Today's balcony in many apartments turns into a full-fledged room, a functional space. This is especially true for small apartments, whose residents appreciate every centimeter. If the balcony is insulated, it becomes an office, a storage room, a resting place, a mini greenhouse, a dining room or an extra bed. There are many options for its use. The main thing is to do the work on its insulation with high quality. Only in this case it will be warm and cozy on the balcony.
Features and Benefits
In the warm season, the whole family can rest on the balcony, but when autumn comes, this room becomes useless. If you insulate it, the situation will change. The plus is that all the planned work is easy to do on your own. Additionally, a warm room is a space in which it is easy to create a small work area or sitting area. In addition, the presence of a warm balcony will automatically make the apartment cozier and warmer. You can attach a living room or kitchen to it, depending on its location. This will create extra space.
Before you start with insulation or glazing, you need to get expert advice. He will definitely tell you what kind of load a warm balcony can withstand, whether it is worth strengthening it. If the base is a strong concrete slab, the question of reinforcement does not arise. But the metal parapet must be reinforced with foam blocks or lightweight bricks made of ceramic material. The same should be done in the case of a fragile fastening of a reinforced concrete base.
Double-glazed windows in wooden frames can be used for insulation. They are environmentally friendly, allow windows to "breathe", but are expensive. Aluminum windows insulated with polyamide inlays increase the thermal insulation of the room. The most optimal would be the equipment of PVC windows with double glazing, which reliably retain heat.
Such windows are cheaper than wooden ones, but at the same time their thermal insulation is not inferior to aluminum ones.
What materials are better to choose
For finishing balconies or loggias today there are many varieties of finishing materials, with the help of which they give even the smallest room an original and attractive look. The main thing is to make the right choice of material for finishing. For insulation, experts recommend using cork, plastic panels, lining with a wooden or plastic base, drywall, plaster, MDF panels, decorative stone, aluminum profile, penoplex, expanded polystyrene, penofol.
Mineral wool, styrofoam finishing is an excellent solution for self-warming a room.
In the case of a non-insulated balcony, it is better to give preference to artificial stone, plastic frost-resistant lining, cork panels or tiles. The following materials are most often used for finishing:
Drywall
- This material differs in that there are no toxic substances in its basis, it is easy to process and is combined with other finishing materials in design. Drywall can be plastered, painted, wallpapered, sheathed with panels and clapboard. With the help of such a versatile material, it is enough to simply turn a balcony into a full-fledged living room.
PVC panels
- A practical solution, but it is better not to use this material if the constant temperature on the balcony is below five degrees. This problem can be solved with the help of frost-resistant panels, developed using new technologies. This material is not afraid of moisture, but it is able to quickly lose color from direct sunlight. This point should be taken into account if the room is located on the south side. Advantages: low cost, quick and easy installation with glue.
Cork panels
- They create coziness that cannot be organized using other finishing materials. Cork panels are pressed bark of cork oak. Cork panels are easy to install and are suitable for any type of balcony, regardless of the room temperature. The cork panel does not absorb foreign odors, including the smell of tobacco. Lack of material - high price. For insulation, inexpensive penoplex is also used, mineral wool is also perfect.
How to properly insulate a balcony with your own hands: step by step instructions
A balcony in a city apartment is a special space. This piece of the house, brought out under the open sky, can become an office, a greenhouse or a resting corner, you just have to glaze and isolate it.
Do-it-yourself balcony insulation will save a lot of money. Sheathing in a panel house, in "Khrushchev" is done taking into account the characteristics of the apartment and the building.
- Step 1... To begin with, the dismantling of old frames is carried out, the surface is prepared and things are taken out. Insulation from the inside is an important stage in the entire process.
- Step 2... At the second stage, it is necessary to glaze the balcony. The best option would be plastic PVC windows. Many people prefer to keep the old wood frames. However, remember that even if wooden structures are in good condition, they will not be able to organize the same heat savings. There are cracks in the tree, so it makes no sense to engage in insulation in this situation.
- Step 3... After the plastic windows are installed, you can start to warm the floor. Be prepared for the floor to get higher. Consider this if the ceiling in the room is low.
- Step 4... Wall cladding is carried out after the installation of windows and floor insulation. The walls on the balcony are side walls, except for the main one. At the final stage of insulation, finishing works are carried out. The choice of materials depends on the budget. In the process of finishing, window slopes are installed overlooking the balcony.
Required tools and materials
- In order to insulate a balcony or loggia, you will need the following tools: a hacksaw for metal or a clerical knife; roulette; level; pencil, marker or any other writing instrument; glue application tool - brush, spatula, and so on; other instruments. From the materials you need glue and the insulation itself. In addition, you will need a vapor barrier film and a windproof membrane.
A frame device is also required. In this case, you will need wooden beams, as well as nails to secure them. You may also need special fasteners - nails with very wide heads. They are used when polystyrene is not attached with glue.
Insulation inside
- High-quality thermal insulation combined with double glazing turns the balcony into a living space. It is necessary to insulate not only the walls, but also the floor with the ceiling. Insulation materials must be durable, lightweight, safe for humans. Due to precipitation and condensation, the walls of the balcony can become damp and moldy, which means that a hydro and vapor barrier is needed.
Polystyrene foam meets these requirements as much as possible: traditional foam and Penoplex thermal insulation boards. The first is very lightweight, compressive strength, and waterproof. Penoplex is insulation made of extruded polystyrene foam. Its margin of safety and durability surpasses conventional foam, and its shape makes it easy to install in the grip and provides perfect insulation. Balcony cladding with slabs can be performed both inside and outside.
Insulation of a closed balcony begins with surface preparation. It is necessary to carefully cover the gaps and joints between the floor, walls and parapet with polyurethane foam without toluene in the composition. Metal structures must be cleaned of rust, covered with oil paint and treated with a building antiseptic.
Before installing the insulation, they put windows and doors. Window sills and slopes are mounted at the last stage of work. The glazing of the balcony depends on the parapet. If this is just a metal crate, it needs to be built up with ceramic (lightweight) bricks or foam blocks. The thickness should not exceed ten centimeters. To protect the foam blocks, at the finishing stage they are covered with corrugated board.
Floor
Window structures can be installed on a reinforced concrete parapet immediately using various assembly and sealing compounds. Reinforced-plastic windows have excellent characteristics, with skillful installation, they reliably protect the balcony and look aesthetically pleasing. When choosing a model, it is worth stopping at swing frames with double glazing.
Floor
- In order to insulate the floor, you can resort to two different directions at once: to make it warm or to constantly warm it up. We are talking about installing a floor heating system, for example, an electric one. Installation of a water system on a balcony is very inconvenient and almost impossible, but installation of an electrical or film system is easy to carry out.
photos
It all starts with preparation. A waterproofing film is laid on the floor under the tiles, which protects the floor from moisture from the outside. Further, the crate is arranged. Instead of a lag, a bar is used, five centimeters thick. If you do not want to raise the floor too much in relation to the old coating, it is better to use a beam of low height. A square beam of 50 × 50 mm is perfect. The beams are laid every 40-60 cm.
To prevent moisture from entering the insulation from the inside, it is covered with a vapor barrier film. It is laid on top of the beams and attached to them with a construction stapler. For internal fastening, a fastening step of 50 cm is sufficient so as not to create unnecessary holes in the film. Polystyrene must be protected from moisture on all sides. Therefore, it is better to lay the film with an overlap on the walls. All gaps between the beams and walls should be sealed with the same insulation material or polyurethane foam.
Walls
- Many do not insulate the walls, believing that from the side of the house the cold does not come to the balcony. In many ways it is, but the work must be done. The walls themselves are not sources of cold, but the joints between them and the side walls of the balcony can be. For this reason, the whole work can only consist in installing foam foam, which is vapor-tight and thin. He will protect the walls from icing and the penetration of condensate into the balcony.
- Ceiling. If we are talking about a private house, then it is best to make a special roof structure. It is recommended to make a pitched roof, the slope of which is directed away from the house. The roof is made of rafters and lathing. A waterproofing film is attached on top of it. Roofing material is attached to the film, and the waterproofing is on top of the double-sided vapor barrier film, with the absorbent side inward. From below, the rafters are hemmed with a vapor-permeable windproof membrane.
The floor slab, that is, the horizontal part, must have several layers at once: insulation; vapor barrier layer; load-bearing beams with interior decoration. The device begins with the installation of the frame, namely the rafter system. Next, a vapor barrier double-sided membrane is attached to it in the specified way. Then they arrange a crate and lay a waterproofing layer. You can use classic roofing felt or special PVC films.
- Insulation outside. In order to insulate the balcony from the outside on your own, skills are required. It is not easy to do quality work on your own, taking into account the characteristics of the building. Finishing outside means saving up to thirty percent on heating. Remember that outdoor work is fraught with some difficulties: if the balcony is higher than the second floor, then industrial climbers will have to be involved in the work.
Before starting the insulation, obtain the consent of the officials from the architecture department. The exterior of the balcony can spoil the overall picture, but if you finish in the same style as the entire building, then you can get permission. External insulation has a number of advantages:
- the reinforced concrete slab remains warm, humid air from the room freely passes through it and is released into the atmosphere;
- saving useful space;
- you can install a layer of thermal insulation of any thickness, this will not affect the inner space of the balcony in any way.
The materials can be used the same as for interior work. Preference is given to sprayed thermal insulation as the lightest and most effective. Experts recommend using polystyrene or expanded polystyrene. Mineral wool is sensitive to moisture penetration, so its installation requires special care and accuracy.
An independent procedure for insulating a balcony is difficult. All stages must be performed at a high level, otherwise the room will not be completely isolated. A glass, panoramic, stained-glass balcony is an excellent solution for a small space. Designers advise to connect it to the room for expansion. A glazed balcony connected to the kitchen on the top floor is a luxurious solution.
Owners of city apartments often wonder how to insulate a balcony inside with their own hands. This procedure is actually simple. However, it is nevertheless necessary to observe the established technologies during its implementation. First of all, of course, you will need to decide on how to insulate the balcony inside with your own hands. The method of covering the parapet, walls and ceiling will largely depend on the type of material chosen.
Styrofoam or mineral wool?
These two materials are most often chosen for insulating balconies and loggias. Expanded polystyrene costs a little more than mineral wool. However, at the same time, it is also the best answer to the question of how to insulate the balcony inside. The fact is that when sheathing the loggia from the side of residential premises, the so-called is inside the insulating "pie". Therefore, it is much better to use a moisture-resistant material for insulation. Inexpensive mineral wool, unfortunately, does not differ in such properties. She picks up moisture very quickly. You can, of course, use it. However, in this case, you will have to pay maximum attention to waterproofing. So the best answer to the question of how to insulate the balcony inside with your own hands is still expanded polystyrene.
Material characteristics
When choosing sheets for balcony insulation, you should pay attention to the following factors:
density,
Expanded polystyrene sheets produced by modern manufacturers have standard sizes: 2x1, 0.5x1 or 1x1. For those who wondered how to sheathe the balcony from the inside, you should think about purchasing smaller sheets. Too large slabs to mount in the limited space of the loggia will be very inconvenient. For a balcony, the 0.5x1 option or, in extreme cases, 1x1 is best suited.
As for the thickness, you can buy absolutely any expanded polystyrene for the balcony. The only thing that should be guided in this case is such an indicator as the area of the loggia. After assembling the insulating cake, there should be enough free space on the balcony for a comfortable pastime. Most often, the owners of loggias of typical Soviet-built houses choose polystyrene foam with a thickness of 40-50 mm.
The density of this type of insulation can be found by looking at the markings. The best answer to the question of how to sheathe the balcony from the inside would be the use of 15-25 grade expanded polystyrene. The higher the numbers, the less thermal conductivity the material has, and the more brittle it is. If the expanded polystyrene is supposed to be covered with decorative plaster or wallpaper in the future, it is worth purchasing thicker plates. If, however, lining or panels will be used as a quality, you can take loose sheets that retain heat well.
Where to begin?
So, how to insulate the balcony inside with your own hands, you now know. Next, let's figure out how to do it right. Before proceeding with the installation of the insulating "pie", it is necessary to carefully prepare the loggia itself. First of all, the wooden floors are dismantled. Then they begin to repair the parapet. If there are through slots in it, they must be sealed with a sealant. Chips are sealed with cement mortar or moisture resistant putty. The walls, floor and ceiling are prepared in the same way.
Loggia waterproofing
Asking the question of how to properly insulate the balcony with their own hands inside, the owners of the apartment must first of all make sure that this small room is always dry. Waterproofing when performing this operation is considered mandatory (especially when using mineral wool as insulation). In its absence:
the service life of the balcony finish will be reduced;
all metal structures will quickly rust;
due to high humidity, various kinds of fungi will begin to develop, as a result of which an unpleasant odor will appear on the loggia.
Sometimes on balconies uninsulated in this way, even supporting structures begin to collapse, which, of course, is very dangerous.
The easiest way is to waterproof the balcony using bitumen-polymer mastic. It is heated to a liquid state, the floor is poured over it and the parapet is coated in 2-3 layers. Sometimes roll materials are also used to waterproof the balcony.
What glue is needed
Those who wondered how to insulate a balcony inside with polystyrene or expanded polystyrene should, among other things, take care of using suitable glue to fix the sheets. It is allowed to mount this material directly on the mastic (on polymer-bitumen - immediately, on bitumen - after complete drying). In this case, a special glue should be used. It is called Bitumast.
What else do you have to buy
Thus, you now know how to insulate the balcony inside with your own hands. A photo of expanded polystyrene sheets - the most suitable material for this purpose - can be seen on the page. However, in addition to them and glue, to insulate the balcony, you will also need to prepare:
reinforcing mesh,
dowels-fungi,
polyurethane foam (no toluene),
decorative plaster or wallpaper.
Pasting technology
So, next, let's see how to insulate the loggia from the inside. Installation of sheets should start from the corner. This rule is true both when pasting a parapet and walls or ceilings. Actually, the installation operation itself is performed as follows:
Expanded polystyrene sheets are roughened. To do this, they are passed with a special needle roller. Treated in this way, they will hold up much better.
A support rail is attached to the bottom of the parapet.
The adhesive solution is evenly applied to the surface of the wall, ceiling or parapet.
Press the polystyrene foam tightly to the surface.
The material for insulating the balcony from the inside should be mounted in such a way that the joints between the sheets have a T-shaped appearance (as when laying bricks). After the plate is glued, it should be additionally secured with mushroom dowels (5 per sheet). Holes for them can be drilled directly through the sheets. At the final stage, the joints are processed. In this case, construction foam is used.
Reinforcing mesh gluing
Expanded polystyrene is an excellent answer to the question of what is the best way to insulate a balcony inside. However, decorative plaster does not hold well on this material. To remedy the situation, use a special reinforcing mesh. Mount it as follows:
Previously, the expanded polystyrene surface of the ceiling, parapet and walls is completely coated with glue (for foam).
Another layer of glue is applied on top of it. Its thickness should be such that the mesh joints do not protrude above the surface plane.
Fine finishing
So, we figured out how to insulate a balcony with our own hands. A step-by-step photo of this process is presented above. As you can see, this procedure is relatively simple. At the final stage, the dried glue surface is passed with a special float to roughen it. Next, they start applying decorative plaster. You can also wallpaper the balcony.
Second way
The loggia insulation technique discussed above is suitable when using dense polystyrene foam. And if the owners decided to buy mineral wool as an insulator? How to insulate a balcony with your own hands? A step-by-step (photo of the process is presented below) guidance for performing work in this case will look like this:
A frame made of wooden beams is attached to the parapet, walls, floor and ceiling. The step between its elements should be equal to the width of the plates of the selected insulation. The timber can be fixed to the concrete parapet with self-tapping screws. For balconies with a metal fence, an independent paving structure is assembled.
Further, the insulation itself is inserted between the elements of the frame. The material is attached to the concrete parapet with "fungi" (expanded polystyrene can be additionally glued). If the fence is metal, it is better to use cotton wool and insert it into a rasp. If expanded polystyrene is chosen for insulation, you can, for example, fix plywood on the back of the frame and glue the material to it.
It is stretched over the insulation. It is better to fasten it with thin rails (two on each side of the timber).
the balcony is finished with clapboard, plastic panels, plasterboard or plywood. Attach the material to the frame beams.
How to insulate the floor
The base of the balcony is insulated last. The floor is pre-waterproofed, and then logs are installed on it. The answer to the question of what to insulate inside is simple. Most often, expanded polystyrene or mineral wool is placed between the bars. You can also use expanded clay. A vapor barrier is attached on top of the insulation, and then a floor or edged board is stuffed. Then the floor is covered with linoleum or any other suitable material.
Heated balcony
Whatever the answer to the question of how to insulate the balcony inside, the owners of the house choose for themselves, subject to the installation technology, in the future it will be possible to have a good time here, including in winter. However, on very cold days, even on an isolated loggia, additional heating may be required. It is strictly forbidden to carry out central heating by the regulations. Therefore, the best solution would be to install a conventional electric heater here. It should be placed against the wall separating the balcony and the apartment. It is not recommended to install heating devices near the parapet. The fact is that in this case, due to the rising warm air on the balcony, the glass will begin to fog up strongly.
You can also arrange on the loggia
Warm floor
This work is done as follows:
Heat-insulating material is laid on the floor.
Installed metal
The heating cable is being laid.
A thermostat is hung on the wall.
A concrete screed with a thickness of 30-40 mm is poured.
The floor covering is laid.
Well, we hope we have quite extensively answered the question of how to insulate the balcony inside with our own hands and how to do it correctly. The most important thing when assembling a "pie" is not to violate the established technology. In this case, the balcony will turn out to be cozy and warm.
Turning an ordinary balcony into a cozy nest, expanding living space by combining a balcony with a room, or getting an additional small room - such desires are motivated by many today.
It all starts with reliable glazing. A high-quality double-glazed window is the basis of the microclimate on the loggia. But that is not all.
It is not enough just to close up all the cracks and hope that it will become comfortable on the balcony. You need to know the best way to insulate the balcony from the inside, how to do it correctly, and calculate the costs.
The works are carried out according to the "Top-down" principle, that is:
- Ceiling.
- Walls (all except the one that separates the balcony from the room).
Insulation options for balconies
The walls of the balconies are designed as cold, completely devoid of any insulation.Therefore, in order to achieve room temperatures, you will have to insulate not only all the walls, but also the floor and ceiling.
The exception is those balconies where the neighbors above and below have already made a warm loggia.
If, for example, there is one above you, then you do not need to insulate the ceiling.
To choose which insulation to use, consider the characteristics and features of technologies for:
- Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene).
- Penoplex.
- Penofol and Izolona.
- Mineral wool.
The easiest way is to use materials that are not afraid of moisture, that is, with low vapor permeability. The fact is that the air inside the room is always more humid, and it will tend to go outside, gradually impregnating the materials.
Insulators such as glass wool, when wet, lose their properties, so they need additional layers of vapor and waterproofing.
Thermal insulation of the balcony with polystyrene foam (expanded polystyrene)
Foam plastic, familiar to everyone, has many advantages, the main of which is the lowest price among heaters. It perfectly keeps heat (air can make up to 99% of its mass), does not rot, is lightweight and it is safe to work with it.
Styrofoam has its drawbacks - it burns easily (and releases poisonous toxins when it burns), crumbles when cutting and is easily damaged by awkward handling.
Internal insulation of the balcony with foam
Although foam is considered a moisture resistant material, it is best to mount it with waterproofing. And the weakness in front of the sun's rays and rodents, in the case of a balcony, does not matter.
There are two ways to attach the foam:
- Wireframe.
- Kleeva.
Frame method
At the beginning, a slatted frame made of profile or wood is mounted on the walls or floor.
- Pieces of polystyrene are cut to size and inserted into the gaps (it is better to make the piece 1 - 2 mm larger so that the bullet fits in).
- If the pieces fit tightly, there will be no gaps, but if there are gaps, they need to be foamed.
- A layer of film (vapor barrier) is nailed with staples to the slats.
- Finish coating.
Frame method for installing foam
Glue method
The surface is being prepared: it is cleaned, cracks are closed, primed.
- With an adhesive composition (like Ceresite), walls are processed, slabs are attached to it.
- Another layer of adhesive is now applied to the outside of the foam.
- A reinforcing fiberglass mesh (cells 5 x 5 mm) is planted on this adhesive layer. The mesh should fit snugly, but not sink into the adhesive layer.
- Time is given for the adhesive layer to dry completely.
- The third layer of glue is applied (already on the mesh).
- The surface is putty.
- Finishing finish.
Fastening foam plates with adhesive
It will not be superfluous to additionally fix the foam sheets using fasteners with washers (or umbrellas).
Thermal insulation of the balcony with penoplex (extruded polystyrene foam)
This is a subspecies of foam with much smaller cells (0.1 mm each). Strong lightweight boards, with a thickness of 2 to 8 cm. Environmentally neutral, moisture resistant, thermal conductivity in the region of 0.3 - 0.4 (which is very good), perfectly amenable to cutting and withstands compressive loads well. The density of the boards is 25 - 40 kg / m 3.
The installation process will not cause any special difficulties even for a non-professional:
- A frame is made of wooden blocks.
- With a hacksaw, the foam slabs are cut so that they enter the gaps between the bars.
- After placing the sheets in their places, all seams and joints are processed with polyurethane foam.
- After that, you can proceed to facing with a topcoat.
Penoplex as thermal insulation
Penoplex can be used to insulate walls, floors, balcony ceilings. Does not require additional layers of waterproofing. Average cost per m2: 80 - 100 rubles.
Despite the fact that wood is a warm material, heat escapes well through the underground, so insulation must be done. - the required materials and work sequence.
You will find a guide for cladding a house with siding with your own hands.
And in this article you will find an overview of heaters that are not gnawed by mice and rats, as well as materials that are undesirable to use.
Insulation with penofol and isolon
These are soft insulation rolls. The thickness is not large - only from 2 mm to 1 cm. It can consist of one layer of foamed polyethylene, or covered with a foil layer on both sides. But most often on sale there is foamed polyethylene with one layer of foil. The material is environmentally neutral, lasts a very long time, lightweight and moisture resistant. It's easy to work with him.
Instructions for insulating a balcony with penofol:
- After preparing the surface, sheets of penofol are gradually fixed on them. The fastening is done with self-tapping screws with a wide head. You can simply cut out washers that will prevent the material from being pushed through and through. In some cases, staples are used.
- The foil side is located inside the room.
- The connection of two sheets is done end-to-end, the joints are glued with foil tape.
Penofol as insulation
The thickness of penofol may not be enough for high-quality insulation of the outer walls of the balcony in harsh climatic zones.
In this case, it is combined with other types of insulation (it can play the role of waterproofing), or two layers of foam foam are made.
Minvata is a common name for fibrous insulation materials. This includes glass wool, basalt wool, stone wool, slag wool. This, familiar to everyone, isover and URSA.
Fibrous materials keep heat well (while they are dry), are not flammable, they can be of different density and thickness, and are packaged in rolls or briquettes.
The main disadvantage is that cotton wool must be protected from moisture, otherwise it will lose its properties. In addition, you need to work with the material very carefully - be sure to wear a mask, glasses and gloves. The smallest particles can enter the mucous membranes and the respiratory tract and damage them.
Thermal insulation of the balcony with mineral wool
Phased insulation with mineral wool:
- For waterproofing floors and ceilings, roll materials can be used; for walls, the use of impregnations, mastics and special paints is recommended.
- The crate for mineral wool is somewhat different from that for foam, for example. The bars here are made protruding above the wool by 0.5 - 1 cm. This provides an air gap. And the step between them is 1 cm less than the width of the cotton wool slab.
- The insulation is smeared with glue and tightly inserted into the gap between the bars.
- When the glue dries, the cotton wool is additionally fixed with fasteners with fungi.
- A layer of penofol (the foil is directed into the room) or film.
- Finishing finish.
The ceiling is a weak point in a private house in terms of heat loss, therefore thermal insulation is necessary. - materials and methods of installation of insulation, read carefully.
What insulation for pipes in the ground is the most reliable, read the link. We will also consider methods for insulating a water supply system underground.
Other materials
Expanded clay
Bulk material in the form of granules, which are sometimes used for floor insulation on loggias.
Polyurethane foam (PPU)
The gas-filled mass, which is applied using special sprayers, foams and dries quickly (by analogy with polyurethane foam). This method of insulation has many advantages - the surface does not need layer-by-layer insulation, there are no cold bridges, the work is done quickly. Can be applied on ceilings, floors and walls, even in the coldest regions. The downside is the complexity of the process and the need for special equipment.
Which insulation is better
Let's summarize:- If the price does not matter, and everything will be done by professional builders, then it is better to order insulation with polyurethane foam.
- If saving is in the first place, it is better to choose foam.
- The simplicity of the work will delight those who decide to give preference to penoplex.
- And with penofol it is possible to insulate the balcony to the stage "So that it just does not freeze."
When choosing a heater, you need to take into account not only its heat-conducting characteristics, but also weight (it is not desirable to overload balconies), the finished insulation thickness (reducing the area in all directions is also not desirable), and how easy it will be to work with it at the installation stage.
Video on the topic
Loggia is a part of the apartment that requires high-quality insulation. If you leave it in its original state, then in winter the cold will penetrate into the rest of the premises, and this is an extra cash cost for heating. The owners, who do not know how and how to insulate the balcony on their own, invite workers, whose services cost a lot of money. And it's good if the hired foremen turn out to be professionals, because contractors with a lack of qualifications often come to the call.
Show all
If we take professionals as an example, they first visually assess the condition of the balcony and take into account in what year the apartment building was built. Then they pay attention to the frame (it is metal or wooden) and assess the dilapidation of the skin. Last but not least, experienced workers compare neighboring loggias and can offer the owner to make a design in the same style as them.
Because of the old-style balconies, the whole work becomes more complicated, especially if this building is not closed, but open. In this case, the craftsmen are engaged in additional strengthening of the structure and replacing rotten parts: they cut off the rusted metal elements of the frame and reconstruct the concrete platform. The upper and lower parts of the balcony must be reinforced without fail.
how to insulate a balcony with your own hands
It is after the measures to restore the structure that the specialists are engaged in the facing and internal thermal insulation of the room. Often, the owners prefer to equip their balconies with foam blocks and double-glazed windows. The stones are laid out at half the total height of the loggia, and the open space is closed with windows. As a result, not only an attractive appearance of the building is created, but also its strength is significantly increased. By the way, a double-glazed window will significantly insulate the room.
If the owner of the apartment changes the windows to plastic, then it is advisable for him to purchase products with double glass, since single ones in the cold season retain heat by only 30%.
Without preparing the balcony, you cannot approach the subsequent drastic actions. Before purchasing materials for insulating a loggia, inside the premises, specialists carry out the following work:
The interior arrangement of the loggia concerns not only the ceiling and walls. It is equally important to insulate the floor, for example, with penofol.
For internal insulation of almost all structures, expanded polystyrene is very widely used. Its low cost does not affect quality. It is sold in the form of plates with a thickness of 5 cm or more. If the apartment is located in the north, then it is better to use sheets of 15 cm in thickness. For the installation of foam, they make a crate with the same cells. Expanded polystyrene is convenient in that it can be easily cut with an ordinary knife.
The positive aspects of this insulation are that it is odorless, does not emit harmful substances, is environmentally friendly and does not affect human health. Sheets, as a rule, are fixed on special "umbrellas" or construction glue. As an economy, it is better to insulate the balcony inside with it.
Mineral wool is also quite popular. Such insulation is slightly more expensive than polystyrene, but this is due to the additional sound insulation that the material possesses. Therefore, using mineral wool, you can not only insulate the structure with high quality, but also eliminate street noises. It is sold in the form of yellow rolls.
Warming the loggia Secrets of craftsmanship from Alexey Zemskov
The fire safety of this insulation is at a high level, and the absence of a specific smell makes the mineral wool one of the most demanded. The material begins to melt at a temperature of 1000 degrees. For such rolls, it is also necessary to tinker with a crate. Another plus is easy cutting. The disadvantage is due to the composition, which includes powdered glass, which bites into the skin during work and causes itching and redness.
Penoplex is a new insulation that has appeared on the building materials market relatively recently and has already become popular. It has a low weight, due to which it is convenient to work with it. Penoplex is produced in the form of rectangular sheets, which can be cut even with a clerical knife. By the method of fastening, it is similar to polystyrene, which is glued or fixed with fasteners. The surface of the material is rough, so it does not slip in your hands.
Granular expanded clay is often laid on the floor. Such insulation for the balcony inside has a porous structure and consists of fired clay, so it is environmentally friendly. Builders use it to insulate floors and ceilings.
The work process is simple, it is enough to create a layer of expanded clay and spill it with liquid cement so that the granules are held together. But it must be borne in mind that such material will take 15-20 cm of height from floor to ceiling. In addition, a thin-layer screed will have to be poured over the expanded clay, because the embossed surface will not be suitable for laying, for example, the same parquet or laminate.
Another option for insulation is penofol... It is made from polyethylene foam. The material is especially suitable for water-heated floors, as it has a foil covering with a heat-reflecting effect. This insulation has 4 advantages: it does not let the wind through, retains heat, prevents water penetration and has vapor barrier properties. Penofol is flexible and easy to cut, and environmentally friendly substances do not harm human health. Insulation is produced in the form of rolls, therefore, it is convenient to work with it. The installation process takes no more than 1 hour.
Insulation of balconies and loggias: eight mistakes of decorators
As previously mentioned, foam is cheap, but nevertheless practical, many builders use it. What is the best way to insulate the balcony from the inside with expanded polystyrene:
The thickness of the wall from the edge of the interior finish to the outside, taking into account the foam block, should be 30 cm. This is enough to retain heat and prevent the penetration of cold into the room.
Pouring concrete, expanded clay layer and similar methods cost a lot of money. You can make a similar insulation, but at the same time save money. An option for a cheap finish made of wood and foam can be as follows:
How to insulate the balcony? The choice of insulation.
Specialists always start finishing with walls and ceilings, and at the end they work on the floor. If you do the opposite, the base will be damaged and the front surface will be scratched.
It is very difficult to calculate the total amount, since many factors affect this. First, you must first decide whether the loggia will be a living room. If so, you will have to spend money on double-glazed windows. Secondly, prices for heaters change almost every day. Thirdly, you need to decide what kind of furniture the room will be furnished with. Therefore, you should not allocate a strictly fixed amount for such an event; it is better to prepare additional finances, just in case, in case unforeseen expenses arise.
It is also recommended to prepare an estimate in advance and find a source of marketing for the material cheaper, for example, not through intermediaries, but directly buy building materials at the base. If you turn to specialists for help, they will take into account the following points:
You may also have to spend money on furniture and other home furnishings.
Arrangement of a loggia with the help of specialists will cost a large amount, which will significantly hit the wallet. But if you insulate the balcony inside with your own hands, then the total expense will be about 10 thousand rubles.
How to properly insulate a balcony from the inside with your own hands - this question I had to ask myself when the idea came to my mind to turn our ownerless balcony into a home one. As it turned out, sewing in a room that is a nursery is not at all comfortable for me. I wanted solitude and silence to be completely focused on work, and I also interfered with my studies and rest for children.
In this article, I will talk about how we carried out repairs to transform our cold and blown loggia into a living room, or rather into my study, and at what price it cost us. And also I will give valuable advice that will help you avoid mistakes and save your nerves and money)
- Replacing the window on the balcony
- Balcony plastering (loggias)
- Costings. How much money did it take us to insulate the balcony (loggia)
- A few tips for those who are going to insulate the balcony with their own hands
How to insulate a balcony from the inside with your own hands
What I had to face and what our loggia looked like before insulation
When I told my loved ones about my idea, at first everyone laughed at me. They began to say that there was not enough space, and they were frightened by the coldness of the unheated room - after all, our loggia was essentially an outdoor room. In order for you to imagine what I had to face, I enclose the plan of the balcony. I had to turn three and a half squares of usable area into a full-fledged study, where my two sewing machines with a table, a cutting table, and an ironing board could fit.
The first window with a balcony door and access to the kitchen. This wall is the main one - it is already warm, so you can not sheathe it. Subsequently, we refused to cover it with plaster, since the brick itself looks quite interesting in the interior. We only cleaned its surface with a sandpaper from dirt.
The second window is located on the wall of the loggia, it required a complete replacement and touched up the stained-glass windows. The photo was taken after the installation of a new double-glazed window.
Replacing the window on the balcony
The first thing my story with a balcony began with was the replacement of the existing double-glazed window. When we drove into our new building, we saw that on the loggia (unlike other rooms) the developer installed windows in one layer of glass. Of course, this was the summer option, they let the cold out to the utmost. Only there was no question of replacing the double-glazed window, because I also wanted to change the shape of the frame, to make an opening sash of other sizes. I do not know how the project of our house was made, but the architect obviously did not try for the convenience of the residents. Therefore, first of all, I found a company that made a solid two-chamber window according to our sizes. As stated by the windows, such a window provides 25% more heat preservation in the room than the one that was provided by the developer.
When ordering a new window, there was one little thing that significantly increased the amount of our expenses - lamination. That is, from the street side, all the frames of the windows of our house are dark burgundy, wood-like. Therefore, we also had to stay within the overall picture and make the window in the general color scheme. For lamination, firms engaged in the manufacture of windows ask for 20% of the total cost.
The price for a window measuring 2580 * 1520 cm with a burgundy frame, with installation and delivery was 20,700 rubles. And we sold the dismantled old window profitably to the Avito website.
Important (!)- if you are going to insulate the balcony and increase the ceiling after installing the window, then tell the windows about it. They'll put the extensions on the top of the window so that your extended ceiling won't cover the shutters and you can hang the curtains.
Heating the loggia, which way to choose
The loggia usually has walls in one layer of brick, the worst option is a balcony made of corrugated board. Therefore, in order to feel comfortable in this room during the cold season, a heater is needed.
There are two options for making the loggia warm. The first is to open the balcony door so that it is heated by the adjoining room. The second is to install electric "warm" floors or buy oil radiators.
I will say right away from our experience - one heater was not enough for us, and we decided to install a warm floor. Despite the fact that the walls of our loggia were insulated, it was cold from the neighbors above and below - after all, their balconies remained uninsulated.
The choice of material for insulating a loggia (balcony)
At the very beginning, the husband was advised to do the insulation of the balcony with his own hands, in general he is rugged at my place - maybe put the laminate and glue the tiles. But in the case of the balcony, I did not have time to wait until he found free time, here I needed the work of a professional, since it would cost more to correct mistakes. So we found a master who is engaged in this business and watched his work from the side. I found him through Avito, which I first of all paid attention to - real photos and living in our area (so that he had the opportunity to go to lunch, I do not spend a lot of time).
I wanted not only to sheathe the balcony with panels, but to make the walls on which later it was possible to glue the wallpaper, so we chose drywall for the inner cladding. Finding a good specialist who would work with drywall and wiring (after all, I still needed sockets and lighting), as it turned out, was not an easy task. But I was lucky and found a good specialist who promised me to bring my idea to life! On his advice, after taking all measurements, we purchased to insulate our loggia:
- drywall - for walls and ceilings
- plywood - for the floor
- techno-nicol rocklight - for floor
- technoNIKOL technoplex - for walls and ceilings
- isolar - reflective metallized substrate
- bars
The most important thing on this list is insulation. It is due to him that you get a full-fledged living room. We have chosen two types of insulation:
The first type for floor insulation is techno-nicol rocklight. It is a rectangular slab pressed from basalt fibers, in the common people it is called mineral wool. Do not be afraid that it can have an adverse effect on the air in the room (many write about harmful fumes, etc.), on the contrary, due to the ability to pass moisture, and not retain it, it is widely used for warming damp rooms where there is a possibility of mold and mildew ... According to the Technonikol company, its plates do not burn and do not absorb moisture, therefore, today they are recognized as the best heaters on the market. In order to cover the floors of the loggia with an area of 3.8 m. In two layers, we needed 1 package of TechnoNicol Rocklight, which contained 12 slabs.
The second insulation that we used is TechnoNIKOL Technoplex for interior wall cladding. As I mentioned above, the developer built our loggia in one layer of brick, due to this, it blew from every corner. In addition, inconvenient stained-glass windows were installed in the loggia on the sides of the window, which from the outside gave the house a business look, and inside served as a source of constant drafts and moisture for the residents. This type of insulation is made of nanographite, due to which it has an unsightly gray color. Although in terms of weight and appearance, it reminded me more of polystyrene, despite its lightness, it has excellent thermal insulation characteristics. After our balcony stopped looking like a bamboo hut, I started thinking about how to make soundproofing from neighbors in the living room with the help of these magic tiles)
The third type of insulation- it rather goes as an addition to the first two, this metallized substrate izolon or izolar... We all know that a shiny surface reflects well. It is this ability of the metallized surface of the substrate that allows the heat to be redirected inside the room, as if reflecting it and not allowing it to go outside.
As a result, I can say that all the heaters coped with their tasks with a bang, they really keep warm, like a thermos. But at the same time, they let in excess moisture, preventing the formation of mold.
How to insulate a balcony with your own hands step by step photo
1. We cleaned the balcony from all unnecessary things. Before the arrival of the master, we cleaned our balcony from rubbish and debris, a window had already been installed and heating radiators were installed.
2. Patching "holes" in stained-glass windows with insulation plates TechnoNIKOL Technoplex. This did not affect the appearance of the house in any way, but for us the problem of eternal drafts was solved. The slabs were laid in two layers, all the cracks were filled with polyurethane foam.
Cutting the slabs after taking measurements is carried out using a jigsaw and a hacksaw for metal.
3. Bringing out the electrical wiring to the balcony. In my workshop, it was planned to install three sockets for sewing machines and a laptop, wires were pulled from the nearest outlet from the kitchen.
4. Thermal insulation of the floor with beams and insulation TechnoNIKOL rocklight (mineral wool). According to the reviews of our master, he most of all likes to work with this type of insulation. Since when it is placed between the bars, it expands on its own and does not leave any gaps, which means that it does not require the use of polyurethane foam.
Although basalt wool and glass wool are two different things, I still played it safe and diligently closed the door to the balcony while he was laying the floors. And then she vacuumed all the walls for an hour. Our master, of course, laughed for a long time when he saw me walking in a medical mask and gloves. For me, any mention of glass wool is a fear since childhood, when we ran around the construction site and accidentally hitting the glass wool, any of us got a burn, after which it itched and burned for a long time.
The frame or the so-called formwork for the future floor and walls is first assembled from wooden blocks. The slats are fastened together with metal corners using dowels and a screwdriver.
If the frame is laid on concrete, then holes are first drilled on the concrete floor at the anchorage points using a hammer drill. Then dowels are inserted into the wooden logs, applied to the attachment points and the screws are hammered in with a hammer.
Mineral wool mats can be laid directly on a concrete screed, in a wooden frame between the joists. It does not shrink at all, therefore it is used even on surfaces with high traffic.
To give the floor additional heat-insulating properties - on top of the first layer of insulation made of basalt wool, you can build a second frame of the lathing and in the same way lay another layer of techno-nickel rocklight. In this case, wooden blocks are attached with a screwdriver to self-tapping screws.
Further, an insar layer is used - this is a metallized substrate that reflects heat and protects from moisture, is widely used to create a warm balcony (loggia). After laying all the layers of building materials, we reached the same floor level as the room without thresholds and steps.
Important (!)- the metallized substrate is laid with the reflective surface up.
5. Ceiling insulation with TechnoNIKOL Technoplex insulation. In our ceiling, we have installed two wires for the ceiling lights. Therefore, before proceeding with the installation of the ceiling, electrical wiring was brought out under the wooden beams. I really like this method - it looks neat, without unnecessary wires. Electricians from there have a lot to learn from Bashkir masters)
6. Wall insulation with TechnoNIKOL Technoplex insulation.
The main difference between nanographite insulation and basalt wool is that it is not elastic. Therefore, when installing it in the crate, there are gaps, which then need to be filled with polyurethane foam.
After all the joints have been processed, a metallized isolar substrate is applied over the insulation. It is attached to the crate with a stapler and special tape (connecting tape) - isospan.
After sheathing the entire surface with a metallized substrate, drywall sheets are attached to the wooden crate from above using self-tapping screws and a screwdriver.
Do-it-yourself balcony (loggia) plaster
After the balcony was completely sheathed with plasterboard sheets, including the ceiling, we had to plaster the walls. It is impossible to glue wallpaper on bare drywall, because its top layer consists of paper and can come off when wet. Additional surface treatment of sheets includes a primer and putty.
At this stage of work, our master left us, since he was only engaged in insulation, and the work of a plasterer as a painter was not part of his duties. We had a choice - either to find a new employee, or to pick up a spatula ourselves. A significant role in the choice was played by the amount that the professional plasterers asked for the treatment of our small area.
Therefore, my friends, for the first time in my life I took a spatula in my hands and plastered my balcony myself (just below I posted a photo with the result). But I will say right away that I liked plastering, as it turned out, working with the gypsum mixture is not at all difficult, and if you are not particularly picky about your walls - feel free to take a trowel in your hands and master a new type of activity! Subsequently (as experienced masters frightened me), after drying, nothing fell off, and the loggia became even warmer - after all, I myself responsibly smeared all the cracks and joints.
So, in order to plaster a balcony sheathed with drywall sheets, I needed:
- gypsum plaster "Volma layer"
- deep penetration drywall primer
- serpyanka tape for joints
- putty knife
- container for diluting plaster
- drill with attachment mixer for stirring the solution
- oilcloth to protect the surface from dirt (floor and brick wall)
1. First, I went over the walls with a primer to improve adhesion to the topcoat. I waited 40 minutes until it dries completely.
2. Sealed all the joints on the drywall with tape - serpyanka. It forms a strong bond with the cementitious mixture, which is especially important at the seams and corners.
3. Prepare the solution. At first I spread everything according to the instructions, and then I mixed the plaster with water over my eye. The second time, you already know exactly what consistency the solution should be. I applied the plaster in two layers. It took me four hours to get to work. I concluded that it is possible to cope and learn to work with a spatula even if you are a beginner. What happened to me can be judged by the photo. After drying, the color of the "Volma Layer" plaster does not turn white, but gray, so the ceiling had to be whitewashed with water-based paint.
How much money did it take to insulate the balcony with our own hands
- Two-chamber window with lamination (assembly, installation) - 20.700
- Nails, switches, sockets, cable, foam, sealant - 4.800
- Heaters, bars, plasterboard, plywood - 11.600
- Window sills, bevels, laminate, wallpaper, lamps - 4.000
- The work of the master - 10.000
Total for our loggia with an area of 3.43 sq.m. it took us 51.100 rubles. The amount of expenses depends on what size the area will be insulated, and what materials will be used for this. As you can imagine, insulation of a balcony in Khrushchev will be much cheaper than insulation of a large balcony with panoramic windows.
1. Morally prepare yourself for the fact that you will need to allocate temporary space for building materials. All these heaters, sheets of drywall and wooden blocks are impressive in size and occupied our entire hallway with an area of 13 sq.m. It was especially hard for me with small children, who could not be kept in place and had to constantly make sure that they did not stumble and carry dirt around the apartment.
2. Separately, it should be said about debris and dust. Despite the fact that all the dirty work was carried out on the loggia, the builder still had to walk between the balcony and the hallway for materials and tools. Therefore, the entire floor was strewn with shavings and debris. Every time after his work, I had to carry out wet cleaning in the house with a rag and a vacuum cleaner. This is an important reason why I quickly wanted to finish with the insulation of the loggia.
3. The amount that was negotiated to us at the beginning for the purchase of building materials was approximate. That is, in the process, you still had to buy something.
4. One person cannot cope with all the work. There are two ways out: to find a company that does turnkey repairs, the prices of which start from 50 thousand rubles. Or, as we did, we separately looked for a wizard for each option. As a result, for the whole process of insulating our loggia, we needed: specialists in the manufacture and installation of windows, a plumber, a master in insulation and cladding of balconies, a plasterer - a painter. It turned out cheaper than ordering from an organization, but I also had to spend time searching.
5. Keep in mind, if you nevertheless decide to insulate the balcony with your own hands without the help of a specialist, then you should have the tool necessary for work at hand. This is a jigsaw and saws, a drill, a hammer, a screwdriver, a sealant gun, a hammer drill, a construction ruler with a level, a plasterboard construction knife, a construction stapler.
6. Do not throw away receipts, they may come in handy when repairs are over and unused building materials remain. Within 14 days from the date of purchase, you can return them to the store and get your money back, provided that the packaging has remained unopened.
7. Shopping is best done in large chain stores. For example, Leroy Merlin gives buyers the opportunity to return goods unused for repair within 100 days after the purchase. I had no difficulty in returning the extra rolls of wallpaper, glue and curtain rods that did not fit in height.
Conclusion
I hope our experience helped you on how to properly insulate a balcony from the inside with your own hands with a step-by-step photo. Many people complain that after warming, the loggia still remains cold. We specially measured the temperature on the balcony when it was freezing outside. She remained as warm and comfortable as in the apartment.
The work on the insulation of the balcony is, of course, difficult and dirty. But how much joy I now have in my own workshop. I have my own little corner where I can work calmly without interfering with my loved ones and create in my personal space. So if you have an idea to make yourself a study, but there is no place in the apartment - pay attention to the balcony or loggia. Good luck to everyone, bye!