Interior finishing of balconies and loggias: design with your own hands

Even having a solid area in the house or apartment, it is not possible to ignore the balcony and loggia: it is too good on this small area to rest. In winter you can enjoy the rays of the sun there, and in summer – the breeze and coolness. Therefore, the finishing of the balcony inside, the development of design is an important task. The place should be cozy and comfortable, but also functional.To combine such different requirements on a very small area is not easy. There are several key points that will help to cope with these tasks independently. We will talk about them further.

Balconies and loggias, of course, differ structurally. This is reflected in the features of insulation and installation of glazing, but the design and decoration are identical, as well as the possible use of available space. Therefore, the article will talk about the design of both types.

Types of glazing

The design of a balcony or loggia is preceded by repair. And the main repair on these structures – glazing and, if so decided, insulation. Glazing balconies and loggias are conditionally divided into two groups: cold and warm. Cold protects against the penetration of dust and precipitation, can significantly delay the wind, but can not greatly affect the temperature. Warm glazing to all of the above set of properties adds soundproofing and temperature increase.

The cost of warm glazing is much higher, but also the functions that after such modernization can perform the room is much wider. How can a cold balcony be used? To store some things, and even in summer – to sit, relax, in winter you can – only to pop out for a couple of minutes. On the insulated balcony or loggia arrange and workrooms and bedrooms, someone moves there a dining area from a small kitchen. The decision, of course, for you, but to navigate in the topic was easier, briefly list the main ways of glazing, their advantages and disadvantages.

Cold glazing

Any of the methods in this category will cost much cheaper than warm, but the level of comfort and functionality of the room remain quite low. The methods are as follows:

• Single wooden swinging frames. The cheapest way, but also the most short-lived, requiring constant maintenance method. Wood is in harsh conditions: the sun fries it, water soaks it, frost destroys it. Because of this, the paint or varnish is constantly peeling. You have to renew the coating time after time.

  

• Metal glazing. Popularly called “streetcar windows” because of the characteristic look. Of steel is welded frame, in which with the help of sealing rubbers inserted glass. This option is more durable, but is characterized by a very high thermal conductivity. In summer on such a balcony or loggia is hot, in winter – cold.

  

• Single aluminum profile. Has the longest service life, but also the highest price of those described above. Unlike other types, sliding windows are more often made, rather than swing windows: they are cheaper, and they also help to save space. The minus of aluminum sliding frames – leakiness, but with cold glazing it is not critical.

  

The most aesthetic – well-treated wooden frames and aluminum glazing. They are still used to this day, but metal ones can be seen less and less often. Streetcar windows are present only in houses of old construction: the service life is still decent, but there are very few “freshly delivered”: the look is too specific, and the temperatures, to put it mildly, uncomfortable.

Warm glazing

Until recently, there were two options: PVC profile frames or double wooden ones. Double wooden ones have the same disadvantage as single ones: they need good and regular maintenance: painting. PVC profiles are much more practical in this sense: they only need to be periodically cleaned of dust and dirt. The second care – adjustment of plastic windows fittings, allowing to transfer them to summer and winter position takes only a few minutes and serves mainly to increase comfort and extend the repair-free life.

The disadvantage of glazing with plastic profiles is their considerable weight. Therefore, they are installed on a base that has a high load-bearing capacity: brick, concrete, welded from profiled pipes. In some cases, the disadvantages can be attributed to the width of the profile: it limits the amount of light penetrating into the premises. But the high tightness and excellent thermal insulation properties, with good insulation of the floor and ceiling on the balcony and loggia, allow you to maintain a stable temperature inside. And this makes it possible to more fully utilize the area: balconies and loggias are combined with rooms or arrange in them a study, summer garden.

The third type of warm glazing of balconies and loggias – panoramic. These are double-glazed windows, created by a special technology, for the attachment of which a minimum of material is used. There is a variant of frameless glazing: double-glazed windows are fixed one to another. Option, interesting, but expensive, and in the design is not the easiest.

What to finish the balcony or loggia

For finishing glazed and insulated balconies can use the same materials that are used for finishing the premises, but the most popular way – finishing the balcony wagon. It can be wooden or plastic. Finishing the balcony inside the wooden wagon creates a more cozy environment, and the plastic is easier to care for and it does not need to be painted regularly. Deciding which of the properties is more important to you, you can choose the right option.

What to paint wagon on the balcony read here.

The second most popular material – decorative stone or clinker tiles under the brick. Finishing balconies inside these materials is possible with cold and warm glazing, as well as without it at all. The material is durable, easy to maintain, frost-resistant, does not deteriorate under the influence of ultraviolet light. So not a bad choice.

With warm glazing is popular finishing of loggias inside gypsokatronom. Especially it is relevant when combined with rooms, but just on the loggia looks great. Just one moment: just in case they use moisture-resistant GKL: in case of condensation.

Wonderful properties have decorative plasters. They look great, easy to care for, many can be washed with brushes using detergents, have a long service life, there are pigments that are not harmed by sunlight. The disadvantage of this type of material is considered a high price. But it is beautiful and functional.

Modern trends in the design of premises – a mixture of different finishing materials. When decorating loggias or balconies, too, you can experiment. Most often combine stone and tiles. They are usually used in pairs with other materials. Any “duets” look good, and even unexpected combinations refresh the interior.

There are many variants of combined finishing, photos of the most interesting will be attached at the end of the article.

Floor: what is better to make

The choice of material for finishing the floor on the balcony and loggia depends on the glazing or its absence. If the balcony is not glazed, perhaps the best material – concrete or poured floors. Another option – ceramic tiles, or better – natural stone or porcelain stoneware on a frost-resistant glue.

With cold glazing, the choice is almost the same, because all these materials can withstand temperature fluctuations if the technology is followed. As a temporary option you can still consider laying linoleum. But it will not last long: ultraviolet and frost – not the conditions in which it will feel good.

On the insulated balcony or loggia most often make a wooden floor: between the lags it is convenient to lay insulation, and in addition, wood is pleasant underfoot, and has good thermal insulation characteristics. That is, it helps to reduce heating costs.

Another variant of the floor on the lags: lay on them plywood or OSB, and on this base is already any floor covering, including laminate and even parquet. If you want to use tiles, then under it would be very good to make a warm floor, otherwise it will feel as cold even on top of a good layer of insulation.

Balcony and loggia design: ideas and photos

First about the design of the balcony, which is used for its intended purpose: for a pleasant rest almost in the fresh air. Even an open balcony is suitable for this purpose. Presented on the photo finishing of the balcony inside is not some super-complicated or expensive, but the idea is great. The ceiling, floor and low long drawers all around the perimeter are made of wagon. Painted, most likely with oil and pigment. A few pillows or soft mats would make this a great place to relax.

What to paint wagoning read here.

With a glazed balcony or loggia, everything is easier: what you consider necessary, then install. It is important to choose the right shape and size to maximize the use of the area. Most often install a small table and one or two chairs, small armchairs. Such a set will easily fit even on a loggia or balcony with an area of 3 meters, and to make the table not interfere, it can be made folding.

The style of design can be made any, but it is desirable that it was in the same key with the style of the whole house. The general idea should be traced in the design of all rooms. This is logical, and looks more organic.

If the apartment is small, and things to do just nowhere, on the balcony or loggia install cabinets or shelves. They can be placed so that there is still room for an armchair, or at least for a folding chair.

On a large loggia or insulated balcony, even dressing rooms are made. But few people can squeeze in something bigger than a wall cabinet, which stands at the end. The only advice: if you are going to use the shelves for storage, not for decoration, make them still closed: few people can maintain perfect order in storage systems.

Kitchen on the loggia: ideas for design and decoration

Exactly the kitchen area on the loggia is not made: will not allow neither operational services, nor firefighters. Carried out on a warm balcony dining area. It is possible.

When combining these two areas, the window sill can be removed, but the wall must not be touched. Unless ordering a project and strengthening the remaining parts: completely demolish it will still not be possible, otherwise the house may collapse. That the existing opening looked like a decoration, it can be rounded, make a semi-arch or choose another type of decoration (as it is done read here).

With this approach, the finish of the balcony inside should echo the design of the kitchen. Not bad looks finish under the brick in combination with smooth walls of plasterboard.

Workroom

For productive work often need privacy, but in the apartment is not easy to find a secluded corner. Organize yourself a workplace can be on a warm balcony or loggia. after all, all that is needed is a small table and a comfortable chair or armchair.

To create the best possible working atmosphere, the finish of the loggia inside should have soundproofing properties. This is wood, cork or vinyl wallpaper on a fleezelin base.

Bedroom on the balcony

In small-sized apartments, sometimes not only a study is nowhere to organize – even with a separate sleeping place can be a problem. If you have a balcony, even if it is 3 squares in area, it can be turned into a small bedroom. And if the area is 6 squares and more, then on the other side you can still have a working corner to arrange.

Even on a very small balcony you can make a “lying” place.

An example of “green” arrangement – a garden

If none of the above ways of decorating the balcony you, what is called “does not warm”, perhaps you will like the idea of turning it into a garden. Well, let not in the garden, but in the garden. Such a variant of arrangement can be realized on an open balcony, but then you need to plant annuals, quickly giving greenery.

You can take out for the summer flowers in pots. There are even more options here. If there is little space, you can make special shelves or a niche on one of the walls.

By the way, not a bad idea in the photo above: on the tile floor lay a wooden shield and on it build yourself a place to rest. Comfortable and not difficult.

The same ideas can be realized on a glazed and insulated structure, but the choice of plants is wider – you will still maintain the temperature, so even tropical plants can be tried to grow.

Balcony design and options for interior decoration: photo ideas

Sometimes you need an idea, some picture, which will help to formalize in the final decision of those thoughts that have not yet found a concrete expression. In this chapter are collected photos that seemed interesting. Maybe some of them will help you to develop your own design project and a variant of finishing the balcony inside.