Laminate is one of the most common types of flooring used today in residential and commercial spaces. Laminate floors are resistant to various influences, have excellent working and operational characteristics, and a long service life. That is why it is quite common to find laminate flooring on balconies and loggias, although many experts recommend abandoning such a practice.
It should be borne in mind that different models from different manufacturing companies will differ in performance and performance, so for balconies and loggias it is best to choose wear-resistant models with a high level of resistance to the negative effects of temperature extremes and high humidity.
In addition, certain problems arise in the process of installation work, because. a balcony room, as a rule, has a limited size, so the laminated panels have to be cut, adjusted to the dimensions of the balcony and loggia, which is often very difficult to do with your own hands. Also, before laying, you need to properly prepare the base.
On the modern market there are also models of laminate with imitation of various materials (wood, tiles, stone), so it will be easy to choose the right decor for the balcony.
Many manufacturers allow the use of their laminate on balconies and loggias, but only under certain conditions:
- The loggia or balcony is qualitatively glazed. The best option is two-chamber or three-chamber glazing using PVC structures. Everything is clear here - in no case should precipitation be allowed to fall on the laminated coating, because. this will lead to its premature destruction and loss of all performance characteristics.
- Effective insulation of the balcony or loggia was carried out. If the room was insulated outside and inside in such a way that even in the most severe winters the temperature in it does not fall below -5 degrees, then such a balcony is suitable for laying laminate. In the event that it was not possible to achieve the required temperature indicators with the help of insulation, then the use of heating elements is allowed.
- Measures were taken to eliminate the likelihood of condensation on the balcony. Condensate will not accumulate with high-quality insulation, but it is important to perform thermal insulation work as correctly as possible (if possible, it is better to entrust them to professionals).
If throughout the year it is warm on the balcony, there is no high humidity and no condensation accumulates, then it is possible to lay a laminate of any type and from any manufacturer on it, without any restrictions. In fact, in such a case, a balcony or loggia is a functional room, so any floor coverings can be mounted on them, as well as inside a house or apartment.
At the same time, if the work on the insulation of the balcony has not been completed, then this is not at all a reason to refuse to lay the laminate floor, if there is a desire. In such situations, attention should be paid to laminate models with increased moisture resistance. Models of this type are resistant to temperature extremes and high humidity, which is achieved through high-quality processing of all surfaces of laminated panels with special hydrophobic and wax compounds, so the coating can last quite a long time even in difficult operating conditions.
In addition, models of waterproof laminate have long been presented in stores (this is not the same as moisture-resistant laminate). The production of these laminated coatings is not made from fibreboard, as is the case with standard models, but from household polyvinyl chloride. That is why manufacturers allow waterproof models to be laid not only on uninsulated balconies, but also in the bathroom, bathroom, near pools, in showers.
Moisture cannot do any harm to PVC flooring. Externally, these models look exactly the same as a regular laminate. In addition, during operation, they do not emit toxic and other harmful substances, because. the components used for their manufacture are environmentally friendly.
If the balcony is not sufficiently insulated, choose models with increased moisture resistance for the balcony
Features of laying laminate on balconies and loggias
Experts note several rules for laying laminate on a balcony at once. You need to pay attention to the following:
- Immediately before laying, the panels must be kept on the balcony for several days so that they can “get used” to the operating conditions. In the case when a waterproof laminate is being laid, it makes no sense to keep the panels on the balcony for several days.
- Before installing laminated coatings, you should consider the installation of a heat-insulating layer on the floor, because. Laminate won't make a good insulator. The best option: rough base - heat-insulating layer - profile system - laminate.
- Installation of laminated coatings is best done in sunny weather, when there is no wind and precipitation. In the process of work, it is recommended to close the windows, which will eliminate the effect of temperature fluctuations on the laminate.
- Laying the laminate should be done on a perfectly flat and clean rough base. Laminated panels will not last long if there are various bumps, pits and other defects and uneven floors under them, so they must be eliminated before installation work. The maximum allowable level of difference is no more than 2 mm per 100 cm of the floor surface.
- During the laying of laminated panels, it is necessary to leave a small technological gap, the size of which usually does not exceed 10-15 mm. This gap should be between the wall material and the laminate, not between the laminated panels. If there is no technological gap, then some panels may be deformed after some time of operation.
- It is recommended to cut laminated panels using an electric jigsaw. If such a tool is not available, then a circular saw with teeth of the minimum size will do. In extreme cases, it is allowed to use a wood saw with fine teeth.
Features of laying laminate on a balcony or loggia will largely depend on the operating conditions of the floor covering, the size of the room and many other nuances. If possible, it is best to entrust this work to professionals who are familiar with the peculiarities of installing laminated coatings in such premises.
According to what scheme can a laminate be laid on a balcony?
There are three ways of laying laminated panels on the balcony, which are most popular:
- Perpendicular to windows. When the laminated panels are laid perpendicular to the window, during the operation of the floor, the seams between the lamellas will not be noticeable, therefore, a visual impression will be formed that a monolithic and solid floor covering has been laid. When choosing this laying method, 8-10% more material will be required than the total area of \u200b\u200bthe balcony room.
- parallel to the windows. If the laminate is laid parallel to the windows, then this approach will visually increase the size of the room, but the joints and seams between the individual lamellas will be clearly visible. The option is well suited for small balconies and loggias.
- Diagonal laying of laminate is suitable for balconies that have an unusual and non-standard shape (round, triangular, polygonal, etc.). Diagonal laying allows you to increase the size of the room, but in this case you will need to purchase 15-25% more laminate than the total floor area of the balcony or loggia.
The choice of styling scheme will depend on the personal preferences and desires of the owners, so it is rather difficult to recommend something specific here.
How much does laminate flooring cost?
The cost of a laminated coating for installation on balconies and loggias will depend on several factors. It should be noted that the balcony is not a passage room in a house or apartment, so the floor here is unlikely to experience a constant and high load. That is why you can choose models of 31 or 32 service classes, which can serve in the conditions of an insulated balcony for more than 10-15 years without any problems.
Prices in this category of laminate flooring vary quite a lot. For example, Kronospan and Egger offer models of 31 operating classes for 400-600 rubles per sq.m., while for Quick-Step or Kaindl laminate you will have to pay more than 1200-1400 rubles per sq.m.
Waterproof laminate is noticeably more expensive than traditional laminate coatings, which is due to the peculiarities of production and the very high performance of such models. Almost all models of moisture-resistant laminate correspond to 33, 34 or 43 service classes, so their performance is incredibly high.
Such a floor is guaranteed to serve on the balcony for more than a dozen years. Manufacturers' prices here are appropriate: Aquafloor - 2200-3000 rubles per sq.m., Berry Floor - 1200-1800 rubles per sq.m., Holzplast - from 2300 rubles per sq.m., Kronoflooring - from 2000 rubles per sq.m. m.
From the foregoing, it becomes clear that the balcony and the laminate are perfectly combined, incl. forward!!! Dare!!!
Finishing a balcony is one of the important stages of repair or reconstruction of an apartment. The use of high-quality materials and strict adherence to the technology of finishing works will turn this small room into a full-fledged room that expands the common living space. After the repair is completed on the balcony, you can equip a cozy place to relax, study or something else.
But very often the choice of the type of basic finish causes difficulties for the owners of the apartment. There are so many offers on the building products market that it is quite easy to get lost in this variety. One of the popular and justified solutions to this issue is to finish the balcony with a laminate. This is a convenient and easy to use, strong and durable material, using which you can beautifully and efficiently equip a balcony room.
Laminated panels are a multilayer structure consisting of:
- a transparent top layer made of a polymer film, which serves as a reliable protection against mechanical damage and abrasion;
- a decorative layer with a beautiful color pattern or imitation of a natural finish;
- bases in the form of compressed wood-fiber board;
- bottom layer of stabilizing film or waxed paper to protect against moisture.
In addition, a special substrate can be glued to the bottom layer to increase the level of sound insulation. The material is sold in the form of long narrow panels, which are assembled into a strong continuous coating due to the presence of connecting locks.
According to the pan-European Directive EN13329, the manufactured panels are classified according to the results of tests for abrasion, strength, moisture resistance and sound insulation. As a result, two large groups were identified for domestic and commercial use. The first was designated by the number 2, and the second - by 3. However, today, due to the lack of demand for household classes, manufacturers have completely stopped its production. Now on sale you can see panels only 31-32-33-34 classes. The second digit of the marking means the strength of the base, the higher it is, the stronger the coating will be.
In addition, laminate materials are classified by wear resistance and are marked with the letters AC with a numerical designation from 3 to 6. The standard design is considered to have the most wear-resistant top layer on the strongest base. But it should be noted that some Asian manufacturers press the A5 top layer onto a grade 32 base, or vice versa, the A3 layer onto a solid base.
Therefore, when choosing a laminate for loggias or balconies, you should pay attention not only to strength, but also to the wear resistance index. Both of these designations must be applied to the packaging, and if they are not there, then it is better to refrain from such a purchase. You simply will not know what you are really paying money for and how long such coverage will last.
Connection types
When laying the laminate on the balcony, the individual panels are interconnected using special locks along the long side. There are two connecting profiles Clik and Lock. They are distinguished by the strength and reliability of the hitch, as well as the flooring assembly technology.
Clik-type connecting locks are more common. Their docking is carried out by tilting the attached panel at an angle of 45˚, followed by pressing it to the floor. This installation is very simple and provides a reliable connection, but the material with such locks is more expensive.
The Lock connection is a classic design called a tenon-groove. Spikes and grooves have a figured profile to ensure a secure connection without the use of adhesives. Such locks are less reliable and are assembled in a direct butt method using great effort. But the price of panels will be cheaper.
Dimensions of laminated panels
To date, there is no single standard regulating the thickness, length and width of the laminate, and these indicators are provided at the discretion of the manufacturer. On sale you can see material from 6 to 12 mm, but in most offers the thickness is 8 mm. Thicker panels are characterized by increased strength, low thermal conductivity and enhanced sound insulation.
The width of the canvases sold is from 90 to 330 mm. The largest size imitates ceramic tiles and can be used not only as a floor covering, but also for wall cladding. The average width of the panels is 180-200 mm. This allows you to get the most accurate imitation of floors from natural wood boards. The narrowest strips are used for coverings in the form of type-setting parquet.
The length of the canvases sold is also not standardized, but the most popular size is considered to be 1260-1380 mm. The maximum length can reach 1850 mm. Laying long planks can be problematic, since not all manufacturers are able to provide the ideal geometric dimensions of their products.
Requirements for the choice of laminate and substrate
A balcony room usually differs from living rooms in lower air temperature and high humidity. Therefore, the materials used must be moisture resistant or have additional protection against moisture. Laminate for the balcony must be moisture resistant, at least class 32 with A4 wear resistance. The recommended coating thickness is 8 mm.
A high-quality substrate is made in the form of rolled materials of their foamed polyethylene, cork wood and expanded polystyrene. A combination of different layers or gluing the surface with thin aluminum foil is possible. When choosing, consider the following:
- the thickness of the foamed polyethylene must be at least 5 mm and not more than 10 mm;
- the cork underlay should be treated with bituminous impregnation before or during installation;
- as a substrate of expanded polystyrene, mats 500x500 mm 3-5 mm thick are used.
Since the balcony is usually not the most visited room, you should not buy materials of the highest strength and durability. It will simply be an unjustified expenditure of funds that can be used more rationally.
How to put a laminate on the balcony and the necessary tools for this
Before laying the panels on the floor, it is necessary to perform preparatory work, which includes:
- dismantling of the old flooring;
- cleaning the surface from dust and dirt;
- warming;
- pouring leveling screed.
Laying laminate on the balcony floor is done only on a solid, perfectly flat surface. The presence of irregularities will sooner or later lead to damage to individual slats, the appearance of a creak and separation of the locks. Therefore, the laying of the material should be carried out only after the installation of a leveling screed and its treatment with soil.
To maintain a normal temperature in winter on the balcony, all enclosing structures, including the floor and ceiling, must be insulated with effective thermal insulation. Extruded polystyrene foam 50 mm thick or polystyrene with a grade of at least 30 is best suited for this.
To lay a new floor covering, you will need the following tools:
- measuring tape and ruler;
- building level no longer than the width of the balcony;
- hammer weighing 200-300 grams;
- electric jigsaw or hacksaw with fine teeth.
It is recommended to use a rubber hammer during assembly to facilitate installation and the possibility of compacting the panels during assembly. If the adopted laying technology provides for additional processing of transverse joints, then you will need a construction gun to extrude materials from the tube.
Leveling the base and laying laminated panels
A perfectly flat surface is a guarantee that the balcony cladding with laminate will be durable and will not lose its original appearance. Therefore, strict adherence to all technological stages is necessary. The most affordable and therefore common method of preparation is pouring a leveling layer over a dense insulation made of extruded polystyrene foam.
The material for the screed can be prepared independently from cement and sand in a ratio of 1: 4, or you can use ready-made self-leveling mixtures. In the second case, the acquisition costs will increase, but the surface quality will be higher.
The procedure for preparing the surface and laying the laminate is as follows:
- the clean surface of the balcony slab is covered with a layer of plastic film;
- thermal insulation boards are stacked tightly to each other;
- the insulation layer is covered with another layer of polyethylene;
- a screed solution is prepared, poured onto the surface and leveled with a plaster rule;
- after setting the cement base, it is primed with a deep-penetrating composition;
- a substrate is spread on a completely dried surface and the floor covering is already laid on it.
Laminated panels can be installed in a variety of ways, the most common of which are:
- direct laying parallel or perpendicular to the length of the balcony slab;
- "diagonal";
- "herringbone";
- "squares".
Finishing walls with laminate and lining the ceiling of a loggia or balcony
Covering the walls with laminated panels is a beautiful and practical solution for finishing this room. Such a surface is durable, does not change the color shade, is easy to clean and does not require additional care. For finishing, it is recommended to choose wider strips than were used for the floor. These can be panels with a width of 250, 300 or 330 mm.
Fastening when finishing walls with a laminate laminate is carried out on a previously prepared plasterboard surface using a special adhesive. In this case, the lock connections are necessarily joined in accordance with conventional technology. Another way is to place the laminated coating on a dense wooden crate with a step of no more than 150 mm.
Finishing the ceiling is completely similar to performing work when covering walls. The only difference is that heat-insulating boards are glued or nailed to the upper balcony slab as the first layer. After that, the panels can be glued directly on them or a crate can be made to increase the strength of the structure. As a result, you can completely sheathe your balcony with laminate and get a beautiful and cozy room.
Wanting to ennoble such a dwelling as a balcony or loggia, the owners of the apartment solve a lot of issues. Including what will be the flooring of the future room.
If we are talking about full-fledged insulation of the balcony (glazing, layers of insulation on the ceiling, walls and floor), then the best, in many ways, option for finishing the floor is a laminate. Although there are also cases when there is a balcony wall decoration with a laminate. This material has significant advantages and its own features, which you should familiarize yourself with before deciding to install it.
The laminate floor on the balcony is beautiful and easy to install
Pros and cons of laminate
If we talk about the material for finishing the floor, which would combine all the qualities necessary for modern consumers, then the laminate would be in the first place. The list of its advantages includes such characteristics:
- Long service life.
- High wear resistance (quietly tolerates mechanical stress).
- Moisture resistant.
- Resistance to influence of ultra-violet rays (the covering does not lose the color and gloss).
- Flexible response to fluctuations in air temperature.
- Excellent heat conduction, making it a prime candidate for underfloor heating.
- Fire resistance.
- Ease of installation.
- Ease of operation and maintenance.
- Variety of textures and colors.
In other words, the laminate for the floor in the loggia can be selected not only based on the needs of the room, but also according to the design of the future interior. It is important to bear in mind that this material has several key features. Namely:
- When installing laminate, the degree of sound insulation will inevitably decrease.
- The laying of the material must be carried out in optimal temperature conditions and on a completely flat surface, otherwise, all the advantages of the laminate will come to naught.
As you can see, the features of this type of coating are difficult to attribute to disadvantages, but they must be taken into account. So, for example, the acoustic effect that the laminate brings to the room can be combated by installing a substrate. As for the installation conditions, it is in the interests of the owner to ensure a flat surface and temperature conditions, because then the laminate floor will last a long time and without flaws.
Choosing a laminate and a substrate for the balcony
The entire laminate is a board consisting of several layers of compressed wood chips. In this case, the lower part of the board is covered with water-repellent cardboard (usually impregnated with paraffin), and a pattern and an acrylic protective layer are applied to the surface.
The classification of this material, in addition to the varieties of colors, depends on the thickness of the board itself. So, class 21-23 is a thin laminate, the quality indicators of which are somewhat reduced. Class 31-33 demonstrates all the positive characteristics to the fullest due to the greater thickness of each layer.
Laminate is characterized by a variety of colors
It is worth noting that a large thickness of the board is not necessary in the case of a floor on a balcony or loggia. Laminate class 31-33 is most often used for laying in rooms with a high degree of traffic. In a residential apartment, a class 21-23 laminate is quite enough.
As for the choice of substrate, the key role is played by the cost and duration of operation. There are three main types of substrate under the laminate:
- Cork.
- Polyethylene foam.
- Styrofoam.
The base of cork material is the most natural and, at the same time, the most expensive option for the substrate. The material, created from oak bark chips, perfectly protects the surface of the laminate from moisture, insulates and muffles sounds. At the same time, such a substrate is absolutely incompatible with the “warm floor” technology and is quite expensive.
Polyethylene foam as a substrate for laminate flooring is the cheapest option, which does a good job of preventing moisture from penetrating.
However, the list of its shortcomings includes such qualities as fragility and fragility, which makes it a less popular material.
Wanting to find a substrate that successfully balances between high quality and low price, each consumer comes to the option of using expanded polystyrene. Such a substrate, as a rule, is reinforced with a layer of foil, which increases its water-repellent and heat-conducting qualities. The polystyrene foam substrate serves for a long time without losing its qualities, and is also an excellent layer for installing the "warm floor" function.
Correctly laying a laminate floor is easy even for a beginner
The order of laying the laminate on the balcony
As mentioned above, proper laying plays a key role in maintaining the quality of the laminate and the durability of its service. Therefore, despite the simplicity, finishing the balcony with a laminate requires special attention and responsible attitude.
The article implies that the laminate is laid on the balcony, where all the work on glazing and insulation of surfaces has already been carried out. Otherwise, the qualities of the material may differ from those described.
Before you start laying laminate on a balcony or loggia, the floor surface must be leveled and cleaned. If there are even slight bumps, cracks or chips, they should be eliminated, and then make sure that the surface is even with a level.
Then, on a clean floor, a substrate of the selected type is applied and, if necessary, fixed and the installation of the laminate itself is carried out. In order for the joints between the boards to be less conspicuous, it is better to lay them perpendicular to the window (although this is a matter of taste). Between the wall and the first boards, it is necessary to drive in small wooden pegs in order to maintain a gap of 0.5-1 cm. This will help the floor retain its shape when the material expands under the influence of temperature fluctuations.
The boards are laid layer by layer using a metal staple hammer. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the spikes of the new boards are securely fastened in the grooves of the previous ones. You need to connect the layers together at an angle of 40 degrees, so that a characteristic click is heard.
After laying the floor, the pegs placed near the walls are removed, and skirting boards are nailed over the formed gaps. A threshold is installed in the doorway of the balcony (loggia).
The laminate on the balcony is also good because after laying it, you do not have to wait. The room is immediately ready for use. And properly selected wall cladding and furniture will make a cozy corner out of the room.
A glazed and well-insulated loggia can become a continuation of a room, an office or even a summer garden. To do this, you need to install double-glazed windows, insulate the walls and choose a floor covering. Let's figure out whether it is possible to put a laminate on a balcony or loggia.
Is it possible to put laminate on the balcony and loggia
According to coating manufacturers, laminate is an ideal floor covering, but only on closed balconies and loggias. Among the advantages of the material:
- resistant to moisture and temperature changes;
- does not burn out;
- the coating is easy to care for;
- maintains a good appearance for a long time;
- simply mounted;
- fireproof;
- a large selection of types and colors;
- acceptable price.
The substrate is a mandatory component of a multi-layer structure, ending with a final coating of laminate and a loggia is no exception. About the advantages of using a cork substrate, about the types of material and installation methods, we will tell in the article:.
The disadvantages of the coating are much less than the advantages:
- acoustic effect, or a peculiar sound when walking;
- Before laying the coating, the surface must be cleaned and leveled as much as possible.
Choice of flooring and underlay
Laminate is divided into classes, which mean the degree of load, moisture resistance and other parameters of the coating. For a balcony or loggia, it is recommended to use a laminate from class 31 to 33. The latter is more resistant to temperature extremes and moisture, so it is suitable for less insulated rooms.
If you decide to mount a warm floor under the laminate on the loggia, then it is very important to choose the right material. We will help you choose and tell you about the features of using a laminated coating on our website:.
In order for the laminate to lie as evenly as possible, be quieter and not get wet, a special material is placed under it - a substrate, which can be of several types:
- natural cork is the most expensive, but it is not recommended to use it on the balcony;
- from isolon - economical, keeps heat well and absorbs moisture, but not very durable;
- from expanded polystyrene - not too expensive, lasts longer than isolone, adequately copes with moisture, retains heat, levels the surface.
The foam polystyrene substrate is best suited for both the loggia and other premises. The only drawback is that after a few years it will have to be changed.
You can lay laminate flooring not only on the loggia, but also in the bathroom. In the next article we will talk about how to do it right:.
Styling features
On a balcony or loggia, they are no different from installing this coating in other rooms. The main thing is not to mount the plates close to the walls, you need to leave small gaps. The coating will definitely “walk”, especially in conditions of humidity and temperature changes, thanks to the gaps, the material will be able to narrow and expand, while the floor will remain perfectly flat.
Those who are wondering whether it is possible to lay laminate on loggias are partly right in their doubts. After all, if you choose the wrong class and lay the flooring incorrectly, then in a few years (or even earlier) you will have to re-invest in repairs. But with the right approach, the material can add comfort and warmth to a small room and at the same time last a long time.
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