Insulation of a brick balcony. How to properly insulate a balcony: insulation options and work technology

Until recently, the balconies of city apartments served as a kind of storage room - people stored preserved food and various things there. What’s more, all sorts of unnecessary rubbish was taken out onto the balconies, which was a pity to throw away. However, today these premises are increasingly used as additional living space. And to implement such an idea, you need to take care of insulating the balcony.

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

So first sketch rough plan works - it will include:

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

Stage No. 1. Choosing insulation

There are a lot of thermal insulation materials on the modern construction market, but for balconies the following are more suitable:

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

It is better not to use mineral wool for a balcony - the installation procedure will be more labor-intensive, and the condensation that inevitably forms on the balcony is undesirable for this material. Expanded clay, for obvious reasons, can only be used for floor insulation (the 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 foam plastic 4-5 cm thick, which costs less than polystyrene foam or mineral wool.

Stage No. 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're talking about about the iron sheathing, then you must build it up using foam blocks or ceramic brick. It is important that the resulting wall thickness exceeds 10 cm. And if you have a reinforced concrete parapet, you can immediately begin installing windows.

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

Video - How to install a wooden window with double glazing

However, the majority of consumers still buy PVC windows. When purchasing, choose a special one plastic profile, characterized by increased rigidity and strength properties. In addition, the profile must have good thermal insulation properties.

Still have 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 (the work should be carried out by specialists), you can proceed directly to insulation.

Stage No. 3. We insulate the floor

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

Table. Insulating the floor on the balcony

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

Alternative option. We use expanded clay

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

Step #1. Lay it on the floor first waterproofing film with an exit to the walls of 10 cm.

Step #2. Place the beacons around the perimeter in increments of approximately 25 cm, being careful not to lean them too far against the walls.

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

Step #4. Moisten the expanded clay using cement laitance (this is water solution cement).

Step #5. Fill the 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 #6. Wait for the screed to dry completely. After this, you can begin laying the topcoat.

Stage No. 4. We insulate the walls

The technology here is almost the same as for floor insulation. Follow these steps:

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

Step #2. Attach the slats in accordance with these markings.

Step #3. Apply polyurethane foam to the surface using wave-like movements. At the same stage, you should drill holes for the dowels.

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

Step #5. Blow out all the resulting cracks with foam, then seal with mounting tape.

Step #6. Place on top waterproofing layer- for example, penofol, which will also serve as thermal insulation.

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

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

Stage No. 5. We insulate the ceiling

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

1. First, make a marking along which the hangers for attaching the guides will be installed.
2. Install the hangers themselves necessary to fix the guides (for the latter, use a galvanized profile or timber).

   

   

3. Cut into the insulator (foam or EPS) at appropriate locations. small holes under suspensions.

   

   

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

   

If the insulation weighs too much, you can use dowels for fastening. Blow out 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 plasterboard is also used, followed by wallpapering. PVC panels are also used for cladding. Concerning exterior finishing, then it is better to entrust it to professionals, especially if your apartment is located higher than on the ground floor.

Important information! It is prohibited to install central heating there, so if additional heating is required, you can lay a film “warm floor” under the linoleum.

You can also install an outlet on the balcony 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 the double-glazed window weighs quite a lot, so the remaining materials (including the insulator itself) must be of minimal weight. By the way, this is another reason why it is better to give preference to EPS or foam boards.

Video - Instructions for insulating a balcony

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

Notorious housing problem has been troubling us since the times when Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise. “What does heaven and balconies have to do with it?” - the reader will ask. And despite the fact that the balcony is a structural component of our home. And the solution to the question: the better way to insulate a balcony or loggia , may, in the end, bring either heavenly pleasure or a headache due to wasted money, time and effort. After all, correctly selected insulation will turn your balcony (loggia) into additional cozy square meters, will expand the space of the apartment and reduce the energy consumption of this area to conserve heat in winter period.

First, let's look at what types of insulation for balconies and loggias exist. Then we compare them, highlight the advantages and disadvantages, after which you can determine which insulation would be better suited in your case.

Common types of insulation for balconies and loggias

Mineral wool

Mineral wool (basalt wool, wool from natural fibers(linen) with polyester content (up to 15%)) - good quality, modern look noise and heat insulation, used in insulation of roofs, walls, ceilings, balconies and facades. Cotton wool is often used for roofing roll type with a density of 25-35 kg/m3. But for the facade it is better to choose denser insulation up to 70-90 kg per meter, which will ensure minimal shrinkage of vertical surfaces.

The mineral wool or basalt insulator used in the insulation of loggias or balconies showed excellent results. It can also be used as protection against moisture by laying a water barrier. The thickness is chosen according to the temperature conditions of a particular region, but usually no more than 100 mm. Mineral wool should be secured under the finishing layer (plastic, drywall) using slats or counter-slats.

One of the disadvantages of this insulation is that the material gets wet. Only natural flax wool provides vapor permeability and stable work when partially wet.

Brief characteristics of mineral wool ISOVER Classic Plus 50 mm:

Depending on the manufacturers, cutting and specifications may vary.

Extruded polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam

Extruded polystyrene foam (foam) - wide in application thermal insulation material with a homogeneous structure and closed cells. Almost does not absorb moisture (up to 0.1% per 1 cubic meter per day) and does not react strongly to exposure ultraviolet radiation. Foam plastic has differences in density and is mainly used in insulating technical premises.

The material for insulating the balcony should be a heat insulator with an optimal flammability class, or better yet, one with non-flammable additives. Moreover, the market offers all kinds of types and classes of insulators.

Scope of application and some characteristics of Extraplex 50 mm polystyrene foam:

How to insulate a loggia or balcony? Choose suitable brand Simply, the main thing is to consider the criteria by which the material is selected. If you have a small balcony, suitable materials can be applied to decorative layer. For example, bark beetle type plaster. Expanded polystyrene is perfect for this, but you should remember the “dew point” and only use high-quality glue for slabs.

The disadvantage of expanded polystyrene is the release of the harmful substance styrene when heated above 40 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it is best to insulate a balcony from the outside with such material.

Expanded polystyrene can also be mounted on a mounting construction foam. IN Lately This method of fastening is often used. The foam, expanding, leaves no gaps, filling all the cracks well. And when installing a heated floor, you can lay polystyrene foam under the heating element, gluing it directly to the floor of the balcony.

Advice: on the balcony it is better to do coating or other waterproofing of the walls, ceiling and all connections (windows, doors), since balconies are usually most susceptible to leaks. A hydrobarrier can also be used as a moisture insulator.

Penofol

Penofol is a thin modern insulation material that is also suitable for insulating balconies or loggias. More than three modifications are available.

Saving space is priority number two in all installation and finishing works. This is where penofol comes to the fore.

Type "A" - used as in combined insulation external walls from the inside (expanded polystyrene plus penofol), and in independent version, using 10 mm thick material. The product, consisting of polyethylene foam, with a reflective layer on one side, provides excellent service for many years.

Type "B"— foil material with two reflective surfaces is more often used for additional floor insulation, both under screed in rooms and as a backing on balconies and loggias under heated floors. The high performance and reflective qualities of such an insulator have proven themselves to be excellent.

Type "C"— self-adhesive product, with a one-sided reflective layer, easy to install on walls and ceilings. The requirements for surfaces for such insulation are minimal: cleanliness (dust removal) and evenness of the surface (can be glued to concrete). Do not forget to thoroughly prime the insulated areas.

Type "ALP" It has both a reflective layer and a protective polyethylene membrane.

If, for example, you want to install additional pipes for floor heating in a loggia, the “ALP” type of penofol is laid as a reflective layer under the pipes and screed. Protective film This material does not react with the raw solution when pouring the screed. Then, having made mesh reinforcement (usually brand VR-1) and placed beacons or guides, we pour the solution. Don't forget about aluminum tape for gluing seams and junctions. It is better to wrap the edges of the penofol on the walls, approximately 80 mm.

Important: pipes that are laid as a heating element should be under a pressure of 5-7 atmospheres when pouring. This measure will prevent the base from rupturing in the future and will relieve tension in the thickness of the material when heated (there is room for expansion). Installing a pressure gauge in the system will make it possible to monitor the indicators and tell you if there are any leaks in the system.

And the screens for additional batteries on the balcony are best glued with type “C” penofol, with a reflective layer inward towards the battery.

Briefly about the properties of penofol:

What is the best way to insulate a balcony?

Before deciding how to insulate a balcony or loggia, you need to understand which side to use the insulation on and where. At the same time, glazing the balcony is a mandatory step, otherwise, what’s the point of insulating it if everything is ventilated.

The balcony can be insulated:

• below (floor);
• above (ceiling);
• from inside (wall);
• outside (also walls).

Insulating the floor of a balcony or loggia

The better the material for insulating the balcony, the better the microclimate of the enclosed space will be maintained. In light of recent trends, it is strongly recommended to insulate the floor on the balcony. This will give energy-saving heat savings of 20 to 40%, depending on the type of insulation. The costs will pay for themselves, especially if you plan to convert the balcony into an additional room.

Insulation methods:

• using insulating materials;
• "warm floor" system.

Insulation materials:

Mineral wool

The advantage is low cost and ease of installation. Disadvantage - over time it cakes and loses its insulating qualities. If you do not correctly calculate the thermal insulation layer (this is a completely separate topic of conversation), you may not achieve the desired effect.

Styrofoam

Nice, comfortable, cheap material. The disadvantage is that mice eat it. It will be necessary to take care of excellent tightness.

Expanded clay

Lightweight, cheap, eternal heat insulator, but cooler.

Penofol

Moderately expensive. Combines the qualities of mineral wool and polystyrene foam. Can be laid on an imperfectly flat surface. According to experts, it is one of the best thermal insulation materials for insulating balconies and loggias.

Penoplex

Also moderately expensive good heat insulator, but requires a very flat surface.

Warm floor system

Available in three versions:

Water floor

Connects to the central heating system. If you don't have individual heating, then this option is not suitable due to the lack of permissive legislation.

Electric

1. Cable.
2. Cable with reinforcing mesh.

Electric floors are effective when combined with self-leveling floors and tiles.

Film (infrared)

Can be laid without major overhaul repair work. A technically simple solution.

Attention: Film flooring cannot be used under tiles and screed. Can be used under linoleum or laminate.

Insulation of the ceiling of a balcony or loggia

It makes sense to insulate the ceiling on the balcony if your balcony is located on the top floor.

To insulate the ceiling on the balcony, the following materials are used:

• drywall;
• Styrofoam;
• penofol;
• penoplex (expanded polystyrene foam).

Do not forget that when insulating the ceiling, a reduction in the ceiling space is inevitable.

If you don’t want to do major insulation of the ceiling, then you can get by with decorated urethane foam tiles. In this case, there will be two advantages: an elegant ceiling with a small layer of insulation.

Insulation of the walls of a balcony or loggia

Before insulating the balcony walls, all holes and cracks must be sealed. Neglecting such a small thing as a gap in cold windy weather will result in loss of heat and lack of comfort.

The materials used for insulating the balcony are the same as for insulating the floor. This:

• expanded polystyrene;
• penoplex;
• penofol;
• mineral wool.

You can add here materials such as isover.This is a more modern fiberglass-based mineral wool. Available in rolls or sheets.

Another option - styrodur- This is green extruded polystyrene foam.

Insulation of walls can be carried out from the inside and outside. If you need to preserve the useful space of the balcony, it is recommended to carry out insulation from the outside, and only finishing work from the inside.

As in any other case, choosing external insulation has its advantages and disadvantages:

Choosing which insulation is right for you, what exactly to insulate a particular room with is not easy. The best way insulation will be combined.

Example: It is better to insulate the loggia ceiling and all walls with mats made of basalt wool, the floor is polystyrene foam, and penofol is used as an additional sound-absorbing and heat-reflecting layer.

When choosing a material, remember that flammability class and environmental friendliness are perhaps the most important criteria.

So, given the plans hatched for further use balcony or loggia, time and financial possibilities, taking into account the recommendations received, you can now make a reasonable, informed decision on choosing insulation for your balcony or loggia.

A 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 rooms, and this will mean extra money spent on heating. Owners who do not know how or how to insulate a balcony on their own invite workers, whose services cost a lot of money. And it’s good if the hired craftsmen turn out to be professionals, because contractors with a lack of qualifications 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 what year it was built apartment house. Then they pay attention to the frame (whether it is metal or wood) and evaluate the dilapidation of the cladding. Lastly, experienced workers compare neighboring loggias and can suggest that the owner make a structure in the same style.

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 replacement of 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 strengthened.

how to insulate a balcony with your own hands

It is after the measures to restore the structure that specialists are engaged in cladding 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 covered with windows. As a result, not only an attractive appearance building, but its strength also increases significantly. By the way, a double-glazed window will significantly insulate the room.

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



Without preparing the balcony you cannot take the next drastic steps. Before purchasing materials for insulating a loggia, specialists carry out the following work indoors:



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 buildings use polystyrene foam very widely. Its low cost does not affect its quality. It is sold in the form of slabs 5 cm thick or more. If the apartment is located in the north, then it is better to use sheets 15 cm thick. To install polystyrene foam, a sheathing with identical cells is made. Expanded polystyrene is convenient in that it can be easily cut with an ordinary knife.

The positive aspects of this insulation are that it has no odor and does not emit harmful substances, environmentally friendly and does not affect human health. Sheets are usually fixed with special “umbrellas” or construction glue. To save money, it is better to insulate the balcony inside with it.

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

Insulation of the loggia Secrets of craftsmanship from Alexey Zemskov

The fire safety of this insulation is at high level, and the absence of a specific odor makes mineral wool one of the most popular. The material begins to melt at a temperature of 1000 degrees. It is also necessary to make a sheathing for such rolls. Another plus is that it is easy to cut. The disadvantage is due to the composition, which includes powdered glass, which penetrates into the skin during operation and causes itching and redness.

Penoplex - new insulation, which appeared on the market building materials relatively recently and has already become popular. It is lightweight, making it easy to work with. Penoplex is produced in the form of rectangular sheets, which can be cut even with a stationery knife. According to the method of fastening, it is similar to foam plastic, which is glued or fixed with fasteners. The surface of the material is rough, so it does not slip in your hands.



Granulated expanded clay is often laid on the floor. This kind of 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, just create a layer of expanded clay and pour liquid cement so that the granules are held together. But we must take into account that such material will take away 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, parquet or laminate.

Another insulation option - penofol. It is made from foamed polyethylene. 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 allow wind to pass 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. The 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 finishers

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



Wall thickness from edge interior decoration to the outside, taking into account the foam block, should be 30 cm. This is enough to retain heat and prevent cold from penetrating into the room.

Pouring concrete, expanded clay layer and similar methods cost a lot of money. You can do similar insulation, but at the same time save money. An option for cheap wood and foam finishing could be like this:



How to insulate a balcony? Choice of insulation.

Specialists always start finishing the walls and ceiling, and finish with the floor. If you do everything the other way around, the base will be damaged and the front surface will be scratched.

It is very difficult to calculate the total amount as there are many factors that influence it. Firstly, 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, prices for insulation 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 funds 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 for 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:



You may also 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 your wallet. But if you insulate the balcony inside with your own hands, the final cost will be approximately 10 thousand rubles.

If there is a need to expand the area of ​​the room due to the structure on the front side of the building, then insulating balconies and loggias is a primary task. If you insulate this part of the apartment from the inside, you can achieve the most good results, avoid heat loss in winter.

Differences between a balcony and a loggia

Although these structures have the same purpose, they differ in structure, and their insulation scheme will be different because of this. The balcony has a parapet; it protrudes beyond the façade. This item It can be covered with plastic panels, have lattice fencing, concrete, or wood. The loggia does not protrude beyond the building. It is fenced with a parapet made of brick or concrete, looks like a recess in the facade structure, and has adjacent walls with the premises of apartments or other loggias. Compared to a balcony, a loggia is more convenient for glazing and can withstand a lot of weight.

Insulated loggia

Features of the work

Insulation and – quite a complex process. Problems arise due to the lack of walls connected to the warm room. If you want to get high-quality thermal insulation for your balcony, you need to start with its glazing. It is recommended to use three-chamber double-glazed windows. They retain heat less well, especially if the frames are old. Using them will waste your energy and money. After the glazing is completed, you can move on to insulating the remaining parts of the structure: the floor, walls, parapet.

Installation of a loggia glazing structure

Use of aluminum

Seam sealed and sheathing installed

Starts without insulation . The goal is to close all gaps from which cold air can penetrate. When it comes to double-glazed windows, polyurethane foam or sealant is used.

If the gap is large, you can cover it with plywood, use polystyrene foam, and then cover it with foam. Excess foam is cut off with a knife. After this, you need to take care of waterproofing. Both roll and liquid materials. If you use roofing felt, it needs to be laid overlapping. It is advisable to seal the seams with a special torch. If the materials are liquid, use a roller or brush and cover the entire area of ​​the floor and walls with them sequentially.

Insulation and finishing of a balcony or loggia occurs after the manipulations with waterproofing are completed. To do this you need to use insulation. Most often, polystyrene foam or mineral wool are used. The insulation must be covered with a layer that does not allow air to pass through. You can use regular polyethylene film, special vapor barrier in rolls or. The last option is the most reliable. You need to use a material that has a metallized side. You need to lay penofol end to end.

The seams must be taped using aluminum tape. This will ensure heat retention inside the room. Penofol is placed with foil relative to the room. This is done so that the heat is reflected and does not go beyond the balcony. Finishing and insulation of balconies and loggias with this material follows the same principle.

Ways to insulate a loggia

There are different options for insulating a loggia. You need to choose a method based on your plans for using this room. If supplies of vegetables, seams, and food will be stored on the loggia, a thick layer of insulation is not needed. If you plan to turn the loggia into a small office, greenhouse, or living room, you will need a double layer of insulation and high-quality closure of all cracks.

You can save a little by insulating the parapet from the ceiling, walls and floor in one layer.

There are also universal methods insulation of the loggia: for example, you can use. It is extruded polystyrene foam. The material does not absorb liquid, is highly wear-resistant, and is able to retain heat well inside the room. It is convenient to install, since the material is produced in the form of plates with tongues and grooves that are attached to each other.

The thickness of the slab may vary. They produce products from 2 to 10 cm. The plates can have various sizes, be smooth, have recesses and protrusions. If you live in an area where winters are cold, it is recommended to use a slab with a thickness of at least 5 cm. For milder climates, products with a thickness of up to 4 cm are suitable.

How to fix?

Insulating balconies and loggias with your own hands requires knowledge of the sequence of actions. installation is not difficult, but the installation method depends on how the finishing will be done. If you plan to use plastic, the boards can be secured with dowels. It is best to use fasteners that are at least 8 cm long. If you plan to plaster the slab, you can glue it and secure it with a dowel.

It is worth remembering that first the insulation is carried out and then the finishing of the loggia. After you have done the waterproofing, you can proceed to installing the insulation. If you use penoplex, it is not necessary: ​​the slabs will hold well without it, and the presence of wood will not only increase the weight of the structure, but will also make it colder, since wood has the ability to freeze. If finishing If you plan to do it with plasterboard, then the sheathing needs to be installed on top of the penoplex.

The material can be replaced with polystyrene foam if you do not have enough funds for repairs, but it is not an analogue and is inferior to foam plastic in terms of thermal insulation quality.

What to sheathe with?

Sheathing and insulation of the balcony can occur different materials. For example, you can use clapboard. It will not only give the balcony or loggia an attractive appearance, but will also act as an additional layer of thermal insulation. It is recommended to place polystyrene foam under the lining; You can use other types of insulation.

To install the material, you will need a lathing: it will need to be installed after applying a layer of waterproofing. The size of the lathing cells must match the size of the foam sheets. They will need to be inserted inside and secured, after which you can fill the cracks with polyurethane foam, insulate the floor, and install joists. You can begin installing the lining. After finishing the work, it is recommended to varnish the boards. Finishing and insulating a balcony with your own hands using these materials is the simplest and most inexpensive means make the loggia warm.

For tight fixation, you can use dowels. Before using them, you must wait until the glue has completely dried; This usually takes about a day. A layer of vapor barrier must be placed on top of the mineral wool. After this, you can perform the lathing and proceed to finishing.

Options for insulating a balcony can be very diverse. They depend on how you plan to use the balcony, your financial capabilities, and imagination.

Using a balcony (loggia) as an additional room with functions that are not typical for it - as a greenhouse, kitchen, recreation area or study in last years has become almost universal. With the advent of PVC structures, which make it possible to quickly and efficiently perform glazing with 2-3-layer double-glazed windows, which perfectly retains heat, insulating a balcony from the outside or inside with your own hands can quite successfully solve these problems.

But a balcony (loggia) is a room small size. Therefore, high-quality insulation, especially in the northern regions, leads to a critical reduction in its area due to the thickness of the insulation and finishing materials.

There is a need for external insulation, which allows not only to save space but also to solve a number of technical problems associated with moving the “dew point” beyond the perimeter of the balcony area.
In this article we will tell you how to insulate a balcony from the outside.

External insulation: pros and cons

When they talk about insulating a balcony with their own hands outside, with the exception of balconies located on the highest floors, it is impossible to insulate the entire balcony (loggia) from the outside. In the vast majority of cases, we are talking about external insulation of the balcony parapet and (in very rare cases), external insulation of the balcony slab, which serves as a “roof” for the balconies of the upper floors.

Among the advantages of external insulation, two main ones can be distinguished:

• Saving balcony space.
• Placing the “dew point” on the outer surface of the parapet fence helps to avoid condensation and mold formation on the balcony.

The disadvantages of external insulation are:

• The need to coordinate work on external insulation and changes in the design and appearance of the building facade with architectural, construction and housing and communal services authorities.
• Obtaining permission to carry out work.
• The need to attract specialists - industrial climbers or special equipment - aerial platforms.

• Limitation on the choice of materials for insulation.
• Significant increase in the cost of insulation work.

Preparatory stage of work

Before starting work on insulating the parapet of a balcony (loggia) from the outside with your own hands, it is necessary to assess the volume of work to be done, the condition of the material from which the parapet is made, and calculate the cost of the work, taking into account the involvement of industrial climbers or the rental of special equipment. If the calculations received do not scare you and we are not talking about the price or the time spent on obtaining permission from regulatory authorities to make changes to the design and appearance of the building’s façade – then let’s get to work!

We have already written in an article dedicated to the difficulties associated with making changes to the external building envelope small balcony and the facade of the building. In addition to the lack of Russian legislation regulatory documents that would provide for such a possibility and make such insulation legal, it will still be necessary to coordinate the work with the owners apartment building, since the external walls and structures are the joint property of all owners of the apartment building.

Unauthorized changes entail not only dissatisfaction with neighbors, but the obligation to restore the façade structures to their previous form at your own expense.
If you managed to obtain the necessary permits, then you can begin to carry out work.

Strengthening the parapet structure

The balcony parapet can be:

• Metal - from corrugated sheets, rods, metal strips, pipes - in old houses.
• From reinforced concrete slabs of “light” concrete - in panel houses starting from episode 121.
• Made of brick - in most modern brick or monolithic-frame residential buildings.

The material from which the parapet is made plays a significant role in the choice of not only the insulation material, but also its thickness and installation methods.

If the balcony parapet is made of corrugated sheeting or metal welded structures, preliminary covering of this metal structure from the side of the balcony (loggia) will be required - otherwise the metal “ribs” of the corrugated board will ruin the entire appearance of the insulated balcony and will serve as “bridges” of cold that will negate all your efforts.

In addition to installing an internal screen that will hide the metal structures (made of chipboard, plasterboard, PVC siding, plywood), it will be necessary to create a layer of insulation that would completely hide the elements of the metal structures, otherwise in winter they will freeze and the cost of heating the balcony ( loggias) will be excessive.

If the parapet is made of reinforced concrete slabs or bricks - everything is much simpler - it will not be required additional work to change the parapet design.

Material selection

Considering that the balcony design is remote in 90% of cases, that is, it protrudes beyond the facade of the building (with the exception of recessed loggias), it experiences increased wind loads and exposure to precipitation.

Therefore, as insulation it is necessary to choose a material that is resistant to street moisture.

The best in this regard are penoplex, polystyrene foam or sprayed polyurethane foam. It is undesirable to use mineral wool as insulation.

It is hygroscopic - it absorbs and retains moisture well, it is heavy, inconvenient to work with and requires obligatory lathing. Therefore, from the idea of ​​insulating the balcony from the outside mineral wool, it's better to refuse.

A material quite rarely used in do-it-yourself insulation of balconies and loggias - polyurethane foam - is ideal insulation for balcony parapets made of welded metal structures or corrugated sheets. Due to the “flow around” foamed polyurethane, everything metal constructions(corrugated sheet ribs) are immersed in the insulation and do not form “cold bridges”.

In addition, applying such insulation to corrugated sheets does not require the installation of any retaining structures. The only “disadvantage” is the high price. Both the insulation itself and the cost of applying it. It is unlikely that you will be able to perform such insulation with your own hands.

But, if you decide to rent special vehicles or a team of industrial climbers in order to insulate your balcony from the outside, then the costs of applying PPU in comparison with the specified work will be insignificant.

Insulation with foam plastic or penotex

Insulation of the outer wall of the parapet of a balcony or loggia does not require additional waterproofing, since moisture condensation does not occur on external wall, foam plastic or penotex slabs can be glued to the outer surface of the parapet using any moisture-resistant adhesive construction mastic, applied to the surface of the insulation board with a comb spatula. The glued slabs are additionally fixed with dowels-“fungi” with a wide head.

Considering that the thickness of a foam or penotex slab rarely exceeds 50 mm. You don’t have to install a sheathing to fasten the sheathing - the outer decorative screen, which will cover the insulation from the outside (unless it is PVC siding, which needs guides into which individual siding elements are inserted).
Sheathing – (corrugated sheeting, waterproof plasterboard, sheet metal siding, cellular polycarbonate or other waterproof sheet materials), with which you decide to decorate the facade of your balcony from the outside, can be mounted on anchors 100-150 mm long, holes for which are drilled through the insulation and the outer fencing of the parapet.

The length of the anchor should not exceed the total thickness of the parapet fence and insulation, so as not to protrude inside the balcony.

Let's sum it up

Despite some savings in balcony space when insulating a balcony (loggia) externally, it is quite problematic to do the entire amount of work with your own hands. This is due to the need to use special equipment (aerial platform) or safety equipment (climbing equipment). All this leads to an unreasonable increase in the cost of insulating a balcony (loggia). Before you start performing such work, think more than once whether the saved 0.5 sq. m. is worth it. m of balcony area, the investment of such significant funds and headaches with collecting the necessary bureaucratic permits?