A bay window is a part of the room, a multifaceted ledge with three (rarely more) windows. It is often used to add extra living space to small rooms. Sometimes it is provided for by the original layout of the house, sometimes a balcony or loggia is turned into a bay window.
Is there a bay window in the kitchen? It can be very interesting to beat him!A kitchen with a bay window is not only convenient and functional, but also very beautiful. This layout of the room looks very impressive. In addition, in the bay window you can equip a separate dining area - this is often very difficult to do.
Planning and zoning options
The presence of a bay window in the kitchen is a great opportunity to give the room a non-standard look, while ensuring comfort and convenience. There are several typical options for planning a kitchen with a bay window.
The most popular option is to use the protruding area as a dining area.
The dining room in place of the bay window is a traditional and very convenient move. If the location of communications allows, you can turn the bay window into a work area. However, there are nuances here - it is not always realistic to carry out water supply and sewerage. If you want to install a gas stove, it is almost impossible to agree on the redevelopment of pipes.
If you manage to agree on the redevelopment, you will get a very comfortable working area. Many use the bay window as a seating area with sofas, bookshelves and so on. It is convenient and practical, especially if the apartment does not have space for a living room.
Seating area in the kitchen? Why not! Not very popular in Russia, but a very effective technique is the use of a bay window for a winter garden.
Add nature to your kitchen. At the same time, zoning can differ not only in functional purpose, but also in type. A kitchen with a bay window with a clear division is usually additionally equipped with a screen, a curtain, a folding partition. Sometimes in this way a room is decorated in a bay window that is not related to the kitchen theme - for example, a small office or a children's play area.
There are many options for planning a kitchen with a bay window. However, much more often, zoning is formalized conditionally - so that the bay window is a full part of the kitchen.
In a private house in a bay window, a rather large dining room can be located. Ideas for a kitchen with a bay window
As you can see, there are many options for decorating a kitchen with a bay window. We offer to consider the most interesting and functional ideas in more detail. However, remember that your imagination is limited by the size and shape of the extension. In addition, some elements of the layout will have to be coordinated with the Housing Office.
Such a redevelopment will take a long time to coordinate, but the result is worth it. In order to transfer the working area to the bay window, it is necessary to carry out all communications there. In some houses, obtaining permission is very difficult.
However, if you manage to approve the change plan, then the result will please you.:
- This kitchen looks very stylish and unusual;
- The working surface is additionally illuminated by natural light;
- Directly in the room you can make a full-fledged dining area.
However, there are also disadvantages. Such redevelopment will cost you a considerable amount. In addition, keep in mind that it will not be possible to hang wall cabinets above the countertop, which means that they will have to be abandoned or figured out how to place them on the walls. In addition, this option is not suitable for small bay windows.
For a small kitchen with a bay window, it is better to choose another option. For example, the dining area. Important: The headset will most likely have to be made to order and of a non-standard shape, which will significantly increase the budget for repairs.
A more popular solution is to arrange a dining area in a bay window. Daylight, visual isolation from the workspace... This is both convenient and beautiful. You can install a standard kitchenette there or put a sofa. In the latter case, the bay window can become a wonderful seating area.
Dining area with sofa in the form of a bay window. Sometimes the bay window is quite small. In this case, it makes no sense to talk about the dining room or work area in the annex: they simply will not fit there. In this case, you can use it for a small seating area. For example, with and .
Don't want a bar? Just put an extra cabinet in the bay window. Sometimes a window sill is remade under the bar counter. It is comfortable, functional, stylish and inexpensive. In addition, you can place kitchen utensils and supplies in the window sill niche. A good solution for a small kitchen with a bay window.
The bay window is a great functional addition to the kitchen. An unusual technique for an American-style kitchen is to put a kitchen island in the bay window. It looks very unexpected. However, make sure that the size of the bay window allows access to the island from all sides - otherwise, you risk encountering certain inconveniences in the process.
Play with a combination of bay window and kitchen island. If you want to design a bay window for unusual purposes, consider insulating it. The winter garden looks good behind sliding doors, and it is better to fence off the office with opaque partitions.
The ability to hide a bay window is sometimes very convenient. Think carefully about the design project of the room: you need the bay window not to interfere with work in the kitchen.
Decor: decorate the bay window
Whatever decision you make, you will have to take care of decorating your bay window.
Don't forget to choose the right decor. There are general rules here:
- Do not overload the extension with a large number of decorative elements. Often, bay windows are not made too spacious, so massive decor will simply ruin them.
- The main advantage of any bay window is large windows that provide additional light. Therefore, give up thick curtains with, multi-layer structures and. Your choice is either blinds with translucent or wooden slats.
- If you want to visually separate the bay window from the rest of the room, but do not plan to do full zoning, think about drywall. They emphasize the division of zones. In addition, such arches can be ordered in any size and shape, so they are easy to fit into any style of interior design.
- By the way, about style. You can both maintain the general atmosphere in the kitchen and play around with different combinations.
- A bay window with contrasting wallpaper to the main room looks very impressive. In this case, it is better to make the ceiling and floor monophonic.
- Very often, the bay window is raised above the general level of the floor. This is stylish and comfortable, but keep in mind that this way you take away up to 30 centimeters of the height of the walls. For low kitchens, this technique is not suitable.
As for the rest of the decorations, here you are free to choose. Paintings, flowers, decorative chandeliers - all this can decorate your bay window if it suits the style of the room.
Decor elements will give the bay window completeness. However, show a sense of proportion: as we already wrote, you should not overload the bay window with a lot of decor.
Choose a style
Initially, bay windows were designed ... as defensive structures in fortresses. However, now they serve as a full part of city apartments and private houses. And they are decorated in completely different ways: depending on the purpose and style of the kitchen.
Don't be afraid to experiment with bay window designs. Let's see how bay windows look in various interior styles.
You can decorate a bay window in different ways. The kitchen with a bay window is characterized by light colors and natural materials. Choose light, airy curtains and elegant textures. Here it is better not to experiment with the purpose of the bay window - a beautiful dining area will fit perfectly.
For a classic-style kitchen, it is better to stop at the dining area. But in the Provence-style kitchen, the bay window is more often converted into a work area with a stove and sink. This approach is fully consistent with the traditions of style: as much light and space as possible.
Provence-specific colors and materials in the bay window. In an American-style kitchen, a bay window can be played up to successfully position the kitchen island. Try experimenting. For example, choose a custom location. Place the table symmetrically to the work surface transferred to the bay window. In addition, it can be turned into a bar counter. This is an example of the most efficient use of space.
It is worth playing with the location of the island. Important nuance: Make sure the dimensions of the kitchen allow this approach. If the area is less than 14 square meters, it is better to look for other options.
The kitchen in style is characterized by non-standard methods of designing bay windows. We like this option: a dark work area separates the bright area of the bay window. Due to the contrast of colors and textures, the room looks very stylish.
Modern allows experiments. However, for the kitchen in modern style, you can find many interesting solutions.
How about such a corner in the bay window? The neoclassical style kitchen also gives a lot of room for imagination. Use modern materials, experiment with a combination of textures. We recommend that you arrange a lounge area in the bay window - in this style it looks perfect.
Lounge area for the kitchen with a bay window. Note! If you do not want to overload the room with a large number of cabinets, use hidden furniture reserves. For example, order a sofa with built-in drawers.
Decorating a kitchen with a small bay window in style? It's time to turn the window sill of bay windows into a bar counter. This fits perfectly with the spirit of the loft.
In the loft, the bay window can be played in different ways. Pros and cons
As you can see, the design possibilities for decorating a kitchen with a bay window are almost endless. However, they are loved not only for this: such a layout has many advantages. However, it was not without drawbacks.
Even a small bay window will decorate the kitchen. The advantages of such premises include:
- The ability to arrange any, even the most non-standard arrangement of furniture and household appliances.
- Increase in usable area.
- Additional natural lighting, as a result - savings on electricity bills.
- Redevelopment of a kitchen with a bay window, especially if you want to move the working area into it, will be quite expensive.
- Since there are many windows in the room, you will have to pay more for heating.
- In fact, it is not too easy to properly organize the space in such a kitchen. Most likely you will need to resort to the services of a designer.
Don't be afraid to look for interesting solutions. 
Despite their small size, the comprehensive modernization of these parts of residential facilities is a difficult task. To find out how to do it yourself, a step-by-step photo must be supplemented with detailed descriptions of work operations. Useful information about modern materials,. It is necessary to find out how the new premises will be equipped. Finding the right answers to these and other practical questions will be easier after reading this article.
Read in the article
Do-it-yourself balcony insulation: step-by-step instructions for preparatory work
Open balconies in domestic climatic conditions can be fully exploited for no more than a few months a year. They are blown by cold winds, filled with rain and covered with snow. After the implementation of the project, the necessary protection will be created. Even when choosing the most economical option, the insulating characteristics of the property will improve, and the cost of heating will decrease. After a deep modernization, you can actually increase the living space at a relatively low cost.
Mistake prevention
Some important details should be noted at the beginning to rule out wrong decisions:
- Excessive "frugality" can subsequently be transformed into additional costs. If you install cheap frames without, use insufficiently high-quality and finishing materials, the desired result will not be obtained. Subsequent alterations are additional costs.
- The wrong choice of technology is also accompanied by troubles. It is necessary to carefully study the nuances of the techniques in order to make sure that they are realistic to reproduce on their own. To perform the most complex work processes, you can invite specialized specialists.
- Standard ones cannot be installed on the balcony. Some municipal authorities prohibit changing the color of exterior surfaces, installing frames, and other changes that are visible from the outside.
Important! Make sure that the project does not violate the requirements of applicable codes and regulations. If such a structure is not officially agreed upon, it will have to be removed at its own expense with the payment of a fine.
Formulation of the problem
After a detailed study of thematic materials, final conclusions will be drawn. But already at the first stage it is necessary to formulate general requirements, note the following important details:
- Even a small upgrade increases the weight of the structure. It is necessary to take into account the increase in loads on the load-bearing frame, to plan a specialized check. In some situations, a separate engineering calculation will be required.
- If the door block remains, it is not necessary to impose increased requirements on the insulating characteristics of the balcony. Otherwise, they should be no worse than in .
- A home computer network is being installed in the new room. We need to decide on the equipment of the balcony.
- It is desirable here to make the floor the same level as the room, without thresholds and steps.
This figure shows that, if desired, you can increase the available area. But we must remember that such structures significantly increase the load on the building. They must be approved in the manner prescribed by law, since significant changes are expected in the initial design.
Important! A simple freehand drawing is better than no documentation at all. Based on it, it is easier to prepare a list of components, materials, tools and other necessary products.
How to insulate the floor, walls and ceiling on the balcony: the choice of materials
If possible, it is better to install insulation outside the walls. This will help move the dew point towards the street. The probability of penetration of moisture into the main building structures will decrease. This will prevent their destruction, the appearance of mold. The available volume of the balcony will be rationally used.
It is easier to carry out installation operations inside on your own. Therefore, only relevant methods will be discussed below. To find out how to insulate a balcony with your own hands with detailed step-by-step photos, instructions, you need to correctly decide on.
| Image | Name | Advantages | Flaws |
 | Expanded clay | Low cost; good filling with granules of complex volumes; maintaining integrity over a long service life; incombustibility. | High moisture permeability, which is accompanied by loss of insulating properties. |
 | Mineral wool | Durability of state-of-the-art products; high temperature resistance; high quality butt joints. | Low strength; deterioration of the structure and an increase in thermal conductivity when water enters. These materials must be additionally protected from mechanical damage and increased. |
 | Styrofoam | Reasonable prices; ease of processing; smooth outer surface; light weight. | Low strength, flammability. To improve resistance to an open flame, special additives are used, but the corresponding materials are more expensive. |
 | Expanded polystyrene boards | High strength products with a sufficiently high density; ease of installation; resistance to moisture; durability. | Relatively expensive factory-made materials from well-known manufacturers. The difficulty of filling the internal volumes without the formation of empty spaces. |
 | Polystyrene formed at a construction site from several liquid components | It has all the advantages of plates, but in addition - it fills all the cavities of any shape. | The total cost is higher, since you have to use special equipment. |
 | Foamed polyethylene with a layer of metal foil (penofol) | Small thickness; long-term preservation of good consumer characteristics; moisture resistance. | High price. |
Note! The insulation system will be effective if you install insulating materials on the outer wall, floor, ceiling.
How to insulate a balcony with your own hands: step by step photo, window installation
| Picture | Description of actions |
| Taking into account the peculiarities of a certain balcony, they create a reliable support for the frames. If necessary (as in the picture from the example), additional metal supports are installed. The manufacture of such products is entrusted to a specialized enterprise. |
 | It is easier to work with frames assembled. They are installed in series. After precise alignment using a building level, the gaps are filled with building foam. |
 | If it is necessary to install double-glazed windows directly on the object, the glazing beads with seals are inserted carefully. In order not to damage the fragile plastic, use a wooden hammer, damping pads. |
 | Next install Wooden frames are spoiled by weather and natural influences   Polymers are used to create hinged and sliding systems, curved and rectangular frames. If necessary, apply coloring, lamination. Article |
The value of additional square meters in a city apartment is difficult to overestimate. A loggia can be a cold storage island or a warm living room. But, in order to fully use it, you need to take care of ensuring an acceptable temperature in this room.
It has become the main task for those who want to expand the useful area of the apartment.
The degree of insulation depends on the purpose of the room, as a living room or storage space.
And if the question of whether it is necessary to insulate the loggia has long been resolved, then there is still no consensus about the place of insulation.
Three directions for warming the loggia
- outside loggia insulation is the preferred option. In this case, the freezing point shifts to the outside, i.e. towards the insulation, mounted outside the loggia. This will allow not only to insulate the surface of the wall, but also to preserve the load-bearing properties of the material from which it is built. In addition, the interior space of the loggia is saved.
The only drawback of insulation from the street is the cost of high-altitude work (industrial mountaineering). For insulation outside, a rigid heat-insulating material (expanded polystyrene, polystyrene) is used, which is covered with a polymer mesh and protected with a strong cement mortar and / or decorative plaster;
Note. In some cases, the decision on whether it is possible to insulate the loggia from the outside is determined by the City Council. For example, if the house is of architectural value, it is forbidden to perform external work that changes the appearance of the building.
- double-sided insulation and finishing of the loggia. It involves the installation of heat-insulating material outside and inside the loggia. Such a decision is inexpedient in principle, because from the point of view of thermal efficiency, it does not matter from which side the work is carried out.
- insulation of the loggia from the inside. Internal insulation is the most popular option, because. It is possible to do the work yourself. However, in this case, the useful space of the loggia is reduced. Nevertheless, it is on this option that we dwell in more detail.
Do-it-yourself warming of loggias - step by step instructions with a photo
A simple technology for beginners with no experience in construction.
Step 1 - Determining the need for insulation
Depending on the future purpose of the room, a decision is made on whether it is necessary to insulate the loggia from the inside or outside, what type of insulation and what thickness will be used.
By definition, a loggia is a room in a building with one open side. This specificity makes it possible for owners to carry out insulation with less financial costs compared to balcony insulation.
The fact is that it will be necessary to insulate only one side - the parapet of the loggia. As for the other sides, if they border on the heated premises of the apartment, there is no need to perform insulation.
Step 2 - The degree of insulation of the loggia
It is a mistake to assume that glazing a loggia with double-glazed windows is a fairly reliable way to save heat in a room. In order to ensure the desired temperature in the room with minimal costs, you need to take care of the thermal insulation of all surfaces: walls, floor, ceiling. It is better to do the work at the same time, but you can do it in parts, the main thing is to follow the sequence.
Step 3 - Choosing a heater for the loggia
At first glance, the selection is not difficult. However, the variety of heat-insulating materials makes you wonder what is the best way to insulate the loggia from the inside.
- penofol(40-50 rubles / sq.m.). Belongs to the group of semi-rigid heaters. It is distinguished by the presence of two layers: foamed polyethylene and foil, which will perform the function of a reflector (reflects up to 97% of thermal energy). Warming the loggia with penofol is more justified than warming the balcony with it, but, despite this, using only penofol is a rather rare occurrence;
- Styrofoam(2560-3200 rubles / cubic meter). Optimal price/quality ratio. It has excellent thermal insulation properties, is non-hygroscopic, does not require the use of films, and is easy to install. The market offers foam plastic with different densities (15, 25, 35 kg/m3) and different sheet thicknesses - 20-100 mm, which makes it possible to vary the thickness;
- polystyrene foam(extruded polystyrene or foam plastic) (3500-5000 rubles / cubic meter). A newer generation of foams. While maintaining the advantages of polystyrene, it is distinguished by a high density (40, 100, 150 kg / m3) and a tongue-and-groove fastening system, which makes it possible to avoid cold bridges. Insulation of the loggia with penoplex is one of the most effective ways of thermal insulation, but widespread use holds back its cost;
Note. Insulation of the loggia with polystyrene foam is advisable if you need to minimize the loss of space in the process of thermal insulation.
- cotton wool. Representative of soft heaters. Mineral (400-500 rubles / pack = 5.76 sq.m.) or basalt wool (650-720 rubles / pack = 5.76 sq.m.) are good because they make it possible to warm the surface with irregularities or crevices. In the line of heaters of this type there are materials with different densities and prices. However, the general disadvantage of mineral wool is its susceptibility to moisture. This requires the use of waterproofing films;
- polyurethane foam. A heat-insulating material that is sprayed onto the surface under pressure, allowing you to fill the smallest gaps. Work on the insulation of the loggia is carried out quickly, but expensive;
- expanded clay. Loose heater. Differs in significant weight and can only be used for floor insulation;
- aerated concrete. Allows you to level the walls and insulate them, but the usable area is reduced.
With the exception of expanded clay and aerated concrete, each of the heaters can be used to insulate the loggia.
Factors affecting the choice of insulation:
- the technical condition of the surfaces to be insulated: their configuration, the height of the floor / the lowering of the ceiling, the condition of the ceiling;
- the number of surfaces to be insulated. Often the wall adjacent to the room is not insulated;
- climate. In regions with high humidity, it is undesirable to use soft heaters;
- environmental friendliness. Styrofoam is considered the least environmentally friendly material, basalt wool is the most;
- ease of installation. Rigid heaters are easier to install. When using them, you can do without the formation of a crate for laying soft wool. It also eliminates the need for films. Expanded polystyrene has the best qualities in terms of installation, thanks to the tongue-and-groove system;
- type of finishing coating;
- project cost: turnkey loggia insulation or do-it-yourself.
Step 4 - Prepare materials and tools
For work, you need to prepare: heat-insulating material, mounting foam, primer, wooden beam (50x50, for the floor) and slats (50x30, for mounting the crate under soft insulation), vapor and waterproofing film (for soft insulation), hardware, metallized adhesive tape, Decoration Materials.
From the tool: puncher, drill, level, hammer, tape measure, foam gun, vacuum cleaner, stapler, pliers, pencil.
Note. A wooden beam can be replaced with a drywall profile. The dimensions of the timber are determined by the thickness of the insulation.
Step 5 - Glazing the loggia
Glazing and insulation of loggias are two interdependent actions. When installing plastic windows, preference should be given to a 4-chamber profile and a 2-chamber double-glazed window. During installation, it is necessary to monitor the tightness of the fit of all structures. Outside, the installation of an outflow is mandatory, which avoids water leakage. A window sill is installed inside, taking into account the thickness of the insulation.
Installing PVC windows makes it possible to increase the temperature on the loggia by 2-3 degrees compared to the temperature outside the window.
If it is not possible to replace old windows, they can be sealed. Insulation of loggia windows is best done using Swedish technology. It makes it possible to increase the thermal insulation properties of the window without changing their functional characteristics.
Step 6 - Surface Preparation
Whatever type of insulation is carried out on the loggia, due to its small area, it must be freed from everything extraneous. It is for this reason that it is advisable to carry out the insulation of the entire loggia at the same time.
Then the actions necessary for further work are performed:
- removal of protruding parts that can be dismantled;
- chasing and drilling walls. If necessary, electrification of the loggia;
- processing of elements that cannot be dismantled. The metal is cleaned and coated with a primer;
- primer treatment of all surfaces of the loggia. This will prevent the development of the fungus;
- cleaning.
Step 7 - Warming the floor on the loggia
It is advisable to start work on insulation from the floor.
Regardless of the material, it is performed on logs. An exception is the laying of insulation with subsequent screed under the tile or when installing the underfloor heating system. The work is carried out in several stages:
- penofol installation. This is not necessary, but the masters advise laying penofol with the reflective side up. Due to the reflectivity of penofol, almost all the heat that comes from the wall adjacent to the room or from the heating source remains in the room;
- lag installation. Before installation, the beam must be cut to size and treated with a primer. The longitudinal beam is laid at a distance of 50-70 mm from the walls, and the transverse one with a step equal to the width of the insulation (for foam plastic 500 mm, for cotton wool and expanded clay - 600 mm.). The bars are attached to the floor with dowels. When installing the logs, they monitor the correctness of their fastening, in the future they will serve as a guide for arranging the floor and installing a fine floor covering.
Note. Mounting the log against the wall increases the risk of wood deformation if it gets wet.
- insulation installation. Rigid insulation is laid between the lags. When insulating the loggia with polystyrene foam or polystyrene, it is not recommended to use thick material. Masters are advised to purchase thinner sheets and stack them with an offset. This minimizes the surface of cold bridges. Cotton wool is also placed between the joists so that the material fits freely, without knocking down. A vapor barrier film is laid on top of the cotton wool to prevent it from getting wet.
- seam sealing. If the rigid insulation is laid with gaps, they must be blown out with mounting foam, which is a good insulator.
- subfloor arrangement. It is not recommended to lay laminate or lay linoleum until the end of work. If the floor is finished with tiles, it is mounted immediately and protected (covered) with cardboard.
Note. The use of a warm floor system will ensure the heating of the loggia, because it is forbidden to take out central heating radiators, and the use of a heater does not give a long-term effect.
Step 8 - Insulation of the ceiling on the loggia
This stage can be excluded if the floor of the neighbors from above is insulated. If not, then the simplest solution would be to insulate the loggia with polyurethane foam. It adheres well to any surface, and the work can be done in a day.
Often, the ceiling is insulated on the loggia with hard heaters, less often with cotton wool. The work order may vary.
Option 1 - frame method of thermal insulation of the ceiling on the loggia
- installation of penofol. From the course of physics it is known that warm air rises. And in order not to heat the floor to the neighbors from above, it is advisable to install penofol on the ceiling;
- frame arrangement. For work, wooden slats are used, with a thickness equal to the thickness of the insulation;
- the insulation is placed in the cells of the frame. If cotton wool is used, a vapor barrier film is additionally mounted;
- ceiling finishing.
Option 2 - "wet" way to insulate the ceiling on the loggia
If the base of the ceiling is even, you can glue hard insulation to it. Additional fixation will be provided by the use of dowels with a large cap. The joints of the insulation sheets are foamed with foam. For an additional effect, penofol is installed.
Option 3 - insulation of the false ceiling on the loggia
Lay insulation (usually wool) on the finishing material of the ceiling. Suitable for false ceiling or ceiling finish with laminate or plastic panels.
Step 9 - Wall insulation on the loggia
Warming the walls of the loggia is the easiest step. However, it has an important feature, namely: the walls of the loggia are insulated in different ways.
- the wall adjacent to the room is insulated in one layer;
- the outer wall is insulated in two layers or a thicker thermal insulation material is used. Moreover, it fits in pieces, and always with an offset.
Like work on the ceiling, there are two ways of insulation: “wet” and frame:
- "wet"- suitable for rigid insulation and the only possible for aerated concrete. Often in this way the loggia is insulated with penoplex.
- frame– Mandatory for soft materials. Without a frame device, it is impossible to insulate the loggia with cotton wool. The frame can be made of wood or metal profile. The technology of laying cotton wool on a wall does not differ from its installation on a ceiling or floor. The protection of cotton wool is provided by the installation of the film.
The problem of lack of square meters is very relevant for residents of typical high-rise buildings. One way out of the situation is to insulate the balcony from the inside and turn it into a living room.
A warm balcony opens up ample opportunities for a more efficient layout of the interior space of the apartment. However, in order to turn your balcony into a full-fledged room, you should make a number of works on its insulation.
This step-by-step instruction for warming a balcony with your own hands is designed to answer all the questions that arise in this case, minimize the cost of time, effort and financial resources, and warn you against meeting all possible "pitfalls".
Possibilities of using the insulated loggia
A warm loggia, being part of the interior space of the apartment, can be used in several ways. The possibility of using each of them depends on the features of the internal layout of the apartment and on the needs of the owners of the dwelling. Here is some of them:
- Like a separate room. Here you can place a study, a rest room, a home workshop, etc. In this case, the balcony entrance group is preserved, which now acts as a partition between the hall (kitchen) and the new room.
- Combination with the living room or hall. It makes it possible to significantly increase their size by adding additional space due to the warm loggia. The connection of the two rooms is due to the dismantling of the glazing and the door of the entrance group. In some cases, the partition located under the windows is also dismantled.
- Combining with the kitchen or transferring this room to the loggia. This allows you to leave the functions of the only dining area behind the former kitchen, and place the stove and cooking tables on the loggia. For this, the balcony entrance group, located from the side of the kitchen, is also being dismantled.
How to legalize the association of the loggia with the interior
Obtain all necessary permits before redevelopment
A step-by-step guide on how to insulate a balcony with your own hands is necessary not only for the correct phased work, but also in order to avoid violations of building and administrative standards.
Often, when insulating a balcony room, the apartment owners aim to combine it with the rest of the rooms by dismantling the entrance group and the balcony wall. It should be borne in mind that the rules for the operation of residential premises in apartment buildings are strictly prohibited from making unauthorized changes to their layout.
Unauthorized demolition of partitions, and even more so of load-bearing walls (which are the external walls overlooking the balcony) is fraught with a serious conflict with the managing organization.
In order to avoid such problems, before insulating the loggia with your own hands, it is always recommended to start work by obtaining all the necessary permits. To do this, it is necessary to draw up a project plan for the upcoming work and submit it to the relevant supervisory authorities - the architectural committee and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
After receiving their approval, the upcoming redevelopment should be agreed with the specialists of the management company. Only after the “go-ahead” is received from all organizations, it will be possible to calmly get to work, without fear of any administrative and legal claims.
Stages of work on insulation
Do-it-yourself step-by-step instructions for warming a loggia with your own hands, first of all, provide for the entire complex of necessary work - only in this case we can talk about effective warming of the room. Neglecting any of the stages of complex insulation can eventually nullify all the work done.
Phased warming of the loggia provides for the following work:
- balcony facade glazing;
- sealing joints of the structure;
- waterproofing device;
- installation of a heater;
- decorative interior decoration.
Balcony glazing is one of the main works, without which it is impossible to create an internal thermal circuit in the room. In this regard, it is necessary to approach the glazing with all responsibility. Balcony glazing performs a number of important functions:
- thermal insulation;
- moisture insulation;
- soundproofing;
- providing access to sunlight inside the room.
Modern version of glazing - with aluminum or PVC frames When glazing a loggia, you can use both the classic version of the design with wooden frames, and more modern windows made of aluminum or plastic profiles with multi-chamber double-glazed windows.
To create and maintain a comfortable temperature inside, it is recommended to choose window structures with multi-chamber double-glazed windows. Depending on the climatic conditions of the region, the number of cameras can vary from two to six.
Window groups using double-glazed windows can be quite heavy, so you need to make sure that the loggia parapet can support their weight.
Strengthen the balcony structure if you are not sure of its strength In case of the slightest doubt about the ability of the fence to withstand the load, it would be best to play it safe and further strengthen it. For this, you can use the design of metal corners or channels.
At the same time, one should not overdo it too much in the quantity and thickness of the metal - an excessive load on the balcony slab is not at all provided for by the construction project of the building.
Leave your glazing to the professionals When choosing window groups, it is better to give preference to designs that have proven themselves in this market. The installation of windows should also be entrusted to professionals. The fact is that you are unlikely to succeed in installing a window group with high quality without experience. Moreover, in the case of self-installation, you may lose the warranty service of the manufacturer.
In order to avoid the accumulation of excessive dampness and condensation on the balcony, it is best to install plastic windows with built-in valves for air exchange.
Preliminary cleaning and puttying of surfaces
Level the walls and remove all bubbles, roughness and peeling paint Instructions for warming the balcony pays special attention to the preliminary preparation of internal surfaces. If you are going to install heat-insulating material using any adhesives or on a cement (polymer) basis, you should carefully clean all internal surfaces from the old finish.
In this case, special attention should be paid to flaking, bubbling or crumbling fragments of whitewash, paint or plaster.
Surfaces painted with glossy paint should also be cleaned with coarse sandpaper or a grinder to improve their adhesion (coupling) with the adhesive composition.
All cracks and crevices at the joints of balcony structures must be carefully puttied. Large gaps, for example, between a wall (parapet, ceiling) and glazing, can be sealed with mounting foam.
If even the smallest gaps are left unsealed, cold air and dampness will inevitably penetrate into the interior space through them, which will lead to the formation of condensate and dampness.
Balcony floor can be covered with rolled insulating material To do this, you can use any suitable material for this. On the modern market of finishing materials, there is a large selection of various mastics and sealants based on polymer and bitumen, as well as rolled waterproofing materials.
For maximum effectiveness, the mastic should be used according to the instructions for use.
All joints of balcony structures should be treated with liquid moisture-repellent compounds. In order to prevent the formation of condensation and dampness, all internal surfaces of the loggia can be covered with mastic.
Rolled material (roofing material, isospan, etc.) covers the walls, floor and ceiling of the loggia. Sheets cut to the desired size are attached to the surfaces of the loggia using building glue, mastic, or pressed with a slatted frame.
For greater efficiency, the joints of the sheets should overlap and be glued with sealant or adhesive tape.
The choice of insulation
Thermal insulation should reliably protect the balcony from the cold After the internal surfaces are puttied and waterproofed, you can proceed directly to the insulation of the balcony. The choice of material depends on many factors: on the place of its installation, the minimum winter temperatures in your area, cost, etc.
Thermal insulation should, first of all, qualitatively fulfill its main purpose - to protect the interior from the outside cold. In order to choose the right heat-insulating material, you should carefully familiarize yourself with its features of operation, pluses and minuses.
Penoplex or extruded polystyrene foam is a modern heat-insulating material. Do-it-yourself insulation of a balcony with penoplex has a number of advantages. It has excellent performance characteristics - it retains heat well, is not afraid of dampness, has a low mass, but is quite dense.
Penoplex is easily cut into sheets of the desired size with an ordinary knife and can be used to insulate any surface.
Insulation of the loggia floor with foam plastic does not require the installation of an additional frame. Due to its high density, it can support a lot of weight without deforming or breaking.
Styrofoam insulation has the same advantages as the previous option - it is lightweight and has good heat-insulating properties. But unlike penoplex, it is less dense.
Therefore, it is possible to use it for warming the floors of the loggia only as a frame filler. It is not recommended to cover the floors with them directly under the finish coating: under the weight of people and furniture, it can crumble quite quickly and become unusable. For information on how to quickly glue foam, see this video:
This insulation is made from various mineral substances (glass, stone, slag) by melting and foaming with compressed air in a centrifuge. As a result, fibers are obtained, from which insulation is pressed. It has a low density and is available in the form of rolls or tiles.
Mineral wool has good thermal insulation properties, is economical, but it also has a number of serious disadvantages.
When working with it, particles of stone or glass dust rise into the air and settle in the respiratory tract, on the skin, mucous membranes, causing itching and irritation. Another disadvantage of the material is hydrophobicity. She is afraid of dampness and, when wet, loses her thermal insulation properties. How to insulate a balcony, see this video:
Work with mineral wool should be strictly in protective suits, gloves and goggles.
foil materials
Penofol Relatively recently, a new generation of heaters appeared on our market, the surface of which is covered with thin metallized foil. The most common among them is penofol - a foamed polymer, pasted over on one or two sides with foil.
Its main feature is its excellent thermal insulation qualities. With a thickness of only 3 - 5 mm, it is equivalent in this indicator to a mineral plate 100 mm thick. This is achieved due to the special structure of polyethylene foam, which consists of a large number of closed pores with air bubbles.
The surface glued with foil tends to reflect back up to 95% of thermal radiation. This makes penofol and other foil materials extremely effective. To learn how to insulate a balcony with penofol, see this video:
During installation, the penofol should be laid with the foil side inside the room. Also, do not compress the material, because this significantly deteriorates its thermal insulation properties.
Before proceeding with the insulation of the balcony from the inside with your own hands, a frame should be mounted on the walls, ceiling and floor. It can be made from wooden blocks or a metal profile.
We will need it for fastening decorative finishes - drywall, PVC or chipboard panels, etc. After installing the frame, we proceed to filling its cells with insulation.
Insulation plates can be fixed with special glue Features of work on the installation of insulation directly depend on the type of material you have chosen. You can use either special adhesives or fasteners for its fastening.
Sufficiently dense materials are attached with adhesive compositions, for example, polystyrene foam or polystyrene. With the help of fasteners, less dense heaters - minplita, penofol. But with the help of dowels, foam plastic with foam plastic can also be attached.
It is best to use plastic mushroom dowels with wide caps with a diameter of 50 mm for installation. For installation in this way, we cut out sheets of insulation of the required size and insert them into the frame cells. In several places, using a perforator, we drill holes through the insulation in a concrete slab or wall, into which we insert “fungi” and fix it by hammering plastic nails into them (included). About the qualities of ecowool insulation, see this video:
Subsequent finishing
Lining is one of the most environmentally friendly finishing materials.
After installing all the sheets (plates) of insulation in the frame cells, all the gaps between them and the frame profile are carefully sealed with sealant, putty or mounting foam.
After that, you can proceed to sheathing the frame with finishing materials - sheets of plasterboard, chipboard, MDF, PVC panels, flooring, etc. On the floors, on top of a dense insulation such as foam, you can make a cement-sand screed or filler floors, on top of which lay tiles.
As you can see, with the help of instructions for warming the balcony, it will not be difficult to do all the work with your own hands. To do this, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of materials and comply with the requirements of building codes in the production of work.