Insulation of balconies and loggias - materials, technologies and tips. Insulating a loggia with your own hands: step-by-step photo instructions with recommendations Insulating a loggia with your own hands step-by-step instructions

If your apartment or house has a balcony, then you should definitely use it, since it is an additional, and sometimes simply necessary, area. If you approach the issue with imagination and think through all the nuances, you can end up with a small but very cozy room. In order for a balcony to serve as a room, it must be insulated. How to insulate the balcony inside is decided by each owner independently, taking into account his financial capabilities and pressing needs. But a few words should be said about the nuances of the process and the materials used to insulate the balcony. You need to choose these materials very carefully and pay attention to all the characteristics.

You need to start mastering any balcony with an objective assessment of its condition. If the apartment is located in a new building that has recently been handed over to residents, then you need to pay attention to the material from which the balcony structure is made. Also, in new houses, you need to pay attention to what the neighbors’ balconies are decorated with. Often in such houses neighbors try to adhere to the same style.

We make masonry from foam blocks

But if the balcony is in a far from new apartment and has always been used as an open space, then work will have to start with strengthening the balcony. Strengthening also includes reconstruction concrete platform balcony, and strengthening the metal handrail. Also, this process may include such an event as strengthening the lower part of the upper balcony; this must also be taken into account. After addressing all these issues and choosing the material for external cladding loggia (balcony), you can move on to interior decoration. To simplify this stage, you can lay a wall of bricks or foam blocks up to half of the balcony, directly to the double-glazed windows. This will save on insulation.

Advice: If all stages of insulation are carried out at the same time, then it is better to immediately install double glass in the windows, since one glass gives 70% more heat loss in cold weather.

Preparing for insulation

To begin insulating the inside of the balcony with any materials, you need to make preparations. Having chosen the material for insulation, you need to create a special one for it. wooden sheathing, onto which it will then be attached. The exception is rolled materials that can be mounted under the sheathing. This frame is made of beams with a cross-section of about 4-5 cm. Transverse and perpendicular beams must be fastened so that squares of 50 by 50 cm are obtained. The sheathing can also be made of a metal profile, but this material is somewhat more expensive than wooden beams. Main advantages metal frame is ease of design and ease of use.

Note: When calculating necessary insulation for a balcony inside, you need to take into account not only the dimensions of the walls, but the floor and ceiling, since these two positions also need insulation.

Material selection

In the crate with inside Insulation is installed on the balcony, which can be:

Foam insulation is one of the most common methods of thermal insulation of balconies and loggias

Styrofoam. The cheapest of these materials is simple white foam, 5 cm thick. If you are insulating a room in cold latitudes, you can take thicker foam plastic; it can reach a thickness of up to 10 cm. It can be easily cut into the required number of parts, and you can not additionally reinforce it with anything, but immediately lay it in the cells of the sheathing under the finishing materials. The material is absolutely safe both when working with it and during subsequent use. The insulation is completely odorless, does not emit toxic substances, and styrene fumes in small quantities do not affect human health. Installation of the material occurs without the formation of dust.

Insulation with mineral wool

Mineral wool. Mineral wool is a little more expensive, but its sound insulation properties are much higher, so if you need to get rid of extraneous sounds, it is better to use it. This material is completely natural and completely fireproof. The combustion temperature of mineral wool starts from a thousand degrees. The inconvenience of laying mineral wool briquettes lies in the mandatory compliance with safety precautions. The material contains small glass particles that cause itching of the skin. Installation must be carried out in protected special clothing, safety glasses and a respirator.

Expanded clay. The material is an environmentally friendly insulation. The word “expanded clay” is translated from Greek as “burnt clay”. The material is often used for insulation of floors and ceilings. It is not entirely profitable for them to insulate the walls, since they additionally need to prepare a metal mesh as a support.

Installation of high-quality double-glazed windows plays a big role in insulating a balcony or loggia. - you will find the answer here.

Penofol. This material is one of the thermal insulation products that has a reflective effect. It is a layer of foamed self-extinguishing polyethylene with closed air pores. Aluminum coated High Quality, 14 microns thick and 99.4% pure on one or both sides. Penofol is a universal material with steam, hydro, wind, soundproofing properties. The material has the appearance of thin, flexible, light and environmentally friendly clean structure. It can be used as an additional vapor barrier; it is very convenient to work with, since it is sold in rolls and is easy to cut even with ordinary scissors. This material protects the room from external moisture and eliminates condensation from the room.

Penoplex. It is a new material specially designed for room insulation. The material is very convenient to install due to its light weight, so its use on the balcony is now relevant. It is produced in the form of rectangular slabs different thicknesses, which can be easily cut with a stationery knife. It is also possible to produce “sandwich panels” using the casting method. Insulation with a rough surface makes it easy to attach and glue them to other materials.

Izolon

Izolon. It is also a universal material in terms of use. Confirmed safety for use as insulation and vapor barrier element. Excellent soundproofing characteristics.

The degree of thermal conductivity compares:

• with 15 cm brickwork
• with 4.5 cm wood
• with 4.5 cm mineral wool
• with 1.2 cm polystyrene foam

Reduces noise by at least 18 dB.

These are the main materials for creating an insulating layer, which are now easy to find in any hardware store. We hope you now have more information about How can you insulate a balcony from the inside?, and then we’ll look at how to do this.

How to insulate

One of the optimal methods for laying insulation is layer-by-layer laying:

• First, the surface is waterproofed
• The next layer is the selected insulating material, which is also secured with appropriate fasteners. These can be nails, screws, plastic fasteners with wide heads.
• Then a vapor barrier is laid, which is secured with a construction stapler.
• On final stage, finishing material is attached to the sheathing using special fastening materials

Sheets of foam plastic are installed in the sheathing, and the joints are covered with polyurethane foam

The result should be a layer approximately 60 - 70 mm thick, this is the distance from the outer layer to the finishing layer. Depending on climatic conditions, this size may vary. You must understand that any layer of insulation requires financial costs and labor, so it is better to immediately build a balcony conscientiously and not try to save on trifles.

In a situation with insulating the floor on the balcony the sequence is also the same. If it is decided to fill the floor with concrete, then expanded clay is laid first and the solution is distributed on top of it. Concrete mortar you need to carefully distribute it using a special rule and try to make the surface as smooth as possible. Then ceramic tiles or other finishing materials can be laid on such a surface. Under finishing you can lay rolled heated floors, and this will provide additional insulation of the room.

Video instructions for self-installation of a plasterboard ceiling are available at this address

If you choose the option of a wooden floor, then guide logs are first laid, between which the insulation is laid. Then a finishing board or chipboard is laid on the logs. Laying chipboard is necessary if laminate or linoleum will be installed further. It is also worth noting that under the laminate it is necessary to lay special substrate, which will provide additional thermal insulation. When the finishing of the walls and floors is completed, skirting boards are installed to hide the joints of the finishing.

In the complex of works on insulating a balcony, it is necessary to pay attention to the ceiling. The insulation process is carried out according to the same scheme as walls and floors. The task will be complicated when the balcony or loggia is on top floor And ceiling absent. In this case, you need to take into account the additional costs of installing the ceiling and roof.

When working on insulating a balcony, you should not fuss and rush, this can lead to unreasonably high consumption of material. If you approach the matter carefully and carry out constant calculations, you can acquire a full-fledged additional room for little money.

How to insulate a balcony from the inside video

We invite you to watch a video on the topic of our article “Insulation for a balcony inside - choosing materials,” which shows in detail the entire process of insulating a balcony using penoplex and penofol.

Balcony operation all year round will increase usable area apartments. Creating a comfortable microclimate is possible if you take into account the rules and recommendations of experts on insulating a balcony with your own hands. In our article we will look at the repair using the example of a loggia with the following dimensions: 7.5 m in length, 1.16 in width and 2.9 in height. Step-by-step instructions and photographs in progress. The renovation took 2 weeks, the budget was 40 thousand rubles, the year of construction was 2013.

• Using the example of Moscow
• . The most useful things from youtube

Necessary tool

• Screwdriver and electric drill;
• Construction stapler, level;
• Scissors, knife;
• Marker, laser tape measure;
• Hammer;
• Putty knife;
• Gas-burner;
• A special gun for glue or polyurethane foam;
• Containers for mixing components;
• Scotch tape (painting and reinforced);
• Rags, sponges, etc.;
• Drill attachments that can be used to stir construction mixtures.

Materials (what to buy)

• Structures for glazing of premises;
• Material for organizing the waterproofing layer (foamed polyethylene);
• Insulation (mineral wool 70 mm thick);
• Wooden logs to level the floor and create a reliable foundation (50x50);
• Sheets of plywood (10 mm);
• Glue, metal tape;
• Tile for wall cladding in two shades;
• Laminate (thickness 12 mm).

Insulation instructions using a live example

Let's consider a simple repair option that most apartment owners resort to:

1. Preparing the balcony before renovation

On the eve of glazing, you need to carefully check the space and eliminate chips, cracks and gaps.

Depending on the size of the flaw, polyurethane mastic, polyurethane foam, and sealants are used. To organize a convenient seal, use a special gun designed for applying polyurethane foam.

The space is insulated with double-glazed windows made from PVC profiles.

Glazing a loggia, or replacing old windows with new double-glazed windows is a mandatory stage of work to protect the space from heat loss.

Other materials for glazing are also used: wood, aluminum and metal-plastic. Elements of window frames must be treated with paint and antiseptic substances. The wooden structure of the windows is not airtight and has low level thermal insulation and an inconvenient opening mechanism. Aluminum windows are a durable option, they are comfortable and reliable, but the level of heat loss is quite high.

It is better to give preference to PVC window frames, which also contain aluminum, but the internal formwork does not consist of metal.

PVC windows are resistant to moisture and sudden temperature changes. Such frames are easy to use, sealed and have a low level of thermal conductivity.

Masking cables in the wall for connecting an air conditioner.

2. Raising the floor level and thermal insulation

Waterproofing the floor with penofol.

Most often, the materials at the base of the floor and walls are concrete and brick, which strongly absorb moisture and vapor. In order for the heat insulator to retain its properties, a waterproofing layer should be installed. Instead of penofol for waterproofing, you can choose roofing felt or special impregnation. Penofol is laid overlapping, the sheets are connected to each other using a gas burner.

Creating a frame from slats (50x50).

Floor lathing for subsequent installation of mineral wool.

For the construction of the sheathing they use wooden joists. The frame elements are fixed together with self-tapping screws using a screwdriver. The pitch of the slats directly depends on the thermal insulation material.

Typically, the distance between the slats is 50 cm, however, to lay a soft heat insulator, the pitch of the frame elements should be reduced.

In order to eliminate cold bridges in the structure, you need to carefully organize thermal insulation around the perimeter. We place mineral wool between the elements of the mounted frame. We fill the joints with scraps of heat insulation and polyurethane foam.

Mineral wool laid in the cells of the sheathing on the floor.

During the work, a mistake was made - due to the different dimensions of the heat insulator (70 mm) and the height of the bars (50 mm), spacers had to be made.

Raising the floor to the threshold level - 20 cm.

Installation of plywood sheets on the sheathing frame.

When laying, the plywood sagged 10 mm, so it is better to choose more durable sheets, for example 20 mm chipboard or OSB.

3. Insulation of walls and installation of window sills

We begin the construction of a frame to create a window sill from metal elements. This frame will allow you to insulate a parapet made of gas blocks.

We do the electrical installation for lamps and other devices in advance.

We fill the metal frame with insulation, after which we sheathe the gypsum board structure.

Proper insulation of the parapet on the advice of experts:

• Impregnation with special hydrophobic solutions;
• Fixing penofol using a construction stapler, aluminum tape, or glue;
• Filling joints;
• Installation of the second layer of thermal insulation;
• Vapor barrier. A special membrane is suitable for organizing the layer.

Then we protect the other walls of the room from body loss. For creating reliable design glazing the loggia, insulating the parapet and floor are not enough. Basically, a balcony parapet is made from a material with good strength and thermal insulation (foam blocks, gas blocks), but such a fence does not protect the insulation from moisture.

Mineral wool was also chosen for thermal insulation of other walls.

In addition to mineral wool, other types of insulation will also fit in its place: extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex), foil-coated polyethylene (penofol), polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam (PPU). The basis of all of the listed heat insulators are polymers, which are treated with foam compounds.

The insulated parapet is sheathed with gypsum boards.

Covering the gypsum board base with ceramic tiles.

We ensure the evenness of the tile laying using special elements - crosses.

Alternative types of finishing are: PVC panels, wooden lining, wallpaper, block house.

In this example, the ceiling surface was not insulated. On the one hand, the apartment is located on an intermediate floor (11 out of 19) and there is no direct threat of exposure to precipitation, however, heat loss will occur through the floor slab, even if the neighbors above have a well-insulated floor.

If we are talking about insulating the loggia of the upper floor, in this case ceiling slab floors can be protected by installing a roof. The canopy is constructed with a slope to allow rainwater and snow to drain away.

4. Installation and connection of sockets

We install a socket with a light control function.

To install a socket in the wall, you need to drill a hole.

5. Finishing the room

We cover the floor with laminate and the walls with tiles. Flush joining was not successful as a result of the work.

In order to compensate for the deflection of thin plywood, we choose a laminate with a thickness of 12 mm.

Repair shortcomings in real example- lack of finishing coating.

A small piece of ceramic tile is missing.

There were also not enough tiles.

In this corner with finishing flaws, a cabinet is planned, which should hide most of the visible defects.

In order to avoid a shortage of material, you should think about everything in as much detail as possible on the eve of work, drawing up a diagram based on the actual dimensions of the room. It is better to purchase the material with some reserve.

We decorate the window sill with ceramic tiles.

Installation of plinth on the loggia.

Trimming the threshold with tiles.

When raising the floor to the level of the threshold, it is better to use one material in the finishing, so the surfaces will be more harmoniously combined with each other.

During the repair process, a gap formed between the window sill and the glazing structure, to eliminate which it is necessary to use special internal corners.

The photo shows a sample outer corner, which was purchased by mistake.

The result of masking the gap with the outer corner.

The room after laying tiles, laminate and creating stretch ceiling black with five spotlights.

In the future, a cabinet will be installed in this part of the balcony.

1. Advice from an experienced specialist

Range of insulators used for forming warm space on the balcony. Features of various insulation materials. Practical recommendations to create a reliable design.

2. Master class on installing a waterproofing layer

Details of installing waterproofing on the balcony. Laying ceramic tiles.

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IN different rooms The loggia meets various requirements. Some people perceive it as an unnecessary addition to the apartment, for storing old things. Others rely on insulating the loggia as an opportunity to increase the area of ​​the apartment.

The first type of people stops at finishing the inside of the loggia with clapboard. This improves it a bit appearance premises, but no improvements from the functional side are observed. In order for a loggia to be fully used in our climatic conditions, it must be insulated. And in most cases, the cost of insulation is not much higher than the price of finishing work, but the functionality of the room increases significantly.

Both professionals and simple people with your own hands, with a little effort. Independent work will require time investment, but will allow you to save quite a large amount of money.

Advantages of an insulated loggia

By thermally insulating your loggia, you get a number of benefits:

• additional space is created - in such a room you can have breakfast, replacing the window sill with a bar counter, you can place cabinets, a refrigerator, and create a relaxation area;
• noise insulation is increased - a glazed or upholstered loggia perfectly allows various street noises to pass through, but if insulation is done and combined with the room, then sounds from the street will not penetrate into the room;
• the adjacent room will be warmer;
• By getting rid of the partition between the room and the loggia, you can modernize the apartment by changing the layout in such a way that the room will not be similar to any other.

The option with insulation has quite a lot of advantages; the only argument against it, if you do the math, is the price, but it will be only 5-10% higher than upholstery or glazing. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to pay a specialist; following the algorithm indicated below, you can completely do everything yourself.

Selection of insulation

Today there is a wide selection of materials suitable for insulating loggias. The most popular include the following:

Mineral wool

Characterized by low cost, but this is the only positive side material. To lay this material, you will first need to perform lathing. In the process of getting wet, mineral wool loses its beneficial properties, so before using it for a loggia, you need to think first.

Due to the presence of air between its fibers, mineral wool provides protection from the cold. But the installation of the material should be done extremely carefully, avoiding crushing, as this can negatively affect the heat-insulating properties.

Styrofoam

Polystyrene foam is one of the light and durable materials that can easily withstand exposure to moisture. The cost of the material is quite affordable.

Expanded polystyrene

Extruded polystyrene foam is presented in the form of slabs and has a fairly high price. The material is convenient to use, it retains heat well, and during a fire it goes out almost immediately.

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is a seamless spray-type coating. To save precious centimeters, its thickness can be changed.

Penofol

Penofol is a thermal insulation material made from foil and foamed polymer. The reflective layer is used as additional protection from the cold. Is pretty thin material and is most often used as a complement to other thermal insulation products.

Expert opinion

Konstantin Alexandrovich

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To reduce costs and achieve the desired effect, you can combine several materials. For example, covered with a layer of polystyrene foam, and the walls are covered with polystyrene foam boards. Other combinations are possible.

Typical mistakes when insulating

A serious drawback is the condensation that appears indoors on the surface of the walls and ceiling. As a result, moist areas are formed, which short time covered with a layer of mold. This occurs due to poorly functioning ventilation and improper operation of heating systems.

When the ventilation in a room does not work well, air masses are transported almost at lightning speed from the warm part of the room to the cold part, that is, to the loggia. There, excess moisture settles on the coldest surfaces. This negative point can be avoided by using doors installed between rooms with different temperature conditions.

Many troubles arise with insulation systems. If the walls and floor were not properly insulated, then moisture will leave its mark on problem areas of the loggia.

If a decision was made to save on foam and cover the seams between the walls with putty, then there is a high probability of condensation forming in these areas. It is better to refrain from such mistakes, since eliminating them will lead to significant difficulties. That is why, when insulating a loggia, you need to strictly follow the technology.

A poor-quality heating system can also become a problem. If such a process occurs due to the arrival of warm air masses from the adjacent room, then mold will most likely form in the cold corners of the loggia. That is why the loggia must be insulated from the floor.

It is prohibited to install centralized water heating on balconies or loggias. A well-installed heated floor reacts to any temperature changes and eliminates the imbalance in a short time.

Work plan

Step-by-step instructions for proper insulation:

• Clear the premises from excess furniture.
• Remove old coating from the ceiling, floor and walls.
• Analyze the condition of the base, note cracks, chips, and significant irregularities.
• Correct any detected defects.
• Get rid of old glazing, even if it does not require updating.
• Treat all surfaces with any hydrophobic and antifungal composition.
• Seal the joints.
• Glaze the loggia.
• Place insulation material on the ceiling, floor and walls.
• Install electrical wiring.
• Install the TP system.
• Perform sheathing (plasterboard, etc.), install lighting.

It is especially important to evaluate the wear of fasteners. After installing double-glazed windows and thermal insulation materials, the weight of the structure increases significantly. To perform the necessary calculations and install reinforcing elements, you must contact companies that have the necessary licenses. Independent calculations can be fatal.

When insulating and finishing a loggia, special attention should be paid to sealing cracks and seams. In such areas, all crumbling elements are carefully removed to ensure solid foundation. Gaps in concrete structures are filled with repair compounds; at this point you must strictly follow the instructions. If during the work a part of the reinforcement with traces of rust was discovered, then the rod is cleaned and treated with an anti-corrosion compound.

After completion of the insulation work and installation of electrical wiring, the loggia is decorated with plastic or wood panels, tiles, wallpaper or any other materials are used.

The vulnerable area is the filler near the window frame. The material used to fill the space loses its properties after 2-3 years. Before installing new glazing, the foam is completely removed. To insulate old window frames, the worn-out filler is removed from the grooves, and the resulting space is filled with a stable composition.

Waterproofing (vapor barrier)

The entire area of ​​the balcony must be protected from external exposure to water; for this purpose, waterproofing work is carried out. The floor is covered with special impregnations, paint, bitumen, glassine or roofing felt. Roll insulation is used for walls and ceilings.

The next stage is the installation of wood or metal sheathing. The distance between the bars should be 1-2 cm less than the width of the insulation. The block should have a thickness one centimeter greater than the thickness of the mineral wool slab, this is necessary so that after installation a ventilation gap is formed.

Glazing

The loggia cannot be insulated if the correct glazing is not selected. If you can choose absolutely any glass on simple balconies, then to insulate the room you will need to pay attention to special parameters.

The ideal option would be PVC structures, the thickness of the double-glazed windows is 3.2 cm. The windows are created according to the standards of the owners of the premises, and their installation is carried out both through our own efforts and with the help of services from the manufacturer.

At this stage, savings should be abandoned, since regardless of the high cost of all further stages, poorly selected double-glazed windows will put an end to all repair work.

Warm floor on the balcony

This surface of the loggia is considered the most important space when combined with the living room. This is explained by the fact that the floor is the coldest part of the room. To keep it warm, insulation is done in 2 layers.

Basically, all operations related to the floor come down to cleaning it, leveling it, treating it with an antifungal agent, installing supports and insulating it. The “subfloor” is placed directly on the insulation, and then the selected coating. To ensure maximum tightness of the floor, logs are installed, between which there is rolled insulation.

Ceiling insulation

Algorithm for proper insulation:

• Construction foam is cut from the ceiling and parts of the mortar are removed.
• The surface is cleaned of peeling paint and dirt.
• The walls and ceiling are treated with a deep action primer.
• Holes and grooves are created for cable installation. Install sockets and switches. This way you can connect lighting elements, heater or heated floor.
• The electrical cable should be laid inside PVC pipes if the frame needs to be covered with wood.
• The best insulation material would be foil-coated polystyrene foam.

• Using a level, measure the base, this is done in order to determine errors.
• A sheet of insulation is applied to the ceiling, and marks are made with a pen that interfere with the installation of the slab (pipe entry point). The marks are cut out using a cutter.
• The adhesive solution is mixed. You must follow the instructions on the packaging. Next, the solution is infused for about 5 minutes and mixed again. It should have a uniform consistency, fairly thick and liquid.
• The solution is applied to the insulation using a trowel. Then the sheet of polystyrene foam is tried on and pressed to the ceiling.
• Next, holes are made, nails are inserted into the ceiling, but not driven in completely.
• The remaining sheets are attached to the ceiling, and the surface is measured with a building level.

To adjust the surface plane, graters are used to erase the difference in differences. And the gaps between the insulation boards are filled with polyurethane foam (the excess is cut off).

Do-it-yourself insulation of loggia walls

If the loggia is presented in the form of an ordinary balcony where clothes are dried (there are not even window openings), then the insulation work looks like this:

• installation of a parapet from foam blocks or brick structures, in which window openings will then be created;
• all seams and holes present on the balcony on the outside and inside (characteristic of reinforced concrete structures) are covered with polyurethane foam, large holes are covered with polystyrene foam and the joints are filled with polyurethane foam;
• if foam plastic or polystyrene will act as insulation, then the sealing foam should not contain toluene, it corrodes the foam;
• Foamed polyethylene is attached on top, which is a vapor barrier, and all joints must be sealed with foil tape.

Now you can move on to the sheathing. A wooden beam can act as a support. It is attached to the wall horizontally or vertically (depending on finishing material). The bars are fastened along the edges of the wall, after which a fishing line is stretched at the top and bottom, along which intermediate (bearing) bars are installed, between which insulation and vapor barrier are laid.

Warm loggia in a panel house

By design, panel houses are cooler than brick buildings. This is explained by the fact that the thermal insulation properties of concrete are worse than bricks; in addition, cracks often form between the panels over time, which will let the cold in from the outside.

When connecting a loggia to a living room in such houses, do not forget about this factor and use several layers of thermal insulation material to avoid the dew point, which destroys concrete. In this situation, it’s almost impossible to “overdo it,” but it’s easy to underdo it.

Izolon (foamed polyethylene with a reflector) is mounted on the main insulation with gluing of the seams.

Warm loggia in a brick house

Despite the fact that brick is a warmer material than concrete, you should not give up insulation.

Initially, you need to pay attention to the masonry. More often construction companies They do not fill the gaps between bricks well, so you will have to get rid of the gaps yourself using special means.

Further work is no different from actions in panel buildings. The only difference is that only one thermal insulation layer can be used.

You can choose the appropriate insulation for your balcony from the following list:

• mineral wool;
• polystyrene foam with a density of 25-35 kg/m3;
• extruded polystyrene foam (aka penoplex);
• thin foil insulation made of foamed polyethylene (penofol).

It is impossible to say for sure which of the listed materials is the best; each of them has its own pros and cons, as well as installation features. If you take mineral wool, then to protect it you will need a vapor barrier device, otherwise the open pores of the fibers will be saturated with moisture from the room, as a result of which the thermal insulation properties of the material will be lost. But basalt wool does not burn at all and does not even smolder when exposed to an open flame.

Polystyrene foam beats all competitors with its low price and good resistance to moisture, but at the same time it quickly catches fire. If the cotton wool had to be protected from vapors, then the foam would have to be insulated as much as possible from an accidental spark. In this regard, polystyrene foam and penoplex behave much better, which do not burn on their own, but simply melt when heated. At the same time, these polymers have the lowest thermal conductivity and do not absorb moisture at all.

It is better to use materials like penofol together with more serious insulation materials, since their own resistance to heat transfer is low due to their small thickness. But as a vapor barrier and additional sheathing when insulating the walls and ceiling of a balcony, penofol is just a godsend.

What is the best way to insulate a balcony? Each material that will be used as thermal insulation has advantages and disadvantages. In addition, when installing insulation, it is necessary to take into account the features of this process and the nuances of operation.

Materials for thermal insulation can be purchased in specialized stores. When making a choice, consider the main purpose of the product.

Today, thermal insulation on a balcony can be done very quickly; penofol is widely used in the work. It is only suitable for indoor renovations. Having special protection on one side, the material is able to effectively reflect heat. The substrate, located on the other side, acts as insulation.

Foam plastic is suitable for both external work and thermal protection from the inside. A special feature of the material is that polystyrene foam can be placed under the plaster. It also fits the device wet facade. The slabs must be covered with a reinforcing mesh; a special composition suitable for finishing is applied to it. After it dries, the surface is painted.

Reinforced and extruded foam.

Remember that when insulating from the outside, the work should not be stretched winter season. But insulating a balcony from the inside with your own hands can be done in winter. Polystyrene foam has one drawback that needs to be taken into account: it deteriorates in direct sunlight.

Materials for insulating a balcony from the inside can be different. Mineral wool has excellent thermal insulation properties. But it must be laid together with a layer of waterproofing, and do not forget about the vapor barrier.

Formation of a vapor barrier.

Do-it-yourself insulation of a balcony with mineral wool can be done in a few days. Pay attention to the quality of installation work; there should be no cold bridges in the room. Mineral wool can be placed on the floor, walls and ceiling inside the balcony to keep it warm in winter.

Mineral wool.

Penoplex is a bright orange material that belongs to extruded polystyrene. It is not at all difficult to insulate with such material yourself. It is very dense, excellent for thermal insulation of floors and exterior finishing work. A screed is made on top of the penoplex that was laid on the floor. This material is 1.5-2 times more expensive than polystyrene foam, which must be taken into account when planning the estimate.

Penoplex.

When choosing a material, consider your experience in construction. While some insulation can be installed on your own, others require professional installation.

Insulating a balcony from the outside on your own is problematic. It is better to entrust the process to professional climbers. When choosing materials in a store, take into account performance characteristics. In addition, you need to take into account the complexity of installation work.

Step-by-step instructions will help you do everything right. The process of insulating a balcony from the outside consists of the following steps:

1. Buy a primer and apply it to the surface.
2. Glue foam or sheets of extruded polystyrene foam. Take into account the wind load, secure the sheets with mushroom dowels.
3. The thermal insulation of the balcony must be covered with reinforcing mesh; it must be fixed with dowels with recesses.
4. Cover the reinforcing layer with glue, apply 2 layers. When it hardens, take a good spatula and remove any drips and uneven spots. After this, everything is ready for finishing work.
5. Paint the balcony or apply facade plaster.

For high-quality insulation outside you can buy mineral insulation for the balcony. Basalt wool has proven itself well; it is produced in slabs. Their installation will require the installation of sheathing and vapor barrier. You can’t do without a layer of waterproofing - it will protect the insulating layer from getting wet.

How to insulate a balcony from the inside yourself? All work on installing insulation can be divided into the following stages:

1. Remove old structural elements. Prepare the surface.
2. It is necessary to carry out glazing; monitor the quality of installation of frames. They can be made of wood, plastic or aluminum. If necessary, strengthen the parapet.
3. Place insulation on the floor and side partitions. Insulate the balcony from the inside, paying attention to the thermal insulation of the parapet and ceiling. Capital walls do not need to be covered with insulation.

How to insulate a balcony from the inside? Mineral wool and penoplex have proven themselves well. The slabs of material are installed on the sheathing, all joints are covered with polyurethane foam. Sometimes apartment owners make lathing from wooden beams, but companies that produce materials recommend metal profiles. The fact is that the humidity inside the balconies is high, the wood can deteriorate, and the thermal insulation must be made reliably.

No one makes strict demands on the sheathing; the choice of material remains with the person who will do the sheathing. If you are thinking about how to insulate a balcony from the inside, then you should choose a material whose purchase will not put a strain on the family budget.

Insulating a balcony with your own hands will not require large financial costs.

Granulated expanded clay is often laid on the floor. This kind of insulation for a balcony inside has a porous structure and consists of baked clay, so it is environmentally friendly. Builders use it to insulate floors and ceilings.

The work process is simple, just create a layer of expanded clay and pour liquid cement so that the granules are held together. But we must take into account that such material will take away 15-20 cm of height from floor to ceiling. In addition, you will have to pour a thin-layer screed on top of the expanded clay, because relief surface will not be suitable for laying, for example, parquet or laminate.

Another insulation option is penofol. It is made from foamed polyethylene. The material is especially suitable for water-heated floors, as it has a foil coating with a heat-reflecting effect. This insulation has 4 advantages: it does not allow wind to pass through, retains heat, prevents the penetration of water and has vapor barrier properties.

Insulation of balconies and loggias: eight mistakes of finishers

Earlier we examined in some detail the insulation of balconies, now let’s take a closer look at the insulation of loggias. Many people call loggias balconies, not seeing the difference between them, although this is incorrect.

In general, initially a loggia was a recess in the wall, enclosed by a colonnade, but we are interested in the loggia in the sense that this word was given in Soviet and later Russian multi-story construction.

So, a loggia is an open, uninsulated (for us this is important!) room that has at least two (most often three) walls. The last point is the main difference from the balcony, which has only one wall - the external wall of the house, to which it is attached, blown by all the winds.

The loggia is recessed flush into the external wall of the house, which gives us a number of advantages. In particular, one of the three walls (the inner one) can be removed altogether, thus expanding the area of ​​the room.

When the glazing work is completed, it’s time to start working on the insulation itself. You should start with the choice of insulation material.

Many people habitually use traditional polystyrene foam and mineral wool, although modern industry is ready to provide much more advanced and effective materials for insulation.

For example, extruded polystyrene foam(extruded polystyrene foam, XPS). The basis for this material, like many other plastics, is polystyrene, a crystalline, colorless substance.

It is melted, foamed with a mixture of freons and carbon dioxide and extruded. This tricky word refers to squeezing semi-liquid, unhardened material through a hole.

The process is reminiscent of squeezing toothpaste out of a tube, with the only difference being that the opening of the “squeezer”-extruder is a slit a meter or more wide. The result is a wide and long tape, which is sold in rolls or in the form of panels. Extruded polystyrene foam is called penolplex (or penoplex) and is an excellent material for floor insulation.

Possible problems when insulating a balcony

Before insulating the balcony inside, I recommend thinking carefully about all the pros and cons of such a decision. Despite the fact that everyone resorts to installing insulation before decorating this room more people, this operation has several disadvantages.

Here are the ones I consider the main ones:

1. Reducing the usable area of ​​the room. If simply finishing already reduces the size of a balcony or loggia, then an additional layer of thermal insulation material further aggravates the problem. Therefore, if this architectural element is tiny, consider whether the additional space gained is worth the money and effort.
2. The appearance of condensed moisture inside structures. When using insulation, the dew point moves inward, which leads to mold and damage to finishing materials.

This drawback, however, is easy to deal with. I will tell you how to insulate a balcony with your own hands from the inside so as to achieve an ideal microclimate inside.

Sequencing

The technology of insulating a loggia or balcony itself consists of several important stages:

1. Sealing cracks and eliminating defects. Before laying insulation for the balcony inside, you need to get rid of all cracks, irregularities, potholes and bulges. I recommend blowing out small cracks with polyurethane foam (just choose a high-quality one); more serious problems can be dealt with with cement mortar.

1. Arrangement of waterproofing. To achieve this, I always recommend that my clients use penetrating materials. For example, Avatron or Penetron. They are easy to apply with a spray, but you can also use a simple roller or brush.

The peculiarity here is that the liquid penetrates deep into mineral surfaces, as a result of which they are not only protected from water, but also do not freeze during operation at low air temperatures.

1. Laying the heat insulator. It's easy to do it yourself inside. You don't need to install scaffolding or call a bucket truck. The main thing is to strictly follow the technology, which I will talk about below.

When choosing materials for work, immediately think about whether you will insulate the floor and ceiling. These surfaces require more durable heat insulators that do not change their properties from external mechanical influence.

1. Arrangement of a vapor barrier layer. It is needed precisely in order to avoid condensation of moisture formed on the balcony inside the thermal insulation materials. For this purpose, vapor-permeable polymer membranes, for example, Izospan or Rockwool.

By the way, you can avoid this stage by using heat insulators with a foil layer, placing it inside the balcony. But I would still recommend not saving. Moreover, the estimate vapor barrier membrane It won't increase much.

1. Decorative finishing of the balcony. It all depends on your imagination, the amount of money and the purpose of the room. Specific tips I can't give.

The vapor barrier is glued joint to joint, after which these places are sealed with metal tape - all this creates the so-called. "thermos effect"

Then comes the installation of the balcony flooring. As a base, it is recommended to create a 4-centimeter layer of screed, with a mandatory gap of 1 cm between it and the walls. This reserve is necessary in case of thermal expansion.

You can create such a gap by installing 1 cm thick polyethylene foam around the perimeter, and then start pouring. When the screed hardens, it is laid ceramic tile and fixed with tile adhesive.

Lathing in panel house It is best to install it from a wooden beam with a cross-section of 40x20 mm, which must be dry and treated with an antiseptic. The filling occurs both horizontally and vertically using self-tapping screws and dowels driven directly into the thickness of the concrete.

Further insulation involves finishing, which can be carried out in 2 ways: installation of plastic panels - width 25 cm; installation moisture-resistant plasterboard– with this approach, insulation involves additional finishing work: priming and puttying the surface, removing the corners and leveling them.

After this, you can paint the walls or wallpaper. As for installation lighting fixtures(lamps, floor lamps, etc.), then the electrical wiring to them must be laid before the start of interior finishing work.

Do-it-yourself insulation of a balcony in a panel house is often not without mistakes. Installation of a vapor barrier on the cold side of the thermal insulation material - a film or membrane is placed between the wall and the insulation. For this reason, condensation forms on the surface.

With different types of mineral wool, their correct operation is not ensured during operation. The result is wetness of the insulation and gradual destruction of the entire interior decoration followed by dismantling and replacement.

Installation of wooden planks directly in a layer of expanded polystyrene leads to a lack of solidity in the thickness of the insulation and the formation of the so-called. "cold bridges" The same applies to cases of installation of metal sheathing inside the insulation layer. In addition to “cold bridges,” condensation appears on the metal, destroying the thermal insulation material.

Limitations when insulating balconies

But I can tell you what you absolutely cannot do when decorating a balcony or loggia. Moreover, violation of these rules may entail administrative or criminal liability.

So, it is prohibited:

1. Demolish the load-bearing partitions between two balconies (loggias) or this room and the residential part of the apartment.
2. Install utilities on the balcony (in particular, heating, water supply and sewerage) connected to common system apartments.
3. Setting up a kitchen or bathroom on the balcony (although, as you understand, no one forbids an office or bedroom).
4. Install glazing on balconies that are equipped with fire escapes for evacuating people during a fire.
5. Install hanging flower beds or facilities for drying clothes outside the balcony enclosing structures.
6. Reduce the height of the parapet of a balcony or loggia (by dismantling the upper part or raising the floor). Minimum height the parapet should be 1.1 meters.
7. Disturb the appearance of the building’s façade (this is for information only; by insulating the balcony from the inside with your own hands, you are unlikely to cause damage to the exterior of the house).
8. Independently glaze balconies located above the 9th floor, while violating technical requirements fire safety.

As you can see, not all of the listed requirements are met by our compatriots, but my conscience would be uneasy if I did not tell you about them.

Now a little about the materials that can be used.

Methods of internal insulation of a balcony

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

How to insulate a balcony? Choice of insulation.

For thermal insulation of such rooms it is used great amount materials. I have compiled a table in which I have listed the most popular varieties, indicating the characteristics of each.

Name	Description
Expanded polystyrene	Dense material with a low thermal conductivity coefficient, having a fine-grained porous structure. Do not confuse polystyrene foam for thermal insulation and packaging foam. The latter has large pores and breaks quickly. Not suitable for floor insulation, as it cannot withstand the applied load. Can be used for installation on boundary slabs, walls and ceilings.
Extruded polystyrene foam	A material that perfectly retains heat indoors and, thanks to a special production technology, has increased mechanical strength. Microorganisms do not multiply on the surface of expanded polystyrene, it is non-flammable and environmentally friendly.
Penofol	Another name for the material is foamed polyethylene. For balconies, it is better to use insulation with a foil layer, which reflects thermal energy and prevents the insulating layer from getting wet. Foil, among other things, plays the role of a vapor barrier membrane.
Polyurethane foam	A special composition that is applied to surfaces using special equipment. After hardening, it forms a homogeneous heat-insulating layer that prevents unproductive consumption of thermal energy and cooling of the balcony. The material is great for insulation, but you won’t be able to apply it with your own hands.
Mineral wool	A material based on basalt fiber, which is excellent for insulating walls and ceilings of balconies. To increase efficiency, it must be protected from moisture. It is impossible to insulate the floor using mineral wool, since it cannot withstand significant mechanical stress.
Multilayer panels	We are talking about sandwich panels, which are used both for insulation and for decorative decoration of the balcony. They have a beautiful upper layer, which does not require additional finishing. Thermal insulation is glued to the bottom, reducing the thermal conductivity coefficient of the enclosing structures.

At this point, I consider the theoretical part to be complete and will move on to presenting specific schemes for internal insulation of balconies and loggias using several, in my opinion, the most effective materials.

The most common option is polystyrene foam. It has a low thermal conductivity coefficient and is easy to install with your own hands inside the balcony.

I’ll tell you how to insulate a balcony from the inside with polystyrene foam:

1. After carrying out preliminary operations (sealing cracks and waterproofing), I always treat the surface with a penetrating primer. It allows you to improve the adhesive properties of mineral surfaces, remove dust from concrete monoliths and reduce the consumption of adhesive composition.

The treatment can be carried out with a regular brush or spray. Treat very carefully not only the walls, but also the ceiling and floor. Otherwise, difficulties will arise later when gluing polystyrene foam.

1. You can continue working after priming only after the composition has completely dried, which takes about 6 hours. If the walls of the balcony where I work are made of porous materials (for example, foam concrete), I always prime everything twice.
2. After priming, you can begin installing polystyrene foam, which is supplied in slabs. Installation is carried out using glue and special fasteners with wide caps.

I prepare the adhesive composition from purchased dry powder. You need to mix it with water in the proportions specified in the operating instructions, and then achieve homogeneity using a mixer connected to a drill.

I apply the finished glue to the heat-insulating material, after which the sheet of polystyrene foam is glued to the wall. I do the same with other materials, placing them in a checkerboard pattern with overlapping joints.

1. In order for the plates to fit firmly, you need to secure them with dowels with plastic caps. To do this, I use a drill to make a hole in the polystyrene foam and the wall, and then install the appropriate bracket there.

1. Considering that polystyrene foam does not absorb water, there is no need to create a vapor-permeable membrane. Although I see no reason to buy and attach a special film to the surfaces.
2. The last stage is plastering. To avoid destruction decorative covering, you must first attach a fiberglass reinforcing mesh to the expanded polystyrene slabs, and then plaster over it. That's exactly what I do.

1. Before plastering, you can install perforated galvanized corners on the corners, which will make work easier and protect the corners from damage during operation.

This material is also widely used for internal insulation of balconies. You can mount it on the walls using special bitumen mastic, construction foam or plastic dowels with wide caps.

I’ll tell you how I perform penoplex insulation using polyurethane foam:

1. To begin with, as in all other cases, defects are repaired and the balcony surfaces are waterproofed. By the way, a primer won't hurt either.
2. After completing the preparatory operations, you need to squeeze out the mounting foam from the perimeter along the perimeter of the pre-fitted foam board. No more foam will be needed; the insulation will already be securely attached to the surface.

1. After waiting a few seconds, you need to attach the material to the wall.
2. Further work is carried out using similar technology. Naturally, I recommend staggering the seams to avoid the formation of cold bridges, which reduce the effectiveness of the insulation work being carried out.
3. To keep the insulation stronger, it can be additionally reinforced with dowels with wide heads. Although this is not necessary.

1. The last stage is decorative finishing. Here I completely shift the responsibility for choosing materials to you. Think for yourself, decide for yourself.

Well, I can’t help but tell you about the use of mineral wool insulation. I can’t say that they are very effective, but they are very popular. I focus on them only because the installation technology itself is more complex.

The fact is that mineral wool is very soft and does not have rigid geometric dimensions as such. It is produced in the form of rolls into which material with a thickness of 2 to 20 cm is rolled.

I recommend buying stone (basalt) wool with a heat-reflecting foil layer to decorate your balcony. The latter will effectively protect the insulator from moisture and play the role of a reflective screen that retains the thermal energy of heating devices indoors.

Taking into account the described technical characteristics, insulating material can only be installed under a pre-arranged sheathing made of wooden blocks or galvanized profiles. But this is good, since you can then install it on the sheathing decorative cladding. For example, lining or plastic panels.

As an example, I’ll tell you about insulation using wooden blocks. It’s better to take not square ones, but rectangular lumber with a cross section of 3 by 5 or 3 by 7 cm. This will save useful area of ​​the balcony.

The sheathing can be installed in two ways:

• horizontally - if you later finish the balcony plastic panels;
• vertically - if you chose lining as the material for decorative finishing.

Features of balconies in Khrushchev

There is nothing complicated about insulating a typical Khrushchev-era building, and in fact it is not much different from insulating a loggia. There is no point in finishing the balcony without insulation, because... this is unlikely to bring the desired result.

Considering that the balcony is located outside the building, I would immediately like to note that there will never be warmth there in winter, unless you add 10-15 centimeters of insulation and install heating radiators. But there will be very little space on such a balcony!

Yes, and it makes no sense because... Mostly sliding frames with one or two glasses are installed on balconies. Ready-made insulated loggia What was I leading to all this, oh yes! In addition to the fact that there is no point in buying expensive thermal insulation materials, we will insulate the balcony with polystyrene foam! Before carrying out all work, be sure to treat the concrete with an antiseptic solution for brick and concrete, since the concrete has been under aggressive environmental influences for a long time.

Let's make a list and try to take into account everything you need:

• Hammer;
• Screwdriver or screwdriver;
• Polyurethane foam;
• Polystyrene foam with a thickness of 5 centimeters;
• Construction stapler;
• Level, tape measure and pencil;
• Stationery knife;
• Wall panels or eurolining (depending on your preferences);
• Skirting board and fittings; Piece of linoleum or laminate;
• Fasteners

Laying foam plastic can begin from both the floor and the walls. We make a standard sheathing in increments of 50 centimeters parallel to the floor (we will attach the cladding to it). We fill the space between the beams with polystyrene foam and foam everything thoroughly.

The thickness of the walls is 5 centimeters, the thickness of the insulation of the balcony floor is 10 centimeters, otherwise our insulation will “eat up” half of the balcony and it will become very narrow! From the pictures attached to the article you can see what is being done and how.

Finishing

After we have foamed everything, we cover the entire area of ​​​​the insulated balcony with penofol. It is advisable to do this when using plastic panels in the finish and mandatory when using “wooden” wall panels or eurolining, since this will be additional protection from moisture.

The panels are attached to the sheathing using a construction stapler. The final stage will be laying linoleum or laminate and installing the floor plinth. Important under flooring make a solid base.

10 mm plywood is best suited for this. If you have any questions, write! We will be happy to answer them! I also advise you to read my article on how to make a wardrobe for a balcony.

The insulation of a balcony in an old house and in a new building has significant differences. This is due not only to the small area of ​​Khrushchev’s loggias, but also to their design features:

• The reinforced concrete slab at the base of the balcony slopes towards the outside. This was done in order to rainwater flowed down. The same will happen with the ceiling formed by the loggia of the upper floor. On average, the height difference is about 150 mm. The walls are not level, this is the problem with all old houses.
• Lattice fencing. For insulation, you will have to build a parapet and install double-glazed windows. For a durable fence, foam blocks 10 cm thick will be sufficient.
• Poor condition of the slab. In many houses, balconies are already beginning to crumble and fall apart.

It is worth consulting with specialists and, if necessary, reconstructing the slab. All global alterations must be agreed upon with the supervisory authorities, otherwise problems will arise in the future.

Insulation of balconies with mineral wool is carried out under the constructed sheathing. A lining is attached to the frame - wooden or plastic panels with special grooves.

A well-known fact is the construction recommendation to perform insulation with outside building. However, when insulating balconies and loggias, it is often not possible to place the insulation material outside. The internal placement of the insulation layer requires certain calculations, adherence to technology and the correct selection of materials, so that in the future the work performed does not lead to wetness of the walls, corners and ceilings inside the external structure.

Balcony insulation with mineral wool

What materials can be used to insulate a balcony and loggia from the inside? What finishing will reliably protect the insulation from the internal space and create an aesthetic appearance of the internal walls?

In modern technologies for insulating open suspended structures (balconies), internal insulation Four types of materials are used: polystyrene foam, penoplex, penofol and mineral wool. Let's consider the technological features of installation and types of cotton insulation used for thermal insulation of balconies.

Depending on the raw materials used in production, there are three main types of mineral wool: glass, stone and slag. All three materials are suitable for insulation work.

Mineral wool is a soft material that does not have rigid dimensions. It is supplied in the form of rolls (they are unwound into a track before laying) or soft mats. Sometimes one side of the insulation is covered aluminum foil to enhance thermal insulation properties.

Insulation of floor and ceiling

The first question is which insulation technology to choose; the answer depends on the configuration of your loggia. The best option– when there is a concrete parapet, and if instead there is metal fencing, then there are several scenarios for further actions. The first is that the parapet can be laid out from foam blocks or aerated concrete, and the metal can be removed completely. This path is the most acceptable both in terms of excellent insulation and design of the loggia, as well as safety.

The second scenario - the fence is sewn up with corrugated sheets, and then arranged wooden frame made of beams for attaching insulation. This path is somewhat shorter, but it cannot be said that it will cost you much less. There is weakness– wooden beams will serve as cold bridges and to get rid of them, you will have to lay insulation in 2 layers with offset. There is a third way - creating a panoramic loggia without a parapet with full-height glazing.

The technology for finishing with penoplex, which you will have to adhere to when insulating a glazed loggia with a concrete parapet, is quite clear. First apply to a cleaned and slightly moistened wall surface. polyurethane foam for primary fixation of expanded polystyrene or polystyrene boards. Pre-prepared and cut to size slabs are pressed against the wall and glued to the surface with foam.

At the same time, we insulate the walls of the loggia in the likeness of brickwork, placing sheets of polystyrene foam with bandaging of the seams. In simple words, the vertical seams of each subsequent row must be at least 150 mm away from the seams of the previous one. During the process, you need to monitor the vertical using a building level. After the foam has hardened, it is recommended to fasten each polystyrene foam slab to the wall using dowels - umbrellas.

The process of insulating the loggia ceiling is a little more complicated; the help of a helper will not hurt, although with some skill you can do it yourself. The insulation boards will have to be immediately attached to the ceiling with dowels, for which you need to drill holes quite accurately, and then hammer in the dowels, while simultaneously supporting the slab. Upon completion, all seams and cracks are carefully filled with the same polyurethane foam.

Now you need to create a frame for installing interior finishing made of plasterboard, plastic, lining or other facing materials. Wood slats cannot be attached to the insulation, but you can drill a hole through it in the concrete. This is done using a drill with a diameter of 6 mm, and then the slats are screwed directly to the wall with special concrete screws (called frame dowels).

Having dealt with the walls, you can move on to the ceiling. To insulate it, I recommend using polystyrene foam. And you need to buy regular material for insulation and its variety, which is supplemented with a heat-reflecting foil layer, which increases the strength of the material and helps retain heat inside.

The ceiling should be insulated in the same way as the walls, using polyurethane glue and dowels. Just first you need to stick the first layer, and on top - the second one, with a heat-reflecting surface.

The seams between the parts must be sealed with polyurethane foam, and at the end they must be sealed with a special metallized adhesive tape. In this case, even severe cold will not stop you from creating an immortal masterpiece in your office on the balcony.

If, of course, you take care of floor insulation, which I, for example, do as follows:

• I clean the floor surface from remnants of building materials, deposits of cement, dirt, debris, glue, and so on;
• I cover the floor with penofol;
• I install a sheathing on top from pre-cut electric jigsaw wooden blocks;
• I install heat-insulating material inside the sheathing, sealing the cracks with construction foam;
• I install a subfloor made of plywood or OSB boards;
• I lay the flooring on top (usually linoleum or laminate).

However, my neighbor - a future professor - wanted to have a heated floor in his office balcony. So I had to tell him the order of work in this case:

• on reinforced concrete floor the balcony needs to be screeded using a self-leveling mixture to level out all protrusions and irregularities;
• on top of the frozen screed you need to lay a layer of heat-reflecting material with a heat insulator;
• mount the heating electric cable on top, securing it with a special tape (you remember that water heating on the balcony cannot be done, which means water heated floors too);
• pour another layer of cement screed on top;
• Install the selected decorative flooring.

There are two ways to insulate the walls of a balcony from the inside:

• direct fastening of insulation to the surface adhesive composition and dowels;
• installation of thermal insulation using wooden lathing.

The first method is more acceptable when it is necessary to insulate the loggia inside with foam plastic or extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex). Moreover, the latter is often attached to the walls “dry” with dowels, without the use of adhesive. There is nothing wrong with this, the main thing is that the insulation boards are installed correctly, that is, without any gaps. The density and strength of penoplex allows it to hold well on the dowels alone and at the same time bear the load of the inner lining.

The surfaces of the walls are first cleaned and leveled, after which they are coated with a layer of deeply penetrating primer using a roller. After it dries (the time indicated on the packaging), the slab insulation is glued to the wall. For this, a ready-made building mixture is used, which is applied along the entire perimeter of each slab and at several points in the middle. After 2 days, the material is additionally attached with dowels.

By the way, the thickness of the thermal insulation layer made of foam plastic should be at least 100 mm for all walls and ceilings. If the balcony is insulated with expanded polystyrene, then a thickness of 80 mm is sufficient. After the installation of thermal insulation is completed, its surface can be plastered using reinforcing fiberglass mesh or other types of finishing can be applied.

As for mineral wool, it can also be glued, but it is still easier to use sheathing bars. They are installed on the walls and ceiling at intervals that are 1-2 cm smaller than the width of the insulation boards, so that the latter is inserted between the bars at random. According to reviews, when insulating with rolled wool, it is necessary to take into account its gradual sliding down and, in order to avoid this phenomenon, install additional horizontal jumpers of the sheathing.

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

The positive aspects of this insulation are that it is odorless, does not emit harmful substances, is environmentally friendly and does not affect human health. Sheets are usually fixed with special “umbrellas” or construction glue. To save money, it is better to insulate the balcony inside with it.

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

Insulation of the loggia Secrets of craftsmanship from Alexey Zemskov

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

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

Decorative finishing of the balcony

I will conclude my story with a short story about how to finish the balcony after insulating it. You can use many different materials for this:

• plastic panels;
• ordinary and decorative plaster;
• wallpaper;
• tiles;
• wooden lining.

Considering that I told you how to insulate a balcony with mineral wool, I will continue this topic. I will describe how you can install lining or plastic panels on the walls. The technology is very similar, since both of these materials are separate lamellas, connected to each other using a special system of tongues and grooves.

There's not much to do here:

• the first part is mounted on the installed sheathing, starting from the corner;
• After this, all subsequent parts are installed.

I try to give preference to wood, as it natural material, but plastic is easier to work with, it does not require additional finishing and is cheap.

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

Balcony insulation with penoplex

Insulating a balcony or loggia allows you not only to get rid of drafts and dampness, but also to expand the usable area of ​​the apartment. To insulate a loggia, it is necessary not only to use high-quality window blocks, but also to insulate the walls, floor, ceiling of a balcony or loggia.

Advantages of PENOPLEX COMFORT® slabs when insulating a balcony:

• High compressive strength;
• Low thermal conductivity;
• Zero water absorption;
• Environmental friendliness;
• Ease and simplicity of installation;
• Low vapor permeability, which is very important for internal insulation.

Scheme 1 - insulating a balcony with your own hands

• Loggia wall;
• Balcony insulation PENOPLEX COMFORT®;
• Sheet material;
• Lathing;
• Fastening element;
• Loggia floor.

Penoplex is actively used for insulating rooms. You can attach it to the surface using bitumen mastics, polyurethane foam or dowel mushrooms. Consider the option of mounting on polyurethane foam.

Mounting on polyurethane foam

So. Waterproofing is done. Polyurethane foam is applied around the perimeter of the insulation board. It's enough. After application, wait a couple of seconds and fix the slab on the insulated surface. The next slab is laid end to end with the first one. After two days, you can additionally secure the slabs with dowels. Then the whole process is repeated in a similar order as described above. Finish at your own discretion. You can sew up the insulation boards with plastic panels; they look very original.

Additionally, we secure the slabs with dowels

Advice. If the balcony is intended only for storing essential items, then it is enough to insulate the walls in one layer. If you need to insulate more thoroughly, it is better to lay the insulation in two layers.

The process of insulating the balcony is completed. As you can see, there is nothing complicated about it. If you are just planning to do this work, then our article will help you. If you have already insulated the loggia yourself, then share your methods with readers in the comments.

The balcony is the most vulnerable room in an apartment, which often suffers from severe frost and wind. And if earlier it often served as a kind of storage room, storing all the necessary (and often even unnecessary) things, now many people turn the loggia into a full-fledged room.

The only difficulty that residents face is that in winter it is almost impossible to be on the balcony - frost and strong wind create a beautiful picture outside the window, but a cold atmosphere on the loggia. However, today this problem can be prevented. A huge amount of thermal insulation materials make it easy and quick to insulate a balcony with your own hands.

Today, there are a huge number of options for how to insulate a balcony from the inside. The choice of one option or another may depend on many factors:

1. The amount you are willing to spend on insulation.
2. Climate.
3. Type of construction.
4. Your personal preferences.
5. Resistance of the material to frost, wind, moisture.

One way or another, before you start insulating the loggia, it is important to study in detail all the popular materials. This is the only way you can choose the option that suits you perfectly. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most common insulation materials.

Expanded clay

It is made of clay, therefore it is considered an environmentally friendly and safe material. Expanded clay is small and light porous granules. Such weight and structure of the material can be achieved thanks to a special clay firing technology. The raw materials are first heated to approximately 1000 degrees, as a result of which voids are formed inside, providing heat and sound insulation. Expanded clay is used to insulate walls, floors, ceilings or even the foundation of a country house.

Advantages:

• affordable price;
• long service life;
• resistance to mold and mildew;
• the ability to take the required form;
• light weight.

Flaws:

• increased degree of moisture permeability;
• rather complicated installation of the material;
• Expanded clay is used primarily for floor insulation and is not suitable for other surfaces.

Mineral wool

The most common insulation for walls and floors. Outwardly, it resembles a thick canvas, which consists of many molecules chaotically intertwined. The raw materials for mineral wool are glass, rocks or slag. In order for the fibers to be reliably connected to each other, they are impregnated with special mixtures based on oils and alcohol. Mineral wool itself is divided into several other types:

• glass wool (consists of glass, stove and limestone);
• stone wool (made from basalt rocks);
• slag wool (made from blast furnace slag).

Advantages:

• low level of thermal conductivity;
• compliance with all fire safety standards;
• is not affected (deformed) by sudden temperature changes, heating and cooling;
• resistance to chemical and mechanical damage;
• vapor permeability;
• easy to install.

Flaws:

• moisture permeability (which can be reduced using special water-repellent agents);
• heavy weight.

Styrofoam

Perhaps the lightest thermal insulation material. It is a foamed mass that is more than 90% filled with air. It is thanks to this technology that it is possible to achieve good results and high quality. The popularity of polystyrene foam as insulation is also due to the large selection of materials. It is divided into the following categories:

• sheet;
• foam in balls;
• extruded polystyrene foam (which we will talk about a little later);
• liquid foam;
• foam formwork.

Advantages:

• low cost compared to other insulation materials;
• light weight of the material;
• good thermal insulation properties, allowing the use of more thin layer insulation;
• versatility (suitable for insulating floors, ceilings and walls);
• long service life (up to 30 years);
• resistance to the appearance of harmful microorganisms;
• easy to install.

Flaws:

• release of toxic substances during combustion;
• poor vapor barrier;
• release of harmful substances even at high temperatures (applies to cheaper options);
• absorbs moisture;
• unstable to mechanical and chemical damage.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Today, many people prefer to insulate their balcony with polystyrene foam. This material is a subtype of polystyrene foam and is also characterized by its low weight and good thermal insulation properties. Comparing polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam, it can be noted that the materials have both common features, and some differences. For example, the texture of the latter is not granular, but more even.

Advantages:

• low degree of vapor permeability;
• material strength;
• lack of water absorption, which allows the use of polystyrene foam without preliminary waterproofing;
• low degree of thermal conductivity;
• compliance with all fire safety requirements (non-flammability);
• resistance to high and low temperatures;
• environmental friendliness;
• ease of installation;
• resistance to mechanical damage.

Flaws:

• poor vapor barrier;
• high cost of material;
• instability to sunlight (corrected by special treatment of the material);
• additional costs for arranging the frame or purchasing glue.

Polyurethane foam

The basis for polyurethane foam is a subtype of plastic that has a foamed structure. Like some previous insulation materials, this material consists of 90% of a gaseous substance with which all its cells are filled. Usage various technologies helped create several types of polyurethane:

1. Elastic (in other words, foam rubber), which fills sofas and armchairs, and is also used to make washcloths, shoe linings, etc.
2. Hard – actively used for heat and sound insulation of a house.

Advantages:

• mounted on any material (concrete, metal, glass, wood, brick, etc.);
• light weight that does not weigh down the surface;
• can significantly strengthen the surface;
• resistance to sudden temperature changes, extreme heat and frost;
• compliance with all fire safety requirements;
• Thanks to the one-piece design, no seams or joints appear on the surface.

Flaws:

• not resistant to sunlight;
• although the material does not burn, it open fire begins to smolder strongly. Therefore, you should not install polyurethane foam in rooms with a high risk of overheating or fire.

Penofol

It is one of the most innovative insulation materials for balconies. This material consists of several layers:

1. Self-extinguishing polyethylene foam.
2. Aluminum foil.

Unlike previous insulation materials, penofol is not able to absorb heat. Thanks to the foil, it works on a different principle, namely, it reflects thermal radiation. The material, in turn, is divided into several types:

1. Type “A” - the foil is located on one side of the insulation.
2. Type “B” – with foil on both sides.
3. Type “C” – with a special self-adhesive insert.

Advantages:

• versatility. The material is used to insulate the walls of the floor and ceiling of the balcony. In addition, it is great for both interior and exterior decoration;
• low level of vapor permeability;
• provides high-quality sound insulation;
• light weight and thin structure;
• ease of installation;
• environmental friendliness;
• compliance with all fire safety standards.

Flaws:

• due to its high softness, penofol is not used when insulating walls under plaster;
• some types of penofol require fastening with special glue;
• will not be able to protect against severe frosts and is installed mainly as additional insulation.

Preparing for insulation of the balcony

In any repair or construction process, everything begins with the preparation of surfaces and territory. Therefore, before you insulate the balcony with your own hands, you will have to get rid of all the rubbish that is there. By the way, things that you plan to leave later also need to be moved to another room.

After the balcony is completely cleared of unnecessary things, you need to completely inspect the room. Firstly, it is important to understand which parts of the loggia require more thorough insulation. In addition, you need to pay attention to cracks and chips that allow cold air to pass through.

Important! Some balconies have a rather small area. And the thermal insulation material takes up space in the room. In this case, it is better to immediately determine the so-called “cold” and “warm” zones of the loggia and insulate only those that are more susceptible to frost and wind.

The balcony parapet especially needs insulation

Right now it is desirable to get rid of significant defects on surfaces. Large cracks can be sealed with putty or foam.

At the same stage, you should decide on the type of insulation for the balcony and stock up on all necessary tools. We'll talk about thermal insulation materials a little later. Now let's look at what tools you will need to insulate your balcony.

Tools for insulating a balcony:

Insulating a balcony with your own hands is a fairly simple and straightforward process. The main thing is to understand the sequence of work and stock up on the necessary tools. These include the following basic materials:

1. Insulation in the required quantity (calculation takes place in accordance with the number of layers and the area of ​​the balcony).
2. Cladding material for exterior finishing.
3. Polyurethane foam.
4. Waterproofing materials.
5. Adhesive mixtures.
6. Wooden or metal beams (for the frame).
7. Dowels, screws, nails of different sizes.
8. Metallized tape for sealing seams.

In some specific cases you may also need:

• drill;
• perforator;
• scissors;
• hammer;
• building level;
• rollers;
• spatulas, etc.

Here everything will depend on the finishing of the loggia.

Ceiling insulation

If you are planning to insulate a balcony with your own hands, then it is best to start from the ceiling and move further from top to bottom. Of course, if the ceiling of your loggia is the floor of your neighbors, then the process of protecting the room from frost and wind is much simpler. However, if the roof is independent, then a little effort should be made to insulate it.

To best protect your balcony from cold and wind, we recommend performing the work in the following sequence:

1. Spraying or special film for sound insulation.
2. . In this case, the most popular materials are polyvinyl chloride or polyester.
3. A special membrane that protects from wind. It freely allows steam to pass through, which is released from the insulation, but helps to completely isolate the ceiling from wind and drops that can enter the room along with it.
4. Anti-condensation material that protects the insulation from the formation of water droplets.
5. Frame (metal or wood of your choice). The sheathing is an optional element. The insulation can be installed using special glue. The main thing is to make sure that the mixture does not contain toluene. For greater reliability when fastening sheets, use dowels.
6. . We recommend that you use polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam or mineral wool. They provide good protection from the cold and are easy to install, which is especially important when insulating a balcony ceiling.
7. Vapor barrier for insulation. It does not allow water vapor to pass inside, which significantly increases the thermal insulation properties of the material.

Floor insulation

The initial stage of insulating the balcony floor is installing waterproofing on the surface. Polyethylene or penofol will do this role perfectly. Be sure to hide all seams between sheets with tape. This way you can be sure that the balcony is protected as much as possible from dampness.

Tip: If you use one-sided penofol (type “A”), install it with the reflective layer facing down.

Another popular option for waterproofing the floor on the balcony is bitumen mastic. However, do not forget that such material dries for about 24 hours.

After waterproofing, you should install a frame or, in other words, logs. For this, wood or metal is used. The main thing is to choose as much as possible quality material, capable of serving for many years.

Tip: If you are installing wooden beams, make sure that the moisture content does not exceed 12%. Also for that. To prevent the appearance of fungus, we recommend that you treat the beams with an antiseptic or a special primer.

The beams are laid at a distance equal to the width of one sheet of insulation. As for the height of the beams, it is usually 10-15 cm. To prevent gaps that appear between the logs and the balcony wall, ordinary polyurethane foam is used.

After installing the logs, you can proceed directly to installing the insulation. Make sure that there are no even the smallest gaps between the sheets (or slabs) and the frame. Otherwise, your work will not bring the desired result. In some cases, the insulation is laid in several layers (for greater protection). Then it is important that the seams between the plates are not in the same place. That is, the material needs to be laid with a slight offset.

Wall insulation

In the process of insulating the floor on the balcony, it will not be superfluous to immediately take care of the walls. So, for example, when creating a waterproofing layer, line it around the entire perimeter of the room. This will make your future work much easier.

1. Create a sheathing from wooden beams. The distance between them and the width of each beam should correspond to the dimensions of the insulation.
2. Install thermal insulation material. Most often chosen for walls traditional options- mineral wool (or glass wool), polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, penofol (or isolon). For greater reliability, we recommend combining several thermal insulation materials (for example, polystyrene foam and mineral wool).
3. If there are cracks and large seams, polyurethane foam is used. With its help you can reliably protect your balcony from cold and wind.
4. Don't forget to install a vapor barrier layer on the insulation.

Important! Most often, the wall that connects the balcony and the room (living room, kitchen, etc.) is insulated with one layer. While on external walls You should install at least two layers of insulation or use a denser thermal insulator.

Insulation of windows on the balcony

If you want to insulate your balcony from the inside as efficiently as possible, you should never forget about the windows. After all, even the highest quality thermal insulation materials for walls, ceilings and floors will not bring any benefit if the wind breaks through the cracks in the window opening.

If your balcony has not been glazed all this time, you should pay special attention to the wall that protects it from the street. The parapet (that’s what this wall is called) must be strong enough to support the frames and double-glazed windows. In some cases, it is better to further strengthen this part of the loggia. There are two options for strengthening the parapet:

1. Brick. The simplest method, which, however, is not particularly reliable and durable.
2. Reinforced with steel rods. Use thick iron bars and cement. This method is a little more complicated than the previous one, but several times more reliable.

Before glazing the balcony, you must select the material from which the window frames will be made. Of course, the most popular today are PVC structures. However, some modern manufacturers produce wooden or aluminum frames, which are in no way inferior to plastic ones (except that they are more expensive).

Classic wooden frames practically not airtight. Therefore, it will be impossible to insulate the balcony with their help. Therefore, it is better to use them in areas with a warmer climate.

As for aluminum structures, then they are able to retain heat much better than wood. In addition, they are also resistant to rust and corrosive processes. However, the most optimal option (if price-quality ratio is considered as a criterion) are plastic windows. They're not afraid high humidity and temperature changes. In addition, such structures have good thermal conductivity. Therefore, if you want to insulate your balcony, choose PVC windows. The most common types of structures today are:

• casement windows;
• double sash windows;
• extended profiles.

Advice: If you do not have the time or financial opportunity to update the balcony glazing, you can try to insulate the opening using special materials (spray foam, foam rubber, etc.).

Additional insulation methods

If you live in an area with a cold climate, insulation alone on the balcony may not be enough. After all, even the highest quality heat insulators are sometimes unable to protect against severe frosts. Therefore, on cold winter days, you can organize additional insulation of the balcony.

For example, install an ordinary electric heater. For greater effect, it should be placed near the wall connecting the balcony and the apartment itself.

Important! Never place the heater near windows. The condensation that will be released during the process can greatly damage the glass unit.

If you do not want to install additional heating devices, but carry out central heating It is strictly prohibited to go onto the balcony; you can install a “warm floor” system on the loggia. It will last for decades, creating a comfortable temperature even in the cold season. In addition, today many such systems are equipped with a special thermostat that helps you choose the most optimal mode.

Another option for additional insulation is air conditioning. In addition to the fact that it will heat the loggia in winter, it will also be able to cool the air on summer days. However, using an air conditioner has one rather important disadvantage - it will not be able to properly warm the floor on the balcony. Therefore, the warm floor still wins.

Tip: Installation of heated floors is another expense item. You should not rely only on your own strength, since installing the system is a rather complicated process. It is better to entrust the work to professionals.

When protecting the room from cold air and strong wind, do not forget that it is also important to organize good ventilation on the balcony. With hermetically sealed cracks this will be a little more difficult. Therefore, we recommend that you periodically ventilate the loggia for a more comfortable stay on it.

If you live in a cold climate, pay attention to the “breezer” type ventilation system, which supplies purified air from the street, preheating it to the temperature you need.

Breezer ventilation system operation process

Common mistakes when insulating

When organizing balcony insulation yourself, you may not take into account many important nuances. As a rule, people make fairly predictable and common mistakes, including:

• preparing the room (clearing space, removing trash, etc.);
• ceiling repair (if necessary);
• cleaning surfaces (walls and floors) from previous coatings, dust and dirt;
• restoration of walls and floors (if necessary);
• applying an antiseptic that prevents mold;
• balcony glazing;
• balcony waterproofing;
• sealing all seams and cracks;
• electrical wiring;
• installation of insulation (from top to bottom - from the ceiling to the walls and only then to the floor);
• finishing of the loggia;
• installation of furniture and lighting.

Sequence of materials when insulating a balcony