• KIEAE Journal
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.87-92
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• 2007

As expansion of balconies at apartments has been legalized, the major function of the balconies as a thermal buffer zone is disappearing. This weakens the ability of window to insulate heat and multiplies surface condensation. Thus more and more residents require solutions to increasing surface condensation and aggravation in thermal comfort. This study intends to provide basic data by evaluating performance of triple layered Low-E windows, triple layered clear windows, double layered Low-E windows and double layered clear window used for expanded balconies and marketed within the country in terms of surface condensation and thermal environment through simulation. Results revealed that no surface condensation occurred at double layered Low-E windows and triple layered Low-E windows. Surface condensation took place at double layered clear windows and triple layered clear windows at a relative humidity of 60%. Thermal environment analysis suggested that double layered clear windows showed the most time falling into the range of comfort at $23^{\circ}C$. The figure were $22^{\circ}C$ for triple layered clear windows, $22^{\circ}C$ for double layered Low-E windows and $21^{\circ}C$ for triple layered Low-E windows.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to give some suggestions for the legal supplement of the regulation on the balcony expansion for the optimal use of apartment balcony. For the purpose, this study focused on the characteristics of spaces expanded to the balcony, in the plans supplied after the legalization of balcony expansion, comparing them by their location; the metropolitan area of Seoul Gyeonggi and the districts of the other areas. The 168 plans of apartments in the supplied by top 10 constructors in the metropolitan areas of Seoul and Gyeonggi, together with the 92 plans in the other smaller districts in 2006 to 2007 were analyzed with the tools of frequency and chi-square analysis. The result is as follows. (1) The region showed no difference in the plans of balcony; whereas the size, the position and access of the shelter explained some differences of balcony plan. (2) In wider plans, balconies were placed in all sides of plan-front, rear and side, and were remodeled to expand facing rooms. (3) The balcony expansion tended to increase the number of bays. (4) In almost cases, the living rooms were expanded to balcony. In smaller plans, the balconies were remodeled to supply supplementary kitchen space, splitting it from laundry. (5) The shelters were placed at the rear or side of plans, but the shelter facing room could be dangerous in case of fire. The balcony expansion, despite of legalization spirit to adopt diverse use of additional spaces for residents' needs, was only a tool for the space expansion. The amendment of the regulation is needed to accommodate these findings that the balconies should be identified by their function, that the front corridor-type balcony should be limited in length and magnitude, and that the shelter should be positioned with easy access.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

Purpose: The balcony in the apartment is important space not only as a fire escape but also as a buffer for heat and sound insulation. However, with the legalization of balcony expansion for residential apartments in Korea in 2006, many households have eliminated the balcony space altogether to increase the inner space, often without sufficient consideration for the effects on the indoor environment. This study examined the sound insulation performance of exterior-facing windows in enclosed balconies and the changes in the indoor acoustic environment due to expansion to provide a basis for appropriate balcony expansion. The apartments for the field test were chosen where two balcony types can be compared, and the sound insulation performance for the eighteen balcony windows was measured. The windows installed were typical double window with thickness 16 mm or 22 mm. Measurements of the weighted standard sound pressure level difference showed a decrease of about 3 dB in sound insulation performance due to expansion. For common exterior noise levels of 70-85 dB(A), the indoor noise level can exceed 45 dB(A), the limit level regulated in Korea. However, it was found that the sound insulation performance of the window and the quality of the construction have more influence on indoor noise levels than balcony expansion itself.