How to insulate a balcony with his hands - step by step guide from A to Z

Warm balcony - it's not just a small full bathroom, and a kind of "barrier" between the living room and outside air.With the onset of cold weather is clearly felt in those apartments where the owners have spent quality insulation balcony or loggia.There is an opinion that it is sufficient to establish the frame and hold the glazing - and the problem is solved.This approach is rather simplistic as reliable insulation - is a series of events, which is to understand in detail.

preparatory part

Any work begins with a thorough cleaning of all the necessary and unnecessary.Balcony must remain completely empty, in "pristine" form - no cladding, flooring, and so on.What is it for?

First , you must make a visual check of the status of all surfaces - walls and slabs (as a balcony and located above).This will reveal all resulting defects (splits, sinks, exposed reinforcement bars).Naturally, such shortcomings should be handled.

Second , «their» plate special attention.It is desirable to explore all sides.This is done with the neighbors on the floor below the balcony.Perhaps the discovery of the damage are not subject to elimination.That is why only after the analysis of its willingness to carry the load (which one?) Is the choice of materials and, accordingly, determined the method of their installation.Therefore, it is not necessary to copy friends who spent warming "in such a way and are very happy."

Third , it should be understood that any material eventually collapses.That means that the stove and the wall on the outside must be protected from harmful influences.This is especially true for the panel houses, as the product of w / b well absorb the liquid.

Fourth , the choice of methods and materials affect such factors as processing adjacent balconies (bottom, top, side).It's one thing if they were in some degree insulated, and another - if, for him "the wind blows."

acquisition

materials When you need to take into account the following factors:

• mounting method.Some balconies have to install the crate, and she has a certain weight;
• material thickness depends on how useful decrease terrace area;
• to what extent warm (expediency of use in winter);
• thickness and material of the walls, especially climate.On this issue, it is desirable to consult with the "pros."Wrong choice of insulation will result in a shift of "dew point" so that the inner side of the wall will condense moisture "with all the consequences" (such as wet wallpaper, damp in the room).Therefore, "experts" advice about how best insulation material, do not need to be guided.Choice - a purely individual.

only after the analysis of all the information made the purchase of the corresponding heater and all necessary for its installation.Consider the features of most of the materials used for building insulation.

foam

is cheap, heat retains excellent, the moisture does not absorb, mounted just - on adhesive.But you need to achieve a flat surface.If on the floor, it may have to do a tie (if the state boards allow such a possibility), although some voids can simply "zapenit".In addition, it brittle, so you have to build crate.

Styrofoam

best to use extruded.From traditional foam is more durable.Therefore, when laying on the floor "protective" cage can not be mounted.

Penofol

In fact, this kind of polyethylene (foam only).The difference is that the plate on one side (roll) is pasted foil, which reflects the IF-radiation, thereby "knocking" heat flow back.Penofol advisable to warm the balcony wall, as we have already mentioned.

Polyurethane

excellent insulating material.But he applied the method of "boost", so do not do without special equipment.For example, the compressor is required.Such insulation to make their own unlikely to succeed.

mineral wool slabs

There is quite thin, and they are easy to install.But do not use the balcony.

First , absorbs liquid, so will have to strengthen waterproofing.

Second , requires natural ventilation of the material (for evaporation).So, you will have to make a gap over the coating, which is somewhat "skradet" a useful area.In addition, the void - a popular place for a variety of insects.

Third , have to equip high-quality vapor barrier (additional costs).

Fourth , limitations in the choice of cladding material.For example, decorative plaster will not put (without dopmeropriyaty - reinforcement and a number of others).

Stages of

assumed that all damage to the surfaces sealed, cemented and so on.Well, that balconies must already be glazed, not worth talking about.

circuit insulation

Protective measures to prevent

though slow, but inevitable destruction of the concrete (brick), preferably as a plate and a wall on the outside handle spetssostavami against mold and mildew (antiseptic).

Waterproofing

If possible, it is desirable to apply a means to prevent moisture absorption (penetration, impregnating waterproofing).It will cost more, but the quality will be higher.Cheaper way - to cover the surface of the web material (p / e film, various types of membranes more choice.).

Many sources recommend the use of a traditional roofing material.You have to understand that before it was virtually the only available material for waterproofing, but now some other times.This, even the best quality products in the most favorable conditions for more than 5 years will not serve.Many if there is a desire within 3 - 4 years to engage in repeated repair the balcony?

Insulation of the ceiling and walls

Given that these surfaces are not subjected to a load, and the crate can not be mounted.Method of fixing insulation - sticking.Thermal insulation of the ceiling considered in detail here.

In general, such a "design" is of the form:

waterproofing - insulation - vapor barrier (if applicable) - outer lining.

Winterizing floor

you can not do without battens.Generally, as the outer cover board is used, so technique frame arrangement (the interval between the joists, the thickness, a method of fixing to the floor) is selected based on the characteristics of insulation.Details of the balcony box can read the special article on this subject.

Practical recommendations

• Do not trust various "advertisers", managers of specialized companies who claim that they spend so much quality glazing with ... More options may vary, but the sense of a - "... if we will glaze the balcony,then your apartment will be like at the equator. "This is an obvious duplicity.Significantly reduce heat loss from the balcony can only be comprehensive.
• If you want to mount the supporting frame, the best option - metal profile of "galvanizing".Advantages over wooden slats not decays, weighs much less, much easier to fix.And the cost - low.
• works should be carried out only in the warm season, when the weather is dry.Many used "tools" for thermal insulation (for example, mixtures, adhesives, materials) have features to use.Including - and in terms of temperature and humidity.
• If the balcony glazing conducted independently, installing wooden frames, all slots need to "zapenit".Moreover, these products must be to "winter" application.
• All wood used should be not only well-dried, and processed by means of rot and fire.
• should not be used for finishing the balcony drywall, even if it is waterproof.

And the main thing.It makes no sense for each part of the balcony to use the same material.It should be guided by the appropriateness of its use in a particular place of installation.