Heating the balcony and loggia with a warm floor

It is rational to equip a warm floor on the balcony only if you understand all the features of installation. In some cases, it is undesirable to use this heating method without the main one, since it will be too expensive.

Is it possible to heat the balcony with a warm floor

A balcony or loggia, where there is an optimal microclimate for living conditions, can play the role of additional space. Usually a small dining or guest area is set up here. It is possible to heat this room with one warm floor. But for this you need to first insulate the balcony structure. To organize this correctly, you need to take into account some features:

• the constant temperature on the loggia should be in the range of 22-25 degrees;
• it is better to install plastic double-glazed windows as windows;
• periodic heating of the floor will be rational if there are indoor plants in the room;
• when arranging for proper heating, a valve (floor heating regulator) must be provided.

If the walls of the balcony are too thin, even the thickest insulation is not able to keep the generated energy from heating. This will require the installation of an additional stationary battery section.

Advantages and disadvantages of underfloor heating

When installing a warm floor, all the air in a small room heats up evenly. Therefore, even a comfortable temperature will be kept under the ceiling. Such conditions are suitable for pleasant leisure and indoor landscaping. Also, the main advantages include:

• durability of the structure;
• emits a sufficient amount of energy;
• does not require the involvement of specialists for installation;
• works from a centralized or electric heating device;
• not picky about care, hidden under the floor covering;
• mounted under a thick layer of concrete (this makes it possible to level the floor).

In a small room, in order to avoid heat and dryness, it is necessary to install underfloor heating pipes at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other.

The disadvantages of this heating system include:

• administrative fines if water heaters are installed;
• the mass of the floor during installation increases by 10-15%, which is unsafe for multi-storey buildings;
• installation is time-consuming and requires careful surface preparation.

It is possible to bypass the sanctions and legally equip the floor in the loggia if its area does not exceed 2.2-2.5 sq.m.

Which option to choose

Floor heating on the balcony can be carried out in different ways: water, electric, film. Each of them has its own characteristics that you need to remember when choosing.

Water heat-insulated floor

Such equipment is characterized by a complex installation process. A lot of additional materials are used for it: reflector, vessels, plugs, clamps. This option is suitable for apartments with centralized heating. It can be connected to a stationary boiler or work autonomously.This design is in most cases unacceptable for equipment in high-rise buildings due to its heavy weight.

Electric

Electric heating is quite complicated and expensive. To lay it, you need to equip special channels and stock up on fasteners. It is mounted in the same way as a water one - a snake. Be sure to install a thermostat in the kit. It controls the temperature and makes it possible to correct it. Such a system does not overheat and does not collect air. A separate socket with a power of 220-380 Volts is installed for this heater, depending on the type of wiring in the house.

Film or infrared

The heating element is a thin film equipped with graphite rods that perform the heating function. These conductors take on the current from the electricity. Floor heating is uniform and efficient. This design is more suitable for arrangement in small spaces. Heating a sufficient floor area will require a lot of energy.

What are the requirements for the balcony

The rough surface of the balcony floor must meet certain requirements. They must be provided before installing the heating structure. The following conditions must be met:

• perfectly flat preliminary coating - checked with a level in different positions relative to the walls;
• if a concrete screed was poured, it must dry completely, otherwise the entire structure may deform;
• a hydro-barrier and a reflector must be placed under the heating “snake”.

The listed requirements apply to any type of heating equipment.

Installation of underfloor heating on the balcony

There are several stages of work for this design. It is important to observe them in order for the warm floor to work efficiently.

Surface preparation

If the balcony has not been repaired and only a concrete slab acts as a floor, it must be prepared for the creation of an additional screed. For this, beacons are installed and cement mortar is poured. This work makes it possible to level the slope.

Laying material and heating system

After the concrete screed has completely dried, you can proceed with the installation of the warm floor.

1. The reflective sheet is laid, it does not need additional fastening.
2. On top of the reflector, small clamps must be fastened to the self-tapping screws every 10 cm in several rows.
3. Underfloor heating pipes are installed in the fasteners. Both ends are led out to the place of connection with the heating equipment.
4. The structures are welded together, water is preliminarily drained from the heating system.
   
5. All batteries and pipes are vented (air locks are removed).
6. The main screed is poured for laying tiles or laminate, after drying, the facing is made.

All concrete surfaces must be moderately thick. If you just need to level the floor for finishing, it is advisable that the layer of mortar does not exceed 1-2 cm.

When installing an infrared floor under a laminate with low thermal conductivity, the concrete screed is not poured. The cladding is done directly onto the substrate on top of the energy emitter. The location of the socket must be calculated, as well as the sufficient length of the electrical cable.

What errors can you face

Many novice craftsmen believe that it is impossible to completely heat even a small room with a warm floor. Such a result is possible in the case of incorrectly performed preliminary work and insulation. It is important to be aware of common mistakes that are easier to prevent than to eliminate later.

• The installed radiator on the balcony does not match the size of the window. It should have a width similar to the length of the window sill.
• There is no calculation of energy loss.It must be done without fail before the "snake" of the warm floor is laid.
• Incorrect pipe spacing can also affect the functionality of the installed equipment. It should not exceed 20 cm.
• Poor or no isolation. If there is no reflector before laying the tubular floor, as a rule, all the heat will go down.
• Lack of expansion gaps. Under the influence of heat, the screed will begin to expand and the finish coat will burst.
• An incorrect circulation pump will result in increased energy consumption. The energy carrier must circulate evenly throughout the system.

If the balcony is equipped with a heated floor under the covering, do not lay carpets or paths on top. They take all the heat energy on themselves. As a result, the room will be cold.

Warming the walls of the balcony before laying the warm floor

For the structure to work properly, it is important to choose the optimal insulation. It is better to give preference to options with a rigid structure. In most cases, expanded polystyrene is used for this purpose. It is fixed with PVA glue, as well as using special mounting fungi.

The use of underfloor heating for apartment balconies is acceptable, provided that the infrared or electric option is selected. The water type of the heater is allowed only in private houses with a foundation, since the structure of the warm floor is multi-layered and quite heavy.