Glazed gazebos in Almaty

The main difference between an open and an enclosed gazebo is the length of use. In Almaty's climate an open gazebo is used for 3–4 months a year, while dry, warm weather holds. An enclosed gazebo with glazing is available all year round: it protects from wind, precipitation and dust, and with sufficient insulation it lets you stay inside even in frost.

The structural differences affect all the joints. The frame of an enclosed gazebo has to be stiffer, since the glazing and cladding create additional wind load. The joints where the walls meet the roof and the foundation are sealed to rule out draughts. The drainage is designed taking into account that the snow load on the roof is higher: the roof slope is chosen so that snow slides off and does not pile up over the glazing. The floor in an enclosed gazebo is made level and most often insulated, since the base must not freeze through.

These two words are often treated as synonyms, although they mean different things. A glazed gazebo is one whose walls are made of glass: soft windows of PVC film, single glass in a wooden frame, glass units in a profile or sliding systems. A closed gazebo is a broader notion: the perimeter can also be closed with solid walls of wood or sandwich panels, leaving ordinary windows. In practice these solutions are most often combined: a solid wall on the windward side and the rest in glass, so as not to lose the view of the plot.

It is important to understand that not every enclosed gazebo needs a warm enclosure. If the gazebo is to be used only in the off-season — spring and autumn — it is enough to protect it from wind and rain. But if the task is to use the space at sub-zero temperatures, insulation of the walls, floor and roof will be required, as well as heating.

The choice of glazing determines whether the gazebo will be cold or warm. PROFI-DOM makes glazing of its own production: soft windows, single glazing in a wooden frame and double-glazed units in a PVC profile. Frameless sliding aluminium systems are offered as a separate option.

Soft windows of PVC film

Soft windows are made from transparent PVC film 500–700 microns thick. They are fixed with swivel clips, straps or zips around the perimeter of the opening. The film stays elastic down to about minus 25 degrees; for hard frosts it is removed and stored rolled up. This is a budget solution for protection from wind and precipitation, but not for winter use.

Single glazing in a wooden frame

The simplest cold enclosure. Glass 5 mm thick in a timber frame protects from wind, precipitation and dust, but does not retain heat. At sub-zero temperatures condensation will form on the glass, so this option suits seasonal use.

Double-glazed units in a PVC profile

The only option for year-round use. A single-chamber glass unit consists of two panes and one air chamber, with an installation thickness of about 24 mm. A double-chamber one has three panes and two chambers, with an installation thickness of 32–40 mm. A square metre of a single-chamber glass unit weighs about 25 kilograms, so the posts and the frame tie are reinforced for such glazing. In PROFI-DOM gazebos a PVC profile is used, which ensures airtightness and reduces heat loss.

Sliding aluminium systems and panoramic glazing

Frameless sliding aluminium systems let you open the span to its full width, which is in demand when people want to open the gazebo fully in summer. In the basic version they are made of cold profile without a thermal break, so in winter they freeze over. With such a system you pay for the ability to transform the space, not for thermal insulation.

The cost per square metre of glazing of our own production: PVC soft windows — from 18 000 KZT, single glazing 5 mm in a wooden frame — from 26 000 KZT, a single-chamber glass unit in a PVC profile — from 42 000 KZT, a sliding frameless aluminium system — from 120 000 KZT per square metre.

A cold envelope protects against wind, precipitation and dust. In a gazebo with single glazing or soft windows the temperature inside will be only 2–4 degrees higher than outside. A warm envelope — insulated glass units in a PVC profile — lets you heat the space and keep a comfortable temperature in winter.

A common mistake: to put double-glazed units in an uninsulated gazebo and expect warmth. Without thermal insulation of the walls, floor and roof, heat loss through the enclosing structures stays high. Glazing is only part of the warm enclosure; insulation of all surfaces is mandatory.

For year-round use, an enclosed gazebo is insulated with mineral wool of a density of 35–50 kilograms per cubic metre. The layer thickness in the walls is 100 mm, in the roof 150 mm, in the floor 100 mm. The vapour barrier film is installed on the room side, the wind-and-moisture barrier on the street side. Between the insulation and the outer cladding a ventilation gap of 40–50 millimetres is left so that moisture is drawn out of the structure.

A typical mistake is to insulate only the walls and forget about the floor and roof. Up to 40 percent of the heat escapes through an uninsulated floor and roof, plus condensation forms on the cold surfaces. Insulating all three planes is a mandatory condition for a winter gazebo.

The cost of insulating the walls and floor with mineral wool, with finishing — from 12 000 KZT per square metre.

Condensation forms where warm, humid air meets a cold surface: on single glazing this happens even at a small temperature difference. If the gazebo is sealed airtight and no ventilation is provided, moisture accumulates on the glass, the walls and in the insulation. The structures become damp, mould appears and the insulation loses its properties.

In an enclosed gazebo, trickle vents or opening sashes are provided. An inflow of fresh air lowers the humidity and prevents condensation. It is especially important to ventilate the space after feasts, when a lot of moisture is released. A roof ventilation gap is also needed so that steam escapes from under the roof space.

The simplest option is an electric convector. Its power is chosen at the rate of 1 kW per 10 square metres of insulated space. Convectors are mounted on the wall or placed on the floor; they require no chimney or complex installation.

An electric underfloor heating system under tiles or porcelain stoneware is laid at a rating of 120–150 W per square metre. Underfloor heating gives even warmth across the whole area and a comfortable temperature in the seating zone. Such a floor with a thermostat costs from 14 000 KZT per square metre.

A stove or hearth inside an enclosed gazebo requires compliance with fire-safety codes. The chimney from the hearth: a cross-section of at least 140x140 mm, an outlet above the roof ridge of at least 0,5 metre. The distance from the firebox to unprotected combustible structures is at least 500 mm, and to those protected by non-combustible finishing at least 380 mm. In front of the firebox a non-combustible sheet measuring at least 700x500 mm is laid on the floor with its long side along the firebox. The smoke collector over an open hearth projects beyond the outline of the firebox by at least 10 cm on each side.

If you need the gazebo specifically for winter — with an insulated enclosure, underfloor heating and a stove — see winter gazebos.

Placing a grill or barbecue complex inside an enclosed gazebo requires enhanced safety measures. The chimney must ensure a draught in any weather: a cross-section of at least 140x140 mm, a flue height of at least 0,5 metre above the roof ridge. All combustible structures are protected with non-combustible finishing at a distance of at least 380 mm from the firebox. In front of the firebox a non-combustible sheet 700x500 mm is mandatory.

Enclosed gazebos with a grill are popular in Almaty for year-round barbecue. If you are considering this option, pay attention to the design of an enclosed gazebo with a grill: it immediately allows for a reinforced frame, finishing with non-combustible materials and a correct chimney. An enclosed gazebo with a grill area is a separate type of structure, not just a gazebo someone put a grill into. The same applies to an enclosed gazebo with a barbecue: thoughtful ventilation and protection of all surfaces are required. More on this — on the pages about gazebos with a grill and with a barbecue on the profi-dom.kz website.

The construction of the hearth itself we cover in detail on the neighbouring pages: gazebos with a grill and gazebos with a barbecue. You can buy an enclosed gazebo with a barbecue as a ready-made solution, but more often it is ordered to suit the plot. An enclosed gazebo with a barbecue and glazing is assembled to your dimensions: glass gazebos with a barbecue we make both with a sliding enclosure and with double-glazed units. A glassed-in gazebo with a barbecue requires an extraction hood over the hearth — without it the smoke stays inside.

Under an insulated enclosed gazebo a monolithic slab 150 mm thick is more often made. It provides an even warm floor and a rigid base for glazing, which weighs considerably more than an open frame. A pier foundation and screw piles are driven below the frost depth of the soil, but this option is used less often, as it complicates floor insulation.

The construction time for an enclosed gazebo depends on the size and type of glazing. Below are the basic configurations that PROFI-DOM builds turnkey in Almaty and the Almaty region:

• Enclosed timber gazebo with PVC soft windows 3x3 m — from 480 000 KZT, timeframe 12–16 days.
• Enclosed gazebo, wood plus single glazing in a frame 3x4 m — from 620 000 KZT, timeframe 14–18 days.
• Steel frame with sliding glass 3x4 m — from 740 000 KZT, timeframe 14–18 days.
• Enclosed timber gazebo with double-glazed units 4x4 m — from 880 000 KZT, timeframe 16–20 days.
• Enclosed winter gazebo with a grill 4x5 m — from 950 000 KZT, timeframe 18–20 days.
• Insulated all-season gazebo with underfloor heating 4x5 m — from 1 200 000 KZT, timeframe 20–24 days.
• Enclosed gazebo with a barbecue complex 4x5 m — from 1 400 000 KZT, timeframe 20–24 days.
• Enclosed glued laminated timber gazebo with panoramic glazing 5x5 m — from 1 650 000 KZT, timeframe 22–26 days.

The price includes: the frame, the chosen type of glazing, the roof and the floor. Insulation, heating, installation of underfloor heating and an insulated entrance door (from 65 000 KZT) are options that add to the base price. The site visit for measurements within Almaty is free, and the warranty on the structure is 5 years. We work across Almaty and the Almaty region: Kaskelen, Talgar, Issyk, Uzynagash.

A turnkey enclosed gazebo with a grill means the foundation, frame, roof, glazing and hearth in a single estimate; the same work done separately comes out 15–20% more expensive. We select enclosed gazebo designs with a grill to suit the plot: standard 3×3 and 4×5 or a custom drawing.