Most houses do not provide heating on the balcony, so it is difficult to use this part of the apartment in winter. The solution to the problem is the insulation of the outer wall of the loggia, and, if necessary, the side walls. This reduces heat loss, it becomes much more comfortable in a room located next to the balcony.
- Two main ways to insulate a balcony
- Wet or plaster facade
- Ventilated dry facade
- Conditions for effective external insulation
- Material selection criteria
- Universal option - mineral wool
- Alternatives to mineral water
- Advantages and disadvantages of outdoor insulation
- Surface preparation for work
- Sequence of actions for dry method
- Required tools
Two main ways to insulate a balcony
The choice of the method of insulating the loggia so that it is warm in winter depends on the material from which the wall is made. In second place is the desired degree of thermal insulation: increasing the temperature in the room or preparing the balcony for year-round use. On the third - the aesthetic ideas of the owners.
During work, the material is attached in two different ways. The first one is from inside the loggia, it is technically simpler, but it reduces its area. The second is the insulation of the balcony from the outside. On the ground floor, such work is easy to do with your own hands, higher - you will need the help of specialists in high-rise work.
Wet or plaster facade
This method is called wet because it uses an adhesive surface. Suitable for insulating a loggia from the outside and from the inside. On a pre-prepared flat wall, apply in layers:
- construction glue;
- insulation;
- reinforcing mesh;
- plaster;
- decorative trim.
Each composition takes time to dry, after which you can move on to the next layer. The advantages of this option for insulating a loggia are durability, low load on the parapet and ease of use. Available even to a layman. Cons - suitable only for flat walls, picky about the weather during renovation: only in summer or early autumn, on dry warm days.
Ventilated dry facade
This technology for insulating loggias is suitable for outdoor work, since it takes up a lot of space.
A frame is used, there is a gap between it and the wall, allowing air to pass freely.
The advantages of a ventilated facade are reliable insulation, no condensation. Cons - weight, complexity of the structure, limited choice of materials.
Conditions for effective external insulation
Before insulating the balcony outside, you need to take three important steps:
- strengthen the parapet;
- replace double-glazed windows;
- coordinate work.
A parapet is a fence made of wood, metal or plastic. In old houses, it is not designed for the weight of new double-glazed windows and insulation. Without prior reinforcement, it will collapse. Used metal fittings, brick inside the balcony or a complete replacement of the parapet with brickwork.
Replacing double-glazed windows before insulating the balcony from the outside will help reduce heat loss. The reason for the penetration of cold air into the house is cracks. Wooden frames especially often suffer from this, but plastic ones are not devoid of such a disadvantage.
Structures on the outer wall of a building change its appearance, affect technical characteristics, and can cause inconvenience to neighbors. Therefore, such work requires approval. If there are no documents, the regulatory authorities may require the dismantling of the insulation.
External insulation of the balcony requires preparation - only then will it be effective and legal. Incorrect preliminary work will negate all thermal insulation efforts.
Material selection criteria
A number of requirements are imposed on the insulation, which it must meet:
- the effectiveness of thermal insulation;
- the ability to pass moisture from inside the room to the outside, but not from the street to the inside;
- chemical inertness;
- resistance to corrosion, decay, mechanical damage;
- lack of environment for the development of harmful microorganisms;
- durability;
- fire resistance.
It is impossible to insulate the balcony from the outside with materials that do not meet these requirements. If mistakes are made, the consequences will be unpleasant. At best, external insulation will quickly lose its appearance and working properties. At worst, it will become a source of danger for the tenants of the apartment.
Universal option - mineral wool
Insulation of the loggia with mineral wool is ideal for all requirements. This material is suitable for dry and wet methods, for work outside or inside the balcony. For a dry ventilated facade, mineral wool is the only completely safe material.
Manufacturers produce stone wool of different densities in order to properly organize the circulation of moisture when insulating a loggia. A denser layer is laid on the wall, a less dense layer - on the second or third level. So moisture leaves the room without hindrance, but does not penetrate from the street, and condensation does not form.
Alternatives to mineral water
In addition to mineral wool, other materials are used to insulate the outside plastic fence of the balcony. The most common of them are polystyrene and polystyrene foam. Styrofoam is cheap, resistant to moisture, bacteria do not develop in it. Serious disadvantage - it catches fire easily. Penoplex is durable (up to 40 years of service), resistant to moisture and mechanical damage. In case of fire, it melts, releasing toxic substances.
The material is selected based on the requirements of the apartment owners. In a damp climate, penoplex will be more effective. Minvata is a universal, but not the only solution.
Advantages and disadvantages of outdoor insulation
The advantages of balcony insulation are immediately noticeable: an increase in the temperature in the room next to the loggia and the ability to use additional living space. If you arrange heating (electric or oil heater), you can get a full-fledged small room.
The use of outdoor fashion:
- the area of the balcony remains the same;
- less risk of condensation;
- more effective thermal insulation.
Disadvantages - external insulation is laborious, specialists must install it on all floors above the first. Necessary agreement.
To insulate the balcony or not - the owner decides for his own taste. But when choosing a method of work, external factors should be taken into account.
Surface preparation for work
If all the conditions for work are met (the parapet is reinforced, the double-glazed windows are without cracks, permission has been received), it is time to start preparing the surface. Stages:
- remove the old insulation from the wall on the balcony, if any;
- align the wall;
- wash the surface, remove debris.
For the plastering (wet) method of insulation, the wall should be as flat as possible; for the ventilated method, it is enough to remove large flaws.
Sequence of actions for dry method
Stages of work on the device of ventilated insulation:
- sealing cracks;
- wall preparation;
- fastening mineral wool (plastic dowels are used) in several layers and a windproof film;
- installation of the lathing with a gap between it and the wall;
- installation of the outer layer.
A more economical option is to attach the crate to the wall, glue insulation between its ribs and reinforce it with a windproof film.
It is necessary to insulate the loggia in this way if it is constantly used, including in winter. In other situations, other methods will work.
Required tools
For plastering work, you will need brushes or sprayers for glue, levels, spatulas for plaster, containers for diluting solutions. It is inexpensive compared to the materials.
The dry method requires more various tools - for mounting the battens, fastening the insulation. Specialists have their own sets of tools, and the owner does not have to buy them.
The outer wall of the balcony can be insulated in several ways. For any of them, a work permit is required. To fully solve the problem of a cold balcony, you need to combine these technologies with insulation of the floor and ceiling of the loggia with mineral wool.
