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PhrasesRoom ProblemsLa porta del balcone non è a tenuta stagna.
B2formal

La porta del balcone non è a tenuta stagna.

The balcony door is not properly sealed.

Pronunciation

te-NU-ta — three syllables, stress on the second. 'Tenuta stagna' = airtight seal.

When to use it

When cold air, rain, or street noise enters through the gaps around a balcony door or French window.

What it means

'A tenuta stagna' (airtight) is a technical expression meaning 'hermetically sealed'. 'Non è a tenuta stagna' = is not airtight. A more everyday alternative is 'entra aria dalla porta' (air comes in through the door). Use whichever feels comfortable.

Variations

Entra freddo dalla porta del balcone.

Cold air comes in from the balcony door.

Simpler and equally effective description of the problem

Sento spifferi dalla finestra.

I can feel draughts from the window.

'Spiffero' = draught — a very common Italian word for this specific problem

Quando piove entra l'acqua dal balcone.

When it rains, water comes in from the balcony.

A more serious structural problem requiring immediate attention

Mini Dialogue

— Sento degli spifferi dalla porta del balcone. Di notte fa molto freddo. — È un problema con la guarnizione. Il tecnico può metterci del nastro isolante come soluzione temporanea. — Va bene, purché non entri più freddo. — Passa tra un'ora.

— I can feel draughts from the balcony door. It gets very cold at night. — It is a problem with the seal. The technician can put insulating tape as a temporary solution. — That is fine, as long as the cold stops coming in. — He will come by in an hour.

Cultural Note

Old Italian double-glazed windows and French doors ('porte finestre') in historic buildings often have worn rubber seals that let in cold air and noise. This is a very common problem in Italy, where many hotels are in converted medieval or Renaissance buildings with retrofitted windows.