Insulation of the loggia independently. Warming and decoration of the loggia

  • 23.06.2020

The 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. Owners who do not know how and with what to insulate the balcony on their own invite workers whose services cost a lot of money. And it’s good if hired craftsmen turn out to be professionals, because contractors with a lack of qualification often come to the call.

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    If we take professionals as an example, they first visually assess the condition of the balcony and take into account the year in which it was built. apartment house. Then they pay attention to the frame (metal or wooden) and evaluate 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, all work becomes more complicated, especially if this building is not closed, but open type. 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 site. The upper and lower parts of the balcony are 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 facing and internal thermal insulation of the room. Often, 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 warm the room.

    If the owner of the apartment changes the windows to plastic ones, then it is advisable for him to purchase products with double glass, since single ones retain heat by only 30% in the cold season.

    Without preparing the balcony, one cannot approach subsequent cardinal actions. Before purchasing materials for warming the 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 almost all structures use polystyrene foam very widely. Its low cost does not affect the quality. It is sold in the form of plates with a thickness of 5 cm or more. If the apartment is located in the conditions of the north, then it is better to use sheets 15 cm thick. 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 is that it is odorless, does not emit harmful substances, environmentally friendly and does not affect human health. Sheets, as a rule, are fixed on special "umbrellas" or building glue. As a savings, it is better to insulate the balcony inside it.

    Mineral wool is also quite popular. Such insulation is slightly more expensive than foam plastic, but this is due to the additional sound insulation that the material has. Therefore, using mineral wool, you can not only insulate the structure with high quality, but also eliminate street noise. It is sold in the form of yellow rolls.

    Insulation of the loggia Secrets of skill from Alexei Zemskov

    The fire safety of this heater is on high level, and the absence of a specific smell makes mineral wool one of the most popular. The material begins to melt at a temperature of 1000 degrees. Under such rolls, it is also necessary to make a crate. Another plus is easy cutting. The disadvantage is due to the composition, which includes powdered glass, which sticks into the skin when working 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, the cutting of which is possible even with a clerical knife. According to the method of attachment, it is similar to foam, which is glued or fixed with fasteners. The surface of the material is rough, so it does not slip in the hands.

    Granular expanded clay is often laid on the floor. Such insulation for a balcony inside has a porous structure and consists of baked 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 keep 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 relief surface will not be suitable for laying, for example, the same parquet or laminate.

    Another option for insulation - penofol. It is made from polyethylene foam. The material is especially suitable for water-heated floors, as it has a foil coating with a heat-reflecting effect. This insulation has 4 advantages: it does not let the wind through, retains heat, prevents the penetration of water and has vapor barrier properties. Penofol is flexible and easy to cut, and environmentally friendly substances do not harm human health. They produce insulation 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 finishers

    As previously mentioned, foam plastic is cheap, but nevertheless it is practical, many builders use it. What is the best way to insulate a balcony from the inside with polystyrene foam:

    The thickness of the wall from the edge of the interior finish to the exterior, 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 like this:

    How to insulate a balcony? Choice of heater.

    Specialists always start finishing from the walls and ceiling, and at the end they deal with the floor. If everything is done the other way around, then the base will be damaged, and the front surface will be scratched.

    It is very difficult to calculate the final amount, because many factors affect it. First, you must first decide whether the loggia will be a living room. If yes, then you will have to spend money on double-glazed windows. Secondly, the 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 finance just in case in case unforeseen expenses arise.

    It is also recommended to prepare an estimate in advance and find a cheaper source of sales of the material, 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:

    Also, you may have to spend money on furniture and other interior items.

    Arranging 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 final expense will be approximately 10 thousand rubles.

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The process of warming the room itself is very important, since with the help of such repairs drafts and cold are removed, and the space of the connected room is also expanded. But it’s not enough just to put double-glazed windows and cover up cracks and holes mounting foam. It needs to be warmed up. To save money in your wallet, it is better to insulate the loggia with your own hands, step by step photo instruction presented in the article will help to get the job done.

Amazing balcony with ecological materials

Initially, you need to select building materials. It is important to remember that not only thermal performance, but also may depend on the selected components. If the building material is too thick, it will steal the usable area.

Note! Any material for heat preservation must be environmentally friendly, as well as comply with 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, which also has a reflective effect.
  • polyurethane foam . Perfect for balconies. Very poorly ignited, made of eco-friendly materials. Installation is done by pouring.



  • Styrofoam . A fairly economical choice of material and also very effective for a balcony.

  • Isover . Issued in the form of sheets. Made from mineral wool, with glass fiber 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 cuts great kitchen knife. An alternative option is foam. For cold winter 10 cm thick sheets are suitable, for mild weather it is better to use 5 cm.

Related article:

Calculator for calculating the necessary insulation of a loggia or balcony

Calculator for calculating the thickness of the insulation of a loggia or balcony

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Do-it-yourself preparatory work and insulation of the loggia: step-by-step photo instructions

Before the main process, you should make preparatory work. Only then will it be possible to do the insulation of the loggia with your own hands, and a step-by-step photo instruction will help with this. This will require:

  • Select those places that will be accurately processed. In any case, you should definitely process the parapet. Walls can be processed as needed. If there are no neighbors on the sides, then they also need to be covered with building materials. Often the walls are all insulated.
  • Before repair, everything must be taken out and the surfaces cleaned.
  • It is recommended to change windows and install double-glazed windows if there are none.
  • Next, you need to lay wiring for sockets, lamps and switches.
  • The next step is to select a material.
  • After selecting the material, you can proceed to work with the floor, walls, then the ceiling.
  • Upon completion, you should Finishing work.

Fastening for thermal insulation, can serve as an adhesive composition, and dowels. If an adhesive composition is used, then in the process of work it will be necessary to glue the bonding area and the material itself.

Useful advice! The resulting seams, which are obtained directly in the process of insulation, should be filled with mounting foam.

Penoplex and how to insulate a loggia with it

Many people dream of converting a balcony into a full-fledged room. But in order for the use of such a room to be comfortable, it will need to be insulated. As a rule, in apartments, parapets have thin walls. In this regard, on initial stage will need to be demolished and laid out on a new one. Thus, the wall will turn out thicker, and therefore warmer. It is recommended to use a brick, which is placed on the adhesive composition with an edge. Silicate brick is ideal for such masonry.

After the fresh masonry has shrunk, you can proceed with the installation of windows. To do this, it is recommended to use the services of professionals. Next, you can move on to warming. will be installed on the ceiling, walls and floor. Following the instructions, you can get started:

  • Cooked pieces should be placed in the frame. You can also not create a frame, but mount the plates immediately on the walls using special mounting fungi.

Useful advice! Plates should be adjusted so that they become tightly one to one. This will get rid of the cracks, which means that it will be much warmer on the loggia. It is recommended to go through the joints with mounting foam or sealant.
  • Reflective insulation should be placed on the walls, ceiling, and floor. Penofol is ideal. Joints are recommended to be glued with foil tape.

  • After that, the balcony will be ready for final finishing. To do this, you can use lining made of wood or plastic, or install other panels.

We do it with our own hands. How to insulate the floor on the loggia?

The floor should be treated first, and then all other surfaces. The work process is as follows:

  • It is necessary to properly clean the floor from debris and dust.
  • Next, you need to close up any holes or cracks with foam.
  • Now you should use a thin one and put it on the entire floor. Lay it in such a way that there are no joints or there is a minimum number of them.
  • When the first layer is laid, you need to walk along its perimeter with building foam, including joints and seams. Then the second layer is laid by analogy.

  • Now you can mount the frame from a wooden beam. The distance between the bars should be about 50 cm.
  • The formed distance should be filled with polystyrene. The thickness of the insulation will depend on the thickness of the timber. Ideally when they are flush.
  • Next, you need to cut the penofol to the size of the balcony and lay it with the foil side up, but so that it peeks out about 20 cm on each wall.
  • Now you can fix the floor boards to the bars and mount the decorative coating.

As an option, the floor can be installed underfloor heating or loggias can be made with penoplex.

Insulation of the ceiling and walls of the loggia

For almost all types of premises, the insulation of walls and ceilings is the same. Thus, the walls are insulated like this:

For, foam is best suited. The process is carried out by analogy to the walls and floor.

Insulation of the loggia from the inside: what is better to do?

To select the right material, you should consider some important factors:

  • The purpose of the room.
    • If the balcony will be used as a pantry, then you can use any building material, mounting it in 1 layer.
    • When the balcony turns into one room, it is necessary to use different building materials, which are stacked in 2 layers, over the entire area.
    • If there is a combination with the room, then you need to use a two-layer insulation. Walls can be made in one layer, and special attention should be paid to the parapet.
  • Using heaters for interior decoration, the usable area will be less, so this factor should be taken into account.

The choice directly depends on the factors described and the tastes of the owner of the premises.

Finishing work

Finishing work needed. This is due not only to the aesthetic appearance, but also affects the protective factors. If it's about outdoor decoration, then the parapet can be covered with corrugated board or siding.

Internal work, can be anything. It all depends on preferences and imagination. But it is worth noting that finishing the loggia inside with your own hands will bring more pleasure and joy. Often the work is done using PVC panels. You can also stick wallpaper or just paint the walls. The loggia looks very good in wood trim. It will be not only beautiful, but also environmentally friendly.

Article

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, pantry, resting place, mini greenhouse, dining room or extra bed. There are many options for its use. The main thing is to do quality work on its insulation. Only in this case it will be warm and cozy on the balcony.

Features and Benefits

In the warm season, the whole family can relax on the balcony, but when autumn comes, this room becomes useless. If you warm it up, the situation will change. The advantage is that all the planned work is easy to do on your own. An additionally warm room is a space in which it is easy to create a small work area or a relaxation area. In addition, the presence of a warm balcony will automatically make the apartment cozier and warmer. You can attach a living room or a kitchen to it, depending on its location. This will create extra space.

Before you engage in insulation or glazing, you need to get expert advice. He will definitely tell you what load a warm balcony can withstand, whether it is worth strengthening it. If the foundation is a powerful concrete slab, the question of amplification does not arise. But the metal parapet must be reinforced with foam blocks or light bricks from ceramic material. The same should be done in the case of unstable fastening of the reinforced concrete base.

For insulation, double-glazed windows in wooden frames can be used. They are environmentally friendly, allow the windows to "breathe", but are expensive. Aluminum windows insulated with polyamide inserts increase the thermal insulation of the room. The most optimal would be the equipment of PVC windows with double-glazed windows, which will 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 do right choice finishing material. For insulation, experts recommend using cork, plastic panels, lining with a wooden or plastic base, drywall, plaster, MDF panels, decorative rock, aluminum profile, penoplex, expanded polystyrene, penofol.

Mineral wool, Styrofoam finish is a great solution for self-insulation rooms.

In the case of an uninsulated balcony, it is better to give preference artificial stone, plastic frost-resistant lining, cork panels or tiles. The most commonly used finishing materials are:

Drywall

  • This material is distinguished by the fact that it does not contain toxic substances, it is easy to process and is combined with other finishing materials in design. Drywall can be plastered, painted, wallpapered, paneled and clapboarded. With the help of such a versatile material, it is enough to simply turn the 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 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 a cosiness that cannot be organized using others. Decoration Materials. Cork panels are pressed cork oak bark. Cork panels are easy to install and are suitable for any type of balcony, regardless of the temperature level in the room. The cork panel does not absorb foreign odors, including the smell of tobacco. Lack of material - high price. For insulation, they also use inexpensive foam plastic, and mineral wool is 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, taken out under open sky, can become an office, a greenhouse or a relaxation area, one has only to glaze and isolate it.

Warming the balcony with your own hands will save a lot of money. Sheathing in panel house, in "Khrushchev" is done taking into account the characteristics of the apartment and building.

  • Step 1. To begin with, the old frames are dismantled, the surface is prepared and things are taken out. Insulation from the inside is an important step in the whole process.

  • Step 2. At the second stage it is necessary to make a balcony glazing. Best Option there will be windows plastic pvc. Many people prefer to keep the old wood frames. However, remember that even if wooden structures in good condition, they will not be able to organize the same heat savings. There are gaps in the tree, so it is pointless to deal with insulation in this situation.

  • Step 3. After the plastic windows are installed, you can begin to insulate the floor. Be prepared for the floor to be 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 considered side walls, except for the main one. At the final stage of insulation, finishing work is carried out. The choice of materials depends on the budget. During the finishing process, window slopes overlooking the balcony.

Necessary tools and materials

  • In order to insulate a balcony or loggia, you will need the following tools: a hacksaw or a clerical knife; roulette; level; pencil, marker or any other writing instrument; glue application tool - brush, spatula and so on; other tools. Of the materials you need glue and the insulation itself. In addition, you will need a vapor barrier film and a windproof membrane.

You will also need a frame device. 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 hats. They are used when polystyrene is not fixed with glue.

Warming inside

  • High-quality thermal insulation combined with double-glazed windows 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 atmospheric precipitation and condensate, the walls of the balcony can become damp and moldy, which means that hydro and vapor barriers are needed.

Expanded polystyrenes meet these requirements as much as possible: traditional foam plastic and Penoplex thermal insulation boards. The first is very light, strong in compression, waterproof. Penoplex is an insulation made of extruded polystyrene foam. Its strength and durability exceeds conventional foam, and its shape simplifies installation in the clutch and provides perfect insulation. Sheathing the balcony with slabs can be done both inside and outside.

Warming closed balcony starts with surface preparation. It is necessary to carefully cover the cracks and joints between the floor, walls and parapet with mounting foam without toluene in the composition. Metal constructions rust needs to be cleaned oil paint and treat with building antiseptic.

Before laying the insulation put windows and doors. Window sills and slopes are mounted at the last stage of work. Balcony glazing 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

Can be installed on a reinforced concrete parapet window structures immediately, using various mounting and sealing compounds. Metal-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 hinged frames with double glazing.

Floor

  • In order to insulate the floor, you can resort to two different directions at once: make it warm or constantly heat it up. We are talking about installing a floor heating system, for example, an electric one. Installing a water system on a balcony is very inconvenient and almost impossible, but installing an electric or film system is easy.

photos

It all starts with preparation. A waterproofing film is laid on the floor under the tiles, protecting the floor from moisture from the outside. Next, a crate is arranged. Instead of a log, a beam is used, five centimeters thick. If you do not want to raise the floor much relative to the old coating, it is better to use a beam of low height. A square bar 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 the help of 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 the walls should be sealed with the same insulation material or mounting foam.

Walls

  • Many do not insulate the walls, believing that cold does not enter the balcony from the side of the house. In many ways it is, but the work needs to 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, all work can only consist in installing penofol, which is vapor-tight and thin. It 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 design. Recommended to do pitched roof, the slope of which is directed away from the house. The roof is made of rafters and battens. A waterproofing film is attached on top of it. Attached to film roofing material, and waterproofing over a 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 trim. The device begins with the installation of the frame, namely truss system. Next, a double-sided vapor barrier membrane is attached to it in the indicated way. Then arrange the crate and lay the waterproofing layer. You can use classic roofing material or special PVC films.

  • Warming outside. In order to insulate the balcony from the outside on your own, you will need skills. It is not easy to do quality work yourself, taking into account the characteristics of the building. Finishing the outside means saving up to thirty percent on heating. Remember that outdoor work is fraught with some difficulties: if the balcony is above the second floor, then industrial climbers will have to be involved in the work.

Before you start insulation, get the consent of officials from the Department of Architecture. Appearance a balcony can spoil the overall picture, but if you complete the decoration in the same style as the whole building, then you can get permission. Insulation from the outside has several advantages:

  • the reinforced concrete slab remains warm, moist air from the room freely passes through it and is released into the atmosphere;
  • saving usable space;
  • you can mount a layer of thermal insulation of any thickness, this will not affect the interior of the balcony in any way.

Materials can be used the same as for internal works. Preference is given to sprayed thermal insulation, as the lightest and most effective. Experts recommend using foam or polystyrene foam. Mineral wool is sensitive to moisture, so its installation requires special care and accuracy.

The independent procedure for warming a balcony is complicated. All stages must be completed at a high level, otherwise the room will not be completely isolated. Glass, panoramic, stained glass balcony - a great solution for small space. Designers advise to connect it with a room for expansion. A glazed balcony connected to the kitchen on the top floor is a luxurious solution.

The loggia could well be called an additional room in the apartment, but, unfortunately, many people use it only in summer time, since it initially does not have insulation, and heating batteries are not brought there.


Modern method of insulation - spraying polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is sprayed onto the walls with the help of special equipment, and profile companies are engaged in such insulation.

However, before inviting them to spray such a heater, the walls must be prepared by making a crate on them. It will be a kind of frame for a sprayed and expanding heat insulator, as well as for fixing a decorative finishing material.

The advantage of this method of insulation is that when sprayed, the material, expanding, closes all the cracks, making the surface absolutely not blown through, without cold bridges. Polyurethane foam covers not only the walls, but also the ceiling and floor.

Video - How polyurethane foam is sprayed

Design solutions for the design of the loggia

I would like to show several options. Perhaps, having started the process of turning a cold room into a usable area, someone will be inspired by one of the ideas developed by the designers.


In this case, a standard loggia with a small footage is presented, transformed into cozy room recreation. Here you can retire with a book or laptop and delve into reading. If a large family lives in an apartment, usually each of its members does what they love, and sometimes it is difficult to find a cozy place to sit in silence. An insulated loggia will be an ideal option for this.

In such a room, you can place a small TV and enjoy your favorite programs or sit with needlework, comfortably picking up on comfortable armchair legs. The main thing is that extra space appears, which can serve all family members in turn for doing what they love.

The original version - the loggia turns into a stylish bar

This option is suitable for apartments in which the door to the loggia is arranged in the kitchen. In this case, it can become a dining room, especially since most of the kitchens in the apartments are very small.

If apartment owners often like to hold parties, the loggia window sill can easily replace the bar counter.

You can also have a romantic dinner here. The evening city, which offers a wonderful view, and a pleasant summer air will create the necessary mood for this. In winter, it is pleasant to sit at the counter, sipping coffee and looking at the opening wide panorama outside the window.

Glass sliding doors installed between the kitchen and the loggia will help to combine or delimit the premises, depending on the need.

In this version, it was combined with the living room, and the wall, which previously served as a separating element between the two rooms, became a unifying one, as it was transformed into a comfortable table.

The area of ​​the former loggia in this layout can be used as an office with a comfortable desk, as well as hobbies when you don’t want someone to interfere.

And, of course, the combination of the loggia and the room will increase common space by opening a large window. The room will be more illuminated, which will help save on electricity.

Additional living space can be adapted to various activities, for example, on a loggia winter Garden, workshop or computer room. Therefore, if the apartment is equipped with a loggia, but it has not yet been insulated, you need to urgently get down to business and expand the area of ​​\u200b\u200byour home due to the unused functional premises.

Video - How the loggia is insulated

Until recently, the balconies of city apartments served as a kind of storerooms - people kept conservation and various things there. What is there, on the balconies they carried everyone junk, which was a pity to throw away. Today, however, these spaces are increasingly being used as additional living space. And in order to realize such an idea, you need to take care of the insulation of the balcony.

If you insulate the balcony, you will not only be able to expand relatively cheaply living space apartments, but also significantly reduce the heat loss of housing. The fact is that it is through the balconies that most of the heat leaves. But in order for everything to be done efficiently, you need to know where to start. With a well-designed scheme, it will be much easier to turn a cold balcony into a small, but almost full-fledged room.

So first sketch rough plan works - it will include:


Important information! The balcony can be insulated both from the inside and outside. But in view of the fact that you will do the work on your own, that is, without the help of specialists, it is better to resort to internal insulation.

Stage number 1. Choosing a heater

In the modern construction market there are many thermal insulation materials, but more suitable for a balcony:


As for foam plastic and XPS, the laying of these materials is carried out using almost the same technology (the only exception is the form of adhesion - it is better for XPS due to the use of grooves).

It is better not to use mineral wool for a balcony - the installation procedure will be more laborious, and the condensate that inevitably forms on the balcony is undesirable for this material. Expanded clay, for obvious reasons, can only be used for floor insulation (insulation technology will be described in detail below).

And if we add to all of the above the fact that the balcony should in no case be overloaded, then it becomes obvious: the most suitable option- this is a foam plastic 4-5 cm thick, which is cheaper than polystyrene foam or mineral wool.

Stage number 2. We carry out glazing

If your balcony is already glazed, you can skip this step. The glazing procedure itself largely depends on the parapet installed on the balcony. If we are talking about an iron crate, then you must build it up using foam blocks or ceramic brick. It is important that the wall thickness as a result exceeds the mark of 10 cm. And if you have a reinforced concrete parapet, you can immediately start installing windows.

Today, many (especially admirers of environmentally friendly building materials) prefer double-glazed windows with wooden frames. It is worth remembering that such structures need to be processed antiseptic and paint regularly. You can learn about the installation of double-glazed windows with wooden frames from the video below.

Video - How to install a wooden window with double-glazed windows

However, most consumers still buy PVC windows. When buying, choose a special plastic profile, characterized by increased rigidity and strength indicators. In addition, the profile must have good thermal insulation performance.

More at plastic windows it should be:

  • 5-chamber profile;
  • 2-chamber (if you live in middle lane) or 3-chamber (if in a more severe climate) double-glazed window;
  • reinforced reinforcement.

After installing the PVC structure ordered according to the dimensions of the balcony (specialists should do the work), you can proceed directly to the insulation.

Stage number 3. We warm the floor

Consider how to insulate a balcony from the inside with your own hands using foam (although the technology described below is also suitable for polystyrene foam).

Table. Floor insulation on the balcony

Steps, no.Short descriptionIllustration
Step #1First, prepare the work surfaces - seal all the cracks found in the concrete with mounting foam, as well as at the joints between the slabs and the wall.

Step #2Mark the floor for the subsequent construction of the crate. At the same time, it is important that the pitch of the crate exceeds the width of the insulation sheets by about 10 mm.

Step #3According to the previously made markings, lay the slats (the approximate size of the bars is 4x4 cm, however, their width must correspond to the thickness of the insulating material). The first and last rails should recede from the walls by 50-100 mm. Connect the rails with self-tapping screws.

Step #4Lay foam sheets between the battens, gluing them to the floor liquid nails or special glue. Blow out all the voids formed as a result of this with mounting foam.

Step #5Lay on top of the insulation Lay a vapor barrier layer on top of the insulation (required to increase thermal insulation and prevent condensation). If you use ordinary PET film, then in no case lay it on the "cold" side of the insulator. If you are laying foil insulation, then do it with foil to the foam.

Step #6Fasten sheets of plywood or chipboard from above, and the thickness floor covering must be at least 20 mm. Attach the sheets to the rails with self-tapping screws.

Step #7It remains only to lay the finish coating, for which you can use carpet or linoleum.

Important information! There is another way to insulate the floor on the balcony with foam: foam sheets are attached to the leveled and cleaned surface, and a thin screed is poured on top from a previously prepared dry mix solution. Ceramic tiles can be used as a finishing coating here.

Alternative option. We use expanded clay

As noted earlier, the floor on the balcony can also be insulated with expanded clay. This material is also inexpensive, and its installation is not difficult. Let's get acquainted with the algorithm of actions.

Step #1. First, lay a waterproofing film on the floor with a 10 cm exit to the walls.

Step #2. Arrange beacons around the perimeter in increments of about 25 cm, while being careful not to lean them too much against the walls.

Step #3. Fill the floor with a layer of expanded clay 15 cm thick, evenly distribute the material over the surface.

Step number 4. Moisten expanded clay with cement "milk" (this is an aqueous solution of cement).

Step number 5. Pour expanded clay with a layer of concrete or self-leveling mixture. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the structure of the insulator.

Step number 6. Wait for the screed to dry completely. After that, you can start laying the finish coat.

Stage number 4. We insulate the walls

The technology here is almost the same as for floor insulation. Do the following.

Step #1. Mark the future location of the rails on the walls (as for the floor).

Step #2. Attach the slats according to the given markup.

Step #3. Apply mounting foam to the surface with wave-like movements. At the same stage, holes for dowels should be drilled.

Step #4. Attach the styrofoam sheets using plastic mushroom dowels.

Step #5. Blow out all the cracks formed with mounting foam, then glue with mounting tape.

Step #6. Lay a waterproofing layer on top - for example, penofol, which at the same time will also serve as thermal insulation.

Step #7. Seal the seams at the joints with foil tape.

Step number 8. Mount the counter-lattice on top of the foam foam and install the finishing material.

Stage number 5. We insulate the ceiling

This procedure is also performed using a similar technology, but there are still some differences.

  1. First, mark up where the hangers for attaching the rails will be installed.
  2. Install the suspensions themselves, necessary for fixing the guides (use a galvanized profile or timber as the latter).

  3. Cut small holes in the insulator (styrofoam or XPS) in appropriate places for hangers.

  4. Next, fix the insulation boards using the same mounting foam.

If the insulation weighs too much, then you can use dowels for fastening. Fill the cracks with foam. Otherwise, there are no significant differences.

Finishing Features

In most cases, balconies are lined from the inside with clapboard or profile, but drywall is also used, followed by wallpapering. PVC panels are also used for cladding. Concerning exterior finish, then it is better to entrust it to professionals, especially if your apartment is located higher than on the first floor.

Important information! It is forbidden to conduct central heating there, so if additional heating is required, you can lay a film "warm floor" under the linoleum.

Even on the balcony you can install a socket to which an electric heater will be connected. The described room is small, so heating will take a minimum of time. We also note that a double-glazed window weighs quite a lot, so the rest of the materials (including the insulator itself) should be with a minimum weight. By the way, this is another reason why it is better to give preference to XPS or foam boards.

Video - Instructions for warming the balcony

Now you know about the strong and weaknesses materials suitable for insulating the balcony, as well as the technologies for laying foam and expanded clay. So it's time to get straight to work! Moreover, there is nothing complicated here if you are armed. step by step instructions and all necessary materials. If you do everything right, then turn the balcony into a full-fledged living room with all the ensuing benefits.