How to insulate a floor on the balcony

Qualitatively, the equipped balcony considerably increases the usable space, which is so lacking in urban apartments.The main condition for this arrangement is competent insulation, which can be done on their own.The most time-consuming stage - floor insulation on the balcony, so the time it takes longer.Starting with the work necessary to study the characteristics of popular heaters and methods of installation.

Features balcony insulation

Since balcony protrudes, floor slabs are continually exposed to the environment.They freeze, heated by the sun, pulling moisture from the air and from this more and more destroyed.If the insulation of the floor lay a heavy material, and pour on top of a thick layer of concrete screed, floors can not stand and collapse.It promotes collapse and improper training base, for example, if the damage to the reinforcing frame plate itself.

To avoid such complications, before starting work should very carefully check the condition of the balcony slabs, the integrity of all of its structures, to calculate the maximum allowable load.

And take into account the need not only the weight of the insulation, screed and topcoat, but also the weight of the parapet, windows, walls and ceiling, as well as furniture, which will be decorated with a balcony.According to regulations, etc. Permissible load on the balcony slab is 200 kg / m2, provided that satisfactory state plates.

What better insulation

Most often balcony insulated with mineral wool, Penoplex, penofolom and foam - light and easy to use materials.

Mineral wool retains heat very well, do not miss the street noise, does not burn and does not emit harmful fumes, it does not damage the rodents.

layer of cotton wool 4 cm thick for insulation properties corresponds to the masonry thickness of 60 cm. It is produced in rolls and slabs, stacked easily, is long.But at the same mineral wool it is a very hygroscopic material, and after wetting completely loses its ability to retain heat.In addition, the porous structure contributes to the development of microorganisms that adversely affects the structural strength and microclimate balcony.Avoid this helps high-quality waterproofing of floors and insulation.

Penoplex and foam have similar properties.They are available in slabs of different thickness and density, the installation does not require much effort, but this is years of insulation.Due to the presence of flame retardants in the composition, these materials do not burn, that is also a big plus.Penoplex difference from the foam in a more dense structure, high thermal insulation properties and chemical inertness, so it is much more expensive.

penofol called polyethylene foam, coated on one or both sides of the aluminum foil.It is available in rolls with a thickness of 3 mm to 10 mm, at the junction of connected aluminum tape.Material perfectly muffles sounds and does not pass moisture, but does not have the highest thermal insulation properties.For greater efficiency, its styling is done with another heater, for example, polystyrene plates.

Getting Started

preparatory phase is very responsible, because of the quality of the floor warming depends largely.Cracks in the ceiling, mold in the corners, large bumps on the concrete base will reduce the effectiveness of insulation at times, money and time will be wasted.Therefore, you should work hard and prepare balcony conscience.

Step 1. Removing the cover

boards, linoleum or other cover is removed and endure.If the floor is tiled and has no defects and chips, simply cleaned of dust and debris.Cracked and all loose concrete screed need to bring down to the very floor slabs, cracks on the floor perimeter embroider and clear of debris.

Step 2. Repair work

remove the old flooring, you should carefully examine the slabs and assess their condition.You also need to check the strength and integrity of the parapet, the joints of the balcony with the house wall.If necessary, reinforce the construction, sealed seams with a solution or foam is blown.Some defects in the plates overlap is eliminated by building mixtures, if the base surface is too rough, it is better to make a new layer of screed 3-4 cm. When reinforcing floors, carried out insulation ceiling, walls and windows, but without finishing.

Step 3. floor Waterproofing

dry and clean surface is coated with primer anddried again, and then laid a waterproof membrane or a conventional plastic film.The edges of the film is required to give birth to 10 cm on the wall and fix a stapler;adjacent pieces of film lay lapped and glued seams with tape.You can use the surface waterproofing: dust-free screed treated liquid mastic bitumen, dried, applied another layer.After drying putty floor paint special polymer mixture.

procedure for warming the floor

To work required:

• jigsaw;
• drill with paddle;
• foam;
• insulating material;
• foam;
• building knife;
• pencil, tape measure;
• plywood;
• primer for wood;
• bars 50x50 mm;
• screws.

Step 1: Laying the first layer

Take sheets of insulation, (penofol or sheet polystyrene) customize size and placed on a waterproof film.Care should be taken so that the corners and joints had no gaps - through them will penetrate the cold.The joints between slabs must not be the same for each sheet of the shift to the side.

Step 2: Install the lag

treated with antiseptic bars are cut on the floor width and is mounted on a heater.The last beams should be placed at the walls, intermediate -. Every 50-60 cm Then put on the joists and level the horizontal check.All the boards put up on the level, and then fix them with screws in at least 4 places.The last screws screwed at a distance of 7 cm from the ends of the boards.

Step 3. Laying of the second layer of insulation

now between the joists must be firmly put a second layer of material.Insulation is cut to size of cells and alternately inserted between logs, trying not to make gaps.The thermal insulation shall not rise above the bars, this will prevent the installation finish.The resulting gaps with foam blown.

Step 4. Fine finishing

If insulationmineral wool is used, need another layer of waterproofing that protects the insulation from condensation from the room.such protection is not necessary for the foam and polystyrene foam.On top of the joists stuffed plywood, pre-primed and the dried, or boards 30 mm thick.You can also close the insulation or semi-dry screed, but it will increase the burden on the overlap.Plywood and boards can be covered with linoleum, laminate laid on them or make a simple wooden floor.

Warming penofolom and polystyrene

the combined insulation procedure works a bit different:

• unwound roll penofol and cut a piece on the balcony length+ 40 cm;
• stack material on a clean and dry surface, having got to the edge of the balcony wall;
• joints sealed with aluminum tape;
  

  Laying penofol

• sawn timber on the balcony of the width;
• establish extreme lags at a distance of 5 cm from the walls;
  

  laying the lag on penofol

  

  laying the lag on penofol

  

  Lags laid on top of the layer penofol

• departing from the first lag of 50 cm, secure the second, and so on until the opposite wall;
• beams check location level, bolted to the floor;
• gaps between the beams is filled with polystyrene plates on the beam thickness, the joints zapenivayut;
  

  Laying polystyrene

  

  Laying polystyrene lag between cells

• penofol again cut off and placed it on the insulation foil up glued joints.

This warming process ends and begins assembling the finished floor.If you do everything according to the rules, a balcony room will remain dry and warm even in the bitter cold.But the appearance of condensate will testify properly chosen thickness of insulation or poorly made waterproof.

Polyurethane foam is sprayed

	Insulation Thermal conductivity Thermal insulation (W / m · 0C)
mineral (basalt) cotton	0,034-0,040
polyurethane foam slab	0,022-0,026
	0,019-0,030
styrofoam (polystyrene)	0,038-0,042
Penofol	0,047-0,050

Video - how to insulate the floor on the balcony