DIY open balcony repair

In detail: DIY repair of an open balcony from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

In modern apartments today you will hardly find such obligatory layouts as a loggia and a balcony. But not everyone prefers to glaze the loggia, besides, according to some norms of violation of the general aesthetics of houses, glazing is not always allowed. Therefore, this article will focus on how to repair an open balcony without glazing.

An open balcony implies the presence of constant exposure to sunlight and atmospheric precipitation, therefore, most attention should be paid to finishing the floor. For reassurance against the influence of bad weather or excessive drying, it is necessary to choose special coatings that will help protect the floor. An excellent solution would be to make a screed on the floor, on top of which the selected coating must be applied. This solution involves options for coatings such as:

moisture resistant paint;
ceramic tile;
plastic materials.

The balcony floor can be painted with paint specially designed for exterior construction work. This material will allow not to carry out repairs on the balcony for about 4 years. If you are thoroughly engaged in the insulation of the balcony, in this case, you will need other methods of protection, which imply increased stability.

Repair of an open balcony - floor design option

Also, the floor on the open balcony with your own hands can be laid using ceramic tiles or linoleum, protecting the screed from the destructive effects of atmospheric phenomena.

Of course, the interior decoration of an unglazed balcony differs to a large extent from the decoration of a glazed one, since it is the glazed area that assumes the use of various methods of insulation and decoration that are not afraid of atmospheric phenomena. For comparison, renovation of glazed balconies, namely work with flooring, is described below.

Video (click to play).

So, in order to perform efficiently and correctly work with the floor on the balcony, you should adhere to the following rules.

The first step is to make a concrete screed.
Plywood sheets are laid on top of the screed.
Installation of the floor covering of your choice.

One of the simplest and most budgetary options is linoleum. Thanks to a wide range of products of this class, you can choose not only the material by color, but also by the pattern.

Important! Laminate as a covering on the balcony fits only in closed areas of loggias. In addition to laminate flooring, if desired, you can also use a parquet board. In the version with an open balcony, such a solution disappears.

As for the decoration of the walls of the open balcony, it has its own peculiarity. For the walls, it is necessary to select a material that will perfectly cope with the influences of the external environment. Often, materials intended for open balconies withstand various manifestations of the external environment: humidity, drying out, temperature extremes, they are also resistant to dirt and have long operating periods.

Materials for wall decoration:

Porcelain stoneware floor on the open balcony

As for the waterproofing processes, the following materials are used for this: roll, membrane, liquid and film.

To protect the balcony from moisture, it is necessary, first of all, to form a sloping drain through which the incoming water can be removed. Therefore, it is necessary to make a slight slope towards the outer edge so that rain, melt water does not stagnate and does not freeze and spoil the coating.

The inclined layer, placed on top of the slab, has a height at the base of the walls 3% more, a week from the street. In fact, it looks like this: the floor layer near the walls is raised by 10 cm, and from the edge - by only 4 cm.

Insulation from water is carried out on a solid floor surface, in the presence of a pressure cement layer. In order to avoid crumbling and delamination of the screed, it must be reinforced both along and across. For this, a 2x2 metal mesh is used.

Alternative solutions are also available.

The expansion joints formed during the pouring of the pressure layer deepen by 1/3 of its thickness, placing reinforcement in them.
An elastic cord is pressed into the tie, which is fixed along the edges of the gap, and in the middle, leaving it free to sag.

One of the quality coatings for an open balcony is ceramic tiles. It is particularly resistant to external influences and various destructive factors. Nevertheless, when choosing this material, you should remember certain rules:

It is worth remembering the indicators of the protective material, such as the coefficient of moisture absorption and frost resistance. Even for closed balconies, temperature differences can also reach significant levels.
Before work, you need to pay attention to the tile, its quality characteristics and integrity, as well as select options with a rough surface.
Pay attention to the weight of the material itself so that there is no excessive stress on the structure. Lightweight ceramic tiles have a reduced load on the balcony structure and increase its reliability.

Open balcony tiles

Important! Whichever material you choose to cover, it is important to make a purchase with a stock, as some amount will go to waste, but part of the stock will be in case of repairing the balcony.

A distinctive feature from ordinary tiles is the high density of the material and its non-porous structure, as well as its combination with excellent insulation from moisture. Due to the absence of pores in the material, its excellent frost resistance is ensured, since moisture penetrates into the pores, and frost, which creates ice from moisture, splits the tiles. Porcelain stoneware does not have this drawback, so the material copes well with temperature extremes.

Another indisputable advantage of porcelain stoneware is its durability and strength. It is thanks to these indicators that the material will be able to stand for decades in open space. In terms of aesthetics, porcelain stoneware is more beautiful than mosaics, as well as leather and wood in terms of popularity and practicality.

Decking is a material that in its appearance resembles decking modules. It is light enough, has durability, excellent waterproofing properties, which makes it an excellent choice for open areas. The material is made of decay-resistant hardwood and polymer composites. The main advantage of decking is its low specific weight, which does not load the base, and the modules are combined into a holistic composition and laid on the logs. It differs significantly from tiles, the layer of which is often overshadowed.

Open balcony finishing option

Linoleum is a universal material for construction and finishing works. It is used for both indoor and outdoor floors. Nevertheless, it is unwise to use lenolium on open balconies or loggias, since the product may not withstand significant temperature changes.

If the waterproofing is weak, moisture will have a detrimental effect on the material and cause the product to rot. Linoleum has strength and durability, ease of installation and maintenance. It perfectly imitates tiles, laminate, marble, granite and other original solutions. Another positive addition to this material is its low cost.

As for the carpet, it should be used exclusively in closed and insulated rooms. If your solution is to convert a balcony or loggia into a living area, carpet is ideal for creating a comfortable and cozy atmosphere. It should be noted that the material has low waterproofing, so moisture should not be allowed to enter the balcony area.

Carpet is a material that is pleasant to the touch and can be walked on with bare feet. Construction markets offer a wide range of color options for this material, which makes it easy to match it to any interior.

So, from all of the above, we can conclude that the ideal solution for open balcony areas is to opt for ceramic tiles, decking and porcelain stoneware. In other options, you can also consider linoleum and carpet as coverings.

As for the fence, it is not always possible to find an open balcony, the parapet of which is sheathed with siding or metal profiles. There are also balcony structures with steel bar railings with square or round cross-sections. That is, if you decide to paint a structure that is already available, it was previously painted, after sanding, you must paint it with the same coating, for example, a protective varnish.

Open balcony design option

Also, if there are reinforced concrete fences or masonry on the balconies, which is made of bricks with careful plastering and painting and painting, the surfaces should be repaired, followed by painting with moisture-resistant paint, which matches the color of the facade of the whole house.

The presence of a balcony or loggia allows you to increase the area of the apartment with their competent arrangement.

In order to translate into reality various ideas aimed at achieving the desired result, you will have to carry out repair work.

What should be done and in what order? Consider in this article.

At this stage, you need to do the following:1) draw up an installation diagram and purchase all materials;2) dismantle old structures (remove windows, balcony blocks and remove trim);3) if necessary, you can knock down the old screed or remove the old wooden floor, and check the condition of the balcony slab (if there are potholes on it, from which the reinforcement protrudes, it must be treated with a rust converter, and the potholes must be plastered); Image - DIY repair of an open balcony

4) it is best to level the surface of the walls (in this case, it will be much easier to finish the finish);

5) to create a reliable fence, you can use blocks of foam concrete, laying them with edges on a special adhesive mixture (the old parapet can be left in its place).

Advice: foam blocks should not be confused with gas blocks, since the latter absorb moisture very strongly and are not suitable for arranging a balcony fence.

It can be accomplished using materials such as:

- metal-plastic profile (optimal in price, durable and perfectly retains heat for a long time);

- aluminum (as a rule, it is installed on loggias that are not intended for insulation);

- wood (the most expensive material, which, in addition to everything, is highly susceptible to moisture).

The sequence of work related to the glazing of balconies or loggias is as follows:

1) on a parapet equipped with foam blocks, using a building level, a window frame is placed strictly vertically and fixed with self-tapping screws or anchor bolts (at least two on each side);

2) a window sill is installed on the inside of the balcony or loggia under the frame;

3) and from the outside - low tide;

4) after that, a double-glazed window is installed in each window frame;

5) all cracks formed during glazing must be sealed with polyurethane foam (this will not only help retain heat, but also create reliable protection against various sounds coming from the street);

6) after drying, the protruding parts of the foam are cut off with a clerical knife and these places are covered with special overlays.

To create a comfortable environment on the territory of a balcony or loggia, it is imperative to bring in electrical wires for installing an outlet, a switch and lighting lamps.

To prevent these wires from spoiling the interior, they must be laid in the corners or hidden in special channels made in the walls. Light sources can be a variety of lamps or LED backlighting.

To create comfortable conditions on the territory of the inner space of the loggia, it will be necessary to insulate all surfaces through which the heat from the apartment can escape to the street.

First, the cracks are closed and waterproofing work is performed. After that, they draw up an installation diagram and carry out the purchase of materials.

There are two ways to insulate this surface, each of which depends on the coating material (we are talking about a wooden or concrete field).

For a wooden floor, the sequence of work is as follows:

1) a film of waterproofing material is laid on top of the balcony slab;

3) sheets of insulation are laid in the formed gaps, which can be polystyrene or mineral wool;

4) another layer of waterproofing is laid (it is necessary to protect the insulation from water ingress during wet cleaning of the floor);

5) cover it all with a floorboard or sheets of OSB plates, fixing them to the logs with self-tapping screws;

6) the formed surface is covered with several layers of paint or varnish.

Advice: in no case should chipboard sheets be used as flooring, since this material is very afraid of moisture (swells and collapses).

For a floor made with a concrete screed, the sequence of work is as follows:

1) first, they equip a rough screed made of cement mortar (with its help they try to smooth out the unevenness of the balcony slab as much as possible);

2) then the sheets of expanded polystyrene are laid close to each other (in the case of the formation of gaps or cracks, they are sealed with polyurethane foam);

3) a waterproofing film is spread over them and a reinforcing mesh is laid;

4) then put up beacons and fill in a finishing screed 5–7 mm thick, leveling it with a small rule.

Such a system can work either with a heated coolant or from an electrical network using elements specially designed for this purpose (we are talking about an electric cable, heating mats, or a film covering that emits infrared rays).

If the apartment is not equipped with a water floor heating system, then in this case the use of electric heating will be the most appropriate.

Peculiarities

1. An electric cable intended for heating is placed on top of a layer of insulation, after which a finishing screed is poured. When the concrete is dry, floor tiles are glued to it.

The advantages of this method are that the cable connected to the electrical network heats up over time and transfers its heat to the concrete, which, in turn, heats the entire floor area.

2. As for the heating mats, they can be placed in a layer of tile adhesive, on top of which the tiles are laid.

3. To place an infrared-emitting film on the floor, a heat-reflecting material must first be laid on top of the rough screed. The final coating can be tiles, linoleum, etc.

If it is necessary to insulate the ceiling, it is imperative to seal all the cracks using polyurethane foam before starting work.Otherwise, condensation will accumulate between the insulation layer and the upper ceiling of the balcony, which will eventually lead to the formation of mold.

There are two ways to insulate the ceiling:

1) build a wooden frame and lay the sheets of insulation in the gaps thus formed, then fix the vapor barrier on top of the insulation and hide it all behind the finishing;

2) fix the penoplex on the upper balcony slab using special dowels (they are also called "umbrellas"), lay a layer of vapor barrier and, having built a wooden frame, close it all with plastic panels.

Only those sides of the loggia that are not adjacent to the apartment should be insulated. Insulation sheets can either be glued with glue and additionally attached with dowels, or placed in the gaps between the previously equipped frame.

Then (in the first and second cases) a layer of vapor barrier is laid. Finally, the installation of the topcoat is carried out, which can be used, for example, plastic panels or other materials.

To carry out work related to the interior decoration of balconies or loggias, you can use various building materials, but the most practical among them are:

- wallpapers of various types, tiles and whitewash (recently they are used very rarely due to the loss of their relevance).

Let's take a quick look at the benefits of each of these materials:

The lining made of wood, although it has a high price, but it has a beautiful appearance and is made of natural material that does not have a negative effect on the human body. It is mounted on a wooden crate with self-tapping screws. Upon completion of the work, the surface equipped in this way should be covered with several layers of varnish, each of them sequentially dried.

PVC panels are durable and harmless material that is very easy to cut, install and wet clean. Installation is carried out in a similar way.

MDF panels are also expensive because of their beauty and strength. Using such a material, you can imitate the surface of marble, granite or expensive wood. Installation is carried out by analogy with clapboard made of wood or PVC panels.

Using moisture-resistant drywall as a finish, structures of varying complexity can be made. As a rule, it is mounted with self-tapping screws on a metal frame consisting of galvanized profiles. It can also be fixed to the walls with dowels or special glue. A prerequisite for using such drywall as a finish is a high-quality waterproofing of the walls of a balcony or loggia.

Decorative stone brings its zest to the interior decoration of the loggia. The territory of the balcony, equipped in this way, looks dignified and elegant. This material is harmless to humans and can serve for many years.

For a longer service life of all building materials involved in the repair, the balcony or loggia must be heated in the cold season.

If the "warm floor" system is not used as a heat source, you can use various heaters powered by the electrical network.

Applying all the above tips, and consistently translating each of the stages of work into reality, you can repair balconies or loggias of varying complexity, using the most practical building materials.

Despite the relatively small area to put the balcony in order, you need to spend a lot of time and effort

Do-it-yourself balcony repair is very rarely limited to finishing work. In the vast majority of cases, we have to carry out a major overhaul of the base itself, especially if it shows signs of wear and tear.

That is why, when starting repair work, it is worthwhile to analyze the situation in advance, draw up a work plan and at least an approximate estimate. So that you can cope with such a task, while spending less time and effort, below I will describe the main stages of its implementation.

If you think where to begin repair of a loggia or balcony, then I advise first of all to remove the old finish. Without performing this operation, we will not be able to objectively assess the state of the structure and understand what exactly we have to do and which operations will be unnecessary.

Therefore, the first part of the repair work algorithm involves the following operations:

At the first stage, the old frames are dismantled.
From the outside of the balcony, drainage strips (drip pieces) and visors installed in the upper part are removed.
Then the floor covering is removed. This must be done without fail, because otherwise we will not be able to assess the condition of the concrete slab.

Read also: DIY repair pierburg 2e2

If we plan not only to improve the balcony or loggia, but also to turn them into a residential (albeit conditionally) room, then the reconstruction project must necessarily include glazing.For installation on a balcony, reinforced-plastic windows or products made of so-called "warm aluminum" - aluminum frames with heat-insulating polymer inserts, are best suited.

The very process of installing window structures is quite complicated, but at the same time it is described in sufficient detail in the documentation of the manufacturing companies and in my other articles on this resource. So here is only the most general instructions covering the main steps of the installation:

We measure the opening that needs to be glazed.
According to the received dimensions, we order the production of window structures. The complete set can be selected depending on your requests, but the only thing I would not recommend saving on is energy-efficient glazing. The price of such glass today is not much higher than usual, but its use reduces heat loss through closed windows by 25 - 40%.

Fastening the frame to mounting plates

We unpack the made-to-measure windows, remove the sashes and remove the double-glazed windows from the frames.
We install the frames on the balcony railing and align with wedges, fixing them from above and below either with anchors or mounting plates. We connect the frames with each other with special reinforced profiles that will compensate for the wind load.

Glazing of installed structures

Outside, we close all the gaps with metal strips, and from the inside we blow out polyurethane foam.
We return the double-glazed windows to their place and hang the sash on the hinges. We adjust the opening parts by adjusting the fittings using special screws.

All these operations must be performed by at least two people, since the weight of one window with an installed glass unit and a hinged sash can exceed 100 - 120 kg.

Before making repairs on the balcony, it should also be insulated. So we will not only make the room more comfortable, but also partially solve the problem with condensation: if you do not pay attention to thermal insulation, then moisture from the air will constantly settle on the coldest surfaces, and the finish will constantly get wet.

We start insulation from the floor:

On the concrete base, we lay logs, the length of which corresponds to the length of the balcony.
We attach the lags to the walls and rest on the cranial bars, and then align them along the plane using wedges.

The lag system is flattened using wedges

Fill the space between the lags with heat-insulating material. If our estimate is limited, then you can take construction (in no case packaging) polystyrene, but I would advise you to overpay a little and use either polystyrene or mineral wool. The advantage of the first material is its high density and mechanical strength, while mineral wool not only retains heat well, but also differs in vapor permeability.

Thermal insulation using Penoplex - high density polystyrene boards

On top we mount a subfloor - flooring made of boards or durable plywood with a thickness of 12 to 20 mm, depending on the planned load. It is highly desirable that a distance of about 40-50 mm is maintained between the insulating layer and the subfloor for natural ventilation.

Thermal insulation of a balcony fence with polystyrene foam

On vertical surfaces, we install a crate made of horizontal beams with a cross section of 30x30 mm. The optimal indent of the lathing from the wall is equal to the thickness of the insulation + 3-4 cm, the pitch of the frame elements is 50-60 cm.
We put panels of heat-insulating material on the walls in the cells of the crate. We fill all the gaps with either scraps of insulation or self-expanding foam.
On top we install either a vapor barrier membrane or a layer of foil-clad polymer film. The second option is more expensive, but more efficient in terms of energy saving.

Vapor barrier with foil film

Various design ideas for repairing a balcony can be implemented using a variety of finishing materials.I will describe the different finishes in the table below:

Combination of artificial stone and moisture-resistant wallpaper

The instructions for interior decoration provide for the following options for decorating plasterboard cladding:

painting with interior paints (acrylic, latex);
decorative plaster finishing (structural, mineral, Venetian);
pasting with wallpaper (moisture resistant);
pasting with ceramic panels (artificial stone, imitation of tiles, etc.).

Gradually performing the installation of cladding from a lining or block house, do not forget about protecting the material from fungi, bacteria and insects: it is advisable to perform not only the impregnation of raw materials with antiseptics, but also external treatment with varnish, stain or oil for natural wood.

Another disadvantage is low bearing capacity. If you plan to hang shelves or cabinets on the walls of the loggia, then before you repair the room using MDF panels, you need to install a mortgage from a wooden bar on the wall. She will be the main one for fasteners.

The use of natural wood in decoration

Self-repair of a balcony is a rather responsible and laborious undertaking, which must be approached with a ready-made plan and at least a partially formed budget. The above tips and videos in this article will help you understand the technology of repair work. In addition, I will be happy to help you with a practical recommendation - to get it, just ask a question in the comments.A balcony is a continuation of an apartment, which is often glazed, heat and sound insulation is carried out, additional heating elements are carried out. However, you can often meet people who prefer to leave the balcony in the form of an open area. Repair of an open-type balcony has its own nuances, the knowledge of which will turn it into a spectacular terrace that adorns the facade of any building.When choosing building materials necessary for repairing an open balcony, the negative influence of external factors should be taken into account. The modern market offers a large assortment of materials resistant to significant temperature extremes and possible pollution, capable of retaining their original qualities and characteristics for many years.List of building materials

Solution. Today there is no need to purchase large quantities of bags of cement and sand. Instead, you can buy a ready-made dry mortar, which contains a variety of additives (such as a plasticizer) that significantly improve its properties.

Primer. This mixture is intended for better processing of any surface. The choice of this or that soil mixture should be based on what the finish of the balcony will be. It is best to give preference to a primer, the composition of which allows it to penetrate as deep as possible into the pores of the solution, thereby significantly increasing its strength and adhesion.

Dye. The paint used for the repair of an open balcony must have increased abrasion resistance and be intended for outdoor use. Weather-resistant paint, which is sold in a wide range on the construction market, is best suited.

Plaster. If it is supposed to plaster the walls of an open balcony, then it is carried out using decorative plaster. The composition of this mixture includes specialized additives that prevent shrinkage and cracking of the material.

Tile. For wall decoration, you can use tiles, but it is imperative to give preference to frost-resistant porcelain stoneware. This type of decoration is quite expensive, therefore, on an open-type balcony, you can limit yourself to laying tiles only on the floor covering.

Wooden flooring. To repair the floor on an open balcony, you can use wood that has been treated with a special compound, which gives the material additional strength and resistance to negative environmental influences.Garden parquet is also usable.