A fairly common problem in most modern apartments is the lack of living space. Each owner tries to solve this problem in his own way. The easiest way to make the area of your apartment a little larger is to combine a balcony with a room. A simple layman believes that it is quite simple to implement this idea, but this is not so. After all, during the overhaul there are pitfalls.
What is a balcony join? This is the formation of a single space with a room and the creation of comfortable conditions for living. To do this, it is necessary to think over the redevelopment, obtain all the necessary documents for the work, glaze the balcony and insulate it. To begin with, assess the situation, do you really want to enter the warpath with the relevant authorities.
Carrying out redevelopment
If you will be combining a balcony with a room, then you should familiarize yourself with the Housingcode. It says that glazing and combining a balcony is a redevelopment of the interior space. Therefore, before repair, it is necessary to obtain official permission for such events. This will allow you to make changes to the passport of the apartment and coordinate the work with the relevant authorities.
What documents will be needed
Combining a balcony with a room should be accompanied by the owner of the apartment contacting the window installation service. Specialists will be able to develop a glazing project and carry out light and climate calculations. After drawing up the project, it should be attributed to the architectural and planning department. Its specialists will give permission or refuse to glaze a loggia or balcony.
The project is unlikely to be approved if the appearance of the balcony will stand out against the background of neighboring structures. A permit is almost never issued if glazing of balconies that are part of architectural monuments and historical buildings is to be done. If approval is received, then the project must be shown to the SEC and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The specialists of these services check whether the fire safety rules are observed.
The project will not be approved if the balcony is located next to escape routes and fire escapes. If you started combining a balcony with a room and all permissions were obtained, then the approval must be taken back to the housing inspection. At this stage, written powers of attorney will be attached to the project, which indicate the consent of family members to the redevelopment. This should also include those whotemporarily unavailable.
Glazing
Before issuing a permit for redevelopment, you need to take care of the choice of glazing. You must understand that a balcony or loggia has its own design features, which is how they differ from each other. Thus, the balcony is a concrete slab protruding beyond the living space. The slab is strengthened in a cantilever way. It can have different thicknesses and sizes. It is unacceptable to install double PVC double-glazed windows on it. The slab may simply not withstand such a load, so it will not be possible to combine a balcony with a living room.
Any glazing can be carried out if the living space is supplemented with a loggia. This is due to the fact that the slab is located inside the apartment and forms a niche with side walls and a ceiling.
Difficulties of insulation
If you decide to combine the balcony with the room, the photo must first be considered. They will make it clear that the work must also be accompanied by thermal insulation. To carry out such manipulations, non-combustible solid materials can be used. Styrofoam is prohibited, because it burns well, while releasing toxic substances.
It is forbidden to take heating radiators into the new room. The floor cannot be insulated by installing heating and hot water supply systems. To combine a balcony with a living room, it is necessary to carry out heat engineering calculations in advance. This documentation willchanges in the redevelopment, the construction of partitions, the demolition of walls and the choice of glazing option are reflected.
Combining a balcony with a room
Combining a balcony with a room that has been agreed upon can be done in several ways. The first does not involve the demolition of load-bearing structures. In this case, there should not be any particular difficulties, as in the preparation of technical documentation, as well as design. In this case, you will need to thoroughly work on the balcony, insulating it and glazing it, additionally removing the window block. It will be possible to build a bar counter on a window pedestal, while communications will not be transferred anywhere.
Alternative merge solution
Considering options for combining a balcony with a room, you can resort to the second technology, which differs slightly from the first. In this case, the kitchen will be connected to a narrow loggia. The column, which is part of the bearing support, will perform a restrictive function. It will separate the work area and the dining area, leaving only air and heat exchange as a single unit.
The third method involves the partial dismantling of the load-bearing wall. Such a combination of a balcony with a room, the design of which will be significantly different, allows you to achieve the formation of the maximum additional space in terms of area. However, this will require permissions.
Process Description
In order to insulate and glaze the balcony, it is necessary to carry out work to cut off the new living space from the street. Additionally, the structure is reinforced with a metal frame. The walls in some places are sheathed with insulation, like the ceiling. If we are talking about the top floor, then you will need to install a canopy over the balcony.
Combining a balcony with a living room provides for dismantling work at the next stage. In this case, it will be necessary to get rid of the window block and doors. Depending on what the features of the redevelopment are, it will be necessary to demolish the window sill block and transfer the radiator to the adjoining wall. The side walls can also be removed, and the perimeter is sheathed with a channel to compensate for the weakening of the load-bearing wall.
Now you can level the floor. At the same time, it is unacceptable to destroy the concrete threshold, because a concrete slab can be held on it. The floor surface is leveled, you can use a cement screed for this. If you decide to combine the balcony with the room, you must carry out the insulation. For example, high density foam can be used for the floor. It will not only level the surface, but also protect it from low temperatures. The material will not create a large load, it is durable and lightweight. Additionally, you can use expanded clay or any other light bulk insulation.
Performing thermal insulation
Whatever ideas you use to combine a balcony with a room, it is important to insulate. Particular attention must be paid to gaps and crevices, because through themmost of the heat. The process should start from the ceiling. Thermal insulation is fixed with dowels to the surface or to a pre-built crate. Slots and joints are filled with mounting foam. Wall insulation is carried out in a similar way.
For the floor, you can use a beam that is 10 cm thick or more. It is laid along the entire length and fixed with dowels. After that, you can start laying the insulation layer, “Isolen” is spread on top, which will guarantee normal vapor barrier. At the final stage, a screed is set up, it is better to use dry systems as it, which will not put a heavy load on the slab.
Ideas for combining a balcony with a room
If you decide to use a technology that involves the dismantling of window and door blocks, then the main task will be to design the opening. The place where the window sill was previously located can be used as a countertop, which is true when work is carried out in the kitchen. If the association involves the dismantling of part of the wall, then the exit to the loggia can be arranged with shelves that will make the space more airy.
Conclusion
When combining a balcony with a room, do not forget about weight restrictions. The loggia should not be overloaded, so you should not place heavy pieces of furniture and hanging elements in the new free space that you would like to strengthen on the front wall of the house. Do not try to bring gas to the loggia. This may cause problems. It is much more interesting to organize a dining room in the freed space,setting up a table and a couple of chairs in it.
