What can be cooked from squid: quick and tasty

It has become a practice for apartment residents to expand their square meters by combining a balcony with a living space. However, such redevelopment and accession entails a number of issues that will have to be resolved in the process of rework.

The article will talk about combining a balcony with an apartment, we will analyze the practical part of the issue, from the removal of the partition, the features of insulation and the choice of materials to the design of the combined room. We will also touch on the documents required for approval in order to legitimize the redevelopment, and consider the most successful combination of a balcony with a room, photo materials will clearly demonstrate interesting solutions for rework.

Where to start unification

First of all, you need to decide what the combination of a balcony with a room or kitchen gives you. The unification of the balcony has no obvious technical obstacles, and people have long been practicing increasing the room at the expense of a balcony or loggias. The union will expand the room, make it spacious. Before starting the rework, you should settle legal issues - collect documents and legalize the attached balcony, so you will need:

• fill out applications for redevelopment and unification of the balcony;
• warrant or certificate of ownership;
• written consent to the unification of the premises of capable family members;
• acts of consent to join from neighbors, from below and from above, if the balcony slab is common;
• for municipal housing - the consent of the chief engineer or the head of the DEZ for the combination and redevelopment;
• conclusion on the possibility of joining and redeveloping from the authorities for the protection of architectural monuments, if the apartment is located in a house that is of cultural or architectural value.

On the basis of the listed documents, collect the "Permitting package" for merging:

1. The technical passport of the apartment issued in the BTI.
2. A project carried out by a licensed design organization.
3. Conclusion of the fire service, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia on the possibility of making a combined balcony.
4. Conclusion of the SES, Rospotrebnadzor.
5. Coordination for integration with the architectural organization.
6. A copy, notarized, of the certificate of ownership of the premises.
7. Permits for combining REU ( management company or HOA).
8. Agreement with a licensed organization for the implementation of technical supervision over the work.

Reconstruction and accession step by step

When permission to merge has been received, you can begin to implement your plans in practice.

Balcony, combined with the room, photo opening

Preliminary work

At this stage, it is important to observe the technology of insulation and alteration of the balcony:

• It is necessary to start the union with external insulation and parapet sheathing.
• Further, high-quality, 2-3-chamber glazing is important.
• The next stage of combining is to eliminate all drafts by sealing up the cracks polyurethane foam.
• Waterproof the room with bituminous mastic.
• Heating issue solved with the help of electric heaters or underfloor heating. Central heating cannot be brought out to the balcony when combined.
• Thermal insulation is carried out in 2 layers of insulation.

Getting started with the internal rework

Combining a balcony with a living room, bedroom, nursery is carried out using the same technology. Next, we will look at how to connect the balcony to the room, the photos will help us illustrate some of the difficult points of joining.

Redevelopment of the balcony into a room, original connection and design of the opening

Removal of the opening

The unification of the premises begins with the dismantling of the balcony block. After the frames are removed, the window quarter is cut down, which allows you to align the slopes and make the opening wider by 50-70 mm. Note that the opening can be made in several ways.

The simplest combination of rooms is to leave the opening in its original form, removing only the balcony block.

Combining the balcony, taking out the frame and the door block.

The second way to unite is to complete the load-bearing column. This alignment is not very different from the first, but it is of fundamental importance if you are not allowed to completely remove the opening. A project with a column, which will serve as part of a load-bearing wall, will help to obtain a permit for joining a balcony by strengthening the structure.

Combining a balcony with the installation of a supporting column

Breaking the opening together with part of the load-bearing wall is the most difficult option, both in collecting permits for joining the balcony to the room, and technically, but this method significantly increases the space. The battery that is installed under the window should be move to an adjacent wall.

Combined balcony as a continuation of the room; part of the load-bearing wall is hollowed out to join the space

Threshold and floor

After the opening is removed, the question arises of what to do with the threshold and the floor, how to correctly align the planes. The wooden threshold is easy to dismantle, but the concrete one will have to tinker with. When it is not possible to obtain permission for the complete connection and dismantling of the threshold, you can build a ramp, and the way out of the situation will be to raise the floor from the side of the balcony and build a low podium. If the agreement for the union is nevertheless obtained, then the concrete floor is hollowed out with a perforator and compared with the total floor surface.

Combining a balcony with a room, a photo of a podium - a multilevel floor device if it is impossible to remove a threshold

Suitable for heating the connected room infrared warm floor, if the covering is made of laminate, and under the tiles it is optimal to use cable mats, laid with a snake, for uniform heating of the room.

Electricity

How to solve the problem:

1. Luminaires with moisture resistant protection are acceptable.
2. In the opening, you can hang lamps on movable mounts with a directional light on the combined area.
3. To connect household appliances, in the corner of the opening, a recess is grooved and a pipe is mounted, with a section of 30 mm, into which the electric cord is pulled. In the room, it is connected with a plug to the socket, on the balcony the wire ends with a socket for 2-5 sockets.
4. On the ceiling, the luminaires are connected with a flexible wire and brought out to a plug near the outlet.

On the combined balcony, the power supply looks like an extension cord and does not require approval.

Combining a balcony with a room

A balcony as a continuation of a room: bedroom, living room or nursery, does not have any special requirements for renovation. It is enough to choose the right facing material for the combined area so that the finish does not stand out from the overall design, or vice versa, to create an eclectic interior - an oasis, a spectacular and bright corner. For the harmonious connection of the bedroom, it is preferable to sheathe the walls with plasterboard and paste over with wallpaper. The combined part contains a dressing table or a study, and a closed one will also be appropriate there. wardrobe system with a large mirror.

Bedroom combined with a balcony, photo dressing table and places to stay.

If combining the balcony is conceived as a continuation of the children's room, it is important to pay attention to lighting and give preference to washing, environmentally friendly materials.

Combining a balcony with a play area

Combining the balcony and the nursery requires additional safety measures: put bars on the windows or provide fittings that the child cannot open.

On the balcony, combined with the hall, it is advisable to arrange a dining area. Choose compact furniture, folding chairs. In the corner for relaxation, you can install an armchair-bed or a built-in trestle bed with an opening lid, and inside you can hide things that are not in demand.

Combined living room with balcony

Combining a balcony with a kitchen

Combining a balcony with a kitchen has a number of subtleties. Let's take a closer look at what features the redevelopment of a kitchen with a balcony has, a few photos will suggest interesting solutions to organize the best ergonomics of the space. When transferring the working area of ​​the kitchen to the attached balcony, repairs should begin with the water supply and sewerage connections. For this, the walls are gouged, where the pipes are hidden. A separate box is built for the sewage system, since the pipes must be at least 50 mm in diameter, without kinks and sharp bends, and lie at an inclination of 1 cm per meter. When communications are brought to the attached balcony, they are sewn up with plasterboard. In addition, you should pay attention to the wiring, divide the connection of household appliances into several sockets. Gas stove it is forbidden to install on a combined balcony.

Kitchen connected to the balcony, photo of the working and dining area

Combining the balcony and the kitchen allows you to get an additional combined space from 2 small rooms, which must be divided into zones. You can zone the union using color or contrasting furniture elements.

Kitchen combined with a balcony, photo of space zoning

If only the balcony block is dismantled for connection, then the opening can be made in the form of a bar counter.

Combining the kitchen with the balcony, photo of the bar counter, which is part of the window sill

It is better to order built-in furniture for the kitchen, this will allow you to use the attached space to the maximum.

Combining a balcony with the main area requires time and financial investment, but at the same time you acquire additional meters of housing, combining significantly expands the space of small rooms.

The idea of ​​combining a balcony and a room is quite interesting. After all, this allows you to increase the existing living space by several meters, which is valuable and relevant for owners of small apartments. But first you need to ask the question: how much such a redevelopment is legal, and whether you will have to face any problems in the future due to the completed combination of the balcony with the room.

Is it possible to attach a balcony to the room

There are significant differences between what you decide to combine: a balcony or a loggia. The fact is that the loggia is often called a balcony. Meanwhile, from the point of view of building and housing standards, these concepts are different.

A balcony is a fenced structure protruding beyond the facade of the building. The entrance to the balcony is usually carried out from the side of the apartment through a door that is connected to the window into a single balcony block.

The balcony slab is attached to the wall from the entrance side and has a low load-bearing capacity. According to technical standards, balcony slabs are capable of withstanding a weight of up to 200 kg / m2. But the statutory load indicator is only 112 kg / m2. And considering that modern housing stock(including balcony slabs) is heavily worn out, it is highly discouraged to overload the balcony with bulky structures and heavy materials due to the risk of its collapse.

Loggia is non-residential premises built into the building. At least the side rails are the wall of the house. The concrete base rests on the semi-bearing or load-bearing walls of the building. Of course, in comparison with a balcony, a loggia can withstand much higher weight loads and is more stable.

Both the balcony and the loggia are unheated rooms and it is prohibited to carry batteries to these rooms.

So, if you are the owner of a balcony, and not a loggia, then, unfortunately, there are no legal possibilities for combining a balcony and a room by dismantling the balcony block. The current legislation directly prohibits the reconstruction of the building (and this is how the courts regard the demolition of the balcony block) by the residents. If such cases are identified, the violators will be obliged to return the balcony block at their own expense, and it is also possible to pay a fine (by court order).

What if you really want to expand the area of ​​the apartment at the expense of the balcony, but by law, combining a balcony with a room is prohibited?

How to combine a balcony with a room

The easiest and most economical option for combining a balcony and a room is to replace balcony door on an all-glass sliding partition (from floor to ceiling). In this case, the dismantling of the balcony block, and therefore the reconstruction of the building, does not occur.

Such a glass partition can be mainly kept open, and, if necessary, quickly returned to its place by closing the opening between the balcony and the room.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely remove the balcony window and door, as well as the wall between the balcony and the room, as already mentioned. The owners of the loggias are more fortunate in this regard, since they have such an opportunity.

Glazing and insulation of the balcony attached to the room

There are not as many options for insulating a balcony as there are loggias, due to the limitations of the weight load on the balcony slab. Perhaps the most optimal and not very expensive way would be to perform warm glazing with an aluminum profile, fill up all the cracks and install a warm floor. These measures should be enough to keep a comfortable temperature on the balcony during the cold season.

If you want to additionally heat the balcony room, then use portable heating electrical appliances, such as a convector or an oil radiator.

It is better to entrust the work on glazing the balcony to a specialized company. The thickness of the glass unit must be at least 2-chamber. You can also add a heat-saving coating to the glass unit, which will save up to 30% heat. Such a glass unit differs from the usual one in that it has a high ability to reflect ultraviolet light, transmits a lot of daylight (which means that you can save on electricity for lighting the room), and also protects the glass from mechanical damage.

Pay attention to the hardware used. She must be good quality from trusted manufacturers. Poor fittings are often the cause of fogging windows and poor sound insulation.

The last stage of the balcony insulation in order to join it to the room will be the installation of a warm floor. Most often, on balconies and loggias, an electric warm floor is used, which is cable, matte and infrared. There is also a water heated floor, but its use in apartments is prohibited by law, therefore it will not be considered in this article. Let's dwell on the features, main advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Underfloor heating cable- an electric cable is used as a heating element, which is connected to the mains. The electric cable is laid over the entire surface of the balcony floor, a concrete screed is required on top. Then put flooring, which can be laminate, tile or linoleum.

The advantages of underfloor heating cable include: uniform heating of the air, less energy consumption compared to heat radiators and convectors, prevention of heat loss.

The disadvantages of cable floor heating are: slow heating (from 30 minutes), the creation of an electromagnetic field (albeit small, less than from mobile phone), the need for a concrete screed. It is also not recommended to put bulky furniture, because on the floor in these places, darkening from overheating can form.

Matt floor- here the cable is fixed on a special mesh, which greatly simplifies its installation. No concrete screed is required for it. Ideal for use under tile, as well as porcelain stoneware, laminate, parquet, linoleum, carpet.

Infrared underfloor heating is in many ways better than cable, since

• provide more high degree warming up the balcony (at the ceiling level, the air temperature will be about 200C, and not 150C-180C as with a cable and underfloor heating);
• energy savings up to 20%;
• the room warms up faster in time;
• safe to use (does not shock, does not burn and does not freeze), electromagnetic radiation is less;
• installation does not require approval from housing and communal services;
• easy and quick installation, the ability to remove or relocate to another place.

The disadvantages of an infrared floor include the fact that preliminary leveling of the floor is required, and it is more difficult to connect electricity to it.

However, given the numerous advantages, we would recommend that you make a choice in favor of an infrared underfloor heating for heating a balcony or loggia.

How to use the balcony attached to the room

So, all the main work on joining the balcony to the room was done and you became the owner of additional square meters your apartment. How can you make the most of them now?

We offer you some practical ideas use of the balcony room.

Balcony as a workplace or office

A very popular option for those who work from home and are simply necessary. Agree, it is very convenient when such a corner appears in the apartment, where you can calmly work in relative silence, admiring the view from the window.

Dressing room on the balcony

Another attractive option is to arrange a dressing room on the former balcony. There you can place clothes hangers, shoes. This will not only help free up space in your closets, but it will also make the collection process somewhere more convenient.

Greenhouse on the balcony

If you enjoy growing crops and all the windowsills are already full flower pots then the balcony area will help you or even a mini-vegetable garden.

Playroom on the balcony

This is a great option for families with children, especially large families. The balcony can be turned into a playroom where children can play free time... There you can also store toys, constructors, etc., freeing up space in the children's room.

Guest room on the balcony

If you decide to implement the idea of ​​combining balconies and rooms, share your experience in the comments. You can also ask your questions about this topic.

Repair and insulation of the balcony will inevitably raise a lot of questions, and first of all it is necessary to find out how to sheathe the balcony inside and outside. The requirements for materials are different, therefore we will consider them separately.

How to sheathe the balcony inside

There are a lot of options, both traditional and new. The requirements for the interior decoration of the balcony are mainly as follows:

• durability - after renovation, you want at least 10 years not to worry about how the balcony looks like;
• practicality: the surface should be washed well, not absorb dirt;
• attractiveness - it is quite possible to make a place for rest from the balcony, and not a warehouse of unnecessary things;
• ease of installation - this is especially important if you are going to do the cladding with your own hands;
• maintainability - you never know how to develop, it should be possible to replace the damaged area.

There are many requirements, but often one more is added to them - financial. Not everyone has the ability or desire to invest a decent amount. 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 sheathed with wood products. The most popular lining and euro lining, but you can use any other similar materials: imitation of a bar, block house, terrace or even ordinary planed board. The difference in appearance and in some cases in the method of fastening: the lining and its varieties (imitation of a bar and a block house) have a lock - a thorn-groove, due to which a connection is obtained without cracks.

Sheathe the balcony with eurolining or ordinary clapboard - 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 a lining: a lock with a spike and a groove. Therefore, such products are also called plastic clapboard. Usually this means a surface with seams (as in the photo below).

In the photo, a balcony sheathed with plastic - plastic clapboard

When people talk about plastic panels, they mean their seamless option. There is even more choice. There are surfaces glossy (shiny) and matte, monochromatic and with a wide variety of patterns.

Now we will consider the compliance of this material with the requirements for interior cladding for the balcony:

Sheathe the balcony plastic panels- an option from the category of "inexpensive and good". This is the best choice when a practical surface is needed.

Laminated materials: MDF panels and chipboard

Another option for interior decoration of the insulated balcony: paneling or. Their basis is wood fibers, treated in a special way and covered with a decorative film that imitates various surfaces... In addition to a flat surface, they also absorb sound well. This is an effect that is not available to plastic.

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 about whether they meet the requirements for finishing materials for a balcony or not:

• Durability. Subject to the requirements for operation (at normal humidity), the service life is 20-30 years.
• Practicality. The surface is even and smooth, all traces of dirt can be removed easily. 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 the wood, but do not want to care for it, this is your option, because there is a very successful imitation.
• Ease of installation. The system is still the same: the lathing to which the trim is attached.
• The maintainability of MDF panels is similar to the case described above: some margin is required. With chipboard, it is more difficult - either cut and replace part of the sheathing or change the entire fragment.

For the price, this is a completely democratic option. It takes a little time for installation: the width of the panel is about 20 cm, chipboard is generally sheets. So if you don't know how to sheathe a balcony inexpensively and quickly, you can take a closer look at the wall MDF panels or laminated chipboard.

Drywall

This type of finish has become last years traditional. Its advantages are known: you can get a perfectly flat surface of any configuration. But, with such a finish, "wet" processes with plaster are used, and if the surface is painted, without experience you are unlikely to get a sufficiently flat surface. Unless you use decorative plaster, which will hide small flaws.

Another option for covering the balcony is with plasterboard

Let's figure out the finishing requirements:

• Durability. The surface itself can last for decades, but the color will have to be updated regularly. But this has its plus: you can inexpensively change the annoying design. With all other previously described materials, this is not possible.
• Practicality. If the paint is of good quality, it can be wiped down several times with a damp cloth. Only special plasters can be washed.
• Attractiveness. Plasterboard finishing - at the current stage, this is practically the standard of mid-level renovation. You can create a very interesting design or a completely neutral surface. It all depends on the desire.

• Ease of installation. The technology is still the same: the frame on which the finish is mounted. Only in the case of gypsum cardboard is a rather large area of ​​plastering work added. This process is the most difficult of all described earlier.
• Maintainability. In principle, everything can be fixed, but there will be a lot of work. It is also very likely that everything will have to be repainted. In any case, one wall. But you can fix it.

As you can see finishing materials weight. And that's not all possible options... There are also exotic possibilities: sheathed with bamboo, cork, braids or mats. But for these types of finishes, the surface will have to be leveled with plaster. With the advent of new materials, this process is not very popular: it is slow and messy, but sometimes you cannot do without them. On the leveled and plastered surface, the finishing elements are put on the glue. Everything is simple, only bamboo and cork are decent, but the design is beautiful and unconventional.

How to sheathe a balcony outside

Outdoor decoration the balcony makes slightly different requirements for the materials. In addition to everything else, it must be strong and reliable, wear-resistant. To understand the best way to sheathe a balcony outside, consider the main options.

Vinyl siding

It is available in two versions - the traditional one in the form of long planks with a tenon / groove fastening, which is often used to sheathe houses, and the facade one in the form of slabs with uneven edges, imitating stone or masonry. Both materials are mounted on the crate with self-tapping screws, but the frame is assembled slightly differently, adjusting to the geometry of each material.

Metal siding or profiled sheet

Although vinyl is considered durable among plastics, it will not argue with metal. If for high-lying balconies how strong the material is is not critical, then for the lower floors it is very important. Therefore, at the bottom, the balconies are often sheathed outside with metal siding or profiled sheet.

The better to sheathe the balcony with siding or professional sheet 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 - a shaped sheet of roofing iron, covered with polymer or paint. The service life is declared from 15 to 25 years.

The main difference is in the installation method. A part of the desired shape is cut out of the profiled sheet and attached to the crate in a large piece with special self-tapping screws with a painted cap. Siding is also assembled as a lining: there is a spike on one side, and a groove on the other. Along the edge of the strip there is a perforation for fasteners. Self-tapping screws are screwed into it (in the middle of the hole, a little short of the cap - leaving the ability to move when the temperature changes in materials).

How to decorate a house with siding is described in the article ““. If you have chosen this material, you will need to know the features and installation rules ...

Wood cladding

Houses are built from wood, so why not sheathe the outside balcony with it? Not a bad option, but wood needs maintenance. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the impregnation of the material used. Take antiseptic and protective compounds for outdoor use. Processing is carried out before the start of installation - then it will be problematic. When finishing, do not forget to process the ends of the boards sawn to size. Otherwise, the entire installation is the same.

You can sheathe the balcony outside with wood - clapboard, for example

Just keep in mind that without proper care, pretty upholstery will turn into something unattractive. A fragment of a tree left without leaving can be seen in the photo at the bottom right.

How to sheathe a balcony without glazing

Since the finishing of an unglazed balcony will be exposed to all atmospheric phenomena, it is necessary to choose from materials for the exterior of the house. Possible options:

• siding - vinyl, basement, metal;
• decorative finishing stone;
• porcelain stoneware;
• external plasters;
• wood;
• ceramic frost-resistant tiles;
• polycarbonate.

Most of the materials are familiar to you. There may be questions only about polycarbonate. Sheathing the balcony with polycarbonate has recently become. And you can make not only a visor on the upper floors (pictured on the left). This material looks very nice paired with a wrought-iron balcony fence. But on such a balcony, the order should be perfect.

How to sheathe 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 plasterboard ceiling.

If it comes about an unglazed balcony or loggia, then the ceiling is usually sheathed with siding. It is inexpensive, easy to clean, easy to install, and at the same time, holds well.

See the photo below for a few ideas for finishing unglazed balconies.

Apartments in standard houses often do not differ in the convenience of layouts and large area, so the owners go to combine the balcony with the living area. Combining a balcony with a room, the photo below shows one of the connection options, which will not only increase the area, but also implement a unique design project in your home.

This article will discuss how to competently combine the space and carry out the alteration. What can be placed on the combined balcony and what not and how to use the window sill after joining the balcony to the room.

Combined living room with balcony in Provence style

Balcony as an extension of the room

How to connect a balcony to a room:

1. Dismantling the window structure with simultaneous glazing and insulation of the balcony, resulting in a convenient combined space.
2. Dismantling the wall - will allow a significant increase in the room by combining it with a balcony. Connection requires the transfer of heating devices. Therefore, it is better to entrust such an association to specialists who will calculate the loads and prepare the project.

Combining a balcony with a room, especially the demolition of a wall, is a complex redevelopment; to carry out the connection, it is necessary to coordinate the work in the appropriate authorities. It is not so easy to obtain permission to unite a balcony: collecting required documents may take a long time. Many do not consider it necessary to apply for it. But in this case, combining the balcony with the room is carried out at your own peril and risk, and the consequences may be different. Do not neglect the permission to join.

The union is not coordinated - the radiator cannot be removed

Preparatory work for joining the balcony

Before combining, you need to take care of the balcony frame. It is better to give preference to a welded structure with an extension, this will increase wind resistance and increase the internal combined space. Outer cladding it is desirable to perform siding, it has low thermal conductivity and is resistant to temperature extremes.

Regardless of the type of association chosen, the balcony must be glazed and insulated.

Metal-plastic windows with two- or three-chamber double-glazed windows will help to avoid large heat losses in the attached area.

All surfaces, except for the wall between the room and the attached balcony, should be insulated. Simultaneously with the insulation, it is necessary to carry out hydro and vapor barrier works. Extending pipes central heating the combined balcony is not allowed, therefore it is especially important to approach the choice of thermal insulation of the attached room. Penofol, Penoplex can be used as insulation in the combined area.

Combining with a loggia begins with insulation

Materials are attached to surfaces using dowels or gluing. The gaps are filled with polyurethane foam. Installation of Penofol is carried out with the foil side inward, and the joints are glued with aluminum tape. For optimal comfort, it is worth installing a warm floor on the combined balcony, and in the combined room, increase the number of batteries.

Dismantling the opening for connecting the balcony

When dismantling window openings or part of the wall for alignment, it is important to remember that in panel houses the balcony partition cannot be completely removed, since outer wall generally, load-bearing and joining work can damage the integrity of the building. In a brick house, when combining rooms, you can remove the opening along with the window sill, but in some cases additional reinforcement of the structure will be needed.

It is possible to connect the balcony to the room, the photo below shows this, without removing the entire wall.

Consolidation due to dismantled window unit

If removed only window unit, from the tools you will need a hacksaw and a hammer. The glasses are taken out, and cuts are made around the perimeter of the frame and knocked out.

When dismantling the wall, you need a puncher and a grinder. With their help, brick and concrete areas are removed. With this type of combination, it is necessary to move the radiator. It is necessary to cut down the existing one, having previously shut off the water, and reinstall it. The room will increase its volume when combined - additional batteries should be added.

Removing all construction garbage, you can start finishing the slopes. They should be carefully plastered and leveled with putty or gypsum plasterboard. The external decoration of the attached room is carried out in the same style in which the room combined with the balcony is decorated. The balcony, combined with the room, the photo is given below, will successfully complement even the nursery.

Workplace on the combined balcony in the nursery

Threshold on the attached balcony

Many people want to get one floor level when combining a balcony with a living room. But it is not always possible to remove the attached threshold. V brick houses this element is part of the supporting structure that supports the balcony slab, and in panel slabs, its removal will lead to freezing of the floor and reduce the rigidity of the entire structure. The difference in height when combined can be beaten by arranging steps or a ramp. It is possible to raise the floor level to the desired threshold height, but these works are more costly and are not always desirable when combined.

Advantages and disadvantages of association

The advantages of combining a balcony and a living room are:

• Increase in living space. This is true in small one- and two-room apartments.
• The expansion of the area will have a positive effect not only on the comfort of residents, but also on market value apartments.
• Joining will provide additional natural light.
• Unique design. The living room will be complemented by a cozy library; in the nursery, you can make a dressing room or playroom, and the bedroom, combined with a balcony, the photo below shows this, will acquire an additional place for relaxation and other things - there are many options, it all depends on the needs and imagination of the owner.

Attached balcony is a great place for a dressing table

But this reconstruction also has its drawbacks:

• A long and complicated process of coordinating work on joining a balcony, which requires the preparation of a project and the collection of documents.
• It is not always possible to remove the entire wall - the threshold and window sill often remain.
• Preparation before joining a balcony and dismantling structures require special skills.

Combining a balcony with a kitchen

Typical apartments do not differ in large area, and kitchens can only accommodate the necessary equipment and furniture. Redevelopment of a kitchen with a balcony, the photo below shows it, is able to change the interior both visually and functionally.

The balcony as a continuation of the kitchen is the result of a successful combination

To connect the balcony to the kitchen, it is enough to confine oneself to dismantling the window block. The remaining combined section of the wall can be used as:

• Table
• Bar counter
• Pedestals
• Countertops under hob etc.

Combining a kitchen with a balcony, the photo below shows this, will help rationally use the new area.

Combining the working area and the window sill

The attached space of the former loggia can be turned into a dining room or storage room, and if the area allows, then transfer the working area to the balcony. When combined with a work area, it is important to consider several factors:

1. Balcony - hinged structure and it should not be overloaded too much, therefore, before taking out heavy furniture and equipment, it is worth calculating the loads on the attached space.
2. Autonomous wiring and the presence of sockets on the balcony are not allowed, electrical appliances are connected to the network located in the kitchen itself. This can be done using an extension cord, hiding the wires in a special box or pipe.

A kitchen connected to a balcony in the photo, with a removed working area

To keep the newly connected zone warm, you should take care of heating. Since it is impossible to bring out the pipes to the balcony when combining, the best solution for the combined space would be to install a warm floor or electric radiators.

The amount of furniture and equipment that can be transferred to the combined balcony depends on the area of ​​the room and the bearing capacity balcony slab, which is determined based on the engineering calculation of loads.

On a small attached balcony, you can take out a refrigerator or equip a cooking area (stove and hood). Attaching a large loggia will allow you to use the area as part of the working area, where equipment, hanging cabinets, countertop, and sink are placed. Almost any combined balcony can be used as a dining room by placing a table and chairs on it. A sofa and armchairs will complement the resting place when combining, and family members will be able to spend time without disturbing the hostess.

The type of combination and the future interior depend on the individual needs and characteristics of the balcony itself.

Making a threshold in the kitchen combined with a balcony (photo)