The balcony and loggia have long ceased to be a place for storing old and seasonal things - increasingly, this small room is being turned into a full-fledged place of relaxation. A pleasant atmosphere with a touch of country coziness is created by decorating the balcony with a block house. Due to the convex shape, reminiscent of a beam, instead of a glazed box, it looks like a country terrace. The impression is enhanced by deliberately rough decorative elements - forged items, beams, stones. On such a balcony you can escape from the bustle of the city, enjoy a cup of tea, board games with friends or an interesting book.
What is a block house
A block house is a type of lining - a planed cladding board with a tongue-and-groove joint, the front side of which has a rounded convex shape. Covering with this finishing material imitates a wall built from rounded timber.
There are ventilation grooves on the back side of the board, which ensures air exchange of the sheathed surface. Gutters along the entire length reduce the internal tension of the wood, due to which the lining is less warped and does not crack
The edges of the block house are made in the form of a tenon on one side, and in the form of a groove on the other. The depth of the groove is slightly greater than the height of the tenon - this ensures the reliability of the connection during possible shrinkage of the panels and seasonal distortions of the building itself.
During production, the wood undergoes deep drying - the finished elements have a moisture content of 15%. Due to this, the material has a low specific gravity and is suitable for finishing balconies.
Block house profile
General information
Concept of material
Finishing with such material makes it possible to imitate the real beauty of logs at a high level, but such artificial parts are much cheaper, and their performance characteristics are much better than those of natural wood.
Advantages of finishing
According to reviews from those who have already worked with this material, the result is excellent, and most importantly, the room looks natural!
- The material is 100% environmentally friendly.
- It is light in weight and quite durable.
- It is resistant to temperature fluctuations.
- Humidity is low (less than 15%), which is achieved through deep drying during manufacturing, and this to a certain extent protects the material from cracking, rotting, twisting, fungi and other types of deformation.
- Excellent thermal insulation properties.
- Easy to install, use and maintain.
- Unique decorative qualities.
- Durability (lasts more than 17 years).
- Versatility - you can use the material for finishing interior and exterior surfaces.
- Reasonable price.
Classification and types of panels
A material such as block house can be classified according to several different parameters that will affect the cost and quality of the products:
According to the type of wood from which the block house is made
- Class “C” - here it is acceptable to use a poorly processed front surface, the presence of different knots, remnants of bark and wormholes, minor mechanical damage (small cracks, chips, scratches).
- Class “B” - the front side looks attractive, well processed, there is much less damage (cracks, chips, darkening and knots) than in class “C” material.
- Class “A” - a well-processed surface “from the face”, there are no traces of any type of mechanical damage. Only knots that may differ slightly from the main color of the material are acceptable.
- Class “E” (extra) - an ideal, even without a hint of damage, surface on which there are no knots or other defects. For this type of material, the selection of raw materials and their sorting is carried out only manually.
By size
- The thickness of the panels can be from 15 to 50 mm (standard thickness is from 22 to 45 mm).
- The length varies from 2 to 6 meters.
- The width varies from 90 to 190 mm.
For wood
- Hardwood panels - ash, oak and aspen.
- Panels made of coniferous species - spruce, cedar, larch, pine.
Advantages and disadvantages of the material
The block house is popular due to its advantages:
- Made from solid wood;
- Characterized by a good margin of safety;
- Operates in any climatic conditions, resistant to sudden temperature changes;
- Universal in use - suitable for exterior and interior decoration;
- The aesthetic appearance is maintained for 15-20 years;
- Light weight does not overload load-bearing structures and foundations;
- Does not curl, does not crack;
- Provides noise and heat insulation;
- Resistant to fungus and rotting (due to the low moisture content of the material);
- Available in a wide range of colors;
- When using coniferous wood, natural waterproofing is ensured (due to the resin content);
- Simple and easy to install, does not require special care during operation;
- Eco-friendly, distributes a pleasant aroma;
- Wide range of prices - varies depending on the class and type of wood.
Variety of block house shades
Disadvantages include:
- The flammability of the material (reduced by impregnation with special compounds);
- Decent thickness of the cladding layer;
Cladding with a block house “takes away” the internal space - at least 10 cm from the length and width of the balcony.
Choosing a block house for a balcony
The building materials market offers types of block houses made of different materials, differing in size and quality. It is used for finishing interior surfaces and exterior walls. The choice of lumber directly for the interior design of the balcony has its own nuances.
Material of manufacture
This type of lining is made from coniferous and deciduous wood. For finishing a balcony/loggia, it is better to give preference to the first group - pine, spruce, fir, larch, cedar. The resins contained in it contribute to the natural waterproofing of the room. The room is filled with a pleasant pine aroma, creating a healthy microclimate.
The price of the product depends significantly on the type of wood. Democratic materials are a block house made of pine and spruce. But larch is an expensive elite wood, characterized by a beautiful texture, pleasant shades, high density, strength, and long service life.
There is also a metal, vinyl, plastic block house. These are lightweight, inexpensive cladding materials with siding fastenings. Suitable for finishing balconies and loggias, but do not create the appropriate aura. They successfully imitate a log house, but only from afar. Up close, the replacement is too noticeable visually, there is no corresponding smell, no feeling of warmth and comfort, no pleasant sensations when touched. Non-natural materials are used only on a very modest budget.
If you like to spend time on the loggia or it faces the sunny side, use natural materials
Optimal sizes
Since a balcony is initially a small room, you should not use too thick cladding. You should choose a block house with a minimum thickness of 2-3 cm and a width of up to 10 cm. This type of material is called for interior decoration.
Wood type
When producing a block house, lumber is not separated. All boards go through the same technological cycle in the same workshops. Based on quality criteria and presentation, ready-made elements are selected at the sorting stage. The following classes are distinguished:
- “C” – the surface is planed, the knots differ in color, they may fall out. Minor chips, scratches, cracks, bark residues are allowed;
- “B” – the quality of planing is higher, fewer defects per linear meter are allowed. Slight darkening of the wood is allowed.
- “A” – the front surface is well planed, a small number of captive knots is acceptable.
- “E” (Extra) – the front side is perfectly smooth, without defects.
Class “A” and “E” lumber is used for interior cladding - they look presentable and last longer.
Sosnovy BH "extra" class
Varieties
A block house can be made of metal and wood. Let us examine in more detail what characteristics these types of finishing materials have.
Wooden
First, it’s worth considering what is good about cladding a house with wooden coverings:
- Such materials have a natural and expensive design. Buildings decorated in this way look cozy and welcoming.
- A wooden block house is an environmentally friendly material. It contains no dangerous chemical compounds. Even at high temperatures, such cladding will not emit harmful substances.
- A block house made of wood is a wear-resistant material. It is not easy to damage or break. He is not afraid of shocks and mechanical damage.
- High-quality panels are not susceptible to mold and mildew.
- The block house boasts excellent sound and waterproofing characteristics. In addition, such material will retain heat inside the house.
- Installation of wooden panels is simple and affordable. Even an inexperienced home craftsman can handle it.
The main disadvantage of a wooden block house is that it must be regularly treated with antiseptic agents. If such measures are neglected, such material may rot, lose its brightness of color and become a haven for wood parasites.
In addition, many consumers include its high cost as a number of disadvantages of a wooden block house.
For interior finishing, thinner lamellas with a thickness of 20-24 mm are used. Such coatings can only be used as decorative design elements. They are perfect for interior decoration because they are thin and do not take up excess space.
The block house is made from various types of wood and is divided into several classes.
- "Extra". Such finishing materials are of the highest quality. They have a pleasant smooth surface without the slightest defect. A block house like this is expensive because it undergoes complex processing.
- "A". Materials of this class may have small knots, minor mechanical damage, and darkened areas on their surface. In some places such a board may be uneven.
- "IN". A class block house may have cracks, knots and other noticeable defects.
- "WITH". Products of this class often have serious damage, noticeable cracks and knots.
Metal
Now it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the positive characteristics of a metal block house:
- this material is not subject to deformation even when exposed to low and high temperatures (from -50 to +80 degrees);
- metal block house is a durable material. It can last more than 50 years;
- such material is not afraid of sunlight and precipitation;
- metal block house is an environmentally friendly and safe material;
- it is not flammable;
- its installation is also considered quite simple;
- such finishing material does not need to be regularly maintained using expensive products;
- a metal block house can be laid on foundations consisting of any materials, but most often the floors of the house or the pediment are sheathed with this material;
- Such panels are inexpensive, especially when compared with natural wood coverings.
The only and main disadvantage of a metal block house is its impressive weight. That is why you can purchase such material only if the walls of the house are strong enough and reliable. There is a lightweight alternative to this material - an aluminum block house. However, it is less durable. It can be easily dented and damaged.
Preparation for finishing work
Before you begin the sheathing itself, you need to prepare.
- Cleaning the work area
All things are removed from the loggia or balcony. The treated surfaces are cleaned, old finishes, insulation, and vapor barriers are removed. Cracks and crevices are sealed.
- Calculation of the required amount of finishing material
When covering surfaces, square meters of area are covered, so the calculation of such materials is carried out precisely in them. First, find the area of the surface to be treated. To do this, the height of the room is multiplied by its perimeter and the area of windows and doorways is subtracted. If the ceiling of the balcony is also covered with a block house, then its area is added to the total.
Then the area covered by one board is determined - its working width (excluding the tenon) is multiplied by the length. To calculate how many elements will be needed, you need to divide the total area of the surfaces being processed by the area covered by one board.
- Tool preparation
The necessary tools and fasteners should be at hand. Therefore, they should be prepared in advance.
- Preparation of material
The panels of the block house are unpacked and kept on the balcony for at least a day. This is necessary to acclimatize the material, equalize its humidity, and prevent shrinkage after sheathing. If the balcony is not glazed, then the boards protect from possible precipitation.
Before use, the block house must be unpacked and kept for at least 24 hours at the place of use to prevent shrinkage and deformation after installation.
How to sheathe: step-by-step instructions
Cladding the walls of a block house can be easily done with your own hands. Installation work does not require careful cleaning and leveling of the base, since the panels are attached to the sheathing. Before starting the main work, it is recommended to treat the planks of the block house outside and inside with an antiseptic compound and dry at room temperature.
Surface preparation
To protect the base from the adverse effects of external factors and microorganisms, it is necessary to clean it of contaminants and treat it with antiseptic impregnation. If there are significant unevenness on the surface, the wall must be leveled with plaster or putty.
The main preparatory stage before cladding a block house with panels is the installation of the frame. For the lathing, timber is used, the thickness of which can be from three to four centimeters. The slats are vertically attached to the surface at intervals of 50-65 centimeters using dowels and self-tapping screws.
First you need to attach the slats in opposite corners of the room. When installing timber in the corners, its upper part is fixed first. The correct position of the lower part is determined using a building level.
A rope is stretched between the installed slats, then the remaining parts of the structure are fastened, starting from the middle of the wall.
Installation
It is recommended to start fastening the block house panels from the bottom of the wall, moving towards the ceiling. It is necessary to leave a small gap (no more than a centimeter) between the first panel and the floor to form good ventilation. The material is attached to the frame using self-tapping screws.
The screws are screwed into the groove using a screwdriver at an angle of 30-45 degrees. As an alternative fastener, you can use special clamps. The advantage of this type of fastening is that it will be hidden behind the panels.
Each subsequent panel is placed with a tenon in the groove of the previous plank and knocked down for better fixation using a carpenter's hammer. If wall cladding is carried out in a room with high humidity, then it is recommended to leave a gap of a couple of millimeters between the panels. This will avoid deformation of the block house.
Technology for installing a block house on a balcony
Finishing with this lumber does not require special knowledge and extensive experience in construction work. You can figure out the process yourself. But, as in any construction, it is important to follow technology. Proper block house cladding will last at least 15-20 years without requiring repairs.
The technology for covering balconies with a block house includes the following steps:
Condensation protection
The surface of the wall facing the street is covered with a layer of vapor barrier - PVC film or glassine. Lay the sheets overlapping by 10-15 cm and secure with aluminum tape.
Installation of sheathing
Before finishing the block house, installation of the sheathing is mandatory - this way the stress on the elements is distributed evenly, preventing their deformation. For the sheathing, take bars 2x5 cm or 2.5x5 cm. Attach them to the wall in a vertical position in increments of 60-70 cm and around window and door openings. The distance from the corner to the outer plank is 5-7 cm. Depending on the wall material, fastening is carried out with dowels, screws, and nails.
Installation of sheathing on brackets
Using a level, the bars are given a strictly vertical position. You can level the working surface of the sheathing horizontally by using a piece of block house of the appropriate length, applying it to the front planes of the planks. If necessary, they are loosened, pieces of plastic or wood are placed, and tightened again.
Installation of bars on hangers
The front surfaces of the sheathing must lie in the same plane. Therefore, they are aligned vertically and horizontally.
Thermal insulation of the balcony
Thermal insulation boards are installed between the lathing strips - glass wool, mineral wool, polystyrene foam, etc. This insulation option is preferable, since it does not take up additional internal space.
Thermal insulation with polystyrene foam
If the balcony is open, vapor and heat insulation is not required.
Installation of a block house
When sheathing, the block house is placed with the tenon facing upward to prevent moisture from accumulating in the grooves. The first panel to be installed is leveled horizontally. To install each subsequent element, the tongue-and-groove joint is upset by lightly tapping with a hammer. The blows are applied through a wooden block so as not to damage the lining itself. The last board usually needs to be trimmed along its entire length. An even cut is made with a grinder or circular saw.
Installation of a block house
The elements of the block house are fastened with the tenon facing up so that moisture does not accumulate in the grooves.
It is advisable to fasten the panels in such a way that the fastening elements on the finished wall are not visible. There are two ways of such installation - with nails (screws) or with the help of clamps, which are brackets with mounting holes.
Methods for attaching a block house
In the first case, the plating is carried out from the bottom up. To attach to the sheathing, nails are driven into the tenon at a slight angle with a downward slope. When using self-tapping screws, pre-drilling is done.
In the second case, finishing begins from the ceiling and is carried out from top to bottom. The clamps are installed in the groove of the lining without damaging the wood structure. The boards are fastened to the sheathing strips using self-tapping screws (nails) through the fastening holes of the bracket. This installation method is preferable, as it eliminates the appearance of splits and cracks that are possible when using nails. Sheathing is much easier and faster.
Panel with clamp
You can attach the house block directly through the “ridge”. In this case, self-tapping screws are used, the heads of which are recessed by 1 cm, and then masked with wood putty.
Joint finishing
Corner joints are made in several ways - by cutting the ends at 45 degrees and joining, using additional internal square bars, and overlaying corners. Joints along the length are masked with strips. Decorative elements and overlays are attached to assembly glue or liquid nails.
Methods for finishing joints
Finishing
A block house installed on a balcony must be treated with an antiseptic. To protect against dust, moisture, dirt, and grease, the surface is coated with special compounds. These are transparent or tinted varnishes, gels, waxes, mastics. They increase the service life of the finish, allow you to achieve the desired shade of the surface and highlight the texture of the wood. You can use contrasting colors to shade the main wall and overlays.
Finished interior decoration of the balcony
Read more about the means for protective and decorative treatment of wooden lining in this article.
Room decoration ideas
Today there are many ideas for using a block house in the interior. This material is often used in combination with bright paint or decorative plaster and wallpaper. Cladding with natural stone and finishing with panels will allow you to make high-quality repairs that you won’t have to think about for many years.
Wooden panels placed on one of the walls in the bedroom look especially beautiful. Thus, the sleeping area acquires an interesting design, combining style and utility at the same time. Wood fills the room with a pleasant aroma and creates an excellent environment for relaxation. A corner covered with a block house looks unusual in the bedroom interior. In order not to disturb the unity of the image, it is recommended to decorate the ceiling with boards. An interesting decor option can be obtained by decorating one of the bedroom walls with a block house and the other with clapboard.
If you need to create a Provence style, then it is best to use natural wood panels for interior decoration in the apartment, giving preference to light shades. In this case, the installation location for them can be not only a wall, but also ceilings or furniture. Thanks to the play of colors and the use of boards of different textures in the rooms, it is possible to create an environment that will resemble a merchant or noble house.
The living room is considered the face of the owners, so its design should be appropriate. To fill this room with chic and beauty, it is enough to cover the walls and ceiling with expensive wood. It is advisable to choose panels that imitate the natural pattern of an array in the form of knots. At the same time, one wall looks good covered with wooden panels, while the others are decorated with decorative plaster. This idea allows you to avoid monotony in the interior and fill the space with natural motifs.
The design of the corridor or hallway also occupies a special place in the interior. For these rooms, you can combine a block house with lining for wall cladding. The result will be an interesting transition in lines and colors. If the corridor and hallway are small, then you need to choose light shades of panels. Both brown and gray colors are suitable for this. If the area of these premises is large, then it is recommended to decorate them in a country style and try to use the maximum number of colors in the cladding. A combination of wooden panels with metal, stone and glass is also allowed for cladding the walls of the corridor.
The block house has also found its place in kitchen decor. For this room, you can choose boards of different colors. Kitchens in Provence and Catri styles look especially elegant. The block house is installed on walls, ceilings, partitions are made from it and all surfaces are painted with warm colors. An original solution would be to treat the boards in an antiqued manner, after which they will become rough and cracked. If the kitchen is decorated in the “Russian hut” style, then its interior can be diluted with artistic painting.
In the interior of the bathroom, it is important to create a feeling of coziness and comfort, therefore, when covering the walls and ceiling, you need to choose the right color of the block house. Chocolate, white, gray, beige and tar-black shades of wood will look good in the bathroom
In this case, the decorative finish should be supplemented with carvings and patterns. In addition, cool or neutral shades can be used in the bathroom interior. It is best to install the block house in this room on one of the walls, and also decorate the washbasin area with paneling
It is worth paying attention to the fact that the color of the furniture, ceiling and flooring should be in harmony with the wooden panels
You can learn more about the block house for interior decoration from the following video.
Useful video on the topic
The whole process of transforming a loggia using a block house:
A couple of secrets from the pros:
An example of using a block house on a loggia:
Finishing a balcony with a block house does not require deep construction knowledge, but some skill is still necessary. You will need tools that not everyone has available, and a reserve of patience. An amateur will spend quite a lot of time decorating a balcony, while a professional will finish the job two to three times faster. The difference of several thousand rubles is paid off by the quality of work.
