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Panel houses They have thin walls and poor thermal insulation, which is why it is so important to keep the rooms warm. Frequently replacing batteries is not always able to change the situation, so winter time It may be cool at home. To make your apartment comfortable, it is important to know how to insulate not only the walls, but also the balcony from the inside with your own hands. panel house. A large number of warmed air leaves the rooms through the loggia or balcony, especially if the space remains open for a long time.

Choice of insulation

Many people believe that glazing the loggia space is not necessary. However, it is important to understand that the balcony is often blown from both sides, and in winter it is very cool from the inside and outside. Why is it necessary to carry out insulation:

• In most cases, balconies protrude beyond the frame of a residential building, so air flows from all open sides, which cools the walls.
• With the help of insulation, you can avoid drafts and discomfort, and also create a pleasant microclimate in the apartment.
• Thermal insulation will help raise the temperature in the room, this is especially true for the bedroom or nursery.
• Heat will be retained inside your apartment for a long time, since it will stop supplying cold air.
• You won’t have to use the heater often, which will save money on electricity.
• Concrete is a poor thermal insulator, so it allows cool air to pass through well. In addition, this way the structures cool down quite quickly.
• After installing insulation materials, the balcony will become a real living room.

To understand how to insulate a balcony from the inside with your own hands in a panel house, you need to understand the features and types of materials. The most popular insulation materials are: mineral wool and polystyrene foam for walls, as well as expanded clay for flooring. It is worth noting that heating balcony slabs should only be carried out after glazing. How to choose material and means for heat insulation:

• We choose. To isolate cold air, several types of window structures are used:

1. Wooden frames. They do not solve insulation problems well and require additional specific care due to the characteristics of the material.
2. Aluminum windows. Designed for cold glazing, as they do not hold well warm air. Such frames can only save you from strong wind and heavy rainfall. However, their light weight and affordable prices very attractive to consumers.
3. Made of metal-plastic. Such windows are considered the most expensive option; they are resistant to sudden temperature changes and have heat and sound insulating properties. As a rule, these are windows with a 5 or 6-chamber profile and two-chamber glazing. The metal-plastic profile is durable, but has heavy weight, which can become an obstacle to installation on a balcony slab. How to insulate a balcony from the inside with your own hands in a panel house is shown in the video below.

The quality and result of glazing work will greatly influence the overall insulation of a balcony or loggia. Of course, it would be more environmentally friendly to install wooden windows, however, frames made of metal-plastic have the highest coefficient of heat transfer resistance. They are reliable and protect the room well from cold air in the winter. They have the shortest service life aluminum windows, therefore they are not recommended for use in residential premises.

• Choosing insulation for balcony slabs. Once you have finished with the glazing, you can proceed to the main stage of the work process, namely insulating the balcony slabs from the inside. First, let's figure out what properties the material should have:

1. Environmentally friendly and safe for health (insulation should not emit toxic substances).
2. Good thermal conductivity.
3. Waterproof.
4. Long service life due to its durability.
5. Fire resistance (the material should not emit acrid smoke when burning).
6. Vapor-repellent properties.

All materials can be used for floors, ceilings and walls, but during installation it is worth considering their features and specifications. The most popular of them are:

Insulation technology

First you need to take measurements of the room in order to correctly calculate the amount of material. You should also remove all foreign objects and furniture so that the space is free and nothing interferes with the work. All insulation activities can be divided into several stages:

It is worth mentioning that insulating a loggia or balcony with panoramic windows a little more complicated. Here it is important to pay attention to enhanced sealing of the glazing, and it may also be necessary to install additional source heat in the form of a battery, heated floors or heater.

We have become acquainted with only a small part of the methods and technologies for insulating the balcony space. However, the basic principle of the work remains the same; the video below shows this process step by step.

Do you have to forget about the balcony in winter? It's time for a change - turn your warehouse of unnecessary things into a warm, cozy corner or even! Insulate cold balcony both in a new building and in a private house it is not as difficult as it seems: it is enough to know what materials can be used and in what sequence the insulation work should be carried out.

To begin with, it’s worth saying that there are two ways to insulate a balcony – from the inside and the outside. External insulation, of course, is more convenient - precious centimeters of space are not “eaten up”, and the cladding of the balcony facade becomes more pleasant. But this is a labor-intensive process that requires the involvement construction crew and industrial climbers. Therefore, in this article we will focus on how to properly insulate a balcony in an apartment from the inside - you can do this yourself.

To insulate the inside of the balcony, it is first necessary to carry out preparatory work. They include several important steps:

• Where to start insulating a loggia or balcony? Free up space from everything unnecessary. It’s best if the balcony is completely empty: it’s much easier to work this way. Also, get rid of old trim in advance.
• Seal all the cracks - a lot of heat escapes through them. Weatherproof sealant is suitable for small gaps; fill larger ones polyurethane foam– it will not only fill the voids, but also serve as an additional heat insulator.
• To make it easier for you to carry out insulation work, it is important to smooth out cracks and irregularities in the walls and ceiling using cement mortar.
• If you plan to place light bulbs or lighting, it is worth taking care of the wiring in advance. To hide unsightly cables, place them in plastic boxes.
• Before starting work, cover the opening between the balcony and the adjacent room with film so that construction dust and other pollutants did not enter the apartment.

Is it possible to insulate a balcony in winter? Yes, you can. Only when carrying out work in winter is it necessary to choose frost-resistant materials, in particular polyurethane foam.

How to insulate a balcony: what materials are best to choose

To understand how to insulate a loggia or balcony, let’s first figure out what properties the materials should have:

• high strength;
• fire safety;
• water resistance;
• environmental friendliness;
• relatively low cost;
• ease of installation (if we want to do all the work ourselves).

Most often, mineral wool, polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam, etc. are used for insulation. Sometimes several of these materials are combined. We have reflected the pros and cons of each heat insulator in the table:

Insulation	Advantages	Flaws
Expanded clay>	Low cost; Durability; Fire safety; Not afraid of mold and mildew; Light weight; Easily takes any shape	High moisture permeability; Suitable only for floor insulation; May be difficult to install
Mineral wool	Good sound and heat insulation; Environmental friendliness; Fire safety; Easily takes any shape	Deterioration of properties when exposed to water; The thickness of the insulation “steals” the usable area
Styrofoam	Low cost; Easy installation; Light weight; Not afraid of mold and mildew	Fragility; Flammability
Extruded polystyrene foam in slabs	High strength; Easy installation; Moisture resistance; Durability	Relatively high cost
Polyurethane foam(liquid insulation)	High strength; Moisture resistance; Durability; Fills cavities of any shape	Relatively high cost; Mandatory availability of special equipment
Penofol(foamed polyethylene with a layer of metal foil)	Moisture resistance; Durability; Small thickness; Good thermal and waterproofing	Rarely used as an independent heat insulator, usually only in combination with other materials

Which insulation for a balcony is better? The answer to this question depends on your preferences and financial opportunities. You can read more about the characteristics of insulation, as well as in general, in our blog.

First you need to lay it on the floor waterproofing layer made of polyethylene or penofol so that dampness does not bother us. Craftsmen advise laying penofol with the reflective side up. At the same time, we can attach the waterproofing material to the walls. It is better to glue the joints between the sheets of waterproofing with foil tape.

Another good waterproofing agent is bitumen-based mastic. It dries for about a day; surfaces treated with it should not be touched.

Then we install logs - wooden beams or metal beams that serve as the basis for floors, platforms and other surfaces. Suitable for floor insulation wooden joists. You should choose logs made from quality materials: The moisture content of wood should not exceed 12%. Also, in order to prevent fungus and rotting, the beams are treated with an antiseptic or primer.

The distance between the logs should be equal to the width of the insulation, and builders recommend making the height of the beams 10-15 centimeters - this is necessary to reliably protect the floor from frost. To seal the holes between the joists and the wall, and also to secure the beams in the desired position, use polyurethane foam. Don't worry about being careful: excess foam can be cut off with a knife after it dries.

Next, a thermal insulation layer, slab or fiber, is laid. Make sure that there are no gaps between the heat insulator and the joists: “cold bridges” will negate all your insulation efforts. If you are laying insulation in several layers, be sure to move each new layer so that the seams between the insulation sheets are not in the same place.

To protect the floor from condensation, you will need a layer of vapor barrier.

Using self-tapping screws, attach a “sub-floor” made of boards, sheets of plywood, fiberboard or chipboard to the joists. This last step before finishing floors such as laminate, linoleum or carpet.

There are two technologies for insulating the ceiling - with or without a frame. Before starting work, it is recommended to apply an antiseptic layer to the ceiling: this will protect the surface from mold.

If you decide to make a sheathing, you will need wooden blocks and dowels. We put insulation into the sheathing - mineral wool or polystyrene foam is suitable as a thermal insulation layer. Mineral wool is fixed with polyurethane foam, and the foam holds even without additional fastening. Then the ceiling is finished: plastic panels, drywall, lining - any materials will do, it all depends on your idea.

Without a frame, ceiling insulation work is carried out as follows: the ceiling surface must be cleaned of dust and dirt, and also treated with strengthening primer - this will help fix the insulation more reliably. Then the glue is applied to the foam sheets (it is enough to apply glue along the perimeter and a little in the middle). We glue the sheets to the ceiling; for reliability, they are attached using dowel mushrooms. We seal the joints with polyurethane foam.

The glue you will use should under no circumstances contain toluene.

We already have the waterproofing ready, so we can immediately install the sheathing made of wooden blocks. The distance between them should be equal to the width of the heat insulation, and the height of the bars should be equal to the width of the insulation. For walls, polystyrene foam boards, polystyrene foam or high-quality mineral wool are suitable. As always, we fill the joints between the insulation with foam. A vapor barrier film must be secured over the insulation.

As a rule, the wall between the balcony and the room is insulated in one layer, and the remaining walls in two layers, or the thickest heat insulator is used.

What to do with the windows?

Think about it: is it worth insulating a balcony with cold glazing? If you really want warm corner, you shouldn’t skimp on windows. You can insulate the ceiling, floor and walls to the highest standard, but cold air will still leak through old or low-quality double-glazed windows.

If your balcony is not glazed, first of all pay attention to the parapet - a low wall that protects the balcony from the street. It must be strong enough to support the window structure.

Which windows to choose? If you plan to make the balcony a living room, two-chamber plastic windows with hinged doors. They are more airtight than sliding window systems, and such windows also have better heat and sound insulation properties. The only negative is that since the balcony area is generally small, the arrangement of furniture may interfere with opening the windows.

In general, you can install plastic windows yourself. But it’s better not to take risks if you don’t have experience: after all, even some companies specializing in window installation make annoying mistakes in their work. In order not to encounter would-be installers, frozen windows, etc., be sure to read the reviews of people who have worked with this or that company.

If installing new windows is still not possible, it is quite possible to find another way out. on the balcony easily using available materials.

Even a perfectly insulated balcony can be a little cool in winter. To make it comfortable for you to be on the balcony on the coldest days, ideal option will electric heater. Usually it is placed near the wall separating the balcony and the apartment. You should not place a heater near the windows, otherwise the glass will start to fog up.

Conduct central heating You are not allowed on the balcony: this is prohibited by building codes.

Also good decision For heating there will be an electric heated floor or a water floor. Modern technology warm floors will delight you as long as the balcony itself lasts. Many systems are equipped with a thermostat, so you can set a comfortable temperature.

After you have done everything necessary work regarding insulation, care should be taken. If you have sealed all the cracks on the balcony, fresh air there will simply be nowhere to take it from. Therefore regularly

Value of additional square meters in a city apartment it is difficult to overestimate. A loggia can be a cold island for storing things or a warm room for living. But, in order for it to be fully used, care must be taken to ensure an acceptable temperature in this room.

It has become the main task for those who want to expand the usable 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 on the place of insulation.

Three directions for insulating a loggia

• insulation of the loggia from the outside– the preferred option. In this case, the freezing point shifts to outer side, i.e. towards the insulation installed outside the loggia. This will not only insulate the surface of the wall, but also preserve the load-bearing properties of the material from which it is built. In addition, the internal space of the loggia is saved.

  The only drawback of insulation from the street is the cost of high-altitude work (industrial mountaineering). For external insulation, rigid thermal insulation material (expanded polystyrene, polystyrene) is used, which is covered with a polymer mesh and protected with strong cement mortar and/or decorative plaster;

  Note. In some cases, the decision on whether it is possible to insulate a loggia from the outside is determined by the City Council. For example, if a house is of architectural value, it is prohibited to carry out external work that changes the appearance of the building.

• double-sided insulation and finishing of the loggia. Involves installation of thermal insulation material outside and inside the loggia. Such a solution is inappropriate in principle, because From the point of view of thermal efficiency, it does not matter which side the work is carried out on.

• insulation of the loggia from the inside. Internal insulation the most popular option, because There is an opportunity to do the work yourself. However, in this case, the usable space of the loggia is reduced. Nevertheless, we will dwell on this option in more detail.

Do-it-yourself insulation of loggias - step-by-step instructions with photos

Simple technology for beginners without construction experience.

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 allows owners to carry out insulation with lower financial costs compared to insulating a balcony.

The fact is that only one side will need to be insulated - the parapet of the loggia. As for the other sides, if they border the heated rooms of the apartment, there is no need to perform insulation.

Step 2 – Degree of insulation of the loggia

It is a mistake to think that glazing a loggia with double-glazed windows is sufficient. reliable way save heat in the 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, floors, ceilings. It is better to do the work simultaneously, but you can also do it in parts, the main thing is to follow the order.

Step 3 – Selecting insulation for the loggia

At first glance, the selection is not difficult. However, the variety of thermal insulation materials makes you wonder what is the best way to insulate a loggia from the inside.

• penofol(40-50 rub./sq.m.). Belongs to the group of semi-rigid insulation materials. It is distinguished by the presence of two layers: foamed polyethylene and foil, which will serve as a reflector (reflects up to 97% of thermal energy). Insulating a loggia with penofol is more justified than insulating a balcony with it, but despite this, the use of penofol alone is quite rare;

• Styrofoam(2560-3200 rub./cub.). Optimal price/quality ratio. Has excellent thermal insulation properties, non-hygroscopic, does not require the use of films, and is easy to install. The market offers foam with different densities (15, 25, 35 kg/m3) and different thicknesses sheet – 20-100 mm, which makes it possible to vary the thickness;

• expanded polystyrene(extruded foam plastic or penoplex) (3500-5000 rub./cube). Newer generation of foam plastics. While maintaining the advantages of polystyrene foam, it is distinguished by its high density (40, 100, 150 kg/m3) and a tongue-and-groove fastening system, which makes it possible to avoid cold bridges. Insulating a loggia with penoplex is one of the most effective methods of thermal insulation, but widespread use limits its cost;

  Note. Insulating a loggia with polystyrene foam is advisable if you need to minimize space loss during the thermal insulation process.

• cotton wool. Representative of soft insulation materials. Mineral (400-500 RUR/pack = 5.76 sq.m.) or basalt wool(650-720 rub./pack = 5.76 sq. m.) are good because they make it possible to insulate a surface with unevenness or cracks. The line of insulation of this type includes 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. Thermal insulation material that is sprayed onto the surface under pressure, allowing you to fill the smallest cracks. Work on insulating a loggia is carried out quickly, but is expensive;

• expanded clay. Bulk insulation. It has significant weight and can only be used for floor insulation;

• aerated concrete. Allows you to level walls and insulate them, but decreases effective area.

With the exception of expanded clay and aerated concrete, each of the insulation materials can be used to insulate a loggia.

Factors influencing the choice of insulation:

• technical condition of surfaces to be insulated: their configurations, the height of the floor/ceiling, the condition of the ceiling;

• 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 insulation;

• environmental friendliness. Polystyrene foam is considered the least environmentally friendly material, basalt wool - the most;

• ease of installation. Rigid insulation is easier to install. When using them, you can do without forming a lath for laying soft wool. There is also no need to use films. Best qualities from the point of view of installation, polystyrene foam has, thanks to the tongue-and-groove system;

• type of finishing coating;

• cost of the project: insulation of the loggia on a turnkey basis or with your own hands.

Step 4 – Preparing materials and tools

For the work you need to prepare: thermal insulation material, polyurethane foam, primer, wooden beams (50x50, for the floor) and slats (50x30, for installing lathing under soft insulation), vapor and waterproofing film (for soft insulation), hardware, metallized tape, Decoration Materials.

Tools: hammer drill, drill, level, hammer, tape measure, foam gun, vacuum cleaner, stapler, pliers, pencil.

Note. The wooden beam can be replaced with a profile for drywall. 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, you need to give preference to a 4-chamber profile and a 2-chamber double-glazed window. During installation, you need to ensure the tight fit of all structures. It is obligatory to install a low tide outside to prevent water from flowing in. 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. It is better to insulate loggia windows using Swedish technology. It makes it possible to increase the thermal insulation properties of windows 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 insulate the entire loggia at the same time.

Then the actions necessary for further work are performed:

• removing protruding parts that can be dismantled;

• punching and drilling walls. If necessary, electrify 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 fungus;

• cleaning.

Step 7 – Insulating the floor on the loggia

It is advisable to start insulation work from the floor.

Regardless of the material, it is carried out using logs. An exception is when laying insulation followed by screeding under tiles or when installing a heated floor system. The work is carried out in several stages:

• installation of penofol. This is not necessary, but experts advise laying penofol with the reflective side up. Due to the reflective ability of penofol, almost all the heat that comes from the wall adjacent to the room or from a heating source remains in the room;

• installation of logs. Before installation, the timber 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 beam with a pitch equal to the width of the insulation (for foam plastic 500 mm, for wool and expanded clay - 600 mm). The beams are attached to the floor with dowels. When installing the joists, make sure they are fastened correctly; in the future, they will serve as a guide for arranging the floor and installing the finished floor covering.

  Note. Installing joists close to the wall increases the risk of wood deformation if it gets wet.

• installation of insulation. Rigid insulation is placed between the joists. When insulating a loggia with foam plastic or polystyrene, it is not recommended to use thick material. Craftsmen advise purchasing thinner sheets and laying them offset. This minimizes the surface of cold bridges. Cotton wool is also placed between the joists so that the material is laid freely, without knocking down. A vapor barrier film is placed on top of the wool to prevent it from getting wet.

• seam sealing. If rigid insulation is laid with gaps, they need to be blown in with polyurethane foam, which is a good insulator.

• arrangement of the subfloor. It is not recommended to lay laminate or linoleum until the work is completed. If the floor is finished with tiles, it is installed immediately and protected (covered) with cardboard.

Note. Using a heated floor system will ensure heating of the loggia, because it is prohibited to remove central heating radiators, and the use of a heater does not provide a long-term effect.

Step 8 – Insulating the ceiling on the loggia

This stage can be eliminated if the floor of the neighbors above is insulated. If not, then the most simple solution The loggia will be insulated with polyurethane foam. It adheres well to any surface, and the work can be completed in a day.

Often, the insulation of the ceiling on a loggia is done with rigid insulation, or less often with cotton wool. The order of work may vary.

Option 1 - frame method of thermal insulation of the ceiling on the loggia

• installation of penofol. From physics course we know that warm air rises. And in order not to heat the floor of the neighbors above, it is advisable to install penofol on the ceiling;

• arrangement of the frame. 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 installed;

• performed finishing ceiling.

Option 2 - “wet” method of insulating the ceiling on the loggia

If the base of the ceiling is flat, you can glue rigid insulation to it. Additional fixation will be provided by the use of dowels with a large head. The junctions of the insulation sheets are foamed with foam. For additional effect, penofol is installed.

Option 3 – insulation of a suspended ceiling on a loggia

Place insulation (usually cotton wool) on the finishing material of the ceiling. Suitable for suspended ceiling or finishing the ceiling with laminate or plastic panels.

Step 9 – Insulating the wall on the loggia

Insulating 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 is laid in pieces, and always with an offset.

Similar to work on the ceiling, there are two methods of insulation: “wet” and frame:

• "wet"– suitable for rigid insulation and the only one possible for aerated concrete. Often this method is used to insulate the loggia with penoplex.

• frame– required for soft materials. Without a frame, it is impossible to insulate a loggia with cotton wool. The frame can be made of wood or metal profile. The technology for laying wool on a wall is no different from installing it on a ceiling or floor. The protection of the cotton wool is ensured by the installation of the film.

A balcony or loggia is unheated premises in the apartment. Consequently, they are a source of heat loss from an apartment or house. Even good glass balcony transmits a significant amount of heat.

To avoid this, insulate the balcony or loggia from the inside. It is worth noting that there are different approaches to insulate this type of room.

The type and method of insulation of a balcony and loggia depends on:

• intended purpose:

• the balcony is not intended for storage; it is insulated to reduce heat loss from the room. In this case, the work is carried out according to a scheme similar to external heating. That is, only one side of it, adjacent to the wall of the room, is insulated;

• The balcony is for storage. Insulated around the perimeter of all surfaces. Because it shouldn't be here high temperature, then the requirements for thermal insulation materials are not particularly high;

• a balcony that is a continuation of the living room or serves as an office, library, gym, etc. In this case, heat loss through windows and all surfaces is eliminated. And the materials used are heat insulators with high density and considerable thickness. Special attention is paid to the thermal conductivity coefficient of the material and the rules of its installation.

• budget for insulation. Determines the type of insulation, the area of ​​insulation, and further finishing. It also determines whether to entrust the work to professionals or do the insulation of the balcony with your own hands;

• time of year. Low temperatures able to withstand any type of insulation. But solutions, adhesives and foam must be used taking into account the temperature environment. Usually, " winter varieties" expensive. And the duration of work in winter is longer;

Let's look at ways to insulate a balcony using various insulation materials and give some important practical advice How to make the insulation of a loggia more effective. We will proceed from the fact that it is necessary to insulate the balcony efficiently and inexpensively on all surfaces inside - walls, ceiling and floor.

Insulation requirements:

1. light weight. In order not to burden the balcony, which is much lower in strength than a loggia;
2. small volume. In order not to occupy the useful living space of a balcony or loggia;
3. low cost;
4. safety. Fire and environmental;
5. the opportunity to do the work yourself.

Insulation for balconies and loggias - types and properties

If you have not yet decided what is the best way to insulate a balcony or loggia from the inside, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with popular thermal insulation materials. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages, which include characteristics, cost and installation methods.

Expanded polystyrene

Lasting, dense material, which does not support combustion well. It is resistant to moisture and has a low thermal conductivity coefficient.

Styrofoam

Dense insulation. It has the lowest thermal conductivity coefficient, light weight, high strength and low cost.

Basalt and mineral wool

Soft insulation. It works due to its structure. Fibers arranged in a chaotic manner contain air, which does not allow heat to penetrate through the cotton wool. When working with cotton wool, you need to create an additional frame.

Polyurethane foam (PPU)

Sprayed insulation. The good thing about the material is that it does not allow moisture to pass through, makes it possible to adjust the thickness of the insulation and allows you to obtain a coating without seams. And this, in turn, eliminates the appearance of cold bridges.

Penofol

Multilayer material. The polystyrene backing retains heat, and the aluminum screen, which is like a thermal mirror, allows the heat to be reflected into the home. Can be used on its own or in combination with other insulation materials.

Expanded clay

Bulk insulation. It has a porous structure, thanks to which it retains heat well. Used for floor insulation.

Using these materials to insulate balconies and loggias, you can additionally provide good sound insulation(subject to glazing with plastic windows).

A mandatory accompanying attribute when insulating from the inside with most of these materials is a vapor and hygrobarrier film or a superdiffusion membrane. It is designed to protect the insulation, especially soft ones, from getting wet and condensation.

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How to insulate a balcony with your own hands - step-by-step instructions

• Clearing the premises. It is impossible to do quality work if you have to constantly move things from place to place.

• Sealing cracks. We assume that high-quality double-glazed windows are installed on the windows. In any case, there are gaps between the balcony and the wall, where the ceiling and floor meet. So they need to be sealed using foam, sealants or solutions. Large gaps are sealed with pieces of polystyrene foam.

• Waterproofing of balcony/loggia. It is necessary to prevent water from getting inside. Moreover, it can enter through micropores in concrete. For this purpose, you can use a deeply penetrating primer.

• In case of using cotton wool, it is necessary to install waterproofing film. It is overlapped and secured with tape.

• Installation of insulation. There are two methods here:

• Frame method. In this case, you must first arrange a frame made of antiseptic-treated wooden planks or galvanized profiles. Boards are more popular because they are cheaper and allow you to adjust the thickness of the frame. The most commonly used timber is 50x50. Insulation is inserted into the resulting cells.

• Frameless method. More preferable, but suitable only for rigid insulation. This is due to the fact that the frame material when frame method remains uncovered by insulation. That is, wood or metal serve as cold bridges and conduct heat well. Therefore, in the vast majority of cases, rigid insulation is installed without constructing a frame.

• Laying penofol, vapor barrier film or superdiffusion membrane.

• The floor is insulated.

• The final stage is decorative finishing of the balcony or plasterboard.

Insulation of balconies and loggias with mineral wool

The wool is laid so that it fits tightly to the frame elements, but is not “rammed”, i.e. there is no need to further compact it. This will change the structure of the mineral wool and some of the air will evaporate. This will reduce the thermal insulation properties of wool. In order for the wool to hold securely on the wall, and especially on the ceiling, it must be additionally fixed using wire or umbrellas (dowels with a wide head).

Mineral wool fixed with "umbrellas"

Sometimes the cotton wool is placed behind the frame, as shown in the figure. Then the frame elements are held in place by cotton wool. However, professionals do not recommend using this approach for low-density wool (less than 50 kg/m3), since wool held in only a few places will settle over time, opening part of the wall to the movement of cold air.

The cotton wool is covered with a vapor barrier film. Then the counter-lattice is stuffed. It allows you to protect the cotton wool from touching finishing material and avoid the appearance of a dew point in this place.

The stages of installation of wool are presented in more detail in the diagram.

1. Subfloor
2. Floor joists
3. Frame
4. Basalt wool
5. Vapor barrier film
6. Counter-lattice
7. Finishing material

Balcony insulation with polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam

Rigid insulation is also laid in sections of the frame and fixed with foam or special glue. The insulation is not laid close to the frame, but with a gap of 5-10 mm. The gap is subsequently filled with foam, and the foam sheet is additionally secured with a plastic dowel - an umbrella (fungus).

Fastening foam plastic using a frame method

Fastening polystyrene foam using a frame method

The foam sheets are pressed tightly against each other, and the joints are blown with foam.

Expanded polystyrene sheets are joined using the tongue-and-groove principle.

The spraying method stands apart in this group. A thermal insulation material such as polyurethane foam is applied to the wall by spraying. A relatively new material on the market, it is quickly gaining its fans among professionals and amateurs. Because it allows for insulation without additional preparation of the base. The high speed of work completion - less than one day - also speaks in favor of PPU. Disadvantages include high cost and the inability to do the work yourself without special equipment.

• Firstly, reliable protection moisture insulation;

• Secondly, additional internal insulation;

• Thirdly, the foil reflects 90% of the heat back. Which is very important for a balcony or loggia, which by law cannot have their own heating sources.

The loggia, from a constructive point of view, is perfect for becoming a full-fledged room or an extension of the apartment. To make this possible, it is necessary to carry out a number of construction and installation works on insulation, glazing, and finishing. The result will be cozy room for relaxation, spacious living room, extra bed for work.

The result of insulation may differ from the desired one if several factors are not taken into account when choosing materials and technology for insulation work.

Factor one is the further purpose of the premises:

• if you plan to have a utility room, then use any single layer of insulation; Basically, only the part directly in contact with the street - the parapet - is thermally insulated;
• the desire to have a separate full-fledged room will require the use different types thermal insulation materials, which are laid in two layers over the entire surface of the loggia;
• the option of combining a loggia and a room will also require two-layer insulation, but in this case the main attention is paid to the parapet, and the walls are covered in one layer.

The second factor is the size of the loggia itself, since if it is small, then a type of insulation is selected that, despite its small thickness, has a fairly high thermal protection index. In this case, the usable area will be reduced slightly.

Factor three - taking into account the fact that any material from which the walls are made interior space, allows moisture accumulated inside to pass through. These water vapors, colliding with the colder air of the street, settle on outside walls. If this wall is insulated, it means that the insulation becomes covered with moisture, which leads to its rotting and a decrease in thermal insulation properties. It is necessary that water vapor does not reach the insulation.

Insulation materials

On construction market There is whole line, the properties of which must be familiarized before properly insulating the loggia inside. What is included with the consumer?

Mineral wool and all materials based on its production or basalt fiber are a very popular material with good performance thermal insulation, sound insulation and fire resistance. During service, it retains its shape and structure and is not susceptible to impact. aggressive environments and microorganisms, but is highly hygroscopic. Such high water permeability requires careful waterproofing works. Disadvantages include the thickness of the material and the need to install sheathing and a hydraulic barrier, which takes up useful space.

Polystyrene foam is made from polystyrene. It is chosen for durability, low thermal conductivity, resistance to the influence of microorganisms, and low hydrophobicity. Self-extinguishing foam plastic is suitable for insulating the walls of the loggia inside, since regular foam is very flammable.

Penoplex, Teplex, Primaplex, Styroform, Ursaform, URSA, XPS - materials for extruded polystyrene foam. They have the lowest thermal water values, which means the highest thermal insulation properties. These materials are durable, easy to install, and provide good water and sound insulation.

Materials made of extruded polyethylene and covered on one or both sides with foil are suitable as insulation for the loggia: Penofol, Izocom, Tepofol, Izolon. Among all the listed thermal insulators, its thermal conductivity is the highest. Therefore how independent material used for “cold” insulation or as a reflective material for interior walls. But its small thickness and high vapor permeability allow it to be used as a second layer of insulation.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the material, which is not produced in slabs or rolls. , which is sprayed like foam and creates a single heat-insulating surface. By all technical indicators it is superior to other materials. The main disadvantage is high flammability with the release of toxic substances. Self-installation practically impossible, since a special spraying installation is required.

Stages of thermal insulation work

Before insulating the loggia, a whole series of preparatory work:

• glazing and sealing of all gaps between the frames and the wall, parapet;
• surface preparation;
• waterproofing.

Double-glazed windows with frames made of any material are chosen as glazing. They must be functional, have a ventilation mode and be light enough so as not to create additional load on the floor slab.

The walls, ceiling, and floor are first cleaned of debris and other contamination, and the integrity of the surface is checked. If cracks and gaps between tiles are detected, they are filled with sealant. Level if necessary.

An important approach to properly and better insulating a loggia is to create a layer of waterproofing. To do this, use one or more materials, since it is necessary to waterproof the parapet and everything external walls, floor, ceiling, frames.

TO waterproofing materials include:

• roofing felt;
• various types of coating and painting substances;
• penetrating waterproofing;
• foilisolone.

Rolled waterproofing is glued overlapping to the base, and the seams are sealed with sealant, sealed with special tape or soldered, as is the case with roofing felt. When covered with foil isolone, an additional layer of thermal insulation is obtained. The use of coating, painting, and penetrating insulation is justified in hard-to-reach areas and in cases where the room size is very small.

After determining which insulation is best for the loggia and preliminary work, proceed directly to the insulation itself. There are two ways:

• a continuous layer of heat-insulating material is created and any options for steam penetration into the insulation are minimized;
• laying insulation and covering it with a vapor barrier.

Insulation methods

First.

In this case, materials with low vapor permeability are used: polystyrene foam, expanded polystyrene. Their thickness must be such as to create the required resistance to the passage of steam and at the same time be sufficient for the necessary thermal insulation. In the case of using tile insulation, the sequence of work is as follows:

• tile adhesive is diluted;
• glue is applied to the corners of the slab and in the center;
• the plate is applied to the surface and holes up to 6 cm deep are drilled through it with a hammer drill for dowels;
• through drilled holes final fastening is carried out using dowel mushrooms; a minimum of 5 dowels are used;
• the next slab is also laid after checking the surface with the rule;
• the seams between the slabs are sealed assembly adhesive or glued with tape;
• it is possible to lay a second layer of insulation, for example, penofol;
• after laying all the sheets, reinforcement is carried out with fiberglass mesh;
• putty for leveling the texture of the mesh.

Reinforcement is carried out in four stages:

1. treat the slabs with coarse sandpaper;
2. cover the slabs with glue up to 3 mm thick;
3. press a fiberglass mesh with cells measuring 5x5 mm into the glue;
4. Apply a second layer of glue over the mesh.

You can also use rolls thermal insulation materials, installation technology will not change. In this case, pieces of insulation are cut off required size.
After such insulation, the surfaces are completely ready for painting or any other decorative material.

Second.

For this method there are no restrictions on the choice of insulation, since the technology provides for the creation of a vapor barrier between it and decorative finishing. Such insulation is carried out using the arrangement wooden sheathing or without it, but then the sheathing for PVC slabs is made on top of the vapor barrier.

The sheathing is made from wooden beams or metal fasteners and profiles. When metal parts Insulation must be laid underneath them.

The height and width of the sheathing depends on the type of insulation:

• For mineral wool the beams are selected to be smaller in width than its mats, so that the laying is carried out apart;
• it is advisable to lay several layers of cotton wool to cover the beams, then they will not become conductors of cold;
• for foam plastic, all parameters of sheets and beams must match.

After laying the insulation into the sheathing, an overlap is attached to it vapor barrier material. It can be ordinary polyethylene or a membrane. All joints of the vapor barrier are taped with tape. If the cladding with insulation was carried out without sheathing, then profiles for installing the finishing are attached on top of the vapor barrier.