In Soviet times, the balcony was a real pantry for storing pickles, old skis and sledges. Currently, they are an additional space in the apartment, which can be turned into a living room or study. But in order to achieve such a result, it is necessary to carry out a good renovation using a design project.
Features and Benefits
Modern balconies and loggias are based on reinforced concrete slabs, which are fixed to the walls of the building. But the shape of the balconies can be completely varied. Very often adjoining apartments are visually isolated with special fences in the form of screens.
Of the features, several positions can be noted:
- Good access with adjoining rooms in the apartment.
- The balcony should look good from the street side and not interfere with the overall architectural concept of the house.
- It should be located in such a way that from the windows there is a good view of the surrounding area. But the balcony area should be insulated whenever possible.
- The area of the loggia or balcony should be medium in size so that it becomes not possible for them to organize a resting place.
- It is worth paying special attention to protection from noise, wind, rain and strong sunlight.
Modern technologies make it possible to install balconies during the construction phase or replace old structures at the time of house restoration. Such technologies mean complexes consisting of a supporting frame made of metal. The set also includes enclosing panels, concrete slabs, which serve as the basis for the entire structure and additional accessories. The indisputable advantage of this kind of kits is the use of balconies of any shape and size. During the repair process, the plates can be replaced without forcing the residents of the houses to move out of their apartments for a while.
Attached structures are of different sizes. For an even distribution of weights, such models are attached to the frame of the house using side supports. For the front posts, a point-based foundation is used as a support under the very structure of the balcony. The attached models are the most profitable from an economic point of view. They are attached to the façade by means of load-bearing brackets, some of the load falls on the pillars resting on a point foundation. Specialists mount the hinged options regardless of the territory located under it for the installation of the foundation. The slabs are fixed on the outside of the building using specific fasteners in the wall of the house.
All types of installation are possible in private houses. Low-rise, low-rise buildings allow builders and architects to use systems to install balconies of different sizes. In our country, balconies are very popular. Their indisputable advantage is the decoration of the facade of the house and additional square meters in the apartment. It increases the comfort level of the building and ennobles its appearance. A feature of the structure of the balcony from the loggia is the protrusion from the plane beyond the outer side of the facade. As a rule, the structure has 3 open sides, if we are not talking about corner apartments. Previously, they did not have special fences, but now this is a prerequisite for the safety of residents. A non-standard view is the French model, which is practically not endowed with a viewing area.
The houses, which are more than 70 years old, have balconies made of stone and reinforced concrete slabs. They were placed on special reinforced concrete beams and fixed in the walls of the facade. In houses called "Khrushchevka", the slabs were embedded directly into the wall of the building. Currently, during the construction of such sites, slabs are used that are attached to the walls of a residential building. Balcony railings are mainly made of steel rods with a circular cross-section, and wooden beams act as handrails. According to the standards, the height of such a fence is at least 90-100 cm, and the distance between the railings is no more than 10-12 centimeters.
A feature of balconies is the possible rapid wear of the balcony slabs. Often the slabs for the future structure are installed at an angle, which contributes to the accumulation of moisture. As a result, small cracks appear on the concrete slabs. With temperature changes, such cracks increase, which ultimately leads to a weakening of the entire structure. The lack of gutters for draining water also affects quick wear. Currently, the apartment owners are working hard to carry out the renovation of their balconies. Some of them are building a new parapet and trying to reliably seal all joints, install plastic double-glazed windows and thus turn balconies into additional usable space. The owners of such apartments are very lucky, unlike those people whose layout does not provide for a balcony or loggia. In order for the structure to last longer, and inside everything to please with cleanliness and comfort, it is important to make a good repair.
Who needs to do the repairs?
Many houses on the secondary market have a terrible state of entrances, roofs, and especially balconies. To avoid tragic cases of landslides with human casualties, it is important to timely carry out preventive examinations and repair crumbling areas. The question of responsibility for repairs in an apartment building is very controversial. Some articles refer to the departments of housing and communal services, others to housing and communal services and HOA. The responsibilities of the management company or housing and communal services include the repair of house walls, foundations, ceilings and enclosing columns, structures. The Housing Code states that the balcony is a private territory, therefore, the owners of the apartment should monitor its condition. Timely repairs significantly extend the service life. If you strengthen the frame of a reinforced concrete slab, then this will make it possible to make a small recreation area from a balcony or loggia. Waterproofing works will prevent moisture accumulation and keep the frame and concrete dry and strong. Installing double-glazed windows will help keep it warm, allowing you to grow flowers or relax on a rainy day with a book in hand.
Who should make repairs in a privatized apartment and at whose expense? If the balcony is in disrepair, then the management organization is engaged in the repair of the supporting plate and the wall of the house. If the owner of the living space is engaged in this process and purchases building materials at his own expense, then it is important to keep receipts and receipts intact. These documents in the future will be proof of the money spent.
Thus, we can conclude that in this case, the management company must deal with the repair of the balcony. But the owner of the living space has a number of duties that he must comply with. The owner of a privatized apartment has certain obligations established by law, these include the following points:
- Replace damaged windows, frames and doors on time.
- Insulate the parapet.
- Remove mold, rust and mildew.
- It is necessary to insulate the balcony openings, which will make it possible to use resources and money more economically.
- Timely paint the facades and cover windows and balcony elements with special anti-corrosion and moisture-repellent agents.
- Monitor the condition of the external fixing on the balcony.
The management company or HOA must, in turn:
- Conduct frequent inspections and inspections of balconies and supporting structures.
- In the event of a breakdown or emergency, immediately take measures to correct them.
- According to the schedule, conduct safety classes and rational use of loggias and balconies in a new building, in panel houses or brick houses.
- If an emergency site is found, seal the premises in order to avoid human casualties.
If the homeowner decided to start repairing old balconies on his own, then after all the work has been completed, he has every right to demand reimbursement from the management company for the money spent. To do this, you need to take a sample application, and, referring to the housing code, claim reimbursement of expenses. In case of refusal of the management company, it is necessary to file a claim with the court. Hence, we can conclude that the owner of the apartment is responsible for the cosmetic repairs of the balcony, and the management company is responsible for the overhaul of the supporting plate.
Repair of balconies is carried out by industrial climbers who have permission to work at height. They can repair the stucco consoles of Stalin's houses. Because of the scanty area, it will not be possible to make an additional room from the balcony in a house of the "stalinka" or "Khrushchev" type. It also makes no sense to insulate it. The most optimal solution for the owners will be the decoration of the room with plastic panels with sliding glazing.
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How to make repairs yourself: step by step instructions
In recent years, the balcony has played a significant role in increasing the usable space in the apartment. Therefore, in its appearance and design solutions, it should not be inferior to the rest of the rooms in the apartment. Before starting the repair, you need to consider which room it is adjacent to. It is worth starting a renovation only taking into account all possible nuances and following a strict plan. The proximity to the kitchen will allow you to create a recreation area with a bar counter. And the exit to it from the bedroom will suggest an idea for creating a romantic corner or placing a dressing table with the necessary lighting.
A good solution would be to equip a winter garden and rest rooms on it. The renovation also includes high-quality glazing of the balcony and it can be divided into several stages. Repair can be done by hand, or you can attract a special service for construction work
- The order of work. Many are wondering where to start repairing on the balcony. First of all, you need a well-designed design - a project and an estimate. The estimate must clearly state the necessary work, material and the final cost of the work. It is not necessary to contact a specialized organization to create a project by designers, it can be done independently. Then all old coverings and partitions must be carefully removed. All surfaces should be well checked for depressions or bumps and cleaned. All work should be carried out in stages. First, all external work is carried out, and then internal.
- Inside. Work begins with the insulation of the room with special materials and glazing. Much attention should be paid to waterproofing. Often they are glazed with PVC frames. This material is supported by its resistance to various external influences, tightness of all joints, frost resistance, easy maintenance and visual appeal. Experts recommend choosing double glazing or energy efficient glazing.
The next step is wall and floor insulation. When insulating the floor, polystyrene foam is used, which can be laid on the floor in 2 ways. It is either glued to the floor or placed in a special frame made of wood. A sheet of plywood 10 mm thick is placed on top of the insulation, and then the finishing coat is laid. For wall insulation, the same materials can also be used, only they are attached to pre-prepared wooden blocks.
If the owner does not plan to combine the balcony with the room or kitchen, then you can select the finishing material regardless of the design in the room. For a balcony connected to the kitchen or hall, it is worth choosing materials similar in decoration to the room. As a rule, the walls on the balcony are faced with clapboard made of wooden slats. This material gives the room extra comfort and warmth. Drywall is perfect for interesting design decisions of the owners. With its help, it will be possible not only to quickly align the walls, but also to create multi-tiered structures.
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The use of plastic panels as decoration is perhaps the most budgetary option. Wallpaper can also be classified as a simple finishing material. It is worth paying special attention to replacing plastic doors, not just windows. The cold will not penetrate the apartment through well-insulated doors, especially from the open balcony. The interior view of the balcony after the completion of all repair work will delight its owners for many years.
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Outside. The view of the facade of the balcony can say a lot about its owner. It is necessary to start carrying out facade work after assessing the condition of the balcony slab. For small defects, a new screed will be enough. If the deformation is more serious, then a reinforced mesh is placed on the cleaned plate. The reinforcement mesh is poured with a screed so that the concrete is 2 times thicker than the mesh. Then an iron tie is performed and then the plate is reinforced with struts from a profile with holes for fasteners.
Thanks to the renovation work on the street side, the balcony acquires a finished appearance. Since work involves a certain height, it is necessary to prepare all equipment for climbing work in advance. The main condition for performing such work is strict adherence to safety precautions.
Repair work is carried out before or during the glazing of the balcony. When choosing a material for exterior decoration, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of its operation. The finish must be resistant to various influences of the weather. In addition, it is worth considering the fact that the external decoration of the balcony must correspond to the general color scheme of the residential building.
Basically, modern material is used for facing the balcony:
- Plastic or vinyl lining is a fairly budget option for improving the balcony. Its advantages include a reasonable price, attractiveness of the material, it is quite simple to install and requires minimal installation time.
- Siding, according to most experts, is considered the best option for facing a balcony. It retains its visual appeal for a long time. It is very easy to care for, as little dust and dirt settle on it. It is distinguished by high environmental friendliness, fire safety and a large number of colors. Installing siding requires more experience and skill than cladding with plastic panels.
- Profiled sheeting or profiled sheet is galvanized corrugated steel. It is a good material for finishing the balcony from the outside. Decking, or rather, its sheets can be of various sizes and have a rich palette of colors. Its indisputable advantages include low weight, good technical characteristics, long service life and aesthetic design. The installation of this material is quite simple, so repairs using corrugated board can be done by hand.
Comprehensive renovation of the balcony from the outside includes preparation of the surface for cladding with the selected material
- You need to start by cleaning the base of the balcony and removing the railings and old coatings on it.
- It is necessary to thoroughly remove rust on metal objects, and then prime everything well.
- Eliminate any irregularities and level the base with concrete.
After that, the installation of the crate is carried out, on which the finishing coating is subsequently attached with the material that was chosen for decoration. Some families prefer to contact the balcony repair service, and some do it themselves. On the top floor, roof leakage is common. It often flows during the fall and spring when the snow melts. This unpleasant situation can be corrected with the help of visors and additional roof decking. The landlord needs to check the quality of the outflows for water and sewage pipes together with the HOA or the management company.
The renovation will start from scratch in a new building, when a rough finish has been completed throughout the apartment. Better to renovate it at the end or together with the room it adjoins. Many, after warming the balcony, lay part of the wall and get a small room with a window. Due to the glazed plastic windows, it will be warm and cozy. Such a small space is not enough to create a relaxation room, but it is perfect for a study.
For a room combined with a balcony, this technique will allow you to use additional space. If the kitchen and the balcony are combined, then you can completely separate the cooking and eating areas and create a small dining room with a beautiful view.
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Projects
Many designers create real masterpieces of style even for the smallest spaces. Let's consider the most typical projects for the repair and decoration of the balcony area
For 9 sq. m. Quite a decent space for the embodiment of the most creative ideas. In modern design projects, you can even find a converted balcony space for a mini gym or laundry. But for such creative solutions, sometimes you need not only a sufficient amount of financial resources, but also the appropriate permissions. The balcony is a great place to use DIY items. If desired, building pallets will make very cute benches. Thus, it is possible not only to save money, but also to create a unique style of the room
On the balcony of 9 sq. meters, corner sofas, which have drawers at the bottom and will serve as an excellent storage system, will quite fit. Designers recommend using every meter of the balcony rationally. Under the window sill, along the entire wall, you can make shelves, which will accommodate a fairly large number of the necessary little things. Doors - compartments will help to hide the storage space and give an aesthetic look to the room.
On such a territory of the balcony, a built-in wardrobe from ceiling to floor can be quite successfully placed. In any case, it is worth giving preference to light models that will not visually conceal an already narrow space. Mirror surfaces on furniture will help to make furniture more airy and light
For 6 meters, the option with sliding windows is perfect, which will not clutter up a narrow space. The most popular option for storing things on the balcony is shelving. They will fit perfectly on the wall and will not take up much space
A small sofa will fit perfectly on 6 square meters. And houseplants and cute trinkets will help to give a cozy look to this recreation area. Plus, it's the perfect size for organizing your balcony workspace. A small console can be used as a surface for a desktop, a chair and a couple of shelves for storing documents will not take up much space.
An excellent design project can be organizing a reading or handicraft corner on the balcony. This will require book shelves, a comfortable chair or ottoman, and good lighting. Very popular are projects to create a dining area on the balcony. If the view from the window opens onto a panorama of a forest, river or city, then this opportunity should certainly be taken advantage of.
The width of the loggia will allow you to install a compact table and chairs. You can install a bar counter that will serve as a continuation of the window sill. Very often, in addition to popular design techniques, which imply light colors and proper lighting, you have to make custom-made furniture. Standard sizes will not always be appropriate on a 6 square meter balcony
- Folding furniture is perfect for an oblique balcony in order to save space. Don't forget about the walls, which you can decorate with photos, frames or magnets from your trips. On such a balcony, the organization of a winter garden would be a great idea. A non-standard space can be decorated with bright and elegant accessories in the form of pillows, blankets and flowers. On the balcony of an oblique design, small chairs and a table or a small sofa with a place for things will quite fit. For walls and floors, it is best to use cream colors.
- For a balcony 3 meters wide, there is a sea of different variations. It will not be difficult to arrange such a space. It can accommodate an inflatable bed with a mountain of colorful pillows, which will serve as an extra bed or reading corner. This area can be easily turned into a small living room with a sofa, armchairs and a small table. The walls can be decorated with photos in the same style, or with different reproductions.
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Testimonials
Repairing a balcony is, in the opinion of most homeowners, a rather troublesome business, but the result is worth it. The insulated space can be easily converted into a living room, library, study or gym. The resulting result will delight the owners for more than a year. Most of the homeowners carried out external repair work in conjunction with the management company and coordinated all permits for redevelopment. As a result, another useful room in the apartment is quite calmly obtained from the dilapidated and blown balcony.
Interesting interior design ideas
Sometimes designers offer very creative and non-standard projects for decorating a balcony. For the sunny side, the grassy-green range of tones is perfect. The corner couch will serve as a comfortable place to relax. Extraordinary chandeliers on a chain and mirrored surfaces will give the balcony room its own unique style. The soft, silvery-colored carpet will soften the riot of green colors. And, of course, the design will look unfinished without fresh flowers in the pots.
A balcony combined with a room or kitchen looks beautiful and unusual. For a hall with an exit to the balcony, the organization of the working space is an excellent option there. Delicate sand, white and green tones intersect with the balcony décor, creating a unified style and a sense of one space.
Interesting examples of a combined hall and balcony are quite common. A stylish solution will be a large arch, lined with mosaics and imitation of natural stone, which connects the living room and the balcony, which has been converted into a study. Light furniture and gilding on the wallpaper will add oriental luxury and brightness to the design.
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