Loggias in modern housing are no longer considered a place to store household belongings. Today there are many options for their arrangement, and the question of how to cover a loggia is easily solved by a huge assortment of various finishing materials. Let's consider the most current cladding options, the materials used, their advantages and disadvantages, how to make the right choice and what to pay attention to. After reading to the end, you will definitely decide which cladding option is right for you.
Equipped loggia Source vk.vkfaces.com
Recommendations for covering a loggia
The loggia, although it is part of the living room, is classified as a cold room. When building houses, it is not insulated, and in most cases, it is not even glazed. The owner determines the purpose of these square meters independently. When making a decision about arranging a loggia into a full-fledged warm room, before covering it is necessary to solve the following problems:
- Choosing the purpose of the room . The work on arranging cold loggias differs significantly from finishing a warm room. Therefore, it is necessary to determine how the space will be used first. This could be a miniature office or a sports corner with a wall bars and an exercise machine, a continuation of the room with a remote heating system or a separate room for use only in the warm season, a cozy relaxation room or even a library.
An example of using a room Source sm-news.ru
- Choosing a method for sheathing a loggia. In the easy version, it is enough to determine the range of materials and finish the interior walls. In the case of a permanent warm room, you need to determine the degree of insulation. The fence is dismantled and replaced with a concrete wall for glazing. Foam concrete is often used. The material is durable, has good thermal properties and is not very heavy.
- Preparatory work . The floor slabs at the bottom and top of the loggia are being repaired and heavily insulated to organize the drainage of rain and melt water. Old windows and doors are being replaced. Strengthen the floor screed. The loggia is glazed.
- Insulation works . First, the front wall of the room is insulated, then the two side walls. Expanded polystyrene is often used; it not only provides insulation, but also ensures the impermeability of rainwater into the room. When using mineral wool, additional waterproofing will be required. It is not necessary to insulate the back wall; it will be covered without insulation. Install heating radiators or install heated floors.
Insulation with mineral wool Source oknamr.ru
- Electrical work . Carry on until the final plating. The wires are hidden at the stage of wall insulation. Sockets, switches and lighting lamps must be installed in places determined by the interior. The choice of seats is determined by the intended location of cabinets, tables and other furniture.
- Selection of sheathing material . The choice of cladding material will determine the cost of the entire event, the durability of the interior, as well as the degree of complexity of the work technology. There are many different options, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
When you have decided on the purpose of the room, have carried out work to prepare the loggia for decorative cladding, insulated the surface of the walls, installed glazing and installed utility wiring, you can proceed directly to the cladding.
Let's consider various cladding options for covering the inside of a loggia, and evaluate their qualities in terms of complexity of implementation, durability of materials and budget component.
An example of connecting a loggia with a living space using glazing Source balkonobshivka.ru
Different purposes of the balcony - which option is better
It's no secret that balconies are often used for domestic purposes. In other words, you can store old and unnecessary things. Therefore, it is worth considering whether to build a storage room where you can increase the living space.
The right balcony design will help you get even a small but cozy room. What can you cook on the balcony? There are several options to consider.
Study. If you find it difficult to find a place to work in a small apartment, a balcony is the perfect solution for you. There will be nothing to distract you here, and you will be able to fully devote yourself to what you are doing. This idea is very easy to implement. For decoration, use simple wallpaper or decorative plaster.
Of course, you will need furniture: a small table, a comfortable chair or armchair, and shelves for documents that can be hung above the table. Be sure to provide good lighting for your work by choosing a desk or wall lamp.
Game room. Suffice it to say that this version is not suitable for very small balconies. If space allows, start designing your balcony now. Apply wallpaper with a bright, clear pattern to a previously plastered wall. You can draw it together with your child. If the room is not insulated, you need to lay a warm, soft carpet on the floor.
Greenhouse. Many women will like the mini-greenhouse. A beautiful greenhouse at home with different flowers, wonderful aromas, making the room a favorite place for the whole family. It is important to choose the right plants with the right flowering time so that you can enjoy beautiful flowers on your balcony all year round.
Flowers of bright colors are more suitable for greenhouse design, as they will harmonize with green plants. You will also need furniture. This could be wicker chairs and a small table.
A place to relax. The balcony is the ideal place to relax. It is enough to carry out a simple renovation by equipping the place with a comfortable chair and table so that you can comfortably drink tea and watch the street during your private hours.
Decoration of balcony windows
If your balcony or loggia is glazed, it is worth hanging curtains or blinds to make them more comfortable.
There are several options. It can be:
- Fabric curtains;
- Roman blinds (adjustable in height);
- Roller blinds made of fabric, wood, plastic, etc.
Blinds can be either vertical or horizontal.
Curtains that are too thick are not needed on the balcony. Choose a light-colored fabric to match the color of the walls.
In addition to their decorative function, curtains or blinds are needed to protect from direct sunlight and glare.
Covering loggias: 11 options to choose from
Finishing materials for cladding loggias must meet certain requirements, because they will work in conditions of active sunlight. UV resistance is an important factor when choosing materials; no one wants to see a faded finish that has faded after a year, so the properties of reflecting solar energy and resistance to discoloration must be considered along with strength, durability and price.
Option 1 – wood paneling
Wooden lining for loggias is perhaps one of the most interesting options. The aesthetic properties of the lining, thanks to the unique structure of the wood, will allow you to create an original interior. You can set it horizontally to externally expand the space, or vertically to visually lift it. Simple installation technology will make it possible to complete the work in a short time. High reliability indicators will allow the owners to enjoy the comfort and warmth of a nice wooden interior for a long time.
Wood paneling Source domoholic.ru
The advantages of lining include:
- The naturalness and ecological purity of the material , due to which a special microclimate is always created in the room.
- Durability . Under normal operating conditions, the lining will last 25 years without loss of quality and aesthetic characteristics.
- Durability and reliability . The wood has good strength properties, is not fragile, and is not afraid of mechanical and dynamic loads.
- Resistant to fading . The lining will not fade in the sun and will delight the owners with its attractive appearance for a long time.
Example of lining in the interior Source prom.st
Disadvantages include:
- Labor-intensive installation . The tongue-and-groove technology allows experienced people to carry out installation quickly, but if there is no experience, it may take a lot of time to install a stacked structure.
- The need for periodic staining . After installation, the lining must be painted with varnish or paint. This will protect it from cracking, premature aging and give it an attractive appearance. It is necessary to paint at a certain frequency, but at least once every 5 years.
- Expensive material . Compared to many finishing materials on the market, lining can be considered an expensive material. But, having such a set of advantages, the material is worth the money.
Option 2 – covering with plastic lining
When determining how to cover the inside of the loggia, you should pay attention to the plastic lining. This material has much more advantages than disadvantages. For insulated loggias, we can recommend plastic lining as an inexpensive, aesthetic material that does not fade in the sun, is easy to clean and does not require operating costs.
Loggia in plastic lining Source balkonysib.moscow
The advantages include high moisture resistance, ease of operation, resistance to sunlight, as well as a low price for the material. It is easy to install and comes in a variety of colors. Does not require permanent painting.
The disadvantage of such lining is fragility. It cannot withstand dynamic shock loads and can crack and break. If you care for it properly, the service life of the material will be more than 10 years.
Option 3 – covering with MDF clapboard
MDF lining (panels) is not as widespread as it deserves. It is made of chipboard and covered on top with a special decorative film with a pattern marked on it. Most often, the pattern imitates natural wooden lining. The width of the panel is 100-200 mm, a little wider than a classic wooden one, but it also looks decent when covered.
MDF lining is difficult to distinguish from wooden lining Source osteklenie-balkona-spb.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in finishing materials and related services.
The advantages of MDF lining are its great attractiveness at a low price. Service life more than 25 years with proper care. Excellent heat and sound insulation properties. Having a modest budget, dreaming of a classic wooden lining, when asked how to cover the walls on the loggia, you can safely answer: MDF lining.
Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the material’s insusceptibility to wet conditions. If moisture gets on the panel, it will become deformed. It is even recommended to care for and clean MDF lining with a dry sponge to avoid moisture getting on it. It is not advisable to use the material for cladding open loggias.
Sheathing with MDF panels in color Source panokna.ru
Option 4 – cladding with decorative stone
A chic option for cladding loggias. Decorative stone is presented in a variety of imitations of brick, natural stone and other materials. It can have both a rough and smooth surface. The colors have a very wide range. Using decorative stone, you can create unique interiors in loggias; it can be combined with other materials, and you can also use several of its types to form one pattern.
Loggia in decorative stone Source yandex.net
Combined version of stone cladding Source dekoriko.ru
The advantages of the material include low cost relative to natural stones, ease of installation, and long service life. The disadvantage of decorative stone is its fragility under mechanical stress, but chips can occur if preparation has not been carefully carried out.
Option 5 – covering with ceramic tiles
It is not surprising, but ceramic tiles are used not only for tiling bathrooms. It is quite appropriate to use it for lining the interior space of loggias. Are you thinking about how you can cover the inside of the loggia and create an unusual room, the tile option is for you! It must be mounted on pre-insulated walls on a metal frame. In the case of a heated loggia, installation with glue is also allowed. So, using inexpensive material you can create an interesting, practical interior.
Tile in the loggia Source narodnyeokna.ru
The advantages include ease of maintenance, the tiles are easy to clean and do not fade in the sun. With its help you can create multi-colored interiors in different styles and directions.
Among the disadvantages, we note that in the case of a non-glazed option, use is not recommended, because the tiles do not tolerate low temperatures and begin to crumble and collapse. The tiles are still difficult to install, but this is fully compensated by their ease of use.
Option 6 – cork lining
The original covering option is cork. Installation is not difficult and the price is relatively inexpensive. As a result of this finishing, the walls in the loggia become soft and pleasant to the touch. It's a pleasure to lean on such a wall.
Cork lining Source sofos-okna.ru
As advantages, we note that cork has good thermal and sound insulation properties, prevents the formation of condensation and is an absolutely hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly material. Calmly withstands large temperature differences, is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation and frost.
The disadvantage is the need to varnish the surface. An unprotected cork will begin to crumble over time. It is demanding in styling. Installation can only be done at positive temperatures and normal humidity.
Plastic sandwich panels
How to decorate the inside of a balcony in order to simultaneously insulate and soundproof it? A good option is plastic sandwich panels. They are a three-layer finishing material. The outer boards are made of durable, lightweight polyvinyl chloride. Its only drawback is fragility. If hit hard, it may burst.
The inner layer of such a panel is made of cellular material, which traps air bubbles, thanks to which it retains heat well and does not allow noise to pass through. External slabs do not absorb water, so the cellular layer is not destroyed by moisture and retains its properties for a long time.
There are several types of PVC panels:
- Laminated. The outer side of the panel is finished with a special film, which increases the strength of the slab and improves its appearance. There are films of various colors and textures, which expands design possibilities. You can choose plastic that imitates the look of natural wood or stone.
- With flexo printing. This is a type of panel with a pattern, which is opened on top with varnish, thereby improving the aesthetic and performance properties of the plastic. The varnish protects the material from water and ultraviolet radiation.
- With thermal transfer. Such panels are very beautiful, they are covered with color drawings. Thanks to a special technology, the paints retain their brightness for a long time. There are panels with gold and silver patterns that look great in natural light.
Plastic sandwich panels are simple and easy to install. They can be mounted at any angle, vertically or horizontally, and combined with each other. This is a practical finishing material with enormous design potential.
Plastic sandwich panels
Video description
Step-by-step video instructions for insulating a loggia for painting or finishing with plaster:
The advantages of decorative plaster are the biostability of the material, fire safety and durability. The disadvantages include the need to prepare the finishing layer with reinforced mesh. This slightly increases the cost of the coating, but it requires much more time than applying the plaster itself.
Option 11 – plasterboard sheathing
If you are interested in how you can beautifully sheathe the inside of a loggia, pay attention to drywall. Covering with this material will make it possible to perfectly align the walls and prepare them for finishing with wallpaper, painting, or implementing a combined option for wall decoration.
Drywall before finishing Source twimg.com
After finishing Source foreman-stepan.rf
Attention ! Only a closed loggia can be covered with plasterboard, since the material is not resistant to temperature changes.
The undoubted advantage of plasterboard is its non-flammability and fire safety. The service life of the material under normal operating conditions is 15 years.
The disadvantages include the complexity of the device and the need for additional work on puttying joints and painting or wallpapering.
Characteristics of wood for finishing
When choosing a type of wood, take into account the technical characteristics and decorative properties of the material. Avoid conifers, as pine and spruce release resin when exposed to sunlight. Many people choose pine because it makes the cheapest panels. This option is possible if the loggia faces north - but even under this condition, the surfaces should be carefully treated with special impregnations.
Pine lining is an inexpensive finishing material
At a temperature of about 50ºС, which is possible in summer, even cedar (Far Eastern or Siberian) releases resin. The exception is the “extra” class panels. If you are not limited in finances, you can choose cladding from expensive white or red Canadian cedar. These types of wood do not emit resin, but have all the advantages of coniferous wood, for example, creating a pleasant atmosphere that is good for health.
We suggest considering linden. Pleasant yellow, slightly golden color that does not change over the years, beautiful texture and low thermal conductivity are perfect for finishing work. Linden is more expensive than pine, but lasts much longer. In the same price category are oak, larch, abashi (African oak). The interior, decorated with the listed species, can safely be called elite - due to the high cost and noble appearance.
Decorating the room with larch
It is possible to save money by choosing alder or aspen. However, over time, aspen acquires an unpleasant gray tint. To avoid an undesirable prospect, tinted impregnations or paint and varnish products will help, which not only protect against mold, but also give a fresh, natural look. Alder has high thermal conductivity, but this is not significant for a balcony.
Covering the floor and ceiling of loggias
The floors in the loggias initially have a cement base. Before finishing the floors, you need to make sure that the screed is not broken. In case of integrity violation, it needs to be updated. Floor insulation is carried out if a warm loggia is planned. You can heat the room by installing heated floors.
It makes sense to decorate the ceilings on the loggia with the same materials as the walls, but you can also consider suspended ceilings or aluminum panels that are gradually coming into fashion.
Ceiling decoration with aluminum panels Source obustroeno.com
If you haven’t decided on your own what is the best way to sheathe the inside of the loggia, expert advice will come in handy:
- For the loggia floor, it is better to choose ceramic anti-slip coatings with a rough surface. Porcelain stoneware or clinker tiles are perfect.
- In the case of creating a warm room, you can cover the floor with wooden materials, including laminate.
- The ceiling in the loggia almost always repeats the material of the walls, but combined cladding options are increasingly finding their use. Ceilings can be sheathed with clapboard and MDF panels, plasterboard and siding, plaster or paint.
Important ! The sequence of covering the loggias: first the walls are covered, then the ceilings and only then the floors. Carefully completed work will always lead to the desired result.
Do-it-yourself step-by-step instructions for finishing a balcony with siding
What is siding? This is a facing material for external use, presented in the form of a plastic (PVC) profile. Siding is not afraid of severe frosts and is resistant to negative environmental influences. The only difference between panels of different brands is the level of resistance and duration of operation. However, if the lining is produced in different quality versions (not all of them can be used for exterior work), then any type of siding is suitable for exterior decoration; it is resistant to frost and other external weather influences.
In addition, due to the special design, even a beginner can handle the installation of siding. Another plus is that frequent lathing is not needed. If the profile was installed correctly - the recesses are directed downwards - the cladding is dense, the wind does not blow through it and moisture does not accumulate on it.
What is the step-by-step process for finishing a balcony with siding?
Action 1: preparatory work.
First, we dismantle the railings and remove the old finishing of the balcony. Using a grinder, we cut off the panel holders flush with the fencing bars. The joints should be inspected: if there are cracks in the fence, we fix them by welding.
We remove the cement from the lower edge of the balcony grille until solid concrete appears. To do this, we knock it down in sections. First, some kind of container (for example, a baking tray) must be tied to the outside of the fence, which will prevent broken pieces of cement from falling out. Think not only about the safety of your neighbors’ balconies, but also about the fact that a piece of concrete weighing 200–500 grams, falling from a height of 4 floors, can lead to an accident.
Using a wire brush, remove rust from the grille, then apply a rust primer, followed by a coat of paint. A border of concrete paint is not needed. After this, we check the level of the edge of the balcony along the perimeter, external and behind the bars. We achieve a perfectly flat surface by eliminating holes with cement. Have you noticed that the balcony leans to one side? In such a situation, you should stop repairs and consult a professional builder.
Action 2: lower and upper belt.
After making sure that the balcony slab is level, we make the lower belt of the sheathing from timber. The lower belt should be from 80 mm, for this you will need to lay out 2-3 rows of timber. Let's see how many whole strips of siding are required for the height of the fence (from the top edge to the bottom belt). The difference between siding and lining is that it cannot be cut lengthwise to size. If suddenly a few centimeters remain in the height of the cladding, then there is no point in raising it to another row of siding - it is inconvenient. It is better to leave this distance below, attaching the starting bar a little higher. Then the lower section of the wooden beam, not covered with siding, is simply painted.
The upper perimeter of the frame should be made of boards 60–100 mm wide. The outer edge should be flush with the sheathing strips, and the inner edge should be used as a support for the window sill. We attach the top belt of the sheathing to the metal fence so that its top edge is 2 cm higher than the top siding strip. This distance will be needed for the platband. Self-tapping screws and bolts are suitable as fastening elements.
Action 3: starting belt.
At the very bottom, we attach the starting profile to the horizontal strip of the sheathing with self-tapping screws; the successively installed siding strips will then rest on it. To make the work easier and safer, we will first make a safety loop from braid for the drill. We carefully tighten this loop around the wrist.
You can simplify the work (especially if it is performed by one person) by using 3-4 pieces of fishing line, one edge of which is attached to the inside of the upper belt. We tie a thick wire hook to the opposite edge. We attach the starting strip to these hooks, and then pass it over the railing and lower it down. We will do the same with the next siding strips in the future.
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- Arrangement of a small apartment
- Stages of renovation in an apartment
- Turnkey cosmetic repairs
Step 4: paint the bottom.
As soon as the sockets for the corners, as well as the starting strip, are secured, we apply two layers of paint to the remaining part of the lower belt (if the tree not covered by the siding is outside). Dry the paint layer thoroughly before applying a new one. We remember that the wood for sheathing should be treated with fungicides and impregnated with drying oil. Of course, over time, the paint underneath will peel off, but leaving the wood untreated is not an option; it will also become dark. And since only a maximum of 10 cm of the tree will be visible, this will not spoil the appearance of the balcony.
Of course, the excess wood below can be covered with half a strip of siding secured with self-tapping screws. Unfortunately, in this case, when the panels are not attached in a standard manner, the siding can be torn off by a strong gust of wind.
Step 5: attach the siding.
We begin to attach the siding. How to do it right? Look, the mounting slots in it are made oblong. Due to this, during thermal deformations, the panels move on the fasteners. There is no need to tighten the siding too much, otherwise the finishing material will swell and come off. How to attach siding using self-tapping screws? We attach the self-tapping screw to the magnetic attachment of the drill, and then screw it into the middle of the slot.
You can perform this operation with one hand (screws are much more convenient than nails), while you can hold the siding with your other hand.
To make it more convenient to work, and most likely you will be attaching the panels by weight or in a squat, first use a metal scribe to make a hole in the wood for the screw. Once it is screwed in, use a screwdriver to unscrew it one-fourth of a turn. Due to this, a backlash of 0.3–0.5 mm is formed. If you use nails, then they should not be finished to 1–1.5 mm. Of course, with such a gap, the siding will creak in windy weather. To provide thermal displacement, it is sufficient to loosen the fastening by 0.5 mm in the transverse direction of the play.
Step 6: External corners.
Before proceeding with the sheathing and cladding, the outer corners should be inserted into the lower slots. Then their upper ends are attached to the upper wooden belt. It is recommended to apply glue to the corner fastenings from below. Subsequently, we will push the sheathing beams under the corner flanges, while the siding will slide into their grooves.
Action 7: lathing work.
The width of the siding panel should be measured from the bottom edge of the lock of the first plank. We will use this step when attaching the sheathing beams to the fence. They must be secured using clamps and self-tapping screws. If you are a beginner, install the sheathing and siding at the same time. To do this, simply snap a strip of siding suspended on a fishing line with hooks into the starting profile. Draw a pencil along the top of the fence, then fasten the sheathing belt. Stick with this technology until you complete the job.
This way you can make the cladding parallel to the sheathing, while precise alignment will take place on site.
We slide the next strip of siding into the grooves of the outer corners, push it down until a characteristic click is heard. Then proceed to fastening the sheathing beams (parallel fastening technology). We repeat the steps until the work is completed. Ready! Now we proceed to attaching the platbands.
Examples of loggia cladding: photos and videos
Study. Plasterboard sheathing for painting. Floor – ceramic tiles Source yandex.net
Combined cladding option: decorative tiles and plaster Source pinimg.com
Decorative plaster, floor - tiles Source okna-dom.net
Interior in plastic panels Source yandex.net
Ceramic tile
The simplest, most affordable, and never outdated type of wall material is ceramic tiles. It truly is a panacea in many situations. As in the case of artificial stone, tiles are usually used to cover surfaces most susceptible to contamination, and the upper part of the walls is painted or wallpapered. If the design of the balcony allows, it can be completely tiled with ceramic tiles, choosing different shades of tiles for the panels and top.
Unlike many finishing materials, tiles can be used to cover not only walls, but also floors, harmoniously combining colors. A warm floor with electric heating is installed under the tiles, and then the room can be used comfortably even in winter. This is especially convenient when the balcony is adapted as a study or attached to a living room or kitchen.
Briefly about the main thing
Sheathing a loggia and turning a previously uninhabited space into a cozy corner in the house is no longer a new trend in interior design. There are more than a dozen materials that can be used to cover a loggia. Their selection is made based on the final use of the premises.
You can cover the loggia with classic clapboard in wood or plastic, or use decorative stone for decoration, use simple ceramic tiles or surprise everyone with cork material, use fashionable siding or create a masterpiece using drywall - the choice is up to the owner of the house.
Having decided on the wall covering material, you need to decide how to finish the floors and ceilings. Ultimately, the loggia will become a wonderful place in your home and will fully correspond to its new purpose.
Installation using mounting strips
This method is used if the sheathing is made of plastic profiles. They have a special groove into which the mounting plate is inserted. When pressed, it is fixed inside the profile, and then the edge of the panel is inserted behind the protruding tongue. In this way, all finishing strips are installed sequentially.
The advantages of this option are high speed and low need for additional materials. No additional fastening is required, with the exception of the outer panels, which need to be screwed on with self-tapping screws for rigidity.
Finishing material criteria
In the process of choosing finishing materials for loggias and balconies, you need to take into account a number of criteria:
- High levels of moisture resistance and heat retention.
- Easy care and maintenance.
- Reasonable price.
- Safety for human health.
- Long service life.
- No vulnerability to UV rays or temperature changes.
- The presence of soundproofing properties.
- Nice appearance.
Helpful advice! When choosing a material, you need to think about which side the balcony is located on and what style the room from which you can access it is decorated in.
Fastening methods
Fastening the plastic covering is carried out in a variety of ways.
Most often used for fixation:
- nails or screws;
- staples with a stapler;
- liquid nails and other specialized adhesive mixtures.
If the walls on the balcony are fairly smooth, then you can also use special clips for fastening.
Liquid Nails
Installation of panels on leveled walls is often done using specialized adhesives. In this case, installation is usually carried out without constructing a lathing structure, so all installation work is carried out very quickly and with minimal financial investment.
The main disadvantages of this installation method include the impossibility of additional insulation and some difficulties when replacing damaged panels during the operation of the balcony.
Metal or wood sheathing
Installing panels using wooden or metal sheathing is a more complex and time-consuming process. The construction of the frame base is carried out using wooden blocks or slats.
In poorly heated rooms with fairly high humidity, professionals advise using galvanized metal profiles. It is installed in the same way as a wooden one, but its cost is slightly higher.
