A loggia is a room that is not only designed to store unnecessary things. Currently, more and more people are equipping it in such a way as to obtain additional living space. What is needed for that? Carry out certain insulation work, choose the right materials and, of course, complete the repair with a finish.
It will be much easier for owners of apartments with loggias to carry out this process. The fact is that the design of the balconies consists of only two plates. The first acts as a floor, and the second as a ceiling. The remaining partitions will need to be built with their own hands. Repair of the loggia does not require such work. The owner only needs to strengthen the structure on the front side and install window frames. However, work does not end there. In order for the space to become cozy and warm, it is necessary to carry out a number of additional events. And which ones will be described in this article.
It is important to note that this room is not heated, so during the repair you will need to adhere to the technology to the smallest detail. Otherwise, the mistakes made simply will not allow you to get a beautiful space in the end.
DIY repair on the loggia: step-by-step instructions
Before proceeding with the repair of the loggia, it is important to consult with professionals. If this is not possible, then pay attention to the instructions suggested below. It describes what works and in what order are carried out. The key to a successful repair is not only the right choice of materials, but also the observance of technology, as well as the procedure. It is important to do everything in stages.
Do-it-yourself repair of the loggia includes the following:
- Space planning.
- Procurement of materials.
- Strengthening structures.
- Glazing of the loggia.
- Lighting wiring.
- Insulation of walls, ceiling and floor.
- Finishing
Why is it important not to break the sequence? The fact is that if you carry out insulation work before window frames are installed, then moisture can enter the structures. This will subsequently contribute to the growth of fungus and mold.
Glazing
As mentioned above, the repair of the loggia with your own hands is done only in compliance with a certain technology. The first thing that is needed is to protect the space from external influences. It is clear that rain or snow will easily spoil even the highest quality work.
The loggia glazing is best entrusted to specialists. Currently, not wooden frames, but plastic ones are popular. The latter are better. They do not require staining and have a long service life. Also, in comparison with wooden, plastic ones have higher thermal conductivity.
Warming
By installing windows, you can begin to warm the main surfaces. For these purposes, special material is used. As a rule, it is expanded polystyrene or foam. There are two ways to fix panels. The first - through wooden slats, the second - using dowels with a plastic head. In order to avoid drafts, all cracks are carefully sealed with mounting foam.
The next stage of insulation - laying a vapor barrier. Fastening is carried out using special glue or adhesive tape. These works are completed with a reflective layer. For it use foamed foil polyethylene or foil film.
Ceiling decoration
In order to make a quality repair of the loggia with your own hands in a panel house, you will need to pay special attention to the ceiling. It is worth considering that the room is not heated by the neighbors, so the stove will freeze, and maybe even get wet. Temperature extremes and dampness adversely affect the material. In order to avoid its deformation, as well as the formation of fungus, it is necessary to apply moisture-proof and heat-insulating substrates. If the ceiling is made suspended, then they are mounted inside the structure. It is also worth immediately laying and electric wires. After that, you can start finishing. For these purposes, the following materials are suitable:
- The most common is drywall. It must be moisture resistant, otherwise the sheets will undergo deformation over time. The service life of such a coating is about 10 years.
- Expensive, but high-quality material - glass-magnesite plates. Their properties fully satisfy the requirements.
Floor finishing
How to make a quality repair of the loggia with your own hands? In order for the final result to please the owners, it will be necessary to properly insulate the floor. As a rule, these works are performed from scratch. As a basis, wooden logs or screed are used. Professionals recommend not abandon the heating system. The so-called "warm floor" is able to replace central heating, so the room can be used all year round.
After warming, the finish is done. Floor ceramic tiles, laminate or grooved board are perfect for her.
What are the requirements for wall materials?
During the repair of the loggia with your own hands, it is necessary to take into account the properties of the materials used for decoration. An important criterion is resistance to ultraviolet rays. The fact is that most often large windows are installed in the loggia, which extend along the entire length of the room. Naturally, they transmit light well. If the side is sunny, then the walls under the influence of ultraviolet light can quickly fade.
Also do not forget about thermal conductivity. This nuance is very important in a room such as a loggia. It is recommended for decoration to use material in which this indicator does not exceed 0.3 W / mK.
Surprisingly, the color scheme is also of great importance. Dark shades are warmed up by sunshine much faster. But it is necessary to use them for decoration carefully, especially if the loggia is small. In this case, you need to choose materials that can reflect solar energy.
MDF panels
Doing the repair of the loggia with your own hands (see the photo in the article), most people choose MDF panels for wall decoration. They can only be used in hermetically glazed rooms. They do not tolerate high humidity very well, as they are made from pressed wood chips. However, the front side of the panel is covered with a heat-resistant film, which allows them not to be afraid of contact with water.
This material has many advantages. The main ones are:
- A wide range of designs.
- Easy to mount. For installation, profiles are used.
- The material is resistant to mechanical damage.
- High level of heat and noise insulation.
- Easily cleaned from contamination.
- Wear resistant, reliable and practical.
Unfortunately, MDF panels also have disadvantages. This material is highly flammable. Because of this, electrical wiring must be laid only using a special corrugation. Also, panels can deform when exposed to temperatures above 100 ° C.
Drywall
One of the popular materials that is used when repairing a loggia with your own hands is drywall. With it, you can decorate concrete walls. Its advantage is easy installation. For fastening drywall sheets, profiles or a wooden beam are used. The space that remains inside the structure is filled with insulation material (polystyrene foam, mineral wool and others). Next, the prepared sheets are simply screwed in size by means of self-tapping screws. The joints between them are putty. Such work does not take much time. Having finished lining all the walls, you can proceed to their decoration. Many options are available for decoration. For example, painting, tile, decorative stone and other materials.