Repairing and insulating a balcony inevitably raises a lot of questions, and first of all it is necessary to find out how to cover the balcony inside and out. The requirements for materials are different, so we will consider them separately.
How to cover the inside of a balcony
There are a lot of options, both traditional and new. The requirements for interior decoration of a balcony are mainly as follows:
- durability - after renovation, you want to not worry about how the balcony looks for at least 10 years;
- practicality: the surface should be easy to wash and not absorb dirt;
- attractiveness - it is quite possible to turn a balcony into a place for relaxation, and not a warehouse for unnecessary things;
- ease of installation - this is especially important if you are going to do the cladding yourself;
- maintainability - you never know, it should be possible to replace the damaged area.
There are many requirements, but often another one is added to them - financial. Not everyone has the opportunity or desire to invest decent amounts. From the point of view of all these requirements, we will analyze the most popular finishing materials.
Wood
In many regions, balconies are most often covered with wood products. The most popular are lining and eurolining, but you can use any other similar materials: imitation timber, block house, terrace or even ordinary planed board. The difference is in appearance and, in some cases, in the method of fastening: lining and its varieties (imitation timber and block house) have a tongue-and-groove lock, which results in a joint without gaps.
Cover the balcony with eurolining or regular lining - one of the most popular finishing options. Especially in regions where lumber is inexpensive. Where wood is a luxury, other materials are used.
Plastic
There is a wide range of plastic PVC panels in any store. Usually they are strips of material of different widths, which are joined like clapboard: with a tongue and groove lock. That’s why such products are also called plastic lining. This usually means a surface with seams (as in the photo below).
In the photo there is a balcony covered with plastic - plastic lining
When they talk about plastic panels, they mean their seamless version. There is even more choice here. There are glossy (shiny) and matte surfaces, plain and with a wide variety of patterns.
Now let’s look at the compliance of this material with the requirements for internal cladding for a balcony:
Sheathing a balcony with plastic panels is an “inexpensive and good” option. This is the best choice if you need a practical surface.
Laminated materials: MDF panels and chipboard
Another option for interior finishing of an insulated balcony: paneling or. Their basis is wood fibers, processed in a special way and covered with a decorative film that imitates various surfaces. In addition to a flat surface, they also absorb sound quite well. This is an effect that plastic cannot achieve.
This material has one feature: it does not like high humidity. Therefore, MDF wall panels are suitable only for heated balconies, and they will feel best on loggias. The same applies to laminated chipboard.
Now let’s talk about whether they meet the requirements for finishing materials for a balcony or not:
- Durability. If operating requirements are met (at normal humidity), the service life is 20-30 years.
- Practicality. The surface is flat and smooth, all traces of dirt are easily removed. The film used is dense and strong, but if you set a goal, it can be damaged by a sharp object.
- Attractiveness. Various surfaces mostly imitating wood - this is the range of MDF lining (as it is also called). If you like the surface of wood, but don’t want to take care of it, this is your option, because there is a very successful imitation.
- Ease of installation. The system is still the same: a sheathing to which the trim is attached.
- The maintainability of MDF panels is similar to the case described above: some reserve is required. With chipboard it is more difficult - either cut out and replace part of the skin or change the entire fragment.
For the price, this is a completely affordable option. Installation takes a little time: the width of the panel is about 20 cm, chipboard is basically sheets. So if you don’t know how to cover a balcony inexpensively and quickly, you can take a closer look at MDF wall panels or laminated chipboard.
Drywall
This type of finishing has become recent years traditional. Its advantages are well known: you can get a perfectly flat surface of any configuration. But this type of finishing uses “wet” processes with plaster, and if the surface is painted, without experience you are unlikely to get a fairly smooth surface. Unless you use decorative plaster as a finishing touch, which will hide small flaws.
Another option for covering a balcony is with plasterboard
Let's look at the finishing requirements:
- Durability. The surface itself can last for decades, but the paint will have to be updated regularly. But this also has its advantage: you can inexpensively change the boring design. This is not possible with all the other previously described materials.
- Practicality. If the paint is good quality, it can be wiped several times with a damp cloth. Only special plasters can be washed.
- Attractiveness. Finishing with plasterboard is practically the standard for mid-level renovation at the current stage. You can create a very interesting design or a completely neutral surface. It all depends on desire.
- Ease of installation. The technology is still the same: a frame on which the finishing is mounted. Only in the case of gypsum board, a fairly large area of plastering work is added. Of all the processes described earlier, this process is the most complex.
- Maintainability. In principle, everything can be fixed, but there will be a lot of work. There is also a high probability that everything will have to be repainted. In any case, one wall. But it can be fixed.
As you can see, there are a lot of finishing materials. And that's not all possible options. There are also exotic possibilities: sheathing with bamboo, cork, wickerwork or mats. But for these types of finishing the surface will have to be leveled using plaster. With the advent of new materials, this process is not very popular: it is slow and dirty, but sometimes you cannot do without them. Finishing elements are placed on the leveled and plastered surface using glue. Everything is simple, only bamboo and cork cost a decent amount, but the design turns out beautiful and unconventional.
How to cover a balcony outside
Exterior finishing of a balcony places slightly different requirements on materials. In addition, it must be strong and reliable, wear-resistant. To understand the best way to cover the outside of a balcony, let’s look at the main options.
Vinyl siding
It is available in two versions - traditional in the form of long boards with a tongue and groove fastening, which is often used to sheathe houses, and facade in the form of slabs with uneven edges, imitating stone or masonry. Both materials are mounted on the sheathing using self-tapping screws, but the frame is assembled slightly differently, adapting to the geometry of each material.
Metal siding or corrugated sheet
Although vinyl is considered durable among plastics, it cannot compete with metal. If for high-lying balconies how durable the material is is not critical, then for lower floors it is very important. That’s why the balconies below are often sheathed on the outside with metal siding or corrugated sheets.
Whether it is better to cover a balcony with siding or corrugated sheets is a matter of personal preference. Both have a high degree of reliability. Siding is made of aluminum or galvanized iron, on the front surface of which a polymer film is applied. Profiled sheet is a shaped sheet of roofing iron coated with polymer or paint. The service life is stated to be from 15 to 25 years.
The main difference is the installation method. A part is cut out from a profiled sheet the desired shape and in a large piece is attached to the sheathing with special self-tapping screws with a painted head. Siding is also assembled like lining: there is a tenon on one side and a groove on the other. Along the edge of the strip there is perforation for fasteners. Self-tapping screws are screwed into it (in the middle of the hole, slightly short of the cap - leaving the ability to move with temperature changes in the materials).
How to decorate a house with siding is written in the article ““. If you choose this material, you will need to know the features and installation rules...
Wood paneling
Houses are built from wood, so why not cover the outside of the balcony with it? Not a bad option, but the wood requires maintenance. Therefore, the impregnation of the material used should be given special attention. Take antiseptic and protective compounds for outdoor work. The treatment is carried out before installation begins - then it will be problematic. When finishing, do not forget to process the ends of the boards cut to size. Otherwise, the entire installation is the same.
You can sheathe the outside of the balcony with wood - clapboard, for example
Just keep in mind that without proper care, attractive cladding will turn into something unattractive. A fragment of a tree left without care can be seen in the photo below on the right.
How to cover a balcony without glazing
Since the finishing of an unglazed balcony will be exposed to all atmospheric phenomena, you need to choose from materials for exterior decoration of the house. Possible options:
- siding - vinyl, base, metal;
- decorative finishing stone;
- porcelain stoneware;
- plasters for external use;
- tree;
- ceramic frost-resistant tiles;
- polycarbonate
Most of the material is familiar to you. Questions may only arise regarding polycarbonate. They recently began sheathing the balcony with polycarbonate. And you can make not only a canopy on the upper floors (pictured on the left). This material looks very nice paired with a forged balcony fence. But on such a balcony the order should be perfect.
How to cover the ceiling
On a glazed balcony, the ceiling is often sheathed either with the same material as the walls, or with plastic panels. You can make a ceiling from plasterboard.
If we're talking about On an unglazed balcony or loggia, the ceiling is usually sheathed with siding. It is inexpensive, washes well, is easy to install and at the same time holds up well.
See the photo below for several ideas for finishing unglazed balconies.
Anyone who plans to carry out repairs on a balcony or loggia asks the question - what can you use to cover the inside with your own hands? Thanks to the variety of finishing materials, the number of interior finishing options is endless. We propose to consider the most popular types of cladding that meet the requirements of practicality, aesthetics and durability.
After covering and arranging the closet, the balcony became not only a storage area, but also a relaxation area
Each of the materials suitable for cladding loggias and balconies inside has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Eurolining and lining
Wood is one of the most versatile materials for finishing interior and exterior spaces. The tree does not highlight hazardous substances when heated, and does not become brittle even in severe frosts. Therefore, it comes in handy for covering balconies and loggias with your own hands - most apartment owners choose lining or eurolining for their practicality and the ability to create a unique “cozy” atmosphere in the room.
Lining is long wooden blocks that can be fastened together using a tongue-and-groove system. Eurolining is a more advanced material. Its connecting elements are more reliable, and special ventilation grooves ensure air circulation inside the structure.
Advantages of lining and eurolining:
Loggias decorated with clapboard look especially cozy - wood creates a “natural” atmosphere
- Long service life;
- Environmental friendliness;
- Speed of installation;
- High sound and heat insulation.
It is worth noting that the cost of covering with clapboard with your own hands will not be low. In addition, the need to carefully treat the surface with antiseptic agents leads to additional costs. Separately, it should be noted that wood has a high fire hazard.
Both lining and eurolining are installed according to an identical scheme. We examined in detail the technology of covering balconies and loggias with clapboards with our own hands in.
PVC panels
The second most popular material for cladding interior spaces with your own hands is plastic panels.
Sheathing with plastic panels is the second most popular type of finishing.
Advantages of PVC panels:
- Variety of color options and imitations;
- Easy installation;
- Easy to care for;
- Long service life;
- Very affordable price.
The downside of the material is its fragility - when hit, a crack or dent can easily appear on the surface. However, the damaged element can simply be dismantled and a new panel installed in its place.
Disputes often arise between finishing specialists about what is better to cover a balcony - with clapboard or plastic? It is difficult to give a definite answer here; it all depends on the requirements and expectations of the apartment owner.
If funds allow and natural material seems more attractive, you should opt for lining. If you want to get neat cladding, spending a minimum of time and money, then PVC panels will be the optimal solution.
Plastic panels white helped create a neat and bright space
We looked at the technology for installing plastic panels
We invite you to watch the video in which we covered the walls and ceiling of the loggia with our own hands using plastic panels:
MDF panels
There are several options for panels made from fibreboards (MDF). These include flat elements covered with a polymer film, relief panels with a pattern, and panels with wood veneer.
Advantages of MDF panels:
- Easy installation;
- Ease of use - the material does not require special care;
- Possibility of finishing walls without preliminary preparation;
- Possibility of placing heat-insulating material under the panels;
- Large selection of colors and textures.
The downside is that this material is susceptible to high humidity, so it is recommended to use it when finishing only heated balconies. If you are in doubt about whether to choose MDF or PVC panels, be guided by the type of your balcony.
Wood-look MDF panels can be used if the space is insulated
Drywall
Today you can often find balconies covered with plasterboard due to the following advantages of the material:
- Easy installation;
- Affordability;
- Possibility of surface leveling;
- A variety of drywall finishing options.
The downside is that drywall cannot be left in its original form; it is an intermediate material designed to level the walls. After installing drywall, it should be painted or another type of finish applied, which will increase the cost of facing work.
Sheathing with plasterboard helps to level the walls and ceiling, but requires further types of finishing
Disadvantages also include the fragility of the material and the possibility of its installation only in heated rooms.
Siding
Siding panels are actively used for external wall cladding. This is a durable and quickly installed material, so it is often used to cover the inside surface of balconies. This is especially true for unheated and open spaces. Advantages of siding:
- Resistance to all types of atmospheric influences;
- Wide range of shades and imitations (for example, log siding);
- Environmental friendliness of the material;
- Possibility of insulating the structure;
- Possibility of installation at any time of the year;
- Simplicity of cladding technology;
- Possibility of replacing a damaged element in a finished structure.
The use of siding for cladding is in demand as a practical and durable type of finish.
Siding has few disadvantages. As for the interior lining, the material looks a little rough in small spaces. And the cost of cladding designed specifically for outdoor use will be higher than the price of the same plastic panels.
If you are planning not only internal, but also external cladding of the balcony with siding, we recommend.
Ceramic tiles
Tiles are in demand for interior cladding of balconies. Moreover, this material is suitable for both heated and unheated rooms; it is only important to choose the right type of tile - regular or frost-resistant.
Advantages of tiles:
- Resistance to humidity;
- Large selection of colors and textures;
- Fire safety;
- Environmental friendliness.
Among the disadvantages of ceramic tiles is their high cost, due to which the material is used mainly for finishing the floor on the balcony.
Ceramic tiles are in demand mainly for floor coverings
Sandwich panels
Sometimes sandwich panels are chosen as the material for the internal cladding of balconies and loggias. They consist of two PVC panels, between which there is a layer of thermal insulation.
Advantages of sandwich panels:
- High thermal insulation performance;
- Resistance to mechanical damage;
- Resistant to moisture and weathering;
- Sandwich panels do not fade in direct sunlight.
The disadvantages of the material are considered to be sufficient high cost and the inconvenience of installing dimensional sheets of sandwich panels in a limited space (their standard size is 3 * 1.5 meters).
Sandwich panels in the decoration of loggias are not used so often - this is due to the inconvenience of attaching the dimensional material
What criteria should you use to choose a material?
Answering the question of how to cover the inside of a balcony, we looked at the most common materials. In addition to the above, the interior spaces of balconies and loggias are lined with decorative stone, cork panels, painted and even covered with wallpaper. However, such finishing methods are not so popular. This is either due to high requirements to the condition of the room, or to the high cost of the material.
Decorative stone in the decoration of the loggia looks very impressive, however, due to the high cost of the material, not everyone decides to carry out such repairs
As for those types of finishing that we have named, the optimal material for cladding balconies cannot be named among them - it all depends on specific situation. If you are in doubt about your final choice, the following expert advice will help you:
- Any type of finish is suitable for heated and closed balconies;
- In unheated rooms, you should prefer lining, eurolining, PVC panels, siding or sandwich panels. Frost-resistant ceramic tiles can be laid on the floor;
- If your balcony has limited interior space, you should not choose a finish that requires arranging a frame. In this case, it is better to spend time and level the walls and ceiling in order to install the material without a large distance from the walls;
- If you are used to storing bulky items (for example, a bicycle) on the balcony, then it is better to avoid using plastic - the likelihood of damaging the material is too high;
- If you have a limited budget, plastic panels are preferable;
- On balconies where maximum insulation and insulation is required, the best cladding option would be cladding with sandwich panels.
Conclusion
A careful analysis of the situation and a competent choice of material will be the key to successful repairs and for many years will turn your balcony into a warm, beautiful and cozy place for relaxation.
Balcony improvement is a burning issue for apartment owners who want to make every square meter of their home cozy and attractive. And the first thing you have to think about is wall cladding and barriers. But before choosing how to finish the walls on the balcony, it must be properly prepared, creating acceptable operating conditions for the cladding material. If this is not done, cold and dampness will quickly warp the finish and turn it into a breeding ground for mold or mildew. You can transform a balcony from a windswept, chilly area into a cozy corner with a comfortable microclimate in three stages:
1. Glazing
In former times, “cold” glazing of balconies and loggias was practiced: in the space between the fence and the floor slab, a frame was installed from a corner with two doors, into which glass was installed on a rubber H-shaped profile. Today there are more effective way(albeit more expensive): balcony glazing can be done using PVC frames and double glazing by ordering them from a specialized company.
2. Waterproofing
Having glazed the balcony, it is necessary carefully seal all seams and cracks through which moisture can penetrate from outside. Small gaps can be treated with putty or sealant, large ones - with polyurethane foam. When using this material, you should remember two circumstances:
— during the drying process, the foam significantly increases in volume (100% - 200%);
— the material is destroyed by ultraviolet radiation, so it should be covered with cladding or covered with a layer of sealant.
3. Insulation
The cheapest insulation option is polystyrene foam. It is easy to install, does not require a vapor barrier and is easy to cut in all directions. But in the event of a fire, this material becomes dangerous: even in non-flammable brands (with the addition of a fire retardant) when exposed to high temperatures is happening thermal decomposition with education large quantity toxic smoke.
Another option is mineral wool insulation– in terms of fire hazard, it belongs to class zero, but it also has its drawbacks: higher price and “fear of water,” which requires waterproofing and vapor barrier.
The most interesting option in terms of thermal insulation properties and characteristics is now penoplex, but in terms of price it will cost more than the previous two.
You will find a detailed description of doing the work yourself in our separate article.
About how to insulate a balcony yourself and what materials to use for this, both internal and external insulation.
Types of standard materials for finishing balcony walls
Today, the construction market offers an extensive list of finishing materials suitable for landscaping balconies:
1. Drywall
Installation of plasterboard sheets is quick, and most importantly clean way give the walls a perfectly flat surface. However, this material cannot be used on uninsulated balconies, since it is susceptible to low temperatures.
2. Vinyl or plastic panels
The attractive side of this finishing material is low cost. Moreover, he moisture resistant, plastic, easy to install. Most brands are designed for operation at temperatures not lower than +5C, but PVC panels with high frost resistance are also produced. Vinyl panels are distinguished by a wide variety of colors, but quickly fade in the sun, so they are not recommended for covering balconies on the south side of buildings.
3. Siding
This material not only looks impressive, but is also quite practical: it does not burn, is frost-resistant, and is not afraid of dampness. But, like plastic, siding quickly loses color in the sun, so it is recommended to cover the walls of balconies on the south side of houses only with white panels.
4. MDF panels
MDF boards or panels are an imported analogue of the familiar fiberboard. Material characterized by affordable cost and very diverse “appearance”: MDF panels are covered with veneer, varnished or covered with a laminating film that has any color or imitates the surface of a number of natural materials. Disadvantage of MDF finishing: instability to moisture and cold, as well as the presence of environmentally harmful components (phenol-formaldehyde resins) in the binder.
5. Lining (wooden)
Very popular. Natural wood like finishing material has always been held in high esteem. The interior created with its help is distinguished by sophistication and nobility. For cladding the walls of a balcony, it is better to use clapboard of “Extra” or “A” classes. The most affordable option is lining made of softwood. Hardwood paneling will cost more, but it is more durable and of higher quality.
And those who claim originality and want to decorate the walls in interesting ways will certainly like one of the options proposed below for how you can also decorate the walls on the balcony with your own hands.
Drywall is often used to level walls for subsequent finishing with other materials, including cork and artificial stone. The process is described in this article.
Another way to decorate a balcony is to apply liquid wallpaper to the walls. read on our website.
And for those who may find our advice on growing it on the balcony useful.
Wall decoration with decorative stone
Decorative stone is an almost perfect material for cladding an insulated balcony. It is durable, not afraid of changes in temperature and moisture, and its aesthetic merits are beyond praise: only an oak or marble interior can compare in nobility with a “stone” interior. The only drawback of decorative stone is its high cost. But if natural stone turns out to be beyond your means (by the way, due to its heavy weight, it is not recommended to use it for finishing a balcony), you can buy artificial, although it’s unlikely to be called cheap. Square meter of decorative stone cladding artificial origin“will cost” 800 – 2000 rubles, while all the types of cladding described above cost 130 – 400 rubles. per sq. m.
Decorative stone is produced in the form of polished tiles of uniform thickness, as well as in the form of panels with a relief face that imitates untreated stone. In the latter case, the walls do not need to be leveled before installation; all defects will be hidden due to the relief texture of the cladding.
Decorative stone panels and tiles glued with special glue, while wedges made of plastic or wood are installed between them, through which a uniform width of the seams is ensured. After grouting the joints, the masonry is coated with a water repellent - a special silicone-based compound that forms when drying. protective film. She protects decorative stone from exposure to moisture and ultraviolet radiation, and also “takes over” dirt and dust settling on the walls.
Balcony cladding with sandwich panels
The name of this material can be considered more than apt, since it really looks like a sandwich: between two sheets of durable and impact-resistant external environment material (galvanized steel, plastic, particle board or magnesite), a filler with high thermal insulation qualities is placed. By choosing sandwich panels for cladding your balcony, you are killing not two, but a whole herd of birds with one stone: this includes waterproofing, insulation, sound insulation, and wall cladding.
Sheathing with this material is carried out along the frame. If it is made of wood, all its elements must be impregnated with an antiseptic. The frame can also be constructed from profiles designed for creating plasterboard structures.
Sandwich panels are equipped with special projections and grooves. During installation, the protrusion of each subsequent panel is placed into the groove of the previous one, which was installed earlier. The protrusion of the very first panel is inserted under the fastening strip, which, among other profiles (corners and strips for designing joints, additional parts for sealing the ends, etc.) is supplied complete with sandwich panels. The panels are screwed to the frame elements with self-tapping screws.
Sandwich panels often have a protective film. It should be removed no later than 10 days after installation. Otherwise, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, it will react with the material of the outer sheet.
Covering the balcony with cork
An example of finishing walls on a balcony with cork Decorating walls with cork on a balcony or loggia has a number of advantages. The material is not afraid of dampness and temperature changes, does not absorb odors (smokers will appreciate this quality) and does not fade in the sun. It should also be noted the sound and heat insulation properties of this material. Cork walls do not collect dust due to static electricity and are absolutely biologically resistant.
At the same time, the cork finish is a completely natural material: the base is crushed cork tree bark, which releases a sticky substance when hot pressed. Cork has only two disadvantages: monotonous “appearance” and a relatively high price (the minimum cost of one square meter cork cladding costs 400 rubles).
Cork is produced in the form of modular tiles, rolls, and also as the front covering of cork wallpaper with a paper backing.
Before gluing with cork, the balcony walls should be leveled. Plasterboard sheathing is often used for this purpose. When working with cork cladding in the form of rolls or wallpaper, you should avoid wrinkling the material, especially if the coating is thick (about 4 mm). In places where there is a break, the cork may crumble and fall off.
Upon completion of installation, the cork coating is treated with varnish or wax.
The final stage of the renovation is finishing the inside of the balcony. Our article presents photos of the design with various cladding options. Selection completed projects proves the diversity of the building materials market using specific examples.
PVC panels and lining for wall decoration.
Lining and eurolining
Floor and parapet cladding with wood.
The walls, floor and ceiling in the home office on the loggia are lined with wooden lining.
Eurolining is a dry planed board, and lining has natural moisture. Due to the main difference, eurolining cladding is considered a higher quality option.
The spacious loggia is lined with wooden beams and has plastic panels on the ceiling.
The room is completely covered with wood. The cabinet is made of laminated chipboard.
Combination of decorative brick and painted wood in room design.
In modern loggias design, natural textures are often combined: stone and painted wooden paneling.
The main advantages of lining and eurolining:
- Environmentally friendly (harmless for use in residential premises);
- Long service life, subject to proper care (about 15-20 years);
- Good heat and sound insulators;
- Installation work using lining does not create any particular difficulty.
Large boards, laconic furniture and neutral shades - all this allows you to decorate the room in a Scandinavian style.
Wooden board in the interior of the room. The boards on the floor are impregnated with a special protective compound.
Painted wood and light-colored wallpaper in the interior.
Scandinavian style in interior design. Straight, strict shapes, light colors and natural textures.
Wooden lining. Varnish was used as a protective layer.
Block house
The effect of rounded timber allows you to create a dacha corner on the balcony.
The appearance of the block house imitates rounded timber. Moreover, experts evaluate its performance qualities better than those of its natural analogue. Home distinguishing feature- maximum smooth surface, without a single defect. That's why this type The cladding is so attractive.
When facing a loggia with a block house, it is better to choose a board with a small diameter to avoid the visual effect of reducing the space.
PVC
Facing with decorative bricks and light-colored PVC panels.
The room is decorated with plastic panels in beige tones.
PVC panels in interior design.
Let's consider the advantages of PVC panels:
- PVC panels are easy to care for and maintain. initial view. Most often, the panels are cleaned with a soft sponge soaked in water;
- A large selection of shades allows you to find exactly the option you need to create your interior;
- The service life is longer than that of lining. PVC is not affected by moisture, changes in air temperature and exposure to light;
- It is one of the most economical repair methods;
- The panels are fireproof.
Plastic panels in the loggia space.
Flaws:
Not environmentally friendly.
For the design of the home hookah bar, PVC elements in light green colors were used.
MDF
MDF boards resemble fiberboard, but are processed differently thanks to modern technologies.
Glossy MDF boards with marble texture. For the renovation, two pastel shades were used.
Pros of MDF:
- High strength (not inferior to ordinary wood);
- Elasticity of plates. Thanks to this property the slabs allow you to mask differences in the sheathing structure (up to 50-70 mm);
- Practicality (long service life);
- Affordable price;
- Installation does not require much time and effort;
- Wide range of sizes;
- Large selection of textures and colors of MDF panels. In collections different manufacturers natural textures are presented - marble, wood, etc.;
- There are several coating options - MDF can be matte, glossy or textured.
Wood texture MDF boards.
Cons:
- MDF boards are fire hazardous;
- Affected by moisture.
Drywall sheets
The walls are covered with gypsum plasterboard, top layer- wallpaper.
Wallpaper in room decoration.
Paintable wallpaper. The walls are leveled using plasterboard sheets.
The interior is in light green shades. Painted sheets of drywall in the loggia space.
GKLV is often used in the repair of loggias, despite the fact that the material is fragile, and sheets without finishing cladding quickly lose their original appearance.
The final finishing layer is two types of wallpaper (light gray and imitation stone).
Painted wall surface (at the base of a plasterboard slab).
The reason for its popularity is explained by a number of the following features:
- Drywall sheets are quite easy to install;
- Due to the properties of the material, it is possible to implement various ideas in the interior of the loggia;
- Low price GKLV.
The niches in the room are made using plasterboard, the top layer is paint.
Sheets of plasterboard are used as a basis to create a flat surface - then the surface is decorated with wallpaper or painted.
Drywall covered with wallpaper for painting.
Mini bedroom. The room is covered with gypsum plasterboard, the finishing layer is paint.
To install gypsum boards, you must first organize high-quality hydro- and thermal insulation. Thus, fragility will not cause trouble during operation.
The walls of a small nursery are leveled using gypsum boards. The finishing layer is paper wallpaper.
Decorative plaster
Finishing using this material is quite common in the repair of balconies.
Surfaces covered with decorative plaster ideally complement the Scandinavian style in the interior.
The walls of the loggia are covered with decorative plaster.
Small living room on the balcony. Plaster was used for cladding.
Advantages of decorative plaster:
- This finish will last for a long time(does not rot during operation), resistant to impact chemicals, mechanical damage, high humidity and sudden change ambient temperature;
- The surface is not destroyed;
- Due to its special structure, plaster is used to create various reliefs, patterns on the surface and texture of natural materials;
- The material is absolutely harmless and fire resistant, has high degree vapor permeability.
- Allows you to create comfortable atmosphere, provides good sound and heat insulation;
- The base for application can be any: brick, concrete, gas and foam blocks, plasterboard;
- The material can be applied in such a way that the surface becomes as smooth as possible or done sloppily, otherwise the plaster will look aged. It all depends on your preferences.
Balcony terrace. The special atmosphere is set by the texture of the plaster and the careless application of the material.
Artificial stone
A combination of decorative stone and plaster.
Balcony design using artificial material imitating natural stone.
Effect brickwork in modern design.
Advantages of decorative stone:
- Affordable price;
- Variety of textures, colors and sizes;
- There are straight and corner elements, so the installation process is extremely simple (no special experience is required for installation);
- Good resistance to rotting processes;
- Prevents the occurrence and spread of fire;
- Not subject to corrosion;
- High wear resistance;
- Service life comparable to brick and concrete;
- Does not accumulate radiation, harmless to humans;
- Eco-friendly;
- The low weight allows the stone to be installed immediately, without prior reinforcement of the walls.
Artificial slate for interior decoration.
Decorative brick in a modern interior.
Artificial brick goes well with the texture of wood and modern items furniture.
Ceramic tiles, mosaic
Tile and mosaic are resistant to mechanical stress, moisture, sun rays and fire. Ceramics does not absorb dirt and preserves appearance for a long time. The elements are quite easy to install.
Greenhouse on an open balcony. White mosaic on the walls and part of the floor.
Materials for apartment renovation
In a modern apartment, even if the balcony is reserved only for drying clothes and storing various rubbish, it is much better when the space is beautifully lined, and does not look as nondescript as when the housing was put into operation. Once an arsenal of materials for finishing balconies and loggias consisted of only one lining (although not everyone could afford it), on at the moment the choice has become much wider. Decorating a balcony yourself is not so difficult, but visiting it will become much more pleasant. In a stylish room, life flows completely differently: there is a desire to plant ornamental plants on the balcony, rather than storing unnecessary things.
So, windows are installed on the balcony, thereby providing protection from dust, dirt, rain and snow entering the room; you just need to select finishing materials. In this article we want to talk about how to decorate a balcony and loggia.
Wood as a material for finishing loggias and balconies
The classic building material called "lining"– it looks stylish, is easy to install, and if some boards are damaged or defective, you can simply dismantle them and install new ones. If you use pieces of different textures or tones, you can create an original design on your balcony.
Disadvantages of lining, like any other material, they also relate mainly to the fact that it requires careful and constant care. First, it is recommended to treat the wood with antibacterial agents to prevent fungi from growing and multiplying. Then the lining is painted with varnish. And, despite the promising advertising of various companies, after a certain number of seasons the paintwork still becomes unusable. If you do nothing, do not sand the wood and paint it with new layers of varnish, then it will begin to deteriorate. On the other hand, this material is not subject to various damages and deformations.
The next type of wooden boards for finishing wall structures is called eurolining. She has more at a high price, but its quality is incomparably higher. The main difference between Euro lining and standard lining is the ease of installation. Since all the planks have special grooves, the boards are simply attached to each other without the need for additional adjustment and repeated fastening with nails.
Siding as a material for finishing balconies and loggias
Visually it looks like lining, but is made from a different material. Siding, with a wood texture, is visually no different from eurolining. The advantage of this material is its long service life. Siding racks open fire, it does not ignite, but only melts. Installation is quite simple: the siding can even be glued to a pre-made sheathing, and the planks are also secured to each other using grooves.
Finishing the balcony with plastic panels
Plastic panels are one of the cheapest materials. With their help, you can make perfectly smooth wall surfaces, and are also moisture resistant, they are easy to clean and do not require constant maintenance. The color palette is very diverse, as a result of which the balcony can acquire absolutely any shade and aesthetics. On sale there are not only plain ones, but also products with ornaments that imitate the popular textures of wallpaper and ceramic tiles. Plastic is not resistant to temperature changes. But weak, with mechanical influences, it is easily scratched and chipped.
Non-traditional means for balconies and loggias
Wall structures on a glazed balcony or loggia can be finished with moisture-resistant plasterboard or the same chipboard. Before this, it is preferable to fill the sheathing and place insulation into the resulting cavity. Then the sheathing is carried out along the guides - the result is insulated and maximally smooth surfaces.
After such cladding, you can choose any cladding of balconies and loggias , however, it is better to prefer moisture-resistant options. You can decorate the sheathed walls of the loggia with tiles or, but this option has the only drawback - coolness. Suitable for finishing wall structures of balconies and loggias and decorative stone. Upon completion of the cladding, it is better to treat the stone with a special solution that adds water-repellent characteristics to the material.
The cladding on the balcony can be covered with primer and then painted with water-repellent paint. Such wall structures will be easy to clean, and you can choose absolutely any shade. If finances allow, it is even possible to decorate the walls of the loggia with cork panels.
How to choose material for wall decoration on balconies and loggias?
How to choose best material for balconies and loggias? First, it is necessary to calculate the amount of material required. Then you need to go around or call construction supermarkets and check prices and estimate the final cost of the necessary building materials. The list of options will decrease if you clearly define the amount of money with which you can buy material for finishing the walls of balconies and loggias.
Then you need to take into account the design of those rooms that are adjacent to the balcony and loggia. For example, if the balcony borders a bedroom decorated in with wall cladding , then do not use plastic panels or metal siding as balcony finishing - since these types of finishing will argue with each other. It is also preferable to plaster the wall surfaces of the balcony or cover them with eurolining.
A loggia or balcony “united” with the room looks very impressive - preferably if it is made identical in texture and style with the same or well-combined material.
A little about the floors on the balcony and loggia. The material for the flooring is directly dependent on the insulation of the balcony. If the loggia is well insulated, then you have every right to make the floor from almost any material, even parquet. On a “cold” balcony, it is preferable to use it as it is the most resistant to moisture, despite the fact that it can lose its shape under the influence of extreme temperatures. Ceramic tiles can serve as a replacement.
