A balcony is the smallest and, for many people, the only form of private open space. This makes it all the more important to keep them usable for as long as possible throughout the year. Balcony glazing helps keep the balcony or loggia pleasant and comfortable even in transitional periods. Below we will explain how high the costs are using clear examples.
The influencing factors
If you want concrete figures at this point on which you can base the planning and financing of your balcony glazing, you will be disappointed. Unfortunately, there is currently no binding price list from which you can put together your own balcony and loggia project as you wish. Instead, the prices depend largely on the individual construction project. But why is that so? And what factors determine the price?
The Region
It may be easy to overlook this aspect at first. Like construction prices in general, those for glazing also vary greatly from region to region. Anyone who hires craftsmen in rural areas can usually expect a significantly lower price. There is also still a clear west-east divide, so that balcony glazing in western metropolitan areas is significantly more expensive than - as an extreme example - in the structurally weak, rural areas of the new federal states.
The execution
The technical implementation certainly has the greatest influence on costs. Just as in automobiles, for example, there is the illustrative and repeatedly quoted difference between a practical family van and a fast-paced sports car, the general technical setting, the materials and, last but not least, the construction details are also very variable in the case of glazing. You should therefore keep these aspects in mind when weighing up the prices:
Dimension
- Large glazing areas are more expensive overall, but cheaper per square meter due to volume discounts etc.
- The more corners, special details, etc. in relation to the glazing area, the more expensive
Frame
Plastic
- cheap entry-level version in white
- comparatively large frame cross-sections
- Surfaces can be foiled in color (additional costs for color approx. 7% for one-sided foiling, up to 15% for double-sided coloring)
Aluminium
- slim cross sections
- very durable and resistant
- Anodized colors can be selected, approx. 30 to 50% more expensive than plastic
Steel
- highest load capacity for large elements or particularly slim frame profiles
- On the other hand, it can only be used to a limited extent when thermal requirements are required
- Color choice over coating
- Costs approx. like aluminum
Wood
- very elegant look
- but large frame cross-sections and relatively small sash dimensions possible
- Colour can be determined arbitrarily via paintwork
- Costs around 10% less than steel and aluminum
- For special variants (wood-aluminum construction) also above this
Glazing
Single glazing
cheapest option, offers weather and wind protection, as well as fall protection if necessary
Insulating glazing
- meets thermal requirements
- available as two or three pane glazing
- Additional costs depending on insulation quality between 50 and 150%
- If there is a high insulation effect, additional costs for the frame and possibly a different construction are required due to the high weight of the panes
More points
- Fixed glazing without movable elements inexpensive, but not very comfortable due to the lack of opening sashes, therefore usually only in combination with other elements
- Swing or tilt-and-turn sash (like “normal” windows) usually the cheapest option for parts of the glazing that can be opened, additional costs compared to fixed glazing approx. 30%
- Sliding system saves a lot of space as no sashes protrude into the balcony, well suited for large opening areas, but usually only easy to implement with single glazing without thermal requirements, additional costs compared to rotating sashes of up to 20-50% (depending on the version)
Fittings
- Standard visible
- attached fittings
- invisible fittings up to 20% more expensive
Location and accessibility
If the balcony to be glazed is easily accessible, for example through the associated apartment, and delivery to the building is not a problem, the unavoidable costs associated with the construction site are low. If, on the other hand, additional facilities such as scaffolding or a crane are required, these special features incur high costs almost independently of the actual glazing area. It becomes particularly difficult if the building itself cannot be reached with the transporter and the effort involved in getting to the construction site increases significantly.
Construction period
Although glazing on a loggia or balcony should certainly be permanent, it can certainly be described as a seasonal object in terms of construction costs. If you plan and order in spring, you will usually have to take into account significantly higher costs than is the case in winter. The main reason for this is the capacity utilization of the companies. Full order books lead to a less tight calculation by the executors than a relaxed work situation or even idle time in the company.
A second temporal aspect is the continuous increase in construction prices. If you order today, you will never get the same price as last year. Depending on the region and trade, the average construction price increase in Germany is between 5 and 10% per year. A cost framework that is current today will therefore be outdated in six months or even a whole year and has little meaningful meaning.
Real cost estimates
Now that you have gotten to know some aspects that can have a clear influence on the expected price, the next question is which price will be changed by the detailed points mentioned. It should be noted that it is hardly possible to give a reliable cost framework without knowing the construction location, execution and, last but not least, construction time. Therefore, the following figures can only serve as a rough guide and should be verified as soon as possible with a real offer from a local company. The information is based on a normal balcony size of approx. 2.00 x 4.00 meters:
- Plastic elements with fixed glazing, single glass: approx. 80 – 100 EUR / m2
- Plastic elements with fixed glazing, insulating glazing: approx. EUR 120 / m2
- Plastic elements, rotating sashes, insulating glazing: approx. 160 – 180, - EUR / m2
- Wooden elements, rotating sashes, insulating glazing: approx. EUR 200 / m2
- Plastic sliding system: approx. 400 – 450 EUR / m2
- Sliding system aluminum: approx. 600 –
- Plastic folding elements: approx. EUR 500 / m2
- Folding elements aluminum / steel: approx. 700 EUR / m2
Other additional work
Not all areas of balcony glazing can be easily determined using fixed cost parameters and the underlying wall area. Whenever special work needs to be done, such as adjustments to the existing balcony, a different approach makes sense. Here, a rough cost framework can be realistically estimated based on the required working time. The following approach is chosen:
Estimated time in hours x number of people required x 50, - EUR
The rate of EUR 50 per hour is an approximate average between unskilled workers and skilled workers and also includes smaller aids and equipment.
ATTENTION:
The hourly wage for calculation should never be confused with the hourly wage that the workers actually receive. In addition to the actual wage, the calculation approach also includes additional wage costs and surcharges for other costs!
When estimating working hours, you should always estimate generously and, if necessary, assume the most unfavorable conditions. However, given the number of people, it is important that some work cannot be carried out alone.
Cost framework, prices and budget
It becomes clear that the price of balcony glazing cannot be quickly determined within a few minutes. Numerous factors have an influence and can be used as variables in order not to exceed the existing budget. If you want to determine the actual amount of money as accurately as possible, you should proceed as follows:
- Determine fixed framework conditions: balcony size, location and accessibility
- Define desired glazing areas
- Specify required or desired details, such as frame materials, opening sashes, etc.
- Estimate additional work etc. based on time
- Determine cost framework based on key figures
IMPORTANT:
Plan buffer for unforeseen events!
- Compare cost framework with budget
- If the budget is exceeded, adjust individual parameters until the framework and budget harmonize
- Be sure to verify the determined cost framework via offers
NOTE:
Only a concrete offer with an on-site inspection makes it possible to say with certainty whether the calculated sum is viable and corresponds to the real price. This comparison becomes particularly meaningful when several comparison offers are obtained!
