Balcony finish

Balcony, loggia in cramped conditions of small apartments are converted into a workshop, a seating area or combined with living space. On three square meters at the expense of hanging shelves, folding furniture is a full-fledged small room or a green oasis. Own a piece of summer will delight all year round, suitable for relaxation, meeting with friends. But before expanding the boundaries of the apartment, you need to make sure the strength of the balcony slab, if necessary, strengthen the structure, strengthen the parapet, metal fencing. Finishing the balcony depends on the destination of the future premises. In order not to spend money in vain, before starting work it is necessary to evaluate the physical properties of the facing materials, the characteristics of the glass packs. The wrong choice will cause freezing, mold, condensate accumulation.

Balconies configuration

Depending on the type of house series, balconies and loggias differ in shape.

  • At a rectangular area with good insulation, you can equip a room, an office.
  • Radial balconies are warmed with soft flexible materials, glazing is performed along the contour with semicircular double-glazed windows. The space is filled with plants, folding furniture.
  • The corners of the "boat", "ironing" is better to equip the built-in furniture. Due to this, the loggia straightens, increases the usable area.
  • A convenient solution for the platform in the form of a boot is the creation of a built-in cabinet for storing a stepladder and a vacuum cleaner in the projecting part. On the remaining rectangular space is placed small-sized furniture.
  • On the balcony in the form of "kerchief" in a protruding corner, you can build shelves or a corner table, wardrobe.
  • The radial wall from the front side is played up by a round table or a rounded chair.

    

Types of glazing

The most popular glazing method is plastic windows. The doors comfortably open and close, the profile is not deformed, does not fade, does not need tinting. Even low-cost double-glazed windows reliably isolate from noise, cold. Thin aluminum profile weighs less and darkens the room. Rigid and lightweight construction is the best option for expanding the space due to the removal of the balcony, glazing of long platforms. Wooden frames withstand great frosts, keep the microclimate in the room, keep high and low sounds of frequency. Structures do not deform when temperature drops, reduce the amount of carbon dioxide coming from the atmosphere.


    

Due to the different fittings of the frame differ in the way of opening.

Types of window casements

Type of leafProperties
1DeafDo not open, combined with other types, reduce the cost of construction
2SwivelOpened inward, easy to clean, suitable for installing horizontal blinds. But on narrow balconies, occupy a lot of space in the open
3SlidingSave space, do not slam when gusts of wind, move independently of each other. Sliding systems keep heat worse than swiveling ones.
4Swing-outDuring ventilation, air flows through the top of the frame; no draft is created
5Frameless glazingDue to the snug fit of the valves in the spring and autumn on the balcony is warmer by 8-10 degrees than outside. In winter, the temperature is 2-3 degrees higher than the street temperature.

Cold glazing

Frames with single glass do not isolate heat, the temperature on the balcony area will be several degrees higher than outside. Windows are blown, not well protected from noise. The option is suitable for non-residential premises, to live on such a balcony, to grow plants only in the warm season. New houses are rented with glazed balconies. If the site will not be used as a full-fledged residential area, the walls are sheathed with insulation up to 50 mm thick. Light frames are suitable for installation in Khrushchev and homes with worn plates. To expand the balcony block, the window structure is carried outside the balcony, mounted on brackets welded to the railing. On 30 additional centimeters on each side, there is a wide window sill, a built-in table or a bar.


    

Warm glazing

Due to the glass and wall insulation creates a small but full-fledged room. Warm glazing protects from wind, cold, noise. On the loggia, which goes into the courtyard with a children's town or on a busy highway, it is good to rest at any time of the day. In winter, the balcony area maintains a comfortable climate for indoor plants. After a warm glazing and insulation, you can use the balcony all year round or combine it with a room, with or without demolition of the partition. In a small area of ​​additional heating is not required, the heat comes from the adjacent room through the balcony door. For heating a large balcony under the screed mounted electric floor. Warm glazing has flaws. Massive double-glazed windows are dangerous to use on dilapidated and built-in structures. Glazing the loggia on the top floor, for example, nine-story building, will cost more. It is necessary to make a roof that will provide heat insulation and protection from moisture.

    

Finishing requirements

Before finishing work, they insulate surfaces that do not border on heated premises. Good thermal insulation characteristics and low weight of extruded polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, foam plastic, mineral wool. To protect the insulation from mold and moisture, the surface is covered with penofol. Saves time, wall insulation sandwich panels with a polymer coating, which does not need a decorative finish. Plywood is laid on the floor under tile, cork, linoleum or logs under the board and laminate. Cement-sand screed overloads reinforced concrete slab, not recommended for balconies in the Khrushchev.
When choosing materials for decorative finishes you should consider:

  • resistance to difficult operating conditions (ultraviolet, humidity);
  • heat insulating and sound insulating properties;
  • appointment of the future premises.


    

Moisture resistance

Due to the tightness of plastic windows, air exchange between the street and the space is deteriorating. Additionally saturates the air moisture from indoor plants. In order to prevent mold and condensate, wall inlet valves are mounted that protect the insulation with penofol. A permanently habitable balcony is sheathed with materials with a low water absorption of 0.5-1% by volume. They are not deformed by alternating moistening and drying of a rabbeted chipboard, tile, gypsum board, linoleum, and PVC panels. When buying laminate need to make sure that it is moisture resistant.


    

Putty allows moisture and cold. To avoid cold bridges and condensation, joints, cracks in the floor slabs are sealed with sealant.

Heat resistance

The indicator determines the ability of building materials to withstand thermal stresses, not to collapse, not to lose strength during heating and cooling. On the sunny side a lot of thermal energy penetrates through the windows, the lining heats up. On the glazed balcony, materials are not subject to sharp temperature changes, plastic deformations do not occur, the structure remains stable.

Frost resistance

The physical and mechanical properties of the lining depend on the number of freeze / thaw cycles. The indicator is influenced by the structure and water absorption of the material. Plastic panels, lining almost do not absorb moisture, retain strength. The floor on the cold balcony is recommended to sheathe with cold-resistant linoleum, which will retain its elasticity on the unheated loggia. Frost-resistant plaster, which does not crack at low temperatures, does not swell in the thaw and the off-season, is suitable for wall decoration. The outer surfaces of the balcony are sheathed with aluminum or vinyl siding, a galvanized corrugated flooring.


    

The choice of material for decoration and decoration

The main task of facing the internal surfaces is to create a cozy room. For a well-insulated mini-room design, choose the appropriate finish. The cold loggia is sheathed with materials resistant to temperature fluctuations. The perception of space is affected by the texture, color of the lining. Visually increase the narrow balcony area light shades and glossy surfaces. For those who do not like plain walls, suitable materials with a small pattern. During warming the height of the balcony block is reduced. This disadvantage is corrected by the same bright color of the walls and ceiling, contrasting tone and polished surface of the floor. A long shallow balcony visually expanding materials with a transverse pattern.


    

The same surface texture weight space. On the balcony, smooth plaster and panels imitating torn brick are beautifully combined. The combination of wood and tile revives the interior.

Walls

There are many ways to decorate the walls of the balcony, the material is chosen depending on the interior style, considerations of practicality.

The most popular building materials

MaterialFeatures
1Plastic panelsEasily mounted with their own hands, hide the wiring, are inexpensive, well cleaned of dust, resistant to moisture, fungus. Due to imitation of brickwork, leather, fabric, stone, they are suitable for different styles of decoration.
2Euro liningNatural material always looks beautiful, maintains the natural microclimate, retains heat, improves sound insulation. Boards with sawn slots for condensate do not crack when temperature drops, do not bend, fit tightly to each other
3Decorative plasterThe mixtures are applied on a brick, concrete base, chipboard, condensate is not formed on the breathing surfaces. Independently easily implemented technology of applying "bark beetle", drawings on plaster with a roller. Do not be afraid of moisture formulations with vegetable fibers, silicone. Bad mix air on vinyl and acrylic base
4Moisture resistant plasterboardImproves sound insulation, levels walls, passes air. GKVL suitable for painting, pasting with liquid wallpaper. On drywall 12.5 mm, you can hang pictures, shelves up to 6 kg
5Fake diamondThe cement-based material is not afraid of changing the temperature, mechanical damage, easy to cut, looks like a natural stone. Heavy cladding is not recommended for loggias in old houses
6BambooBamboo cloths do not fade, do not stratify, do not attract dust. Solid bamboo looks original, combined with wood, plaster
7MDF panelsEasy to install, hide the base errors, you can independently sew up the walls. Laminated surfaces do not warp with a small temperature difference.


    

Ceiling

After waterproofing, processing the gaps with silicone sealant and heat insulation, the ceiling is trimmed with light materials.

  • PVC panels.

Facing is mounted on the ceiling or crate after rough preparation. Low cost plastic is practical, easily maintained clean, not permeable to moisture and steam. PVC panels, when mounted on a wooden frame, due to the air gap improve thermal insulation by 20%.

  • Paint.

Resistant to moisture and temperature differences with facade paint cover the ceilings in cold areas. Acrylic and water-based formulations are used to finish the warm balcony.

  • Wooden lining, MDF plates.

Masking cable grooves, uneven ground, beautiful and modern look, fit without gaps. Wood passes the air, saves heat, reduces the passing sounds.


    

Floor

Good heat-saving characteristics in cork flooring. Cork extinguishes sounds, does not slip, does not become covered by dust. When heating the floor on the sunny side of the house, no toxic substances are released. The floorboard serves without change of texture for decades, looks beautiful, and is combined with different wall materials. Linoleum on a natural basis well tolerates mechanical loads, is not afraid of moisture, but can crack on a cold balcony. Laminate copes well with mechanical loads, it is used on sites where the temperature does not fall below plus 5 ° C. Pleasant to the touch carpet creates comfort on the loggia, converted into a children's room or bedroom. When heated on the south side of the apartment, porcelain stoneware does not emit harmful compounds and does not abrade. Floor covering with almost zero absorption can be sheathed unglazed sites.

    

Ideas for decorating the balcony

If the balcony space is not burdened with bulky items, order built-in furniture, you can create a full mini-room for rest and work.

  • Cabinet

Dimensions of balconies in panel houses do not allow to turn around, but even on a small narrow platform in the end there is a chair, wall-mounted shelves, a desk.


    

  • Creative workshop.

For the equipment you will need a comfortable chair and a functional table, shelves. Boxes, racks for tools are easy to build from scrap materials yourself. At the end fit a sewing machine, workbench, easel. For economical use of space, the table can be replaced with a long table top along the entire length of the loggia.


    

  • Winter Garden.

In a greenhouse, high air humidity, so that finishing materials are not destroyed by condensate, you need to install forced-type fans or windows with automatic ventilation.


    

  • Game room.

For small children, a dollhouse or a tent is being built at the end of the site. Schoolchildren organize a small area with a horizontal bar or wall bars. For a comfortable temperature in the game room you need to install a warm floor. On the large loggia, you can install a transformable sofa and table.


    

  • Mini-gym.

The main requirements for the premises - reliable overlap, which will withstand the load and shock absorbing floor of cork, composite tiles. On small venues, you will have to limit yourself to one simulator and a warm-up zone. On the long balcony there is enough space for a few shells, a corner for relaxing from a folding table and folding chairs.

Combining a loggia / balcony with living space

For legal reconstruction before the start of the repair you need to get the consent of your neighbors, a notice of permission for redevelopment in the housing inspection. For a package of documents, a construction project plan is prepared, which is coordinated with the fire inspectorate, SES, architectural department, department of cultural heritage. The most common failure cases are an emergency condition and a building does not comply with the required characteristics.

Without a lengthy and costly process, you can remove the window block and the door, save the window jumper, the wall under the window, the threshold. Exit to the loggia is made in the form of an asymmetric arch. An original type of curvilinear coating is given with artificial stone, brick panels, decorative inlays. A tabletop, a bar, a stand for flowers, souvenirs, an aquarium are made from the subwindow block. The shelves installed along the entire height of the former window opening look original.


    

The threshold in brick houses compensates for the bend of the balcony slab, after its dismantling the structure is weakened. In panel constructions, the concrete bridge blocks the flow of cold air through the joint, the demolition leads to freezing.

Balcony decoration styles

When choosing a direction take into account the purpose of the room and their own feelings.

  • Loft with artificially aged surfaces, ceilings sewn with planks, a wooden box instead of a curbstone, coarse shelves will be suitable for a study, a bed, a workshop.
  • Close to nature, a rustic with simple furniture, wooden and stone surfaces will relieve tension, create an illusion of calm in a recreation area.
  • In the workshop, decorated in the style of shebbi-chic, against the background of pastel plastered walls, it is cozy for writers, artists, house craftswomen to create.
  • Minimalism is a good option for small loggias. Light shades of the walls expand the space. On a white background, a wall with imitation brickwork, concise black shelves stands out well.
  • High-tech with clear lines gives rigor to the workplace of a teenager. Walls, ceiling trim plasterboard, plaster. At the end of the set a narrow glass table with chrome parts.
  • The white and light blue color, inherent to the Scandinavian style, as if expands and cools the space of the loggia, facing the southern part of the apartment. The cold shade can be diluted with a warm tone of wooden lining.


    

Conclusion

Additional residential meters on a warm loggia unload the apartment, for some they become a place of work and a relaxing holiday. With the expansion of the kitchen there is an opportunity to accommodate appliances, to equip the dining area. Glazing, cladding materials are not cheap. But you can decorate the balcony yourself with inexpensive plastic panels, drywall, plaster. Combining a balcony area with a room is a financially expensive option. In any case, the added square meters are cheaper than the market value of the meter. In order to avoid trouble, when finishing a balcony you should not violate the law on redevelopment, you need to restore the jagged edges and corners, calculate the load on the overlap.

Watch the video: Balcony assembly: Tile installation with drainage, waterproofing, and uncoupling (March 2024).

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