A balcony is an integral part of almost every apartment. This additional space is used in different ways: it is an extension of the living area, an office or a place to store unnecessary junk. In any case, you need to think about what is better to make the floor on the balcony so that it is warm and comfortable on it.
Many people still confuse a balcony and a loggia, although they are fundamentally different. The balcony slab is in contact with the building with only one side, sometimes with two, if we mean the corner option. The rest of the walls protrude beyond the building. The slab takes the main load, so it is extremely risky to overload it during the arrangement of the floor. This should be taken into account when choosing materials and type of flooring.
The loggia is in contact with the building on three sides, is essentially one with the room and is fenced off from it by a door partition. The element is located on a full-fledged floor slab, therefore the effect of loads is of little importance here.
If you have a question, what is better to put on the floor on the balcony, then first you need to conduct a detailed check of the condition of the slab and the balcony structure itself. It is advisable to entrust this work to specialists who will carry out the necessary calculations and decide whether additional strengthening is necessary or not.
Is the floor screed permissible on the balcony
The screed on the balcony is not the most profitable solution in terms of safety, because it will greatly increase the load on the slab. The minimum thickness of the screed should be 2-2.5 cm, plus a layer of waterproofing is placed on top and reinforcement is performed. If you plan to heat the floor with pouring the solution, then you will have to carry out a thermal insulation layer under it. In this case, the thickness of the screed increases to 4-5 cm.
If the surface of the balcony floor has irregularities in the form of a deviation from the horizontal, then the thickness of the screed will increase significantly and, as a result, the load on the base of the balcony will increase. The conclusion here begs one: it is preferable to find another way to level the floor surface and not risk your safety.
Types of coatings
Choosing a floor covering is not as easy as it seems at first glance. The floor must meet certain standards and requirements. In addition, the topcoat will become a visible part, therefore its appearance should be attractive. What is better to put on the balcony floor? Below are some suitable options.
Ceramic tile
Ceramic tiles will look very beautiful on the balcony floor. There are many colors and textures on sale, so choosing a cladding for a specific interior will not cause difficulties.
Ceramic tiles - one of the floor coverings on the balcony
The tiles are quite durable and retain their appearance for over 10 years. It is not whimsical to care for, but it is a rather cold material, so you will need to put a carpet on top or make a "warm floor" system.
Linoleum
There are several types of linoleum that are produced on the basis of different materials. The most resistant characteristics are rubber-based linoleum. The coating is not afraid of moisture, does not ignite, withstands mechanical stress and stress. If the balcony will be used as a living space, it is better to choose natural linoleum. It looks nice and environmentally friendly.
You cannot use linoleum on an open balcony, because frost will cause it to crack. Heavy loads deform the surface of a cheap material, and there is no guarantee that it meets environmental requirements.
Decking
Decking is a parquet for outdoor use. It is also called garden parquet. For such cladding, hardwood is used, sometimes with the addition of polymers. The material is resistant to temperature extremes, durable, therefore it is suitable for an open balcony.
The deck is made in the form of tiles of different sizes. On the lower side, such elements have a wooden or plastic base, on which side fasteners are located for adhesion of parts to each other. Installation of garden parquet on the balcony can be done by yourself in just half an hour.
Cork coverings
The good thing about the cork surface is that it is warm and pleasant to the touch. On such a floor, you can walk barefoot and not experience discomfort. There are different colors on sale, so you can not cover the cork with anything on top. The advantages of a cork floor are easy installation, beautiful appearance and softness. The disadvantage is that it is not recommended to put heavy furniture on such a floor.
Laminate
The laminate consists of a wood-polymer base and a paper top layer with a pattern. Moisture resistance and durability of the coating are provided by several layers of acrylic resin. The more of these layers, the better the surface will withstand mechanical stress and moisture. The advantages of laminate flooring in its beautiful form, easy maintenance and the elimination of mold and mildew. The disadvantages of the coating are its susceptibility to temperature changes, an increase in the acoustic effect and complex installation.
Laminate - flooring on the balcony Floor painting
Wood is the most commonly used balcony flooring. From above it is covered with paint on a different basis. This allows you to extend the life of the wood, protect it from rotting and drying out. The wooden base can be coated with oil and polyurethane paint, as well as with aqualak.
Advantages and disadvantages of carpet
Carpet is a wonderful material for decorating the floor on the balcony. It will create comfortable conditions for staying in this apartment area, if it is reserved for relaxation or entertainment.
In the assortment you can find natural and artificial surfaces, monochromatic and with patterns, long and short nap. Carpet made with imitation of a lawn has gained great popularity. The disadvantages of such a coating include the need for regular cleaning, "storage" of dust and instability to moisture.
Choice of flooring depending on the type of balcony
Before making the choice of material for finishing the floor on the balcony, it is necessary to deal with the existing direct arrangement. There are such types of balcony rooms as:
- open;
- glazed;
- not heated.
Depending on these parameters, floor insulation with subsequent finishing should be carried out. It should be borne in mind that the chosen coating must withstand low temperatures, precipitation and sunlight.
Open balcony
Open balconies, without glazing, are most susceptible to weathering. That is why serious requirements are put forward for its arrangement. One of the main challenges is the selection of a suitable cladding. Indeed, in addition to durability and weather resistance, the appearance of the material plays an important role.
Outdoor balcony flooring must withstand winter frosts, autumn rains and the scorching sun while maintaining its functionality and aesthetics. In addition, anti-slip properties are desirable if rain falls on the floor. All these requirements are met by ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware, stone, special paints.
Glazed balcony
A glazed balcony is less picky about the choice of flooring. It is not affected by atmospheric phenomena, the wind does not blow out dust and dirt. For example, temperature drops and minor raindrops are not so terrible for a tree. The only thing that should be chosen with care is carpet and laminate. The first, due to possible condensation, can absorb moisture, and the second, due to high temperatures, is deformed.
Carpet - covering for a glazed balcony Unheated balcony
If you start installing the floor in a cold glazed room, you will have to take care of the floor insulation on the balcony. A possible material can be plywood covering on the logs. It has many benefits;
- raises the floor and acts as an additional space for thermal insulation;
- provides perfect horizontal evenness for cladding;
- allows you to put both lining and linoleum on it.
The only material that is not suitable for mounting on a cold balcony is cork. Changes in temperature will create condensation that will collect in the hygroscopic cork material, which will turn it into dust.
Surface preparation requirements
Before covering the floor on the balcony with a decorative finish, its surface must be cleaned of unnecessary elements and leveled. You will also need to perform hydro and thermal insulation.
Leveling the floor on an open balcony is somewhat different from its arrangement in closed rooms. Also, the process can be carried out in several ways, which will depend on what functions the balcony will perform in the future. Preparatory work is carried out in turn:
- a reinforcing mesh is laid on a plate cleared of debris;
- if a decision is made to perform a screed on an open balcony, then formwork must be installed along its perimeter. You don't need to do this on a closed balcony;
- 2-3 guide beacons are exposed on the surface;
- screed solution is poured from above;
- sheets of thermal insulation are laid on the dried concrete floor, and another layer of mortar on top;
- leave the surface to dry for several weeks.
If a self-leveling screed is chosen, then it will take less time for it to harden.
When it is not desirable to make the balcony structure heavier, choose laying the sub-floor on a wooden frame. Three layers are laid here: a wooden frame, insulation and flooring.
Technology options for laying the floor on the balcony
The floor on the balcony must be laid based on the specifics of the selected material. Each of them has its own characteristics and installation requirements.
Laying linoleum
Linoleum is laid on a flat and insulated base. What is the best way to insulate the floor on the balcony? Isolon, mineral wool or foam is suitable. If the balcony is of a non-standard shape, then the dimensions of the linoleum begin to be calculated at the widest place, leaving an allowance of 3-5 cm in length.
After purchasing the material, you need to unfold it on the floor and let it lie down and level out. Excess elements are cut off with a sharp knife. The final result of the installation depends on the quality of the fixing of the skirting board. Experts recommend looking for collapsible skirting boards, complete with an elastic edge, in a hardware store. You can lay cables and communications under the skirting board.
After the plinth is laid around the perimeter and all the segments are fitted, the corners are collected. Each corner is pressed tightly against the wall and fixed. The plinth between the corners is fixed to the wall with self-tapping screws with the same pitch.
It is more difficult to lay linoleum on a "curved" balcony or to make a covering from segments. For joining, the "cold welding" technique is used, tightly fitting perfectly straight edges of the pieces. A strip of cardboard is placed under the joint to heat the glue applied to the back side. The joint is heated with a mounting hairdryer or iron. When the glue hardens, remove the backing.
Laying ceramic tiles
Before installing the tiles, an adhesive is prepared, which is applied to a floor area of \u200b\u200babout 1 sq. m. For the evenness of the layer, it is distributed using a notched trowel. The tiles are laid neatly on the surface and their position is checked with a level. If necessary, the position is corrected with a rubber mallet or manually. Laying continues until the entire surface has been tiled. Crosses are placed at the joints so that all seams are perfectly even.
If work is carried out on an open balcony, then the tiles are laid slightly tilted towards the edge. This will help guide rainwater away from the doorstep. The surface after facing must dry within 24 hours. During this period, you cannot move on the floor;
After drying, the joints between the tiles are sealed with grout or grout. It is convenient to apply them with a rubber spatula so that the composition fills all the seams without leaving voids. After a day, the floor can be washed and used.
Parquet laying
Before installation, parquet boards are kept for adaptation at room temperature of about 18 degrees. Such a floor is laid according to the thorn-groove type. The result is a beautiful, even finish. There are several ways to install parquet flooring on a balcony:
- floating. The initial row is turned with a tongue-and-groove to the wall, while leaving the expansion joint, taking into account the expansion and contraction of wood, 0.8-1 cm. Boards in the first row are glued together with end edges, in the second they are joined;
- gluing to the base. The laying technology in this case is almost the same as the previous one. The only thing to consider is that each board is additionally glued to the base. This increases the rigidity of the structure and its durability;
- installation to the subfloor with nails. The method is suitable for solid parquet boards and is performed simultaneously with the adhesive bonding using the floating floor method. At the same time, some elements are fixed through the ridges with the help of nails.
Each of the methods has both pros and cons that need to be studied and taken into account when laying parquet.
Floor painting
The easiest way to finish a balcony floor is painting. The composition must be durable, resistant to damage and atmospheric troubles. For work, you only need a brush or roller. The floor surface is pre-cleaned. The paint is applied evenly to the substrate, paying particular attention to the edges of the perimeter. The number of words depends on the density of the material. Each subsequent one is applied when the previous one is completely dry.
Laying laminate
Laminate is only suitable for closed balconies that are well heated. If there is no insulation layer, it is placed between the beams on the floor. To begin with, a plywood flooring of more than 1.5 cm is made. Fastening is done using self-tapping screws, which should be at least twice as long as the thickness of the material. The base is laid with a substrate for sound and heat insulation. Elements, after laying on the surface, are glued together with tape.
The first row of laminate is laid along the wall and connected with end locks. It is necessary to leave a gap of 5-7 mm in order to compensate for material deformations. The second row is mounted from half of the panel. The end joints of the row should be 30 cm shorter or longer than the previous one. At the end, a plinth is mounted along the entire perimeter.
Cork covering
It is better to choose a cork floor in panels with self-locking locks. adhesive tiles are not very easy to install. First, a substrate of solid material is laid. A cork floor is spread from above, starting from the corner of the balcony.
The first panel is laid with a 5 mm distance from the walls, after which it joins the second one. Thus, the entire first row is laid out. The next rows are mounted in the same way as for laminate.
You can knock the panels with a hammer, and in order not to damage the ends, a spacer made of a wooden block is used. After laying the floor, the plinth is also attached.
Wooden floor device
Arrangement of a wooden floor is most in demand. It is easy to lay it out with your own hands, and the price of such a floor will be low. For work, you need a bar that is cut into individual elements. Each piece is exposed at the desired level with 5 mm gaps around the edges. Using a level, the surface is leveled. A 5 cm thick insulation is laid on top, and the joints are filled with polyurethane foam. The top layer will be a wooden board, which is fixed to the surface with self-tapping screws. The end element is placed with a spike in front and is attached along the edge through the top and into the groove. The next part fits tightly with the previous one.
A protective compound in the form of paint, varnish or other material is applied to the wooden surface, which will make the surface wear-resistant.
For a long time, the renovation of the apartment was limited to the arrangement of the interiors, decorated according to all design canons. However, the constant desire of a person to increase the living space and increase its comfort has become the reason for the implementation of extended repairs, including mandatory positions for the arrangement of technical premises. One of these rooms is a balcony. If earlier you could not get on the balcony barefoot, as dust and dirt got into the living room, then after repairing it, you will forget for a long time about the need to look for your own slippers. And from now on you will not have to think about warm clothes, which previously helped you to be prepared for all the surprises of the weather outside the window. If, by opening the door to the balcony or loggia, you want to get into a cozy room, which is an extension of your apartment, and not on the "street", as it was before, you need to read our article, which tells how to lay the floor on the balcony do it yourself. But, despite the fact that the balcony, converted into a room for year-round use, is often glazed, the floor on the balcony sooner or later becomes unusable, due to the influence of temperature changes and variable humidity. Even if, at first glance, it seems that there will be enough partial repairs, do not flatter yourself, since, according to experts, the best option is to completely dismantle the old floor, followed by the installation of a new wooden covering. Having given preference to this option, you can be sure that it is the most reliable and durable, and also does not require special professional skills.
The need to arrange an insulated floor on the balcony: the relevance of the issue
Residents of modern new buildings, not distinguished by an excess of free space and rational planning, strive for the most practical use of each meter of free space. Taking into account the fact that in modern apartments every square centimeter is worth its weight in gold, an increasing number of owners of apartments with balconies decide on the need for its year-round use. Being true rationalizers and pragmatic lovers of logical solutions, they often equip a children's play area, a study or a winter garden on the balcony, which will become a "living" decoration of the apartment interior.
As for the problem of arranging a heated area on the balcony, it can be solved very simply. To do this, it is enough to glaze the balcony or loggia and carry out the installation of a warm floor on the balcony with your own hands, which can be done in several ways, each of which is described in the article. How to install the floor on the balcony with your own hands, and which technology to give preference to its insulation - let's figure it out further.
Options for arranging the floor on the loggia and balcony: choice of materials
In the process of arranging the floor on the loggia, it is important to determine not only the structure of the materials used, but also its temperature parameters, since there are several types of floor, including cold, insulated and warm. In this regard, we list the main options for installing the floor on balconies and loggias:
- Arrangement of the floor, assuming its leveling with a traditional cement screed without the use of thermal insulation materials;
- Floor mounting option, similar to the previous one, but involving the use of insulation (extruded polystyrene foam, expanded clay, etc.);
- Leveling the floor with a semi-dry screed without the use of insulation;
- Arrangement of the floor on the balcony using a semi-dry screed and insulation;
- Installation of a wooden floor on logs with or without thermal insulation material;
- Laying a wooden floor on a balcony with or without insulation, followed by laying linoleum, laminate or other floor coverings;
- Laying of extruded polystyrene foam, followed by OSB flooring without arranging a log;
- Installation of a concrete screed, followed by laying ceramic tiles, linoleum or laminate;
- Installation of the "warm floor" system, for the arrangement of which various heaters are used, while the system is mounted according to several principles and can be either water or electric.
The choice of materials for the floor on the balcony - one of the most crucial stages of its arrangement, competently approaching which, you can avoid subsequent disappointment. The material chosen for the arrangement of the floor on the balcony must meet a number of specific requirements, among which the leading positions are given to reliability, durability and decorative characteristics. Due to the fact that modern manufacturers offer a wide selection of materials for arranging the floor, in the process of choosing them, there should be no difficulties even for ordinary people who first appeared on the construction site.
An important parameter that determines the choice of material for arranging the floor is the type of balcony. If you plan to equip an open balcony or loggia, it is recommended to use tiles for laying the floor, and if you dream of a warm glazed balcony, give preference to a wooden covering. However, this is not a dogma, and you always have the right to make a decision yourself.
Ceramic tile floor on the balcony: the order of work
The durability of ceramic tiles, as well as its operational and decorative characteristics, are beyond doubt, however, this material also has its drawbacks, in particular, it concerns its cold surface. In order to install a tile floor, follow the algorithm below.
- First of all, the surface to be mounted is cleaned and a waterproofing film is laid;
- Focusing on the height of the surface that they plan to equip, they choose an insulation of the required thickness, which is laid on top of the waterproofing materials;
- Having performed the previously listed steps, they install a cement screed, after which they dry ceramic tiles;
- To ensure a neat appearance of the floor, the craftsmen recommend using a special cross when laying ceramic tiles. After final drying of the concrete screed, grout the joints.
All of the above methods have the right to exist, but it makes no sense to describe each of them, since in practice only some options for arranging the floor on the balcony are used, which will be described below.
Do-it-yourself balcony floor photo
Based on the fact that there are three types of cement screed - dry, semi-dry and normal, before you start leveling the floor with a cement screed, you must decide what type of cement screed you plan to make. At the moment, it makes no sense to dwell in detail on the description of the mixture preparation process, however, it is advisable to consider the main provisions. Regardless of what kind of screed you will prepare, the process of leveling the floor using this method involves priming the floor and installing beacons, carried out on a thick cement mortar using a building level. The quality of any of the three screeds depends on the quality of the installation of beacons. If you plan to install an insulated floor, before installing the lighthouses, you must fill in expanded clay or lay extruded polystyrene foam. Thanks to this technique, you will facilitate the process of installing beacons.
For the manufacture of conventional cement screed you will need to prepare a cement-sand mixture, the composition of which depends on the brand of cement. If you are working with 400 grade cement, one part of the cement will require four parts of sand. If you are not sure about the quality of the sand, experts recommend preparing a cement-sand mixture at the rate of 1/3.
Working mixture preparation for semi-dry screed is carried out in a similar way, however, it is necessary to add half as much water to it. Make sure the mixture is thoroughly mixed before adding water to the solution. As for the readiness of the mixture, it can be determined by clenching it in a fist. If, during the compression process, the mixture resembles snow in structure, it is ready. The mixture for the installation of a semi-dry screed is unloaded with a shovel and tamped, pulling the excess along the beacons in the same way as in the case of installing a conventional screed.
The structure of a semi-dry and dry screed is prone to the appearance of irregularities and cracks, which must be filled with a mixture and trowelled with a special float or half-trowel. In order to avoid cracking of the screed, the next day after pouring it must be rubbed with a float or a half-screed.
Important! When mixing the solution, make sure that the mixture is not too sparse, as a screed made on the basis of such a solution will surely crack after drying. The optimal consistency of a conventional screed is one that resembles mashed potatoes. In addition, if you are pouring too rare a screed on an expanded clay pillow, constantly floating expanded clay will interfere with work.
Dry screed installation - a process, the principle of which differs from the previous two, since it involves the laying of fiber cement and gypsum fiber boards. Plates are laid on a pre-prepared expanded clay pillow or extruded polystyrene foam, after which their joints are carefully glued. The joints of the plates are also fixed with self-tapping screws every 15-20 cm.
Important! The thickness of the expanded clay pillow should not be less than 3 cm, as otherwise the screed on the balcony will be cold.
DIY wooden balcony floor: a step-by-step guide
Lumber preparation
To provide a wooden floor with a long service life, it is necessary to treat lumber used as elements of the flooring with an antiseptic. After processing, dry the material and repeat the procedure again, also waiting for the wood to dry completely. Due to the fact that many retail outlets offer lumber that is deliberately treated with an antiseptic and thoroughly dried, this stage of work can be skipped if you purchase wood that was originally treated with antiseptic impregnations. In this case, you will, of course, save time, which cannot be said about the money spent.
Surface preparation
Experts recommend installing a wooden floor on a concrete base, which makes it necessary to completely dismantle the old coating, regardless of its initial state. After you have dismantled the previous floor covering, start cleaning the room in which you are carrying out repair work. During the cleaning process, you can use a brush or broom, and at the final stage, a vacuum cleaner. Then plaster or, using polyurethane foam, seal up all existing cracks and crevices. When doing this, pay particular attention to the joints between the panels.
Heat-reflecting canvas: the need for styling
In order to produce high-quality floor insulation, it is necessary to make sure that the surfaces of the walls, floor and ceiling do not let heat out. This function is easily handled by a heat-reflecting film covering the described surfaces. In order to optimize this physical process, the sheet of the heat-reflecting material should exceed the width of the floor surface by 40-50 cm. This is necessary so that, after laying, the edges of the heat-reflecting film go onto the walls by 20-25 cm on each side. The same rule applies to the length of the sheet of heat-reflecting material.
Transverse joists are floor structural elements that are attached directly to the floor base. The lags are located in increments of 40-50 cm and are attached to the base of the floor using dowel-nails and anchors. A timber is used as a lag, the length of which should be less than the width of the repaired floor by 2-2.5 cm, which will prevent the edges of the timber from touching the walls. In this case, the step of fastening the lag is from 5 to 6 cm.
The next stage of floor installation involves the installation of logs from a more massive board, which are mounted over the transverse logs. Fastening the main lags is the installation stage, at which the wooden floor is leveled in a horizontal plane. Placing the beams is carried out in several rows, along the entire length of the balcony, while the distance between the logs is 4.5 - 5 cm. To make sure that the main logs are at the same level, using the mounting level, check the installation of each beam.
Important! If you notice a discrepancy in the level of the fixed logs, place a piece of wood of the required height under them and fasten the main beam to the transverse one directly through this piece of wood.
The next stage is floor insulation... How to insulate the floor on the balcony with your own hands, and what insulation options exist at the moment - we will tell you a little later, but for now we note that if you prefer insulating materials, experts recommend using soft types of insulation, for example, mineral wool, which can be cut with clerical with a knife.
Laying solid boards - the final stage
A massive board must be cut to size and laid on the base, while not forgetting to saw off a spike from the first board. A mandatory event at this stage is the alignment of the board at 90 degrees relative to the inner and outer walls (experts recommend focusing on both walls). To do this job well, you need a building ruler. When laying the first board, remember that all three edges of it should touch the walls, and the gap between them and the board should be 1-1.5 cm. The board is fastened using self-tapping screws, which are screwed at an angle of 45 degrees into the groove. At the same time, remember that the first and last boards are also fixed near the wall.
Securing the second and subsequent boards involves inserting a tenon into the groove of the previous board. After completing this procedure, a shock block is prepared, made of board trimming, with the help of which the newly installed board is knocked close to the previous one and fixed with self-tapping screws.
How to insulate the floor on the balcony: possible options
Do-it-yourself insulation and finishing of the floor on the balcony is a stage of work that can be implemented in two ways:
- Through the use of thermal insulation materials;
- By arranging the "warm floor" system.
The use of thermal insulation materials
Consider the most popular types of insulation used for arranging a warm floor:
- Mineral wool - a porous material resembling classic cotton wool in structure. For the production of mineral wool, basalt or fiberglass is used, which has passed several technological stages of processing: melting, drawing, cooling and crushing. When laying this material, it is necessary to take care of effective vapor barrier, since excess moisture can reduce the thermal insulation properties of mineral wool;
- Styrofoam - a material that has earned its popularity due to its low cost and high-quality thermal insulation characteristics. The manufacturer produces polystyrene in the form of plates with a thickness of 2 to 10 cm. The foam is placed between the floor logs, all existing cracks are poured with polyurethane foam, after which the final coating is laid;
- Penofol - insulation of a new generation, for the manufacture of which foil and foamed polyethylene are used. Being the brainchild of modern technologies, penofol has not only heat-insulating, but also hydro- and sound-insulating properties. The manufacturer suggests paying attention to one-sided foam foam, characterized by the presence of foil on only one side, and double-sided, where the foil is located on both sides.
- Penoplex or extruded polystyrene foam is the "benchmark" among thermal insulation materials. But its advantages are not limited to this, since this material is also characterized by low vapor permeability, ease and convenience in work, as well as inertness to the effects of all chemicals. Its only drawback is its relatively high cost.
Installation of the "warm floor" system basic options and their brief description
Arranging the "warm floor" system, you can go in several ways:
- Do-it-yourself installation of water floors on the balcony;
- Select the most common technology for arranging a "warm floor" and install a cable heating system;
Important! The advantages of arranging a cable heating system:
Low power consumption;
Reliability and durability of the system due to the location of the heating conductor in the layer of insulating material, which prevents its oxidation. In addition, the cable is protected with a cement-sand screed and a floor covering;
You can regulate the system.
- Install the "warm floor" system using heating mats, which are single-core and double-core heating cables, which are attached to a special mesh in the form of a snake.
Important!Benefits of laying heating mats:
- Using high-quality heating mats, you will equip a warm floor that is safe for human health;
- In this case, there is no dramatic increase in the thickness of the floor (together with the tiles, this indicator does not exceed 1.7 cm);
- If the room in which you are installing the underfloor heating is characterized by a complex configuration, you can cut the heating mats into fragments of the desired shape, while maintaining the integrity of the cable.
- You can also equip a film infrared warm floor on the balcony with your own hands, which is an alternative solution to the issue.
Important! The advantages of arranging a film warm floor are:
- Low energy consumption;
- Ease of installation and the ability to quickly put the system into operation;
- Floor heating is carried out within 10-30 minutes;
- Formation of the minimum electromagnetic field during the operation of the system;
- Slight increase in floor height;
- System safety during operation
Do-it-yourself balcony floors video
By increasing the useful area of \u200b\u200ban apartment or house, the owners insulate the balcony and make an additional room out of it. Wall, ceiling and floor decoration is carried out depending on the design of the room and financial capabilities. One of the available and original finishes is a wooden floor. It is not difficult to make a wooden floor on the balcony, the main thing is to follow the sequence of technology and listen to the advice of specialists.
Wooden floor on the balcony
Advantages of a wooden balcony floor
A wooden floor has a lot of advantages, let's look at some of them:
- The flooring of wooden planks allows you to make a flat floor, but subject to technology compliance.
- The choice of flooring allows you to translate any design ideas into reality. Floors of natural color and texture are popular.
- The floor of the balcony in a wooden house can be chosen to match the color of the wood from which the house is made thanks to a wide range of colors.
- The wooden floor has a long service life.
- The ability to raise the floor level to the required height, according to the norms and characteristics of the room.
- There is no need to level the concrete base.
- Thanks to the double structure of the frame from the transverse and longitudinal beams, it is possible to perform high-quality insulation of the balcony.
- Environmental friendliness of the material.
- Thanks to the peculiarities of wood, the wooden floor looks beautiful and original.
- Since the construction of the wooden floor is lightweight, the balcony slab does not become heavier.
Wooden floor scheme Installation of a wooden floor, the main steps
The process of creating a wooden floor consists of several stages, each of which has its own characteristics. How to make the floor on the balcony yourself, we will consider in detail.
Training
- Before starting the installation, you need to decide on the materials from which the structure will be built.
- The wood used in the structure must be impregnated with antiseptic agents. Since this operation takes time, you can purchase ready-made impregnated bars, which will allow you to start working immediately after purchasing the material.
- If purchasing raw lumber, allow time to dry. After drying, you need to carefully inspect the bars.
- The base of the balcony is being prepared:
- the old coating is dismantled;
- the surface is cleaned from debris and dust;
- if wet cleaning was carried out, then dry the surface.
Surface preparation Balcony base waterproofing
To protect materials from moisture, the balcony base is waterproofed. For this, a special waterproofing film is used. Waterproofing should also be carried out at the final stage of laying heat-insulating materials to avoid getting wet through the cracks in the floor covering. To do this, a layer of foam foam or other specialized material is laid on top of the insulation. Penofol is beneficial in that, in addition to waterproofing, it performs additional thermal insulation.
Sub-floor installation technology
Having completed the preparatory work and waterproofing, you can proceed to work on installing the frame of the wooden floor.
- First of all, the marking of the future floor is performed. To do this, you need to decide on the height. The minimum floor thickness is at least 7 cm. For a high-quality and warm floor - 10-15 cm. When choosing the height of the future floor, you need to focus on three indicators:
- step height, which should not exceed 20 cm;
- the total height of the loggia, not less than 2.45 m;
- the minimum height of the fence is 95 cm.
- The frame for a wooden floor can be of two types:
- from longitudinal lags;
- from transverse lags with longitudinal ones from above. This design is durable, warm and reliable.
Wooden floor frame - For the base of the floor, you must use a beam of 50 * 70 mm. The first step is to saw off the beams along the width of the loggia. To do this, make a markup or attach and saw off by eye. Accuracy in this matter is not needed, since the longitudinal bars will not adhere to the wall.
Important! For the crossbars, you can use not too straight bars.
- It is necessary to lay out in such a way that the distance between them is not less than 50 cm and not more than 60.
- The crossbars are fastened with 112 anchor, for which it is necessary to pre-drill holes. Two anchors are enough for one crossbeam; it is necessary to distribute so that the distance between them does not exceed 80 cm.
Important! Anchor 112 can be used only for fixing the beams on the balconies of new houses; in old Khrushchevs it will come out through the slab.
- In order for the bars to be well pressed to the floor, you need to apply force or step on the bar and only then tighten the anchor.
- After securing the crossbars, vacuum the surface again.
- Longitudinal logs are laid on the transverse beams so that the distance between them is within 45 cm. This means that three logs will be required on the balcony.
- The gap between the wall and the beam should be on average 10 cm, and between the parapet and the bar - 20 cm.The distance between the end sides and the log should be the same on both sides; for this, the average log is laid in the middle of the balcony length.
- The next stage is leveling the floor level. For this, the high part is found using the level. After a high point is found, you can sequentially fix the logs, leveling them under this point and placing special mounting wedges if necessary. Fastening is done with self-tapping screws 0.5 cm longer than the height of the lags.
Important! Wedges must be placed on both sides at once to avoid skewing the logs.
- The second lag, located at the parapet, is aligned along the first lag, and only after that, putting the level on two fixed crossbars, the middle one is adjusted.
- When the logs are laid, for strength they are sewn together using corners.
Important! Accurate implementation of the installation technology will avoid mistakes and speed up the process.
Insulation of the frame
Having made a solid frame, you can proceed to laying thermal insulation material, the variety of which is chosen solely for personal reasons or financial capabilities. In most cases, mineral wool is used, as it has excellent thermal and sound insulation qualities.
For the insulation of loggias, other building materials with thermal insulation properties are also used, such as:
- cotton wool with basalt fibers;
- felt;
- expanded clay;
- expanded polystyrene and so on.
Insulation is laid in the spaces between the logs. Laying is done in two layers, filling
free space. If there is not enough material, then the remaining space will serve as an air cushion, which also serves as thermal insulation.
Floor insulation A clerical knife is used to cut the thermal insulation material.
Having laid the material, a layer of vapor barrier is laid, fixing it to the logs with a construction stapler.
To strengthen the thermal insulation, as mentioned above, you can lay penofol, which will perform two functions - a hydro and heat insulator. The waterproofing material is laid with an overlap on the walls, at least 10 cm.
Laying the cover
The best option for a balcony floor is chipboard or OSB.
- Planks are laid on the joists from the side of the wall. Having laid the first sheet, horizontality is checked using a level. The chipboard sheet is laid at a distance of 1–1.5 cm from the wall, fixation - with self-tapping screws to the longitudinal logs.
- Self-tapping screws are screwed in at an angle of 45 degrees.
- Having laid the first sheet of chipboard, the second is laid. The distance between the sheets should not be too large, but not too small. If the sheets are stacked too close together, a squeak (rubbing of the sheets) will be heard when walking on the floor.
- Each sheet is fixed in the same way as the first, using self-tapping screws at an angle of 45 degrees.
- After fixing the sheets, the floor is checked for strength and squeaks. In the absence of such, further finishing is carried out.
Floor finishing with chipboard sheets - It is recommended to seal the seams between the wall and chipboard sheets with polyurethane foam so that glass wool fibers do not penetrate into the room.
- After letting dry, the surface is framed by skirting boards.
Finish coating
After installation, you can process the wooden floor on the loggia in different ways.
For example, cover the floor with laminate or linoleum. When using laminate, it is recommended to open it with varnish, which will protect the coating from increased moisture and temperature extremes.
You can use the paint option.
Chipboard sheets can be coated with other topcoats such as laminate or linoleum. It all depends on the capabilities and design of the room. But when choosing this method, it is necessary to choose the right dye that is resistant to moisture, sunlight and temperature extremes.
Video: how to make a wooden floor on a balcony:
Summing up, we can say that the wooden floor on the balcony has many advantages, the main ones of which are the light weight of the structure and simple installation, which can be carried out independently without the involvement of specialists. There are two technologies for laying a wooden floor, the choice of which is made based on the characteristics of the balcony and the degree of insulation. Observing the technology, the floor will last a long time. To obtain high-quality insulation, it is recommended to insulate other surfaces as well.
Most people living in urban environments have a balcony. Everyone decides for himself whether this is a storage room, a warehouse of unnecessary trash, or a modern, elegant continuation of the apartment.
While you are deciding on the purpose of your premises. Let's analyze the materials and methods of finishing the floor on the balcony.
If we decided to make an extension of the apartment, then we need a high coefficient of insulation. If it's like a pantry, you can pick up a cheaper option.
If we use the balcony as an open space, then materials that are not afraid of temperature extremes and high humidity will help us. You will be able to embody all your ideas, think over the smallest details, choose the finishing material depending on the purpose of the balcony you have chosen.
Wooden floor on the balcony
The wooden floor is usually installed in well-ventilated and sealed balconies, loggias.
Hardwoods such as Oak, Tees are well suited for the floor. Medium and soft breeds are less suitable, as they are more susceptible to the decay process.
To prevent rotting, and the destruction of pests, complete treatment with special solutions is required. The wooden floor on the balcony, you can do it yourself, for this we need to remove all the debris, repair all the chips and irregularities. 
After that, you need to take care of waterproofing, usually thick polyethylene or bituminous insulation. After that, we expose the guides (lags) using the building level.
Lags can be placed both along the balcony and across, keeping a distance of 50-60 cm. They are fixed with dowels to the base of the concrete floor.
The resulting structure is treated with a special compound that protects against moisture and bacteria. Insulation is placed in the resulting cavities, it can be polystyrene, mineral wool and other components.
The next step is to lay the boards on the joists. The boards are placed transversely with guides, and are fastened with nails or self-tapping screws. The decorative coating is mounted on top of the boards (subfloor). After that, you can start installing the skirting board. 
The most important advantage of a wooden floor on a balcony is that it is easy and quick to do it yourself. And also the minimum load on the concrete floor. They are mainly used in glazed, warm balconies.
Floor screed on the balcony
With this method of forming the floor on the balcony, it is required to make out such concepts as a loggia and a balcony. What are their similarities and differences?
- The balcony is located on a slab, which is connected with the structure of the house at one point. Therefore, finishing the balcony is required to be made as light as possible, so as not to overload the slab.
- Loggia, located on a slab, which is connected with the structure of the house at three points. The surface load has little effect on the quality of the board. When finishing the loggia, it is possible to use almost all materials and technologies.
That is, the screed is perfect for a loggia, where there are practically no restrictions on the load. It is not recommended to use a screed on the balcony, since the average layer thickness without heating is 3-4 cm.
And using floor heating technology, everything is 4-6 cm. If we take an average balcony, then the weight of the screed will be approximately 450-600 kg. And this is still without a topcoat. 
We remove the debris, then prime the surface and wait for it to dry completely. After the primer has dried, we lay the vapor barrier, usually a layer of expanded polystyrene.
Then a layer of waterproofing is laid, usually a thick oilcloth. After that, the surface of the balcony is leveled with a sand-cement screed, in a ratio of 3: 1. We prime it in at least 2-3 layers.
Floor tiles on the balcony
A distinctive feature of the tile is its durability, resistance to temperature extremes. The tiles look beautiful on the floor and are also easy to clean.
Not a big drawback is that the tile is a very cold material, but this drawback can be solved by using a warm floor under the tiled floor.
The tiles have 5 classes of wear resistance, the colder it is on the balcony, the higher the class should be.
- 4-5 class tiles are used for open and non-glazed balconies with high dynamic load.
- 2-3 class tiles are used for a glazed and warm balcony with an average dynamic load.
Before laying the tiles, you need to prepare the floor on the balcony. We carry out the entire sequence of operations, as indicated in the section above, floor screed on the balcony.
After all the preparatory work, you can start laying the tiles, for this we apply the adhesive solution in a uniform layer, with a spatula with a comb. 
Now there is a large selection of adhesives for tiles, they are chosen depending on the conditions:
- There are warm floors or not.
- Glazed balcony or not.
And you can also use cement and sand, in a ratio of 1 to 4, everything is thoroughly mixed with water and the solution is ready. The choice is yours.
Lay out the tiles, it is recommended from the far corner, one piece at a time. We tap on the surface of the tile with a rubber hammer, achieving the desired level, and in this way the tile is in close contact with the adhesive base. 
In order for all the seams to be similar, use crosses. The size of the joint is regulated by the size of the tile crosses. Another important point is that you should not save on glue, this is due to the fact that, when a cavity is formed under the tile, deformation and destruction of the tile itself is possible.
After all the tiles are laid out, all the edges are trimmed, you can remove the crosses from the seams between the tiles and rub them with grout mixtures. Recommendations of professionals, use the finished coating no earlier than 2-3 days after the end of the work.
Self-leveling floor on the balcony
The next option for the floor on the loggia and balcony is a self-leveling floor. But here it is impossible without surface preparation. We carry out the same sequence as for the screed.
When the screed is covered with soil and everything is dry, we apply a self-leveling floor. In a bucket, according to the manufacturer's instructions, we dilute the working mixture, for this it is best to use a drill attachment. 
The resulting solution has a consistency similar to sour cream. Since the resulting solution begins to set quickly enough, you will have to act quickly and accurately.
The process of mold and mildew formation will begin, a characteristic smell will appear. Recently, special synthetic and natural linoleums have appeared, which are not afraid of negative factors. But the price of such materials is very high.
Hence the conclusion that linoleums are best used only in well-insulated closed loggias and balconies.
For laying linoleum, surface preparation will also be required, it can be either a screed, a wooden floor or a self-leveling floor. Before laying the linoleum on the prepared surface, it must be rolled out and allowed to lie down for a couple of days, it must stretch and level out. 
We adjust to the size of the room. After he has to lie down, he must be rolled up to the middle. We spread the glue with a thin layer on the back of the linoleum, as well as on the surface of the prepared coating, roll out the linoleum, press it down and go over it with a prepared rubber roller. We mount the skirting boards and you're done.
Electric floor on the balcony
If your balcony or loggia is fully glazed. You need heating appliances. Traditional bulky and unwieldy, and even little space.
The floor heating system will come to our aid. The best option is an electric floor. The system practically does not weigh anything, and copes with the task of heating no worse than traditional devices.
This type of coating is an expensive pleasure, but it fully justifies itself with the arrival of cold weather. And so we prime the surface of the base. C, put the heating mats on top and make the wiring. 
The mats are not large in size, so they are laid out to the full length one after the other, until the entire surface of the balcony is filled. This is a rough run, we connected everything, made sure that there are no empty spaces, we wind everything back.
We remove the debris and primer again. Finishing installation, we do it using an adhesive base of mats, we insulate all wires. After that, we fill in with a screed, followed by installation of the finishing material on the warm floor on the balcony (laminate, tile). This type of floor is only suitable for closed balconies and loggias.
Floor painting
In the case when, there is no time to engage in repairs or do not want to. You can resort to the staining method. Nowadays there are special paints for concrete.
They contain polymers that protect the surface of the concrete floor from temperature gradients, high humidity, and erosion. The coloring composition does not fade in the sun, has a wide range of colors. 
Concrete paints are classified into:
- Epoxy.
- Acrylic.
- Polyurethane.
All of these paints are great for using on balcony floors. The dynamic load on the balcony is not large, so the paint will last a long time without losing its functions. Easy and convenient, the floor surface can be repainted.
Other types of balcony floors
We have sorted out the main types of flooring on the balcony. But there are still many other ways to make a balcony floor. Such as lay laminate, decking, garden parquet.
Laminate is afraid of moisture and is used mainly in closed, insulated balconies - a good substitute for parquet and wooden floors.
Decking and garden parquet are modern composite, polymer materials suitable for both glazed and non-glazed balconies.
Decking is a wood-polymer composite. It has the shape of a board and is equipped with fastening mechanisms. In a short time, it is assembled on a concrete surface.
It has great strength and reliability. It was developed by experts for outdoor use, the weight of the element is not significant, which is very important when used on a balcony. There is another not unimportant aesthetic fact that is very similar to a real boardwalk. 
Garden parquet is a wood-polymer composite or wood. Thanks to special technologies of deep processing, the parquet is durable, does not biodegrade, under any aggressive influences.
Garden parquet is convenient to use in balconies of any complexity, as it is produced in blocks with locks.
This will allow you to quickly install the flooring without any problems. Also, if unnecessary, it can be easily and conveniently dismantled, with the possibility of subsequent use.
More expensive options:
- Natural stone.
- Marble.
- Granite.
- Bung.
Natural stone, marble and granite are some of the most durable and expensive natural materials, and they also have a lot of weight. Because of this, they can only be used on loggias.
The main drawback is very cold materials, even in summer you will have to wear slippers.
The cork does not tolerate moisture. The service life of such a floor is 3-4 years, and then the cork collapses and becomes like dust.
When choosing a floor on a balcony, many factors must be taken into account:
- Balcony slab condition
- Indoor humidity
- Temperature regime
- Cost of materials
Happy owners of a loggia often think about how to make a cozy corner out of this additional room in an apartment for a comfortable pastime at any time of the year. The easiest task to repair a loggia is to install the floor. In order to save money, you can do the process yourself. What should be the floor on the loggia? Getting started, you should rely on several criteria:
- Resistant to temperature changes.
- Warm and pleasant to the feet surface.
- Ease of use.
- The lightness of the materials used for installation.
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Preliminary work
Before considering flooring options, you need to prepare the floor for finishing. This procedure involves the following steps:
- We remove the old screed, paint, linoleum, tiles, as well as unnecessary things from the loggia.
- We eliminate foci of dampness or decay.
- We plug the cracks through which rain and snow seep.
- We spray with a building agent against fungi.
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Sequence of operations
- Waterproofing. We cover the surface with a special film or cover it with a waterproof plaster.
- Thermal insulation. Mineral wool, penoplex, polystyrene foam, that is, any materials with a low coefficient of thermal conductivity, are suitable here.
- Leveling the surface. In the presence of small defects, it is customary to use a self-leveling mixture. Large flaws can be leveled with a screed, or logs can be installed under the wooden flooring, which are cross beams made of hardwood. As a rule, the floor level of the living area and the loggia is different, in view of this, with the help of the log, we raise the floor on the loggia to the required level. In addition, if there is a need to raise the floor by 20 cm, a layer of expanded clay will allow this.
- Primer.This agent increases the strength of the subfloor and promotes better adhesion to the floor covering. For a wooden surface, it is customary to use an alkyd or polystyrene primer, a concrete base is treated with an epoxy variety, applying it two or three times.
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Finishing options
Painting
The most elementary technique, appropriate for any kind of loggia. It is best to buy paint, in which the main component is acrylic, polyurethane or epoxy. This option is characterized by resistance to atmospheric influences. To prevent paint from getting on the walls, you should use masking tape.
Wood
First of all, we form a frame from the bars, resembling a box and additionally strengthen one bar in the middle of the structure. To ensure a long service life of the floor, coating its surface with varnish will help. The next step is to sew the bars together using self-tapping screws and corners, and then, using dowel-nails, we attach the frame to the concrete base. Then we will lay the boards perpendicular to the lags and fix them.
If the wood is of poor quality, it should be processed and covered with linoleum. Due to the fact that the tree is light, not only a loggia, but also a semi-loggia can be decorated with it.
Ceramic tile
To avoid injury, it is best to lay tiles with a rough surface. To carry out this work, you must stock up on the following materials:
- Ceramic tile.
- Building level.
- Tile cutter.
- Mortar: cement or adhesive.
- Cross-shaped beacons.
It is better to lay out tiles from the door or from the corner from which you can see only the whole details of the finish. Using a spatula, spread the mortar over the inside of the subfloor and the back of the tile. The distance from one tile to another should be the same, in order to achieve this, we install cross-shaped beacons. We lay the tiles according to the building level. After finishing the procedure, you need to hide the seams under a layer of putty.
Porcelain stoneware
This type of coating is characterized by durability and strength, resistance to abrasion and scratches, it is not afraid of changes in temperature and humidity. In addition, the color palette of the material is very wide, which gives endless possibilities to designers.
Cork floor
It has become widespread today. There are several varieties of it:
- Technical plug... Most often it plays the role of a substrate for a different type of coating, insulates and insulates. It is produced in rolls or plates, much less in granules. They can be used to fill holes in floors or gaps between coverings.
- Adhesive. It is a rectangular tile, decorated on top with decorative veneer, which is covered with polymer. Its color can be both natural and imitating marble or granite.
- Floating.It has the same structure as the previous version, but differs from it in the method of installation: like in a puzzle, the plates are connected to each other by grooves, without glue.
Self-leveling floor 3D
Properties of this floor:
- Not afraid of scratches.
- Resistant to moisture.
- Strength.
- Aesthetics.
- Practicality.
- Durability.
- Just take care of him.
Such a floor is easy to do with your own hands. Initially, it is necessary to fill the floor with a liquid base of light or neutral color. Then paint with a roller. After that, apply a second layer of paint, it can be in other colors. And finally, stick the drawing purchased in the store.
Linoleum
However, it is worth remembering that linoleum is vulnerable to mechanical stress (for example, the pressure of heavy objects) and deforms if it is laid on an uneven surface. To lay linoleum yourself, you need several tools:
- Hammer.
- Nails.
First, unfold the material and spread it carefully. During installation, the coating should be leveled in order to avoid defects and bumps. Fix the linoleum to the surface with regular or liquid nails. After completing the process, it is necessary to fix the covering with a baseboard of a suitable color.
Laminate
It is a widespread, environmentally friendly material at an affordable price. In appearance it resembles parquet and has a number of useful properties:
- Serves for many years.
- Strength.
- Practicality.
- Easy to assemble.
- Nice appearance.
On the eve of laying, the coating, as usual, is allowed to lie down in a warm room for about two days.
For installation you need a number of tools:
- Hammer.
- Saw.
- Roulette.
- Clamp.
- Square.
- Wedges.
- Pencil.
- A block of wood.
It is accepted to lay the laminate only on a perfectly flat surface. Secure the wedges against the wall and threshold. Begin the procedure from the side opposite the door. Installation can be done diagonally, along or across. For greater reliability, shift each new row by at least forty centimeters.
Between the material and the wall, it is necessary to provide a place for the plinth, this distance should be approximately ten millimeters. Next, you need to connect the laminate plates to each other using locks, which are equipped with each coating element.
There are three types of locks:
- Connection in the "constructor" way. Raise the finished row of laminate and attach another piece to it. The resulting strips of plates are fastened together.
- Tamping connection. The elements are fixed in length, after which they need to be knocked out in order to connect in width.
- Connection by means of a plastic insert, it fixes the plate in width.
Parquet
Appeared before laminate flooring and has similar technical properties. This coating must certainly have a protective layer (paint or varnish). Installation of a parquet floor must be carried out at a temperature not lower than 18 degrees. On the eve of the process, the coating must be unpacked and left to lie down for a long time, at least a week.