Sealing and thermal insulation of balconies
Covering the entire inner surface of the balcony with thermal insulation materials is an important condition that ensures not only comfort, but also the safety of the cladding. After cleaning the surfaces of the old finish and installing double-glazed windows, you need to inspect the walls on the balcony, checking the seams and joints.
If possible, the old fill is removed and the holes are filled with professional foam; after hardening, the excess is removed and a primer is applied. Narrow cracks are closed with putty.
At the second stage, lathing and upholstery with shields or cotton wool insulators are done. The cheapest option is polystyrene foam, which is highly flammable, so it is worth considering other, safer materials (for example, penoplex), which will also provide sound insulation.
Depending on the configuration and quality of the building, the insulating layer is placed only on the parapet and side walls protruding from the facade.
On smooth walls, lathing is not necessary; the panels can be secured with glue and self-tapping screws.
Solid thick walls and partitions adjacent to the room may not require additional protection.
Lighting
Repairs on the balcony should begin with the installation of communications. You should consider in advance the location of switches, sockets, if necessary, and lighting equipment. To reliably protect the wiring from external damage, it is recommended to hide it in special cable channels.
If you plan to hang a beautiful wall lamp, you will have to pull the wiring from the nearest room. For a floor lamp, you can use an extension cord or a cable channel.
On the balcony you can use lanterns and lamps designed for installation in open areas. They are well suited for use in adverse climatic conditions.
Apartment owners often like to install table lamps in ethnic style on their balconies, which looks very original. Preference can also be given to a garland equipped with numerous light bulbs; it looks not only beautiful, but also romantic.
You can see the design ideas for a budget balcony renovation
Drywall - a universal choice
Plasterboard cladding is the easiest and most economical method, which involves further painting or wallpapering. To decorate the walls on the balcony, it is better to choose a moisture-resistant variety of this material - the surface of such panels is impregnated, protecting against fungi and mold.
Easy installation and the ability to cut out shaped elements will make it easier to create bright spots and align corners. Water-based paint will adhere perfectly to the flat surface of drywall.
Snow-white or light diluted tones of gray, beige, blue, light green on the walls of small (narrow or square) balconies expand the space and give some freedom in choosing furniture.
Decoration Materials
Even if the balcony is planned to be used for storing some things and drying laundry, it must be dry, warm, and have an aesthetic appearance. A competent choice of materials for finishing the balcony inside and carrying out the necessary insulation and landscaping work will help solve this problem.
When choosing insulation and balcony covering options, it is important to take into account several important factors. These include the type of building, the quality of the wall surface, the design and the final functional purpose of the balcony.
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It is recommended to use moisture-resistant plasterboard slabs where it is necessary to hide old walls with an uneven surface. The slabs are perfect as a basis for further decorative finishing.
Working with this material is simple; the slabs are attached using the dry method to a pre-prepared sheathing. The result is a smooth surface that requires virtually no finishing. It is easy to cover the slabs with a textured decorative film or paint them.
When planning to use a balcony as an additional living space, it must be properly insulated. The following are most often used for this:
- mineral wool;
- penofol;
- Styrofoam.
Building materials used for finishing balconies and loggias inside must meet certain technical requirements. In particular, they must be:
- safe for human health and pets;
- have a low thermal conductivity;
- be resistant to moisture and sun rays;
- have a long service life without loss of basic consumer qualities.
Interior design experts recommend decorating loggias and balconies in natural colors. It is appropriate to use dark shades for floor coverings, and walls are often decorated with materials that can reflect the rays of the sun.
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Plastic and vinyl for balconies
When purchasing plastic cladding panels or siding for cladding a balcony, you must take into account the frost resistance parameter; most are deformed at temperatures below +5°C.
With a wide choice of colors, plastic fades in the sun, you need to choose special PVC series for external walls. If the balcony is not on the sunny side, this economical option will be a good insurance against dampness.
Fashionable vinyl siding with a wide range of colors and textures imitating wood ensures quick assembly and durability.
The aesthetic minus is the external resemblance to the facade decoration of garages and kiosks, which can be removed with an original design solution.
Purpose of the balcony
First, let's decide on the purpose of the balcony:
- Balcony for relaxation;
- Study;
- Games area;
- Warehouse, etc.
The choice of one purpose or another for a balcony depends on the preferences of the owners and the size of the balcony itself. Of course, if the size of the balcony allows, then you can arrange everything here as you want. However, if the balcony is small, then you shouldn’t despair either. The main thing is to think everything through correctly and then even a small balcony can be equipped to suit all your wishes and possibilities.
Wooden clapboards
The elegance and comfort that wood cladding with a textured pattern provides cannot be overestimated. A classic and expensive option can be realized using ready-made decorative linings of class “A” or “Extra”, made of noble wood.
Do-it-yourselfers with carpentry experience can achieve the same results at a lower cost.
A selection of photos with such wall cladding on a balcony presents options for accent and fragmentary covering, as well as original ideas for a solid wooden balcony with transitions from walls to cabinets, cabinets and benches with soft seats.
This camouflage of furniture creates an original effect of an expanded and “blurred” space.
Preparing the balustrade
From a balustrade made of metal, you first need to remove the old layer of paint using sandpaper. Then prime the metal structure to prevent corrosion and paint it with alkyd enamel.
If the balustrade consists of a reinforced concrete base, it can be lined with plastic, painted or left in its original condition.
To decorate the balustrade, designers invented a unique technique that many people prefer to use today. You can cover the fence with wicker decor or bamboo covering. The use of inexpensive and original material will help radically change the interior of the balcony.
Ceramic tile
Durability, resistance to external influences, ease of keeping clean and a wide choice of colors, sizes and laying methods allow us to consider ceramic tiles as a convenient material for the design of walls and floors on the balcony. Mosaic bright and multi-colored compositions look especially impressive, which can be combined with a monochrome floor covering made of the same material.
Furniture
As furniture, you should feel free to use items that can visually replace it. For example, a small sofa can be built using pallets. The role of a cabinet can be perfectly fulfilled by a fruit box, which, if desired, can be opened with wood paint. If the apartment has old shelves, unnecessary shelves, chairs, they should be refreshed in any shade and assembled from them into a convenient original composition.
If you plan to purchase new furniture, preference should be given to furniture that is intended for use in the country. Folding inexpensive copies will help you cope with the task. The color palette can be changed at any time, since the cost of alkyd universal paints is quite reasonable.
MDF - neat and stylish
The development of technology has significantly improved the quality of fiberboards, which successfully imitate the texture of wood, stone, brick and textured plaster.
A variety of impregnations provide durability, moisture resistance and resistance to temperature changes.
The panels are attached to the sheathing; there is the option of using tongue-and-groove boards along the edges of which decorative slats are installed; there are slabs for butt installation.
PVC panels
Plastic panels for finishing the balcony inside give the structure a laconic look and harmonize perfectly with metal glazing.
The advantages of the material include:
- high hygiene;
- long service life;
- weather resistance;
- ease of installation.
The panels are mounted on the sheathing, carefully adjusting at the joints. For a cold balcony, it is recommended to use narrow panels (25 cm); they better withstand temperature changes.
A wide range of PVC panels allows you to create a stylish balcony design without major investments. The panels do not require additional protective treatment; the installation procedure is simple and does not require much time.
Laminate has similar technical indicators. It is often used to decorate walls and flooring. The process of finishing a balcony with laminate is no different from working with PVC panels.
Concrete and paint
This option saves not only finances, but also precious square centimeters of small balconies. This type of finishing can be done with your own hands, if you are willing to work patiently and step by step.
After cleaning the walls, the painstaking work of leveling and filling defects begins. In some cases, it is impossible to do without a layer of plaster on the reinforcing mesh, which eliminates distortions.
Before painting the walls, you need to protect yourself from high humidity by applying a layer of sealant to the entire surface of the concrete.
At the last stage, acrylic or oil paint is applied using rollers and brushes. You can use a pneumatic sprayer.
The only disadvantage of this finish is the absence of an additional thermal insulation layer, which is neutralized by the thoughtful arrangement of heating devices.
landscaping
Today you can easily purchase even exotic plants, but their prices can be exorbitant. Therefore, it will be much more economical to landscape the balcony on your own. To do this, you can grow various flowers and vines. You can use indoor plants as decoration; you just need to find out in advance which flowers can withstand various weather conditions. For example, it is good to grow annual plants in open space. When the balcony faces north, you can place cyclamen and ficus. If the side is south, succulents and cacti will come in handy.
Flower pots will look beautiful in pots or baskets of the same design. When these are not available, you can use a simple wooden box.
For vertical landscaping, you can use a lattice assembled from slats, or a regular chain-link mesh - for climbing plants this is the optimal solution that will serve as an excellent support. The cost of this product is quite cheap.
Below are photos of how you can beautifully decorate a balcony with the help of plants and flowers.
Features of choice
The desired color scheme can be obtained using any materials and finishing methods, but the answer to the question of how to decorate the walls on the balcony largely depends on the inclusion of this area in the living space.
A balcony fenced off from the room by a low barrier wall can merge with it, but it is necessary to ensure uniformity by making simultaneous cosmetic repairs.
Zoning while maintaining the general style may also be an acceptable solution. When designing balconies with doors or walls that block the view, you can enjoy greater freedom.
A secluded corner, even with a small area, can be designed autonomously, especially in cases where it has a separate function as a bedroom, office, place for coffee, etc.
Wall decoration
We will consider the most popular materials used for wall decoration, the practical part, that is, we will not touch upon measurements and installation details. Not because we want to keep this knowledge secret from you, but because it will not be difficult for you.
Tree
Perhaps wood is the most popular option for decorating the walls of balconies and loggias, known to us since Soviet times. The most commonly used is the so-called “wooden lining”. It has a rather “presentable” appearance and recreates the interior of country house buildings.
But the choice of wood from which the lining is made should be approached responsibly. For example, coniferous trees (pine, spruce) are not particularly durable.
In addition, there is the so-called “eurolining”, divided into classes “A”, “B” and “C”. Working with eurolining is somewhat easier than with “regular” lining, and, in turn, the class tells us about the immediate quality of the material.
In order for such a finish to last as long as possible, which is what you are undoubtedly interested in, it should be properly reinforced using self-tapping screws.
Of the significant advantages of this finishing material, we highlight the following:
- attractive appearance;
- ease of installation work;
- the ability to replace a damaged segment if necessary;
- a wide range of different types of wood.
"Vinyl lining"
“Siding” or “vinyl lining” is an equally common finishing material. This is a worthy alternative to lining made of wood. It is mounted according to the same principle as the previous version. The significant advantages of this finishing option are obvious. This:
- a wide range of colors and textures (including “wood”);
- ease of installation work;
- practicality and durability: the material does not tolerate fluctuations in temperature and humidity, which, by the way, cannot be said about natural wood;
- relatively low cost, availability.
GKL
Gypsum plasterboard sheets (GKL) are another widespread option for finishing balcony walls. In general, leveling walls with plasterboard sheets is generally accepted when renovating an entire apartment, and not just a balcony or loggia.
Yes, of course, if you do everything correctly, that is, build a strong wooden frame onto which the sheets will subsequently be attached using self-tapping screws, then putty the joints and places where these fasteners are screwed in, then perform a primer and, finally, finishing (for example , paint or wallpaper) - the result will please you, without a doubt.
In addition, drywall is also good because it does not limit you in design decisions: you can recreate literally anything you want. If you want to make decorative niches or recesses that serve as, say, bookshelves, no question. If you want to recreate decorative elements in the form of geometric shapes, no problem.
OSB
OSB is a rather non-standard way of finishing walls. Yes, the material is quite common - and this is no coincidence. OSB sheets are strong, durable, practical, easy to install and relatively inexpensive when compared to natural wood.
After installing OSB, it is not at all necessary to carry out other finishing measures: it is enough to simply cover the surface with a special varnish, but sometimes they can do without it. This will be an element of the Loft design style, which is popular among creative individuals. Therefore, if you are planning to create a study on the balcony, then this style will definitely suit you.
Open communications, some carelessness, “creative disorder” and various metal structures will be in harmony with OSB panels. The so-called Edison lamp can be used as a lighting device, which can be purchased at any construction hypermarket, in the “Lighting” department.
We thank you for making it through this long text. We hope that you found it clear, informative and useful. Now you know how to expand your living space and turn a balcony not just into a renovated balcony on which you can dry clothes, but into something more: a workshop, an office, a library - it all depends on your needs and creative imagination.
Fashion trends
Eclecticism wins the battle with the principle of consistent style, so the balcony can be a good arena for experimentation.
Large double-glazed windows providing maximum transparency and stylish bins with a small window: any configuration is acceptable.
In the first case, access to daylight, originally included in the layout, increases; in the second, spatial gain will be obtained for the placement of furniture.
An enclosed balcony intended for relaxation, which is usually equipped with non-bulky upholstered furniture and a table, can carry any style – from strict minimalism to a corner decorated in an exotic ethnic style. It can also become a separate eco-style greenhouse.
Built-in wardrobes are well installed in niches and mezzanines, the ends of which become a fragmented part of the fragmentary cladding of the balcony.
Eclecticism allows you to use up to 3 types of finishes on its small footage, which allows you to differentiate the level of insulation of the parapet under the window, external walls and internal partition.
Photo of the walls on the balcony
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