Balcony decoration with laminate: rules and methods

When planning the finishing of the balcony, the first question arises about the covering. Often, owners make a choice in favor of laminate flooring, since the room will acquire an attractive appearance, and the coating will have excellent strength characteristics. Laminate also has a long service life, so it can be used even in such difficult conditions.

The inner lining of the balcony with laminate is used quite often. However, it should be borne in mind that not all types of this material are suitable for use in this room. There are certain requirements for the arrangement of the premises that must be taken into account when choosing this type of material.

1. One of them is glazing. The fact is that rainfall on the surface of the coating can spoil it, so the balcony must be reliably protected from rain and snow. In addition, windows should be kept closed for the most part and only opened for ventilation in dry weather.
2. Insulation should also be provided. Low temperatures can also damage the laminate flooring. The temperature on the balcony or loggia should not be below five degrees with a plus sign, this should be taken care of in advance. Therefore, a balcony trimmed with such material must be warm enough.
3. It needs to be kept under control and humidity, the appearance of condensation can adversely affect the coating.

However, if certain conditions are not met, you can still afford to sheathe the room with laminate. In this case, you should pay attention to the moisture-resistant material, which has a better processing, respectively, better tolerates humidity and low air temperatures. Since the load on the panels in this case will be increased, their performance should be high.

Besides, you can choose a waterproof laminate for the balcony cladding. It differs from moisture resistant material of manufacture. In the first case, we are talking about household polyvinyl chloride, which is distinguished by special indicators of strength and can be used even in difficult conditions when the balcony is not insulated. At the heart of the moisture-resistant panels are fibreboards.

Like any material, laminate has its own advantages and disadvantages. This becomes especially noticeable in a balcony or loggia, since the microclimate of these premises is quite specific. These nuances should be considered when choosing a sheathing.

But you should start with the pros of the material.

1. Environmental friendliness... The content of harmful substances in the production of laminate is close to zero, therefore, there is no harm to health. Therefore, this coating is perfect for converting a loggia into a living space.
2. Laminate is a durable material. The main thing is to take into account the class of wear resistance.
3. It is important to observe the installation technology and correct operation.... Provided these conditions are met, the coating will last for many years.
4. Price is also an important factor. Standard panels are quite affordable; people with different incomes can afford them.
5. This coating is presented on store shelves in a wide range... Models can have different textures and colors, which allows even the most fastidious buyer to choose the right option.
6. Laminate is easy to install. This procedure can even be carried out independently, and the result will meet expectations.

However, with all the above advantages, one cannot but mention the shortcomings of the material. The main one is it is susceptibility to moisture. If, during the waterproofing of the loggia, the entire technological process is not clearly observed or low-quality materials are used, the panels will begin to absorb moisture, which will lead to their increase in size and, accordingly, deformation of the entire coating.

Besides, the coating is subject to thermal expansion. This means that as the temperature changes, it can increase. The panels expand when heated, therefore, in the case when installation work is carried out in the cold season, it is recommended to leave a gap between them and the wall. Expansion will be compensated for in summer with its help.

Laminate flooring can have different strengths, however, for covering the balcony, it is necessary to use a material of at least 31 strength class. It has its own markings. Less durable models will not last long. The fact is that when the balcony doors are opened in winter, condensation will form, which negatively affects the material.

Manufacturers offer laminate flooring in various design options. There are several directions, and the main one is "under the tree"... This variety was conceived as an imitation of parquet flooring and does an excellent job. Here is a material similar to maple, oak and other trees, as the fiber structure is transferred quite well.

The next direction is done "Under the skin". It looks quite unusual, a balcony made, for example, under the skin of a crocodile, will look expensive and spectacular. However, it should be noted here that these materials have an impressive price.

Laminate "Like metal" lovers of modern decor will appreciate. Such a covering can be laid for those who equip a high-tech balcony. The metallic sheen looks very original and creates a unique atmosphere.

And finally, one more direction "Under the stone" will appeal to lovers of natural materials. Such a surface looks very natural, while maintaining warmth and comfort.

It is also worth noting the various structures of the laminate. The coatings can be matte, glossy and semi-glossy, have a rough surface or a three-dimensional pattern.

The standard laminate is an imitation of parquet flooring. However, there is a significant difference in price. The cost of parquet is much higher.

The next variation is cork laminate. It has a slight roughness as it is a natural material. The product is able to effectively absorb sounds such as footsteps and is immune to static electricity. The material is porous, which is a kind of disadvantage when cleaning, since dirt is clogged into it. Besides, on the balcony it is possible to use only moisture-resistant coatings, the usual ones will quickly become unusable.

Vinyl laminate is a fairly new type of flooring. The base, as the name suggests, is made of vinyl. The panels are flexible, moisture resistant and very easy to install. Quartz-vinyl tiles are also popular, which are distinguished by the addition of crushed quartz, stabilizers, plasticizers and other components to the vinyl.

This coating has excellent technical characteristics and performance properties. This allows it to be used in residential premises, including laying on balconies and loggias. However, it is better to take care of the microclimate, since on an unheated and unheated balcony, the material can quickly become unusable.

On a balcony with cold glazing, you can only put a certain type of laminate, but even this will not give a 100% guarantee of its durability. Experts recommend laying the panels only on a surface that has been leveled in advance, or on an insulated crate.

If you plan to arrange a greenhouse on the balcony, experts advise against using laminate flooring. The fact is that the humidity in this case will be greatly increased, which will lead to an early deterioration of the material.

Sheathing the balcony inside with laminate is not so difficult, however, the technology must be followed. First of all, you need to prepare the base. It is dried, the substrate is laid. Next, the panels are installed in a checkerboard pattern. Gaps of about 1 centimeter or more are required near walls.

You should decide on the direction of laying. As a general rule, the panels should be positioned so that a stream of light is directed along them.... Accordingly, it is better to lay the plank with the short side towards the window. However, in the case when the balcony is long and narrow, it can be visually expanded by expanding the panel across. In addition, the panels can be arranged diagonally.

From the tools you will need a hacksaw for wood or a jigsaw, a ruler, a hammer, a pen, a level and a measuring tape.

After cleaning, a waterproofing membrane is placed on the walls. Next, the crate is installed. An excellent option would be a galvanized profile, on which sheets of drywall are attached. After that, insulation is laid, which is suitable, for example, mineral wool.U-shaped profile fasteners can be used for fixing.

A vapor barrier is laid on top of the insulation. It will help prevent the insulation from getting wet when moisture comes from the room. A counter grill is installed on top of the membrane, which will help to provide a small gap between the laminate and the film. It is necessary so that excess moisture can be removed. The final stage is the installation of laminated panels.

There is also an easier way. However, it can only be used when the walls are as flat as possible. They are finally leveled with plaster and putty. After that, the panels are fixed on them with "liquid nails".

Ceiling paneling is similar to the procedure for wall decoration. For a start, it is recommended to insulate the ceiling. After that, the crate is installed and securely fixed. If a tree is used to create it, the thickness of the timber must be at least 2 cm, and the width at least 5 cm. The structure is fixed with nails or self-tapping screws.

If the finishing goes round, it should start from the ceiling. The panels are laid perpendicular to the window, this allows you to visually make the balcony wider.

In order to lay the floor with a high quality laminate, you should make the base as flat as possible. There are several ways to arrange this. One of them is the organization of the concrete screed. It will not be superfluous to insulate it by using expanded clay or expanded polystyrene panels. Of course, the cost of the work performed in this case will be higher, however, the quality will be as high as possible.

The device of the hanging formwork provides for a welded frame made of metal. It is fixed above the concrete surface, and from above it is covered with boards. Laminate will be laid on them.

You can also make the base from oriented strand board. It provides a smooth and sturdy base on which laminated panels will fit perfectly.

The finishing picture will be incomplete without the installation of the skirting boards, which are the final touch.... On the balcony and loggia, experts recommend stopping at plastic options. Their technical characteristics are remarkably consistent with the specifics of use, in addition, they are perfect for just such a finish.

According to consumer reviews, laminated balconies and loggias have more advantages than disadvantages. If flexible panels are used that snap into the lock, their installation is quite simple and can be done independently.

Laminate is not susceptible to fungus, and in case of damage, only deformed panels can be replaced. It is enough to clean it with a vacuum cleaner to maintain a presentable appearance. It tolerates various loads well. Many users note the affordable price of most of the materials presented in a wide range.

However, consumers also say that not all materials can tolerate high humidity, some deteriorate under its influence. In addition, the inconvenience is caused by the fact that the panels should be mounted only on a flat surface.

For information on how to sheathe a balcony with laminate, see the next video.