How to make ventilation on the balcony and loggia with your own hands

Glazing of loggias and balconies is very popular, since it becomes possible to equip an additional insulated room. But when planning work, you need to take care of the organization of ventilation of the balcony. Without it, there is a problem of condensation, high humidity. All these factors provoke the appearance of mold and fungi, which negatively affect the health of residents.

Problems in the absence of ventilation on the balcony and loggia

Balcony ventilation will ensure the safe living of people in the apartment and extend the life of furniture and building materials. If the doors and windows are hermetically closed, the humidity level rises due to the temperature difference outside and in the room. An ideal breeding ground for fungi and bacteria is created. The walls are covered with mold, condensation is constantly observed on the glass. To avoid these problems, you need to take care of high-quality ventilation on the glazed loggia.

Varieties and organization of ventilation on the balcony

Before the advent of metal-plastic windows, problems with forced ventilation never arose. Thanks to the structure of the material, the wooden frames ensured constant air exchange in a natural way.

When glazing loggias and balconies with metal-plastic windows, ventilation must be done. It can be of three types.

Natural ventilation

The easiest way to ventilate a room is to provide a natural flow of air through open windows. For this, it is recommended to install plastic windows with several opening positions. To keep the ventilation on the balcony constant, you can leave the sash on micro-ventilation. The glass unit will move 2 mm away from the frame, this distance is enough to ensure optimal air flow.

This method has its drawback. Dust flies into the room through open windows and street noise is heard.

Supply and exhaust

A supply valve to the balcony is one way to get rid of mold. Supply and exhaust devices are mounted on windows or in walls. These are thin elongated structures that do not spoil the appearance, as they are absolutely invisible.

The main feature of the valves is that they provide constant air exchange, but at the same time the room is completely protected from dust and dirt.

Installing the fans

Installation of fans on the wall of the building from the street side is also an effective method of ventilation equipment. If the balcony is small, you can install one fan that will simultaneously work at the exit and at the entrance. If the loggia is large in size, two fans are recommended. One will be responsible for the hood, the second for the supply. The hood on the balcony should be placed on top, the second device is mounted on the bottom.

DIY installation

You can make ventilation on the balcony yourself. There are three ways to place the supply system:

• only at the top;
• just below;
• immediately below and above.

The last option is the most optimal, as it provides maximum exhaust.

For work you will need to prepare:

• puncher;
• fans.

Holes for fans are made in the walls. The devices are inserted into the prepared openings. To ensure air flow, one fan needs to blow in air and the other blows out. It is recommended to initially consider a removable installation option in order to remove the devices for the winter.

Ventilation on the balcony with plastic windows

The best option to make a hood on a balcony with plastic windows is to install a valve. It's easy to do the work yourself. The valve is a three-piece device:

• An outdoor air intake unit that will be installed on the frame from the street side. It is important to install a visor on top to protect the unit from precipitation.
• Telescopic sleeves, which are located in the inner part. They need to be installed in the frame profile. To do this, you first need to drill a hole.
• Indoor block - it is considered the most difficult part. This element consists of a nozzle through which the passage of air into the room will be provided, a filter and a special mechanism that regulates the throughput of the valve. The block is installed to the profile opposite the external element.

If such a ventilation method is organized on the balcony, it is necessary for the exhaust pipe to function well.

There are two types of window valves:

• mechanical;
• manual.

The first ones are controlled by means of a built-in electric actuator, which opens and closes the valve, thereby regulating air exchange. The manual valves are operated with a rope. They are considered the most difficult to manage, since it is difficult to find the necessary inflow the first time. Due to incorrect adjustment, the valve can freeze in winter.

Among the air valves, there are models that are not inserted into the holes, but instead of part of the sealing rubber bands. Thus, air will pass through the leaky areas between the frame and the sash. This option is considered the most economical.

Heat recovery ventilation

One of the most advanced air circulation systems is forced ventilation with a recuperator. The main feature of the operation of such a system is the minimum energy costs. The air coming from the street is heated by a recuperator. The process takes place due to the heat in the extract air. Then the temperature reaches a comfortable level.

The ventilation system based on the recuperator is the most economical, multifunctional and modern, it meets all standards. Thanks to its installation, a stream of clean air is provided at the optimum temperature for a person. Simultaneously with heating, air masses are cleaned.

Improving the ventilation efficiency on the balcony

Additional measures will help to make the ventilation efficiency more pronounced. First of all, it is recommended to insulate the balcony in order to increase the temperature on the glass inside. Having created such conditions, you can forget about condensation.

To create optimal temperature conditions, it is recommended to do the following:

• Install an infrared or convector heater on the loggia. It is desirable that he had a function to set a certain temperature regime.
• During the overhaul of the balcony, you can insulate the walls and ceiling. It is best to use mineral wool or expanded polystyrene for these purposes. All cracks on the balcony must be sealed with polyurethane foam.

Thanks to high-quality insulation, the temperature inside the loggia will not drop below 18 degrees, therefore, condensation will not form.

You can fight condensation not only by installing good ventilation, insulation of walls and ceilings, but also by other methods:

• install canopies above the balconies, this is important to avoid the adhesion of snow to the glass;
• eliminate all leaks;
• adjust the drain.

Until ventilation is established, you should not grow winter gardens on loggias. This will inevitably lead to the formation of condensation.

Features of ventilation in winter

Ventilation on a loggia with double-glazed windows becomes most important in winter. The difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures increases, resulting in increased condensation.

If there was a fan on the balcony, with the onset of cold weather, cooled air begins to flow through the blades. This leads to the fact that the atmosphere becomes uncomfortable. To avoid this problem, it is recommended to use only natural ventilation during winter.

The fan must be removed and the ventilation grill on the balcony closed. This can be done with a chipboard sheet, which should be larger in size than the hole from the device. Often, the fan is not removed, but simply a plug is installed on top of it. Equipment with doors can be found commercially. This is the best option for installation on a loggia.

Ventilation on the loggia and balcony is essential. With its help, an optimal microclimate is maintained, which allows you to keep furniture and finishing materials intact, and also preserves the health of the residents of the apartment.