DIY step-by-step instructions for finishing a balcony with a laminate
The owner of any apartment, especially if he cannot boast of large dimensions, tries to make maximum use of all the space available to him. The balcony is an ideal place that allows you to significantly increase the number of living square meters in the apartment. Many citizens choose laminate flooring as a finishing material. Let's see how the finishing of the laminate is carried out during repair work on the balcony and what needs to be done for this.
Material selection and preparation
Before going to the hardware store, homeowners need to decide what functional load the premises will perform. Most of the premises of this type are divided into:
- Unglazed balconies where owners hang laundry and store unnecessary things.
- Closed balconies, in which it is impossible to stay for a long time in winter due to the lack of insulation.
- Isolated balconies that can easily be used as an additional living room.
Depending on the type, the requirements for the laminate itself also change, which, undoubtedly, should be taken into account when purchasing building materials.
Without glazing
For open loggias that are constantly exposed to various weather conditions, ordinary laminate is completely unsuitable. High humidity and temperature drops outside quickly disable it. To the rescue comes vinyl laminate, which is not susceptible to condensation and seasonal temperature fluctuations.
To note! The surface of the balcony floor on which the vinyl laminate is laid must be flat. This is necessary in order to securely fix the material with a special glue.
cold glazing
Cold glazing prevents atmospheric precipitation from entering the room, but the humidity is still high enough, especially in autumn and winter. Temperature drops also do not disappear anywhere - during the day the thermometer can fluctuate from 5 to 10 oh... Therefore, if the glazed balcony is not equipped with additional heating elements, experts recommend using vinyl or any other moisture-resistant material as a decoration.
Insulated balcony
An isolated balcony is understood as a room that is equipped with:
- insulated walls;
- double glazing;
- additional heating systems;
Most often, an insulated balcony is equipped with a warm floor system, since the installation of batteries is considered an illegal redevelopment of a room. In this case, before buying laminate, read the “scope” paragraph on the packaging. If it does not have a marking for laying the material on a warm floor, look for products from another manufacturer.
How to install
Once a suitable laminate has been selected and all related building materials have been purchased, it is time for a renovation.Installation of laminate on the balcony is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- we prepare the ground;
- we place the ceiling and walls;
- we finish the floor;
- install the baseboard.
Soil preparation
Preparation of the floor is a responsible process and the service life of the material to be laid often depends on it. When preparing the soil, measures are taken to:
- remove the old floor covering;
- provide a vapor barrier;
- level the work surface;
- clean the room, in order to get rid of debris and dust that interfere with the normal fixing of the laminate;
- organization of a synthetic substrate.
Remove the old coating
Old flooring often does not bond well to the concrete base of the floor, and laying laminate over it is an extremely rash decision. Repairs made in this way will soon have to be redone, which will touch the pocket of any apartment owner.
If you want to lay a laminate on the balcony, but you cannot remove the old coating, reinforce it with a primer. However, this is considered only a half measure, and if possible, it is recommended to completely remove the old, outdated coating. Thus, you will significantly increase the quality of repairs, while saving your time and money.
vapor barrier
The vapor barrier allows you to get rid of the formation of condensation in the room, the appearance of which threatens the owners of the balcony with the following problems:
- Mold begins to accumulate on wooden structural elements, reducing the strength of the material.
- The metal parts are covered with a layer of rust, which does not bode well either.
- If there is insulation under the laminate, it begins to absorb moisture, which significantly reduces its thermal insulation properties.In addition, damp insulation becomes a source of an unpleasant musty smell, which is difficult to get rid of in the future.
Surface leveling
Leveling the surface allows you to beautifully and firmly fix the laminate on the floor, after which the balcony will shine with new fresh colors. To do this, use:
- self-leveling floor;
- Concrete screed;
- plywood sheets.
To note! It is allowed to make a self-leveling or concrete floor only in loggias whose design is able to withstand an additional load. Balconies are not capable of this - under the influence of significantly increased weight, they will begin to collapse.
Garbage and dust collection
After completing the preparatory work, be sure to remove all debris and dust after you. If this is not done, the laminate will not be attached to the floor with sufficient strength and repairs will have to be redone in the future. Cleaning takes a little time, but it saves a lot of effort for later touch-ups.
Synthetic backing
A synthetic underlay under the laminate provides:
- Additional thermal insulation.
- Soundproofing. This point is especially relevant for laminate floors, since without a support, an unpleasant and loud sound will be emitted when walking on it.
- Additional floor plan leveling.
- Moisture-resistant substrates help keep laminate flooring free from excess moisture that collects in the room during operation.
Ceiling mounting
Installation of the laminate on the ceiling is carried out, first of all, by performing the following actions:
- A crate is made, to which the laminate is attached.Keep in mind that the battens are installed parallel to the window openings, but perpendicular to the laminate panels to be installed.
- Installation starts from the furthest corner of the loggia.
- Remember to leave a 1 inch gap between the wall and the edge of the laminate.
- Laminate panels should be perpendicular to the window. This technique will visually increase the volume of the repaired premises.
Try to prepare the laminate panels in advance by cutting them to the size of the crate. This will greatly increase your laying speed.
Wall mounting
Upon completion of the installation of the laminate on the ceiling, it is allowed to proceed to the wall cladding.The principle of action is identical to the previous algorithm:
- first, a frame is made from a crate;
- after that, custom pre-cut laminate panels are attached to the frame.
The thickness of the lathing on balconies without insulation is 2-3 centimeters. For insulated balconies, you will need to make a crate of at least 4-5 centimeters.
Floor finish
On the loggias, the floor is first leveled with a screed, after which a laminate is laid on it. On the balconies, wooden blocks are fixed to the floor, on which a layer of insulation and sheets of plywood are laid. It is advisable to place the panels through the window openings, since this method of laying allows you to increase the volume of the room during visual inspection.
Do not forget to leave centimeter gaps near the walls, since the facing material changes its volume under the influence of heat and other external factors.
How to install a baseboard
The final stage is the installation of plinths around the perimeter of the balcony; this is done anyway suitable for the owners of the premises.
Common Home Decorating Mistakes
Experts note the following common errors that are often encountered when self-repairing a part:
- The redevelopment of the premises is carried out without prior agreement with the supervisory services.
- Homeowners forget to lay the vapor barrier, which leads to deterioration of the insulation.
- The inner wall of the balcony, which adjoins the living quarters, is insulated. This does not need to be done, since this wall is not in contact with the street.
- Installation of single-glazed windows on a warm balcony, which significantly reduces the thermal insulation properties of the room.
Tips and tricks from experienced craftsmen
Pay attention to the following recommendations from professionals who have renovated balconies over the years:
- If the balcony windows face the roadway, it is advisable to install double-glazed windows with good sound protection.
- When laying laminate next to window openings, take into account the thickness of the insulation and do not forget to install plastic expanders. If this is not done, then at the end of the finishing works you will not be able to open the windows.