A beautiful balcony is an expensive pleasure. The floor on the balcony is just as important as in the living room or in the kitchen. You can make it yourself or spend at least 50,000 rubles on workers.
You can put different coverings on the floor of the loggia. The choice depends on the glazing of the loggia. For warm glazed balconies choose parquet board, parquet, grooved board, laminate
The floor on the balcony must be made strong if the owners want to use the balcony as a greenhouse or office.
The base surface is made at the first stage of manufacturing. All furniture is taken out and the old coating is removed. The cement base is cleaned of old glue, dirt and debris. The screed helps to balance the level of the slab pour. When making a balcony, it should be remembered that this is an unreliable structure and it is not able to withstand the entire load, such as, for example, a coating in an ordinary house. The impact on the balcony slab should be gentle. The floor on the balcony can be leveled while maintaining the integrity of the structure. In this case, not a traditional concrete screed is used, but a new solution with a lightweight structure. Styrofoam inclusions with new cement screeds on the balcony have good performance. Gypsum mortars are also very light.
The evenness of the base is determined by the building level, then leveling occurs with a screed. For the screed, you will need several beacons. They are divided evenly across the entire width of the balcony. Beacons are distributed across the base in increments of 60 cm. The evenness of the beacons is determined by the building level, if necessary, pieces of hardboard are placed. If the floor is installed on an open loggia, then a slope from the wall of the building is needed. First, the lighthouses are leveled, then they are leveled on the loggia. And so each individually, at the end of the overall alignment.
There is no need to rush with the installation of beacons. The evenness of the coating depends on the installation and accuracy of the beacon. Lighthouses are fixed.
Cement mortar is placed in places where the hardboard was placed. The solution hardens for two hours. In order for the screeds to hold the solution, metal railings are installed instead of a stone parapet. A wooden beam is attached to the edge of the outer side of the base. Between the beam and the floor, the gap is covered with sealant.
The screed helps to raise the level on the balcony. For better adhesion, the base is well primed. The screed solution is made from special dry mixes. The solution is made according to the instructions, brought to a homogeneous mass. For screeds, dry mortars are leveled independently. Evenness is controlled by installed beacons.
It's so easy to install do-it-yourself screeds for coating.
You can install a wooden floor in the loggia with your own hands. When the screed is ready, you can start laying the decorative coating. Boardwalk has gained significant popularity. The wooden floor on the balcony, made by hand, has natural warmth, good air circulation. For an open loggia, it is recommended to install outdoor wooden shields. The deck board is perfect. The board does not deteriorate for many years. Any board will do indoors.
Lag Alignment
Installing and leveling the floor on the balcony with your own hands is easy. A crate is made on which boards are placed. The crate provides rainwater drainage. Natural air circulation is preserved, so the service life is extended. After the wood is varnished.
Different coverings are laid on the loggia. The choice depends on the glazing of the loggia. For warm glazed balconies choose parquet board, parquet, grooved board, laminate.
Do-it-yourself ceramic tile laying:
- You will need a spatula-comb, tile adhesive.
- The floor is cleared of dust and debris. The adhesive solution is mixed according to the instructions.
- Laying begins from the far corner.
- Glue is applied to the back side of the tile, leveled with a comb spatula, excess glue is removed, the tile is placed on the base and slightly pressed.
- The remaining tiles are laid in the same way, the gap between the tiles is controlled by fixing with plastic crosses.
- The edge tiles are cut with a tile cutter.
Other types of coatings are easier to install.
Sometimes you have to level the concrete floor with your own hands, and without screeds. For this, a wooden joist alignment system is useful:
- All debris, dust, dirt, remnants of the old coating are cleaned.
- The building level determines the height, and marks are placed on the walls around the entire perimeter of the balcony.
- You can use not only ready-made production logs, but also coniferous beams of a certain size.
- Lags are installed with a distance between the axes up to 50 cm.
- For the desired installation, the log is laid with bars, and between them are pieces of roofing material for waterproofing.
- At the required level, the logs are installed strictly horizontally by gradually moving the bars.
- With the help of anchors, the logs are attached to concrete.
- After fixing the lag, sheets of plywood are laid on the surface. Sheets are fixed with self-tapping screws. Plywood is coated with water-repellent compounds, as there is a possibility of water and moisture ingress.
Since alignment has already begun, it is possible to insulate them, however, insulation increases the load on the structure. For ease, penoplex and penofol are used. You should not save on materials for insulation, as this can lead to the reconstruction of the balcony. Here you need to consult with experts.
There is a wide variety of heaters on the market: heating mats, cable heating sections, film floor. Heaters are installed only on a flat surface.
Warm film floor
A warm film floor is mounted under linoleum, carpet, laminate, etc. The film floor has no additional load, it heats the surface evenly and quickly. It is desirable to install a warm film floor on leveled coatings, which will facilitate the installation of this type.
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Residents of modern panel houses know firsthand what an insufficient area of an apartment is. Most people strive for more comfortable living, that is, to increase living space. This can be done through the use of a balcony or loggia. But in most cases, these rooms are cold and not suitable for organizing living space. To make them more comfortable, it is necessary to carry out finishing work, the main of which is the arrangement of the floor on the balcony with your own hands.
How to choose flooring materials
There are the following options for arranging the floor on the balcony, each of which involves the use of special building materials:
Balcony floor made of plywood with insulation In addition to the above options, it is possible to install a floor heating system. This is the most expensive type of flooring, but at the same time it provides a comfortable temperature inside the balcony at any time of the year. Depending on the budget, as well as the cost of utilities, choose a water or electric version of the equipment. In this case, the floors on the balcony must be pre-prepared. That is, it is necessary to carry out waterproofing, insulation, leveling.
Before you make the floor on the balcony with your own hands, you need to purchase the necessary materials. If the budget for repairs is small, it is recommended to opt for options such as screed and tiles, a concrete base with laminate or linoleum. You can also make insulated wood flooring. If the budget is quite large, then you can not deny yourself anything and equip the balcony with the latest technology.
Underfloor heating system - the most expensive type of floor arrangement on the balcony
On a note! The use of tiles is possible only if the surface is pre-levelled.
Preparatory work
After it was decided what to make the floor on the balcony of, you can proceed to the preparatory work. First of all, it is necessary to remove from the balcony all the furniture, things stored there and everything that may interfere with the repair work. If there is any flooring or old coating on the floor that has become unusable, it should be removed. Then the plate should be cleaned of fungus and other contaminants, and then covered with a special antiseptic composition to prevent the development of harmful microorganisms.
Dismantling the old flooring on the balcony Next, you need to check the coating for evenness. To do this, you can use the building level, which is applied in different places throughout the floor area. You can also pre-pour water on the floor to find out uneven places, and then check the level deviation. Most flooring options require screeding. This work includes the following operations:
- Installation of beacons. The first step is to draw the floor on the balcony with transverse lines every 60 cm. Then cut the beacons (metal profiles) along the width of the balcony and install them on dowels and screws. Alignment of profiles occurs with the help of the same building level and small wooden or hardboard bars, which are placed under the lighthouses. The products are fixed with cement mortar, they also fill the places where the bars were.
- Solution preparation. If a dry mix was purchased, then the preparation of the solution must take place in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. For self-preparation, you need to take 3 parts of sand and 1 part of cement. First, the dry ingredients are mixed, after which water is added. After preparation, it is recommended to let the solution brew and mix again after 15 minutes.
- Application of the mixture. The finished solution is applied to the floor with spatulas and leveled, taking into account the beacons. Then the flooring is left alone for 2 hours, after which the beacons are removed and the resulting strobes are filled with a solution.
- Grout. At the very end, a day after applying the material, the surface is treated with sandpaper, and then coated with a primer. Then you can proceed to further work on the design of the floor.
How to fill the floor on the balcony without beacons:
The finished surface is primed, after which you can proceed to further finishing work, for example, lay a laminate on the balcony.
Warming
Depending on the presence of a thermal insulation layer and the type of material used, different results can be achieved on the balcony. In most cases, before leveling the floor on the balcony completely, a heater is laid that does not change the size of the interior space.
Warming without changing the coating
In this case, we are talking about installing an electric floor heating system. Installation is carried out as follows:
- First of all, foamenol foam insulation is laid over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe balcony.
- The rolled part of the underfloor heating system is rolled out on the prepared base.
- The edges of the material adjacent to the wall should be treated with bituminous insulation.
- On the opposite side, it is necessary to bring the contacts and solder them.
- All exposed conductive parts must be insulated.
- The thermostat should be connected to the network, and the temperature sensor should be placed under the heating element, while fixing the wire with tape.
- A hole is drilled next to the outlet for the control panel and a strobe for connecting the cable.
- Power is supplied from a nearby outlet.
Important! After all the above actions, a test run of the system should be carried out, and only then the final coating should be laid.
Insulation with a change in floor thickness
The first step is to mark the surface. To do this, draw 3 longitudinal lines with an indent from the walls of 5 cm and from each other by 40-60 cm, depending on the width of the balcony. Then brackets are installed along the lines every 30-40 cm. Wooden bars are mounted in the installed fasteners and fixed with self-tapping screws. After that, the installation of transverse logs is carried out (usually no more than 4 pieces are required, spaced at an equal distance from each other). Installed lags are checked by level, after which mineral wool or penoplex is laid between them. From above, the structure is covered with plywood, which is installed on self-tapping screws in increments of 15 cm.
Penoplex is one of the most popular materials for floor insulation on the balcony. Arrangement of flooring
The last step in arranging the floor on the balcony is the installation of a finishing coating. There are several ways to carry out this operation, but the most popular is the tiled floor.
Laying tiles
Laying tiles on the balcony begins with the preparation of the mortar. It is recommended to use branded products, as home-made mixes may be too low quality. The prepared solution is applied to the floor with a figured spatula and stretched over the surface. The tiles are pressed to the floor and checked with a building level. Next to it, the next element is laid, and crosses are installed between them, with the help of which the seams will be formed.
Tiles allow you to emphasize the individuality of the balcony interior In areas near the walls, trimming of the material may be required. To do this, it is better to use a tile cutter, the use of a grinder in this case is traumatic. After installing the entire tile, you must wait a day for the solution to dry, and then fill the seams with a special grout.
Terrace board laying
First, longitudinal logs are installed without rigid fixation, transverse beams are mounted on them, fastened with self-tapping screws. Then, special clips are installed on the transverse boards, which come with the terrace board. The material will be installed in these clamps. The side on which there is a groove is put into clips and so on until the entire roll is lined. The correct installation of each element is checked by the building level.
When laying a terrace board, it is necessary to install logs Floor painting
First you need to prime the surface. Firstly, the adhesion of the coating will increase significantly, and secondly, paint consumption will decrease. Then the material is poured into a convenient container, a roller is dipped in it and the floor surface is painted over, starting from the far corner. After a few hours, when the paint dries a little, a second coat should be applied. After these procedures, no more work will be done, so you can mount the baseboard. Although some prefer to additionally varnish the floor.
Linoleum laying
A sheet of material is rolled out on the floor and the excess is trimmed. To do this, the edge of the roll is pressed against the wall and cut off just above the floor line to leave a margin. Then the material is removed and a special glue is applied to the surface. Linoleum is again laid on top of the prepared base and pressed firmly to the floor. Further, the entire surface is rolled with a roller, and excess glue is removed with a rag.
Laying linoleum is a fairly simple procedure that does not require special skills. Installation of laminate or parquet
The first step is to lay a substrate of polyethylene or cork. The material must completely cover the surface to be treated. Fragments of the substrate are fastened with ordinary adhesive tape. Laying parquet or laminate on the balcony starts from the far corner, while the spike should be pressed against the wall surface. Then they pick up a row adjacent to the balcony railing.
On a note! Wooden pegs should be inserted into the gap between the wall and the material to form an expansion gap. This gap is necessary so that during the set of moisture, the floor covering does not swell.
Installation of laminate and parquet requires attention and a responsible approach to business Conclusion
Pouring a concrete screed and installing a floor covering on a balcony is quite simple, since its area is small, and the quality requirements for the finished coating are lower than for indoor surfaces. The only difficulty that a novice master may encounter is the installation of a warm floor system, so it is better to entrust it to specialists. Everything else can be done on your own, it is only important to follow the above instructions and check the results of the work with the level as often as possible.
Quite often, apartment owners adapt the balcony as an additional room. Naturally, in this case, it is necessary to carry out a series of operations in order to give the loggia a more residential look. In addition to insulation and finishing, it is also necessary to level the floor. As a rule, the foundation in such rooms is in a far from ideal condition, so it is rarely possible to do without this operation.
There are two ways to level the floor on the balcony - using a concrete screed or using a log device. Let's consider both methods in more detail.
For leveling the floor on the balcony using a screed device you will need a primer, building level, tape measure, pencil, guides), a rule or rail, a wide metal spatula, a dry mix for leveling, a container for mixing the solution.
After preparing all the necessary materials and tools, you can get to work.
Foundation preparation
Initially, it is necessary to remove all things from the balcony, clean the base from dirt and dust. You should also check the condition of the floor. If there are weak areas, destruction of materials, then they should be cleaned. Strong cracks and chips are sealed with cement mortar.
The composition must be applied to the entire surface of the floor with a brush. The use of a primer will provide more reliable adhesion of other materials to the surface, protect against various negative environmental influences. The surface is left until the composition is completely dry (drying time is indicated on the package).
In order for the base to be even, it is necessary to determine the so-called "zero mark". According to it, the height of pouring the concrete screed will be determined. To determine the height, choose the highest place on the floor. According to the value obtained, the corresponding points are plotted along the entire perimeter. To mark them evenly, it is necessary to use a laser or bubble building level. This stage is very important, since the evenness of the screed obtained later largely depends on the correct marking.
Installation of beacons
After determining the height level of the screed, guides (or beacons) should be installed. They will be further aligned. The guides are attached to the solution. Lighthouses should be placed in the transverse direction (in width) in increments of approximately 50-60 cm.
Before proceeding with further work, it is worth waiting until the solution on which the guides are attached grabs.
For pouring, you can use a cement-sand or concrete mortar. The mixture is poured between the beacons, and then leveled with a rule or rail. Thus, the entire surface is filled. You need to align with short movements, holding the working tool with a little pressure. You need to work until the screed is completely flush with the beacons. It is recommended to use a large metal spatula to obtain a perfect surface.
After that, the screed is left to dry completely. This may take up to several weeks.
Leveling concrete floor
You can also use the log device to level the floor on the balcony. This method is quite easy to do on your own, and the production time is much shorter compared to creating a concrete or cement-sand screed. To carry out the process, you will need plywood (it is better to take a thickness of 20 mm), a drill or a screwdriver, a puncher, a wooden beam with a section of 40x40 mm or 30x40 mm, a hacksaw or a hand circular saw, a building level, tape measure, pencil, wood screws and dowels .
Walkthrough. Leveling the floor on the loggia along the logs
- Foundation preparation. All dirt and dust should be removed. The surface can be additionally treated with a primer, which will protect the surface from destruction and the influence of negative environmental factors.
- Determining the level of the leveled base. The process is carried out similarly to the above algorithm: the highest point is determined, according to which marks are made by the building level.
- Waterproofing installation. It is recommended to lay waterproofing between the lags. It can be films, or liquid mastic. Mastic is applied to the surface with a brush. The film is attached with adhesive tape.
- Log installation. Logs are installed in increments of 50 cm. The height of the crate must correspond to the marks made. For an even location in low places, bars are placed under the logs. The accuracy of the installation must be constantly checked using the building level. The crate is attached to the base with dowels. Moreover, the deeper the fasteners are installed, the more reliably the bars will hold. Therefore, it is recommended to choose dowels with a length of 80 mm. In order for the crate to serve for a long time, it is recommended to pre-treat the bars with a special protective impregnation. It will provide reliable protection against negative environmental influences.
- Plywood laying. Plywood is laid on the crate and attached to it with wood screws (it is recommended to choose fasteners 65 mm long). Hats should be drowned in the thickness of the material. As a rule, sheets need to be cut. For this, the width of the balcony is measured, which is then deposited on plywood. After that, the sheets are cut according to the marks made with a hacksaw or a circular saw. When laying, it is necessary to provide a technological gap of 3 cm. Plywood can be replaced with chipboard or OSB (also 20 mm thick). OSB and plywood are of higher quality and more reliable, so it is recommended to choose them.
In some cases, the balcony needs to be insulated. In this case, it is necessary to provide for the laying of heat-insulating material. Various materials can be used as insulation: polystyrene foam, mineral wool, bulk materials (expanded clay), polyethylene foam, etc. It is best to choose foam. It has excellent sound and heat insulation properties, is resistant to various environmental influences, including moisture, is durable, inexpensive, and easy to install.
When insulating the floor, it is imperative to provide for the installation of a waterproofing layer(film or special mastic). In this case, it is necessary to provide for the entry of the material onto the wall to a height of approximately 7-10 cm.
Next, the heater is installed. The fixing method depends on the type of thermal insulation material. The insulation must be laid tightly to each other and to the logs (with the second method of leveling the floor). Joints are recommended to be treated with mastic. Next, a vapor barrier layer is provided. This stage depends on the type of insulation. For example, when using foam, a vapor barrier device is optional.
The final stage is the device of the leveling layer: screed or plywood. Further, the floor on the balcony can be finished with decorative material.
Also, for the insulation of the balcony, it is possible to provide for the installation of the "warm floor" system. This procedure is carried out if the loggia will be used as a room for permanent residence.
Thus, there are two ways to level the floor on the balcony. Each of the methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of a concrete screed is to obtain a strong and durable foundation. This floor will last a very long time. However, this will be ensured if the technology is done correctly. In addition, the arrangement of a cement-sand or concrete screed may require a long drying time. It is not recommended to use this leveling method with wooden floors. Filling the screed can not be done at a negative ambient temperature.
Alignment by lags is characterized by simplicity and fast speed of the process. And even if something was not done quite right, the defect is easy to fix. When installing the floor on the logs, normal air circulation is ensured, and various communications can be laid under the base. However, compared with a screed, such a base may not last so long. In addition, the strength is an order of magnitude lower than the screed.
The floor on the loggias and balconies of urban apartments is in most cases a concrete slab that does not have a finish. If a finish exists, it is usually minimal. This means that in future landscaping, a lot of time will be devoted to the process of leveling the floor on the balcony and preparing it for applying the selected topcoat.
Leveling the floor with a screed
Leveling the floor with a screed is one of the most reliable and time-tested options. The screed is great as a base for underfloor heating or any type of coating. Work can be carried out even on a very uneven floor of a loggia or balcony. In fact, the screed is a mixture of components in a certain proportion, such as cement, sand and water.
It must be borne in mind that a cement-based screed is used in cases where the alignment occurs in height from three to five centimeters. This is the only way to ensure optimal strength of the "rough" surface.
The first stage of work is the preparation of the old foundation.
Any existing delamination should be carefully cleaned after measurements. Measurements are necessary for the reason that it is not always possible to notice them with the naked eye.
If the screed is installed on an old concrete floor that has significant potholes, leveling is done using a special milling machine or mosaic machine. Dust and debris must be removed with a construction vacuum cleaner.
It is necessary to prepare the following materials and tools:
- waterproofing primer for concrete;
- sand, cement or ready-made mixtures;
- formwork boards and beacons as needed;
- metal rule;
- trowel;
- primer brush or roller;
- building level;
- construction mixer.
The surface of the balcony is cleaned not only from dirt and dust, but also from oil stains, as well as chipped parts of concrete. All existing cracks are sealed with gypsum or cement mortar. After that, a primer coat can be applied to the surface. The need for this arises if it is necessary to enhance the adhesion of the screed to the concrete slab. Among other things, the primer plays the role of excellent waterproofing.
In cases with open balconies that have, temporary formwork is installed along the edges of the slab to prevent future screed from flowing out. The role of formwork can be played by plywood or thin boards.
Lighthouses are long metal guides with a reinforced profile. They are cut into pieces and installed every half a meter. For standard balconies, two lighthouses are enough. On very small balconies, formwork boards can be used.
In any case, the beacons are fixed with a cement or gypsum mortar, leveling is done using a building level.
The solution is best mixed using one part of cement and three parts of sand. Water is added in the amount necessary to obtain a density similar to the density of medium-fat sour cream.
Approximately 10 kg of the mixture in dry form will require about 2 liters of water. You can mix with a mixer or a trowel by hand. For the convenience of calculating proportions, it is still desirable to use ready-made mixtures.
Next, the resulting solution is poured onto the floor. Using a metal rule, the solution is leveled in accordance with the position of the beacons. If the weather is dry, then it is better to cover the screed with polyethylene or burlap to prevent cracks and premature drying. The formwork is removed in a day or two. Beacons can be left inside the screed if there is no need to remove them.
Grouting the surface of the screed 
The screed dries in 1-3 weeks
If there is such a need, then the gaps along the edges and the paths from the beacons are leveled with a thick cement mortar. The surface is leveled with a foam or wooden float. The topcoat can be applied after one to three weeks.
Leveling the floor with joists
Leveling with a log is a great way to not only level the balcony, but also slightly raise it and even warm it.
At the same time, the base of the balcony is not loaded with excess weight. The technology of this method
implies the preliminary installation of a crate made of timber, sewn on top with boards. The design of the floor makes it possible to lay any communications, insulation and waterproofing materials.
To carry out the work, it is necessary to prepare the following materials:
- timber;
- insulation (if necessary);
- waterproofing film (if necessary);
- self-tapping screws;
- dowels;
- material for finishing cladding lag.
Traditional options can be used as a material for thermal insulation:
- mineral wool;
- expanded clay;
- Styrofoam.
As a finish, you can use boards, plywood, GSP, chipboard and others. The choice of both materials mainly depends on the financial capabilities of the owners and the characteristics of the balcony.
The order of work is the sequential execution of the following actions.
Leveling the floor with tiles
Leveling floors with ceramic tiles is not as common as the previous two described by us. The fact is that the tile is not only a material for leveling, but also plays the role of finishing.
The main distinguishing feature is the possibility of using it both on closed balconies and on open ones.
If it is intended to use the balcony as a separate living space, it is highly desirable to equip high-quality thermal insulation under the tiles or install a floor heating system. As for underfloor heating, it is advisable to use its electric version in the form of mats.
To form an uneven cut, we use a tile cutter, or an electric machine with a diamond wheel.
Ceramic tiles for a balcony must necessarily have a rough surface or any specific textured pattern. Using glossy tiles is not safe, especially if the apartment is occupied by the elderly or children. In addition, glossy tiles quickly get dirty, acquiring an untidy look.
Before proceeding with gluing the tiles, it is necessary to carry out preliminary preparation. Preparation consists in arranging a smooth screed, primed with a special solution. The glue mixed according to the instructions is applied to the back of the tile.
Laying starts from the corner farthest from the front door. The first tile should be cut at a 45 degree angle. The glue is leveled with a spatula, and its excess is removed. A small amount of glue should also be applied to the screed or to the underfloor heating mats.
Laying is done by pressing against the surface of the screed and light lapping. To ensure that the width of the seams is the same over the entire surface of the balcony or loggia, remote building crosses are used.
After that, the laying operation must be repeated. All rows are placed in this way. In the process of work, the tiles can be leveled with a block of wood or a special mallet. Tiles are cut along the edges with a glass cutter or tile cutter.
After the glue dries, metal corners are fixed with the help of dowels inserted into the holes. It is very important that when drilling the holes for the dowels, a specific drill bit designed for tile work is used.
Features of leveling the floor on a closed balcony
The main feature of leveling the floors on closed balconies and loggias is the special care in the preliminary preparation of the premises.
It is from the preliminary work that not only the evenness of the floor will depend, but also the indicators of the insulation of the balcony as a whole. Any chosen method of alignment implies the elimination of even the slightest cracks.
Preparation takes place in several stages:
- The most significant gap at the junction of the floor is closed and, for which sealant or mounting foam is used.
- After some time, a thorough cleaning is carried out.
- The gaps that are found after cleaning are expanding.
- Expanded cracks are sealed with sealant or a very plastic cement mortar.
- After the material dries, cut off the excess.
- If it is planned to lay a screed, it is advisable to install a damper tape around the entire perimeter.
After all these procedures have been done, you can start laying waterproofing sheets. Waterproofing can be an ordinary film of thick polyethylene or a sheet of roofing material glued to bituminous mastic.
It is important that the waterproofing, regardless of the material, rises slightly on the walls. The lifting height must not exceed the height of the intended leveling structure.
Waterproofing on a closed balcony should be laid very tightly without joints. If joints are unavoidable, then the material is overlapped. The resulting joint is sealed with construction tape in the case of a film. If waterproofing is carried out with roofing felt, then the joints are disposed of by welding. Only after carrying out all the work can you start leveling.
The balcony in the apartments is often insulated, glazed, used as a small utility room or attached to the living room. One of the first tasks when ennobling a balcony is to level and strengthen the floor. The technology for leveling the subfloor on the balcony is in general the same as when leveling any concrete base, but there are a number of nuances.
Features of leveling the floor on the balcony
The basis of the floor on the balcony is a concrete slab, sometimes it is covered with a screed. Often the base has significant irregularities, and over time, the concrete or screed begin to crack, exfoliate. When leveling the floor on the balcony, you need to remember the following points:
- The base must not be subjected to excessive load, therefore it is unacceptable to apply a screed in a thick layer or run a new one on top of the old one
- The floor on an open, unglazed balcony should have a slight (3-5 °, or 1 cm per 1 m of width) slope from the wall to ensure water flow
- If wet leveling is carried out, care must be taken that the solution does not flow down.
- If the balcony is open or glazed, but unheated, it is necessary to use frost-resistant and moisture-resistant materials, if it is glazed and heated, materials for interior work are suitable
There are several ways to level the floor on the balcony:
- Cement-sand screed (DSP)
- Self-leveling screed (cement self-leveling floor)
- Dry sheet screed
- Floor on adjustable joists
Wet floor leveling
Usually, this method is resorted to when there is no need to raise the finished floor and insulate the balcony, the only task is to level the base and give it the necessary slope (on the open balcony).
To eliminate significant irregularities and form a slope, a DSP is used (the thickness of its layer on the balcony should not exceed 5 cm). If the base has the desired slope, but is not completely flat (height differences within 3 cm), a mixture for a self-leveling floor is suitable.
Cement-sand screed
Preparation for the implementation of a cement-sand screed on the balcony begins with a revision of the base, cleaning of the exfoliating sections, knocking down the influx of concrete, sealing cracks. The procedure for preparing a concrete base for leveling is described in more detail. If the plate was covered with a screed, but it has many defects, it must be carefully dismantled with a puncher. Then oil stains are removed, dust and debris are removed.
The next stage of preparatory work:
- Marking with a laser or water level, determining the level of the rough and finished floor
- Treatment of the base with a primer for concrete
- On a closed balcony, it is desirable to waterproof the base with plastic wrap or roofing material with access to the walls
- Laying and fastening of the reinforcing mesh
- Installation of removable formwork along the edge of the slab (if the balcony is closed, with blind joints of the floor and walls, formwork is not needed, but the gaps at the joints must be sealed with mounting foam or sealant)
- Installation of beacons - in this capacity, you can use profile trim for drywall
The first row of beacons is installed near the wall, the second, parallel to it, closer to the fence. If the screed is performed on an open balcony, the beacons in the second row should be shorter to provide the necessary floor slope.
After the solution that fixes the beacons to the base has set, you can start mixing the main solution and laying the screed. You can use ready mix or take cement and sand in a ratio of 1: 3, for 10 kg of dry mix you need about 2 liters of water. The solution is stretched over the beacons using the rule, the surface of the laid screed is rubbed with a special grater.
The DSP on the balcony dries for 1-3 weeks, the formwork can be removed after 1-2 days, it is not necessary to remove the beacons. If you want to get a more even surface, after the final maturation and hardening of the screed, you can apply a thin layer of self-leveling mixture from above.
Leveling with self-levelling compound
To level the floors on the balcony, a moisture-resistant cement self-leveling mixture is best suited. The base is prepared in the same way as under the DSP (hardening, cleaning, priming). If there is an old screed, strong, without chips and cracks, but with minor irregularities, you can pour the composition over it.
If work is carried out on an open balcony, you need to close all the cracks with boards. Otherwise, the technology is the same as when pouring a self-leveling floor in other rooms - a dry mixture is closed with water, poured in small portions onto the floor, leveled with a notched trowel with teeth of the desired height and rolled with a needle roller.
Dry leveling
If a closed balcony or loggia is planned to be insulated and made heated, sheet materials are used to level the base, and insulation is poured between them and the concrete base. If the finishing floor needs to be raised significantly without loading the base, a subfloor is made on adjustable logs, and a slab or roll insulation is laid between them.
When determining the level of the finished floor, you need to focus on the following parameters:
- The floor on the balcony can be lower and higher than in the room, but the difference should not exceed 20 cm
- The minimum height of the balcony railing above the floor is 95 cm, and if the family has small children - 110 cm
- Minimum height from floor to ceiling - 245 cm
Dry floor screed
After the standard preparation of the base, the following steps are performed: 
- A damper tape is attached around the perimeter for soundproofing
- The waterproofing of the base is carried out with a thick (from 80 microns) polyethylene film with a 6-10 cm approach to the walls and fixing the edges with adhesive tape
- U-shaped beacons are installed along long walls with the supporting side down to set the level of backfilling of insulation
- Expanded clay is filled and leveled along the beacons, the horizontality of the backfill is controlled by the level. For preliminary alignment, a rule is used, to eliminate errors after removing the beacons - a construction grater
- OSB, TsSP or GSP slabs are laid on expanded clay, forming a subfloor
- The protruding edges of the waterproofing and damper tape are cut off
On the balcony, it is carried out by the floating method, the sheet (slab) material is not attached to either the base or the walls. It is necessary to use plates with a tongue-and-groove connection. The slabs are pressed as tightly as possible to the walls, in places of contact with them, the ridges are cut off so that the edge is not thin. The joints of the plates are glued with building glue, additionally the joints are fixed with self-tapping screws, which are screwed in in increments of 5-10 cm.
Floor on joists
The height of the lag on which it is laid subfloor, can be adjusted with threaded uprights or U-brackets. Racks are mounted on a hardened and cleaned base in places where there are no bumps and nodules. First you need to perform waterproofing, as under a dry screed. Instead of a film, you can use penofol, which is also a heater.
Logs are best made from a beam 50 mm wide, the height is selected depending on the required floor height. If necessary, the logs are attached in several tiers, first transverse, with a step of 40-60 cm, then, on them - longitudinal. The lower tier is attached to the base with anchor bolts, which should go into the base by 3 cm. The tiers are connected to each other with self-tapping screws, the length of which should be equal to the thickness of the beam.
If you need to level the base, it is more convenient to mount the longitudinal logs on adjustable supports. Extreme logs are mounted at a distance of 8-10 cm from the walls, the space between them is usually divided in half. If the laying step exceeds 45 cm, the extreme logs should be moved a little further from the walls.
Work order:
- The places for attaching the racks to the base and the logs are outlined (the recommended distance between the racks of one log is 40-50 cm)
- Logs are attached to adjustable racks with self-tapping screws
- Racks are attached with dowels to the base over waterproofing
- With the help of the level, the horizontal laying of the log is controlled, if necessary, the height of the racks is adjusted. First, the logs closest to the walls are aligned in the longitudinal direction and between them, along them - the middle
- Expanded clay is poured between the lags or expanded polystyrene, mineral wool are laid
- Sheets of plywood, OSB boards and similar materials, or grooved boards are screwed to the logs with a step of 15-20 cm with self-tapping screws.
- Joints of plates and walls along the perimeter are filled with mounting foam
Tips for arranging the floor on the logs
- If there is also a glazed balcony below, waterproofing the base is unnecessary
- The insulation must be laid in such a way that no cracks (cold bridges) form. If several layers of slab insulation are laid, the seams should go apart
- The best material for a subfloor on a balcony is chipboard or OSB, these plates are the least susceptible to deformation due to fluctuations in temperature and humidity
- Plates must be laid with a gap of 3-5 mm from the walls and from each other
- In the process of fixing the plates with self-tapping screws, you need to lean with your feet on the areas where the logs are laid
Video
Installation of dry screed on the balcony, loggia
Floor installation on adjustable joists
Cement-sand floor screed on an open balcony
Warming of balconies and loggias
Outcome
On the balcony, you can lay a beautiful finished floor, but first you need to level the base. There are a number of differences in the technique of leveling the floor on an open and closed balcony - the need to form a slope for water flow, the use of formwork when working with a wet screed.
Height differences up to 5 cm can be smoothed out with a cement-sand screed, and up to 3 cm with a self-leveling screed. If during the leveling process it is necessary to raise the floor by more than 5 cm, it is necessary to use a dry screed or lay a subfloor on adjustable logs. This solution allows you to simultaneously insulate the floor.
