Exterior finishing: how to inexpensively and quickly cover the outside of a balcony

Balcony decoration, both internal and external, is an important stage in the interior design of the entire apartment. The use of high-quality modern materials will help make this room attractive and comfortable even when the balcony or loggia is not used as a living room.

The most popular type of finishing for balconies is panels. On construction markets you can find a huge number of panels of different materials, shapes, colors and textures. Such an abundance of choice often confuses novice repairmen. In this case, the purchase should be approached with full responsibility, clearly distinguishing between their properties and purpose.

Requirements for different types of balconies

In this article we will look at several types of balconies - warm and cold. Warm balconies, as a rule, are fully glazed and insulated. But both glazed and open rooms can be cold.

Cold glazing with single glass with aluminum frames.

Each of them has its own rules for choosing building materials, since the operating conditions for these premises are completely different.

Requirements for materials on cold balconies

Open (unglazed) balconies are constantly exposed to weather conditions not only from the outside, but also from the inside.

Exterior finishing of the balcony with vinyl siding.

Therefore, the panels for them should be:

• wear-resistant;
• resistant to moisture;
• durable;
• have strong fastenings;
• resistant to temperature changes.

If the balcony is glazed but not insulated, the requirements remain the same. The only caveat is that when the room is used as a living room in the summer, the material should be as aesthetic as possible.

Plastic lining will withstand any changes on a cold balcony.

Requirements for materials on insulated balconies

Insulated balconies are most often used as functional rooms - bedrooms, dressing rooms, offices and flower beds.

Modern balcony decoration with MDF panels.

Residents of the apartment spend no less time here than in other rooms, and therefore finishing materials should be:

• aesthetically attractive;
• environmentally friendly;
• resistant to insects, fungi and bacteria;
• practical to care for.

Here you can choose options not only from PVC, but also from wood, decorative stone, etc.

Balcony finishing with decorative stone and laminate.

Of course, there are other nuances in choosing panels for a balcony. For example, if the renovation is planned on the sunny side, it is better to choose finishing options that do not fade in the sun. In windy areas, siding is a good option for exterior finishing.

The lining can be painted in any color.

Exterior finishing: functionality and design

When planning a major overhaul or complete reconstruction, take into account the design features of the façade of the house and the methods of glazing in neighboring apartments. If all floors sparkle with white vinyl siding, it is hardly appropriate to decorate the outside of the balcony with wooden paneling with openwork carvings. Or sheets of corrugated sheets painted poisonous green. Particular care is required when interfering with the appearance of a historical building - against the backdrop of luxurious balustrades and stucco cornices, cheap plastic will look ridiculous and tasteless.

The atmosphere inside the room, especially temperature and humidity, depends on the cladding method. A thin layer of plastic will only protect from precipitation, and then only for a short period. Decorating the outside of the balcony with expensive materials, additional insulation and waterproofing guarantee a comfortable temperature and optimal humidity for a long time.

Balcony insulation with penoplex

When drawing up an “internal” project for a future additional room, do not forget about the exterior decoration. The safety of the concrete screed, walls, flooring, and the appearance of the building as a whole depends on it.

Features of using panels on the balcony

We can safely say that panels are one of the most popular types of finishing materials for balconies. This is due to their cost, aesthetics and ease of installation. Although each type of panel has its own usage and mounting characteristics, in general they are very easy to work with.

So, the advantages of finishing the balcony with panels:

1. Ease of installation - all necessary fasteners, tools and instructions can be easily found in the same construction department;
2. Aesthetics – you can find a suitable panel option for any interior style;
3. Versatility of use - it doesn’t matter what surface you mount the panels on (wood, brick or concrete);
4. Affordability – a wide price range allows you to choose a panel option even for budget repairs;
5. Ease of care - most manufacturers have long made sure that washing this finishing material does not cause difficulties;
6. Various panels do not require finishing.

Depending on the original material of the panels, their properties may vary. For example, plastic will be an excellent sound insulator, and wood will complement the eco-friendly interior.

Modern pine clapboard trim.

All panels do not have any shortcomings as such. The only caveat is the personal preferences of the owner of the balcony, who simply does not like the appearance of such finishing.

Some disadvantages can be found when using specific materials - this will be discussed further.

Selecting panels for different types of balconies

Based on the characteristics of certain materials, you can easily select panels for finishing a specific balcony. For example:

• For exterior decoration, siding or imitation timber is perfect.
• on open balconies you can use PVC panels, imitation timber, MDF panels (if the balcony does not receive a large amount of precipitation);
• glazed but not insulated balconies should be sheathed with clapboard (both plastic and high-quality wood), MDF or 3D panels;
• isolated rooms are best decorated with wood or wood-based materials (lining, MDF, bamboo panels, laminate, etc.).

The rule is quite simple - if the balcony is poorly insulated, it is better to use plastic. If you have taken care of glazing, sealing and insulation, you can safely choose wood or other natural materials.

Methods for attaching panels to the balcony

Most of the panels listed above can be easily attached to any balcony surface with your own hands. There are several ways to start covering walls or ceilings:

1. Using lathing;

2. On an adhesive base.

In the first case, the lathing is made of either wood or metal, depending on the selected panel material. Of course, a base made of wooden blocks is easier to make, and its cost is lower.

As for gluing the panels, you will have to work hard on choosing a high-quality adhesive composition that will exactly match the original materials (for example, a concrete wall and PVC panel).

Plastic, wood panels, laminate, MDF boards have special grooves along the edges, with the help of which parts of the material fit together easily and tightly. Various fasteners, such as clamps, will help make the sheathing neat and the fastenings invisible.

The clamps remain inside the connection.

Do-it-yourself exterior cladding

You can cover the balcony block with your own hands. Let's look at the installation process using corrugated sheets as an example:

• First you need to dismantle the old casing. After this, it is necessary to install the sheathing on the metal structures (corner posts located around the perimeter);
• Then you need to drill two holes with a diameter of about 4 mm in each rack. It is necessary to leave no more than 1 mm between them;
• It is recommended to drill holes from the inside of the balcony without going outside;
• This is not at all difficult to do. To do this, you can attach the sheathing to self-tapping screws. Don't forget about this when you go shopping for the necessary fasteners;
• As a result, you should have a double belt made up of boards located around the perimeter;
• The wood must be treated with a special waterproof impregnation;
• Only after these steps can you begin to install ready-made corrugated sheets of the correct sizes;
• The sheets must be screwed using screws with special seals. At the corners, the structure should be decorated with corner profiles;
• It is necessary to adjust the parts using special scissors for cutting metal;
• If there are scratches on the sheets, they can be easily hidden. To do this, you should turn to special waterproof paint.

You can see the process of cladding the outer façade of a balcony more clearly in the following video:

You can also install siding panels yourself. Let's consider the step-by-step installation of such materials:

• First you need to familiarize yourself with the technical condition of the balcony block. It is necessary to carry out restoration work if necessary;
• Siding cannot be installed until you have installed a special frame on which the panels will be attached. Most often it is made up of boards and beams. If funds allow, then a more reliable metal frame can be installed;
• Do not forget about installing high-quality insulation on the balcony;
• After all the preparatory work, you can begin installing the siding. You need to secure the corners at the corners. The side ends of the panels will be installed in them;
• At the bottom of the balcony block you need to attach the starting strip using self-tapping screws. It is on this part that the panels will be attached;
• Next, you need to insert the first sheet of siding into the grooves on the plank. The panel is secured with self-tapping screws on the front side;
• Do not tighten the fasteners all the way. You need to leave about 1-2 mm of free space. This rule must be followed so that in case of exposure to high temperatures, the siding does not become deformed due to the fastener heads;
• In a similar way, it is necessary to continue installation from the bottom to the top.

In the video below you can see the entire process of covering a balcony with siding panels:

If you install all the panels correctly and competently, then there will be no need for additional sealing. Experts recommend sealing all cracks and grooves with sealant before directly installing the panels. This is necessary to provide a high level of protection against moisture, dampness, drafts and low temperatures.