Instructions for finishing the balcony with tiles, the choice of materials, the pros and cons
During the cold winter season, the balconies are usually not heated. When decorating this room, it is recommended to use materials that do not deform with high humidity or sudden temperature changes. The easiest way to turn this corner into a cozy room is to decorate the balcony with tiles. It will be possible to do the work even independently, but first it is recommended to understand the features of all processes.
Features and advantages of finishing a balcony with tiles
Decorating a loggia with ceramics is popular due to its many advantages. Among the advantages are:
- increased strength (the tile can easily withstand heavy loads);
- a large selection (it is easy to purchase material, depending on taste preferences or features of the direction used inside the apartment);
- high rigidity (the material practically does not deform);
- frost resistance (ceramic can withstand severe frosts);
- ease of maintenance (cleaning a room decorated with tiles does not take much time - it is enough to wipe the surface with a damp cloth).
Safety is also ranked among the pluses - the material is environmentally friendly and does not emit harmful substances into the air even when heated. Of the minuses, only increased thermal conductivity is noted. The tile heats up quickly in the sun and actively generates heat.
How to choose materials
Building supply stores offer a huge selection of tiles. Before buying a facing material, it is recommended to understand the main characteristics of the most popular varieties.
Floor tile
The coating material is very durable and is recommended for balconies where heavy and bulky furniture will be installed. The surface remains smooth even when exposed to sharp objects.
Even if it was possible to leave a scratch on the surface of the tile with a nail, remove the defect with an easy-to-clean household detergent.
Stoneware
The material used for the production of porcelain stoneware is clay, which is pressed at high temperature. A mixture of sand and clay is often used - this does not affect the appearance and strength. A feature of porcelain stoneware - the use of facing materials is allowed in rooms with high humidity. Moisture does not freeze even in frost - the liquid accumulated in the voids of the pressed clay quickly evaporates. Porcelain stoneware, like tiles, does not require much effort for cleaning - the surface is easy to clean.
Clinker
These tiles are used to decorate a brick balcony. It is made of plastic clay, it acquires increased strength, durability and visual appeal.It is produced in different colors, with different textured surfaces (tiles that look like baked bricks at the edges are in demand). Clinker is considered the most convenient for finishing a balcony - spilled wine or coffee will not leave stains and can be easily removed from the surface.
Ceramic
When buying ceramic tiles, it is important to consider that the material used for finishing the bathroom will not work. It is recommended to purchase ceramics with increased frost resistance. It differs from classic tiles in its increased density. The ceramic surface is treated with special compounds to exclude moisture penetration. When cleaning, ceramic tiles are not inferior in simplicity to other types of tiles - a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth will help to clean as quickly as possible.
Laying rules
Before decorating a balcony, it is recommended to carefully read the rules and recommendations for finishing. There are several style options, each with specific characteristics.
Calculations
Before going to the store, it is recommended to carefully calculate: measure the walls, the floor, calculate the number of square meters (subtract the doors, window openings). The material should be purchased with a small margin. It is recommended to give preference to medium-sized tiles - too large squares or rectangles are not used to decorate the balcony.
Choose a laying pattern
There are several options for laying tiles. The simplest is the standard, which is usually used by beginners. More complex - diagonal, requires experience and careful calculations. Runaway is another styling technique that will require some skill.
Standard
The tiles are stacked in a row or vertically.The tile is located longitudinally. Thanks to this installation scheme, it is easy to visually increase the space of the room. Slab trimming is minimal. For standard installation, rectangular or square tiles are used.
Diagonal
The plates are arranged diagonally. When laying, you will need to cut the tiles, forming the chosen pattern. The scheme is used for large or medium-sized balconies - the installation slightly reduces the room. A diagonal tile layout is recommended for square tiles.
While running
Recalls the laying of parquet. The first row is laid longitudinally, the following ones are shifted by about a fifth. The row can be moved even by one sixth of the tile. Staggered laying is usually used when choosing rectangular tiles.
Preparation of materials
Before finishing the balcony, in addition to buying tiles, it is recommended to prepare the materials and tools necessary for the work. You will need:
- hammer (it is recommended to take a special hard rubber tool);
- roll;
- tile cutter;
- plastic cross for leveling the surface;
- roulette, level;
- putty knife.
It is also recommended to purchase putty, primer and special glue.
How to properly prepare the surface
Close the entire surface, line the cracks with putty. The next step is to apply a primer. If the balcony is characterized by high humidity, it is additionally recommended to evenly distribute the insulating layer over the surface. If there is a warm floor on the balcony, first apply a layer of elastic glue.
Work instructions
Tiling begins with the first row, which should overlap the flooring.Be sure to leave joints that will protect against deformation of the wall, which occurs when exposed to moisture or frost. Use crosses to help keep seams straight and neat. The optimal joint width is 3-4 mm, although much depends on the chosen design solution.
It is better not to rush with laying - it is recommended to cover no more than 1.5 m². m of surface, allowing the glue to set. Secure each tile with a hammer. It is especially important to let the glue set when decorating the walls, otherwise there is a risk of deformation of the finish and slipping of the tile. The only way to remove the "wavy" row is to completely remove the material and to repeat all the processes - leveling, priming and laying.
After completing the work, let the glue dry completely (1-2 days). To make the finish neat, it is recommended to seal the seams with a special sealant. The solution will have to match the color of the tile, although, as an option, it is allowed to use contrasting shades.
Troubleshoot potential issues
If you scrupulously follow the recommendations for laying the tiles, difficulties are rare. The presence of round rosettes or other holes on the balcony often becomes a problem. The hole is made with special pliers or a drill. Another problem that can be encountered when decorating a balcony is that the tiles do not lay evenly. The error usually lies in poor surface preparation. It is worth making sure that the walls and floor are perfectly even, use a level. It is important to completely remove dust with a damp cloth.Even a few grains of sand can disrupt the ideal plane.
Difficulties often arise when decorating corners or window sills. The use of plastic corners is unacceptable. The recommended way to design corners is to use tiles only, carefully measuring every millimeter before arming yourself with a tile cutter and cutting off the excess.
Examples of finished work
Not all renovators have enough imagination to turn a balcony into a cozy corner on their own. It is recommended to use ready-made solutions that will greatly facilitate the task and avoid fatal errors.
A simple option for decorating a balcony is to use monochrome tiles. The floor and walls, made in the same color (preferring light cream or pastel colors), will increase the area. The monochrome design is perfect for any style. Even the ceiling is recommended to be tiled - this will reduce costs.
Brick walls are also considered an effective way to create a special atmosphere on the balcony. Lay the floor with wood-like tiles or dark tiles. It is recommended to make the ceiling a few tones lighter than the walls, otherwise the balcony will look too dark even in direct sunlight.
The balcony is an ideal room to embody the most daring ideas and solutions using a simple and affordable material - tiles. If you organize the space correctly, it is easy to create any style, to turn even a small loggia into a cozy corner. The main thing is to carefully familiarize yourself with the features of decorating walls and floors with tiles and strictly follow the recommendations for the preparation and implementation of all works.