Do-it-yourself loggia insulation step by step instructions. Thermal insulation of the balcony (100 photos): step-by-step instructions, tips and tricks from the masters Step-by-step sheathing and insulation of the balcony
Has the day come when it's time to finally throw out your old ski and take out all the cans from your balcony to the garage? Your head is full of ideas, and if not, then the global web will help you. You are ready to realize all the brightest and wildest desires on the vacant piece of living space. There is one little problem left. These are harsh conditions that attack your blood square meters.
Therefore, the primary task that must be solved before letting fantasy unfold is keeping warm. In order to minimize repair costs as much as possible, let's figure it out how to insulate a balcony from the inside with your own hands.
If a decision is made to attach the balcony area to the living area of the apartment, it is necessary to carry out work on its insulation. So that after the repair there are no unforeseen problems, the work must be carried out in compliance with the established norms, rules and approvals.
Serious reconstruction will require permission from local executive authorities, architecture and the Ministry of Emergencies. You should not ignore this point in order not to be punished for violating the housing code. In addition, coordination will help to avoid certain errors when modifying structural elements. Experienced specialists will immediately notice that there are no joints in the project. Correction of errors at the design stage will avoid the cost of correcting errors after repair.
The order of work and their volume depend on what tasks the reconstructed balcony will perform:
- It will continue to be a place to relax in the warm season, and insulation is carried out to protect it from wind, dust and precipitation. This is a less expensive method and easier to implement.
- It will be added to the area of the apartment as a full-fledged living space, used all year round. Here, the scope of work increases significantly, since it will be necessary to provide for heating, steam and waterproofing, and change the power supply system.
Attention! Balcony with sliding windows it is practically pointless to insulate, since the windows themselves will let the cold through.
How to insulate a balcony from the inside with your own hands
First of all, it is necessary to make measurements and determine the amount of materials, their composition and quality. Manufacturers offer a wide range of materials for insulation, insulation and decoration for every taste and material wealth. Saving on quality, of course, is not worth it. You need to take care of environmental friendliness and fire safety of housing.
A balcony is a remote structure that is located outside the building, its three sides and the ceiling require insulation, even if the neighbors have already done the work. The sequence of work should be built in such a way as not to miss important nuances, which will then have to be corrected:
- Particular attention must be paid to the condition fencing parapet... Most often, it is a thin plate made of metal, profile, or iron rods. Such a structure will have to be replaced with a brick wall or foam blocks. For the construction of the wall, you need to choose light, hollow bricks so as not to create unnecessary load on the supporting plate.
The enclosing parapet of the balcony
- Glazing it is better to entrust it to professionals. Depending on the chosen interior, the profile can be wooden or PVC with double glazing. The number of doors is determined in advance to ensure ventilation and ease of maintenance. During the installation of windows, expansion profiles are installed, which will facilitate the fastening of insulation boards.
Glazed balcony
- Sealing cracks, joints, holes, chips and cracks polyurethane foam, polyurethane sealants or mastic. They will protect against moisture, dust, negative environmental influences.
Sealing cracks on the balcony
- Let down power supply so that access to food is as practical as possible. Electrical work and the heat supply device must be carried out by specialists who have special permits to carry out such work.
Conducting electricity on the balcony
- Warming is carried out in the following sequence: walls and ceiling.
How to insulate walls on a balcony
To choose the right insulation, you need to know its technical characteristics, pros and cons.
The main parameters that determine the quality of the material is its thermal conductivity, ecological and Fire safety... It is very important that the insulation is lightweight and takes up less space.
- ... Multi-layer, consisting of foil and polyethylene foam, reflective material several millimeters thick. At the same time, it reflects at least 90% of heat, durable, lightweight, inexpensive. During installation, it easily takes the shape of a surface and is attached.
Insulation of a balcony with penofol
- Polyurethane foam... Provides fire and environmental safety. It is applied to the surface by pouring or spraying, closes all cracks, provides waterproofing, does not require a frame and fastening.
Thermal insulation of a balcony with polyurethane foam
- Penoplex... These are foamed polystyrene boards. The material practically does not absorb moisture, but it is bulky and poorly accepts the parameters of the surface to which it is attached.
Insulation of the balcony with penoplex
- Expanded polystyrene... It has excellent sound, steam and heat insulation properties. Due to its efficiency and environmental friendliness, it is well suited for balcony insulation.
Thermal insulation of the balcony with expanded polystyrene
- Stirodur... A type of expanded polystyrene, extruded, green, with good characteristics.
Balcony insulation with styrodur
- Isover (mineral wool)... Widespread fiberglass based insulation. This is mineral wool, which retains heat, provides sound insulation, and does not weigh down the structure. Has an affordable cost. It is used with additional waterproofing and vapor barrier.
Insulation of a balcony with isover (mineral wool)
It is not advisable to use fiberglass, as it is fire hazardous and releases toxic substances.
Taking into account the temperature difference between the outside air and the room, it is necessary to provide a kind of hydro-barrier that will not allow warm air to create condensation in contact with a cold fence. The presence of condensation will lead, in the future, to the formation and decay.
Insulation is fastened, depending on the type, with glue, special dowels with a wide head, spacer nails or spraying.
Using mineral wool the surface is pre-primed. After drying, mineral slabs smeared with adhesive are applied to the wall. Installation starts from the bottom and is done like brickwork. Allow the glue to dry completely within 24 hours. It is possible to carry out reinforcement in several places with dowels.
Often, a wooden frame is used for laying slabs, the design of which retains heat worse than insulation. Therefore, it is better to fasten the material end-to-end and seal them with aluminum tape or polyurethane foam.
It is better to fasten the layers of mineral wool end-to-end
The next layer is attached to the vapor barrier. It could be foil-clad polyethylene... It is laid with foil inside the building so that it reflects the heat coming from the house. Insulating materials for other heaters may not be used, depending on the purpose of the room.
How to insulate the floor on the balcony
About a quarter of the heat loss on the balcony occurs through the floor, so work needs to be done to prevent these losses. This is not the most difficult operation and it is quite possible to do it yourself. When choosing a material, it is necessary to take into account that the floor level on the balcony after installation must be at or below the floor level in the adjoining room.
There are several simple and affordable ways:
- with a frame device;
- monolithic;
- electric warm floor.
Only one professional skill may be required - the device of a warm floor.
Underfloor heating installation on the balcony
The main point in choosing a method and material is the condition of the supporting plate. In old houses, structures may have wear and tear and are not always ready to withstand heavy loads. Therefore, it is important to agree with the specialists of the architecture department what weight of materials can be used for repairs. This is especially important when installing monolithic concrete floors.
The frame floor, in turn, can be arranged using:
- mineral wool;
- expanded clay;
- pepoplast;
- foam or expanded polystyrene.
Floor insulation technology consists of several stages.
- Leveling the surface of the slab is carried out if necessary.
- Waterproofing with polyethylene film or roofing felt (for damp rooms).
- Arrangement of wooden lathing. A bar is used with a height close to the thickness of the insulation. It is laid along the length of the balcony at a distance of 50 cm from each other or another convenient distance, depending on the size of the insulation sheets. Leave indents from the walls 5-7 cm, and the ends - 5 cm, so that with high humidity the wood does not deform. Attached to the floor with anchors or self-tapping screws with a depth of at least 4mm. This will provide a firm hold. If the installation of transverse beams is required, it is necessary to make cuts up to half the thickness at the joints and make grooves with the help of which the transverse logs are connected to the longitudinal ones. They control the level, do not allow the bars to sag. If necessary, put wooden wedges or dies, which are fixed to the floor, with polyurethane foam. It is important to prevent foam from getting at the junction of the wedge and the bar.
- The lathing is filled with the selected insulation.
Cheap and efficient material - mineral wool... Available in rolls and slabs, lightweight, easy to install. The size of the canvas is chosen in such a way as not to crease or bend it. This degrades the protective qualities due to the decrease in the amount of air between the fibers. The main disadvantage of mineral wool is its low moisture resistance, so it is necessary to use the next layer of vapor barrier.
Popular, inexpensive Styrofoam due to the ease and simplicity of installation, it is most often used as a heater. It is highly hygroscopic and resistant to any environment. Among the disadvantages are deformation under loads and poor sound insulation.
Thermal insulation of the balcony floor with foam
Penoplex it is resistant to mold development, mechanical stress, temperature changes and excellent thermal insulation performance. As disadvantages, its flammability with the release of harmful substances and the thickness of the material can be canceled.
Insulation of the floor and walls of the balcony with penoplex
High fire resistance, durability possesses expanded clay... But it is not very good for insulating a balcony, since a thick layer is required for normal thermal insulation.
Thermal insulation of the balcony floor with expanded clay
- The cracks remaining after filling with insulation are foamed.
- On top of the insulation or vapor barrier (if used) as a rough flooring, after which the selected floor material will follow, chipboard or moisture-resistant plywood is attached.
A cement screed is used only with a fairly solid balcony structure. In order not to exceed the permissible load, use a reinforced screed up to 50 mm thick.
The following methods will require special professional skills.
As insulation they implement electric heating systems using a special infrared film, cable, tapes. They are laid on a thin layer of insulation and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
For water floors a device in a special way of the water circuit is required.
Water floor device diagram
How to insulate the ceiling on the balcony
Before starting work, you should carefully inspect the ceiling for signs of leakage, since even a small amount of moisture, falling on top of the insulation, can lead to the development of mold.
Considering the difficulty of working on the ceiling, it is necessary to protect the eyes and use glasses.
Already familiar penoplex, mineral wool, polystyrene foam (foamed polyethylene foam) are used as material for work.
Penoplex density 35-45kg / cm² allows the use of panels from 20mm, which will provide normal thermal protection. The only drawback is the high cost.
Insulation of the balcony ceiling with penoplex
Thickness foam can be within 50mm, and the density is 15kg / cm², then MDF, PVC or drywall panels are mounted on top. At a density of 25kg / cm², a putty can be used.
Insulation of the balcony ceiling with foam
For ease of installation, markup is carried out taking into account that the plates or sheets of insulation fit well into the prepared crate, determine the level of fastening. It is better to calculate everything in advance at the bottom, then the work at the top will take less time. The thickness of the layers of insulation and finishing should be such as not to interfere with the opening of windows.
Use a different sequence of work:
- Sheathing device → installation of insulation → cladding.
- Fastening of insulation throughout the entire area → vapor barrier → installation of a wooden lathing or frame from a metal profile → cladding.
If the balcony is located Upstairs building, it is important to prevent moisture from the roof from getting onto the insulation; for this, an additional layer of insulation with polyethylene or foil polyethylene foam is provided under the roof.
The first layer for waterproofing can be a special compound based on bitumen mastic, applied to a concrete slab with a brush. The next step is to install a sheet waterproofer.
How to insulate a balcony with penoplex
Penoplex is an accumulation of foam polystyrene balls with air spaces. Practically does not absorb moisture, has a long service life, low thermal conductivity. Slabs are produced with a thickness of 2-10 cm.
Penoplex plates
The lightness of the material does not place additional stress on the base plate. It is resistant to deformation, does not emit harmful substances. To increase fire safety, choose the type with the C marking. Since the walls of the balcony are thin, thick insulation plates are used, which will reduce the useful area of the room.
Under the influence of sunlight, penoplex loses its properties, therefore it is used only as an internal insulation.
The material is easy to cut, does not crumble, does not create problems during installation. It is used to insulate walls, floors and ceilings. The following types of fastening are used:
- Disc type dowels with plastic cores. This mount is suitable for uneven surfaces, metal profile roofs.
- With a special glue applied to a previously primed surface, it is enough to apply the glue in dots or in a zigzag pattern. It adheres well to smooth concrete substrates.
- With glue, with additional fixation, dowels.
Methods for applying glue to penoplex
Plates of penoplex are placed in prepared cages of the crate or without it, on the entire surface. The use of battens, especially on the façade, impairs thermal protection.
The fit of the plates is carried out tightly, the joints are sealed with construction tape or filled with polyurethane foam. The insulation is covered with a layer of polyethylene with a foil layer. Depending on the purpose of the room, the vapor barrier may not be used.
Penoplex insulation is suitable for all types of interior decoration: special plaster, plasterboard, wood and finishing boards.
How to insulate a balcony with foam
One of the most common ways to insulate a balcony (walls, floor, ceiling) is polystyrene foam. This material, at a relatively low cost, is able, with proper installation, to provide excellent thermal insulation performance. Among other positive qualities, it is worth noting resistance to adverse weather conditions. It does not absorb moisture, does not collapse under its influence, is resistant to the formation of rot and mold.
Polyfoam does not emit harmful substances, it goes well with other materials.
For insulation of the balcony, polystyrene is used both outside and inside. It is better to entrust external work for a multi-storey building to specialized organizations for the purpose of safety.
For internal insulation, a foam thickness of 4-6 cm is sufficient.If the front part is thinner than the side panels, a thickness of up to 10 cm can be used.When choosing a thickness for floor insulation, it is necessary to leave a margin of height for the floor itself, and for the ceiling - for opening windows.
Warming is carried out in two ways:
- Glue... On flat surfaces that do not require a waterproofing device, foam plates can be glued with a special glue (Ceresit ST-85). This method is good for installing a floor under the next screed or walls - under plaster. In this case, when the foam sticks, the glue is applied to its outer surface with a thickness of 2-3 mm. Without waiting for complete drying, they apply a reinforcing mesh, but do not flood it and cover it with another layer of glue.
Glue method of foam insulation
- Wireframe... Since the use of other finishing materials requires additional fastening, they arrange a wooden crate or a frame made of a metal profile. This method is convenient for creating a multi-layer cake that provides waterproofing on the outside, and vapor barrier on the inside. Layers can fill the cells of the frame or be located under the bars and on top. The foam itself is cut to the size of the cells so as to fill them as tightly as possible. It is fastened with dowels or self-tapping screws with wide mushroom-shaped caps.
Frame method of insulation with foam
Slots , emptiness , irregularities are filled with scraps, polyurethane foam or sealant. After drying, you can attach a layer of vapor barrier over the insulation and the cake is ready for finishing with plasterboard, plastic panels or other finishing.
How to insulate a plastic balcony
Plastic balconies or decorated with plastic panels are resistant to the external environment, sunlight, and temperature extremes. The guaranteed service life of high-quality panels is at least 50 years. They are easy to install, have an affordable price, are easy to maintain and look aesthetically pleasing. Due to its positive characteristics, plastic balconies have gained popularity.
Plastic panels improve the aesthetic appearance and provide sufficient thermal protection for balconies with improved glazing.
Balcony with plastic panels
The balcony cladding with plastic is carried out on a mounted wooden frame or metal profile, which reacts poorly to temperature changes and changes in humidity. The frame device creates free space between the walls and finishing panels. It is foolish not to take advantage of this moment and add one of the common heaters to this space. If, at the same time, the seams and joints of the balcony structure are sealed, then even one layer foam, penoplex or mineral wool filling the crate cages will significantly change the microclimate. And the use of an additional layer of vapor barrier will make it possible to use a plastic balcony throughout the year as a full-fledged living space.
How to insulate a wooden balcony
Lovers of wood in the interior, maintain the style on the balcony. The main advantages of wooden structures are their environmental friendliness, favorable microclimate created by breathable material. The texture of the wood, supported by modern finishing materials, creates a cozy atmosphere and an attractive look. However, without additional insulation, a wooden balcony can only be fully used in the warm season. In addition, under the influence of the external environment, the tree ages quickly, absorbs moisture, cracks, and lends itself to decay. It takes an ongoing investment to keep open wooden balconies looking attractive.
Wooden balcony
Insulation with installation will help to improve consumer qualities glazing and a set of works on waterproofing.
The interior is well supported by double-glazed timber frames of the appropriate species, allowing the balcony to be used as a living space. After their installation, work is carried out to seal cracks, cracks and abutments using polyurethane foam. Insulation technology is similar to work for structures made of other materials, however, wood requires mandatory hydro and vapor barrier.
Work order:
- Wooden balcony structures are treated with agents to protect against decay, insects and increase fire resistance. This also applies to the bars for the lathing device.
- The concrete base is primed.
- Waterproofing is laid on the prepared surfaces. Roofing material or mastic is used for the floor, polyethylene or foil for walls and ceilings.
- A wooden frame is prepared from bars, which provide the possibility of laying an insulation of the selected thickness.
- Insulation (mineral wool, polystyrene or penoplex) is tightly placed in the cells of the crate. The remaining voids are filled with foam.
- A layer of vapor barrier made of foamed polyethylene foam, penofol is attached on top of the insulation.
- Finishing with wood panels, clapboard. It must be ensured that the weight of the finishing material does not overload the supporting plate of the balcony. Some of the wooden materials can be replaced with lighter ones, without sacrificing functionality and attractiveness.
To insulate the balcony with your own hands was a pleasure and ensure an excellent result, think over the goals and objectives in advance, carry out the necessary approvals and measurements. Choose materials in accordance with the technical characteristics and your material capabilities. Carry out work in the complex, not missing the little things. And success is assured.
You can also watch several videos that will help you insulate the balcony with your own hands.
Video
Thermal insulation of balconies and loggias with mineral wool
Balcony insulation technology with penoplex
Warming and joining the balcony
How to insulate the balcony? The choice of insulation
How to insulate a balcony? Step-by-step instruction
How to insulate a balcony with your own hands: how and how to insulate + video
We will send the material to you by e-mail
The process of warming the room itself is very important, since with the help of such a repair, drafts, cold are removed, and the space of the connected room also expands. But it is not enough just to install double-glazed windows and cover up cracks and holes with polyurethane foam. It is necessary to insulate it. To save money in your wallet, it is better to insulate the loggia with your own hands, the step-by-step photo instructions presented in the article will help you do the job.
Amazing balcony with ecological materials
Initially, you need to select a building material. It is important to remember that not only thermal performance can depend on the selected components, but also. If the building material is too thick, it will steal the usable area.
Note! Any material to retain heat must be environmentally friendly, as well as meet the thermal and steam characteristics.
The room can be insulated with the following materials:
- Penofol ... An excellent substitute for mineral wool. It has a multi-layer coating that also has a reflective effect.
- Polyurethane foam ... Suitable for balconies as well as possible. Very poorly flammable, made from environmentally friendly materials. Installation is done by pouring.
- Expanded polystyrene ... A fairly economical choice of material and also very effective for a balcony.
- Isover ... Available in sheet form. Made of mineral wool, with fiberglass particles.
As a rule, expanded polystyrene is mounted on the walls and ceiling. It is good to use it, because its properties have a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, as well as a small thickness. It can be cut perfectly with a kitchen knife. Styrofoam can be considered an alternative option. For cold winter, sheets 10 cm thick are suitable, for mild weather it is better to use 5 cm.
Related article:
Calculator for calculating the required insulation of a loggia or balcony
By insulating the balcony, we create a buffer zone on the path of cold air to the living quarters, add a few square meters to create a pantry, or even a small room - but this is if you connect a heater.
In our step-by-step instructions, we will tell you how to properly insulate a balcony with your own hands and what materials are used for this.
Balcony insulation begins with checking the supporting structures. To do this, it is advisable to look at the balcony slab from the balcony of the neighbors below: if the beginning destruction is visible with the naked eye, then you can strengthen the concrete and reinforcement layer as shown in the figure. If you doubt the strength of the slab and the ability to carry an increased load of glazing, insulation, floors, it is better to seek expertise. Although, as practice shows, balconies can easily withstand increased load and collapse - this, fortunately, is an extremely rare exception to the rule.
a - concrete is knocked down in damaged places. b - the surface is cleaned and repair compounds are applied: 1 - contact layer; 2 - anti-corrosion protection; 3 - repair mortar; 4 - leveling putty
Before starting work, you need to remove the old finish and frames (if any), clean all surfaces from decaying elements, if necessary, make a small concrete screed or fill up the slabs with concrete mortar.
Insulation works can be divided into:
- outer skin;
- glazing;
- internal insulation;
- finishing.
Parapet siding outside
The easiest way to make the outer balcony cladding is vinyl siding.
Outside the parapet, a vertical crate is assembled in such a way that it forms a single flat area (check with a stretched thread). Bars or metal profile of the battens are fixed at a distance of about 40 cm from each other. Further, along the lower and upper perimeter, guides for siding (closing profile) are mounted, and the corners are made out with a special vinyl profile - "outer corner".
The siding starter bar is attached with the long side to the lower rail using self-tapping screws. Better to start from the side wall - and the panel is shorter and less visible from the street - you can practice. Soft mineral wool slabs can be placed between the siding and the balcony grating. At the top of the parapet, you need to mount a drainage system.
A very short video about the main stages of cladding:
Glazing is an obligatory stage of balcony insulation. In this case, you can independently make frames from wood, aluminum or steel profiles (corner, profile pipe) and glaze, or you can purchase ready-made double-glazed windows. The first option will be cheaper, but it is more time consuming and, most importantly, it will only slightly increase the temperature on the balcony in winter. You are unlikely to succeed in sealed windows without the use of double-glazed windows technology, they will have to be insulated for the winter or not, and leave the balcony, in principle, cold, which will only reduce the wind load. So it is better to order ready-made double-glazed windows for glazing.
If the balcony was not glazed, and you are not insulating the loggia, then the parapet for installing frames is most likely missing or insufficient. You can create a retaining wall in the form of a reinforcing cage with concreting or brick. To lighten the structure, expanded clay can be poured into concrete, reducing the overall load. The top of the parapet must also be reinforced with a metal profile.
If the protective grill of the balcony is strong enough, and the double-glazed windows are single-chamber, aluminum are very light, then wooden boards under the windowsill, which are attached to the upper part of the grill, can act as a support.
If the balcony has a small area, then you can weld a frame on brackets that protrudes beyond the concrete slab. At the same time, the window sill will not "eat" the valuable volume of the balcony. This arrangement of a balcony is called a take-out.
After that, the window sills and the frame of the future glazing are installed - without frames and sashes, which will be mounted later. For this, the metal structure is welded to the metal profile of the parapet and supports fixed to the neighbor's balcony slab from above. If you live on the upper floor, the structure will be more complicated, since you will have to make a canopy-roof, for example, from corrugated board, polycarbonate, etc. In this case, the racks must be more durable.
After the frame is fixed, the upper drainage systems (visor) are mounted and the double-glazed windows are installed according to the instructions.
For the glazing features of small balconies without increasing the area, see the video:
Insulation of the balcony from the inside
From the inside, the balcony is insulated from the walls, floor and ceiling. For this, you can use various thermal insulation materials.
Balcony insulation materials
Thermal conductivity of building heat-insulating materials differs within wide limits, therefore it is impossible to name the recommended thickness unambiguously. For information, see how the optimum thicknesses differ to achieve the same thermal resistance when using popular materials.
The basic requirements for materials also include:
- long-term strength;
- non-hygroscopicity;
- fire safety.
Most often used:
- mineral or stone wool - fiber insulation;
- lightweight polystyrene and "Penoplex" (different types of expanded polystyrene) - plate materials;
- polyurethane foam or "Penoflex" - polyurethane foam.
Sometimes a composition of these materials is used.
Fiber insulation is convenient to install when it is made in the form of soft slabs or blankets with a foil surface.
Polyurethane foam is applied using special, preferably professional equipment.
To compare the consumer properties of materials, we have summarized their main characteristics in a table.
Stages of insulating a balcony from the inside
Now that we know the main properties of heat-insulating building materials, we will consider the procedure for performing the work.
Advice! If lighting or connecting heating devices is supposed to be on the balcony, make the wiring to the lamp, switch and outlet in advance by placing the cables in plastic boxes. This will hide the wiring, which is much more attractive than open wiring.
Before work, make sure that dust, small particles of insulation or a solution do not pollute the apartment - cover the openings with foil.
Floor insulation
Insulation should start from the floor. First, a layer of waterproofing should be laid on the balcony slab. It can be ordinary polyethylene or foil insulation. At this stage, the waterproofing material can also be fixed to the walls.
To protect against condensation, a vapor barrier is laid on top. If you purchase an embossed film, then you need to lay it with the embossed side up.
The sub-floor is completed with 10 mm plywood in two layers. It is attached to the lags with self-tapping screws. Instead of plywood, you can use sheets of fiberboard or chipboard.
Ceiling insulation
Apply a layer of antiseptic to the cleaned ceiling. For thermal insulation, you can take foil mineral wool or foam. A good solution would be to use penofol - a foam material covered with aluminum foil, which is glued to PVA, and nailed on top with a crate for attaching the finishing layer of finishing - a type-setting ceiling, drywall or siding.
Styrofoam can be fixed to the ceiling using polyurethane foam.
Minvata is placed on a plasterboard false ceiling, which is fixed to a frame made of an aluminum profile or a wooden bar 40x40 mm.
If required, fix the fixtures.
Wall insulation
The waterproofing was already performed at the first stage, therefore, a vertical or horizontal lathing made of timber is immediately mounted on top of it. The distance between the bars is equal to the width of the insulating material. For walls, it is better to use expanded polystyrene or mineral wool plates.
PPP can be glued to special glue or foam, be sure to blow it out all the joints and cracks.
A vapor barrier film is fixed on top of the insulation.
Finishing work
There are many materials that can be used to decorate a balcony. This is drywall, which can be plastered or covered with wallpaper, and tiles, and vinyl siding, and lining.
Most balconies are equipped with stationary or mobile clothes dryers that can rise to the ceiling.
If the space allows, compact furniture or transforming furniture can be installed on the balcony: folding tables and seats, and some happy owners of wide balconies even equip a sleeping place. The window sill can be made wider and turned into a table top - for morning coffee or doing chores.
If you wish, you can install a fan heater on the balcony, which will allow you to use additional space in spring and autumn, or install an electric convector, which will make the balcony all-season for equipping an office or a winter garden there.
In conclusion, we suggest that you look at photos of the design finishes of the balcony space - for inspiration and a source of ideas.
In order to avoid disputes about the need to obtain permission to carry out the insulation of balconies or loggias, it is worth taking a closer look at this issue. The usual insulation of the walls of the loggia from the inside without installing external glazing systems can be carried out without issuing permits.
If it is envisaged to perform window fillings on the balcony, these works are equivalent to redevelopment and require the receipt of established permits.
Permission for redevelopment of loggias with insulation
Order project documentation and order certificates from supervisory organizationsConsidering that non-glazed structures do not retain heat, it is possible to insulate floors, walls and ceilings, but this is an ineffective activity. Heat is reliably stored in the rooms of the loggias, where the external glazing is mounted; such work, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, is a redevelopment and requires a permit for their implementation. Cases when a permit cannot be issued are determined by law:
- The building belongs to the monuments of architectural heritage.
- The structures of a residential building will not withstand the additional load (the building is dilapidated or intended for demolition).
- The loggia insulation plan provides for the use of outdated building materials with an increased degree of fire.
- If the redevelopment plan provides for the installation of heating systems and underfloor heating with their connection to common building communications.
In other cases, you will have to go through the procedure for obtaining a permit, before starting construction and installation work on insulation and glazing of the loggia.
To obtain a permit to carry out work on the redevelopment of the loggia, you will need to order design documentation from an organization that has a license to design residential buildings, as well as obtain the necessary information from a number of organizations.
The finished project is coordinated with the department of architecture and interested organizations (SES, fire safety department and others).
Carrying out work on the insulation of loggias without issuing the established permits may entail:
- bringing the premises back to their original form at their own expense.
- fines ranging from 2 to 2.5 thousand rubles.
Insulation technology
The sequence of insulation of the loggia is determined by the technology of work. Where to start insulating a loggia or balcony? First, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps.
First of all, the premises of the loggia are freed from the things stored there: they remove old furniture, boxes and pots for flowers. Laundry cord holders are removed, dismantled, mounted on the walls or ceiling, for linen cord holders.
If the floors of the loggia are covered, it must be disassembled, after which the slab must be revised. If necessary, the surface of the slab base is repaired, especially if concrete chips are found and bare reinforcement (iron bar without concrete coating) emerges on the surface.
The front fence of the loggia is dismantled, observing safety rules.
Before disassembling the structures, it is necessary to protect the house area with cords, hang out warning signs to prevent the occurrence of dangerous situations.
The procedure for insulating a loggia includes the following technological processes: glazing; insulation of the floor, ceiling, walls; reliable waterproofing device; external insulation; finishing. More details about each stage of work and the intricacies of the technological process below.
Glazing
Single-row glazing will protect you from bad weather, but not from frost Providing for the glazing of the loggia, it is worth noting that all efforts to insulate structures will be reduced to zero if low-quality double-glazed windows are selected. Window fillings with single-row glazing will provide guaranteed weather protection, but such windows are not able to protect from frost.
When choosing a material for window fillings, it is worth abandoning wooden windows, because there is a danger of condensation on the loggia, which can negatively affect the condition of wooden frames. Aluminum and plastic windows can be installed on loggias without fear of increasing the maximum permissible load on the slab. Aluminum window structures are lighter than PVC structures, do not undergo corrosive processes, and are suitable for finishing loggias in any style.
The installation of window blocks should be carried out after strengthening the parapet, which can be made of monolithic concrete or foam concrete blocks (ceramic bricks). The thickness of the parapet is provided for at least 10 cm.
When installing window fillings, an additional profile is often used, which is installed along the perimeter of the window.
Insulation of the loggia from the inside
The process of insulating the balcony can be continued after the installation of double-glazed windows. The walls of the loggia can be conditionally divided into "cold" and "warm", bordering on heated rooms. Insulation usually covers only "cold" surfaces of structures, so as not to reduce the free space of the loggia. For details of the loggia insulation, see this video:
The choice of insulation among the abundance of modern brands does not pose any particular difficulties, but when purchasing a certain type of material, the climatic conditions of the region are taken into account.
Expanded polystyrene The most popular are the following heaters:
In addition to the main insulation, a number of materials will be required to help perform work in the loggia: foam, foam cleaner, foil tape, antiseptic primer, galvanized metal profile, fastening hardware, drywall sheets.
Penoplex wall insulation technology
Consider the technology of laying insulation on the walls of the loggia using the example of installing foam.
First, you need to treat the walls of the loggia with a primer, such a coating will prevent the spread of fungal infections and mold when unfavorable conditions arise (high humidity, condensation). After applying the primer, allow the wall surfaces to dry thoroughly. For more information about foam insulation technology, see this video:
Using a sharp clerical knife, it is convenient to cut the insulation to size. In cold climates, it is worthwhile to provide for laying the foam in 2 layers with an overlap of adjacent segments of at least 5 cm.
Work should begin with fixing the first layer of insulation with special dowels to the surface of the walls. The second layer can be attached on top of the first on polyurethane foam or the same dowels.
Styrofoam sheets are fixed in a similar way.
Insulation of ceiling structures
Insulation of the ceiling of the loggia begins with the fixing of galvanized hangers and guide profiles. Holes for suspensions are pre-cut in the sheets of insulation.
You can adjust these holes with polyurethane foam. The cut insulation is reinforced on the ceiling using foam or dowels with different cores. Plastic dowels are designed for fixing lightweight materials, metal ones are used for heavy slabs.
Loggia floor: laying insulation
The floor of the loggia is considered to be the "coldest" surface and needs to be provided with maximum insulation. It is from the floor, which is poorly insulated, that the cold spreads throughout the loggia, so it is worthwhile to provide for the laying of insulation in 2 layers. For more information about insulating the floor of the loggia, see this video:
After cleaning the slab, assessing its technical condition, a decision is made to perform a leveling screed, which must dry thoroughly before continuing the insulation process.
The floors are treated 2-3 times with a protective solution against the appearance of fungus and mold, after which waterproofing can be arranged.
The next stage is laying the strips and transverse logs, which are fixed with galvanized self-tapping screws, while it is important to ensure that all the logs are of the same thickness.
The best material for floor insulation is mineral wool, the material ideally fills the crate, reliably insulating the smallest gaps and holes.
At the end of the laying of the mineral wool, they proceed to the construction of the subfloor. What material to choose for the device for finishing the floor in the loggia depends on the style of the room and the personal tastes of the owner. For information on how to treat mold and mildew, see this video:
Starting a conversation about outdoor insulation, it is worth warning about the inadmissibility of independent actions at height; professional industrial climbers should be involved in such work. The rest of the work on warming and finishing loggias can be easily done with your own hands, with some experience in construction work.
