Balcony and loggia repair
Quite often, when doing repairs in an apartment, many overlook such a part of it as a balcony, leaving part of the living space unused due to the lack of any interior decoration. But balconies and loggias can be as functional as indoor spaces, you just need to correctly decorate the interior.
Let's take a closer look at how easy and simple it is to make repairs on the balcony and loggia, as well as how to correctly delimit the space, making it more functional and stylishly decorate the interior of the room so that it is always pleasant to be in it.
We develop a design project
The repair process on a balcony or loggia cannot be approached spontaneously and negligently. You should first think about everything, taking into account many factors and the specifics of the room itself. Consider what features need to be taken into account when drawing up a design project, and also draw up several plans for balconies of different types.
The development of a competent design project should begin with determining the budget - financial resources that can be invested in the business without looking back. This must be done in order to avoid unnecessary expenses and correctly distribute all costs, saving, if possible, on certain accessories.
Further, turning to the designer for help or dispensing with your own knowledge and strength, you need to develop an idea, a concept for the repair itself, decide on the color scheme of the room and the necessary furniture attributes. It is also necessary to resolve the issues of warming the premises.
Next, we carefully study the "front" of work and determine what type of repairs should be carried out on a particular balcony. It is necessary to compare the repair budget with what needs to be done and, if necessary, slightly expand the scope of the established estimate.
The next step is to calculate the required amount of materials. If you are not able to make them yourself, you should seek the help of a specialist, since excess materials, like their lack, ultimately become unforeseen and unnecessary expenses.
After all the above steps, we go shopping - we select building materials based on a certain budget, measurements and stylistic concept of the image.
Let's take a closer look at the example of several design projects of the most common balconies.
Balcony 3 meters
A stylish design project for a small balcony is presented in rather calm, nude shades. It is also taken into account that the space of the room is small, so it is important to use every square meter wisely, making the balcony the most functional.
It is necessary to install high-quality "warm" double-glazed windows, and for convenience you can supplement them with a small white window sill, the width of which should be no more than ten centimeters, in order to save internal space.
The walls and ceiling of the balcony are painted with light gray wall paint. In no case should you use old oil paints with a glossy effect - this can harm the interior. A quality material suitable for painting walls and ceilings has a matte finish when dry.
The partition under the windows should be decorated with horizontally arranged dark gray MDF panels, the surface of which is imitated as an old tree. Looks very stylish and fits perfectly into the balcony interior.
When it comes to flooring, ceramic or porcelain tiles should be used for convenience and practicality. It is best to choose a floor covering that matches or is close to the color of the walls.
A functional feature of the balcony will be a rectangular, not very wide table complete with a small bench. Roman blinds, a fashionable wall picture and multi-colored pillows spread out on the bench are used as additional decor.
Balcony 6 meters
The six-meter balcony, which has a much larger space, allows imagination to roam and not be limited to creating an interior. You can not only use the space functionally, but also supplement it with some decorative elements that would barely fit on a small balcony.
The entire interior is made in rather pleasant, warm colors that evoke a feeling of comfort and coziness. On such a balcony it will always be pleasant to chat on a warm evening or treat friends with a cup of tea.
The walls of the balcony room are decorated with textured plaster, which is painted with beige paint with a mother-of-pearl effect. Such a surface looks very stylish and modern and, naturally, needs a corresponding addition.
Elongated double-glazed windows are installed in the room, so the windows will seem a little larger than standard ones. And the partition under them is painted white and decorated with square pink-brown panels that imitate small cabinets.
In this room, the installation of stretch glossy ceilings is quite acceptable, which will help to visually increase the height of the room. Chandeliers with semicircular lampshades and one lamp were used as lighting. For additional lighting, you can mount the sconces on the wall.
This balcony is an excellent option for such flooring as laminate. For the space of a six-meter balcony, a pair of cover boxes will be enough, and it is better to select its shade a couple of tones darker than the color of the decorative panels.
The windows are decorated with blinds, which will help protect the room from ultraviolet rays on hot days. And as additional functional and decorative details, wicker chairs and boxes for small items, a small round table and two large paintings will perfectly fit.
Oblique balcony
An oblique balcony is something unusual and modern, characteristic only of the day of new houses, because in buildings of the old type, the structures have a standard rectangular shape. But sometimes there is much more space on such a balcony for the implementation of any ideas.
This design project features a slanting balcony with full glazing - from ceiling to floor. The windows are decorated with graceful lilac tulle, which gives the whole interior a touch of lightness and airiness. If desired, you can complement the design with denser curtains.
The flooring is special - tiles of light gray and dark gray shades are used, laid out in a checkerboard pattern. The floor covering is the accent in this design project, as it is the only detail that stands out from the entire color scheme of the interior.
Light lilac walls are set off by a special decor in the form of white bricks, matching in color with the window slopes. Thanks to this design move, the interior looks more stylish and fresh, without color overload.
Closer to the narrowed part, a narrow rectangular white table is mounted in the wall, which can become a full-fledged workplace. Armed with books, notebooks and a laptop, you can be very productive.
The interior is complemented by wicker chairs without armrests, a round glass coffee table, flower pots flaunting on a shelf, and two hanging pots with flowers that match the color scheme of the room.
Balcony type
When repairing a balcony, it is necessary to take into account its variety, since each of them has characteristic features, and, therefore, needs a special approach.
Let's take a closer look at the types of balconies and their main features.
Open
An open balcony visually looks more elegant and even romantic, but it is less functional. This is because in the absence of glazing (and on the upper floors and roofs), in rainy weather all the things stored on the balcony will be flooded with precipitation, and in frost it will simply be too cold there for any leisure time.
As a rule, an open balcony consists only of a concrete slab and a fence, which can be either concrete or metal.
A wrought-iron fence painted in a dark color looks very nice here. And if you build a summer flower garden on the railing, the view will be simply amazing.
Closed
A closed balcony is much more functional, since you can store any things on it without fear that they will deteriorate from the effects of precipitation or severe temperature conditions. In addition, a closed balcony can be used as a functional room for leisure and recreation.
A closed balcony has many more components than an open one:
- first of all, a concrete slab is the basis of any balcony room;
- addons and fastenings;
- window frames and double-glazed windows;
- concrete fence;
- fastenings - bay windows;
- window frames;
- internal window sills;
- external window sills, which are called ebb tides;
- glazing fixing brackets.
Repair types
Depending on the initial state of the premises, it will be necessary to perform a number of specific works, which, in turn, can be subdivided into different types of repairs:
- overhaul - complete replacement of worn-out parts of the room, as well as strengthening all other parts of it;
- complex repair - a type of repair, similar to major, but entailing the decoration of nearby premises;
- cosmetic repair is a type of repair in which only the replacement of the floor, ceiling, walls and partitions is provided.
Let us consider in more detail the stages of each type of repair carried out within the framework of a balcony room or loggia.
Major overhaul
First of all, it is worth clarifying the situation - in what cases it may be necessary to overhaul the balcony:
- If the room / structure is pretty worn out and its condition is close to emergency.
- Sometimes major repairs are made in order to expand the space.
- In order to increase the living area of the room (if the balcony or loggia becomes part of the room).
During a major overhaul, all worn out parts of the balcony are replaced. Most often it comes to balcony slabs and partitions. The necessary glazing is also installed or, if necessary, the old one is replaced by the new one.
Balcony floor screed, walls and ceilings are also reinforced with this type of repair. If the balcony is located on the top floor in a Khrushchev or stalinka building, it may also be necessary to replace its roof (if it was built earlier) or its construction (if the balcony was previously open).
The interior decoration of the premises is also included in the overhaul, but it is not the main task, but the finishing touch.
Complex repair
As already mentioned, complex repairs have quite a lot in common with capital repairs. It includes the dismantling of the existing finish, if the room has previously been renovated, work to restore and strengthen all parts of the balcony and, of course, decorative finishing work.
A comprehensive repair of the balcony and loggia may entail the repair of a nearby room if there was a need for hidden wiring, for which it was necessary to cut the wall. To hide the traces and holes in the room, it will be necessary to make repairs there as well.
Redecorating
Redecoration can rightfully be called a kind of "light" option, because it really is the least simple and fastest of all.
The main stages that make up cosmetic repairs:
- dismantling of the existing surface decor;
- the walls are thoroughly cleaned, after which a primer is applied and, if necessary, putty;
- further, the surface of the walls is decorated with the necessary materials;
- after which the necessary parts are painted (whether it be walls or ceiling);
- then the floor coverings are laid;
- if necessary, stretch ceilings are installed;
- the final step is a general cleaning after the renovation.
Redecoration is not aimed at strengthening and repairing ceilings, floors and walls, and in no way affects the functionality and reliability of balconies and loggias, but is carried out only to improve the appearance of the balcony room.
Do you need redevelopment?
Often, when renovating, there is a desire to do something unusual, including a complete or partial redevelopment of the premises. In addition, redevelopment is needed if there is a need to expand the living or kitchen space.
But not everything is so simple, you cannot simply remodel any premises without having special permission and appropriate documents for this. Obtaining permission for redeveloping a balcony is a necessity, because without this, the committed action will be considered illegal and may entail very real legal consequences.
Let's take a closer look at what documents are required for the legal redevelopment of the balcony:
- Permission from the BTI authorities, whose employees must check and make sure that the supporting structures are not affected;
- Permission of the housing inspector to which the dwelling is attached.
At the beginning of the redevelopment, it is necessary to determine the amount of necessary reconstruction work. You should entrust the preparation of the project to a professional, since without the appropriate knowledge it will be very difficult to qualitatively and correctly delimit the space.
Very often the balcony connected to the kitchen has the greatest chance of a successful redevelopment. It is enough just to remove the balcony door in order to build a through passage and a window. The window sill can be supplemented with a wide table top, which serves as a kind of low bar counter. With such a redevelopment, the part of the wall to which the heating element is attached is preserved, so there are very few details left for approval.
If you want to remove the entire wall completely, you will have to tinker with drawing up a plan and agreeing, which, by the way, may not be given, there are some peculiarities in the heating system.
An example of a simple budget repair
You can endlessly talk about the budget repair of the balcony, the choice and use of high-quality, but inexpensive finishing materials and other aspects. But it is better to consider everything with an illustrative example.
In this case, plastic panels were used for the design of the balcony, which look quite good. The main part is occupied by panels with vertical decor in the form of rather narrow stripes. This type of panels is selected in a pleasant soft yellow shade.
On the opposite wall, the same panels are used, but in a horizontal arrangement, as well as others - simple white and yellow, but with a smooth surface and pretty patterns in the form of curly, vertically extending flowers.
The top of the balcony is decorated with a glossy stretch ceiling, which makes the space of the room look a little more spacious. If you wish, you can mount small round lamps into the ceiling.
A beautiful decorative end of the interior composition is small multi-colored tiles, which are lined with the thresholds of the balcony from the outside and inside.
The main stages of repairing a closed balcony
Before proceeding with the repair of the balcony, it is necessary to carefully study some aspects of this process and the features of the location of the balcony. These features even include the types of houses in which they are located, as well as the condition of the balcony itself.
For example, during construction, the balconies in the Khrushchev had neither glazing nor a solid partition in the lower part - it was presented in the form of vertical rods with railings. Such a balcony is good only for airing, but it is completely non-functional and even dangerous for small children.
With balconies in panel houses, things are a little different, since their lower part is presented in the form of a fairly high concrete partition. As for glazing, not all balconies have it, which, in turn, can be attributed to the modernization done by the hands of the residents themselves.
Stalin's balconies are perhaps the most difficult for any repair manipulation. The thing is that the lower partition is in the form of balusters made of gypsum or pearl, with the middle made of metal rods, which are the basis, and the top, like balconies in Khrushchev, is open.
The dimensions of the balconies in Stalinist houses should be taken into account - they are quite small, so the main part of the decor is best done from the outside, trying not to "eat up" the already small internal space. The emergency balcony in old houses can also be repaired, reinforcing all weak and damaged areas.
It may be simpler to repair balconies in new buildings and panel houses, but in such cases its shape should be taken into account - very often, especially in new houses, there is such a phenomenon as an oblique balcony. To repair it, you will need special skills in working and calculating the required amount of building materials.
Let's take a closer look at all the main stages of balconies repair and the features of each of them.
Glazing
The first thing to do when thinking about repairs on the balcony is its glazing, since in this form the room will be the most functional in any weather, because the glass will protect both from strong winds and from snowfalls and rains.
When glazing a balcony, both in Khrushchev and in other types of houses, it is necessary to adhere to several rules in order to avoid reducing and cluttering up the space:
The new balcony frame should be at the level of the old railings or protrude slightly beyond them towards the street in order to preserve the internal space;
But the railing, in no case, can be a support for the glazing, since the structure may not be able to withstand. It will be necessary to create additional, more reliable, fastenings.
It is necessary not only to take care of the reliability of the railing, but also of the balcony slab itself. Since the load on it increases during glazing, there will be a need to strengthen it.
But we will talk about strengthening the balcony a little later, and now we will consider the options and methods of glazing.
First of all, it should be noted that there are several types of frames that are used when glazing a balcony. The most famous, practical and popular are frames made of quality wood, plastic and aluminum. Plastic, by the way, are in the greatest demand nowadays.
Wooden frames are durable and environmentally friendly, but can be damaged by environmental factors. Aluminum frames are more practical because they are very strong but are much lighter.But plastic products are the best option, since the material is resistant to changes in weather conditions, it is very lightweight and practical.
If you want to make the balcony warm, so that the room temperature remains in the room in winter, you should seriously think about the multi-layer double-glazed windows, which are usually installed in rooms. Double or triple glass allows you to retain heat inside the room, without succumbing to even the strongest winds.
If there is no need for insulation, you can get by with ordinary, single-layer double-glazed windows. Of course, they are slightly less functional, but they are a great way to save money.
To understand what kind of glazing you need, the video will help:
Reinforcement of a concrete slab
The basis of any balcony is a concrete slab, which is also the floor of the balcony room. Everything is much simpler in the case of a loggia, because it is located inside the building, which means that it does not have a separate protruding concrete slab. The balcony slab, sooner or later, deteriorates and needs repair.
Before you start repairing and restoring it, you need to carefully study the type of fastening of the balcony slab in your house.
They are of several types:
- pinching - the balcony slab is, as it were, sandwiched between blocks or bricks, which are the facade of knowledge itself (it is worth noting that, despite the external fragility, this structure is quite reliable);
- fastening using a cantilever plate supporting the main part from below;
- a support fixture in which the suspended balcony slab rests on the outer part of the building using a beam or reinforcement at an angle;
- a structure supported on the console of the walls located inside the balcony room or on external columns;
- construction based on any external attachments.
When cracks appear on the surface of the balcony slab, you should not run after the putty, since the cause of the destruction can be deep and hide in the corrosive changes that the reinforcement bars have undergone. In such cases, blurring will be useless.
If with small cracks it is possible to do with cosmetic repairs, then when the reinforcement is exposed and large pieces are destroyed, it is necessary to resort to emergency overhaul. In order to prevent destruction in advance, it is necessary to pay attention to the reinforcement of the slab when building a balcony.
Let's take a closer look at how to do this:
- First of all, you need to select special bolts, the diameter of which can be more than one inch.
- Then you need to fix these bolts in the wall of the house so that they are above the concrete slab.
- After that, it is necessary to build a frame from metal rods and corners, which will lie on top of the plate and will be welded to the bolts.
- Next, it is necessary to fill the resulting structure with concrete, and after complete drying, reinforce it around the entire perimeter.
This method of strengthening will help the balcony stay in proper condition longer and last for many years without the need for frequent cosmetic repairs.
We conduct electricity
Electricity on the balcony, supplied during the construction of the house, is quite rare. Therefore, if there is a desire to make the balcony room illuminated, you will have to seek help from the workers or act independently.
Before starting to act, it is necessary to pay attention to several issues, namely:
- Think carefully about how to route the cable.
- Solve the issue of the location of the lamps.
- Solve the issue of the place of breeding the new line (from the flap or a nearby outlet).
Let's take a look at each step in order. Firstly, the location and method of cable routing is not as unimportant as it might seem at first glance, and many problems can arise if the cable and wiring is incorrectly or improperly placed.
If you are repairing the entire apartment and resorting to the insulation of the balcony, you should consider the option of hidden wiring, carried out using wall chasing. This option will not be possible with the finished repair, since it will spoil the appearance of the walls.
In the case of a finished repair and "cold" glazing of the balcony, it would be more logical and practical to use plastic channels that hide the wires inside. This method will help both protect the wiring and gain quick access to it in case of any problems.
Next, you need to decide on the placement of lighting. At this stage, no special knowledge is required, since all lamps are placed in accordance with the overall design idea of the entire room. But do not place them in places where they can get in the way - this can cause accidental damage.
You should also not choose too powerful lamps for lighting such a small room in order to protect the wiring from overvoltage.
The most important question is where the line will be routed. It can be too difficult to lead it from the apartment panel, moreover, you will have to pull the line through the entire apartment building, and in the open version it will not look very attractive. This option is good for a complete renovation of the apartment.
It is much smarter and easier to run the lighting line from the nearest junction box or outlet. But you should take care of the quality of the cable and not overload the line, since with this arrangement, the balcony lighting will be associated with the room distribution of electricity.
Thermal insulation
If you are wondering how to insulate your balcony, you should carefully consider the issue of not only heating, but also thermal insulation. It is not enough just to heat the room - it is also necessary to keep the heat inside it.
The most logical and obvious step on the way to insulating a balcony is the installation of appropriate double-glazed windows. It is necessary that the same glazing be installed on the loggia as in the entire apartment. Usually double or even triple glazed windows are used.
But this is not all, since simple glazing of the balcony room is not enough. It is unlikely that in the winter period a positive temperature will be maintained on such a balcony; most likely, it will differ from the street temperature by only a couple or three degrees.
To insulate a balcony or loggia, it is necessary to carry out a number of preliminary preparatory work, namely, it is necessary to lay a parapet, erect new or replace old walls and a concrete frame with foam blocks. It is also necessary to lighten the brickwork.
To provide the room with a high degree of thermal insulation, you can use a special material "Penoplex" in the wall decoration, which has special thermal functions. This material is very practical, perfectly retains heat inside the room and, moreover, does not lend itself to combustion.
In the issue of thermal insulation, the floor plays an important role. The best option for floor insulation can be to equip it with electric heating elements, on top of which you can put tiles, lay a laminate or simple linoleum.
Before installing the so-called underfloor heating, it is necessary to carry out a number of additional work. In addition to strengthening the concrete slab, it will be necessary to take care of issues of waterproofing and sealing: the floor should not have cracks and cracks that facilitate the penetration of moisture and cold air.
In addition, the heating mats used for the manufacture of underfloor heating can also be placed in the area of the walls for much more intense heating of the room and longer heat retention.
Waterproofing
Balcony waterproofing is a very important part of its renovation, since moisture penetration can seriously affect the appearance of the entire room and spoil the interior. It is because of the penetration of moisture that the operation of underfloor heating can be disrupted, as well as a problem with wiring.
The absence or violation of waterproofing can negatively affect the aesthetic component of the repair: plaster or decorative panels will peel off, rust will appear on metal surfaces, decay processes will begin, mold and mildew will appear.
In addition, the lack of waterproofing in the balcony room can have much more serious consequences. Over time, supporting structures can lose their strength and stability, which may well lead to even the collapse of the balcony.
The first step in the balcony waterproofing process is to reinforce or install a concrete slab. It is necessary to eliminate all, even the smallest cracks, smooth out all roughness and solve the problem of delamination of certain areas. Without this, further work will be simply meaningless.
It is necessary to thoroughly clean the concrete slab from dirt, dust, glue or other traces of previous repairs. All cracks, depressions and grooves must be cleaned of debris and dust, otherwise air pockets can form and the screed will quickly become unusable.
If the cracks are so deep that bare sections of the reinforcement appear, it is also necessary to clean it from the remnants of cement dust so that the new screed is laid down as evenly as possible and firmly fixed. Also, the reinforcement must be cleaned of traces of rust, which can impede the fastening of the screed.
It is better to clean the fittings using a special chemical composition, since mechanical action can not only fail to bring results, but also cause harm. After cleaning, it is necessary to cover the reinforcement with a special compound that prevents the formation of rust.
After all the above manipulations, it is necessary to restore the concrete surface - to make a screed. If desired, you can add any additional agents to the solution that strengthen the coating and maintain its moisture-resistant properties.
In addition, the windows, roof and wall areas should be inspected for cracks and small holes. It is worth sealing all unwanted openings that may allow moisture penetration during rain and melting snow.
Finishing
After you have taken care of all the functional aspects of repairing the balcony, you should proceed directly to finishing. Armed with a design project, you need to consider all the options for materials that, when combined, will help create an amazingly stylish interior.
But what if you want a beautiful renovation, but the necessary financial resources are simply not there? Do not despair and put off the venture in a distant box, but you should consider options that will fall within your pocket. After all, budget repairs are sometimes no worse than expensive designs.
The modern construction market is filled with goods of the same type, the cost of which is in completely different price categories. Often the overpayment goes solely for the label, which has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the materials.
In addition, the variety of the assortment is so great that it allows you to easily pick up a decent budgetary analogue to more expensive material. At the same time, the quality side of the choice suffers only in rare cases, and then only when the choice is made in a hurry and at random.
Let's take a closer look at which finishing materials are most suitable for repairing a balcony, as well as their cost. This will greatly help to facilitate the choice, as well as save time and your own efforts.
Floors
It is quite natural that not every floor covering can be suitable for an open or cold balcony.There are cases when, under the influence of too high or too low temperatures, the laminate swells or crumbles, and ordinary tiles crack.
For cold balconies, dense, high-quality linoleum is quite suitable, which is unpretentious to care for and easy to install. But with excessively high humidity and on such a surface, flaws in the form of bubbles and various irregularities may appear.
The ideal flooring option for cold balconies can be porcelain stoneware, which is often used for laying outdoor stairs, as well as cladding parts of small houses. This material not only possesses such qualities as wear resistance and heat resistance, but also has a rather attractive low cost.
Ceramic tile, unlike porcelain stoneware, it is far from resistant to all temperature conditions, therefore it is better to use it only on warm balconies and loggias. This option is convenient from the point of view of maintenance: the tile is easy to clean, does not absorb moisture and is resistant to the appearance of stubborn stains.
In addition, warm floors are often laid under the tiles, using a fairly large amount of cement mortar. Such a floor heats up for a long time, but even after turning it off, it retains heat and cools much longer than any other material.
The laminate on the balcony causes some caution, and not for nothing, because in the cold season, in the absence of proper heating, such a floor covering will quickly become unusable, it will lose not only its functionality, but also its original appearance.
But in combination with heating mats, the laminate is quite suitable for installing a warm floor, provided that an additional protective layer is used. But due to the relative lightness of the material and its insufficient density, such a floor cools down rather quickly, therefore it needs to be switched on regularly.
It is worth noting that it is better not to use parquet for the balcony floor, since this option requires a fairly large financial investment, but practically does not surpass any other of the above in terms of quality characteristics.
Ceiling
The decoration of the ceiling on the balcony may depend on several factors, such as: the level of humidity in the room, the presence of any functional details, the location of the lighting and, of course, the individual preferences of the inhabitants of the apartment.
The most budgetary and, perhaps, the simplest option for finishing the ceiling is considered to be whitewashing or painting. But this option is only suitable for insulated balconies with heating, because with high humidity and extreme cold, the paint can peel off, and the whitewash will simply crumble.
Stretch ceilings are perfect for insulated heated balconies and loggias. This option, although it requires some financial costs, fully pays for itself with a long service life, quality, preservation of its original appearance and the ability to make built-in ceiling lighting.
Plastic panels look pretty good on balcony ceilings, but have a very short lifespan. This is due to the fact that under the influence of strong heat, the plastic crumbles and cracks.
Unlike plastic, MDF panels are more durable and wear-resistant, so you can safely use them for finishing ceilings on balconies and loggias. They do not deform and do not lose their original appearance even under the influence of severe frosts or heat, it is only necessary to provide them with reliable fastening.
Ceiling tiles can be considered a fairly easy, inexpensive and quite appropriate option. Made of expanded polystyrene, it will help not only to decorate the interior, but also to create the effect of light sound insulation.
In addition, the ceiling can have additional functional elements, for example, ceiling dryers.Since under the influence of a rather strong load in the form of wet, washed linen, many materials can not withstand, it is better to use this type of dryer on painted, whitewashed ceilings, as well as with MDF panels.
As for lighting, chandeliers and ceiling lamps can be positioned in completely different ways, unless, of course, we are talking about a stretch ceiling - only a chandelier and shades lowered down will suit it.
Walls
Wall decoration is perhaps the simplest and, at the same time, the most time-consuming stage in the process of repairing a balcony or loggia. The thing is that before applying and fixing finishing materials, it is necessary to prepare the walls using appropriate solutions and tools.
First of all, the walls must be cleaned of traces of previous repairs, as well as all kinds of dirt, peeling house finishes and other old surface decor. Special solutions, soapy water, and regular sandpaper will help to clean the walls.
The next step will be to prepare the walls for the next steps - applying a primer. This is necessary because it is the primer that contributes to the best adhesion of any materials to the wall surface. After applying it, the walls need some time to dry.
If you are going to decorate the walls with any tiles and panels, the putty can not be used, but if the walls of your balcony or loggia will be decorated with decorative painting or thick photo wallpaper, it is best to level their surface with a white putty.
There are varieties of decorative putties and matching spatulas, with which you can create a rather interesting relief on the surface of the walls. Such decor can be used both in its pure form and be decoratively painted.
On the walls, as well as on the ceiling, plastic and MDF panels can be located, the functionality of which has already been said a lot. It is only worth adding that plastic panels are suitable only for balconies and loggias with a thermoregulation system that allows you to maintain the same temperature in the room.
In addition to all of the above materials for finishing balconies use "lining" - a thin board obtained in the process of wood processing, which is used to decorate any premises. This material looks very nice on the walls, but needs a protective coating.
The facing tiles with the effect of masonry look very nice and stylish. But you should not overdo it and lay out all the walls with such tiles, as it will look overly colorful. It is better to use it as an unusual decoration.
External finishing
Interior decoration, of course, takes a lot of time and effort and requires special attention, but, nevertheless, do not forget about the outer part of the balcony, the view of which opens up to many people passing by on the street every day.
Of course, some types of balconies do not need any special external finishing, since they are open and have a molded partition. In this case, it will be enough just to clean and paint it in order to give it a more aesthetic appearance.
And a completely different matter - covered balconies and loggias, the outer part of which needs to maintain a favorable appearance. But, if special equipment is not needed to repair the balconies on the lower floors, then the outside help of specialists may be needed to finish the upper floors.
If the balcony or loggia is completely glazed, then it is enough just to thoroughly wash the glass, all additional parts and profiles, and, if necessary, renew the color of the metal elements.
But what about the standard view, where only half of the balcony is glazed? The outer side of the balcony can be painted with a special paint that is resistant to temperature extremes, high humidity and exposure to strong ultraviolet rays. In some cases, craftsmen use decorative plaster to create a relief on the surface.
If your balcony has a wooden exterior finish, you should take care of protecting its surface, since under the influence of external factors, the tree can lose its functional properties and its original appearance.
The most common finishing of the external surface with a balcony is metal ribbed sheets. They do not need special care, are frost resistant and do not lose their shape when exposed to heat or rain. If necessary, all that will be needed in order to freshen up the appearance is to slightly update the color of the finish.
Interesting ideas
Undoubtedly, everyone who has asked themselves the idea of repairing the balcony, sooner or later, will bring it to life. And to simplify the task, we have selected several different and very attractive designs. Let's take a closer look at stylish balconies repairs.
This option for inexpensive repairs on the loggia will appeal to many lovers of a beautiful interior. In addition, the space is used wisely and is quite functionally delineated, which will definitely benefit such a small space.
The walls of this balcony are finished with wood, which, in turn, is treated with transparent varnishes, giving the surface a glossy shine. The floor is covered with linoleum, the shade of which is only a couple of shades darker than the color of the walls.
A functional detail of the interior is a built-in cabinet, inside which you can store any things, and on the upper horizontal surface - dishes, flower pots, books or any decorative items of the interior.
A very interesting, very modern design in light colors takes place even on a small loggia. Tiles imitating masonry on one of the walls are the central decorative element, so the rest of the walls should be decorated in calmer colors, using plaster and paint or plastic panels.
The floor is decorated with a light laminate, so heat and waterproofing is simply necessary on such a balcony. A low built-in cabinet is used as functional elements on the balcony, the surface of which, in combination with cushions, acts as a small sofa.
There is also a small folding table, which will come in handy while drinking tea on the balcony. Small shelves for flower pots, as well as Roman shades in pleasant pink tones act as an additional decor.
Another stylish design with imitation of stone masonry is suitable for a classic glazed balcony. To visually increase the space, it is better to decorate the wall opposite the balcony windows with stone tiles.
The concrete partition under the windows is decorated with small glossy light tiles, and the floor is decorated with dark ceramic tiles, but with a matte surface. It is worth noting that this balcony more than others needs insulation and heating parts.
A narrow window sill, stylish lamps and graceful curtains should be used as a decorative addition.
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