Few people think about it, but with a loggia and balcony you can significantly increase your living space. With a minimum of effort and spending a small amount of money, you can equip an additional room.
Superficial repairs and wall insulation will not be enough, because the balcony floors are made of concrete slabs. Therefore, in winter, staying in the room will not be comfortable; an alternative would be a “warm floor” system. How to make a water heated floor on a balcony or loggia will be described below.
Choosing a suitable floor heating system for the balcony
As soon as it comes to repairing the balcony, the owner has a question about which underfloor heating system to use. Today there are 3 main types of this heating:
- The first most popular is “Warm water floor on the balcony.” This system has an affordable price and is easy to install, which attracts customers. The essence of the work is to lay pipes in the screed through which hot water circulates from the central heating system.
- The second most popular is “Electric heated floor”, its price is slightly higher than water heating, but they are identical in efficiency. The cable acts as a coolant, which heats up and detects internal resistance.
- The latest and newest system is the “Film infrared heated floor”, although it operates using electricity, its operating principle is different. The polyester film is filled with carbon paste, which in turn emits infrared rays. They warm up everything that comes their way. The action occurs like the sun's rays.
Attention! In the case where the balcony stands on a reinforced concrete slab and has a concrete base, the heating pipes must be laid directly in the screed.
Other styling options
Not every balcony structure can withstand the weight of a cement screed. In this case, there are as many as 3 analogues to the standard installation procedure.
Polystyrene system
The system is used in all types of houses, as it is light in weight (a square meter is approximately 25 kg). It has good thermal insulation and sound insulation properties. Place on a base cleared of debris.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Cutting grooves in a sheet of foam plastic using a thermal knife.
- Inserting metal plates into grooves.
- Laying heating pipes in the grooves of the plates.
- We finish by covering the structure with polyethylene film and gypsum fiber board sheets.
Wooden modular
Chipboard modules are used in wooden houses with logs. When laying, it is recommended to cover the joists with a layer of waterproofing, and lay insulation between them.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Fastening modules to the floor.
- Inserting metal plates into module grooves.
- Laying heating pipes in the grooves of metal plates.
Wooden on slats
The rack system differs from the modular system only in that boards are used instead of chipboard sheets.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Laying wooden planks on a waterproofing film.
- Laying metal plates between the slats.
- Fastening the plates to the strips with self-tapping screws.
- Laying pipes in the grooves of the plates.
- Covering plates with pipes with waterproofing film.
- Covering the structure with gypsum fiber sheets.
How does a balcony differ from a loggia?
There is no clear idea why this or that heating system is better; each of them is good and has its own specifics. You need to know that there are serious differences between a balcony and a loggia, and that the type of heated floor is selected for specific conditions.
On the left is a balcony, on the right is a loggia. The difference is obvious
The difference between a loggia and a balcony:
- The balcony is a reinforced concrete slab that is extended beyond the façade of the building. It has no additional fastenings and is held in place only due to its strength. In accordance with GOST standards, the load-bearing capacity of the balcony should be about 200 kg/m².
The average balcony area in Khrushchev-era buildings ranges from 2.5 to 3 m²; using simple mathematical calculations, you can see that the maximum that can be loaded onto a balcony is 600 kg. If we take into account the natural wear and tear of the balcony, the result will be even lower.
Calculations show that it is not reasonable to install a water heated floor on a balcony in a Khrushchev-era building. This heating system requires 50 mm of concrete screed, which will weigh more than 300 kg, and if you take into account the weight of other finishing materials, then staying on the balcony will no longer be safe. Regarding such apartments, the choice must be made between electric and film heating systems.
- Unlike a balcony, a loggia has two reliable supports that ensure the strength of the floor slab. Consequently, the load-bearing capacity increases several times. Having such a significant margin of safety, a water heated floor on a loggia will be the best option.
Heat supply mechanism
Installing a heated floor on a balcony with your own hands is a rather labor-intensive process that requires certain knowledge and skills. If the structure is installed incorrectly, there is a high probability of disrupting the hydraulic pressure of the entire system, which will lead to serious problems. The heat source for such a heated floor system is central heating.
Photo of a manifold made by the apartment owner himself
Therefore, without having construction skills, you should turn to a specialist for help, who will tell you whether this structure can be installed in an apartment or whether it is worth considering another option.
Pouring rough screed
We mark points on the walls using a laser or hydraulic level along the entire perimeter of the room, finding the highest point of the balcony slab, we determine the level of the rough screed.
The rough screed should be located 5-7 cm below the finished floor level. This depends on the diameter of the pipes used. The rough screed is usually made from cement mortar with the addition of expanded clay. For small balconies there is no need to install beacons; level the mixture using a board or any long object. It is quite difficult to mix expanded clay with cement mortar, and besides, expanded clay dust worsens the quality of the mortar, so let’s take a different route.
Let's install the beacons using a level; this can be done in two ways. The first method: we make piles of mortar, let them harden, then throw the mortar between them and rub the paths with the rule. The second, simpler method: we install painting beacons or guide profiles, which are used for fastening drywall, into piles of mortar.
To prepare concrete, you can use a stationary concrete mixer.
If the distance between the balcony slab and the floor is large enough, then the screed is made on top of the laid filler. After installing the beacons, expanded clay is filled in and leveled. To strengthen the balcony slab, it is necessary to lay a welded mesh on top of the expanded clay. This will protect the fragile cement screed from destruction.
Difficulties of installing a water heated floor
A water heated floor works mutually with the main heating system; initially it may seem that you only need to connect the heating system, enjoy the warmth and pay like for a regular battery, but in reality everything is different.
- A minor drawback is the autonomy of the system; it only works when the heating is on. The floor on the balcony will not warm up in late spring and early autumn.
- According to the requirements, the temperature of the water in the pipes should not exceed 40ºС; if overheating is allowed, the owners themselves will not be comfortable. Thus, in the case of a direct connection to the main heating system, the floors in the loggia will be too hot and not regulated. The floor temperature will correspond to the temperature of the radiators.
- An unpleasant disadvantage is the ban on unauthorized connection of a warm floor system to central heating.
It is important to know! The law does not apply to houses built recently.
Advantages of this type of heating
Heated floor technology has many advantages:
- The features of the movement of air masses are taken into account . Thanks to this, the entire volume of air in the room warms up.
- Regulation of the amount of heat generated by such a design.
- This is neutral from the fire safety point of view. No electrical wires or sockets. The opportunity to use heated floors comes with the onset of the heating season.
- The technology is not “afraid” of children or pets , since the materials used in the outer part of the structure are resistant to mechanical stress. Taps and parts that can be twisted or chewed are easily removed. The control compartment itself closes.
- It's profitable. There are no additional costs required after connecting the floor heating from the central heating system. Only once - for the purchase of consumables and installation of the installation.
Related article: How to remove the battery to the loggia
Installation of water heated floor
The heated floor structure is installed in two ways. In the case where the base of the balcony is a concrete slab, the pipes are mounted in a concrete screed. If the floor of the loggia is made of wood, then between the wooden beams. Compared to concrete, the heating efficiency will be significantly higher, since it has excellent thermal conductivity properties. The work is of course more labor-intensive, but the end result makes up for everything.
Options for connecting the collector to central heating risers
Attention! You should start installing a floor heating system only when plastic windows have already been installed and the walls have been insulated.
Laying options
The pipe laying scheme for this design has two types, the shape of a snake and a snail. Regarding the first form, it is used on balconies with a small area. The pipes are laid parallel to each other, during which a snake is formed.
Scheme of fastening water pipes on the loggia
The shape of the snail has a double helix, the supply and return parts of the pipes run parallel to each other. During such a composition, the supply pipe cools the adjacent parts of the pipes. The snail pattern is designed for large balconies and loggias.
Ring piping option
What kind of pipes are used?
Installation of water heated floor structures involves the use of 4 types of pipes:
- Metal-plastic. The tubes have an aluminum inner core which makes them more durable. They cope well with the properties assigned to them, have excellent flexibility, and can withstand high temperatures.
- Copper. The most common and expensive material. The average service life of copper pipes is more than 100 years.
- Polyethylene. Quite flexible, but not at all durable pipes. The cost is much lower than its predecessors.
- Polypropylene. Pipes are famous for their durability, practically do not become clogged and are not subject to corrosion. The disadvantage of the material is poor flexibility.
Video: recommendations for choosing pipes for heating a loggia
Properties of the collector system
The collector is necessary to supply water through pipes and regulate temperature. The mechanism consists of a thermostat and a flow meter. There are two types of devices:
- mechanical;
- electronic;
The equipment is placed in a specially designated cabinet, and if the balcony allows you to hollow out a niche of the required size, then the collector is placed in it.
Collector diagram
Features and Benefits
The design of heated floors has many advantages over conventional radiators. Firstly, it is great for small spaces as well as large rooms. By evenly distributing warm air that does not cool over time, the most comfortable living conditions are created. The main advantages of heated floors include:
- The newest heating system is much more efficient than others. It generates more heat, providing a high level of comfort.
- Despite the huge amount of radiated heat, the heating element has a low temperature.
- Warm floors are a modern and aesthetic heating system. Radiators take up a lot of space and often look unattractive. In addition, the floor does not need to be decorated or maintained, since all elements are hidden under the flooring.
- You can regulate the temperature using installed sensors. The system is automated and functional.
- The main feature of heated floors is long-term operation. The water structure serves the most.
- You can install the system yourself without any skills or experience. No special equipment is required for installation.
- It’s pleasant to walk on a warm floor barefoot; your feet won’t freeze, even if it’s minus degrees outside.
