Condominium: what to do to close the balcony with a glass window

When you have a nice balcony, the idea of ​​enclosing it with glass to make it more functional for the needs of the house attracts many owners. In fact, closing the balcony has …

Condominium: what to do to close the balcony with a glass window


When you have a nice balcony, the idea of ​​enclosing it with glass to make it more functional for the needs of the house attracts many owners.

In fact, closing the balcony has several advantages, including that of extending the interior space of the home. For those who live in a condominium, however, there are many aspects to keep in mind if you make this decision, starting with the issue of any permits to be requested.

Let’s see how to move.

The steps to take

The first step is to check what the legislation provides; for example, it is essential to check with the local authorities whether a specific permit is required.

The new Legislative Decree no. 115/2022, which modified the Consolidated Building Act, establishes, however, that permits are not required to close your balcony with glass windows provided that the intervention includes the installation of the VePA (Removable Panoramic Windows).

The essential element, in this, is that of the removability of the structure and that, in installing it, the visual impact is reduced to a minimum, avoiding, on the condominium, blemishes that could also cause a loss of the overall value of the remaining properties.

In fact, according to the provisions of art. 1122 of the Civil Code: “In the real estate unit owned by him or in the parts normally intended for common use, which have been assigned to exclusive ownership or intended for individual use, the condominium owner cannot carry out works that cause damage to the common parts or determine a prejudice to the stability, safety or architectural decorum of the building. In any case, prior notice is given to the administrator who reports it to the assembly”.

For these reasons it is necessary to check whether there are any clarifications in the condominium regulationswhich may contain specifications that prohibit the installation of glass or require that theauthorization in assembly in order to begin work.

Furthermore, the glass must not in any way modify the volume of the apartment, otherwise the procedures we will discuss in the next paragraph must be activated.

When permits are needed

If you decide to close a terrace to create, for example, another room, you need to check whether the intervention will cause an increase in volume or not; in both cases, you need to request authorizations.

If the installation of glass does not result in a change in the volume of the apartment, as foreseen by art. 23 of the Building Code, it is necessary to present the Wakethat is, the Certified Notification of Commencement of Activity which must be requested at least 30 days in advance of the start of the works.

However, if the intervention generates a change in volume, it is necessary to obtain Insteadalso for

the installation of the stained glass window, The building permit Thatalso in this case, must be requested at least 30 days before the start of the works.