Attaching a balcony to a room - instruction from a professional

Modern balconies have long ceased to be a storage room for unnecessary things and old trash. It is much more expedient to use this room as an additional recreation area or personal office.

The design of the balcony directly depends on its further purpose, includes many interesting ideas. In this case, even a small room can be considered as a chance to further expand your living space, and this must be done wisely.

Open balcony

The design of the open-type balcony will make it possible to make a separate summer veranda from a small "cold" room, which residents of cramped apartments can only dream of. It is worth considering that such a room is used only in the warm season. This is one of the disadvantages of this design.

Furniture is used lightweight, multifunctional. When choosing it, emphasis is placed on quick assembly, convenient storage in winter. No need to clutter up the space with cabinets and storage furniture. A small table and bench or a pair of garden chairs are enough.

An open balcony will require a minimum of costs for its decoration. All you need to do is put nice grates and make a light floor covering.

This option will be ideal for growing a summer garden. If the apartment is on the ground floors, such attics are sometimes entwined with vines, which in summer give additional shade and at the same time decorate the facade of the house, delighting the eyes of passers-by.

Insulation of the loggia

Required materials:

• sheets of moisture resistant gypsum board (GKL), gypsum fiber (GVL) or glass magnesite (LSU);
• penoplex - extruded polystyrene foam with a thickness of 40 to 60 mm;
• antiseptic boards are used in the case of "dry coating";
• dry mix - used for screed extruded polystyrene foam;
• Vapor barrier - polyethylene film with a foil surface, or 3 mm foamed polyethylene foamed;
• self-tapping screws - they fix sheets of gypsum fiber board and gypsum board;
• polyurethane foam, which does not contain toluene, because this component corrodes polystyrene foam (it is usually included in "universal" or "winter" foam).

Work progress

We carry out sealing of the balcony. Click on the photo to enlarge.

In order to insulate the balcony room, you must follow the recommendations. Initially, it is required to install window blocks, and then seal all seams with a sealant. Expanded polystyrene sheets are attached to the facade walls, ceiling, floor or side walls using disc dowels equipped with plastic cores. At the end, you need to glue all the joints between the sheets with simple tape.

Next, you need to fix the reflective and vapor barrier layers. For this, foamed polyethylene or polyethylene film is used. The vapor barrier is glued to the entire area of ​​the insulation by means of double-sided tape or polyurethane glue, but always compatible with expanded polystyrene, otherwise the insulation will be damaged. The vapor barrier is glued joint to joint, after which these places are sealed with metal tape - all this creates the so-called. "Thermos effect".

This is followed by the installation of the balcony flooring. It is recommended to create a 4-cm screed layer as a base, with a mandatory 1 cm gap between it and the walls. This margin is necessary in case of thermal expansion. You can create such a gap by installing 1 cm thick polyethylene foam around the perimeter, and then start pouring.When the screed hardens, ceramic tiles are laid and fixed with tile glue.

It is best to mount the lathing in a panel house from a wooden bar with a section of 40x20 mm, and always dry and treated with an antiseptic. Stuffing takes place both horizontally and vertically with the help of self-tapping screws and dowels, which are driven directly into the concrete.

Further, insulation implies finishing, which can be carried out in 2 ways:

• installation of plastic panels - width 25 cm;
• installation of moisture-resistant drywall - with this approach, insulation implies additional finishing work: prime and putty the surface, remove the corners and level them. After that, you can paint the walls or paste the wallpaper.

As for the installation of lighting devices (lamps, floor lamps, etc.), the electrical wiring to them must be laid even before the start of interior finishing work.

Most common mistakes

Do-it-yourself balcony insulation in a panel house is often not without mistakes. Installation of vapor barrier from the cold side of the heat-insulating material - a film or membrane is placed between the wall and the insulation. For this reason, condensation forms on the surface.

With different types of mineral wool during operation, their correct operation is not ensured. The result is the wetting of the insulation and the gradual destruction of the entire interior decoration, followed by dismantling and replacement.

Installation of wooden planks directly in a layer of polystyrene foam leads to a lack of solidity in the thickness of the insulation and the formation of the so-called. "Cold bridges". The same applies to the installation of a metal lathing inside a layer of insulation. In addition to the "cold bridges", condensation appears on the metal, destroying the heat-insulating material.

Closed balcony

• Balcony glazing can be of two types:
• Cold;
• Warm.

In the first case, an aluminum profile is used. For warm glazing, an aluminum profile with a thermal insert, natural wood or PVC is used.

The cold type is ideal for those balconies and loggias, the design of which does not allow the use of additional loads. This type is most often used in Khrushchevs. Insulation in this case is not required. Installation of such frames is simple and economical in cost.

Warm glazing will make the balcony a "continuation of the apartment": the temperature in it will be the same as in the rest of the house, even in winter. It should be borne in mind that warm frames will add load to the balcony, so they cannot be used in fragile structures.

Also, glazing can be partial or panoramic. With partial or classic, the lower part of the parapet remains closed. This type of glazing is more common.

Panoramic glazing is just becoming fashionable, with it the entire parapet is glazed, and forged safety grilles are located on the lower part. They simultaneously perform a protective function and play the role of decoration. By the type of opening, the sash of the windows can be rotary, sliding or swing-out.

The practice of installing plastic windows is now widespread. They are durable, sealed, easy to use, have good sound insulation and are easy to install. However, wood does not become a thing of the past, due to its main advantage: the presence of natural micropores that allow the room to "breathe", eliminating stagnation of air.

Construction of houses

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Many apartment owners in multi-storey buildings live in conditions of a shortage of square meters and, inspired by the idea of ​​increasing the usable space of their home, try to resort to any available options.However, in the search for the most effective architectural and planning solution, one often has to face the problem of what is acceptable in the process of redevelopment of buildings, which can significantly limit the imagination of newly-minted designers. If earlier the demolition of walls between rooms was considered the most acceptable way of expanding living space, then later, due to the recognition of its inefficiency, it was replaced by a new find of designers and architects - combining a loggia with a room, which became especially relevant for small kitchens directly related to external premises. By connecting a balcony or loggia to the living area, you can not only increase the living space of a small apartment, but also make the design of spacious apartments original. In addition, this architectural technique allows you to turn a traditional room into a multifunctional space that you can equip to your taste, equipping it with a study, a winter garden or a home sports complex. In connection with the relevance of this issue, in this article we will consider the most common options for combining a loggia with a room, the preparatory measures that must be taken before proceeding with the redevelopment, as well as the regulatory aspects underlying this event.

Content

1. Balcony and loggia: similarities and differences
2. Options for combining a loggia with a room
3. Ways to attach a loggia with your own hands
4. The advantages of combining a loggia with a room
5. Approval process and collection of the necessary documentation
6. Do-it-yourself loggia attachment: work sequence
   Preparatory activities
7. How to combine the premises correctly: removing the opening
8. How to insulate a combined room?
9. How to organize the heating of the combined premises?
10. How to decorate the room and mark the visual border?

Balcony and loggia: similarities and differences

Despite the apparent kinship of these concepts, there are more differences between them than similarities. Let's consider them in more detail.

• First, unlike a loggia, a balcony is a part of the building protruding from the wall, bounded by a protective fence. As for the loggia, it is an integral part of the building, located inside the building. Without protruding beyond the structure, it is fenced from at least three sides;
• Secondly, if you look deeper and consider the more subtle technical aspects of the arrangement of these structural elements, the differences between them will become even more pronounced. Unlike a balcony, the loggia fastening system is designed for heavy loads, and therefore, attaching the loggia with your own hands is often painless.

Important! Some experts do not advise combining a balcony with a room, explaining this by the financial cost of the process and its lengthy time (coordination, strengthening of the slab and the actual redevelopment). In addition, by combining a balcony with a room, you are unlikely to be able to solve the issue of space deficit due to the small area of ​​the balcony. In this regard, redevelopment by connecting an external room will only make sense if you have a loggia, since by combining a loggia with a room, you will make the coordination and subsequent legalization of this process much faster.

Options for combining a loggia with a room

In accordance with sanitary and building codes, living quarters are divided into two types: warm and cold. By combining a loggia, which belongs to cold rooms, with a living room (warm room), you knowingly violate these norms, which is fraught with problems and material penalties. However, if you separate the two rooms with a sliding or "French" glass door, this will not be a violation of the relevant regulations.

Consider the most common combination options:

• Combining a loggia with a kitchen;
• Combining the loggia with the living room;
• Combining a loggia with a bedroom.

Joining the loggia to the kitchen - the most common option for combining residential and external premises, which is due to the traditionally small kitchen area and the ability to hide small defects in combination by organizing a recreation area or a dining table in the additional area. In addition, on the attached balcony room, you can put a refrigerator, which did not have enough space in the kitchen;

Combining a loggia and a living room especially important for owners of small apartments, since the additional square meters obtained by combining two rooms can be used to arrange a sleeping place where you can place a small bed or a transforming sofa. In addition, after combining two rooms, you can equip a mini-office on the balcony square, which will become a worthy alternative to a study, equipped in a separate room;

Combining a room with a loggia photo

Combining a loggia with a bedroom - another popular option for redeveloping an apartment, due to its ease and speed. Having combined the bedroom and the loggia, delimit the sleeping area with a decorative panel, a light partition or curtain.

Ways to attach a loggia with your own hands

There are several ways to combine a loggia with a room, reviews of which you can read on the Internet. Let's consider the most popular ones:

• The first method is the most affordable and is used if there is no need to expand the area of ​​the room. It implies the glazing of the loggia, in its absence, its capital insulation with the subsequent dismantling of the balcony block without demolishing the dividing wall. Although this method is easier, before you can implement it, you must obtain permission and register the planned changes;
• The second method is an example of the implementation of complex alignment and implies partial or complete demolition of the outer wall of the building. By combining the loggia with the room in this way, you can significantly expand the living space, but for this it is necessary to agree on the upcoming redevelopment and legalize it in the relevant authorities.

Important! Often, planning to dismantle a window-sill block, you can encounter difficulties due to the peculiarities of the building design. For example, if you live in panel, brick or block houses, be prepared for the fact that the section of the window sill may turn out to be part of the load-bearing wall, and therefore, you will not be able to obtain permission to demolish the structure. Residents of monolithic houses with such problems are less likely to encounter, since the facades of the walls in them, in most cases, are not load-bearing. Thanks to this, you can easily expand the opening.

Dismantling the sill is also associated with similar difficulties, since in panel houses it serves as an attachment for the balcony slab, prevents the room from freezing or hides interpanel joints. In this regard, its dismantling is strictly prohibited, as it will negatively affect the general building frame. In monolithic brick houses, the demolition of the lower wall is allowed, but in any case, permission to dismantle it will be required.

The advantages of combining a loggia with a room

• Combining a loggia with a kitchen, you get the opportunity to organize an independent dining area without taking up the free space of the living room or hall;
• In a room with a loggia, the windows of which are oriented to the north side, there is constant twilight, which is due to the presence of two side walls at the loggia and additional glazing, which retains part of the daylight. By connecting the loggia to the room, you will provide free access of light to the room;
• A visual increase in space will be especially relevant when it comes to a small kitchen.

Approval process and collection of the necessary documentation

As mentioned above, the process of combining a loggia with a room can be fraught with certain difficulties. In this regard, when carrying out redevelopment, remember that in the case of combining a loggia with a room, the legislation will not always be on your side, and to prevent this from happening, you must collect the required documentation and contact the appropriate authorities in order to agree on the redevelopment.

Let's consider how to make a match.

1. Contact the state institution BTI, where you must submit a statement about the changes made to the apartment plan. The bureau's specialists will review the application, analyze the changes made and their possible impact on the integrity of the overall structure of the building. If negative impact can be ruled out, your application will be approved. You also need to order a technical passport for the apartment at the bureau, which you will subsequently submit to the housing inspection of your city;
2. In addition, contact the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service, which must also give permission for redevelopment;
3. The next step is to contact the housing inspection of your city and provide a package of documents, including:

• technical passport of the apartment, issued by the BTI;
• a statement on the redevelopment of the apartment, which is drawn up in the form approved by the Government of the Russian Federation;
• documents confirming that the apartment is in your ownership (purchase and sale agreement, certificate of inheritance, donation agreement);
• apartment redevelopment plan with written opinions of the above authorities;
• the consent of all family members who have reached the age of majority, as well as the co-owners of the apartment for redevelopment;
• certificate stating that the building is not a historical or architectural monument;
• the list of documents may expand depending on the type of property, whether it is privatized or property purchased with bank money.

Having passed all the stages indicated above, and having obtained the permission of higher authorities, you can proceed to redevelopment. After its completion, it is necessary to contact the housing inspectorate again so that its employees check the quality of the work performed and the structural integrity of the building. After making sure that the measures taken are in accordance with the given project, you will be given an act of completion of the redevelopment.

Do-it-yourself loggia attachment: work sequence

Preparatory activities

• Before starting to combine, free both rooms from unnecessary items;
• Cover the floor and walls, if possible, with cellophane;
• If you plan to carry out a complete unification, which involves dismantling not only the window-door unit, but also complete or partial dismantling of the dividing wall, turn off the heating valve;
• If your house has modern glazing, remove the sashes and, by unscrewing the anchors holding the entire block, forcefully pull it out of the opening using a crowbar;
• If you have wooden frames, take them out and use a puncher to break the box;
• If necessary, use a puncher with a chisel on to knock down the threshold of the doorway.

How to combine the premises correctly: removing the opening

How to carry out incomplete unification: dismantling a balcony block

• If you do not plan to demolish the partition separating the two rooms, at this stage it will be enough for you to remove the double-glazed windows and the door to the loggia, and then proceed with the design of the doorway.

How to carry out a complete consolidation: demolition of the partition

Before proceeding with dismantling activities, prepare the following tools:

• Hammer drill, drill (20-25 mm), wide chisel;
• Sledgehammer;
• Bulgarian.

Cut off the battery mounts and remove it, then cut the pipes. The next stage is to weaken the partition, for the implementation of which it is necessary to drill a large number of through holes using a perforator with a drill and, armed with a sledgehammer, break the window sill. If reinforcement is found, it is cut out with a grinder. After completing the dismantling activities, the resulting opening is finalized to the desired shape and size, and the floor difference is leveled.

Important! If the redevelopment project involved additional strengthening of the opening formed in the process of combining the premises, it is necessary to install a frame from a channel, which is fixed along the entire perimeter of the opening with anchors. In this case, the upper channel should rest on the lower ones.

When dismantling a window sill wall, follow our tips:

• It is not recommended to take the central heating battery to the loggia, as this can cause a decrease in pressure in the pipe and requires permission from the relevant authorities. An alternative method is to transfer the battery to an adjacent wall;
• If your loggia is not glazed, before proceeding with the demolition of the window sill block, it is necessary to glaze it;
• After joining the loggia to the room, it is forbidden to equip a warm water floor in the combined room. If you are planning to equip underfloor heating, give preference to electric underfloor heating;
• If possible, after combining the rooms, separate the warm and cold areas with a glass partition or door;
• If the design of the house does not allow dismantling the window sill block, it can be beaten with the help of modern design techniques, turning it into an original element of the interior.

How to insulate a combined room?

In the process of combining the loggia and the room, insulation plays an important role and determines the subsequent functionality of the new room.

Before proceeding with internal insulation, it is necessary to carry out external insulation. If your neighbors do not have glazed loggias above and below, additional steam and waterproofing measures must be taken. In this case, the combined room can be considered a room. To do this, make a metal or wooden frame, on which lay a layer of vapor barrier material (foil or polyethylene). Next - a layer of insulation and waterproofing material, for example, mastic or roofing material. To insulate walls and ceilings, it is enough to lay a lightweight insulating material, which can be used as mineral wool slabs. For floor insulation, only hard insulation is used.

How to organize the heating of the combined premises?

The combination of a loggia with a room, the cost of which is largely determined by the amount of funds invested in the organization of the heating system, is recommended to be carried out in the warm season, as this will contribute to the fastest drying of the finished surfaces. After you have made the main insulation measures, proceed to the organization of heating in the united room. Often, the heating battery is located under the balcony window, and since this part of the wall is subject to demolition during the unification process, it becomes necessary to transfer the radiator to the balcony or an adjacent wall.

Important! Experts recommend installing a heat sink that runs from an electrical outlet. It will be not only cheaper, but also more practical, since it does not require intrusion into the heating pipeline.

How to decorate the room and mark the visual border?

The final stage of installation is the visual combination of the loggia with the room, before the direct implementation of which it is necessary to think over the design of the room.

• First of all, choose materials for finishing the room, which will be combined with each other.As such materials, you can use liquid wallpaper and decorative stone, wood and plaster, natural wallpaper and decorative plaster;
• When choosing a color scheme, it is not necessary to stop at one color. In the design of the main room, experts recommend using several colors that will overlap in the part of the loggia;
• If you have made a combination of a loggia and a kitchen, carefully consider the organization of the light composition. An important point is the maximum use of natural light, for which you need to use glossy products and glass surfaces;
• Due to the fact that the combination of the room and the loggia was carried out in order to increase the usable area, it is undesirable to overload the new room with furniture. Give preference to tall furniture and do not place cabinets and cabinets in all corners.
• The creation of a visual border must be done in the event that you do not plan to create the most uniform room and want to leave some element of delimitation.
• This problem can be solved not only with the help of color or several finishing materials, but also thanks to some well-known techniques, for example, raising the floor on the loggia. This technique has certain advantages:

• Thanks to this technique, you will raise one part of the room, which is important for the dining area;
• Solve the problem with the lack of space in the cabinets, since the floor rises by 20-30 cm, which will allow you to organize an additional pull-out niche with drawers;
• Ideal for underfloor heating systems.

Color scheme

To visually increase the space, pastel colors are usually used, among which white is the leader.

If a recreation area is being formed, then it is shaded with light yellow, pale green and shades of brown, so that the eyes in such a room can rest.

All shades of brown, gray or black are used for the office.

For the dining area, warm colors are used to promote relaxation and increase appetite.

An area for entertainment or sports is designed by combining bright, aggressive shades with soft colors for balance. You can create separate "blocks" of dark or flashy shades that will focus on yourself the attention of guests.

Important! It is worth considering which side the loggia windows face. If the side is sunny, then the use of cold and warm colors is allowed. If the side is north, then warm shades should prevail in the design.

Choice of materials

To expand the functional space of the apartment, it is first necessary to insulate the balcony. For these purposes, various types of thermal insulation materials are used.

As an additional measure, equip a "warm" floor. Particular attention is paid to the decoration of the premises.

For interior wall decoration use:

• Wooden lining;
• Plastic lining;
• Cork;
• Siding;
• PVC panels;
• Block house.

Sheathing the room with clapboard will be the final stage of surface treatment. In this case, you can connect imagination only when choosing a color.

Facing with plasterboard will allow you to subsequently paste over the walls with wallpaper to your liking.

Cork finishes are the most expensive and environmentally friendly.

On brick balconies, sometimes the walls are left in their original form. Modern room design often offers this idea as an original solution. The brick is processed in a special way: it is leveled, primed and painted. Such a brick wall itself will become a decorative element. In this case, the texture of the brick can be made perfectly smooth, rough or harmoniously combine different types of textures and colors. A photo gallery in metal frames or a series of abstract paintings will look great on a rough surface.

The following materials are used for floor finishing:

• Laminate;
• Linoleum;
• Carpet;
• Parquet;
• Ceramics.

Carpet and linoleum are used for balcony structures that do not allow heavy weighting. Laminate flooring looks richer, but at a cost it is a step higher than other materials. For the ceiling, it is best to choose lightweight materials with a decorative function. The practice of using stretch ceilings is widespread.

Important! Do not forget about the exterior decoration. It will not only make your balcony beautiful from the street side, but also additionally insulate it. Sheets of corrugated board are considered the best option for these purposes.

How will a balcony in a panel house be insulated?

The first stage insulation of a balcony in a panel house is the installation of metal-plastic balcony frames. Even the new wooden glazing structure has a sufficient number of grooves and slots through which heat will escape to the outside.

Thermal insulation materials of the new generation are quite lightweight and strong enough... Their installation does not cause serious problems, does not require advanced knowledge and the use of any specialized equipment. At the same time, the parameters of the material have a long service life and improved technical qualities.

Styrofoam

The most cost-effective an option for insulating a balcony in a panel house is polystyrene. The thickness of the slabs, sufficient for the thermal insulation of the balcony, is 5-10 cm, depending on the personal priorities of the owner.

it absolutely safe the material does not have a specific smell and does not emit toxic poisons, has a low weight, is easy to saw and fit during installation, can be mounted directly under the decorative finish, since it has zero vapor permeability.

However, it requires additional shelters from possible accidental fires, for example, a cigarette thrown by a neighbor, since not all types of foam are fireproof. Also, this type of insulation has no protection from rodents.

Mineral wool

Second highest priority the type of insulation for the balcony is mineral wool. Its price range slightly exceeds the cost of foam.

However, this material has additional quality, these are improved sound insulation parameters, for many densely populated regions this indicator is a serious advantage.

The insulation has low fire activity, since the temperature of active combustion of the mineral is possible only when it reaches a thousand degrees. Cotton wool does not attract insects and rodents.

However, the stacking of blocks must be accompanied by with mandatory observance all safety regulations, as the mineral wool contains glass dust, which irritates the skin and mucous membranes.

Work must go in special protective suits, with the use of glasses and respirators. When installing this insulation, it is necessary to provide an additional vapor barrier layer under the internal decorative finish.

Expanded polystyrene materials

because of high consumer demand, manufacturers provide a wide selection of universal insulation materials designed for insulation of residential premises, with improved parameters of steam, heat and waterproofing.

Products created to protect the balcony from external environmental conditions, prevents the formation of condensation and does not allow moisture to accumulate inside the room. It is very light and thin, easy to install and does not take up the usable space of very limited balconies.

Main representatives of this class are presented in this collection:

• The material created on the basis of polyethylene foam, which contains air pores isolated from each other, is called penofol. It is a thin, lightweight, flexible fabric with a reflective aluminum surface, which is cut with ordinary scissors and transported in rolls.
• Penoplex is made in the form of heat-insulating plates, which have different thicknesses, are freely cut with a clerical knife, have a rough surface, which is very convenient for fastening with subsequent layers of sheathing.
• The most worthy modern representative of the latest polystyrene foam coverings is isolon... The thermal conductivity of 1 cm of the coating is equivalent to 15 cm of brickwork, to 5 cm of a wooden floor or a 5 cm layer of mineral wool, sound absorption reaches 18 dB.

Style

Provence - light style of the French hinterland. It is characterized by the use of natural materials, floral patterns and light colors. The presence of an abundance of indoor flowers and cute glass and porcelain trinkets is a must.

Modern characterized by softness of shades and curves of forms. He does not recognize strict geometric lines. Although the rooms are decorated in pastel colors, some elements of bright colors are artificially accentuated. Paintings and photographs on the walls, a small number of vases, lamps and souvenirs enliven the atmosphere. Stained glass windows will emphasize the sophistication of the interior of the balcony in the apartment in Art Nouveau style

Minimalism only recognizes the presence of functional interior details. It is characterized by simplicity and conciseness. The style is based on only two basic colors, which are played with shades in large interior details. Minimalism requires open spaces and an abundance of natural light.

High tech is considered a modern style close to minimalism. He recognizes only strict geometric shapes. Of the colors, shades of black, white, gray are used. It is possible to add red, blue or violet as a backlight. Hi-tech prefers an abundance of chrome, metal surfaces and glass. The emphasis is on artificial lighting that diffuses and visually enlarges the space.

Furniture

Furniture for open balconies is more like garden furniture. The main principle when choosing it is the ability to quickly fold and put it in a storage room. It is a completely different matter when it comes to a full-fledged room in an apartment or closed-type private house. Here the designers have tried their best.

Depending on the functional purpose of the room, you can choose furniture parts made of metal, glass, plastic or wood. If the room is to be used as a gym, then it will be equipped with compact exercise machines that will allow one person to train freely.

The loggia combined with the bedroom is used as a corner for evening preparations before going to bed. In this case, a dressing table, a pair of ottomans and a comfortable sofa are used as furniture.

For the recreation area, they are limited to a small table with a seating area: a folding sofa or a solid ottoman with a large number of soft pillows, where guests can climb with their feet.

If the space is arranged for a work area, then the emphasis is on cabinets and storage racks. Transforming furniture type ZM2 will help save space. A wide selection of such furniture items at affordable prices in Ikea stores in the Netherlands.

A few words about repair

After buying a home, many people immediately start renovating. And, most often, the superstructures are chosen as the first premises for work. In this regard, it makes sense to focus on the fact that the glazing of loggias and balconies also has a number of differences. So, to carry out repairs on the balcony, you will need less money. This is a defective room that does not require insulation. Here it is enough to glaze and complete finishing work. A loggia will be more complex in its specifics for repair. It is this space that is very often equipped more seriously. Whole dining areas are located here, which increases the time a person spends in this room.In this regard, more expensive materials are used to insulate three walls and a floor. It is permissible to carry out heating in this space, but this purpose must be agreed with the relevant authorities.

Loggia allows the placement of furniture, heating or other communications, depending on the wishes of the owner

As finishing materials for the floor on the balcony and loggia, you can use:

• Floor ceramic tiles;
• Parquet;
• Laminate.

For walls and ceilings for a loggia, lining is well suited - a natural material, for a balcony - plastic panels. The cheapest and least expensive in both cases will be paint and plaster.

The similarity of the two buildings does not make them exactly the same. The loggia and the balcony are two different spaces that have significant differences. If you focus attention on the difference, then you can avoid not only unnecessary spending when buying, but also carry out repairs at the lowest cost. At the same time, using the information from this article, the owner of the premises will have important data. It is on the basis of them that you can further think over the best type of arrangement for each space, choose the most practical glazing option.

Lighting

Properly placed lighting can be a saving straw for a small balcony room. With the help of light, you can visually expand the space. There are no restrictions on the choice of lighting fixtures. These can be light bulbs, chandeliers, lamps, sconces, LEDs, floor lamps and entire lighting systems. They can be placed on walls, ceilings and even on the floor.

In order not to spoil the aesthetic appearance of the room with electric wires, they should be taken care of at the finishing stage. Then the electrical wiring will be of a hidden type, which will avoid peeking wires. Open wiring is masked with decorative elements and special panels. The main advantage of open wiring is its availability during repair work, which cannot be said about hidden wiring.

When installing lighting fixtures, you need to pay attention to the direction of the light. Direct light from top to bottom makes it heavier and shrinks space. Light from the bottom up, which is artificially scattered in the reflective surface of the stretch ceiling, photos and mirrors on the walls, expands the space. For dark rooms, it is better to use the diffused light of powerful lamps with a large number of additional small lamps. The play of shadows and light directly affects the human eye's perception of the width, length and "depth" of space.

How to legally combine a balcony with a room?

Combining a balcony with a kitchen or a room is a common question when renovating an apartment. With a few extra square meters, the kitchen can be turned into a dining room, and a small office can appear in the room.

However, in 2020, this redevelopment was banned. Such measures were taken due to the fact that inconsistent layouts harm the entire building.

For example, in 2011 in Yaroslavl, a resourceful entrepreneur demolished a load-bearing wall in an apartment on the 1st floor - he was making repairs for a store. Consequence - an entrance collapsed, 18 apartments were destroyed, 67 people were left homeless, 1 was killed.

In 2020, a three-story building collapsed in Kazan due to redevelopment. 4 people were injured, 60 were left without apartments.

What is forbidden to do when redeveloping a balcony:

• bring batteries into this room
• dismantle the lintels over the opening
• dismantle the sill when removing the window sill block
• fully combine the balcony with the kitchen
• trim the side walls of the balcony
• create additional loggias
• extend the balcony beyond the level of the front wall.

How to do it right?

Combine partially

The room with the balcony was supposed to be divided. Sliding doors will come to the rescue. A prerequisite is a double glazing and guides above and below.This is permissible only in monolithic houses, where the facade is not a load-bearing wall. In panel, block and brick houses, it is dangerous to demolish a window sill, an upper lintel or a sill.

Where to put the battery?

Let's say you are lucky and can demolish a window sill block. But where do you put the battery away? The answer is on the next wall. It cannot be removed completely or taken out to the balcony. The room and kitchen are warm rooms, and the balcony is cold. When the battery is transferred to the balcony, the thermal circuit is disturbed not only in the apartment, but also in the house.

Correct insulation

The new room must be insulated. For this you need:

• install double glazing
• raise the floor level so that there is no transition between kitchen-sill-balcony
• insulate the floor and walls with heat-insulating material
• lay a warm floor or think about an electric radiator.

Redevelopment approval

Redevelopment needs to be legalized or it may be required to return to its original state. The fine for illegal redevelopment for individuals is from 2,000 to 2,500 rubles, for legal entities - from 350,000 to 1,000,000 rubles.

Legalized redevelopment is important when selling and buying an apartment. When applying for a mortgage, an employee of the appraisal company comes to the apartment. He takes photos, looks at documents, and prepares an official appraisal report for the bank. If the redevelopment is not legalized, difficulties may arise. The worst case scenario is that the bank will refuse to issue a mortgage for such an apartment.

Today, the vast majority of apartments are bought using a mortgage, so illegal redevelopment can seriously complicate the sale.

Procedure

• Prepare a redevelopment project. To do this, you need to contact a design organization that has an appropriate license.
• Coordinate the project in the sanitary and epidemiological station (SES) and in the district administration.
• Redevelop according to the project
• Invite an employee of the district administration to accept the work.
• Obtain a new registration certificate at the BTI and register the apartment with new areas.
• Submit a package of documents to the MFC, get a new extract from the USRN.

An example of a BTI plan:

It is almost impossible to legitimize an already completed redevelopment, but if you still want to try, the procedure is as follows:

• Make a technical conclusion in the design organization. In the conclusion, it will be described what happened before the redevelopment and what happened after.
• Provide a conclusion and those. plan of an apartment in the SES for approval. There will most likely be a refusal.
• Receive from the district administration a written refusal to legalize the redevelopment.
• Go to court. As a rule, the court will refer to the refusals in the SES and the administration and also refuses. In addition, the court may require the signature of all residents of the house. If the house is an apartment building, it is almost impossible to assemble them.

We do not recommend redeveloping the apartment. If you are not satisfied with the layout of your apartment, just change the apartment.

There are always many apartments on the market with completely different layouts. You can choose the one that is right for you. Why do you suffer and live in an uncomfortable apartment? Developers, real estate agencies, banks are at your service. Don't postpone this question. Solve it today!

References for in-depth study of the issue: Housing Code of the Russian Federation (Articles 25-29); Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 491, issued on August 13, 2006; Resolution No. 170 issued by the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Construction and Housing Complex on September 27, 2003. PPM No. 708-PP - On the approval of standards for the operation of the housing stock. - Updated edition of SNiP 31-01-2003 - SP 54.13330.2011 "Residential apartment buildings". SanPiN 2.1.2.2645-10 "Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for living conditions in residential buildings and premises."

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Balcony combined with kitchen

The balcony is sometimes made as a continuation of the kitchen, if the room is very small and does not allow combining the dining area with the cooking area. A part of the kitchen unit can be placed on the balcony, it can act as a dining room, if the former window sill is designed in the form of a dining table. The same part will be retrained into a bar counter, which will become a stylish addition in case of parties at home.

In addition, the kitchen combined with the balcony will become much brighter. Redevelopment is of two types:

• Full;
• Partial.

When full, the walls separating the two rooms are removed completely. Partial redevelopment involves dismantling only windows and doors. A former window sill can serve as a countertop, storage shelf or decorative element.

Selection of thermal insulation materials

Thermal insulation of a balcony with mineral wool

The range of heaters in stores is wide enough. Before insulating the loggia from the inside with your own hands in panel houses, you need to familiarize yourself with the proposed product. Each material has its own properties, characteristics and operating conditions, so not all are suitable for installation on a balcony. The choice of an insulator for a panel house or Khrushchev is influenced by the planned heating system and the climatic conditions of the region.

Mineral wool

The traditional insulation, which has been tested by time, is mineral wool. It is actively used today in a modernized form. Available in fiberglass, slag and stone forms. It is sold in the form of mats and rolls with a thickness of 20-200 mm.

The main advantages include the plasticity of the material, the ability to cut with an ordinary construction knife and good sound damping. When working with insulation, you need to select in advance personal protective equipment for the skin of the hands, face and respiratory tract. Special care must be taken when working with glass wool. Its small particles can get on the skin and mucous membranes, resulting in irritation and itching. The most harmless type of mineral wool in work is stone basalt wool.

Styrofoam

Polyfoam is the most affordable insulation

Foam is one of the most affordable materials. It retains heat well and is easy to lay on flat surfaces. It has good sound insulation properties and is light in weight. On sale you can find polystyrene of different thicknesses and densities. The higher the density, the worse the thermal insulation. But working with high density is easier. If another denser material (plywood) will be applied as the top layer, you can take a loose foam.

If wall alignment is required, it is better to take extruded polystyrene foam. In terms of chemical composition, it is analogous to polystyrene, but it is produced using a different technology. Does not undergo deformation and mechanical stress. It is often used for floor insulation. It is more expensive than regular polystyrene, but it does not take much to lay it on the balcony floor.

Polyethylene foam

Foil polyethylene foam

Release form - mats and rolls of different thickness. The thinnest type is used for installation under the laminate, and the thickest one acts as an independent insulation.

There is a kind of foamed polyethylene foam. It is characterized by increased efficiency, since the mirror surface reflects the heat flux in the desired direction.

Cabinet on the balcony

For those who work a lot at home, but do not have their own private corner, a balcony will be an excellent solution to this problem. A small desk, office chair and even a sofa are placed in such a room. All the necessary documents, books and other tools for work can be conveniently distributed on the shelves up to the ceiling.

This option is also convenient from the point of view of lighting. During the day, you do not have to additionally turn on the lamps.In summer, the work will take place practically in the fresh air. The correct, compact design of the working space will allow even from the narrow balcony of the Khrushchev to make a separate functional office in a one-room apartment.

Changing the purpose of the loggia is fraught with problems.

Before starting repair work, you need to think carefully about the methods of insulation of the "new" space, heat supply and redevelopment. The balcony is not connected to the home heating system, therefore additional work needs to be done to ensure the supply of heat. Entrust the calculations and work to the specialists. If the apartment has central heating, then it is worth remembering that installing an additional battery will lead to a decrease in the average temperature in the house.

Often the owner decides to install an additional radiator.

As a result, new bends appear on the heating pipeline. This can lead to impaired circulation inside the heating system. The most reasonable way to insulate a balcony is to install a warm floor. A person can regulate the temperature, if desired, he uses the heating system more efficiently.

The connection of the balcony to the room is high-quality thermal insulation. The desire to save money on insulating materials will lead to heating of the neighbor's balcony. Proper insulation of walls, ceilings and floors can help save energy and keep the room warm.

Photo of combining the balcony and the room.

When removing the partition, it is worth remembering that you cannot completely demolish it.

This will reduce the strength of the load-bearing wall. It is better to leave a small part of the window sill block. Subsequently, it can be decorated. High-quality double-glazed windows keep the warmth in the apartment. It is necessary to assess whether the window unit meets the thermal insulation requirements or not.

Joining the balcony to the room for changing the location of the lighting system. If you do not plan to supply electrical wiring to the balcony ceiling, you will still need to somehow illuminate the area near the window sill. Depending on the design of the living space, there may be a need to install additional sockets, switches.

The first thing that comes to mind is the arrangement of the working area.

There are many different ways to arrange this area.

It all depends on your preferences and wishes.

An excellent solution for a cozy office. Thus, there is a division of the room into zones. This method will help you fully concentrate on work, distract yourself from household chores. In its arrangement, dark tones should be avoided, because they visually reduce the space. Light-colored walls will reflect light, making the room light. We will make the floor warm, it is much more comfortable and cozy, or cover it with a parquet board and decorate it with a small rug. The walls can be made plain. You should not use bulky furniture in the arrangement. A small desk or shelf attached to the wall instead of it is sufficient. And several shelves for storing things. As for the lighting, you can safely abandon the chandelier and be content with a bright lamp.

By joining the kitchen, the kitchen is enlarged.

A good solution for those who have a negligible amount. There are two options for combining a balcony and a kitchen into one zone. The first is to remove the door and window leading to the balcony itself. And the front wall itself should be preserved and equipped with a loading table, arranged under a bar counter. The second option is to demolish the front wall. Thus, a spacious passage to the loggia is obtained, which is made out with the help of drywall and make it more functional. And on the balcony itself, equip a dining room.

Balcony garden

The arrangement of a mini-garden can be done both on an open balcony for the summer period, and on a closed one for permanent use.

To save space, plants are sorted by type. Braids are grown in pots placed along the wall.And on the wall itself, they attach trellises: wooden lattices on which the green "wall" will be placed.

For other types of plants, special multi-tiered stands and hanging pots are used. Placement of trellises is allowed not only against the wall, but also under the window itself. Subsequently, the overgrown greenery will create a natural shadow in the room.

This option is relevant for those apartments with windows facing the sunny side. A mini-garden will be a good option for those who do not have a summer cottage, but love to tinker in the ground. It is easy to grow tomatoes, radishes, decorative sunflowers, cucumbers, herbs, onions and indoor flowers on the balcony.