When buying an apartment, buyers usually pay the least attention to the balcony. However, an apartment without a balcony is much less attractive than an apartment with a balcony. Almost all prestigious apartments are designed with a balcony or loggia. In new buildings from FSK Leader, the loggias are also glazed. As a result, the facade of the house looks much more beautiful and neater than in houses where each apartment owner does the glazing of balconies independently.
If you decide to buy an apartment in Tushino from FSK Leader, you won’t have to worry about glazing the loggia.
But there are quite a large number of apartments without balconies. Mainly in Khrushchev-era, Stalin-era, residential buildings, which were originally built as dormitories. There may not be a balcony in a private house.
Is it possible to make a balcony if there is none: all the pros and cons
A balcony is an additional room that can be used for your own purposes. Unfortunately, not everyone has one. Some residential buildings do not have balconies on the first and second floors. This fact is quite confusing for residents, since a loggia or balcony is an additional usable area. On its territory you can store canned goods, bicycles, tools and much more that the household should have at hand; it is not accepted on a code day. Some even set up a gym, office or winter garden. Is it possible to make a balcony if there is none?
Using sealant without a protective layer
Polyurethane foam ideally seals seams during insulation, but the problem is that if you leave the sealant as is, then under the influence of sunlight (and there is enough of it in the loggia) it will decompose and turn into crumbs. The solution is to protect the outer surface of the sealant. Excess sagging is cut off flush, the surface is treated with sandpaper, and then covered with any acrylate paint. Putty will also work, just to protect the polyurethane sealant from ultraviolet radiation. Even glued construction tape will make the polyurethane sealant almost eternal.
Is it possible to make a balcony if there is none?
It should be noted that for the manufacture of a balcony you will need permission from the relevant authorities. If you do not get it, then quite serious problems may arise, the least of which is the demolition of the entire structure. Unauthorized extensions to these structures in multi-story buildings are prohibited.
Before adding a balcony to your apartment, you must obtain permission from the relevant organizations
In order to make a balcony, you will need the following documents and permits:
- Ownership of the apartment;
- Plan of the apartment and adjacent area (BTI);
- Permit document from housing and communal services;
- Written consent of residents who live next door;
- Redevelopment project;
- Permission from the utility service, department of architecture.
If possible, it is better to contact a notary who will be able to collect all the documentation in a short period of time. An independent procedure will take a lot of time.
Redevelopment without permission
Remember what a technical passport for an apartment is: this document describes in detail the housing you own. Including what non-residential premises look like, what kind of walls and windows they have, what material they are made of. When renovating, for example, when insulating walls (even if you don’t demolish the partition between the living room and the balcony), you run the risk of not selling your apartment, because there will be a discrepancy between the passport and the actual condition of the apartment. To avoid this problem, coordinate your alterations with the BTI.
If the apartment has no balcony
An apartment without a balcony is not a particularly attractive option. Many owners, when selling real estate, have to discount a fairly large amount precisely because there is no balcony. But at the same time, by making an extension, you can not only increase the usable area of the apartment in the future, but also sell it much more profitably.
Basically, when buying an apartment, first of all they pay attention to the presence of a balcony.
Nowadays, building a balcony in an apartment is a very common occurrence. At the same time, almost always the owners of apartments on the upper floors begin to complete their space.
As an option, you can consider an innovative invention - a balcony-window, which performs a dual function. True, there will be practically no increase in usable space. But more on that below.
Useful tips
Design is an important point
No construction is complete without a design procedure. If there is no balcony, and the owner wants to build one, the first step is to draw up a sketch of the future balcony. At the same time, we must not forget that the design must be harmoniously combined with the overall facade of the building. For design, a drawing is created, from which in the future it will be possible to easily calculate the amount of consumables.
Any construction begins with drawing up a project
Nowadays there are a lot of computer programs that allow you to create a project and see the future design in 3D images.
The ideal option is to use the services of a competent and professional architect or builder, because the main thing is not only beauty, but also the strength and durability of the structure.
What are the options for balconies?
If there is no balcony, then you can build it yourself.
There are several ways to attach a balcony:
- A cantilevered slab is the most common method of fastening structures in high-rise buildings;
- Slab on cantilever beams - more often used in cottages;
- Slab on brackets - used for the construction of balconies in multi-storey buildings, this type can withstand heavy loads;
- A balcony that rests on a house wall or column;
- Attached (attached) balconies - in this case, structures attached to the building.
If there is no balcony, but it is planned to build one, then when constructing it yourself, it is better to use brackets or extensions. Owners of apartments on the first floor are mostly deprived of additional convenience. The ideal option in this case is a metal frame that will be attached to the wall of the building. With proper installation, neighbors who live higher up can also increase the area of the balcony in the future.
When building a balcony yourself, it is best to use extensions or brackets
The creation of the structure begins with the manufacture of a frame, for which you will need metal corners (6 * 6 cm), for a parapet (4.5 * 4.5 cm). The base should be in the shape of an isosceles right triangle. After the welding work is completed, the structure must be attached to the wall using anchor bolts. A metal frame is welded into the area of the upper shelves, which serves as a support for the floor of the future balcony.
The next stage is strengthening the parapet, dismantling the window block and creating a doorway. Then the flooring and insulation of the floor are carried out. There should be a sheet of metal under the base. It will protect against fires and intrusion.
For external cladding, corrugated sheets are most often used. The final stage is glazing the balcony and insulating it.
The balcony does not have to be standard. On the ground floor, some prefer balconies with take-out. This method allows you to maximize the usable area. In order for the building to look perfect and have an aesthetic appearance, you need to think about the external decoration.
Related article: Waterproofing a balcony roof
If you do not want large material costs, then you can purchase a ready-made balcony frame
Some people prefer to build an extension balcony on the foundation. The most common options for building a balcony with your own hands are attached ones. In this case, the balcony will rest on the foundation and be attached to the facade wall
Attached structures have advantages over suspended ones - they can be attached without fear, using a large overhang from the wall, which creates much more usable space.
The whole procedure begins with laying the foundation. A pit is dug and foundation blocks are installed. It is important that the depth of the foundation should be such that it does not exceed the freezing depth of the soil. The height of the foundation of the building and the extension must be identical. The decorative finishing of the foundation of the attached balcony should be done in the same style as the building.
The next steps are the construction of brickwork, which forms the walls of the building and the balcony itself. The walls are attached as closely as possible to the facade of the building. All waterproofing work must be completed. Experts recommend using double waterproofing when building a balcony with your own hands. Thus, the building will be protected from groundwater or moisture. Almost always the roof of such a balcony is the slab of the upper floor. But in this case, everything depends on the owner of the construction site. You can make an independent roof.
It is best to entrust the addition of a balcony to specialists, as they have enough experience and skills in this matter
The next stages are insulation and glazing of the structure. Nowadays panoramic glazing is considered stylish and quite common. Depending on the function of the balcony, you can make cold or warm glazing. Many people prefer not only insulating the facade, but also installing heating radiators inside the balcony. The final stage is the interior and exterior decoration of the structure.
Fashion or necessity?
Modern housing without balconies primarily appeared in houses converted from dormitories, administrative and even industrial buildings,
where, after a large-scale reconstruction, comfortable loft-style apartments and apartments intended for temporary residence appeared. Then houses of the latest series began to be built, designed according to European standards, which did not provide for balconies as mandatory elements of housing.
At first, such projects caused bewilderment and wariness among Russians, but later buyers discovered some advantages of not having a balcony. These include, for example, the absence of the need to overpay for the purchase of square meters, which, in fact, are not used for living, but are needed, in extreme cases, as a warehouse for unnecessary things that could simply go to the trash heap.
Among potential home buyers on the primary market, projects designed on the principle of a single heated space are of interest..
Many apartments have large technical rooms and panoramic glazing in the absence of balconies. This solution is in many ways more attractive than the arrangement of loggias, which, according to the law, cannot be provided with centralized heating at all.
Window-balcony - a new design solution
If you don’t have a balcony, then you don’t have to worry too much, because today there are quite a lot of different construction innovations that have already been introduced. One of them is a balcony window. The design is truly unique, because an ordinary window can easily be transformed into a small balcony with railings. Danish developers made a real splash by creating such a design. Now it is quite widely used in country cottages and serves not only as a balcony, but also as an emergency fire exit.
Window-balcony is a modern construction innovation that is gaining enormous popularity every day.
Using a balcony window, you can make the attic more spacious and fill it with daylight. This design is considered an innovation and a practical solution for those who want to get a beautiful view from the window, access to the air directly from the Masandra.
Frameless glazing
Frameless glazing seems beautiful and modern, and also takes up minimal space. But. This is single glazing, which in winter will turn the loggia into a branch of the refrigerator, and frost will penetrate into the cracks between the frames. Therefore, this option should be discarded immediately. Double glazing only. Plastic windows with double-glazed windows and hinged sashes will be the right solution. In addition, they do not take up much space, they are easy to clean, and you can install mosquito nets in them. But if you still don’t like plastic windows, you can look at new technologies: these are lift-and-slide windows with thermal insulation.
Housing issue: What to do if there is no balcony
The Village learns from experts - architects, engineers, designers, decorators - what methods can be used to solve this or that problem of typical housing.
Residents of a rented room or their own three-room apartment - in a word, any standard housing - face the same common problems. The Village is turning to experts to find out how to solve these problems. Just recently, several designers talked about what to do with a small balcony. In the new issue of The Village, I learned what to do if the apartment does not have a balcony at all.
Housing issue No. 10
What to do if the apartment does not have a balcony
Often, apartment owners are the last to renovate the balcony, because it is hidden from view, used purely functionally and in no way reflects the taste of the resident. However, it is not easy to live without a balcony. In city apartments, where every meter counts, balconies serve as storage rooms, drying rooms and even refrigerators in winter. So how can we manage without it?
Zoya Babushkina
All problems can be solved. To dry clothes, for example, no matter how simple it may sound, they use a drying machine. It can be conveniently placed in the laundry room, along with the washing machine (or in the bathroom, if the footage allows). They are usually the same size and can be placed side by side. There is also a wall-mounted version of the dryer, then it can be hung above the washing machine. If the apartment does not have a utility room, and the bathroom only has room for a shower, you can organize
place in the corridor or hall, having previously provided a niche for household equipment. It’s good if the niche is closed with doors, then the equipment will not attract attention and the appearance of even the most sophisticated interior will not be disrupted.
Related article: Installation of a balcony in a panel house
Drying of things can be organized in any utility room by setting up wall or ceiling drying systems. It is worthwhile to provide tiles and heated floors on the floor, and also ensure that there is a window or other ventilation and air humidity control system in this room or adjacent to it. This is necessary to reduce the overall level of humidity in the apartment, as this is fraught with mold and mildew.
To store “grandmother’s supplies” and sports equipment, it is worth providing a utility room or organizing, as in the case of drying, a rack built into a niche that can be closed with doors. At the bottom of the rack you can make shelves and drawers for products, and on the top shelves you can store sports equipment. The storage system can also be provided in a wooden podium, which will fit well into a spacious living room or studio apartment.
ALYONA KALISTRATOVA
architect-designer, KlЁST Group
If your apartment does not have a balcony, and many large items require placement, there are several ways to organize the space. We all have vacuum cleaners, skis, sleds, winter clothes and things that we use extremely rarely.
You can create smart places to store them even in a small apartment. The first thing that comes to mind is a large closet. If he is alone in the apartment, he should
be as spacious as possible. But one closet is usually not enough. Try to give preference to furniture that has the additional function of storage space: sofas-chests, poufs-chests, tables with additional shelves under the tabletop.
In principle, the problem can be solved with the help of mezzanines in the room. Why not, if they are not bulky, light and beautifully made. They should be without accessories and should not be conspicuous. It can turn out very elegant if you think about the lighting.
Any apartment is sure to have hidden reserves, but in unusual places they are not immediately noticeable. This could be under a large window sill or behind a sofa, especially if the sofa is placed at an angle against the wall. In such places you can build various plasterboard structures similar to chests. A great place for storage is a podium, which will accommodate a huge amount of things. For example, if you have a studio where the kitchen and living room are combined, one of the zones can be raised above the floor level, organizing additional storage space inside.
However, sometimes things can be displayed and not hidden anywhere, but they must be beautifully decorated. Then they become the decor of the room. For example, fix the same bicycle or skis on the wall and somehow play with it.
The absence of a balcony, in addition to a lack of storage space, also means the loss of a comfortable area where you can sit with a cup of coffee in the summer. But such a place can also be used all year round: when renovating, you need to design a wide tabletop-window sill and add a lot of pillows there. Here is a place by the window, and under the window sill there is again additional storage space for things!
How to make a balcony in an apartment: real photos
A balcony is a very comfortable place for storage and relaxation. This is an additional place for work, plants, and a gym. If a balcony is not provided, and you live on the first two floors, then you can create one. But perhaps the most difficult part is preparing the documents.
If you don’t do this, your building may be completely demolished or fined. After all, building without permission is illegal. Be sure to provide the following documents:
- apartment layout
- ownership
- permission from housing and communal services
- consent from residents of nearby apartments
- future extension project
- permission from utilities and architects
The easiest way is to contact notaries; they will quickly collect all the necessary documents, not forgetting about the little things.
How to create a project
Without a project, you will not succeed in any construction. First of all, draw a sketch of the future extension. You can already calculate materials using it. It is important to fit the design in such a way as not to disfigure the appearance of the building and take into account all the needs. It is better if you contact an architect or builder, since mistakes in this matter can be quite expensive, both in terms of materials and time. But now there are excellent programs that give an idea of the construction in full. What is important is the appearance, the strength of the selected materials, and well-chosen dimensions.
Legal extension
In order not to take risks and not think about how to legitimize an already erected balcony, you should not start construction before obtaining permission from local authorities.
If the construction has already been carried out without permits, then in order to legalize it, you will need to contact the municipality again with a corresponding application.
If the construction was carried out in accordance with all norms and rules, then the extension will be legalized. But it often happens the other way around - the owner built the balcony himself, having no idea about the construction rules or standards.
How to decorate a balcony in this case? Maybe he won’t be able to get anything done - if he erected a balcony without following building rules and regulations. In this case, he may be required to demolish the building (according to Article 29 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation) and return the house to its previous appearance.
If the owner erected a balcony without permission, without contacting the competent authorities with this issue, then he may subsequently have problems with the sale or exchange of real estate.
Balcony options
Methods for attaching a balcony:
- The most suitable option for multi-storey buildings is a cantilevered slab.
- In cottages, cantilever beams are most often purchased.
- Brackets are good for high loads.
- Attached balconies are typical for ground floors, when the structure is simply attached to the house.
If you decide to build a balcony yourself, it is best to use extensions or brackets.
Related article: The best way to decorate the inside of a balcony
- manufacturing a frame (you need to make a base from metal corners in the shape of an isosceles triangle; this structure is attached to the wall with anchor bolts; a metal frame is welded onto the triangles)
- the parapet is strengthened
- the window is dismantled, a doorway is formed
- a metal sheet is placed on the floor to protect against fire and burglary
- carry out flooring and insulation
- the balcony is often sheathed with sheets of corrugated sheets
- the balcony is insulated and glazed
There are already ready-made and made balcony frames; they just need to be welded to the wall. Be sure to decorate your balcony with aesthetic decorative elements.
You can make a foundation under an attached balcony, this can really expand the area (the structure is safer than a suspended one).
First, the foundation itself is built. A pit is dug under it, into which blocks for the foundation will then be installed. The depth of the pit is best calculated by a professional; it is important to calculate the level of soil freezing. The depth of the foundation itself should not exceed this parameter. The height of the foundation and the future balcony must correspond to each other. From a decorative point of view, you need to combine the balcony and the building.
Then the brickwork is erected, which will be the main walls of the extension. Try to do this as close to the facade as possible. The extension must comply with waterproofing standards. It is better to carry out double waterproofing. It is important to protect the extension from groundwater and high humidity levels. The roof usually coincides with the slab of the upper floor, or is made independent. The entire structure must be insulated and glazed. It is very fashionable now to use panoramic glazing. Cold and warm glazing is suitable for such a balcony; for additional comfort, you can install radiators or electric heaters. Don't forget to tidy up your balcony externally. Think over the design and additional elements.
Window-balcony
This is a new design trend, quite attractive and simple. This design has several provisions. For example, an ordinary-looking window can easily be converted into a small balcony with handrails. Well suited for a country house. Can be used as an emergency exit.
But, unfortunately, this Danish development has not yet caught on with us.
The floor is not properly insulated
In order not to overload the floor slab (for example, with a concrete screed or leveling mixture), it is better to make the floor covering from lightweight modern materials. On top of the vapor barrier - foil or polyethylene film - mats made of penoplex or mineral wool are laid in two layers. On top is waterproofing, which can be used, for example, hydroglass insulation. The rolls are placed on top with an overlap of about 10-20 centimeters. Using a blowtorch, the mastic-based strips are fused together, and if the use of open fire is for some reason impractical or dangerous, then the sheets are fastened mechanically. Then a layer of plywood, and only then carpet or laminate.
Finally, the “classic” method of floor insulation is also not bad: wooden logs are laid on the slab, between which modern insulating materials are located.
