Make a warm loggia. How to properly insulate a loggia or balcony in an apartment

Zealous owners prefer not to clutter up the balcony with things that have served their time, but to use its area with maximum benefit. A rational solution for apartments with a rather limited space is the transformation of a balcony or loggia into a living space. Here you can equip a rest room, an office for work, even a small library or a mini-gym. But first, of course, you need to make the balcony warm.

The sequence of work on the insulation of the balcony

The first step is work on the glazing of the balcony. The question arises: window systems from what materials save heat better, the loss of which, by the way, through windows, can reach 40%?

In this case, it is most expedient to use PVC (polyvinyl chloride) windows, consisting of multi-chamber profiles with reinforcing metal inserts, which perfectly retain heat, are unpretentious in maintenance and are durable. In addition, plastic windows have an aesthetic appearance. Aluminum and wooden frames are unlikely to provide decent thermal insulation.

To save time, money and obtain a quality result, it is important to adhere to a certain sequence of work.

• High-quality glazing is the first step in arranging a warm balcony. It begins with the dismantling of old frames and cleaning the openings. The choice of double-glazed windows depends on the design of the balcony and the preferences of the owner. Solid windows are distinguished by high rates of noise and heat insulation.
• The first stage of warming will be work with the floor. The old coating is dismantled and the floor is cleaned of construction debris. Make a cement-sand screed.
• Styrofoam sheets are most suitable for floor insulation. A material that has strength and sufficient rigidity will do the job perfectly. Further actions depend on whether the floor will be equipped with heating or not.
• It is very desirable to insulate the ceiling, especially if it is the last floor. More often, penofol is used for this purpose - a rolled foil insulation.
• Next, proceed to the insulation of the wall under the windows. It is worth noting that it will not work to achieve a comfortable temperature on the balcony in winter if the parapet, ceiling and floor are not insulated. You can lay out the parapet with bricks, or make a crate and insulate it with mineral wool or polystyrene foam, having previously laid a waterproofing film.
• Then the side walls are insulated. After laying the heat-insulating material, all cracks must be carefully filled with mounting foam.
• Having finished the insulation work, proceed to the decoration. There are so many facing materials different in texture, color, performance that it is not difficult to choose the most suitable option for decorating a balcony.

Now about all the stages in more detail, missing the glazing, which is best left to professionals.

Balcony insulation materials

The most important requirement for heaters that are used on balconies is the low weight of materials in order to prevent excessive load on the floors. In addition, the insulation must have low thermal conductivity. The thickness of the heat-insulating layer largely depends on this indicator. An equally important point is the sealing of all seams, joints and cracks that have arisen in the process of glazing the balcony. They must be filled with mounting foam or other sealant. This will serve as protection against the penetration of moisture through the gaps and generally improve the thermal insulation of the balcony. And if you do not take care of waterproofing, then soon condensation will begin to form on the balcony, which is fraught with the appearance of mold and fungus.

The material for insulation of the ceiling, floor, sides and facade must be of high quality. The most economical option is foam-based insulation. They are light weight and relatively cheap. There are also disadvantages - fragility and fragility. Good results can be achieved using mineral wool for thermal insulation.

Folgoizolon perfectly copes with the task - a hydro-vapor barrier material, which is a porous polyethylene with a lavsan or metallized polypropylene film. It does not accumulate moisture, prevents condensation, retains heat, reflecting it into the room. Folgoizolon 4 mm thick is able to keep heat in the same way as a layer of mineral wool of 80 mm or a wall of 1.5 bricks.

What needs to be done before warming

Before insulating the balcony, it is necessary to restore all weak and damaged sections of the structure. Particular attention should be paid to places where reinforcement protrudes to the surface. Identified cracks and destroyed areas are repaired using a cement mortar. If this is neglected, then the corrosion processes developing under the layer of thermal insulation will simply destroy the base of the balcony.

All surfaces, i.e. ceiling, walls, floor, which are planned to be insulated, must be treated with an antiseptic. This will serve as a barrier to mold, often developing in a warm and humid environment.

We warm the floor

• Waterproofing is laid on the leveled concrete base. That it must be of high quality is beyond doubt. After all, moisture can penetrate from below. Materials such as waterproofing, isospan, etc. are suitable as waterproofing.
• Wooden logs are laid on top of it (beam 60x100 mm).
• A heater is placed between the lags. Usually it's foam. It is possible to lay a thinner material, which is laid in several layers, up to the height of the bars. Thermal insulation should lie very tightly. It is advisable to avoid gaps between sheets. If gaps are nevertheless formed, apply mounting foam.
• A layer of vapor barrier is laid on top of the insulation, then a subfloor is laid.
• You can lay the floor covering only after completing all the work on the thermal insulation of the ceiling and walls. If the sequence of work is violated, there is a high probability of damage to it.

Ceiling insulation

Ceiling insulation can be carried out using fairly common and practical materials: foam plastic, polystyrene, mineral wool, foil polyethylene foam (penofol). The foam plastic is attached to the ceiling with special glue (it can be glue for ceramic tiles), and fixed with dowel fungi at five points - in the corners and in the center. When using penoplex, which retains heat better, you can work with thinner panels - from 20 mm. Polyfoam is inferior to foam plastic in many technical characteristics. But the latter has a serious disadvantage - high cost.

If penofol (rolled foil material) is chosen as a heater, then it should be glued to the ceiling surface treated with an antiseptic and cleaned. For this purpose, PVA wood glue is sometimes used. You can prevent the formation of bubbles if you use a roller and roll the material. Penofol is also glued to the mounting foam. Such a heater is well suited for hard lining: drywall, MDF, PVC panels, slatted ceiling, lining.

In the case of insulation with mineral wool, it can be tightly laid in the ceiling sinus, on the constructed suspension frame. When working with any kind of this insulation, it is recommended to use protective equipment: glasses, closed clothing, gloves, it is advisable to wear a respirator. Starting the process of thermal insulation of the ceiling, it is important to make sure that there are no places for moisture penetration.

Wall insulation

The thermal insulation of the walls begins with the installation of the crate, which can be made using a wooden beam (40x40 or 50x50 mm). But, if the insulation has a greater thickness, then it should be mounted on support blocks, moving the crate away from the wall to the required distance in this way.

First install the vertical parts (racks). They are placed in the corners of the balcony and on the walls. The optimal distance between adjacent bars is about 50 cm. Fastening to the wall is carried out using dowels. Then the racks are connected by crossbars. Often, the crate is made using the following rule: horizontal bars are fixed at the level of the shoulder, belt and knee. This method helps to avoid punching the cladding. The step is more than 50 cm, but the efficiency of this design is higher.

Insulation (usually polystyrene) is closely placed in the formed cells. Fix it to the wall using foam glue or styrofoam glue. A vapor barrier is laid on top - a membrane or polyethylene. Do not neglect the vapor barrier, trying to save money. Otherwise, condensation cannot be avoided and, as a result, wetting of the insulation. Which, in turn, significantly reduces the effectiveness of thermal insulation.

Next, the balcony is finished with selected materials. But before you start it, you should resolve all issues with electrical wiring in order to arrange lighting and sockets. As a floor finish, almost all materials that are available in the rest of the apartment can be used. For wall cladding, plastic or wooden lining, MDF, drywall are most often used.

Heating methods

In our climatic conditions, heating a balcony in winter is indispensable, but since central heating is not provided for in this room and is prohibited by building codes, it is worth considering other options. At least two of them. One is the arrangement of the floor with a heating system, which is mounted under the floor covering. This method of heating, compared to radiators, is the most profitable option, in which less electricity is consumed and heat is distributed more evenly.

Electric elements of the heating system are attached to the surface of the concrete base. Upon completion of installation, a cement-sand screed is required to cover the laid electrical element. Then the finishing work is done.

An alternative heating method can be, for example, an electric fireplace or other heating devices (radiator, heater, air conditioner). In conditions of small dimensions of this room, it is better to use oil radiators. The power of the device should be approximately 1.5-2 kW. You should be prepared for the fact that the figures in electricity bills will increase significantly.

The balcony can be heated using ceiling type infrared heaters, which is very convenient and practical. They are fixed on the ceiling, therefore, they do not occupy an already small area. The principle of operation of such heaters is curious. They heat the surfaces of the floor, walls, furniture and objects on the balcony themselves with heat rays. Further, already heated surfaces begin to return the received heat to the surrounding space. As a result, a few minutes are enough to warm the air in the room to a comfortable room temperature.

And, perhaps, the most important thing that needs to be done even before the start of all work on warming and turning the balcony into a living space. It is necessary to obtain a special permit, so to speak, to legalize the conduct of such work. It is especially important to do this if there is an intention to combine a room with a balcony. Compliance with the formalities will allow you to avoid many problems in the future.

To create a cozy and warm balcony, you need to carry out quite large-scale work. But it's still worth doing - after all, the advantages are obvious. The living space increases, and the apartment acquires reliable insulation from noise, drafts and dust. The source of significant heat loss disappears when heat leaves the apartment through the balcony door. With a glazed and insulated balcony, the very likelihood of this disappears.

The dream of most Russians at the moment is not only a balcony where you can dry things or store a hockey stick, but also a loggia with planted flowers, a lounge chair and a workshop. A variety of building materials will allow you to make your dream come true. However, this is a rather complex multi-step process, which must be treated very carefully. Therefore, if you still decide on warming, then weigh all the pros and cons of this case.

Experts recommend making a warm balcony in the dry and warm season. Low temperatures and moisture reduce the quality of building materials.
In winter, in Stalinka and Khrushchev houses, a lot of heat escapes through the balcony to nowhere.
Let's figure out how to make an abode of warmth and comfort.

The first steps in the insulation of the balcony

Most professionals in this field advise starting the insulation of the loggia with its glazing. After all, it is through the gaps in the window frames that almost half of the heat escapes.
At the moment, there are three main materials from which windows are made. These are wood, aluminum and PVC. Consider their advantages and disadvantages.

In modern technologies for the production of window systems, glued beams are used instead of solid wood. This will save windows from the harmful effects of moisture on them. But the tree ignites very quickly, so it is impregnated with specialized chemicals. It should be noted that modern technologies for the production of high-quality wood windows lead to.

Aluminum windows, of course, are durable, but, as you know, metal is a material that is a good heat conductor, so such windows are not recommended for residential premises. Indeed, when installing aluminum window systems, the temperature on your loggia will be only 3-5 degrees less or more than the street temperature.

PVC windows suggest the presence of multi-chamber profiles with metal inserts, they will make the balcony warm and cozy.
Mostly people because of their main qualities - durability, unpretentiousness and aesthetics. PVC windows retain their basic characteristics for half a century. In addition, polyvinyl chloride is environmentally friendly, which does not emit any harmful chemical compounds.

Good double-glazed windows - warm balconies

When choosing PVC windows, the main criterion is the number of hollow chambers, in the standard set there are from three to five. They prevent the ingress of cold, respectively, the greater their number, the better the windows retain heat. Special plastic systems should be used for equipment. instead of traditional ones, it will reduce the heat loss of your home by as much as 30%, prevent drafts and dust ingress. Such a design, made according to new Austrian technologies, will help to make glass cut balconies with a complex shape.

The next step is the choice of insulation

To make a warm balcony, one glazing will not be enough. It is also necessary to deal with the insulation of the floor, roof, facade and side walls. You must remember that the material used must be of high quality:

• it should not get wet,
• burning
• other types of destruction.

The most suitable option would be its components. The advantages of these substances are budget, low weight and relatively small thickness. There are also disadvantages, which include their fragility and fragility. You can improve your thermal insulation by using mineral wool such as ISOVER or URSA.
Most experts offer foil liner for hydrovapor barrier. This material is a porous polyethylene, which is covered on top with a lavsan film interspersed with metal. This substance does not collect moisture, easily reflects ultraviolet rays and prevents condensation.

The thickness of one of the insulation layers is usually 50-150 mm. This figure is selected individually, in accordance with the climatic conditions, which are reflected in the tables of SNiP 23-02-2003, SNiP 23-01-99 and SP 23-101-2004.

However, we can highlight the main requirements for insulation materials. To begin with, such materials should have a small weight. This is important, as a large weight can lead to an overload of floors. In addition, it must have a sufficiently low thermal conductivity, from which the thickness of the layers will vary.
You also need to remember that sealing various kinds of gaps and seams that appear during glazing is extremely important. Such cracks must be sealed with specialized foam or other hermetic materials.

Various heating methods

Everyone knows that winters in Russia are quite severe and, therefore, you should deal with heating the balcony additionally. However, you must remember that under no circumstances should central heating be installed there according to existing building codes. Do not panic, there are two ways out of this situation.

• The first of these is the installation of underfloor heating. Specialized electrical elements are attached to a concrete base, which is covered with a cement-sand screed. This will help distribute the heat evenly over the entire surface and heat the air under the floor.
  A warm floor in winter will reliably save you from frost.
• An alternative to the above method would be to install an electric fireplace or other heating devices like a radiator or heater. Taking into account the possible small area, it is better to use oil coolers from the ERMB, ERMS series. Watch the electrical power, as it should not exceed 1.5-2 kW. The downside here is that the cost of electricity consumed will increase significantly.

Design to keep you warm

An important element of the thermal insulation of the balcony is its interior. Today, plastic sheathing is in demand. After all, he is not afraid of temperature changes and moisture changes, not only does not require maintenance, but also involves washing with ordinary soapy water.
Can help here too. Before you sheathe a balcony with a tree, think about it. Based on practice - no matter how you process this material, with temperature changes or changes in humidity, it will become damp or dry out.

Sheathing from the inside will increase thermal insulation.

You must remember that the main reason for the release of heat from the apartment to the street is the depressurization of the finish. Based on this, a tree is not the most profitable option for keeping warm if the natural conditions of your region are subject to frequent changes in both temperature and humidity.

Increasingly, when starting to repair an apartment, people are thinking about expanding the usable space. A warm loggia, which can be done with your own hands, can help in resolving this issue. To do this, you need to insulate the structure completely.

All work on the arrangement of a warm loggia can be divided into several stages, which must be addressed comprehensively: glazing, insulation and subsequent finishing. It should be noted that when carrying out work with long interruptions, their cost increases, since some points have to be redone. That is why it is recommended to do the insulation of the loggia with your own hands "in one go".

Necessary measures to create a warm loggia

As already noted, for the arrangement of the loggia, a set of measures is needed, which includes the following steps:

1. Glazing;
2. Internal insulation;
3. Finishing work;
4. Arrangement of heating.

All these activities must be carried out in this order, then you will be able to make a really warm loggia.

Advice! In some cases, it is advisable to remove the front fence and lay it out again with your own hands using any blocks of lightweight concrete - gas or foam blocks. This will remove the old unreliable structure and apply modern materials for insulation.

Now on the Internet you can find a lot of photos of finished insulated balconies, but we will consider each stage in sequence and what you can do with your own hands on each of them.

Glazing of the loggia

Without high-quality glazing, it is not necessary to talk about a warm loggia. For this purpose, plastic double-glazed windows are optimally suited, the use of which on the balcony has some nuances:

• It is necessary to provide for the use of a special expansion profile, which will compensate for the thickness of the insulation layer and finish.
• The absence of a window groove where the frame is inserted forces the use of special linings that close the gap between the frame and the wall.
• Also, the balcony block must have ventilation valves in its design.

When ordering a double-glazed window for installation on a loggia, it is necessary to discuss these points. It is also advisable to entrust the installation to professionals, since installation by an untrained specialist can lead to the failure of the entire expensive structure in a very short time.

Loggia insulation

However, it will not work to make a loggia warm with modern double-glazed windows; high-quality insulation is necessary. It is possible to conduct insulation both from the inside and outside, but the first option is more accessible for doing it yourself. Although there are many types of insulation in building materials stores, only a few of them are suitable for use on a balcony.

Material selection criteria

• The main indicator is the thermal conductivity of the material, and the smaller it is, the better. After all, it is this indicator that affects the effective thickness of the insulation layer.
• Lightweight insulation.
• The level of moisture resistance of the material.
• It is desirable that the material has breathability.

1. Penoplex (or expanded polystyrene);
2. Styrofoam;
3. Mineral wool (pressed sheets are preferable to roll material).

Vapor barrier insulation

After installing the insulation with your own hands, it is necessary to make a vapor barrier layer. Its main task is to prevent the formation and accumulation of condensate in the insulation layer, which will positively affect its service life.

It should be noted that many modern vapor barrier materials are produced on a foil basis. The use of such materials allows additional insulation of the structure due to the reflection of thermal waves.

Advice! When choosing a material for insulation, it is necessary to take into account the climatic conditions of the region, the purpose of the loggia and the budget allocated for this stage.

Interior decoration of the loggia

After the installation of the insulation is completed, it is the turn of the finishing. For these purposes, you can use any material that involves fastening to wooden bars (insulation battens). The most commonly used materials are:

• Plasterboard sheets;
• Various PVC panels;
• Laminated MDF panels and other similar materials.

Facing with such materials is easy to do with your own hands, and examples of work performed and design solutions can be seen in the photo.

Solving the issue of heating the loggia

Another issue that needs to be addressed is maintaining a comfortable temperature on the balcony. For a loggia, which is separated by a balcony block and used as a separate room, for example, an office, an additional heat source is needed.

The easiest to install with your own hands, a modern and at the same time economical option is a film underfloor heating. The thin film is easy to spread and quickly assembled, does not require additional fixation and consumes very little electricity. In the photo you can see how easily and organically such a film fits into the various environments of the loggias.

Advice! In the process of warming the loggia, it is necessary to provide for the wiring of an electric cable and install several sockets. It's easy to do it yourself.

Having studied the material, it becomes clear that the insulated loggia is a completely affordable option in terms of independent execution. All work, except for the installation of plastic double-glazed windows, can be easily done by hand. The reward for the effort spent will be an additional room that can be used year-round.

Warm balcony (loggia), that's cool, but how do you get it? Let's figure it out. In this topic, we will discuss not about the insulation of the balcony (loggia) itself, but about what can serve as a source of heat on an already insulated balcony (loggia).

Let me start with the worst! Once again, I came across recommendations on the net to heat the balcony (loggia) at the expense of central heating batteries, by transferring them from the adjacent (combined) room.

True, some immediately unsubscribe that it is impossible to do this. Already good and thanks for that. It is impossible to give such recommendations for heating, and even more so.

REMOVE THE BATTERIES OF THE CENTRAL HEATING TO THE BALCONY OR LOGGIA!!!

For those who are in the tank, read the housing code, namely:

• Article 25
• Article 26

You can also refer to the following documents:

• SNiP 2.04.05.1991 "Heating, ventilation and air conditioning"
• SNiP 31-01-2003 "Residential multi-apartment buildings"

Well, if you cannot agree on these issues, then you will never see permission for redevelopment!!!

A warm balcony (loggia) with a similar redevelopment is an unacceptable option for those who want to live in peace. Yes, and such transferred pipes look simply “wretched” !!! The beauty is incredible.

Hope you don't do that. And by the way, "power" the warm water floor from the central heating system for the same reasons IT IS FORBIDDEN!!! Based on this, we will not consider these heating methods for our warm balcony (loggia).

By the way, such options sometimes appear from the absence "clear" or balconies so to speak. Some vaguely imagine what and how they do ... .

Warm balcony (loggia). What are the sources of heat for heating

So, available heat sources:

• Electric convectors
• (electric version is suitable for balconies (loggias)
• Oil heaters
• Infrared heaters
• Film infrared heat-insulated floor
• Carbon mats
• Self-adjusting film
• Electrical cable
• Self-regulating cable
• Heat operated air conditioner
• Breathe more often (joke)

Well, various variations of all these methods. As you can see, there are plenty to choose from. The choice is more than diverse, you will not be allowed to freeze. Here you can already think about growing flowers.

All these methods are electrical, no other has yet been invented. Therefore, decide for yourself what is more suitable for you personally so that you have a warm balcony (loggia). To whom is energy saving, to whom is the appearance, and to whom is both.

• I described my attitude to the “masterpieces” in the title of which the word film appears in the article: ““.

Well, if not for my laminate, by the way, there is a funny article on the site "Laminate flooring or calculation incidents" read it, you would probably choose tiles as a floor covering, because. it has a high thermal conductivity, and in combination with a layer of cement screed and tile adhesive, it accumulates heat well. Well, I would pick up some kind of cable with a thermostat for this matter. Nothing hangs on the walls, nothing interferes with the floor and no wires. This is purely my opinion.

Be sure to consider for yourself a warm balcony or loggia made according to this principle. I think this is a very successful combination. A warm balcony will definitely be here. And do not forget that all this is good only on a properly glazed and carefully. Pro .

• And the article “The parapet of the balcony, an important part of the glazing” should also be useful. I highly recommend finding and reading it. There will be a lot to think about for a lot of people.

For example, in my apartment,. This loggia, which is 3.60 long and 1 meter wide, in my opinion does not need a powerful heat source due to a very large and extremely warm radiator in the room (I also wrote about this). The temperature at the border of the loggia and the room is kept at around 23 degrees, even in severe frosts. In the room itself, somewhere around 25 degrees, and on the loggia 20-21 degrees on average, it depends heavily on the sun, sometimes it reaches 28. It suits me quite well (we are talking about winter now).

Balcony heating, insulated by us, you need a minimum, but we do it without fail. Like any warm room in our climate zone, a warm balcony also needs to be heated. Not in all cases and definitely not all the time, but heating on the balcony must be provided. The whole question is how to heat and how much will it cost per month?

Let's say right away: on our balconies - this is always a possible minimum, for others - it's how lucky. It can be cold with central heating batteries in 20 sections. Such balconies also came to us for alteration more than once. It is clear that everything can be heated - even a greenhouse in the cold, the whole question is: how much will it cost? We can only say about our balconies: either, practically, nothing, or approximately how much a washing machine costs you. And only in a couple of frosty months. Here is such a small question price. A few hundred rubles a year is not the price for one more room in an apartment.

We make the warmest balconies, which do not even require additional heating in all cases. For this:

• we install high-quality plastic ones with a maximum two-chamber double-glazed window (3 glasses give 2 cameras!) And with good fittings so as not to blow from the windows
• carefully and in several stages we carry out sealing of the entire balcony or loggia in order to completely eliminate drafts
• we make thorough insulation of ALL surfaces on the balcony, including the inner wall along own unique technology that cannot be found on the Internet
• we make the walls completely airtight to prevent the ingress of warm, moist air from the apartment under the cladding. In this case, condensation inside the wall cannot form and the walls always remain dry. This means there will be no mold or mildew.
• we mount a well-insulated and durable floor (thickness 120 mm), on which we received patent
• we replace part of the glazing with insulated walls, if the loggia is elongated, in order to reduce heat loss through the window
• we actively apply our own developments, which can be acquired only after years of work in one direction. only the site to confirm this.

That's why our balconies have room temperature in winter.

Do I need heating on a warm balcony?

A very important moment in our work. Believe that in winter you will also be very worried about this issue if you make yourself a warm balcony. It is worth reading our opinion on this matter, so as not to be disappointed later. Moreover, it will not be justified.

A warm balcony, like any other room in the apartment, is not a self-heating system! A heat source is a must. Heat loss through the window is inevitable. Although we have the maximum heat-saving capacity, a window is a window.

Heat from the room and there is heating

The main source of heat for our warm balcony is warm air from the apartment. You just need to keep the door to the balcony ajar. And do not close it for a long time, if you do not turn on the warm floor! Otherwise, the balcony will inevitably cool down in a few hours.

Underfloor heating rarely turns on: in cold weather, when there is no apartment heating or balcony glazing is too large. But, we strongly recommend to mount it. The costs are small for it, but then it will be a full-fledged room with independent heating. When needed, they turned it on. Let it be better.

There is enough heat from the room so that flowers grow quietly on our balcony without additional heating all winter or there is a microwave with a refrigerator, for example. Those. the temperature will be only a few degrees lower than in the room. This is due to poor air mixing without a thermal device under the window and the large size of this very window.

Of course, you can do without heating the balcony at all, provided that you do not need it to be exactly the same temperature as in the room. Just for flowers, for example. They have 15 - 18 degrees in winter - the most comfortable conditions. And, if you are planning a workplace for yourself there, then heating must be done. Then the air on the balcony will mix and heat will be drawn from the room. If there is no heating, then this will be difficult.

If balcony heating is not done

As a temporary solution: even the smallest and cheapest floor fan heater can seriously improve air mixing on the balcony. You just have to put it on rotation mode without heating. So it will not almost consume electricity. Install it in the doorway of the balcony or next to it, so as not to interfere. It can be installed both in the direction of the balcony and in the direction of the room. Try both options. He will push the air out of the balcony so that the heat from the apartment comes there more intensively. But, this is a temporary solution. A warm floor or a stationary convector is still more correct.

How much does balcony heating cost?

If you want comfort and additional space - heat the balcony, like other rooms in the apartment. Significant money is not required for this. Especially if your apartment is "hot", with excess heat. In this case, you may not notice the difference in electricity bills.

Do not forget that in the apartment we are heated not only by radiators under the window, but by walls with neighbors. The walls are even bigger. Turning off the radiator, you still will not freeze - the neighbors will continue to heat you through the concrete 15 cm! The temperature will drop, but not much.

But the warm balcony is completely devoid of this heat source. And the losses through the window are continuous. Moreover, the larger the glass area, the greater the loss. Therefore, we insist on its reduction to the optimal size. "Aquarium" is difficult to heat for minimal money.

Conclusion:

1. make underfloor heating on the balcony
2. replace part of the double-glazed windows on the outer window
3. put a supply valve, for example in the kitchen
   

Here is an example of how it looks: glazing and insulation of two balconies in Miass by our company. Outside, this is a window structure, and from the inside, we close it with a wall with insulation so that it is quiet, warm and beautiful. Behind these walls you will put a cabinet or a computer monitor.

Pictures are enlarged.

Balcony heating options

Legal and not so

In fact, the only legal way to heat your warm balcony is with electricity. Central heating batteries, unfortunately, in 2005, the new Housing Code is prohibited from displaying on the balcony. So it's not really an option. It is rather from the past, when there were no technologies or materials for high-quality insulation of the balcony. So they tried to block the gigantic heat loss on such a balcony at the expense of their neighbors.

But, on a well-insulated balcony, when it is made by an experienced and responsible company, electricity also does an excellent job of heating the balcony. And relatively inexpensive for the cold season is obtained. Here are the legal options for heating the balcony and they are listed in order of popularity:

• infrared
• electric in concrete screed

Balcony heating options: pros and cons

Infrared film floor

• high efficiency. Its operation during the heating season will not be sensitive to the family budget. It will not work for free, of course, but not all the time there is a need for it. It turns on only when needed.
• quick installation. It's easy to do it yourself. Taking into account the installation time of the plywood floor base itself, it takes 3 - 4 hours to lay the heating film. At least in our company. And that's it - the floor is already warm.
• quickly warms up due to the low thermal inertia of the floor covering. After a few minutes the floor is already warm
• inexpensive
• you can use almost any modern floor covering: linoleum, carpet, laminate, etc. Everything that does not require gluing to the surface
• the floor can be used immediately after installation
• Sturdy enough under flooring. Namely, the quality of linoleum or laminate determines how much and how such a floor will serve you. The film itself has nothing to do with it. By the way, it is quite thick, two-layer - about 0.5 mm. So stories about ladies' heels are myths. So don't spoil it. Do not do this with furniture legs either.

• cannot be used under tiles
• pillows and other bulky objects that interfere with the removal of heat from the surface should not be laid on the floor
• you should not make such a floor under furniture with a blank apron at the bottom. Nothing will happen to the floor, there will be a slight overheating, but just why heat the cabinet from below?

Electric convectors

As an option for heating the balcony, it’s also not bad, if at one time you saved on a warm film floor or didn’t think that you would equip yourself with an office there.

• Overall, fast installation. Plugged it in and it's done. The wall version also comes with feet for floor installation, usually
• also high efficiency.
• easy temperature adjustment

• takes up space, albeit a little
• still "dries" the air, albeit not too much
• the floor on the balcony remains cool for a long time. It is necessary to turn on the convector quite often so that the floor is also warm

Electric heating wire in concrete screed (mats)

Good for bathrooms, corridors and other places that are constantly heated. And, of course, you need to have a month in reserve in order to mount it correctly.

• you can lay tiles and other coatings that require gluing to the base. The film floor eliminates this option. True, some time ago there was an infrared film under a tile with holes, but now it is not to be found. Apparently, it has not become popular for a similar floor with tiles. With a heating cable, gluing is easier and more reliable.

• there is a minus and a very big one. It takes about 20 days at room temperature to turn on the concrete floor with the heating cable for the first time. The technology demands it. Otherwise, the screed will simply burst. This is not 3 - 4 hours in the case of a film floor.
• large thermal inertia. It takes a long time to warm up all the concrete in the screed. You can't run barefoot right away. True, this is a plus - it cools longer.

Conclusion: we have given all the arguments for and against each option. But, as is clear from the abundance of text around the film floor, we have made our choice. All balconies, which will later be offices and recreation areas, we equip with a warm film floor. And we advise you. Durable, economical, inexpensive.

Infrared film floor

The heating of balconies insulated by us is successfully handled by an electric heated film floor. We carefully insulate the balcony, so other heat sources are no longer needed. No convectors, no fan heaters. One floor is enough in the cold.

And it heats where it is most needed. If the feet don't get cold, the rest of the person doesn't get cold either)

The cost of underfloor heating on the balcony

The cost of a set of underfloor heating for a medium-sized loggia, for example, in a house of the 97th series, is 4500 rubles. The kit includes: thermostat, heating film and reflective thermal insulation.

The power consumed by the film floor

About 200 watts per square meter. The operation of the floor is controlled by a thermostat that turns off the heating film when the set room temperature is reached. In fact, the floor consumes energy no more than half the time. Of course, the power consumption is highly dependent on the area of ​​the window on the parapet. The larger it is, the greater the cost of heating the room. Therefore, we strongly advise customers to reduce its glazing area to reasonable limits. Why leave glass where there will be a closet, for example?

The device of a warm floor on a warm balcony

We produce insulated floors on balconies of our own design coated with thick plywood. The thickness of the "pie" of the floor is at least 120 mm. It is durable, warm and will never creak. Reflective thermal insulation made of 3 mm thick polyethylene foam is laid on top of the plywood. Above it is the infrared film itself of the area that is needed. Everything - after that you can lay the floor covering. The work of the floor is controlled by a thermostat, which we install in a convenient place. As a rule, this is next to the light switch on the balcony.

In order not to lay a temporary coating during the finishing putty and wallpapering, we completely assemble the electrical part, check it, but we turn the floor itself into a small roll again. During finishing, it does not interfere, and before laying the flooring, you just need to cut the adhesive tape and align the film.

And of course, do not forget to put a "reflector" under it with the shiny side up. Which is also left by us in a roll with a margin of area. This job takes a few minutes. But, of course, we can roll out everything at once if the customer has a temporary covering, for example, old linoleum from a balcony.

Durability and safety

Most of the heating film market in Russia belongs to Korean manufacturers. It does not burn and emits an odor when heated, mechanically strong. The manufacturer guarantees trouble-free operation for 25 years. In fact, much longer. Even if the warm floor is covered with pillows, the most that can happen is the destruction of the carbon bridges inside the film itself. As a result, only a small part of the floor will stop heating, the rest of the floor will function normally. However, such experiments should not be carried out.

To prevent overheating of the floor, do not put bulky items on the floor, such as a large bag or mattress. Also, you can not mount the floor under furniture with a blank apron at the bottom instead of legs. On legs or with a narrow support - please. Anywhere and any furniture.

Sad stories about women's shoes with heels that are told on the Internet are just myths. So the floor through the floor covering is not damaged. Even nails through it do not incapacitate. Unless the tester is pulled by current. And that's not much.

Warm Balcony, 2016