In a private house      04.03.2020

Self-insulation of the loggia. What material is better to insulate the loggia from the inside. glazing requirements

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


Modern way insulation - polyurethane foam spraying

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 cozy place to sit in silence. An insulated loggia will be an ideal option for this.

In such a room it is possible to place 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.

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. Evening city, which opens wonderful view, and 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 the total space by opening big 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

Most apartment owners use the balcony as a place to store rarely used things. If you want to get additional living space and turn it into a place to relax, a flower garden or an office, you can do it without involving specialists. We will describe in detail how to reliably insulate the balcony from the inside with your own hands.

What is the best thermal insulator to use?

Read also: How to insulate a private house with your own hands: roof, walls and foundation, description of thermal insulation materials offered on the market (Photo & Video) + Reviews

To finish the balcony, you can use both rolled and tiled materials that provide reliable thermal insulation:

  • Styrofoam: an inexpensive tiled material with sufficiently high thermal insulation properties has two significant drawbacks; the first is a large thickness of the sheets, when using it, without that small area balconies will be significantly reduced; the second disadvantage is high fire hazard; to ignite it, a lit cigarette accidentally thrown from the top floor is sufficient; therefore, for cladding a balcony, purchase class G2 material that does not support self-combustion
  • penoplex(extruded polystyrene foam): in composition, this material is similar to polystyrene, but due to a special production method at equal thermal insulation properties it has a smaller thickness, greater mechanical strength; however, the cost of penoplex is higher; since the material has a low water absorption coefficient, in order to avoid condensation, the balcony will need to be regularly ventilated; about how to insulate the balcony with penoplex from the inside, we will tell a little lower
  • "Penofol": PE foam protected on both sides aluminum foil, which simultaneously serves as wind and moisture protection; a significant plus is the minimum thickness, for insulation it is enough to use a material several millimeters thick; Izolon, Penolon, Teplofol, Energofol have similar composition and properties; disadvantage - high price
  • mineral wool(glass, slag or basalt wool): the undoubted advantage of all these materials is high heat-insulating properties; some experts believe that the increased moisture permeability of the material in the case of balcony insulation is only a plus - absorbing excess moisture well, the material will protect the room from condensation on windows and walls; however, over time, mold can form in the mineral wool, so it must be reliably protected from moisture penetration from both sides with the help of hydro and vapor barrier

It is undesirable to use heat-insulating materials having a significant mass (for example, brick) for insulating balconies. After all, the bearing capacity of the balcony slab is limited. With excessive load, such a design simply may not withstand the additional weight.

The use of expanded clay for floor screed is also not recommended. Its main disadvantage is the ability to absorb moisture. As a result, its mass increases significantly.

Required Materials

Read also: Secrets of soundproofing walls in an apartment: we use modern materials and technologies (25+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews

The use of penoplex

To finish the balcony you will need the following materials:

  • gas silicate blocks 80-100 mm wide for erecting a parapet
  • glue based on cement for their laying
  • slab or roll insulation
  • wooden slats for the manufacture of lathing and installation of a rolled heat insulator; their thickness is selected so that it is equal to the width of the heat insulator
  • self-tapping screws for mounting lathing with a diameter of 3.5-4.8 mm
  • when using sheet material (foam or polystyrene) as a heater, special glue for their fastening
  • polyethylene film or membrane material to create hydro- and vapor barrier
  • polyurethane foam, mastic (for example, "Germabutil", "Germaflex" rubber-based) or silicone sealant for sealing joints, cracks

Where to begin? Inspection and repair of balcony slabs

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The condition of balcony slabs is not always satisfactory - over time, they can partially collapse. Therefore, before proceeding with the insulation of the balcony, you should check how strong and reliable its base is.

Minor and medium repairs are allowed to be carried out independently. If significant cracks appear, or even more so if reinforcement is exposed, fragments of the slab collapse or move away from the wall, specialists should be called.

Remember that major or emergency repairs must only be carried out by qualified installers management company. If the reinforcement is severely corroded, it may be necessary to reinforce it with steel beams. In case of severe destruction, the balcony slab can be completely cut off.

To repair damaged concrete sections:

  1. All unnecessary is removed from the balcony, and all debris is completely removed, as well as the remnants of loose concrete
  2. If the reinforcement is exposed, it is cleaned of rust. Laid on top reinforcing mesh. So that it does not rust over time, it must be completely drowned in concrete. To do this, it is necessary to leave a gap between it and the plate.
  3. Formwork is placed along the perimeter of the balcony slab
  4. After pouring the concrete solution, the screed is ironed - sprinkled with dry cement, then rubbed into the dry mortar
  5. To protect against moisture from below, the balcony slab is primed and then plastered. On the sides, a galvanized steel outflow is mounted

Read also: [Instruction] Do-it-yourself laminate on a wooden floor: a complete description of the process. Laying schemes, what materials should be used (Photo & Video) + Reviews

Filling the floor screed on the balcony

After the reconstruction of the slab, it is desirable to waterproof it.. For these purposes, roll materials or bitumen are used. To modern waterproofing materials carry the penetrating impregnation to the Penotron type. It is better to apply it in 2 layers.

Repair may also require a balcony railing. New structural elements in the form profile pipes fasten on an anchor or by welding.

The choice of glazing methods

Read also: What to do if plastic windows in a house or apartment sweat? Causes of condensation. Ways to solve this problem (Photo & Video) + Reviews

If your balcony has conventional 1-chamber double-glazed windows, they should be replaced. Otherwise, you will waste a significant part of the energy resources spent on heating the room. A warm balcony requires 2- or 3-chamber double-glazed windows. In the conditions of the Far North, they can be 5-chamber.

Balcony glazing is more difficult than the usual installation of double-glazed windows in windows. In this case, the installation of additional components is required. Therefore, be sure to invite proven masters of high qualification.

It is undesirable to use wooden double-glazed windows for glazing. Due to the accumulated condensate, over time they will begin to rot. Plus the weight of such structures, saturated with water, will be significant. If for some reason you decide to stay on wooden products, do not forget to treat them regularly with an antiseptic and paint.

Reduce heat loss by 30% using the latest technologies– glazing using I- or K-glasses. The first option is I-glass with a multilayer coating, which includes small percentage silver - able to reflect up to 90% of the outgoing heat. Since such surfaces can be easily scratched, they are installed with a coating inside the room.

Non-ferrous metal oxide is applied to K-glass, due to which heat is reflected from the batteries into the room. Such a coating is less afraid of damage. Although the prices for both glass options are the same, the degree of heat reflection in K-glasses is less and amounts to 30%.

Read also: Plastic windows in a wooden house: a description of the main characteristics, how to install it yourself, photo and video instructions

Poor quality profile may turn yellow over time, That's why Special attention refer to the certificates of its quality. Choose profile systems from trusted manufacturers. If you want double-glazed windows to last longer, do not save on fittings either.

To more economical way window sealing includes ordinary polyurethane foam. But it will be better if all the cracks are sealed with a sealant that has water-repellent properties. You should not refuse to install flashings - they not only look decorative, but also protect the room from drafts.

You can order for balcony windows blinds or covering with a special opaque film. It will protect the premises from prying eyes.

Balcony insulation step by step

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It is necessary to sheathe with a heat insulator not only the walls, but also the floor and ceiling, otherwise the insulation will simply lose its meaning. After all reinforced concrete slabs during the cold season they freeze strongly.

Preparatory work

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Before starting work, carefully inspect the balcony for cracks. If any are found, carefully fill them with sealant or mounting foam. Their excess must be cut off. After all, when installing the skin, they will interfere with its alignment.

So that at the end of the repair you do not have to wash dusty, dirty windows, attach a plastic film to them. If you plan to lay communications on the balcony (wiring, sockets, tubes for air conditioners), it is more convenient to do this in advance.

Read also: The blind area around the house: views, device, schematic drawings, instructions on how to do it yourself (30 Photos & Videos) + Reviews

Both foam and aerated concrete are able to reliably store heat, so they are often used to insulate balconies or loggias. However, since aerated concrete is able to absorb water, it is better to focus on foam blocks. Their air cells are completely closed from moisture penetration.

When using aerated concrete, additional finishing will be required to protect against rain and snow.

  1. If there are significant differences in height or potholes on the concrete slab, it is leveled with cement mortar
  2. Work on laying foam blocks is started a week after concrete has been set of sufficient strength.
  3. If the free area allows, it is better not to remove the metal fence. You can win 15-20 cm of usable area if you strengthen the masonry with reinforcement with thick metal bars
  4. With the help of fittings, the parapet must also be additionally attached to the walls of the house. She is walled up between rows of foam blocks
  5. Masonry is better to produce not ordinary concrete mortar, A special glue designed for cellular blocks. It will help reduce the thickness of the seam to 3 mm, protect against the loss of the solution and the appearance of cold bridges. Its cost is fully compensated by reducing the thickness of the seams
  6. To lay out the first row, the glue must be diluted a little thicker - so that the spatula installed in it does not fall on its side
  7. The place for masonry is marked in such a way that the center of the bricks falls on the attachment points of the window frame, that is, the distance from it to the edge of the balcony slab is 5 cm
  8. To save space at the docking points with the parapet, the blocks are sawn
  9. The wall must be strictly vertical. Therefore, the location of each row must be verified by the building level

When laying window frames on foam blocks, double-glazed windows must be additionally fixed to the walls of the building using a channel. Otherwise, with a strong wind load, the double-glazed windows may fall down.

Wall and ceiling insulation

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How to properly insulate a regular or brick balcony?

Installation of insulation is better to start from above, from the ceiling:

  1. First, a waterproofing film is laid in such a way that overlaps form. It is necessary to fasten the strips together with construction tape or a stapler. It is also necessary to make an overlap of 15 cm on the walls
  2. When laying rolled heat insulators, you will need pre-assembly wooden crate. Sheet insulation can be attached directly to the adhesive
  3. Since the main load will fall on the crate (it must withstand the weight of the insulation, as well as facing material), wooden blocks should be fixed to the ceiling with self-tapping screws of sufficient length
  4. So that the laths of the crate do not deform during temperature changes, leave a gap of 5-10 mm between them and the walls. It is mounted to the ceiling with self-tapping screws. For this, holes are pre-prepared in it.
  5. Plates or roll material should fit tightly, without gaps. The pitch of the crate should be slightly larger (10 millimeters) than the size of the insulation sheets. Otherwise, you will not be able to lay the material evenly.
  6. A more reliable option is to combine penoplex with penofol with an air gap between them of 2 cm in size.
  7. All gaps between the insulation boards are filled with foam
  8. The next layer is a vapor barrier polyethylene film or special membrane materials. It is not necessary to use it only if foil materials are used for insulation.
  9. Next, a second layer of 10 mm crate is laid, on which it will be attached finishing material. Such a gap will serve additional protection from the accumulation of condensate
  10. Even moisture-resistant drywall on the balcony can warp over time. Therefore, use gypsum boards for sheathing. Moreover, they cost no more than drywall. You can also sheathe a balcony from the inside with plywood or clapboard
  11. Laying insulation on the walls differs little from installing insulation on the ceiling

Floor insulation

Read also:

Since insulation under the screed significantly increases the weight of the structure, the most common way to insulate the floor is to insulate the joists.

So detailed step-by-step instruction:

  1. After installing the waterproofing layer to concrete floor fastened wooden beam(the size of its section is 50x50 mm). The width of the bars is selected depending on the thickness of the insulation
  2. The tree is pre-treated with a primer with an antiseptic or coated with drying oil
  3. The logs are placed across the balcony in such a way that a distance of 50-70 mm remains from the walls. Such technological gap will not allow the bars to warp during temperature changes and changes in linear dimensions
  4. To ensure normal water flow, the balcony slab is always made at a slight slope. . Therefore, the lags must first be aligned. To do this, thin wooden bars or pieces of plywood are placed under them. To obtain a strictly horizontal surface, the floors are leveled with a building level.
  5. alignment concrete screed having a significant mass, in the case of a balcony it is highly not recommended . After all, this will require a significant amount of solution
  6. A layer of heat insulator is tightly laid between the lags. When using foil materials, they are placed with the foil down.
  7. The next layer is vapor barrier. She is spread with an overlap on the walls
  8. When laying underfloor heating, a small layer of cement screed is poured over the film
  9. If warm floors are not provided, a layer of chipboard is laid on the floor in a checkerboard pattern (with offset seams), and then a floor covering, for example, ceramic tile, laminate or linoleum. It is better not to lay plywood on the floor, as over time such a floor will begin to creak strongly

At the end of the article, I would like to give a few the most important tips professionals.

  1. Do not try to take radiators to the balcony central heating. This is strictly prohibited. If such a violation is detected, you will be forced to dismantle them. For heating, use only electrical appliances: oil, infrared heaters or underfloor heating with electric heating
  2. It’s not always worth listening to the advice of programs like “Repair Schools”. When combining a balcony with warm room disagreements with regulatory authorities may arise. If they think that in this way you have worsened the heat supply of your neighbors, you can be forced to bring the apartment back to its previous form, as well as pay a hefty fine.
  3. Legally demolished balcony door, the window unit is considered a redevelopment, therefore it requires special permission. But, since the interpretation of the law in this case is ambiguous, in some cases it is still possible to obtain such permission with high-quality insulation of the balcony
  4. fashionable last years frameless glazing Looks very decorative on the outside, but warm balconies, loggias it does not fit. Use thermally insulated double or triple glazing or lift-slide windows for insulation
  5. Close the joints carefully before insulating walls, ceilings, floors, as well as gaps with mounting foam or polyurethane sealant
  6. Any wooden elements be sure to treat the skins with antiseptics and materials that protect them from moisture
  7. Installation of insulation start from the ceiling, then proceed to the insulation of walls, floors
  8. The ideal option for thermal insulation is a two-layer cake with an air gap. Use materials of small thickness for this (foam or penofol)
  9. Polyurethane foam under the influence of ultraviolet light quickly darkens, becoming unusable. Therefore, protect its outer layer with sealant, putty or paint.
  10. Gypsum putty is afraid of moisture, therefore it is not used for sealing seams
  11. To protect the room from the formation of condensate, take care of reliable waterproofing. In its absence, fungus and mold will certainly appear in the skin.
  12. To demolish a balcony door, you will need a special permit.

And in the end, we invite you to watch a video about the complex insulation of the balcony

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Balcony insulation from the inside

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Having completed the insulation of the balcony, you can achieve 2 goals at once: expand the living space and improve the degree of thermal insulation of the apartment. It is most correct to produce external insulation, but here you can not do without the services of industrial climbers and the corresponding costs. Warming the balcony from the inside will be much cheaper, especially if you do it yourself.

How to insulate the balcony inside

The positive result of the work performed is considered equally comfortable temperature inside the room and the adjacent balcony. It makes no sense to invest effort and money in insulation that does not protect against the penetration of cold onto the balcony and forces you to tightly close the doors leading to the loggia in winter.

As a rule, for internal insulation balconies used:

  • foamed polystyrene with a density of 25-35 kg / m 3, otherwise - foam;
  • based on basalt fiber 80-110 kg / m 3 density;
  • extruded polystyrene foam (one of its varieties -).

Note! For additional thermal insulation, thin foil insulation made of polyethylene foam - Izolon or Penofol - is often laid on the main layer.

In addition to the above insulators, there is another insulating material - ecowool, made from cellulose waste. In other words, waste paper. The rules for handling it and the installation technology are used the same as with basalt wool. Ecowool is not very popular due to its high cost.

Brief description of heaters

Styrofoam - the most cheap material for insulation, produced in the form of plates of various thicknesses.

Like all foamed polymers, it repels moisture well and has sufficient strength (at the specified density). It is characterized by high resistance to heat transfer and flammability, which requires protection from accidental sparks.

The thickness of the foam for insulation of the balcony in the northern regions should be at least 100 mm, in the southern regions 50 mm may be enough.

Unlike polystyrene, mineral wool does not burn at all, but it is able to absorb moisture, after which its thermal conductivity rises sharply. The problem is solved with the help of protective layers of special films, which will be discussed later.

The heat transfer resistance of mineral wool is not too high, so it makes no sense to use a material with a thickness of less than 80 mm. Insulation is offered in rolls and plates, and at a price it will cost more than polystyrene.

Advice! The balcony should not be insulated with fiberglass-based wool (glass wool) intended for outdoor or roofing works. The use of such materials inside residential premises is unacceptable.

The best option for internal insulation of a balcony is extruded polystyrene foam, sold in slabs.

Expanded polystyrene is durable, lightweight and has the best thermal insulation properties.

Where it is necessary to lay mineral wool 100 mm thick, 50 mm of foam plastic will suffice.

In addition, the polymer is absolutely impervious to moisture and is so strong that the plate can be screwed on with self-tapping screws if necessary. There is only one drawback - the high price of the material, which is offset by the long service life of the material - up to 50 years.

Balcony insulation technology from the inside

To carry out thermal insulation on the balcony, you must carefully prepare. This includes not only the purchase of materials and the preparation of tools, but also the implementation of a number of preliminary works:

  1. The device of a reliable parapet. 2 types of structures are practiced: a welded metal frame with fastening to the wall or masonry from foam blocks. How to strengthen the parapet -.
  2. . Sometimes the balcony is made panoramic by installing metal-plastic blocks to the full height, without a parapet. Then it remains to insulate only the floors and ceiling.
  3. Elimination of all cracks and leaks leading to the street, removal of excess mounting foam.
  4. Pad electrical wiring for lighting, as well as drainage and lines with freon k (if any).

Before insulating the balcony inside, you need to level all surfaces, removing obvious influxes or filling up cavities and cracks with mortar.

Interior wall decoration

The technology of do-it-yourself balcony wall insulation depends on the design of the parapet and the heat-insulating material used. Metal carcass, finished with plastic on the outside or, it is better to sheathe it with 2 layers of thermal insulation so that the second row of insulation covers all metal racks that are cold bridges. Moreover, from the outside, between the cladding and the insulation, a windproof film should be laid.

When insulating a balcony with mineral wool, it is necessary to use not an ordinary film, but a diffusion membrane as a windscreen. It will let the moisture that occurs in the thickness of the cotton wool out, but will not let it get wet from precipitation or fog on the street. For polystyrene foam and expanded polystyrene, the use of a membrane is not necessary; a regular film is also suitable.

To fix the mineral wool, you will need to assemble with your own hands an additional wooden frame made of bars, whose width is equal to the thickness of the insulation. The step between the bars is selected according to the width of the material, the latter is inserted between them by surprise. On last step the heat-insulating layer is covered with a vapor barrier film, after which the frame is sewn up with clapboard or drywall.

ceiling lining

And the balcony ceiling can be insulated in 3 ways:

  1. If you plan to do wallpapering at the end, then the method of gluing the slab insulation with a building mixture is suitable. Warming, accompanied by "wet" processes, is carried out only in the warm season at positive temperatures.
  2. For or similar finishing you will have to attach wooden blocks to the walls and ceiling, and rolled or board material put between them.
  3. When insulated with polystyrene foam, the plates can be fixed directly to the walls and ceiling with dowels. After that, the surfaces are leveled with putty and painted, or a crate is placed by fixing the bars to the foam blocks or concrete through the insulation. Lining, plastic, drywall and other finishes of your choice are calmly attached to the crate.

Note! For fastening the crate to concrete ceiling through polystyrene foam it is necessary to use special screws for concrete - frame dowels.

When insulating a balcony with mineral wool without wooden frame not enough. Cotton wool can also be glued, but it is quite difficult. The best option- insert it between the beams attached to the wall and ceiling, protect it with a vapor barrier and line it with a suitable material.

The gluing method is convenient when working with foam plastic, but after 2 days it must be additionally fixed with dowel umbrellas and a plaster layer is applied over the fiberglass mesh.

Video:

Floor insulation

The technology of thermal insulation of balcony floors differs from walls and ceilings, since the insulation “pie” must carry certain dynamic loads and have flat surface. Alignment is carried out by laying wooden lag, between which a heater is laid, and a finishing coating is laid on top. The sequence of actions is as follows:

  1. Cut a wooden beam into crossbars along the width of the balcony and fix them to the floor with anchors or self-tapping screws and dowels using steel corners.
  2. Fasten 3 longitudinal logs to the crossbars on self-tapping screws. In the process, they must be aligned horizontally, starting from the highest point. Using building level, the beams at the intersections with the crossbars should be raised and plastic or wooden wedges should be placed.
  3. Between the crossbars and the log, lay the insulation tightly. In the case of mineral wool, a vapor barrier must be laid on top of it.
  4. Lay a floor covering with fastening to the logs.

It is characteristic that the length of the crossbars and the log does not need to be adjusted to the dimensions of the balcony. It would be more correct to make them shorter by 10-20 mm so that the ends do not rest against the walls. Wood has the ability to "breathe" and deform a little; with a tight fit, the floor surface may later arch.

Moreover, walking on such floors will be accompanied by an annoying creak. The resulting gaps near the walls will hide under flooring and become invisible.

Using plate heaters it is worth choosing the step of the crossbars correctly so that you do not have to once again cut slabs. The standard width is 600 mm, and you need to focus on it. After laying foam or expanded polystyrene, all joints and cracks must be filled with mounting foam.

Useful instructional video:

Mineral wool is protected with a vapor barrier as tightly as possible so that moisture from inside the room cannot seep into it. Here, too, you can use foamed polyethylene such as Penofol, but pay special attention to gluing the joints.

If you seriously and scrupulously approach the procedure for internal insulation of a balcony, then it is not at all necessary to hire craftsmen and pay them money, which is never superfluous. You will spend twice as much time to complete the work, but you will do everything with high quality and in accordance with personal wishes. In addition, save money for the family budget.

The notorious housing problem has been troubling us since the time when Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise. “What does paradise and balconies have to do with it?” the reader will ask. And besides, the balcony is a constructive component of our home. And the solution to the question: the better to insulate a balcony or loggia , may, in the end, bring either heavenly pleasure, or a headache due to the money, time and effort spent. After all, a properly 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 for maintaining heat in the winter.

First, consider what types of heaters exist for balconies and loggias. Then we compare them, highlight the advantages and disadvantages, after which you can determine which insulation better fit in your case.

Common types of insulation for balconies and loggias

Mineral wool


Mineral wool is widely used in the insulation of balconies and loggias due to the ease of installation and relative cheapness.

Mineral wool (basalt wool, wool made from natural fibers (linen) with a polyester content (up to 15%)) - solid, modern look noise and heat insulation, used in the insulation of roofs, walls, ceilings, balconies and facades. For roofing, roll-type cotton wool with a density of 25-35 kg / m3 is more often used. But for the facade, it is better to choose a 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 has shown excellent results. It can also be used as protection against moisture by laying a hydrobarrier. The thickness is chosen according to the temperature indicators of a particular region, but usually not more than 100 mm. Fasten mineral wool under the finishing layer (plastic, drywall) with the help of rails or counter-rails.

One of the disadvantages of this insulation is the wetting of the material. Only cotton wool made from natural linen provides vapor permeability and stable operation when partially wet.

Brief characteristics of mineral wool ISOVER Classic Plus 50 mm:

Depending on the manufacturers, cutting and specifications may differ.

Expanded polystyrene, extruded


Polyfoam - universal insulation for balconies and loggias

Expanded polystyrene extruded (polystyrene) is a heat-insulating material with a homogeneous structure and closed cells that is widely used. Almost does not absorb moisture (up to 0.1% per 1 meter per day) and does not react strongly to ultraviolet radiation. Styrofoam has differences in density and is mainly used in the insulation of technical rooms.

The material for insulating the balcony should be a heat insulator with optimal class combustibility, and better - in general with non-combustible additives. Moreover, the market offers all kinds of types and classes of insulators.

Scope and some characteristics of expanded polystyrene brand Extraplex 50 mm:

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, materials on which you can apply a decorative layer are suitable. For example, plaster type "bark beetle". Expanded polystyrene is perfect for this, but you should remember about the "dew point" and use only high-quality adhesive for plates.

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

Expanded polystyrene can also be mounted on a mounting construction foam. IN Lately often used this way of fastening. The foam, expanding, does not leave gaps, well filling all the cracks. And when installing a warm floor, you can lay polystyrene foam under the heating element by gluing it directly to the balcony floor.

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

Penofol

Penofol is a modern insulation used for insulation, including balconies and loggias

Penofol is a thin modern insulation, which is also suitable for warming balconies or loggias. More than three modifications are produced.

Space saving is the number two priority in all installation and finishing works. Here, penofol comes to the fore.

Type "A" - are used both in combined insulation of external walls from the inside (polystyrene foam plus penofol), and in independent version by applying material 10mm thick. The product, consisting of polyethylene foam, with a reflective layer on one side, will serve you well for many years.

Type "B"- foil material with two reflective surfaces is more used when additional insulation floors, both under the screed in the rooms, and in the form of a substrate on balconies and loggias for underfloor heating. The high operational and reflective qualities of such an insulator have proven themselves well.

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

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

If, for example, you want to bring out additional pipes for floor heating in the loggia, the ALP type of penofol is laid as a reflective layer under the pipes and screed. Protective film such material does not react with the raw solution during the work on pouring the screed. Then, having made reinforcement with a mesh (usually brand BP-1) and placing beacons or guides, pour the solution. Do not forget about aluminum tape for gluing seams and junctions. It is better to wrap the edges of the penofol on the walls, by about 80 mm.

Important: pipes that are laid as a heating element must be under pressure of 5-7 atmospheres when pouring. Such a measure will prevent the base from breaking in the future and relieve stress 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 it is best to glue the screens for additional batteries on the balcony with type “C” penofol, with a reflective layer inward to 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 and where. At the same time, glazing the balcony is a mandatory step, otherwise, what's the point of insulating if everything is ventilated.

The balcony can be insulated:

  • bottom (floor);
  • top (ceiling);
  • inside (walls);
  • outside (also walls).

Insulation of the floor of a balcony or loggia

The better the material for warming the balcony, the better the microclimate of the enclosed space will be preserved. In light of the latest trends, insulating the floor on the balcony is highly recommended. This will give energy-saving heat savings from 20 to 40%, depending on the type of insulation. The cost will pay off, especially if you plan to convert the balcony into an extra room.

Warming methods:

  • using insulating materials;
  • underfloor heating system.

Insulation materials:

Mineral wool

The advantage is low cost, ease of installation. The disadvantage is that over time it becomes caked and loses its insulating qualities. With an illiterate calculation of the heat-insulating layer (this is a completely separate topic of conversation), you can not achieve the desired effect.

Styrofoam

Good, 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 costly. Combines the qualities of mineral wool and polystyrene. It can be laid on an imperfectly flat surface. According to experts - one of the best thermal insulation materials for warming balconies and loggias.

Penoplex

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

Underfloor heating system

There are three options:

water floor

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

Electric

  1. Cable.
  2. Cable with reinforcing mesh.

Electric floors are effective together with self-leveling floors and tiles.

Film (infrared)

Fits without capital repair work. A technically simple solution.

Attention: the film floor cannot be used under tiles and screed. It is possible 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 (foamed polystyrene foam).

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

If you do not want to do capital insulation of the ceiling, then you can get by with decorated 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 walls of the balcony, it is necessary to close up all holes and cracks. Neglecting such a trifle as a gap in cold windy weather will result in loss of heat and lack of comfort.

Balcony insulation materials are the same as for floor insulation. This:

You can add stuff like isover.This is a more modern mineral wool based on fiberglass. Available in rolls or sheets.

Another option is styrodur is a green extruded polystyrene foam.

Wall insulation can be carried out from the inside and outside. In the event that it is necessary to save the usable space of the balcony, it is recommended to insulate the outside, and inside - only finishing work.

As in any other case, the choice of insulation from the outside has its advantages and disadvantages:

It is not easy to choose which insulation suits you, how to specifically isolate a particular room. the best way insulation will be combined.

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

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


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

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 restoration of the structure that specialists are engaged in facing and internal thermal insulation premises. 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. The result is not only an attractive appearance buildings, but also significantly increases its strength. By the way, a double-glazed window will significantly warm the room.

    If the owner of the apartment changes the windows to plastic, then it is advisable for him to purchase products with double glass, since single ones 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 of almost all structures, expanded polystyrene is very widely used. 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.

    Loggia insulation 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 and itchy and redness.

    Penoplex - a new insulation that appeared on the market building materials 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:

    Wall thickness from edge interior decoration to the outside, given 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 ways 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.