Installing a basket for an air conditioner on the facade: installation instructions and details of the work

The air conditioner allows you to create a comfortable microclimate in a room for any purpose: a country house, office, apartment, shopping center, supermarket. The cost of the equipment is by no means small - it’s a shame if the external unit is damaged due to an accidental fall of a brick or icicles from a tree, don’t you agree?

To avoid finding yourself in such a situation, you can take care of protecting the outdoor unit in advance by installing a special device - a basket. But what is it and how to install it correctly?

This is exactly what we will talk about in our material - we will understand the types of existing protective structures, their pros and cons. We will provide recommendations for choosing the appropriate option, and also tell you how to install the air conditioner basket and whether it can be done on your own.

We will supplement the presented material with visual photos and useful video tips on installation.

Features of baskets and selection rules

What is a basket or box? This is a metal structure that covers the outdoor unit on all sides.

Its main functions:

• Decorative. So that air conditioning units of different sizes look harmonious on the facade of the building.
• Protective – fragments of bricks and tiles falling from the roof and walls, cigarette butts thrown out of windows by residents, icicles and other debris can damage the outdoor unit.
• Anti-vandal protection – this function is very relevant for the first floors. The design of this basket is super strong and covers the block on all sides.

Anti-vandal structures can additionally be equipped with an alarm system. This is an excellent option for office premises, where security guards will be able to respond to the actions of vandals at any time of the day.

Many developers provide for the location of air conditioners in newly constructed buildings at the design stage. With this approach, you can order baskets in the same style and the architectural line of the building facade will not be disturbed

Types of boxes for air conditioning

Owners of apartments in old housing stock are faced with the issue of independent choosing a location for installing an air conditioner and protecting it from precipitation and mechanical damage (accidental or intentional). Therefore, simultaneously with the purchase of split systems, it is advisable to select and order the installation of baskets for external air conditioner units on the facade.

But there are many offers on the market. To choose a worthy option, you first need to familiarize yourself with the existing types in general terms.

By manufacturing method baskets can be assembled at a specialized enterprise or homemade. The former are distinguished by greater reliability and durability, stylish appearance, and the ability to withstand significant loads. But this is subject to the presence of a quality certificate, documents confirming calculations and testing of products, which is typical for responsible manufacturers with a good reputation.

Homemade boxes can be made from scrap materials. This design will be simple, but its cost will be minimal.

The simplest box can be made on your own using rods and metal corners. Assemble the structure by welding.But such a basket requires maintenance (regular tinting) - rust may appear in the places of welded seams from exposure to precipitation

Boxes can also be classified according to the following parameters:

• By type of construction – integral and collapsible;
• by appointment – decorative and protective;
• to size – standard and non-standard (made to order);
• by design – depends on the imagination of the designer or the wishes of the customer.

The baskets are also different material of manufacture. This can be perforated galvanized sheet, metal rods, forged elements and more.

It is important that the material used is reliable and durable, and is also resistant to precipitation.

What to look for when choosing?

When choosing a basket, you should keep in mind that there are standard boxes and non-standard ones, made according to customer standards.

Most often, the option of a non-standard basket is relevant when it is necessary to protect several blocks installed in a row or on top of each other with one grille

When choosing a basket, a number of parameters are taken into account:

• dimensions – you should take into account the dimensions of the external block and the required gap of 10 cm between the walls of the block and the box;
• cladding option – anti-vandal, protective or decorative;
• filling – metal rods, blinds, forged elements, perforated sheet, lamella perforation, individual perforation pattern (at the customer’s request);
• type of construction – ready-made or prefabricated version;
• specific features – painting in a certain color, the presence of a door with a built-in or padlock (for access to the unit), an additional canopy, installation of an alarm system notifying about damage caused by third parties.

All these parameters, in particular size, design complexity and specific features, significantly affect the cost - the more complex and larger, the more expensive.

When choosing a suitable option, it is also important to pay attention to access to the outdoor unit of the air conditioner so that it is easy to carry out regular cleaning and maintenance.

Step-by-step installation instructions

All work on installing the air conditioner basket can be done on your own or by inviting specialists. The first option is relevant for owners of private one-story houses, apartments located on the first and second floors. There will also be no difficulties if the outdoor unit of the air conditioner installed on the loggia or an unglazed balcony.

For the first and second floors, all work on installing the basket can be done using an extension ladder

In all other cases, the installation of the box will require the help of industrial climbers.

Along with the installation of the air conditioner, it is advisable to immediately order the installation of a protective box. Especially when it comes to high-altitude work (from the third to the ninth floor and above) - you won’t have to pay for the climbers’ trip twice

The procedure for installing the basket is as follows:

1. Marking of fastening points – using a building level and a plumb line, you need to mark the points for attaching the structure.
2. Punching holes – using a hammer drill, carefully make holes in the wall of the building.
3. Installation of fasteners – screw the fasteners into the previously made holes, install the brackets and tighten the flare nut with a wrench.
4. Fixing the basket – using fasteners (bolts and nuts), attach the protective box to the bracket.

If the installation is carried out by climbers, then the first step will be to secure the rope and descend to the installation site, and the last step will be to lift the “high-altitude climber” to the top and dismantle the rope.

When choosing fasteners, it is important to take into account the type of facade: for foam blocks, gypsum concrete and hollow bricks it is better to use a dowel + screw, and for brick and concrete walls - anchor bolts. Facade brackets must be made without welding so that the protective layer is not damaged. Otherwise, the welded areas will suffer from exposure to precipitation.

Many companies specializing in the manufacture of baskets develop types of fastenings suitable for installation on various types of facades.Carry out the necessary calculations and tests to ensure the finished product is reliable and durable.

Recommendations for sound insulation

In addition to installing the basket, air conditioner owners take other additional measures to protect the outdoor unit from falling icicles and accidental mechanical damage. One of the popular solutions is installation visor. But this option becomes a source of increased noise at the first rain.

To avoid the unfortunate development of events when it rains all night and you cannot fall asleep to the sound of water drumming on the canopy, you need to take care of sound insulation immediately after installing the canopy. To do this, you can stick roofing felt, a piece of rubber, or several layers of sound-insulating materials on top.

A thick layer of foam rubber as part of a noise-insulating “pie” can smooth out the noise from water pouring from the height of the fifth floor

Let's look at an example of effective sound insulation from scrap materials:

• First layer – self-adhesive vibration isolator type STP. It is sold at an auto parts store. We glue this vibration isolator on top of the visor.
• Second layer – foam rubber 2-3 cm thick. Glue a layer of foam rubber onto the silicone.
• Third layer – roofing material. Soft tiles and ondulin are suitable as a finishing layer - they do not make noise when it rains.

Such simple sound insulation will be a real salvation from the annoying patter of raindrops on the metal canopy.

And it’s quite possible to do this work with your own hands, provided that the air conditioning unit is located no higher than the 2nd floor.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Types of perforation for grid boxes for external units of split systems:

Visual instructions for installing a basket on a ventilated facade of a building from one of the manufacturers of boxes for air conditioners:

To protect your air conditioner unit from exposure to precipitation and mechanical damage, it is advisable to simultaneously installation of climate control equipment install the basket on the air conditioner.

It is important to choose the optimal design so that it not only protects, but is also moisture resistant, provides free air exchange, and is able to withstand gusts of wind and the load from falling icicles and snow caps from the roof.

Do you still have questions about choosing and installing a basket? Ask them to our experts and other site visitors - the comment form is located below. Also here you can share your personal experience in making and installing a basket, and add unique photos of your work.