Ceiling on the balcony: varieties and finishes

When decorating a balcony, it is very important to pay special attention to the ceiling, because it is he who gives the additional room a complete and conceptual look, emphasizing the style of interior design. Using the finishing materials correctly, you can significantly increase the functionality of the space, create a favorable microclimate and a cozy atmosphere in it.

Depending on the number of levels, the ceiling on the loggia can be single-level or two-level. The first option is more common in typical city apartments, balconies and loggias in which they cannot boast of height and dimensions. Multilevel ceilings are more common in private housing construction.

The draft ceiling includes a hydro and thermal insulation layer. Waterproofing is necessary for all types of loggias and balconies, even closed ones. Agree, it is one thing when raindrops beat outside, and quite another thing is if the liquid flows through the ceilings and seeps into the facade seams: in this case, the walls will always get wet in the living room. This not only worsens the appearance of the balcony, but also contributes to the appearance of fungus and dangerous mold in the room.

If the above balcony is glazed, there will be it is quite enough to simply treat the seam between the slab and the wall with a silicone-based sealant, and apply a hydrophobic primer on top. If the neighbors' loggia is open from above, first you should assess the technical condition of the junction zone.If it meets all the safety requirements, you can proceed in the same way as in the previous case. Otherwise, you will first have to normalize the balcony, since the silicone sealant will not protect the floor for too long.

For waterproofing, you can use bitumen mastic, fused bitumen or PVC membrane.

If you plan to use the balcony as a living space, it must be insulated. According to the laws of physics, warm air masses tend to rise up, therefore, in order to avoid heat loss, you will need to insulate the loggia from the inside. The ceiling can be sheathed with a variety of roll and slab materials. Most often used:

• expanded polystyrene;
• Styrofoam;
• penoplex;
• basalt wool;
• foil polystyrene foam.

The insulation is fixed in a frame way. For this, a crate is made of wooden bars or a metal profile. First of all, the waterproofing film is fixed, and only then the insulation itself is laid. If mineral wool is used for thermal insulation, an additional vapor barrier membrane is required, which prevents the accumulation of condensate: the material is highly hygroscopic and, under the influence of moisture, it loses most of its thermal insulation properties.

Styrofoam and foam can be installed with or without a frame - tiles and sheets can be simply glued onto the concrete surface with glue. The frame method is more practical if further panel cladding is planned, then the plates of the heat-insulating layer are fastened between the slats or beams of the rails, and cladding panels are mounted on top of them.

Another method of insulating the ceiling on the balcony - use of liquid polyurethane... This is not a budget method, but it is also very practical. The composition is applied by spraying: the base lays down evenly, penetrates absolutely all cracks and forms a perfectly even and sealed layer. As a rule, both the ceiling and the walls are insulated with one contour - this method will allow not only to obtain high-quality insulation of the loggia, but also to increase its sound insulation.

When using polyurethane foam, vapor barrier and waterproofing are not required, in addition, a thin layer does not at all reduce the size of the room. However, the material also has a significant disadvantage - it "does not breathe", therefore in addition, you will have to install a ventilation system or provide the possibility of frequent and long-term ventilation.

The finishing ceiling serves as a decorative function - you can finish the ceiling covering with stretch canvases, plasterboard, plastic panels, clapboard and metal plates. Some plaster the surface in the old-fashioned way, paint it and even cover it with chalk - the choice depends only on the design features of the additional space, personal preferences and financial capabilities of the homeowner.

Recently, for the decoration of the ceiling on balconies and loggias, they are often used stretch fabrics made of PVC film. This is a relatively cheap way of cladding, in which installation takes literally a few hours, and a wide selection of shades and textures allows you to find an option that maximally complements the overall stylistic solution of the room. Stretch ceilings hide all surface irregularities and defects, they are absolutely environmentally friendly, unpretentious in maintenance and have a long service life.

However, stretch ceilings are quite sensitive to low temperatures. Under the influence of cold, they become fragile and lose their performance characteristics, so such structures can be used exclusively on insulated loggias. For open balconies, it is better to choose fabric cloths impregnated with polyurethane: these ceilings are not afraid of low temperatures and retain their properties even in winter.

They also have a relatively low price. rack ceilings. This cladding option involves the installation of wooden or aluminum battens treated with special compounds. These materials are suitable for both indoor and outdoor balconies. The slats are characterized by ease of installation and exceptional durability.

Plasterboard ceilings used only in glazed and insulated spaces, preferably with high walls. Drywall looks impressive, provides additional sound insulation, is environmentally friendly, and is also easy to process.

A good option for decorating the ceiling on the balcony will be wooden panels, such ceilings undoubtedly look stylish and expensive. Lining is considered an excellent choice for owners of typical loggias and balconies. If the building has an irregular shape, for example, rounded, then it is better to sew up the surface with other materials.

To cover the ceiling panel made of wood must certainly be treated on all sides with compounds that protect them from insects, mold and mildew. Do not forget that the tree is deformed under the influence of high humidity and temperature fluctuations, therefore this material is optimal for insulated loggias.

Ceiling plates made of expanded polystyrene are not used so often these days, but you can purchase them for decorating loggias. The undoubted advantages of the material include its democratic cost, low weight and ease of installation. Plates of their PPS look beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.

In addition, expanded polystyrene has good heat and sound insulation characteristics. The advantages of the material also include moisture resistance, incombustibility, small thickness and ease of processing, which greatly simplifies adjustment to the size of the ceiling. In addition, the owners of balconies and loggias will appreciate the choice of shades and textures that allow you to create any interior design in the extension.

The cheapest way to decorate the ceiling is staining... This option can be used both outdoors and indoors. Painting can be the best option only on those balconies and loggias where you do not plan to carry out insulation and wiring.

Whitewash should not be used at all - there is often high humidity on the balconies, so in such conditions the decorative coating will not last you long. For the same reason, plastering is not recommended on open balconies.

For finishing the ceiling, you can use a wide variety of textures.

• Matt - such a ceiling will visually resemble a perfectly flat plastered and painted surface. The matte finish does not reflect light, but at the same time has the property of diffusing it.
• Glossy - such options are characterized by a pronounced mirror effect, due to which they visually expand the room. In combination with well-chosen lighting, such a ceiling looks especially stylish.
• Satin - it has a peculiar texture with an unobtrusive micro-relief, creating a successful imitation of satin fabric. Such ceilings subtly reflect light and create a warm atmosphere in the room.

One of the following combinations is most commonly used.

• Light ceiling, dark floor, dark walls. This is a classic version of the balcony design, it involves a transition from dark to light. A clever color combination helps to balance the color load between horizontal and vertical surfaces.
• Light ceiling, dark floor, bright walls... This decor is optimal if you want to visually raise the ceilings. Usually, in this case, rich colors are used for the walls, preferably with a vertical print. Ceilings in this design are often plastered and painted, and a dark coating is laid on the floor. The result is a floating white ceiling effect, and the contrast with the dark floor gives the room an interesting perspective and depth.
• Dark ceiling, dark floor, light walls. This option is ideal for annexes with high ceilings. You can visually lower the height of the ceiling by using light but warm shades that make objects visually closer.
• Light ceiling, light walls, dark floor... This solution looks harmoniously on small balconies with low ceilings. Light walls create a feeling of airiness of space. Such premises should not be cluttered with unnecessary furniture.

In general, it is necessary to choose the shade of the ceiling on the balcony, taking into account the compatibility of tones, the dimensions of the balcony and the taste preferences of the owners of the room.

To decorate the ceiling surface, you can use unusual decor options.

• Backlit. The use of LED strip allows you to create the effect of a floating structure on the balcony. The backlight creates soft, diffused light and creates a cozy and creative indoor environment.

• With beams. Ceilings decorated with decorative beams in contrasting shades become the most stylish element in the interior of the loggia.

Very nice and modern look two-tone ceilings - such solutions allow you to zone the room and make it brighter, sunny and unusual.

In apartments and private houses, balconies are designed in a wide variety of styles. Competent use of ceiling design options will make it possible to emphasize the concept of stylistic direction in the best possible way.

So, when decorating a room in the style loft the ceiling surface should be deliberately rough faced. This solution looks harmoniously in the interior of a panoramic room, decorated in an industrial style.

For provence a covering made of natural materials is suitable - wooden slats, cork panels or lining.

If you want to design a loggia in style chalet, You will be helped by untreated and artificially aged boards in combination with massive beams.

For nautical and Mediterranean style stretch coverings in blue or blue tones are the best fit.

In modern interiors decorated in the style hi-tech or minimalism, stretch ceilings will also be appropriate.

For information on how to decorate the ceiling on the balcony, see the next video.