
shape of the handrail, and the
colour of the glass. The designer
uses the parameters to select and
fine-tune the required specifications for the object.’
Makes work easier
Component libraries can be considered as three-dimensional
product brochures that make it
possible to look at the object from
different directions and to evaluate different modifications. GDL
objects can be used in both
ArchiCAD and AutoCAD environments.
GDL shows the balcony alternatives in the way they will be in
reality. The object also includes
technical solutions, and it reduces
errors because the program prevents the selection of contradictory properties. For example, if the
shape of posts changes, the program automatically changes the
structure of the other components
to match the post alternative. The
bills of materials produced by the
program can be used for cost
estimates and ordering.
’When designing the balcony
balustrades and the glazing system, it is always advisable to
check that the original design
can be implemented and make
sure that there is no need to alter
it later because of technical or
production-related reasons. The
GDL object library provides an
efficient tool for this,’ explains
architect Pete Lattunen of Lumon.
’When the designer knows
right from the start what the alternatives are and has been able to
see them in 3-D, the end result will
be well thought-of and generally
accepted. This approach minimises overlaps in design work, which
could lead to poor compromises.’
Plenty of alternatives
’The GDL object includes a
number of parameters that can
all be modified. The different
combinations of these parameters provide a large number of
alternatives, so that the designer
is able to select the combination
that best suits his or her architech-
31
tural objectives,’ continues Pete
Lattunen.
’Although the GDL program
includes efficient design tools, we,
of course, still offer our usual support services. Designers can feel
free to ring us at any time and
make an appointment so that we
can together review the different
balcony glazing alternatives.
’The program is currently available in Finnish only, but an English
version will be available in the
near future. More information
www.lumon.com
www.lumon.com
2