How much can you enlarge a balcony without permission?

The apartment seems spacious - only for the first time after moving in, when it is not yet fully furnished. But after living in it for several years, the owners begin to think about additional square meters. Since it is impossible to make the rooms larger, some decided to expand the living space by adding a balcony. There are several ways to enlarge a small balcony, and one of them is to expand along the base of the slab. Extending the slab is especially beneficial when its original dimensions are not too large.

Balcony expansion process video

Expanding balconies today is a popular procedure that allows you to increase the area of living space in a relatively short time. There are several options for expanding the balcony space, the choice of which depends on how much the apartment owners want to increase the area and what funds they have. With a slight increase in the balcony area - up to 50 cm, repair work can be carried out without permission and legally. If the work is expected to be large-scale, it is impossible to do without numerous trips to obtain permission from various authorities.

Expanding the balcony is a popular procedure today that allows you to increase the area of the room.

The owner of an apartment in Khrushchev may have a desire to expand the premises, since the area there is small, and the presence of a balcony is a good way to increase it. You can enlarge the room yourself or by turning to professionals for help.

Light work that does not require additional permission is carried out independently. For example, such a procedure as increasing the window sill with certain knowledge and skill is quite accessible to any person.

In old houses, even minor changes need to obtain permission from the relevant authorities. In the “Khrushchev”, by law it is allowed to increase the balcony on all sides by a maximum of 50 cm. There are cases when the increase was carried out over a greater distance. Without obtaining permission, you can expand by 15-30 cm along the base of the slab.

Professional consultation is required for any significant design changes. All stages of increasing the balcony floor and replacing the parapet must be carried out in high quality and with high-quality materials.

Recommendations

Of course, a lot of documents need to be collected in order to expand the living space of the apartment and not break the law. Therefore, many owners resort to slightly expanding the balcony so as not to have problems with the law and not to spend large sums of money on restoration and construction of the foundation. Of course, the redevelopment may not be legalized, but over time, residents may encounter a lot of problems, and this is especially important if in the future they want to sell their apartment. The biggest problems in the absence of documents arise when registering an inheritance, so it is advisable to think about this before starting construction work.

Glazing of a balcony in Khrushchev

The small size of balconies in old houses makes it a little difficult to manufacture window frames and install them.

Based on the purpose of the new balcony area and financial resources, you can choose one of the following types of balcony glazing in Khrushchev:

Aluminum;
PVC;
Wooden;
Panoramic.

Glazing a balcony in a Khrushchev building is not a luxury, but a necessity

Aluminum window systems are light, durable and practical, but are suitable if the balcony is not combined with the living area, because... Windows are not able to retain heat during the cold period. Thanks to modern technologies, aluminum frames began to be produced with additional insulated inserts.

PVC systems are the most popular and affordable. Optimal price, high wear resistance to external environmental factors and excellent operating quality allow customers to make a choice in their favor. But before installing plastic windows in a Khrushchev-era building, you need to “weigh” everything, because PVC is a heavy material that not every structure can withstand, especially not a Soviet balcony. Experts recommend the installation of such windows in both residential and non-residential premises with two- or three-chamber double-glazed windows.

Wooden windows are the best, but expensive option. Due to its environmental friendliness, high thermoregulation and beautiful appearance, wood is inferior in wear resistance. Humidity and sudden changes in temperature over time can lead to deformation of wooden frames, their disintegration, resulting in disruption of the temperature regime in the premises.

An important role in arranging a Khrushchev balcony is the installation of windows

When choosing a natural type of system, you should choose frames in favor of oak or coniferous species. In addition, they are easy to install yourself, which will save the family money.

Panoramic or frameless glazing is rarely used due to low thermal insulation.

But such systems have many additional advantages:

Wide view;
Light weight;
Strength;
Creation of additional balcony area;
Saving on finishing and decor.

Features and Benefits

When extending balcony glazing beyond the boundaries established by the house design, you need to remember that you can only increase the volume by 30 cm on each side without obtaining permission from the BTI. This is quite enough to organize a wide window sill for seedlings or install furniture that was just a little short to fit into the size of the balcony.

But if you decide to make a larger increase, then you will have to spend more than one day to obtain a permit. It's difficult, but still possible.

There are times when it is not possible to expand the balcony.

The building is too old for renovation. If the balcony is more than 20 years old, then it is unlikely to be expanded.
When the weight of the glazing exceeds 80 kg. This happens if plastic structures are used.
Inappropriate location. Cigarette butts and other rubbish will be thrown onto the canopy from the upper floors; it will only be possible to remove it from the neighbors.

How to legalize a balcony on the first floor

4. The decision to approve or refuse approval must be made based on the results of consideration of the relevant application and other documents submitted in accordance with Part 2 of this article by the body carrying out the approval, no later than forty-five days from the date of submission of these documents to this body.

5. The body carrying out the approval, no later than three working days from the date of the decision on approval, issues or sends to the address specified in the application to the applicant a document confirming the adoption of such a decision. The form and content of this document are established by the federal executive body authorized by the Government of the Russian Federation. (as amended by Federal Law No. 160-FZ dated July 23, 2008) (see text in the previous edition)

How to expand a balcony slab on the first floor

The lower floor opens up limitless (within reason) possibilities for expanding the balcony slab. To install it, do not mount a metal frame to the wall of the house and carry out welding work. The advantage of the lower floor is that all work is carried out from the surface of the ground.

First, a shallow strip foundation is laid around the perimeter of the future slab, and supporting walls made of brick, foam blocks or other building materials are erected on it. The height of the walls should be level with the slab. Logs made of timber or metal channels are laid on the side walls, and a plank floor is laid on them. You can also install a reinforced concrete slab, make a screed on it and cover it with any floor covering: ceramic tiles, laminate, linoleum, depending on how the room will be used.

To expand the balcony on the second floor, supports are used: concrete pillars, metal pipes. They are installed under the projecting corners of the frame, buried in the ground and concreted to provide stability. The structure rests entirely on pillars, so there is no need to build a metal frame made of pipes; it is enough to fix the profile to the wall at the lower level. In the same way, you can expand the balcony on the first floor if you do not plan to use the space under the balcony as a cellar.

Increasing a balcony along a slab is a difficult task; in some cases it requires the use of special equipment (tower) and electrical equipment (welding machine, drill with bits). Before deciding to expand, you should carefully weigh your strengths. The attached photos and videos contain additional information that will help implement plans for remodeling the balcony.

Every owner of a small balcony dreams of expanding it. If the owners of an apartment need additional space, they may be faced with the question of expanding the balcony. Today, this procedure has become widespread, thanks to the opportunity to make the apartment more spacious. Technologically, enlarging a balcony is a rather complicated procedure that requires cost and effort. However, it is feasible if you strictly follow the instructions and recommendations of professionals. Extended balconies are subsequently glazed, insulated, finished and used as additional living space. There are different ways to perform this type of work.

Summary

As you can see, expanding the balcony is a completely feasible task. In some cases, this is enough on your own, in others you will have to turn to professionals in your field. You should never neglect all kinds of safety devices when working at height. In this regard, there are no excesses, because life is more expensive than any balcony.

Work order

Remote glazing is quite heavy, so the work uses metal profiles with stiffeners and a high margin of safety, increasing the reliability of the entire structure.

At the first stage, the structures and fencing, except for its base, are dismantled.
At the second stage, right above the load-bearing slab, in the wall, special recesses are made for attaching channels. They will become the basis. Now you can expand the balcony in different directions. On average, the increase in distance in each direction reaches 40 cm. If the wall design allows, you can expand the balcony further. And yet you should not make the offset too large, because in this case the load on the load-bearing wall and channels may become too large. Then a frame is welded from the corner. The channel adjacent to the perimeter wall of the house is fixed with powerful dowels. After this, the load will be distributed over the entire area of the wall.
The next stage is the construction of the roof and external cladding. All joints are carefully sealed to prevent moisture from entering. After this, installers of metal-plastic windows can get down to business.
The next stage is insulation. You can use mineral wool, polystyrene foam or styrodur (extruded polystyrene foam) as insulation. It is better, of course, to use styrodur for these purposes. It is moisture resistant, and its thermal insulation properties are significantly superior to polystyrene foam. This will make it possible to reduce the thickness of the thermal insulation during reconstruction. Styrodur sheets are installed between the frame and the guide strips. Then all joints are carefully sealed using polyurethane foam and a vapor barrier is installed that will prevent external moisture from getting inside. To cover the inside of the balcony, you can use several options. This can be siding, metal profiles, natural lining, plastic lining or fiberboard. If necessary, natural lining can be coated with waterproof varnish. This finish will make your balcony look very cozy and neat.
The next stage is insulating the floor on the balcony. To insulate the floor, it is better to use the same styrodur. Logs are attached to the frame and channels, and insulation is again laid between them. OSB boards and film are placed on top of the logs, and laminate is laid on top. If desired, you can lay heating strips, thereby creating heated floors on the balcony. But here it all depends on your financial capabilities and desires.
Well, the last stage is the interior. Blinds, lighting, baseboards and many other useful little things - all this can be installed according to your personal preferences.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=tXT_WLq51YQ

If the kitchen has access to a balcony, the most important thing is to use this advantage wisely. A well-thought-out kitchen design with a balcony will allow you to do this.

What can you turn a small and cramped balcony into? Without showing much ingenuity, you can turn it into storage for skis, sleds, and old equipment.

In a small apartment, the issue of rational use of square meters is quite acute. This is due to the growth of family members, expansion.

Frameless way to increase a balcony from a load-bearing slab

This method is less labor-intensive than a frame method, and is ideal for independently enlarging a balcony in a Khrushchev-era building.

The railings, parapet, and old screed are dismantled down to the reinforcement at the top and bottom of the slab.
The base is primed. Using a rust remover attachment on a drill or screwdriver, the fittings are cleaned. After re-priming, the reinforcement is degreased with a solvent.
Formwork for conventional or self-leveling screed is created on the load-bearing slab. The recesses on the bottom of the slab are sealed with finishing glue (you can also seal the slab from above, on a neighbor’s balcony).
An enlarged base of the required length and width is cut out of OSB sheets 2.5 cm thick, as well as a roof, which are mounted to slabs with a layer of hydrobarrier film using anchor bolts. If desired, you can also make the sides of the balcony from OSB boards.
Glazing, exterior and interior finishing work is being carried out.

Not everyone wants to use additional meters to organize a greenhouse, recreation area, etc. - some will prefer to enlarge the room by adding a balcony. In this case, partial or complete dismantling of the dividing wall and installation of a heating system will be required.

It is also a good idea to enlarge the kitchen with a balcony - given that the kitchen space in Khrushchev-era apartment buildings is on average 6 square meters. m. Regardless of which room the balcony is combined with, it is worth considering a number of rules:

before demolishing the window sill wall, the balcony must be glazed and insulated;
the threshold between the balcony and the living space must not be dismantled if it holds the load-bearing slab;
if the wall between the room and the balcony is load-bearing, then the upper lintel and side walls cannot be dismantled;
You should not lay a warm water floor on the attached balcony - it is better to replace it with an electric one.

Slab enlargement

Expanding the slab makes it possible to further increase the area of the balcony. This is due to the fact that not only the upper part of the window sill expands, but also the entire floor. It is not recommended to implement such a project on your own. In addition, to carry out the work, you will need to draw up a full-fledged project, as well as its coordination with the relevant services. The latter must issue a permit and record the changes that will be made to the balcony design so that penalties will not be applied later. It may take several months to obtain the necessary permits, so it makes sense to address this issue while it’s still cold so that the project can be implemented closer to summer.

Note! In most cases, additional heavy equipment will be required to carry out the work. These can be various lifts and even a crane

That is why expanding a balcony in this way is often entrusted to qualified specialists.

Work on expanding the balcony begins with the complete dismantling of the parapet. It is necessary to make room for an additional frame. A metal belt is installed around the stove. Typically, a corner with a size of 5x5 cm is used for these purposes. Additionally, it is fixed to the load-bearing wall so that there are more points of support. For the next step, you will need a profile pipe with a size of 10x5 cm. It is welded to the balcony slab on the corner that was installed. In this case, the pipe must be moved to the distance by which it is planned to increase the slab.

When moving it to a distance of more than 50 cm, it will be necessary to install additional triangular supports, which will be fixed to the main wall from the bottom of the entire structure. Metal racks are welded along the perimeter of the resulting frame, as described above. They are tied with fixation to the main wall. After this, additional vertical racks from a profile pipe are installed. They must be of a height at which the roof of the future balcony will be placed. The upper part is framed with a metal beam, which is also fixed to the wall. This is necessary so that it is possible to glaze the balcony without any obstacles.

When the balcony extension frame is ready, you can begin further installation work. The first step is to assemble the roof trusses and install it. Metal tiles or corrugated sheets can be used as decking for the balcony. The angle of the roof should be such that snow does not accumulate in winter. Next, the external cladding of the balcony is completed. The easiest way to do this is with metal or PVC siding. In order to be able to secure it, you will need to install a separate frame from a profile that is designed for siding. To perform this work, you may need a cradle.

After assembling the siding frame, it is fixed. During the process, you can call a specialist who will take measurements of the windows and submit the order for work. As soon as the window frames are ready, they can be installed immediately. Next, the installation of waterproofing is carried out, as well as the installation of insulating material. If desired, you can install an electric heated floor on the balcony to make it more comfortable to be on. There is a video about expanding the balcony below.

About the device technology

The building structures of balconies, especially in old house designs, are characterized by their small dimensions and small dimensions. Having glazed such a balcony you feel like you are in an aquarium, squeezed by walls with a narrow passage. Let's consider some methods of removal and subsequent insulation and glazing.

Firstly, if you need to remove the balcony to increase the space, then increasing the extension to 30cm does not require any permission for such work. But, perhaps, such a reconstruction will seem insufficient, and you will want to expand the balcony by half a meter or more, then you will need to obtain permits from the Urban Planning Department, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Department of Urban Architecture, SES, Gas Service, BTI, DUK, etc. It is required to submit a complete project for the removal of the balcony, which these services must agree on and sign.

Secondly , there are technological options for expanding the spatial area of the balcony:

Removing the balcony along the window sill;
Removing the balcony along the floor.

How to increase the balcony with your own hands

Article Photo Video

Often, a balcony in typical high-rise buildings raises questions about the purpose of its creation. Conceived by the designers as part of the exterior and interior comfort of the building, this element still requires improvement. For this purpose, the opportunity to increase the balcony area and thereby expand its functionality is used. In this way, the apartment owner can create additional space: an office, a recreation room, a greenhouse, etc.

Attention! Expansion of the balcony from the facade and ends by more than 0.3 m requires approval from the relevant authorities. The idea of increasing the balcony with your own hands is quite feasible, especially if you have experience in welding and an intelligent assistant

Materials are selected depending on the point of removal, having previously created a project (drawing) of the future structure. Two structural methods of expanding the area are widespread: from the load-bearing slab (sole) and from the parapet (upper level of the railing). The first method is more labor-intensive, but allows you to get an additional 2 square meters. m area

The idea of increasing the balcony with your own hands is quite feasible, especially if you have experience in welding and a smart assistant. Materials are selected depending on the point of removal, having previously created a project (drawing) of the future structure. Two structural methods of expanding the area are widespread: from the load-bearing slab (sole) and from the parapet (upper level of the railing). The first method is more labor-intensive, but allows you to get an additional 2 square meters. m area.

Advice! Before you begin to increase the area, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the safety precautions for welding and high-altitude work.

Getting permission

In some cases, to reconstruct a balcony, you need to obtain permission from various organizations: design organization, BTI, Gorekspertiza, Ministry of Emergency Situations, fire inspectorate and others.

If the house in which the balcony is being expanded is an architectural asset, its future appearance must be agreed upon with the relevant organizations.
Installation of a concrete base is considered redevelopment. In the case of installation, you need to obtain permission regardless of the size of the balcony increase.
In Khrushchev, permission must be obtained if the expansion is made by more than 50 cm.
The balcony fencing is attached to the walls of the house, so the condition of old houses must be checked before reconstruction.
In addition to the size of the balcony increase, you need to pay attention to the weight of additional structures. If large loads are expected on the walls of the house, then the procedure also needs to be agreed upon by various authorities.
All checks before expanding the balcony are carried out for the sake of safety and comfort: your own and those around you.

Despite the fact that the balcony is part of the apartment, that is, personal property, it belongs to the common property of the house. Its changes affect the appearance of the house. Enlarging the concrete base can limit light access to neighbors below. Errors in work can lead to cracks in neighbors’ walls and other undesirable consequences.

Therefore, in addition to agreeing on all the requirements according to GOST, you need to discuss the project with your neighbors.

Removal of balcony with permission

If you decide to extend the balcony to a width exceeding 30 centimeters, be patient.

The first step is to visit the city architectural department and write an application for permission to develop a project plan for the redevelopment. It will take about a month to review your application. After receiving this permission, you can contact an organization that is developing relevant redevelopment projects.

When the project is ready, it will be necessary to coordinate it with the SES, fire organization and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Having received the consent of all the above authorities, you will receive a warrant to begin redevelopment work.

Upon completion of construction work, a commission consisting of employees of your utility service and employees of the City Council is invited. The presence of those who developed your project is also necessary. If the commission approves your finished project and considers it legal, you will be given an act of acceptance of the facility into operation.

The final point is the BTI, where you will need to make changes to the deed of ownership of your apartment. This is necessary due to the fact that the area of the housing has been changed, and this must be properly included in its plan.

Note! If your apartment is located on the ground floor and you have made a foundation, you must coordinate this with those organizations that manage the land plots on your territory. Remember, removing a balcony more than 30 centimeters without permission is a risk

In the future, you will still have to formalize the removal of the balcony, and even with great hassle and expense. When you decide to register an inheritance or re-register an apartment, or in the event of its sale, you will have nuances with the law

Remember, removing a balcony more than 30 centimeters without permission is a risk. In the future, you will still have to formalize the removal of the balcony, and even with great hassle and expense. When you decide to register an inheritance or re-register an apartment, or in case of its sale, you will encounter nuances with the law.

Way out

In some cases, it is possible to expand an apartment without occupying a plot of land, thereby avoiding additional paperwork. Usually a balcony is made as an extension to the house, but you can make it suspended, thereby reducing the number of approvals.

The second way out of a difficult situation is to contact specialized law firms that will carry out all redevelopment approvals for a fee.

The procedure for obtaining permits for the reconstruction of a balcony

Permission to glaze a balcony should be obtained before installation; if changes are made to the project during the design process, the glazing or balcony block will have to be dismantled.

Rice. 7 Consequences of a decision to illegally repair or expand a balcony

This procedure is not much different from obtaining a permit for redevelopment inside an apartment; the actions can be divided into the following stages:

1.Drawing up a project

Typically, glazing is carried out by hired specialists from specialized glass installation companies, so there is no need to draw up drawings yourself or ask the residents of a house with permitted balcony glazing for them - they can be obtained from the company with which the contract for the work has been drawn up.

Obtaining a house plan from BTI

You need to get a floor plan of the house from the technical inventory bureau; if you don’t have a technical passport, you can get a copy from the BTI. The technical passport contains all the information necessary for the work (apartment plan indicating dimensions, year the house was built, etc.).

Project organization

This structure issues a conclusion on the constructive feasibility of installing balcony glazing while ensuring the appropriate safety standards.

Rice. 8. Permitted work on the balcony that increases its area

APU

Architectural planning control is the main obstacle to the intended glazing project. Obstacles may arise in the implementation of the color scheme of the finishing material and frame if they differ from the main color of the facade. Questions may arise about the relief of the balcony cladding, the configuration of the window sashes; the greatest objections are caused by the newfangled remote glazing.

If the balcony frame is moved beyond the perimeter of the room, the district architect may not approve the project - in this case, the balcony is visually different from the glazed frame structures of other residents of the house.

ROGPN

The district Department of State Fire Supervision is obliged to check the project for compliance with fire standards of materials (this mainly applies to plastic siding when installing exterior finishes) and installation technology, the possibility of evacuating people during a fire, and the effect of glazing on the fire characteristics of the building. Glazing of balconies will be prohibited if we dismantle or make it difficult to access hatches and stairs for evacuating people.

Rice. 9 What results from trying to glaze a balcony without a legal procedure

Sanitary and epidemiological supervision

In addition to checking for compliance with sanitary standards, the compliance of the balcony room with its intended purpose is considered - it is prohibited to install a stove or bathroom on a loggia with a balcony, thereby turning the room into a kitchen or sanitary unit. If the architect has authorized the installation of tinted or mirrored glass, the health inspector may object to the reduction of natural daylight in the apartment and require the owner to remove them.

Directorate for Building Operations (DEZ)

The house maintenance service will not allow the removal of radiators onto the balcony, which leads to an imbalance in the heating system; objections will arise if it is difficult to carry out building maintenance work caused by glazing.

Housing inspection

Having passed the “seven circles of hell”, you and the approved project go to the housing estate, where they will most likely ask you to conduct a state examination of the project for compliance with SNiP for residential premises.

MVK and District Administration

After a positive decision from the housing inspectorate, all documents are submitted to the interdepartmental commission, then to the District Administration, which will issue the final permit for balcony glazing.

Rice. 10 Expansion of balconies without permission with extensions

Is it necessary to coordinate the glazing of balconies and how to legalize this procedure? Everyone solves the problem individually; there is no clear legislation in this area (unless you are expanding the balcony), and the need is caused by by-laws and established by officials. Balcony glazing and approval can become equivalent processes in terms of financial costs and lost time; to do everything according to the law, the services of intermediary firms in the capital will cost 1000 USD.

Kerchief method

The method of implementing this project when expanding the balcony largely depends on what material the parapet is made of. Most homes have two options:

metal;
concrete.

The important point is that the use of this method does not require obtaining special permits or creating a project. But there are some restrictions. One of them is the maximum length of the balcony extension. It is only 30 cm. But this will be enough when compared with the classic Khrushchev balcony. The installation process is worth considering separately for each.

Concrete slab

In the case where the parapet is a concrete slab, the first step is to inspect it thoroughly and identify all possible violations of its structure. Additionally, the slab can be reinforced with metal ties. The next step is to prepare the elements that will hold the glazing structure on itself. They are a metal rectangular triangle. At the same time, its larger leg must have a length of 30 cm - the size to which it is allowed to carry out without obtaining permission.

Welds must be made with high quality so that the structure is not damaged. The smaller leg should be of such length as to ensure unhindered support of the entire structure. The next step is to fix the prepared elements to the concrete slab of the balcony. It is necessary to maintain the same distance between them, which should not be more than 35 cm. In some cases, it will be necessary to make special loops for which the fixation will be made.

When all the elements are in the planned place, then they need to be further strengthened. This is done using a channel, which is welded to the protruding corners of the triangle. At the same time, the channel is attached to the main wall with its ends, providing additional support points for the entire structure. The same structure is being built for the roof of the balcony. All triangles are secured to each other and fixed to the wall. After this, ebb tides are installed that will prevent rainwater from entering the balcony.

Next, the resulting frame must be insulated. This can be done using mineral wool or expanded polystyrene. The products are fixed using dowels from the outside to the concrete slab. Next, the frame is sheathed with finishing material, for example, siding. An important step is sealing the seams between the metal and concrete structure. It is better to entrust the installation of double-glazed windows to professionals. It will take less time and hassle.