Do-it-yourself balcony insulation inside and out. From a cold warehouse to an additional room: how to insulate a balcony How best to insulate a balcony

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

A positive result of the work performed is the equally comfortable temperature inside the room and the balcony adjacent to it. 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 of balconies is 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 - Isolon 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 is the cheapest 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! Do not insulate the balcony with fiberglass-based wool (glass wool) intended for outdoor or roofing work. 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. It is better to sheathe a metal frame, trimmed on the outside with plastic or, 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 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. At the last stage, 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 finish or 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 a similar finish, you will have to attach wooden blocks to the walls and ceiling, and lay the rolled or slab material 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! To fasten the battens to the concrete ceiling through polystyrene foam, special screws for concrete - frame dowels - must be used.

When insulating a balcony with mineral wool, a wooden frame is indispensable. Cotton wool can also be glued, but it is quite difficult. The best option is to 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 applied over the fiberglass mesh.

Video:

Floor insulation

The technology of thermal insulation of balcony floors differs from walls and ceilings, since the “pie” of insulation must bear certain dynamic loads and have a flat surface. Alignment is carried out by laying wooden logs, 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 the building level, the beams at the intersection 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 the floor covering and become invisible.

When using slab heaters, it is worth choosing the step of the crossbars correctly so that you do not have to cut the slabs once again. 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.

Today's balcony in many apartments turns into a full-fledged room, a functional space. This is especially true for small apartments, whose residents appreciate every centimeter. If the balcony is insulated, it becomes an office, pantry, resting place, mini greenhouse, dining room or extra bed. There are many options for its use. The main thing is to do quality work on its insulation. Only in this case it will be warm and cozy on the balcony.

Features and Benefits

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

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

For insulation, double-glazed windows in wooden frames can be used. They are environmentally friendly, allow the windows to "breathe", but are expensive. Aluminum windows insulated with polyamide inserts increase the thermal insulation of the room. The most optimal would be the equipment of PVC windows with double-glazed windows, which will reliably retain heat.

Such windows are cheaper than wooden ones, but at the same time their thermal insulation is not inferior to aluminum ones.

What materials are better to choose

For finishing balconies or loggias today there are a lot of varieties of finishing materials, with the help of which they give even the smallest room an original and attractive look. The main thing is to make the right choice of material for decoration. For insulation, experts recommend using cork, plastic panels, lining with a wooden or plastic base, drywall, plaster, MDF panels, decorative stone, aluminum profile, foam plastic, expanded polystyrene, penofol.

Mineral wool, foam plastic trim is an excellent solution for self-insulating a room.

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

Drywall

• This material is distinguished by the fact that it does not contain toxic substances, it is easy to process and is combined with other finishing materials in design. Drywall can be plastered, painted, wallpapered, paneled and clapboarded. With the help of such a versatile material, it is enough to simply turn the balcony into a full-fledged living room.

PVC panels

• A practical solution, but it is better not to use this material if the constant temperature on the balcony is below five degrees. This problem can be solved with the help of frost-resistant panels developed using new technologies. This material is not afraid of moisture, but is able to quickly lose color from direct sunlight. This point should be taken into account if the room is located on the south side. Advantages: low cost, quick and easy installation with glue.

Cork panels

• They create a cosiness that cannot be organized using other finishing materials. Cork panels are pressed cork oak bark. Cork panels are easy to install and are suitable for any type of balcony, regardless of the temperature level in the room. The cork panel does not absorb foreign odors, including the smell of tobacco. Lack of material - high price. For insulation, they also use inexpensive foam plastic, and mineral wool is perfect.

How to properly insulate a balcony with your own hands: step by step instructions

A balcony in a city apartment is a special space. This piece of the house, taken out under the open sky, can become an office, a greenhouse or a recreation area, one has only to glaze and isolate it.

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

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

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

• Step 3. After the plastic windows are installed, you can begin to insulate the floor. Be prepared for the floor to be higher. Consider this if the ceiling in the room is low.

• Step 4. Wall cladding is carried out after the installation of windows and floor insulation. The walls on the balcony are considered side walls, except for the main one. At the final stage of insulation, finishing work is carried out. The choice of materials depends on the budget. In the process of finishing, window slopes facing the balcony are installed.

Necessary tools and materials

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

You will also need a frame device. In this case, you will need wooden beams, as well as nails to secure them. You may also need special fasteners - nails with very wide hats. They are used when polystyrene is not fixed with glue.

Warming inside

• High-quality thermal insulation combined with double-glazed windows turns the balcony into a living space. It is necessary to insulate not only the walls, but also the floor with the ceiling. Insulation materials must be durable, lightweight, safe for humans. Due to atmospheric precipitation and condensate, the walls of the balcony can become damp and moldy, which means that hydro and vapor barriers are needed.

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

Insulation of a closed balcony begins with surface preparation. It is necessary to carefully cover the cracks and joints between the floor, walls and parapet with mounting foam without toluene in the composition. Metal structures must be cleaned of rust, coated with oil paint and treated with a building antiseptic.

Before laying the insulation put windows and doors. Window sills and slopes are mounted at the last stage of work. Balcony glazing depends on the parapet. If this is just a metal crate, it needs to be built up with ceramic (lightweight) bricks or foam blocks. The thickness should not exceed ten centimeters. To protect the foam blocks, at the finishing stage they are covered with corrugated board.

Floor

It is possible to install window structures on a reinforced concrete parapet immediately, using various mounting and sealing compounds. Metal-plastic windows have excellent characteristics, with skillful installation they reliably protect the balcony and look aesthetically pleasing. When choosing a model, it is worth stopping at hinged frames with double glazing.

Floor

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

photos

It all starts with preparation. A waterproofing film is laid on the floor under the tiles, protecting the floor from moisture from the outside. Next, a crate is arranged. Instead of a log, a beam is used, five centimeters thick. If you do not want to raise the floor much relative to the old coating, it is better to use a beam of low height. A square bar 50 × 50 mm is perfect. The beams are laid every 40-60 cm.

To prevent moisture from entering the insulation from the inside, it is covered with a vapor barrier film. It is laid on top of the beams and attached to them with a construction stapler. For internal fastening, a fastening step of 50 cm is sufficient so as not to create unnecessary holes in the film. Polystyrene must be protected from moisture on all sides. Therefore, it is better to lay the film with an overlap on the walls. All gaps between the beams and the walls should be sealed with the same insulation material or mounting foam.

Walls

• Many do not insulate the walls, believing that cold does not enter the balcony from the side of the house. In many ways it is, but the work needs to be done. The walls themselves are not sources of cold, but the joints between them and the side walls of the balcony can be. For this reason, all work can only consist in installing penofol, which is vapor-tight and thin. It will protect the walls from icing and the penetration of condensate into the balcony.

• Ceiling. If we are talking about a private house, then it is best to make a special roof design. It is recommended to make a pitched roof, the slope of which is directed away from the house. The roof is made of rafters and battens. A waterproofing film is attached on top of it. Roofing material is attached to the film, and waterproofing is applied over a double-sided vapor barrier film, with the absorbent side inward. From below, the rafters are hemmed with a vapor-permeable windproof membrane.

The floor slab, that is, the horizontal part, must have several layers at once: insulation; vapor barrier layer; load-bearing beams with interior trim. The device begins with the installation of the frame, namely the truss system. Next, a double-sided vapor barrier membrane is attached to it in the indicated way. Then arrange the crate and lay the waterproofing layer. You can use classic roofing material or special PVC films.

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

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

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

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

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

Content

The owners of apartments in high-rise buildings often have a desire to make the most of a glazed balcony or loggia. If space allows, you can arrange a seating area or a winter garden there. Often, a balcony is simply attached to a room or kitchen, expanding the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. You should know the better to insulate a balcony or loggia from the inside in order to choose a material that is easy to install with suitable functional characteristics. To figure out which heat insulator is preferable is important first of all for those who plan to insulate the balcony on their own.

Glazing Requirements

A translucent structure designed for an insulated balcony must retain heat, otherwise thermal insulation measures lose their meaning. In this way, glass cannot be used.:

• wooden frames with ordinary single panes;
• cold aluminum;
• frameless Finnish.

Only designs with a double-glazed window are suitable, and the frame material can be PVC, a warm aluminum profile (without cold bridges), wood.

At the preparatory stage of work on the arrangement of an insulated balcony, the condition of the materials from which the enclosing structures of the balcony are made is assessed. If they do not allow the installation of glazing, walls are erected from lightweight foam concrete blocks (sibit and analogues).

In order to minimize heat loss, the enclosing structures and their interfaces with glazing should not have gaps and various elements that can become cold bridges. Only after providing protection against heat leaks, they proceed to the thermal insulation of the loggia or balcony.

Varieties of heat insulators

Balcony insulation requires thermal insulation of external walls, floor and ceiling. If the upper and lower balconies are insulated, this is taken into account when calculating the thickness of the heat-insulating layer in order to reduce material costs and “win back” a few centimeters of room space.

The materials that are used to insulate the balcony and loggia from the inside are evaluated according to several criteria:

• thermal conductivity (the better the performance, the thinner the thermal insulation layer can be used);
• environmental friendliness and fire hazard;
• insulation technology;
• the cost of the material itself and the cost of installation.

There are three ways to mount insulation. The choice of option depends on the characteristics of the heat insulator and personal preferences. The exception is the sprayed material - working with it requires the use of specialized equipment, so it is recommended to involve professionals.

Universal technologies include:

• Frame. On a cleaned base, treated with an antiseptic, a crate of wooden slats or a metal profile is attached. A heater is laid between them, and a vapor barrier is attached on top. Next, the trim is mounted.
• Adhesive. Requires high-quality preparation of the base - sealing cracks, leveling, priming. The insulation is glued with a specialized compound and fixed with spot fasteners. A reinforcing mesh is mounted on top of the thermal insulation layer and the surface is prepared for plastering.

In most cases, frame technology is used, since the entire range of work can be done by hand and there are no “wet” processes.

Styrofoam

Traditional foam, despite a number of shortcomings, is in high demand due to its affordable price. The advantages also include light weight, ease of handling. The heat-insulating layer of this material will reliably retain heat in the room.

But you should carefully consider the shortcomings of the foam. Some of them are relatively insignificant when it comes to using it inside a balcony. For example, polystyrene is afraid of ultraviolet radiation and is damaged by rodents. The main disadvantages of expanded polystyrene include:

• fire hazard - the insulation ignites and spreads combustion;
• toxicity - toxic substances are released during combustion.

Styrofoam, which includes fire retardants, is more expensive than regular foam and harder to find on the market. Small manufacturers may indicate on the packaging that the material is resistant to fire, and in fact save on flame retardants, so it is better to buy a heat insulator of proven brands.

When choosing a material, pay attention to its quality. Styrofoam should be dense and not crumble into balls when cutting and breaking. The thickness of the insulation is selected depending on the climatic conditions. In regions with a relatively mild climate, it is sufficient to use 5 cm thick plates; in areas with cold winters, the insulation layer should reach 10 cm.

The technology of fastening foam plates is frame. You can also use the adhesive method, but a thin layer of plaster will not save the fragile heat insulator from bursting under accidental mechanical stress.

Despite the fact that the foam is considered a material that is not afraid of moisture, it needs vapor barrier, since the boards have pores between the foamed polymer balls, there may be gaps at the joints of the elements of the insulation system. Without the use of special vapor-tight materials, the moisture of the condensate will gradually penetrate into the structures and destroy them, creating an environment for the development of the fungus.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Expanded polystyrene insulation made by extrusion is known on the market under the name penoplex. It is made from the same raw materials as polystyrene, but compares favorably with the latter in high strength and absolute resistance to moisture due to the structure with closed gas-filled cells.

Another important advantage of extruded polystyrene foam is low flammability. In the manufacture of penoplex, popular manufacturers use flame retardants.

Due to its increased strength, this modern heat-insulating material can be mounted on the walls with an adhesive method for further plastering or on the floor for a concrete screed. Also, the insulation is fixed by the frame method, filling all the joints of the elements with mounting foam.

Almost the only drawback of penoplex is the high cost. The material is vapor-tight, which leads to the formation of condensate on the surface.

Mineral wool

When choosing the better to insulate the balcony inside, you should pay attention to mineral wool. There are several types of this material, the properties of which differ depending on the raw materials used.:

• Slag wool - inferior to other options in terms of thermal insulation parameters, not environmentally friendly.
• Glass wool - prone to caking and deforming, during installation, you should protect yourself from the smallest particles of glass that can get into the eyes and respiratory tract, cause skin itching.
• Basalt wool - has the best indicators of thermal protection, is environmentally friendly (if the production technology was not violated, formaldehyde resins were not added to reduce the cost of the product), keeps its shape well, is resistant to fire, and is durable.

Balcony insulation is recommended to be performed with basalt wool. The advantages of a fibrous heat insulator include soundproofing properties - complete with double-glazed windows, insulation will protect the room connected to the loggia from street noise.

slag wool

Mineral wool insulation for balconies is mounted in a frame and frameless way. If you choose plates of increased rigidity, they can be laid under the floor screed.

glass wool

The fibrous heat insulator is vapor-permeable and easily absorbs moisture, due to which its functional characteristics are reduced, the walls get wet, and the process of destruction of structures begins. To avoid this, you need to take care of the vapor barrier. Outside the crate, between the elements of which basalt wool cut into size is fixed, a vapor barrier membrane is mounted.

Basalt wool

It is even more effective to use mineral wool, one side of which is foil-coated with aluminum. The metal coating not only protects the heat insulator from steam, but also reflects heat into the room, which significantly reduces heat loss.

Penofol

Penofol is a relatively new development in the field of heat insulators. The basis of the rolled material is polyethylene foam, on which a metallized coating is applied on one or both sides - a layer (14 microns) of high purity aluminum.

Penofol

Penofol features:

• versatility due to noise, wind, steam, waterproofing properties;
• fire safety - foamed polyethylene has the property of self-extinguishing;
• environmental safety - the material does not emit toxic substances even when heated to the melting point;
• high heat-shielding properties, despite the small thickness;
• the ability to reflect thermal radiation, reducing heat loss;
• light weight and ease of installation - rolled material is cut with scissors.

Penofol in a roll

Penofol, due to its small thickness, is not used as an independent heat insulator (an exception is the ceiling of the balcony, if the balcony is also insulated on the floor above). It is a good choice for creating an additional thermal insulation layer with the function of a vapor barrier and a heat reflector. It is important that the foil surface faces the inside of the room.. Strips of rolled material are attached to the crate end-to-end, without overlap. According to the instructions, the joints should be glued with aluminum foil.

polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is also used as an effective insulation for the balcony. This polymeric material differs from the rest in the way of installation - in liquid form it is a foam that is applied to structures using special equipment.

If you choose this option of insulation, you do not have to worry about protecting structures from moisture - a closed-cell structure and coating with a continuous layer exclude the penetration of steam. In terms of thermal insulation performance, polyurethane foam has an advantage over other types of materials for internal insulation.

The disadvantages of polyurethane foam include:

• deterioration of heat-insulating performance over time, as the gas gradually seeps through the shell of the cells;
• toxicity of the material during application (no harmful substances are released after curing);
• the need to involve specialists for installation, which increases the overall cost of thermal insulation of the balcony;
• the use of only frame technology - the crate serves as the basis for fixing the finish, it is impossible to plaster the surface of polyurethane foam.

Results

A well-insulated loggia can become part of a room or serve as a separate functional room. At the design stage, it is required to correctly calculate the heat loss, select the type and optimal thickness of the insulation. If you plan to do the installation yourself, it is more convenient to choose frame technology.

It is equally important to solve the problem with the formation of condensate: regardless of the type of insulation, steam should not be allowed to come into contact with external structures that have a low temperature, since this leads to moisture condensation. Internal thermal insulation must be vapor-tight. Accordingly, it is necessary to ensure high-quality ventilation of the balcony or loggia.

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, expand the space of the apartment and reduce the energy consumption of this area to preserve 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 is best for 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%)) is a solid, modern type of sound 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) using slats or counter-battens.

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 manufacturer, cutting and specifications may vary.

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 an optimal flammability class, or better, with non-combustible additives in general. 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? Choosing the right brand is simple, 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 mounting foam. Recently, this method of fastening is often used. 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 work. Here, penofol comes to the fore.

Type "A" - they are used both in combined insulation of external walls from the inside (expanded polystyrene plus penofol), and in an independent version, using a material 10 mm 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 for additional floor insulation, both under a screed in rooms, and as a substrate on balconies and loggias under a warm floor. 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. The protective film of such material does not react with the wet 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 heat-insulating 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 do not 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)

Installed without major repairs. 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:

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

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 carry out insulation from the outside, and only finishing work inside.

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 of warming 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, taking into account the plans hatched for the further use of a balcony or loggia, time and financial possibilities, taking into account the recommendations received, you can now make a reasonable balanced decision on choosing a heater for your balcony or loggia.

Loggia insulation can be due to several reasons: insulation of the entire room or conversion into a functional workroom.

To keep the heat in the apartment, many factors are taken into account, such as the side on which the loggia faces, what building materials the house was made of, whether the neighbors' loggias are glazed.

To insulate the loggia, a variety of heaters are used: from the simplest to high-tech foamed insulation. Due to the fact that the loggias have a small area, in order to save space, it is better to give preference to thinner, compact and lightweight materials. A heater with a width of at least 3 cm is used. If the loggia is combined with a room or kitchen, then the thickness of the insulation increases to 5 cm.

Materials for warming the loggia

The following materials can be used as a heater:

To insulate the loggia, we need

• insulation;
• facing material;
• mounting foam;
• glue;
• floor leveling compound
• waterproofing materials or mixtures;
• wooden slats;
• metallized tape;
• dowels;
• nails;
• wide head screws.

Other additional materials may be used depending on the finish.

We will need the following tools:

• electric drill;
• perforator with a drill;
• hammer;
• construction knife;
• building level;
• brush or roller;
• spatulas.

When insulating, it is important to choose the right insulation so that there is a feeling of dryness and there is no problem emerging condensate in a sheltered loggia. The insulation must have low thermal conductivity, which affects the determination of the thickness of the thermal insulation layer. Must have breathability and moisture resistance.

The sequence of work when warming the loggia

It is necessary to clean the walls, floor and ceiling of the loggia from old facing materials. Large gaps in concrete loggias should be covered with concrete mix.

Glazing

Installation of double-glazed windows, preferably two-chamber. It can be aluminum profiles, PVC profiles, natural wood windows. Requires special attention window sill installation since the front wall is the coldest place. The width of the window sill must be calculated before ordering it. To do this, you need to know the thickness of the insulation and the thickness of the facing material, also add 10 mm to the bumps.

Loggia preparation

If required, then the old balcony door and window are dismantled, if the loggia is combined with the room. For a wider opening, part of the wall is knocked out. It must be remembered that the association of the loggia is redevelopment, therefore, all actions must be coordinated with BTI.

1. Check the walls and floor again. All holes must be filled with mounting foam. After the foam has dried, a lubricating waterproofing must be applied to the lower part of the walls.
2. Floor leveling. Use cement-sand mixtures.
3. Waterproofing to protect against moisture.

Floors, walls and ceiling are sheathed waterproofing material, such as roofing felt or expanded polyethylene film. This is necessary so that condensation does not accumulate on the heat-insulating material. The roofing material is overlapped, glued to the base, gluing the joints with gas burner. Instead of roofing felt and film, penetrating waterproofing is used, which is a thick mixture. It is applied with a roller or brush. You can also use polyurethane, painting mastics.

Floor insulation

The floor should be warm, durable and light. There are several options for insulation:

• the floor surface can be covered with expanded clay and make a screed;
• instead of expanded clay, heat-insulating material (pressed foam, extruded polystyrene foam) can be glued to the floor, a gypsum fiber sheet can be glued on top;
• set wooden logs, place the selected insulation in the empty space, then nail the tongue-and-groove boards onto the logs;

Wall and ceiling insulation

The choice of the method of laying the thermal insulation material depends on the subsequent finishing. If the front finish is in the form plasters and paints, then either gluing is used, or plastic fasteners are used when installing the insulation. If the front finish will be used drywall or lining, then the installation takes place with the help of fasteners. The foam slab is applied to the wall from the corner, a hole is drilled with an electric drill. Plastic fasteners are hammered into these holes, then the anchors are driven into the center of the caps. Foam boards are better put in a run so that the plates are staggered. This avoids displacement and improves the insulation properties around the perimeter of the ceiling and walls.

Sheathing with finishing material. For cladding, you can use moisture-resistant drywall, rack or wooden lining, wall panels. A layer is left between the facing material and the insulation air in 1.5cm using an attached wooden crate, which is attached to the concrete wall with self-tapping screws. Attached to this frame chosen veneer: drywall, lining. When facing with drywall, the joints between the plates are sealed with putty. They also use a glass mesh with small cells. The ceiling can be made suspended, under which hide wiring.

Floor covering is laid on the floor. It can be a euroboard up to 4 mm thick. Many people prefer to install linoleum or carpet after laying wood flooring. When the option of floor insulation using a concrete screed is used, then the system is installed electric floor heating. Removing central heating is prohibited by building codes. Or use heaters and electric fireplaces for heating. With individual heating in the room, you can install radiator under the window sill on the loggia.

Installation of skirting boards, sockets and switches.

Thus, the insulation of the loggia will depend on the goal pursued and on available budget.

Video instruction for warming the loggia

We warm the balcony from the inside correctly. 6 stages of work

Creating a favorable microclimate on the loggia involves not only wall insulation, the entire space must be airtight. The floor and ceiling surfaces are also sheathed with a material with a low degree of thermal conductivity. In our article, you will learn how to properly insulate a balcony from the inside.

The choice of heat insulator

Advantages and disadvantages are inherent in each type of thermal insulation. In order to choose the most suitable insulation, you should compare the main characteristics of heat insulators.

The most common options for heat insulators:

• Extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex);
• Foamed polyethylene (penofol);
• Polyurethane foam (PPU);
• Styrofoam;
• Mineral wool.

Mineral wool

The thickness of the sheets varies from 2 to 20 cm. Mineral wool is divided into three types, depending on the components of the raw materials:

An example of a mineral wool device on a loggia. The material is placed in the prepared structure. The frame for mounting can be made of metal profiles or wooden bars.

Manufacturers produce cotton wool in the form of mats and soft rolls. In some cases, one side is covered with foil. Aluminum foil improves the level of thermal insulation.

The main disadvantage is that moisture acts destructively, a vapor barrier device is necessary.

Polymer-based insulation

Penoplex, polyurethane foam, polystyrene, foamed polyethylene are polymers treated with foamed compounds.

Advantages:

• The presence of gas bubbles provides not only a good level of thermal insulation, but also a small weight of the plates;
• High degree of moisture resistance;
• The materials are durable;
• Antifungal resistance;
• Simplicity and convenience when laying plates or sheets, as well as rolls (polyethylene foam);
• An economical repair option, subject to the choice of foam as a heater.

Main disadvantage: support the spread of flame during a fire, emit harmful substances in the combustion process.

When choosing foam and other materials based on polymers, it is necessary to correctly select the thickness of the plates and determine the density

1. Styrofoam sheets

Insulator plates (expanded polystyrene) in the process of laying.

Styrofoam refers to budgetary methods of warming a loggia, however, it is considered a rather fragile material, so a crate is required for installation. A worthy replacement is extruded polystyrene foam; its installation does not require the creation of a special frame.

2. Penoplex

Extruded polystyrene foam boards (thickness 50 mm) are used as insulation. The seams between the elements are sealed with mounting foam. Penoplex is attached with the help of special dish-shaped dowels ("fungi").

3. Penofol

The material is used as a separate heat insulator, and with the help of penofol it is possible to provide a vapor barrier of expanded polystyrene. Due to the foil side, warm air is reflected and retained in the room.

In order to speed up the insulation of the structure, you can use an alternative method of thermal insulation - spraying polyurethane foam (PPU).

4. Polyurethane foam

PPU is one of the most modern heat insulators. The cost of application services is considered high compared to other analogues, however, many have managed to evaluate the performance properties of PPU. This insulation is characterized by high thermal insulation performance, due to the finely porous structure.

The main stages of work on the insulation of the loggia space

In order to increase the usable area in your home and operate the premises all year round, you must:

1. Close the gaps, if any. Carefully study the room to eliminate all design flaws. As a rule, the gaps are filled with mounting foam, even if they are of a significant size.

After complete drying, it is necessary to trim the excess.

2. Glazing with reliable double-glazed windows.

3. Arrange a waterproofing layer. To protect against moisture, waterproofing with penetrating properties is used - Penetron, Aquaton, etc. The composition is applied with a roller, brush, or sprayed. Such impregnation penetrates into the thickness, so the walls become maximally resistant to adverse weather, and strength characteristics are improved.

5. Installation of a vapor barrier layer. In order to make a vapor barrier, special polymer membranes (“breathing”) should be used, as well as films “Rockwool”, “Izospan”, penofol.

Balcony decoration

Purposes of creating interior decoration:

• External masking of the heat insulator;
• Organization of a favorable internal environment in the room.

To create an interior balcony, you can choose from various finishes. Plaster, plastic panels, MDF, lining, plywood, plasterboard sheets and even a block house are perfect for the finishing layer.

The lining panels are environmentally friendly and reliable. One of the main advantages of the finishing material is rigidity. The lining is fixed on a wooden frame crate.

The walls of the loggia are lined with clapboard, the flooring is laminate.

Facing the balcony with a block house.

The plastic panels have grooves for connecting elements. The plastic version of the lining has less rigidity and strength than wood.

Installation of GKLV sheets on metal profiles. Plasterboard slabs can be decorated with wallpaper, painted, or lined with decorative plaster.

Wall decoration with wallpaper over GKLV sheets.

Bamboo wallpaper. The basis for finishing - drywall.

Video

1. The result of warming the loggia.

Glazed balcony. Demonstration of electrical outputs. Testing the strength of extruded polystyrene foam. The use of foam plastic with a thickness of 30 and 50 mm, wall finishing with putty. Concrete floor screed over insulation boards.

2. Stages of repair work on the balcony.

Sequential process of arranging the premises. Scheme of thermal insulation of walls with polystyrene foam and foamed polyethylene, finishing - plastic panels. Floor: leveling, thermal insulation, OSB cladding, installation of laminate lamellas.

How to insulate a balcony with your own hands: from a refrigerator to a warm island

To begin with, it is worth saying that there are two ways to insulate a balcony - from the inside and outside. External insulation, of course, is more convenient - precious centimeters of area are not “eaten up”, and the cladding of the balcony facade becomes more pleasant. But this is a laborious process that requires the involvement of a construction team and industrial climbers. Therefore, in the article we will focus on how to properly insulate a balcony in an apartment from the inside - this can be done independently.

For insulation inside the balcony, first of all, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work. They include several important steps:

• How to start warming a loggia or balcony? Free up space from all unnecessary. It is best if the balcony is completely empty: it is much easier to work this way. Also, get rid of the old finish in advance.
• Seal all the cracks - a lot of heat escapes through them. For small gaps, a weather-resistant sealant is suitable; fill larger gaps with mounting foam - it will not only fill the voids, but also serve as an additional heat insulator.
• To make it easier for you to carry out work on insulation, it is important to even out cracks and irregularities on the walls and ceiling with cement mortar.
• If you plan to place light bulbs or lighting fixtures on the balcony, you should take care of the wiring in advance. To hide unpresentable cables, place them in plastic boxes.
• Before starting work, cover the opening between the balcony and the adjacent room with a film so that building dust and other pollutants do not get into the apartment.

Is it possible to insulate a balcony in winter? Yes, you can. Only when working in winter, it is necessary to choose frost-resistant materials, in particular mounting foam.

How to insulate a balcony: what materials are better to choose

To understand how to insulate a loggia or balcony, let's first figure out what properties the materials should have:

• high strength;
• fire safety;
• water resistance;
• environmental friendliness;
• relatively low cost;
• ease of installation (if we want to do all the work with our own hands).

Most often, mineral wool, polystyrene foam, polystyrene, etc. are used for insulation. Sometimes several of these materials are combined. We have reflected the pros and cons of each heat insulator in the table:

What is the best insulation for a balcony? The answer to this question depends on your preferences and financial capabilities. You can read more about the characteristics of heaters, as well as about the insulation of an apartment as a whole, in our blog.

How to properly insulate a balcony inside: the choice of insulation

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

A positive result of the work performed is the equally comfortable temperature inside the room and the balcony adjacent to it. 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.

Here, the type of insulation used and its thickness, as well as compliance with the technology of work, play an important role.

As a rule, for internal insulation of balconies is used:

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

Note! For additional thermal insulation, thin foil insulation made of polyethylene foam - Isolon 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 is the cheapest 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! Do not insulate the balcony with fiberglass-based wool (glass wool) intended for outdoor or roofing work. 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 - read here.
2. Installation of metal-plastic or wooden windows. 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. Laying electrical wiring for lighting, as well as drainage and lines with freon to the outdoor unit of the air conditioner (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. It is better to sheathe a metal frame, finished on the outside with plastic or corrugated board, 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 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. At the last stage, the heat-insulating layer is covered with a vapor barrier film, after which the frame is sewn up with clapboard or drywall.

ceiling lining

A foam block parapet and a balcony ceiling can be insulated in 3 ways:

1. If you plan to paint or wallpaper 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 sheathing with drywall or similar finishing, you will have to attach wooden bars to the walls and ceiling, and lay the roll or slab material 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! To fasten the battens to the concrete ceiling through polystyrene foam, special screws for concrete - frame dowels - must be used.

When insulating a balcony with mineral wool, a wooden frame is indispensable. Cotton wool can also be glued, but it is quite difficult to plaster it with your own hands. The best option is to 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 applied over the fiberglass mesh.

Video:

Floor insulation

The technology of thermal insulation of balcony floors differs from walls and ceilings, since the “pie” of insulation must bear certain dynamic loads and have a flat surface. Alignment is carried out by laying wooden logs, 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 the building level, the beams at the intersection 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.

Note! Some craftsmen practice insulation of the balcony floor with polystyrene foam without installing a log. The method is unsuccessful, since it will be difficult to bring the surface of the floors to one level. See floor leveling instructions here.

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 the floor covering and become invisible.

When using slab heaters, it is worth choosing the step of the crossbars correctly so that you do not have to cut the slabs once again. 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.