How to insulate the balcony from the inside and outside with a foam

Does the winter feel more like a freezer and the summer like an oven on your balcony? If so, it might be time to think about insulating it so you can use it all year round and have a more comfortable and useable space. Insulating your balcony can lower your heating and cooling expenses while also promoting energy efficiency and helping to maintain a constant temperature. We’ll look at how to use foam insulation to insulate your balcony from the inside as well as the outside in this guide.

If you frequently use your balcony, insulating it can greatly increase the comfort level of your house. Adding insulation to your balcony can make it a more comfortable and useful area of your house, whether you like to spend time there enjoying a cup of coffee or using it as additional storage. A barrier against outside temperatures will be created by adding insulation, keeping the interior of your house cool in the summer and toasty in the winter.

Foam insulation is a highly efficient method of balcony insulation. It can be found in different forms, including rigid foam boards, foam panels, and spray foam. Foam insulation is perfect for balconies because it is lightweight, simple to install, and has good thermal resistance. Foam insulation can help seal any gaps and prevent heat gain or loss, so your balcony will stay comfortable all year long whether you decide to insulate from the inside or the outside.

Depending on how your balcony is built and what you want, you have a few options when it comes to using foam for interior balcony insulation. Installing rigid foam boards or foam panels directly onto the balcony’s interior walls or ceiling is one common technique. These boards offer a continuous layer of insulation because they are cut to size and fastened in place with adhesive or mechanical fasteners.

Spray foam insulation is another option if you want a more seamless appearance. It is applied as a liquid and expands to fill in cracks and spaces, sealing them tightly. Because spray foam insulation is adaptable and can curve to uneven surfaces, it is a good fit for balconies with unusual designs or features. Using foam insulation to insulate your balcony from the inside can help lower energy costs and increase thermal comfort, regardless of the technique you select.

As an alternative, you can use foam insulation to insulate your balcony from the outside, forming a thermal barrier between the outside air and the outer walls. Using this technique, the outside surface of the balcony walls are covered with boards or panels made of foam insulation, which are then covered with siding or stucco for protection.

When remodeling or building a new house, insulating your balcony from the outside can be especially helpful because it gives you more options for layout and design. You can increase your home’s curb appeal and overall energy efficiency by adding foam insulation to the outside walls of your balcony. In addition, you’ll always have a cozier and more pleasurable outdoor area.

Inside Insulation	Outside Insulation
1. Clean the balcony surface.	1. Clean the balcony surface.
2. Measure and cut foam insulation panels to fit.	2. Measure and cut foam insulation panels to fit.
3. Apply adhesive to the back of panels.	3. Apply adhesive to the back of panels.
4. Press panels firmly onto the balcony walls.	4. Attach panels to the balcony walls using screws and plugs.
5. Seal edges and gaps with foam sealant.	5. Seal edges and gaps with foam sealant.
6. Install drywall or paneling over the insulation.	6. Apply a weather-resistant coating or paint to protect the foam.

Preparatory work

There are numerous options available today for insulation, with varying material costs and levels of efficiency. However, before using any of these techniques, the space must be initially prepared, which is done in multiple steps:

1. First, the balcony must be completely cleaned of any items, since insulation will affect all surfaces: floor, ceiling, walls.
2. The cleaned balcony must be examined for various damage and defects from the inside and outside. In the presence of cracks and chips of a different nature, they must be eliminated.
3. Drains over the balcony are also repaired if necessary.
4. In most cases, you will have to change the windows on a glazed balcony. If they are absent, the balcony must be glazed, since it does not make sense to insulate the open balcony.

After every step is finished, the loggia needs to have any trash from the preparation removed, and all surfaces need to be cleaned of dust, extra paint, and debris.

Insulation with polystyrene and polystyrene foam

You should give careful thought to this procedure because the most popular materials used for loggia and balcony insulation are polystyrene and polystyrene foam.

The following equipment and supplies are required for insulation made of such materials:

• The insulation itself;
• decorative lining materials;
• fasteners;
• antiseptic for processing the bases of walls and ceiling;
• waterproofing mastic or composition similar in terms of characteristics and properties;
• bars for the manufacture of lag;
• vapor barrier film.

Waterproofing is applied after treating all of the dust removed from the loggia’s debris and dust with an antiseptic. If you don’t do these tasks, mold will grow and fungal colonies will show up under the insulation.

It is necessary to set the lags, the spacing between which will depend on the size of the insulation sheets, before beginning work on the loggia floor. Once the lags are filled with foam or polystyrene sheets, the facing surface is installed over the insulation. Glue is used to attach the material.

Once the insulation has been trimmed to fit every surface, mounting foam needs to be inserted into the spaces between the plates. Once it has had time to fully dry, the excess needs to be carefully cut off. The end product ought to be a level surface that is simple to apply vapor barrier film to. The overlap film and joints must be avoided when adhering vapor barrier material.

Preparation of the balcony

Make an estimate of the size of the temporary and monetary costs, the state of the balcony structure, and other factors before you place an order for the insulation service or begin working yourself. Once the supervisory authorities give the go-ahead, you can begin purchasing building supplies and getting ready for insulation.

Select a set of implements. Simple tools (apart from calling auto-items) are not required; the kit typically consists of:

• Screwdriver Set;
• Electric screwdriver;
• Electric drill;
• Hammer;
• Punch;
• Measuring devices – roulette, ruler;
• Cutting tools.

Among the materials, moisture-resistant adhesive mastic and mounting foam will be needed in addition to insulation and lining sheets and fasteners (dowels-zontics, screws, anchors).

Take note of the material used to construct the balcony’s parapet. To improve the appearance and lessen the impact of the cold metal bridges, if these are made of corrugated board or metal galleries, they must be sheathed from the inside.

Suitable materials for the balcony’s exterior cladding include plywood sheets, chipboard, drywall, and plastic panels. Finishing touches for other materials are optional. Tissue glue is already included in the brick options.

Prior to adding the insulation, you must thoroughly clean the balcony’s surfaces, fill in any cracks, and puncture any seams. Surfaces on the walls and ceiling are primed.

We arrange an additional heat source

The worse the material performs as a balcony heater, the less expensive it is. However, you can’t always get the desired outcome with pricey thermal insulation materials. It is vital to allow for the potential installation of extra heat sources because of this.

There are just two choices: either create "warm" flooring or keep a heating battery on the balcony. In the first scenario, achieving the desired result will require significant financial outlay, whereas "warm" floors enable you to do so for comparatively little money.

Warm floors come in two varieties: water and electric. The latter is better because it is simpler to install independently with your own hands and doesn’t have any issues while in use.

Foam installation

The waterproofing layer is not necessary for the parapet and balcony walls to be insulated. Condensate typically does not form on the exterior surfaces.

The foam components are adhered to using any type of mastic installation adhesive that is moist. Since foam is a thin, light material, a crate is not necessary.

Foam insulation done right:

• Apply mastic to walls, panels, joints over the entire processed surface. It should not be saved on a clay. Use a crested spatula.
• Stick foam tiles from the bottom up. So that the rows of panels lie down evenly, use a stretched fishing line.
• When the mastic finally dries (approximately three days later), additionally fix the insulation material with dowels-zone with wide hats.

The parapet and occasionally the side walls are warmed using this technique (if possible). Foamyx installation is also compatible with this technology. Once the insulation has been fixed, you can schedule builders to glaze the balcony. Selecting a balcony block made of plastic and metal that has two or three glass packets is preferable.

Finishing touches are fastened with screws or anchors. The insulation and parapet thicknesses should not be greater than the length of the metizes. The material’s surface must first be primed if plastering the walls is to be done. Next, a second layer of adhesive composition is applied over a fiberglass reinforcing mesh that is resting on glue. Specially designed reinforcing corners guard the corners. After that, plaster is applied to the structure.

Space is saved because of external insulation work, but it is challenging to complete them on your own. We must order special equipment, including auto parts, industrial climber equipment, and hire a specialist in this field. However, these expenditures are justified by the noticeable heat preservation, the heating savings, and the balcony’s aesthetic appeal. Particularly if it’s on the ground floor of a home, where you can’t use special tools or invite builders.

Additional fascinating materials

How to use mineral wool to properly warm the balcony

How can I get rid of the condensation that has formed on the balcony?

How to properly warm the balcony ceiling

Practical recommendations

Manufacturers of different types of balcony heaters frequently promote their goods while remaining silent about any drawbacks or by providing as little information as possible.

Due to the fact that these marketing strategies can cause some unpleasant things to be noticed by the customer only after installation or during operation, it is important to consider the following expert advice when selecting materials and installing them:

1. There is no universal insulation that could be used for all surfaces of the balcony and at the same time achieve the highest thermal insulation. Perhaps for floors, walls and ceiling of the balcony you will have to use different materials.
2. Often, when describing the processes of laying the insulation, wooden lags are mentioned, but this method is outdated with the appearance of metal profiles that cost cheaper than wood products and are more durable. Also, metal is less susceptible to moisture and more durable compared to wood.
3. Choosing inexpensive insulations that are mounted with glue, do not save on consumables. It is advisable to choose adhesive compounds from the middle or expensive segment, while you should carefully study the instructions and information from the manufacturer.

By doing this, you can ensure that the glue you choose for your balcony is meant to be used in specific temperature ranges and prevent needless spending on pricey adhesive compositions meant for harsh environments.

Make sure that this tool can resist frosts because most balcony insulation requires extra processing of the joints with mounting foam. Although mounting foam comes in a wide range of price points, you shouldn’t choose an affordable option because you assume that all foam is created equal.

Generally speaking, the cylinders show the temperatures at which the foam will retain its characteristics, so it is not shocking that a low-cost instrument that is not meant for usage at low temperatures will eventually crumble and collapse.

Watch the video to see the loggia’s insulation:

Want to keep your home cozy and energy-efficient? Insulating your balcony is a smart move. Whether you"re dealing with chilly winters or scorching summers, proper insulation can make a noticeable difference in your comfort and energy bills. When it comes to insulating your balcony, using foam is a popular choice for its effectiveness and ease of installation. You have two main options: insulating from the inside or outside. Insulating from the inside involves adding foam panels to the interior walls, while exterior insulation entails covering the outside walls with foam boards. Both methods have their pros and cons, depending on factors like climate, budget, and aesthetic preferences. By understanding the process and weighing your options, you can ensure a snug and well-insulated balcony that enhances your home"s comfort and energy efficiency.

How to insulate the loggia with foam

Let’s take a closer look at the foam insulation technology used for the loggia.

1. We prepare the tool, close all the doors and windows with a protective film so as not to damage or stain them, and to avoid dust entering the window mechanisms.
2. Prepare the surfaces. To do this, we cut the flush interfering with insulation non -constructive protrusions and the old installation foam. Clean the walls and ceiling from dust, web. Remove the old peeling paint and putty to the base.
3. We process the bases of the waterproofing primer of deep penetration, thoroughly rubbing it into the surface.
4. To organize air access to the insulation in a concrete parapet, drill through the through holes at an angle. In the presence of a parapet of aerated concrete or brick, this operation is not performed.

Counseling! The best foam for loggia and balcony insulation is facade brand foam. Such a material ought to have a minimum density of 15.1 kg per cube of one meter. Packaging materials with big granules that break easily in the hands are not to be used.

1. Start by insulation of the ceiling on the loggia. Previously, try on the stove. In the presence of relief protrusions and pipes that interfere with the installation, we make excavations in the heater slabs with a hacksaw with a small tooth or a sharp knife, first marking them with a marker. Next, glue the foam using cement-based glue and additionally fix the stoves with dowels with spacers in several places (5-6 pieces per 1 m.sq.).

Speaking of which, The dowel is stuck to the end of the adhesive that has fully hardened. The purpose of doing this is to avoid pushing the insulation. At first, the dowel barely holds the foam stoves in place.

As much as possible should fit between the slabs. They must be mounted by scope in order to prevent longitudinal seam coincidences. The best way to close the gaps is to use foam glue.

Next, we adhere the insulation to the walls, beginning with the colder, outer layer.

It’s crucial to use a level to control every plane simultaneously. Inserting the lining is necessary if anomalies are found beneath the insulation. We cut the sheets to the appropriate size for the floor insulation and secure them with dowels.

To organize any coating, we apply a dry cement screed and cover it with a metal mesh. We take care of the surface finish and cladding.

Insulation of mineral wool

Mineral wool, as opposed to hard heaters, is positioned in between the lags and pressed into tight contact with the bars. However, since this will cause a letting in of mineral wool, you should avoid using plates of such sizes where the material would need to be compacted. This will breach the insulation’s structure, which will have a detrimental effect on the material’s ability to provide thermal insulation.

Mineral wool has vapor barrier film covering it as well, but first the counterparty must be filled in before installing decorative cladding.

This is an obligatory safety measure that will prevent the insulation from coming into contact with the cladding and prevent the dew point from shifting.

How to insulate the balcony outside

It’s a common misconception that internal balcony insulation is less effective than external insulation. Simultaneously, you will be able to save approximately thirty percent of all heating expenses and preserve an additional fifty centimeters inside the balcony, which will act as a buffer against internal heating. However, not all of them are adept at insulating the outdoor balcony.

Materials for warming:

– polystyrene foam, which is most frequently used due to its ease of processing, light weight, resistance to moisture, and mold resistance;

– wool made of minerals. It is necessary to shield the skin’s mucous membranes from irritation, but it also functions well as a heat-insulating material because its characteristics are the same as those of polystyrene. Certain types of mineral wool have an aluminum foil layer on them, making them perfect heat reflectors in addition to being excellent vapor barriers;

– sandwich panels. If you determine that polystyrene foam and mineral wool are more suitable for the job when it comes to insulating the balcony from the outside, this is because sandwich panels are very heavy and therefore seldom used for this purpose.

1. For many occupants of multi-story buildings, industrial climbers are the only means of insulating the balcony outside. You could also attempt to handle everything on your own if the balcony is located on the second floor.

2. A unique rack timber frame is fastened to the wall. The material for thermal insulation must be fixed. Pre-mounted metal suspensions will have profiles put on them in order to install the final facade material.

3. Plastered dowels and polyurethane glue are used in tandem to fix Polistyle foam. Mounting foam should be used to seal all seams.

4. Outside, panels, siding plaster, lining, and other facade finishes are fixed to the insulation using metal dowels. The homeowner’s preferences and the building’s architecture both influence the decorating style selection.

Global insulation from the outside has advantages.

1. There is only one primary function that the technology for outdoor balcony insulation offers. By doing this, the accumulation of condensate inside the balcony is prevented.

2. The transfer of the room’s exterior wall’s cold portion is another benefit. This is accomplished by adding an extra layer of insulation to the exterior, which keeps heat inside the balcony’s interior. The apartment is maintained as a result.

3. The balcony’s interior space is preserved. A thinner layer of thermal insulation materials can be used for internal insulation when external insulation is present. As a result, the interior space grows and the area is preserved.

Either inside or outside, insulating your balcony can make a big difference in your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Because foam insulation effectively reduces heat loss and prevents drafts, it is a popular choice. You can make your living area more comfortable and possibly reduce your energy costs by properly insulating your balcony.

Make sure you select the appropriate foam type for the job when using it to insulate your balcony from the inside. Because of its high insulation value and moisture resistance, closed-cell foam is frequently chosen. To maximize the insulation’s effectiveness and stop any gaps or air leaks, proper installation is essential.

Foam insulation on the outside of your balcony can also offer superior heat protection. In order to successfully keep the heat and cold out in the summer and winter, external insulation helps to create a continuous barrier against heat loss. Furthermore, external insulation can shield your balcony from weather damage and enhance its appearance.

It’s important to evaluate your balcony’s condition and identify any issues that may need to be fixed before starting any insulation projects. This may entail fixing leaks or cracks, making sure the balcony has adequate drainage, and inspecting the balcony’s structural soundness. Your insulation efforts will be more successful and long-lasting if these problems are taken care of in advance.

In conclusion, adding foam insulation to your balcony—from the interior or exterior—is a sensible and efficient method to raise your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. You can make your home more comfortable and possibly save money on energy bills by selecting the appropriate foam and installing it correctly. If you’re not sure how to insulate your balcony, don’t be afraid to speak with an expert; they can offer professional advice catered to your particular requirements.

Video on the topic

Insulation of the balcony or loggia.The easiest way.Warm balcony

The insulation of the balcony is from the inside. How to do it right? #38

Insulation of the balcony or loggia with foam / insulation of the balcony without mold and condensate

Warming of the balcony and loggia instructions from Penopolex®

Wall insulation outside. How to do high quality! Grad Service!