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The process of insulating a room itself is very important, since with the help of such repairs drafts and cold are removed, and the space of the connected room expands. But it’s not enough to just install double-glazed windows and cover the cracks and holes with polyurethane foam. It needs to be insulated. To save money in your wallet, it is better to insulate the loggia with your own hands, step-by-step photo instructions presented in the article will help you do the work.
Amazing balcony with environmental materials
Initially, you need to select building materials. It is important to remember that not only thermal performance, but also may depend on the selected components. If the building material is too thick, it will be stolen usable area.
Pay attention! Any material for heat preservation must be environmentally friendly and also meet thermal and steam characteristics.
The room can be insulated with the following materials:
- Penofol . An excellent substitute for mineral wool. It has a multi-layer coating, which also has a reflective effect.
- Polyurethane foam . Ideally suited for balconies. It ignites very poorly and is made from environmentally friendly materials. Installation is done by pouring.
- Expanded polystyrene . A fairly economical choice of material and also very effective for a balcony.
- Izover . Available in sheet form. Made from mineral wool with fiberglass particles.
As a rule, polystyrene foam is mounted on the walls and ceiling. It is good to use because its properties have a high thermal conductivity coefficient, as well as a small thickness. It cuts perfectly with a kitchen knife. An alternative option is polystyrene foam. For cold winters, sheets 10 cm thick are suitable; for mild weather it is better to use 5 cm.
Related article:
Do-it-yourself preparatory work and insulation of the loggia: step-by-step photo instructions
Before the main process, preparatory work should be done. Only then will you be able to insulate the loggia yourself, and step-by-step photo instructions will help with this. To do this you will need:
- Select those places that will be precisely processed. In any case, you should definitely treat the parapet. The walls can be treated as needed. If there are no neighbors on the sides, then they also need to be covered with building material. Often all walls are insulated.
- Before repairs, you need to take everything out and clean the surfaces.
- It is recommended to replace the windows and install double-glazed windows if there are none.
- Next, you need to lay the wiring for sockets, lamps and switches.
- The next step is to select a material.
- After selecting the material, you can move on to working with the floor, walls, and then the ceiling.
- Upon completion, finishing work should be carried out.
The fastening for thermal insulation can be either adhesive or dowels. If an adhesive composition is used, then during the work you will need to glue the gluing area and the material itself.
Useful advice! The resulting seams, which are obtained directly during the insulation process, should be filled with polyurethane foam.
Penoplex and how to insulate a loggia with it
Many people dream of converting a balcony into a full-fledged room. But in order for the use of such a room to be comfortable, it will need to be insulated. As a rule, parapets in apartments have thin walls. In this regard, on initial stage You will need to demolish it and lay it out again. Thus, the wall will be thicker, and therefore warmer. It is recommended to use a brick, which is placed on the adhesive composition with an edge. Sand-lime brick is ideal for such masonry.
After the fresh masonry has shrunk, you can begin installing the windows. To do this, it is recommended to use the services of professionals. Next, you can move on to insulation. will be installed on the ceiling, walls and floor. By following the instructions you can get started:
- The prepared pieces should be placed in a frame. You can also not create a frame, but mount the slabs directly on the walls using special mounting mushrooms.
Useful advice! The slabs should be adjusted so that they fit tightly one to one. This will get rid of the cracks, which means the loggia will be much warmer. It is recommended to apply polyurethane foam or sealant at the joints.
- Reflective insulation should be placed on the walls, ceiling, and floor. Penofol is ideal. It is recommended to seal the joints with foil tape.
- After this, the balcony will be ready for final finishing. To do this, you can use wood or plastic lining or install other panels.
We do it ourselves. How to insulate the floor on a loggia?
The floor should be treated first, and then all other surfaces. The work process looks like this:
- It is necessary to thoroughly clean the floor from debris and dust.
- Next, you need to seal all holes or cracks with foam.
- Now you should use a thin one and place it on the entire floor. Lay it in such a way that there are no joints or there is a minimum number of them.
- When the first layer is laid, you need to go around its perimeter with construction foam, including joints and seams. Then the second layer is laid in the same way.
- Now you can mount the wooden beam frame. The distance between the bars should be about 50 cm.
- The resulting gap should be filled with polystyrene. The thickness of the insulation will depend on the thickness of the timber. Ideal when they are flush.
- Next, you need to cut the penofol to the size of the balcony and lay it with the foil side up, but so that it protrudes about 20 cm onto each wall.
- Now you can attach the floor boards to the beams and install the decorative covering.
As an option, the floor can be installed with a heated floor or the loggias can be made of penoplex.
Insulation of the ceiling and walls of the loggia
For almost all types of rooms, insulation of walls and ceilings occurs in the same way. Thus, the walls are insulated as follows:
For, polystyrene foam is best suited. The process is carried out by analogy with walls and floors.
Insulating a loggia from the inside: what is the best way to do it?
To select the right material, you should consider some important factors:
- Purpose of the room.
- If the balcony will be used as a storage room, then you can use any building material, installing it in 1 layer.
- When the balcony turns into one room, it is necessary to use different building materials, which are laid in 2 layers over the entire area.
- If it is combined with a room, then you need to use two-layer insulation. The walls can be made in one layer, and special attention can be paid to the parapet.
- Using insulation for interior decoration, the usable area will be smaller, so this factor should be taken into account.
The choice directly depends on the described factors and tastes of the owner of the premises.
Finishing work
Finishing work is needed. This is not only due to aesthetic appearance, but also affects protective factors. If we are talking about exterior decoration, then the parapet can be covered with corrugated sheets or siding.
Internal work can be anything. It all depends on preferences and imagination. But it is worth noting that decorating the inside of the loggia with your own hands will bring more pleasure and joy. Often the work is done using PVC panels. You can also wallpaper or simply paint the walls. The loggia looks very good when decorated with wood. It will not only be beautiful, but also environmentally friendly.
Article
Owners of city apartments often wonder how to insulate the inside of a balcony with their own hands. This procedure is actually simple. However, it is still necessary to follow the required technologies when performing it. First of all, of course, you will need to decide how to insulate the inside of the balcony with your own hands. The type of cladding of the parapet, walls and ceiling will largely depend on the type of material chosen.
Expanded polystyrene or mineral wool?
These two materials are most often chosen for insulating balconies and loggias. Expanded polystyrene is a little more expensive than mineral wool. However, it is also the best answer to the question of how to insulate the inside of a balcony. The fact is that when covering the loggia from the side of the living quarters, the so-called one is located inside the insulating “pie”. Therefore, it is much better to use moisture-resistant material for insulation. Inexpensive mineral wool, unfortunately, does not differ in such properties. It gains moisture very quickly. Of course, you can use it. However, in this case you will have to pay maximum attention to waterproofing. So the best answer to the question of how to insulate the inside of a balcony with your own hands is still polystyrene foam.
Material characteristics
When choosing sheets for balcony insulation, you should pay attention to the following factors:
density,
Expanded polystyrene sheets produced by modern manufacturers have standard sizes: 2x1, 0.5x1 or 1x1. Those who are wondering how to cover the inside of a balcony should think about purchasing smaller sheets. It will be very inconvenient to install too large slabs in the limited space of the loggia. For a balcony, the best option is 0.5x1 or, as a last resort, 1x1.
As for thickness, you can buy absolutely any polystyrene foam for a balcony. The only thing you should be guided by in this case is such an indicator as the area of the loggia. After assembling the insulating pie, there should be enough free space left on the balcony for a comfortable pastime. Most often, loggia owners standard houses Soviet-built polystyrene foam with a thickness of 40-50 mm is chosen.
The density of this type of insulation can be found by looking at the markings. The best answer to the question of how to sheathe the inside of a balcony would be to use grade 15-25 polystyrene foam. The higher the numbers, the lower the thermal conductivity of the material, and the more fragile it is. If the expanded polystyrene is intended to be covered with decorative plaster or wallpaper in the future, it is worth purchasing thicker slabs. If lining or panels are used, you can take loose sheets that retain heat well.
Where to start?
So, now you know how to insulate the inside of a balcony with your own hands. Next, let's figure out how to do it right. Before proceeding with the installation of the insulating “pie”, it is necessary to carefully prepare the loggia itself. First of all, wooden floors are dismantled. Then they begin to repair the parapet. If there are through gaps in it, they must be sealed with sealant. The chips are being repaired cement mortar or moisture-resistant putty. The walls, floor and ceiling are prepared in the same way.
Loggia waterproofing
Having asked the question of how to properly insulate a balcony inside with your own hands, apartment owners must first of all ensure that this small room is always dry. Waterproofing when performing this operation is considered mandatory (especially when using mineral wool as insulation). In its absence:
the service life of the balcony finishing will be reduced;
all metal structures will quickly rust;
because of high humidity will begin to develop various kinds fungi, resulting in an unpleasant odor on the loggia.
Sometimes balconies that are not insulated in this way even begin to collapse. support structures, which, of course, is very dangerous.
The easiest way to waterproof a balcony is to use bitumen-polymer mastic. It is heated to a liquid state, the floor is poured with it, and the parapet is coated in 2-3 layers. Sometimes roll materials are used to waterproof a balcony.
What kind of glue is needed
Those who are wondering how to insulate the inside of a balcony with polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene should, among other things, take care to use suitable glue to fix the sheets. This material can be mounted directly on mastic (on polymer-bitumen - immediately, on bitumen - after complete drying). In this case, special glue should be used. It's called Bitumast.
What else will you have to buy?
Thus, you now know how to insulate the inside of a balcony with your own hands. Photos of polystyrene foam sheets - the most suitable material for this purpose - can be seen on the page. However, in addition to them and glue, to insulate the balcony you will also need to prepare:
reinforcing mesh,
mushroom dowels,
polyurethane foam (without toluene),
decorative plaster or wallpaper.
Pasting technology
So, next, let's look at how to insulate a loggia from the inside. Installation of sheets should begin from the corner. This rule is true both when gluing the parapet, and walls or ceiling. The actual installation operation itself is performed as follows:
Expanded polystyrene sheets are given a rough feel. To do this, they are passed with a special needle roller. Treated this way, they will hold up much better.
A support rail is attached to the bottom of the parapet.
The adhesive solution is evenly applied to the surface of the wall, ceiling or parapet.
Press the polystyrene foam tightly to the surface.
The material for insulating the balcony from the inside should be installed in such a way that the joints between the sheets have a T-shaped appearance (as when laying bricks). After the plate is glued, it should be additionally secured with mushroom dowels (5 per sheet). Holes for them can be drilled directly through the sheets. At the final stage, the joints are processed. In this case, construction foam is used.
Gluing reinforcing mesh
Expanded polystyrene is an excellent answer to the question of how best to insulate the inside of a balcony. However, decorative plaster does not hold up very well on this material. To correct the situation, a special reinforcing mesh is used. Mount it as follows:
The polystyrene foam surface of the ceiling, parapet and walls is first completely coated with glue (for polystyrene foam).
Another layer of glue is applied on top of it. Its thickness should be such that the joints of the mesh do not protrude above the surface plane.
Finishing
So, we found out how to insulate a balcony with our own hands. A step-by-step photo of this process is presented above. As you can see, this procedure is relatively simple. At the final stage, the dried adhesive surface is passed with a special grater to give it roughness. Next, start applying decorative plaster. You can also wallpaper your balcony.
Second way
The loggia insulation method discussed above is suitable when using dense polystyrene foam. And if the owners decide to buy it as an insulator mineral wool? How to insulate a balcony with your own hands? A step-by-step (photo of the process is presented below) guide to performing the work in this case will look like this:
A frame made of wooden beams is attached to the parapet, walls, floor and ceiling. The pitch between its elements should be equal to the width of the slabs of the selected insulation. The timber can be secured to the concrete parapet with self-tapping screws. For balconies with metal fencing, an independent paving structure is assembled.
Next, the insulation itself is inserted between the frame elements. The material is attached to the concrete parapet with “fungi” (expanded polystyrene can be additionally glued). If the fence is metal, it is better to use cotton wool and insert it into the fence. If polystyrene foam is chosen for insulation, you can, for example, attach plywood to the back side of the frame and glue the material to it.
It is stretched over the insulation. It is better to secure it with thin slats (two on each side of the beam).
the balcony is finished with clapboard, plastic panels, plasterboard or plywood. Attach the material to the frame beams.
How to insulate a floor
The base of the balcony is insulated last. The floor is pre-waterproofed and then logs are installed on it. The answer to the question of how to insulate the inside is simple. Most often, polystyrene foam or mineral wool is laid between the beams. You can also use expanded clay. A vapor barrier is attached on top of the insulation, and then the flooring or edged board. Then the floor is covered with linoleum or finished with any other suitable material.
Balcony heating
Whatever answer to the question of how to insulate the balcony inside, the owners of the house choose, if the installation technology is followed, in the future it will be possible to have a good time here, including in winter. However, on very cold days, even an insulated loggia may require additional heating. Removing central heating is strictly prohibited by regulations. That's why the best solution will install a regular electric heater here. It should be placed near the wall separating the balcony and the apartment. It is not recommended to install heating devices near the parapet. The fact is that in this case, due to the warm air rising upward, the windows on the balcony will begin to fog up heavily.
You can also arrange it on the loggia
Warm floor
This work is done as follows:
Thermal insulation material is laid on the floor.
Metal is installed
The heating cable is laid.
The thermostat is hung on the wall.
A concrete screed with a thickness of 30-40 mm is poured.
The flooring is being laid.
Well, we hope we have answered the question in sufficient detail about how to insulate the inside of a balcony with your own hands and how to do it correctly. The most important thing when assembling a “pie” is not to break the required technology. In this case, the balcony will be cozy and warm.
Today's post will benefit people who are planning to insulate their balcony from the inside.
My relatives decided to increase the living room area due to the adjacent balcony. Since the apartment has two balconies, such a solution has been asking for a long time.
There was no project, I had to figure out all aspects of the work myself. And now I am publishing comprehensive instructions for insulating a balcony. The information provided in this article will serve you well when you decide to do the same.
How to quickly and correctly insulate a balcony?
How to insulate a balcony?
The vast majority of owners of apartments with balconies sooner or later think about using this area more functionally by insulating it.
Typically, such premises are used for one of the purposes:
- in the first case, many years of rubbish accumulates on them, and everything unnecessary is thrown away. A storage room facing the outside is formed. It was this role that was assigned to balconies and loggias in most Soviet apartments;
- the second case is when apartment owners try to expand the often too cramped living space using a balcony, turning it into a room, office, winter garden.
But for the second solution you will need reliable insulation. According to experts, in apartments located in old buildings, significant heat loss occurs through balconies if they are not insulated.
Therefore, you don’t even need to ask the question: “Should I insulate the balcony?” Of course, this is necessary, even if it is not intended to be used as a full-fledged heated room.
So how can you insulate a balcony with your own hands and what nuances should be taken into account (floor insulation, insulation of the room from the inside, etc.)?
First steps
First of all, you need to glaze the balcony or loggia., otherwise the meaning of insulation is simply lost. With glazing, even a balcony open on all sides becomes more like a loggia.
Recently, people have increasingly begun to use wooden frames, but they are also very popular metal-plastic structures. Wooden glazing can be no worse than using PVC structures if the material is treated with the necessary materials - antiseptic compounds, several layers of paint, etc.
Moving away from the topic: we hope that no one needs to talk about the differences between a loggia and a balcony.
But just in case, let us briefly note: a balcony is an area protruding beyond the facade, fenced around the entire perimeter; The loggia does not protrude beyond the plane of the façade; it is built into the wall and enclosed on the sides by walls.
The insulation technology is almost the same in both cases.
Of course, the owner of the balcony would like to quickly finish all the work and move on to other pressing tasks. This way the work gets done quickly. The cracks are sealed carelessly. And they are installed immediately heating devices(heating radiator or underfloor heating system). After this, the owner believes that he can relax, he is reliably protected from the cold.
But in winter, all the shortcomings and haste will certainly translate into very unpleasant discoveries. Even on an insulated balcony it turns out to be a difficult task to maintain a comfortable temperature. The reason for this is that hastily completed insulation does not provide a sufficient reduction in heat loss.
When deciding to heat a balcony, you need to consider what to use for this central system not allowed by building codes. Therefore, it is necessary to properly insulate all surfaces - walls, floor, sides and front side.
For an example of insulating a loggia with connection to a room, see the video:
We'll have to decide a whole series tasks:
- Seal cracks and seams with polyurethane foam and special sealants. If this is not done or done carelessly, there is simply no point in further insulating the balcony;
- install waterproofing, which will avoid the formation of mold and the development of pathogens that prefer to appear and grow in damp places. Waterproofing will be the first layer of the whole “pie” that we use to reliable protection balcony Among other things, the waterproofing layer will allow you to move the freezing point to the outside;
- installation of thermal insulation. In this case, it is necessary to install a thermal insulation layer, as in the previous case, on all concrete elements. This will eliminate the risk of cold bridges and allow you to maintain optimal temperature indoors;
- followed by another waterproofing layer, which also provides an additional thermal insulation layer;
- installation of sheathing frame;
- finishing a balcony or loggia outside.
How to insulate a loggia?
We have already found out that any insulation of a loggia or balcony begins with proper glazing. Work on the surfaces of floors, walls, etc. is also necessary.
Now you need to choose materials for insulation.
There is a huge amount of materials on the market to achieve this goal, and an inexperienced person can get confused in such a variety. But some materials are preferable to analogues, so we will look at their properties in more detail.
The final result greatly depends on how correctly the choice of raw materials was made for the hydro- and thermal insulation of the balcony.
We will start from two factors. The first is the effectiveness of a particular material at a certain thickness. The second is the economic feasibility of purchasing just such material.
Note that, despite the similar parameters of loggias and balconies, in the first case it is easier to perform reliable insulation than to create conditions close to residential conditions on the balcony. This is not surprising, because in the case of a balcony you will have to glaze a large area, and the heat loss through the windows is the most significant.
First, we will consider materials for sealing cracks and seams on all structures and surfaces (frame, parapet, ceilings, etc.).
Materials for sealing cracks
In principle, you can choose almost any composition intended for sealing.
Usually they rely on sealants, foams and mastics made of polyurethane, basing the choice on the fluidity of the materials before hardening.
You can choose other similar materials. To prevent the sealant from leaking out during use, large gaps are sealed with foam plastic or other available materials.
Waterproofing of a balcony/loggia
In the process of waterproofing a balcony, you need to not only process internal surfaces. It is also necessary to install a drip sill, thereby preventing the access of water under the frame, treat the frame itself (if it is wooden structure). All kinds of hydrophobic compounds are used for the frame - varnishes, oil paints, enamel, antiseptics etc.
In other details, the balcony and loggia are insulated from the inside using the same technology.
To waterproof concrete floors and parapets, you can use both penofol and more traditional roofing felt. You can also resort to the use of penetrating and coating compounds.
Flooring materials (roofing felt) must be laid overlapping, ensuring high-quality sealing of seams, for which we can recommend the use of a burner. The burner will ensure reliable gluing of the roofing material to the surface of the ceiling.
Other material is also beginning to gain popularity. This is foil insulation, which is only 4 mm thick. This is a good sealant and also provides additional insulation.
The choice of materials is carried out taking into account the specifics of the work and the budget. Most often for self-insulation roofing material is used. It has been proven for generations and is very affordable.
So how to insulate a balcony or loggia?
Now let's move on to choosing the insulation itself. In this case, you need to start from the most important characteristic of such a material - the thermal conductivity coefficient (delta). For thermal insulation compounds, this indicator is usually from 0.02 W/mS, the average value is 0.03-0.04 W/mS. The higher the value, the lower the insulating properties.
That is, you can go in two directions:
- selection of insulation with a minimum thermal conductivity coefficient;
- increase the thickness of the thermal insulation layer.
In the first case, you will have to spend more on material. By increasing the thermal insulation layer, the usable area of the room will decrease.
T So how to insulate a balcony, what materials are optimal for this?
Today, extruded polystyrene foam used for thermal insulation has become very common.
This material has excellent performance characteristics. Among the popular materials of this type are Penoplex, Technolplex.
You can resort to another method. Buy mineral wool, remembering that when using it, the insulation layer will be thicker to ensure the same result as when using polystyrene foam. And to do everything quickly and inexpensively, you can use regular sheets polystyrene foam - this material is also often used for self-insulation of a loggia or balcony.
As an example, let's talk about extruded polystyrene foam URSA XPS. This is a practical, high-quality insulation material, very beneficial for insulating a loggia. URSA XPS combines high thermal insulation performance and reduced heat loss.
URSA XPS can be used for finishing floor and wall surfaces.
Another characteristic of URSA XPS is its small thickness, only 5 cm. So if you are still wondering what material to choose for internal insulation balcony, pay attention to URSA XPS. It may be exactly the solution you have been looking for for so long. It is convenient to transport, the material does not crumble, and you can cut it with a regular knife.
For ease of review and comparison different solutions make a list with a description thermal insulation materials, which can be used for our purposes.
About the nuances of insulating balconies and loggias in the video:
So, how can you insulate a balcony or loggia?
The modern building materials market provides us with a lot of options:
- mineral wool based materials(basalt fiber). The fibrous structure provides high efficiency such a decision. Advantages of mineral wool: stability of shape and volume during operation, bio- and fire resistance, resistance to destruction under the influence of an aggressive environment, good sound and heat insulation characteristics;
- EPS-based materials(expanded polystyrene). Extruded material has the highest characteristics. Expanded polystyrene is very light, while it has a minimal thermal conductivity coefficient. Other advantages of PPS: ease of installation, cost-effectiveness. Among the disadvantages - during the heating process in environment harmful substances may be released;
- materials based on fiberglass. This very common option is rightfully considered traditional. Fiberglass - quite budget solution, but its disadvantage is the high value of the thermal conductivity coefficient (as was found higher, the higher this indicator, the worse) compared to other insulation materials. The materials are produced in mats and slabs, which can be conveniently used in the internal insulation of a balcony;
- reflective heat insulators. This is an innovative solution for insulating various structures. Reflective thermal insulation works on the principle of a thermos. An impermeable foil shell is laid on foam polyethylene. Such insulation materials are distinguished by a minimum coefficient of thermal conductivity and a sufficiently thin layer of such material for reliable insulation. Due to this, the space occupied by thermal insulation is significantly reduced.
How to attach materials
When using flooring waterproofing materials, they are glued to special compounds or (like roofing felt) they are fastened by heating the joined parts with a burner from the fastening side.
The choice of method for attaching thermal insulation depends on the material used.
Foam or polystyrene boards can be glued or mounted on plastic dowels. If glue is used, it is very important to choose the correct composition, excluding toluene, which is contraindicated for use with such insulation.
Glue is applied to the mounting pad, thin layer over the entire area. It is convenient to use a notched trowel for application. Additionally, you can apply glue dropwise onto thermal insulation boards in several places.
When using dowels, they are installed around the perimeter of the slab at the rate of 8-10 points per square meter. For perfectionists, we can recommend using both fastenings at the same time: the initially glued slabs are additionally secured with plastic dowels.
To seal the seams between the insulation boards, toluene-free polyurethane foam is used. The seams between the elements of the waterproofing layer are closed with a special self-adhesive sealant.
Mineral wool in most cases is attached only to dowels. The vapor barrier (inner layer of waterproofing) is installed together with insulation on dowels or glued directly to the thermal insulation materials.
Finishing
After installing the heat and waterproofing layers, proceed to exterior decoration. To do this, it is necessary to install frames from the profile used for installing plasterboard sheets. The frame can also be mounted from wooden blocks.
The same actions are performed when finishing walls, ceilings, and parapets. But in this case, thinner materials are also suitable for the frame. 25-30 mm boards or plasterboard profile can be used.
After installing the frame, it must be covered with plasterboard sheets or clapboard.
When using lining, the balcony resembles a veranda in appearance and comfort country house, gypsum boards allow you to embody any creative ideas on such a surface. Self-covering a loggia or balcony with plasterboard allows you to then glue wallpaper on it, paint, draw, etc.
Another one, quite convenient and affordable option interior decoration of the balcony - plastic panels. Manufacturers offer the widest range of such products, with different colors and material textures. You can implement any design depending on your taste and the interior style of the next room.
Algorithm of actions
Insulation of a balcony or loggia is carried out step by step as follows:
- glazing in progress, without which any insulation loses all meaning;
- floor insulation. At this stage, holes and cracks are blown out with foam, after which waterproofing is applied to the surface of the lower part of the wall and slab;
- leveling the floor. For this you can use self-leveling building mixtures;
- laying URSA XPS slabs. Vapor barrier tape is used to seal the joints formed between the insulation slabs and the walls. If the joints are not sealed, during the operation of the room, moisture will collect on the walls, and this is a direct path to the development of mold and mildew;
- laying polymer concrete with a layer thickness of about 4 cm, on which you need to install a wire reinforcing mesh;
- insulation of walls and ceilings. These procedures are easier to perform than floor insulation. Simply lay URSA XPS boards and cover them with sheets of moisture-resistant plasterboard. Acceptable use suspended ceilings, in which the wiring can be reliably hidden from view. This ensures lighting of the balcony;
- vapor barrier- a moment that should not be forgotten. To implement this, you can install a special vapor barrier in front of the insulation. Another option is that a vapor barrier is not used, but the insulation is installed with such a thickness that moisture does not form.
By deciding to insulate the balcony with your own hands and perform all the specified types of work, you will not only make the room warm and minimize heat loss from the apartment, but also protect your home from noise from outside.
Pay attention to the soundproofing characteristics of the double-glazed window you choose.
For an example of comprehensive insulation of a balcony, see the video:
Foam insulation
So, you have already resolved all the issues regarding glazing your balcony or loggia. Now all that remains is to insulate all surfaces (ceiling, floor, walls) using polystyrene foam. It is advisable to use EPS.
Why is this option so popular?
It is EPPS that is optimal solution tasks of insulating a balcony with your own hands at an affordable price. Let's get started!
Note that the following proposed instructions are recommended for internal insulation of a balcony. It is not advisable to do external thermal insulation yourself. For obvious reasons, such work should be entrusted to industrial climbers with the necessary experience and equipment.
First of all, you need to prepare your work surfaces. Joints, cracks, and holes are filled with foam. It is important to choose a material that does not contain toluene. Leveling of unevenness is carried out with cement mortar. After this, a 50-60 mm sheet of foam is attached to the surface with dowels.
Polyurethane foam is used to seal the joints formed between the slabs.
This is how you insulate the walls and ceiling of a loggia or balcony with your own hands using polystyrene foam. Next, you need to install the finishing or leave the surface for wallpapering, painting, etc.
It is very important to use paint on the balcony without an organic solvent - such substances can destroy the PPS.
Work on the floor is carried out in exactly the same way, with the exception of one point. You need to apply a screed to the foam plastic and then, if desired, install a heated floor system and finish the surface to your liking.
A few words about the warm field on the balcony (loggia)
Now let's talk about the heated floor system on the balcony. Whatever quality materials Whatever you use to insulate such rooms, the most comfortable conditions even in the coldest time of the year can only be created with the use of a heating system.
Compared to any other solutions, electric underfloor heating is the most cost-effective solution for this. What follows is a brief description of the technology for making such a floor with your own hands.
So, on the floor slab of a balcony or loggia we only have a screed, and now we need to properly insulate this surface. For thermal insulation, we recommend choosing convenient and reliable extruded polystyrene foam, the properties of which have already been described above.
The thickness of the EPS board must be at least 10 cm. The slabs are glued to the floor surface with glue, the joints between the individual elements are sealed with polyurethane foam. Now is the time to start laying electric cable for underfloor heating system. The cable is bent by hand in accordance with the shape that will cover the maximum area.
After laying the cable, a 4-5 cm tie is installed. The solution for it is prepared from M-400 cement and sand in a ratio of 1:3. The tiles are laid on the screed - that’s all, our “pie” is finished and a warm floor is installed on the balcony!
In conclusion
You can take a fresh look at your usual balcony or loggia! To implement all of the above, you will need much less effort than you might think. But the results will definitely please you: the apartment will be completed with a full-fledged room suitable even for living, in which you can sit comfortably with a cup of coffee even in the most severe cold.
Warming loggias step by step
Have you decided to insulate your loggia and don’t know where to start? How to choose the best materials, how to do everything correctly necessary work? Our experts provide answers to these and other questions.
How to make a balcony warm?
First of all, you need to take care of reliable glazing of a balcony or loggia using metal-plastic profiles with double-glazed windows. The thickness of the double-glazed windows is from 32 mm.
When ordering glazing from a specialized company, take into account the need to install additional expansion profiles installed on the main structure on top and on the sides. These elements are necessary for further work on insulation and finishing of the balcony.
After glazing, the loggia will take on a more presentable appearance and become more comfortable. But she is still far from a warm room. In cold weather, the temperature in such a room is usually a couple of degrees higher than outside, which is not at all enough.
If you want to turn your loggia into a real one living room with a comfortable microclimate, you will need to carry out a number of works to insulate it. These works include insulation of walls, floors, ceilings and parapets.
Preliminary work
In addition to glazing, you need to perform a number of preparatory work before directly insulating the balcony.
Such work includes laying a parapet, if necessary (if the existing parapet at the vertical level does not coincide with the upper floors or if it is a metal “leaky” structure). The side walls are built from lightweight bricks or foam blocks. If these works are required, they are carried out before the installation of double-glazed windows.
Which materials are preferable?
For high-quality thermal insulation of a balcony, it is recommended to use modern insulation materials- rolled or extruded.
Such materials include PPE, Penoplex, Penofol, Isolon etc. All of them are distinguished by excellent heat-saving characteristics with a small thickness.
This combination of characteristics makes such solutions indispensable when insulating small areas, where every centimeter of space is very important.
So which is better - polystyrene foam or Penoplex?
Both materials can be used as insulation for a loggia. The difference between them lies in the installation technology and properties. Polystyrene foam has high vapor permeability, which is not best quality for our tasks.
The thickness of the layer also varies, Penoplex is also a more profitable material in this regard, since it allows you to save more space.
Compared to polystyrene foam, penoplex retains useful heat-saving characteristics twice as long.
We must not forget about fire safety. Polystyrene foam is a flammable material, and during combustion it also releases substances hazardous to health. Penoplex is a self-extinguishing material.
There is only one point in which Penoplex loses in this comparison - more high price compared to foam.
How to finish walls insulated with Penoplex?
Finishing on penoplex can be done with VGKL, GKL, Knauf aquapanels. And all these materials on top can be finished at your own discretion - wallpapered, painted, puttied, etc.
How to ensure not only reliable insulation, but also sound insulation of the balcony?
For high-quality sound insulation, you can use special material ISOVER.
For high-quality sound insulation, you can use a special material of the ISOVER brand. This material has both heat and sound insulating properties. If thermal insulation is more important than noise protection, it is recommended to choose the ISOVER Extra material. If it is more important to ensure acoustic comfort in the room, it is better to choose “ISOVER Sound Protection”.
Technology of insulation and finishing of balconies in the video:
Is it possible to perform double-sided insulation of a loggia?
Loggia parapets can be insulated not only from the inside, but also from the outside. But this solution is not always advisable, since it is difficult to carry out such work outside at high altitudes. It is recommended to resort to insulation on both sides if it is necessary to simultaneously achieve a certain thickness of thermal insulation and maintain maximum usable space inside.
The effectiveness of thermal insulation does not depend on whether the insulation is installed only inside or on both sides, whether it is interrupted in thickness or not.
With double-sided insulation, additional vapor barrier is needed inside.
Double-sided insulation is necessary to ensure that the loggia space is preserved as much as possible. So, a concrete partition 5 cm thick and external insulation with 10 cm polystyrene foam. What is the best way to insulate?
For good thermal insulation, you can use stone wool in slabs (“Light Butts”). Their thickness is 5 cm, installation takes place in a frame mounted on the parapet. Then everything is covered with a vapor barrier and sheathed.
How to insulate the floor on a loggia?
A common method is to install the floor using joists.
First you need to install a waterproofing layer.
Excellent results are achieved by insulation with the special material “ISOVER Classic”. After completing this work, finishing can be done.
Will a heating system be needed on an insulated loggia?
Unfortunately, even with very good thermal insulation of the loggia, the heat will simply have nowhere to come from in the absence of an appropriate source. Insulation allows you to retain heat, but insulation materials cannot generate it.
According to building codes, central heating on balconies and loggias is strictly prohibited, so alternative heat sources will have to be considered.
Is it necessary to install thermal insulation if a heated floor system is installed?
If you are installing a heated floor, thermal insulation must be used. This will ensure that heat loss is kept to a minimum. The exception is cases in which heating mats are used.
Is it permissible to install a heated floor system on the walls of a loggia?
It is permissible to use heating mats on walls. To do this, they are attached to the surface so that kinks in the heating cable do not form in the corners (that is, the cable cannot be bent at a right angle).
The tile mixture is applied in an even layer without voids, otherwise overheating may occur.
Is it possible to insulate part of the loggia?
Insulation of only part of the loggia can be used if the thermal insulation standards are met. For this case, it is recommended to use polystyrene foam up to 50 mm thick. It is imperative to insulate not only the floor, but also the walls and ceiling. It is clear that double-glazed windows are also required.
Where does condensation form on an insulated loggia?
If you notice this negative phenomenon, most likely there is unheated room. Another option is insufficient thermal insulation of external walls.
Experts distinguish the concept of dew point - this is the air cooling temperature at which water vapor is borderline saturated. That is, at this temperature the relative humidity of the gas reaches 100%.
Condensation occurs due to air cooling or the influx of water vapor.
Let's explain at practical example. If you bring something into a room from the cold, the air above it can cool to a temperature below the dew point under conditions of a certain humidity and air temperature.
In this case, condensation forms on the surface.
For typical premises, you can approximately calculate the dew point as follows.
If the temperature of the heated floor on the screed is 30 degrees and the relative air humidity is 60%, the dew point will be 21.4 degrees. That is, condensation when the heated floor is turned off will appear when the cement cools to this value.
To solve the problem, you can use one of two options:
- reduce air humidity, for which air dehumidifiers, electric convectors and similar equipment are used;
- maintain the screed temperature above the dew point.
If the loggia floor is not insulated, will the tiles on it crack?
If you choose frost-resistant tiles intended for outdoor use, then such a problem will not happen. It is also necessary to use special frost-resistant glue.
But another problem may arise. If the loggia below is not insulated, and you have installed good glazing, then when heat escapes into the door that is open into the room, condensation may appear on the floor. In cold weather it can even freeze.
Algorithm for insulating and finishing a loggia in the video:
Insulation of balconies and loggias from inside the room
In our country we can observe a real boom in the insulation of balconies and loggias. This is due to the desire of people to increase the living space of cramped apartments at the expense of these premises. After all, balconies and loggias can turn out to be quite functional, instead of acting as cluttered outdoor storage rooms.
The role of the loggia can be any, it all depends only on your needs and imagination; you can equip it with a study or a gym, a winter garden or just a place to relax. Often a balcony is combined with a room, making it much larger.
Repairs must be carried out thoughtfully, otherwise the result will be very sad!
Since the loggia and balcony are cold rooms according to the project, their ceilings and walls do not have thermal insulation. The thermal conductivity of such walls is too high; they allow cold to pass through with very little resistance.
Warm vapors should not penetrate under the insulation, otherwise this will lead to the formation of condensation inside. As a result, the walls can freeze, ice forms on them, mold appears on the neighbors, and not the most comfortable environment is created in your apartment.
The way out of this situation will be practically airtight thermal insulation. It is necessary to install a vapor barrier.
So how to properly insulate a balcony?
Transforming cold rooms into warm ones begins with treating the parapet. It should be made of foam blocks or concrete. Metal parapets cannot be insulated.
Balcony glazing should be warm, it is best to use metal-plastic profiles with double glazed windows. You can find out more about them in the corresponding section on glazing.
After glazing, it is necessary to exclude drafts, due to which wind can blow under the thermal insulation. Foam insulation is used to seal cracks.
After this work, the surface is checked for leaks or mold. If such deficiencies are identified, they must be eliminated.
The insulation process is carried out in a circle u. All surfaces are insulated except the wall adjacent to the room (ceiling, side walls, floor).
On walls, it is best to use extruded polystyrene foam XPS as insulation. For vapor barrier and how additional insulation You can use foamed foil polyethylene.
XPS extruded polystyrene foam is a material in which polystyrene granules are high temperatures and pressure are mixed with a foaming agent, which is then squeezed out of the extruder.
The foaming agent in this process is usually a mixture of light freons to which CO2 has been added. After the production of the slab, the residual freon in the cells of the material is quickly replaced by air.
This structure of the material provides it with excellent thermal properties, lasting for a long time, as well as high compressive strength.
Polyethylene is used to produce foamed polyethylene high pressure, hydrocarbons are taken as a foaming agent.
The surface of the material is smooth, the structure has small pores, there are no open-porous cells. This ensures low moisture absorption. The rigidity of the material is between the values of the same indicator for foamed polystyrene and foam rubber.
Advantages of XPS extruded polystyrene foam: high elasticity, flexibility, elasticity, excellent resistance to chemical and biological degradation. The material has high shock-absorbing properties, it is durable and environmentally friendly, resistant to shock loads, hydrophobic, and has low water absorption.
Moving from theory to practice
Now we will put into practice the selected materials - XPS extruded polystyrene foam and foil-foamed polyethylene. They are offered by different manufacturers. When choosing a specific brand, it is best to familiarize yourself with the manufacturers’ website and compare the characteristics of products from different brands.
Both materials can be of different thicknesses. As the thickness of the insulation layer increases, the thermal conductivity decreases, the warmer the room becomes. That is, a thicker layer better resists heat loss to the outside.
The websites of manufacturing companies usually have tables indicating all important characteristics their products, so you can produce necessary calculations for a specific room.
However, such calculations are the prerogative of experienced engineers, and not people who are faced with such work for the first time.
Therefore, you can resort to more simple solution, starting from the rules:
- on non-combined balconies and loggias it is necessary to install polystyrene with a thickness of 30 mm;
- on balconies combined with a room, polystyrene with a thickness of 50 mm or more is used.
The vapor barrier layer in the first case should be from 3 mm, in the second - from 5 mm.
Such simple rules almost always work. Of course, for this it is necessary that the apartment is well heated, the windows in it are installed in compliance with all GOST standards, and the balcony has its own heat source. The specified parameters are suitable for climatic conditions middle zone Russia.
Polystyrene is produced in sheets 1200x600 mm. At the edges of each slab there is a step to form a “warm seam” with the previous sheet; fastening occurs step by step.
Where it is impossible to install sheets with each other in this way, they are mounted end-to-end, and polyurethane foam is used to fill the seams. It is more convenient and economical to use a special gun for this.
The room is insulated in a circle according to the principle described above. First you need to drill through the polystyrene and the wall to the required thickness, and then install a dowel in the hole. Two such fasteners are enough for each sheet.
After attaching the polystyrene boards between the wall and them, you need to foam the resulting seams. The seams that were created when joining sheets not step by step are processed in the same way. Next, all seams are taped.
After completing this stage, you will notice that the room has become much warmer.
Now you need to protect the polystyrene from the penetration of wet vapors from the room. This step is mandatory! Foiled polyethylene foam provides not only vapor barrier. This material also reflects heat and sounds.
To install a vapor barrier, you need to roll out the roll and cut pieces of the calculated sizes. Double-sided tape is glued to the back of the material, then the vapor barrier is attached to polystyrene. When working, it is advisable to avoid overlapping joints.
The seams are sealed with foil tape. And now we have a room that inside already works on the principle of a thermos and is reliably protected from external cold.
We have completed the insulation stage! It's time to start decorating the room.
Please note an important addition.
Insulation cannot be laid between sheathing slats or joists.
The insulation must be complete; a heterogeneous structure of the insulation layer is not allowed. Otherwise, the resulting cold bridges will subsequently negatively affect the result.
And one more important digression. Do not forget that all balconies and loggias are different rooms, houses are built from different wall materials, and apartments use various systems heating Accordingly, these individual characteristics must be taken into account. Using the same materials and technologies on two completely different balconies does not guarantee equal results.
Balconies and loggias are initially cold rooms; therefore, it would be correct to simply finish them without changing the design functionality.
But if you decide to insulate yourself one way or another, then resort to the technology we described. It has been tested over the years, from our own experience, to optimally create comfort and coziness.
Is it possible to insulate a balcony with your own hands? It's definitely possible! But you will need to stock up on strength and patience.
For an example of insulating a loggia with penoplex P-44T, see the video:
Proper insulation of the balcony
Most of our apartments are too cramped for living and many people resort to connecting rooms with kitchens, balconies, loggias, trying in this way to expand the living space. Therefore, questions about proper insulation of a balcony are always relevant.
Based on the laws of physics, insulation of balconies must be done on the cold side of the enclosing structure of any surface. In this case, the old fence ends up in a zone of positive temperatures, and moisture vapor from a warm room easily passes through the insulation, does not accumulate or linger, but penetrates outside.
The multilayer design together with the insulation works reliably, and thermal insulation characteristics are not decreasing. If all the work was done correctly and the best materials were chosen, such an apartment, which received additional usable space due to the balcony, will be very comfortable.
But in many houses, external insulation is often impossible. Therefore, we have to resort to internal insulation of balconies and loggias.
At first glance, this simplest task. It is enough to buy insulation, glue it to the wall, cover it with sheet materials, install a heat source - and that’s it, many years of comfort and warmth are guaranteed.
Everything is not as simple as it seems.
If you have already insulated your balcony or loggia in this way, you have probably noticed that in cold weather condensation appears near the wall - water that comes from nowhere.
Condensation on the floor - where does it come from?
Internal insulation of a heated balcony transfers the enclosing structure to the area negative temperatures, which are always below the dew point. In this case, moisture vapor from a warm room (when moving from an area of high to an area of low partial pressure) passes through the installed thermal insulation layer as a looser layer and stops at the dense cold enclosure. Steam condenses on a cold plane. Further, after the steam passes into a droplet-liquid state, depending on weather conditions and microclimatic indicators in the apartment, the process proceeds to wetting of the fence and insulation.
The insulation loses a significant part of its heat-saving characteristics; with increasing wetting, the material becomes unable to retain water and it flows out of the wall.
Even if water does not flow out of the wall, this is not a reason to rejoice, because the thermal insulation still gets wet and its properties are lost. Are being created favorable conditions for the development of mold fungus. Thus, the meaning of insulation is lost - it seems to be there, but at the same time it is not there.
So what can you do to avoid such troubles?
There is a way out of this situation. We will consider two solutions that allow you to insulate a balcony or loggia from the inside and at the same time avoid the described phenomenon
According to the first option, you will need to install a special vapor barrier in front of the insulation. This will prevent water vapor from penetrating into the insulation. This reliable way even when using insulation with maximum vapor permeability (for example, if mineral wool is used for thermal insulation). For this option, we recommend dry construction technology, which uses the wall cladding method.
Moreover, instead of drywall and metal profiles it is enough to use bars and wall panels PVC or MDF.
The vapor barrier is polyethylene film, foil or membranes specially designed to perform such tasks. Internal insulation involves installing a structure in the form of a “pie” with the following order of layers (the same for walls, floor and ceiling).
The advantage of the first method is that there are practically no wet processes during work, with the exception of the stage of filling seams and joints between gypsum boards. The disadvantage of this method is the lack of the ability to “breathe” in such a system.
According to the second option, the vapor barrier is not installed separately, but insulation is performed using certain materials with minimal vapor permeability. Such materials include regular and extruded polystyrene foam.
According to the second method, you cannot use mineral wool, which has too high vapor permeability.
In this case, you need to choose a thickness of insulation at which moisture will not accumulate - that is, at which the necessary resistance to vapor permeation is provided.
Let's give an example. When using ordinary polystyrene foam with a density of 25 kg/m3, according to the standards given in SNiP, the thickness of the insulation should be from 80 mm. This thickness will also provide good heat conservation.
If extruded polystyrene foam is used, then the calculation is carried out taking into account the much lower vapor permeability of such material (3-10 times, depending on the manufacturer, lower than that of usual polystyrene foam). Accordingly, a 30 mm layer of such insulation is sufficient to achieve the same result.
But this thickness is insufficient when it comes to thermal protection of the room. To achieve optimal performance, it is recommended to install extruded polystyrene foam with a thickness of 50-60 mm. In general, to determine the required thickness of insulation, it is necessary to carry out a thermal engineering calculation of the enclosing structure, which takes into account local standards and climatic features.
Both types of expanded polystyrene are attached to a brick or concrete base using special compounds. For example, you can use Knauf-Sevener or Ceresit ST85.
When the initial hardening of the glue has occurred, the slabs are also secured with mushroom dowels.
It is necessary to install a protective reinforced layer on the surface of polystyrene foam slabs, created from the same adhesive composition.
The glue is applied to a sheet of polystyrene foam, which must first be treated with coarse sandpaper. Layer thickness 2-3 mm. An alkali-resistant fiberglass mesh with a cell size of 5x5 mm is embedded in this layer. Immediately you need to apply a second layer of adhesive on top of the mesh.
The fiberglass mesh should be inside between the layers of glue, and should not be applied directly to the insulation and smeared with glue to it. In this case, it will not be able to perform the reinforcement function assigned to it.
When the reinforced layer has hardened, you can begin to putty the surface, and then paint it, glue wallpaper, plaster it decorative compositions with different textures, etc.
An example of insulating a balcony with polystyrene foam in the video:
What materials for insulating a balcony or loggia will effectively cope with the task? I suggest you consider 5 heat insulators that I have worked with. I will tell you by what qualities they were selected and why they are considered the best.
Types of thermal insulation materials
Balcony insulation can be done with the following thermal insulation materials:
Option 1: mineral wool
Mineral wool is a roll or slab material that consists of thin mineral fibers. The latter are obtained by melting and spraying rocks or blast furnace slag.
Specifications:
To insulate a balcony from the inside frame method You can use glass wool, which is cheaper than basalt wool. In this case, during its installation it is necessary to carefully protect the respiratory organs, eyes and hands.
Advantages:
- Versatility. Basalt wool can be used to insulate a balcony inside and outside. Moreover, insulation of surfaces can be carried out either by frame method or by wet method:
- Let me remind you that when frame insulation panel or sheet are used finishing materials- drywall, plastic panels, lining, siding, etc.;
- When finishing wet method the surface of the insulation is plastered;
- High-density slabs can even be laid under a screed to insulate the floor;
- Environmental friendliness. Basalt wool does not contain harmful substances, and even during installation, unlike glass wool, it practically does not cause irritation to the skin;
- Vapor permeability. The insulation allows the walls to “breathe”, thereby creating a favorable microclimate in the room;
- Fire safety. Mineral wool does not burn and can withstand high temperatures.
Flaws:
- Absorbs moisture. When performing insulation work, it is necessary to ensure high-quality vapor and waterproofing;
- Price. The price of basalt wool is higher than some other insulation materials.
Price:
Expanded polystyrene is a lightweight polymer insulation material, one of the most common thermal insulation materials due to its low price.
Option 2: polystyrene foam
Expanded polystyrene, or simply polystyrene, is a polymer insulation in the form of slabs formed by small granules.
Characteristics:
Advantages:
- Light weight. Foam plastic is the lightest slab insulation;
- Low price. The cost is significantly lower than the price of basalt wool;
- Versatility. Like basalt wool, it can be used for insulation in any way, both from the inside and outside;
- Moisture resistant. The material absorbs moisture to a lesser extent than mineral wool.
Flaws:
- Zero vapor permeability. This deficiency can lead to increased humidity inside the room, the formation of mold on the walls, etc. High-quality ventilation will help eliminate it;
- Fire hazard. Polystyrene foam manufacturers, especially little-known ones, rarely add fire retardants to polystyrene foam. Therefore, it ignites quite easily and burns well;
- Low strength and fragility. This drawback is important if the insulation boards are plastered after installation. Surfaces insulated in this way are not resistant to impact loads;
- Low environmental friendliness. Polystyrene foam itself does not threaten health in any way, but during the combustion process it releases toxins. Inhalation of these substances leads to severe poisoning.
Price:
Option 3: extruded polystyrene foam
Extruded polystyrene foam, also known as penoplex, is made from the same raw materials as regular polystyrene foam. However, thanks to a special insulation technology, it has higher characteristics.
Specifications:
Advantages. From the data in the table it can be seen that penoplex has low thermal conductivity and high strength. In addition, it has some other advantages:
- Moisture resistance: Penoplex does not absorb water at all, so it does not need waterproofing;
- Fire safety. All well-known manufacturers add fire retardants to this material, which makes the insulation for the balcony low-flammable.
Flaws:
- High cost. For this reason, it makes sense to use penoplex only in cases where a large load will be placed on it, for example, in the case of insulating walls and ceilings using a wet method. You can also use it to insulate the floor under the screed;
- Low vapor permeability. The vapor permeability coefficient of penoplex is slightly higher than that of polystyrene foam, however, the material is still not “breathable”.
Price:
Option 4: polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam is another type of polymer insulation. Its main feature is that it is applied to the surface in the form of foam.
Characteristics:
Polyurethane foam is also used for insulating balconies in the form of polyurethane foam. It is used to insulate all kinds of cracks.
Advantages:
- Low thermal conductivity. As can be seen from the table, polyurethane foam has the lowest thermal conductivity. In addition, it is applied to the surface in a continuous layer, due to which it retains heat in the room more effectively;
- Moisture resistant. Thanks to this quality, it does not require the use of waterproofing;
- Good adhesion. This allows you to apply insulation to any surface.
Flaws.
- Requires special equipment. You cannot apply polyurethane foam with your own hands. This procedure should be carried out exclusively by highly qualified specialists with special equipment;
- Zero vapor permeability. Like other polymer insulation, the material does not breathe;
- Increase in thermal conductivity over time. The gas that fills the polyurethane foam structure gradually leaves the shell. As a result, its thermal conductivity increases slightly;
- High cost. In addition to the cost of the material itself, the cost of insulation work is added to its price;
- Impossibility of plastering. Finishing a balcony from the inside or outside, if polyurethane foam is used, can only be done using a frame method;
- Toxic in liquid form. When working with polyurethane, it is necessary to use products personal protection because it is toxic. After hardening, the material is safe for health.
Price. Different manufacturers have different prices for polyurethane foam insulation. On average, the cost, including work, is about 500 rubles. for 1m2
Option 5: penofol
Penofol is a thin roll insulation, which consists of two layers:
- Foamed polyethylene - serves as a heat-insulating material;
- Foil - reflects heat from insulated surfaces into the room.
Thus, this material used only for internal insulation of balconies and loggias.
Specifications:
Advantages:
- Light weight. The material is easily attached to any structure;
- Moisture resistant. This allows you to use penofol as a waterproofing material if, for example, you are insulating a balcony or loggia with mineral wool;
- Small thickness. Thanks to this, the material does not take up additional space in the room.
The instructions for using penofol require its location during installation with the foil side facing the room. Otherwise, the material will not reflect heat from surfaces.
Flaws:
- Zero vapor permeability. I have already spoken about the consequences of this deficiency above;
- High thermal conductivity. Penofol is a thin material, therefore it is not enough to fully insulate a room. Therefore, it is usually used as additional thermal insulation.
Price. The price starts from 50-80 rubles per 1m2.
That's all the insulation I wanted to introduce you to. Well, now you have to decide for yourself what and how best to insulate the balcony.
Conclusion
Now you know all the basic qualities of the most common thermal insulation materials, and you can make your own right choice. I recommend watching the video in this article. If you have any questions, write comments and I will answer as soon as possible.
