Repair of a balcony and a loggia

Almost every modern standard apartment has a balcony or a loggia. But, unfortunately, this extra area is not always used by residents. Often this part of the apartment is perceived as a pantry for storing unnecessary things that the owners either do not know where to store, or simply sorry to part.But it takes very little work and small investments of money, and this part of the apartment will turn into a cozy and functional room. The balcony (loggia) is subject to the same rules and laws of design and harmony, like any other residential part of the apartment.

Of course, there are limitations to the flight of fantasies and ideas. And, basically, the restrictions apply to the size of the balcony or loggia. But in any case, there are 5-6 meters of usable area. Suggested options for turning a balcony or loggia:

This is the most difficult and lengthy work, and at the same time a unique chance to expand your home and give an original style to your apartment.

This connection applies to redevelopment of the apartment and requires compliance with the following legal norms established by the state:

1. Writing a statement to the BTI about your desire to redevelop the apartment.
2. After analysis by BTI specialists, whether your redevelopment of the entire house’s construction will cause damage, your application will receive approval and permission to carry out the work.
3. After completion of work, a BTI specialist is called to the house who checks the completed work with the stated plan and issues a conclusion on the correctness of the work performed.
4. It is necessary to obtain permission to carry out these works in the sanitary-epidemiological service.
5. On hand should be a certificate stating that the house where your apartment is located is not an architectural or historical monument.
6. It is also necessary to have the consent of all adults living in this apartment to carry out these works.
7. The final step will be to obtain a new Technical passport for an apartment in the BTI.

Such redevelopment is a long, costly and risky venture. And you should think very well and analyze whether it is necessary to get involved in such an event. If the apartment has a second balcony or loggia, then the procedure for connecting one object will be greatly facilitated.

This type of redevelopment is possible only in brick houses where the side walls and loggias are load-bearing. But it is also desirable to strengthen them. In panel houses, where a balcony or a loggia are a continuation of the floor slab, such work is strictly forbidden.

The design of the balcony (loggia) is an important final stage of arrangement. All previous work was aimed at creating a convenient comfortable space and the final touch should give the room a complete individual style of the owner of the apartment. Bright and beautiful flowers on the balcony (loggia) can delight you in a certain season or year-round. It depends on the type of balcony (loggia) you have chosen during the arrangement.

Before choosing flowers for a balcony, decide on your preferences. Flowers can be:

1. annuals;
2. biennial;
3. perennial.

To date, the presented assortment in flower shops is wide and diverse. The main thing is to choose the right flowers specifically for your balcony or loggia. The following factors influence this:

1. cold or warm balcony (loggia);
2. sunny or shadow side.

It is better to plant annual flowers on an open unglazed balcony or on a glazed but cold balcony or loggia. You can sow seeds in open containers and other containers for flowers. From late spring to early autumn, the balcony will be buried in greenery and bright colors. Also for this period, indoor plants in pots can be put on the balcony.

The warm, glazed balcony, of course, greatly expands the possibilities for choosing colors. Your preferences already play a role here. It can be both garden and indoor plants. In addition to flowers, unusual furniture or lighting can become a decorative decoration of a balcony (loggia) (For example: garden lamps can be used on a balcony) or any other decorative elements. Hang beautiful paintings or shelves on the walls. Place candlesticks with candles or beautiful decorative figures on them. In the decor, you need to focus only on your preferences, so that the room conveys the individuality of the owner and delights guests with beauty and coziness.

It is advisable not just to audit and disassemble everything that has accumulated on the balcony or loggia. And as far as possible get rid of all the things that lay for years and have never been needed by anyone. Remember: cluttering up your house, cluttering up your life, not allowing yourself to go forward and develop. Without regret, throw everything in the trash, and soon something new and interesting will appear in the house and in life.
Furniture for the balcony is divided into two types: for cold and warm rooms. For a cold glazed balcony (loggia), you need to select furniture according to the following parameters:

1. resistance to temperature changes;
2. resistance to different levels of humidity;

The necessary parameters for furniture and on a cold and warm balcony or loggia:

1. compactness;
2. if possible, do not block natural light sources (glazed windows);
3. lightness (the ability to clean and rearrange individual furniture elements);
4. aesthetics (any furniture should be convenient, comfortable and beautiful).

On warm balconies or loggias, it is possible to install furniture the same as in other living rooms of the apartment. For open balconies or loggias, the most optimal is to purchase wooden, wicker or forged metal furniture.

When constructing residential apartment buildings, builders do not provide lighting on balconies and loggias. Therefore, proceeding to equip the balcony (loggia), conduct electrical wiring there. On the balcony or loggia, as in any other residential building, it is better to carry out hidden wiring, it looks aesthetically and more safely.

The choice of lighting depends entirely on the purpose of the room and your taste. You can not be limited by either shape, color, or the number of lighting devices.

If a balcony or a loggia is planned to be used not only in the summer, as a place for relaxation, then, of course, the first thing you need to take care of is glazing the room. There are two types of glazing of the balcony (loggia): cold and warm.

Cold glazing of balconies and loggias.

With "cold glazing" a balcony (loggia) receives the following series of advantages:

1. a slight increase in temperature, on average by 6-7 C;
2. isolation of the room from atmospheric precipitation and dust;
3. a slight increase in sound insulation from extraneous noise from the street.

Today, with "cold glazing" the most popular are plastic and aluminum sliding profiles. Hinged frames are also used, but they are more appropriate for large areas than the standard sizes of balconies and loggias.

Warm glazing

“Warm glazing” is carried out either by plastic or wooden windows, together with general warming of the floor, walls and ceiling of the balcony (loggia). The more air chambers, the higher the thermal insulation properties of the window. It is not recommended to use metal profiles for warm glazing. Sashes can be of the following types:

1. swinging;
2. swing-out;
3. sliding;
4. various combinations of blind windows with opening transoms.

The choice of a way to insulate a balcony or a loggia depends on the type of glazing of the balcony. If the "cold glazing", then warm the room does not make sense. You can add an external finish with siding, which does not occupy the usable area from the inside and will serve as additional insulation.

If “warm glazing” is installed, then warming the entire perimeter of the balcony (loggia) should be thoroughly approached. For insulation, various materials are used:

1. penofol (rusofol, isofol) (5 mm);
2. polystyrene foam (20-50 mm);
3. "Penoplex" ("technoplex").

Insulation is laid around the perimeter: side walls, floor, ceiling, parapet. Everything except the wall between the apartment and the balcony (loggia). Before laying the insulation, it is necessary to close all the cracks. The moisture that can penetrate through them will ruin all the work done.

The next step in warming the balcony will be the flooring of the new floor. Any materials can be used, as in the repair of any other enclosed space. Experts advise using heated floors on balconies and loggias, which will make the room even more comfortable and cozy.

The interior decoration of balconies and loggias is carried out by different types of materials. The choice depends on the taste and material capabilities of the owner of the apartment.

Wood is the most environmentally friendly material, but also the most expensive. The walls of the balcony (loggia) sheathed with a wooden lining will look neat and solid. There are some features in caring for a tree so that it does not deform and lasts for many years. Basically, this applies to moisture on the surface. It is not recommended to wash wooden surfaces with water or other liquid means.

The plastic trim of the balcony or loggia is carried out by two types of materials: PVC panels and plastic lining.

PVC panels are not as environmentally friendly as wood, but also of high quality and durable. Today it is the most popular material in the decoration of balconies (loggias). PVC panels have the longest life and the ability to choose any color and design pattern.The panels are absolutely harmless to human health, retain heat and do not allow moisture to pass through.

Plastic lining is the most economical type of decoration for a balcony or loggia. The service life is also very durable. Quick and easy to install.