Balcony and Room Union
Legal Documentation for Planned Integration
According to current legislation, planned integration of a room with a balcony or loggia is considered a renovation and must be legally registered. If you plan to carry out these works in an apartment where you permanently reside, unapproved renovations may cause numerous difficulties later when selling, gifting, or inheriting property.
A compromise solution may be the least expensive and safest option for building structure: removing only the window and door units, while leaving the window sill wall section and upper partition unchanged. In this case, the original state of the rooms can be easily restored if needed.
Window Glazing of the Balcony
Glazing the balcony during integration is of primary importance. It is well known that up to 40% of heat loss occurs through windows. It is not possible to get by with installing relatively cheap aluminum structures; PVC frames with double- or even triple-glazed units must be used. Moreover, the parapet on which the frames will be installed must be made of brick or aerated concrete, not metal.
Insulation and Vapor Barrier
The next step is insulation and vapor barrier installation on walls and ceiling. For fire safety, it is recommended to use difficult-to-ignite materials of the new generation (foam foil, Peneoplex, polyurethane foam). Non-combustible mineral boards are also suitable.
To prevent insulation layers from deteriorating due to moisture, vapor barrier must not be overlooked during insulation. Foil-faced polyethylene film is used for this purpose. Joints between vapor barrier layers must be sealed with metallized tape.
Ensure that the mounting foam used for sealing joints does not contain toluene. It may damage certain types of insulation.
Installation of a Warm Floor System
When combining a balcony with a room, the heat from existing radiators will be insufficient. Therefore, to maintain a comfortable temperature, you will need to install electric convectors or use a warm floor system.
However, water heating of balconies and loggias is prohibited under centralized heating systems. Therefore, you must choose electric heating systems. After completing the floor screed using an elastic mix capable of withstanding temperature fluctuations, the wiring is insulated with bituminous tape, followed by laying the chosen floor covering.
Final finishing of the balcony, combined with the room, depends on the room’s functional purpose and your personal preferences. The main advantage now is that you have gained additional space, ideal for a home office with a computer, a dining area, or even a unique relaxation zone in a winter garden.
