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.
Balcony insulation
Whatever arrangement option you choose, the balcony must be insulated in any case. If the balcony will be used as a storage room, then it is enough to insulate the external walls of the balcony and, of course, install double-glazed windows on the windows. For all other options, in addition to insulating external walls and windows, it is necessary to make additional radiators and “warm” floors.
So, the insulation work has been completed, you can start arranging and decorating.
Wall work
The first thing you need to start with is the glazing of the balcony. The frames can be made of wood and installed in place yourself, but it is best to entrust this to organizations that deal with such issues. Moreover, after installing the frames, they will provide high-quality sealing of window openings.
- The next stage will be the insulation of the walls, special attention should be paid to the partitions facing the street.
- Foam plastic, mineral wool or penoplex can be used as insulation.
- After this process is over, you can begin finishing work.
The wall, which is a partition between the apartment and the balcony, does not need to be insulated, but only leveled with plaster, and then finished.
Material requirements
Finishing material for balconies must be resistant to ultraviolet rays. It is recommended to choose a material that has a thermal conductivity value of no more than 0.3 W/mK. The interior decoration of balconies with a high coefficient of thermal conductivity and density is used as a passive source of cooling or, conversely, heating the space. As you know, dark colors quickly warm up in the sun, but in small spaces it is difficult to use such shades harmoniously. Basically they are only suitable for floors. Therefore, it is recommended to decorate the walls and ceiling with materials that can reflect solar energy, directing it downward.
Briefly about the main thing
Sheathing a loggia and turning a previously uninhabited space into a cozy corner in the house is no longer a new trend in interior design. There are more than a dozen materials that can be used to cover a loggia. Their selection is made based on the final use of the premises.
You can cover the loggia with classic clapboard in wood or plastic, or use decorative stone for decoration, use simple ceramic tiles or surprise everyone with cork material, use fashionable siding or create a masterpiece using drywall - the choice is up to the owner of the house.
Having decided on the wall covering material, you need to decide how to finish the floors and ceilings. Ultimately, the loggia will become a wonderful place in your home and will fully correspond to its new purpose.
Balcony finishing with clapboard
This type is ideal for rooms where sudden temperature fluctuations may occur. At the moment, interior decoration of the balcony with clapboard is one of the inexpensive and relatively simple options. What is this material? This is a board that is used for covering surfaces. Its width can vary from 10 to 15 cm. During finishing, the connection occurs using a puzzle method, which is what allows you to create a seamless seamless cladding.
Nowadays, cladding boards are made from wood and plastic. The latter option has a low price, is easy to clean, does not fade in the sun, and is moisture resistant. However, its significant disadvantage is the unnaturalness of the material. But wooden lining, on the contrary, with high-quality processing, not only has all the above qualities, but at the same time it is environmentally friendly for human health. It is also worth noting in a few words the design design. Thanks to its diversity, the balcony space can be made truly cozy, stylish and beautiful.
Glazing
A modern balcony welcomes glazing made of plastic profiles, which do not dry out or rot. This profile also has good strength for load-bearing properties. The main thing is that plastic windows are functional and safe:
- Firstly, it is necessary to provide at least two movable sashes for access to all glass (this simplifies the care of all windows and their dismantling);
- Secondly, the movable sashes must operate in a swing-out or sliding manner;
- Thirdly, inside the sashes, instead of single glasses, double-glazed windows with one or two chambers should be built in - gaps between the glass sheets;
- Fourthly, it is recommended to cover the outer glass with reflective film, which hides the interior of the balcony;
- Fifthly, locking mechanisms must be embedded into the profile to prevent accidents, including falls from a height.
If the last two properties contribute to safety, then the rest contribute to a balanced microclimate and convenient operation.
The glazing is completed with curtains and window sills. In oblong balconies with a large volume of sashes, it is advantageous to use single-color curtains, which are retractable due to the ceiling profile cornice. For small structures, horizontal blinds or roller shutters are suitable.
Balcony finishing with plastic panels
Interior decoration of balconies with plastic panels is now quite common. The popularity of this coating is well deserved. It has a long service life and a wide range of design options. The installation of such panels is somewhat similar to covering a balcony with clapboard.
Technical characteristics of the panels:
- width from 25 to 33.5 cm;
- length from 2 meters;
- thickness 5-10 mm.
Plastic panels are made from polyvinyl chloride using the extrusion method.
Advantages of plastic panels:
- the main advantage is the low price;
- ease of installation;
- a large selection of colors, including imitation of natural materials (wood, stone);
- exceptional ease of maintenance;
- high rates of sound and heat insulation.
Flaws:
- low resistance to mechanical stress;
- instability to sudden temperature changes - the room must be well insulated from the inside;
- on the sunny side, plastic quickly burns out and can also emit an unpleasant odor when heated.
We recommend reading: interior decoration of the attic - choice of material
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.
Drywall
Now it's time for the drywall. They cover the entire surface of the room with it, so that later they can refine it with the help of finishing materials. When choosing this material, you need to take into account the level of moisture resistance. Manufacturers have specially produced drywall of a class that fully meets all requirements. The sheet is covered with green cardboard with blue markings.
Interior finishing of balcony with siding
This type of finishing is recommended for use on unglazed balconies and loggias. Siding is a metal sheet that is attached to a special frame. The final result of the solid structure will depend on the quality of its installation. To work, you must have a hacksaw for metal and scissors in order to cut sheets of the required size. Grinders are less commonly used for these purposes. It is worth immediately voicing the unpleasant side of such material - rapid loss of color, especially if the balcony is located on the sunny side. Installation of siding is quite simple: the sheets are inserted one by one into the main panel and screwed on top with screws.
Accessories
An optimal microclimate is not enough to implement completely modern ideas for a balcony in 2022. Bright attributes will help complete and decorate the new balcony design:
- Living plants - tall palm, low-growing flowers;
- Ultra-modern lamps - panels, “points”, chandelier;
- Furniture of unusual shape - chair, table, pouf, beanbag, designer shelves;
- Wall plot - painting, panel (hanged on a narrow wall);
- Textiles - pillows, small floor carpet.
Contrast is also facilitated by personal items placed on the countertop, shelves and window sills - laptop, books, magazines.
Decorative plaster
A traditional option for wall decoration can be called decorative or relief plaster. This material is produced in a wide range, and is applied with varying depths and complexity of relief. This type of coating is at the same time protective, as it protects the walls from the penetration of moisture and dust.
It is very important that having applied the plaster solution to the walls once, the owner is free to change the color of the finish at any time, since re-painting the surfaces will not be difficult. To change the color scheme, you only need water-based paint, a brush and a roller.
Decorative rock
Natural stone has a high cost and heavy weight, so artificial decorative stone made of gypsum, acrylic or quartz is usually used for interior decoration of the balcony.
Ceramic tile
The main advantage of the material is its hygiene, since the tile is easy to care for, it is easy and simple to wash, and it can easily withstand the action of detergents. It should also be noted the decorative properties, many colors, as well as style and aesthetics, which will allow you to create a unique balcony interior.
Ceramic tiles are a durable material that is resistant to various influences and will last for many years. In addition, it should be noted that it is environmentally friendly. The tile is cold to the touch and slippery, so it is better not to use it for finishing the floor.
Ceiling work
Here, first of all, it is necessary to do waterproofing, and only after that proceed with laying electrical wiring, if required. At the final stage, plasterboard, lining, MDF panels, and siding can be used as materials.
- At one time, the Armstrong type ceiling was in demand because it was quite easy to install.
- It is still relevant now, and instead of the usual plasterboard tiles, in this version you can use plastic or stained glass.
Recently, stretch ceilings have become very popular. Since the balcony area is small, little material is required, and the work will be completed quickly and efficiently by professionals.
