Intermediate zones
without heat loss
New features. In modern homes, the role of the
so-called intermediate zones, or
external elements of the building connecting it with the environment. Balconies and terraces are
increasingly treated as multifunctional summer rooms, and the entrance zone is
to meet more and more requirements regarding communication ergonomics, security
and effective protection against harmful weather conditions. Fulfilling the new roles of these
places is their larger surface area, as well as more resistant to harmful
weather conditions, functional floor materials or sun protection roofs. In the evening the comfort of staying
in this space will be ensured by good lighting, and on cold days - special
heating lamps.
New solutions and
materials. Until recently, the
terrace above the room and the balcony were the places that exposed the
building to the escape of heat from the interior. Today, heat losses can be
significantly minimized - thanks to system solutions, you can make the correct
thermal insulation of the balcony or terrace slab or use special reinforcing
connectors with a thermal insert. Effective
waterproofing and vapor barrier of balcony and terrace boards are provided by
modern membranes and foils.
Balconies and terraces
CONSTRUCTION
The balcony is usually a
cantilevered structure, it can also be a self-supporting structure based on its
own pillars or walls. It usually
has a small width. Although the
design of energy-saving houses avoids the design of balconies, they are still
very popular, not only as a space for relaxation, but also as a decorative
detail. However, in order for it
to be a part of a home that does not expose it to energy loss, it must be
properly made. The balcony
requires a sealing layer that protects the construction board against water
soaking, as well as insulating the boards to prevent heat escaping.
The terrace located
above the room - mistakenly treated as a balcony - has a flat roof structure. Due to the rainfall, the terrace
construction requires tightness, besides - especially if it is above a heated
room - it must have thermal insulation and vapor barrier. Today, ensuring proper thermal
insulation of the terrace above the room is simpler than it used to - extruded
polystyrene, floor polystyrene or special hard mineral wool are used for this
purpose. Extruded polystyrene
(marked XPS) fulfills the best function. It
has the best thermal insulation properties, as well as the highest durability
and the lowest absorption from the thermal insulation materials on the market. It's easy to get to know it by its
color - producers are coloring it green or blue (popular styrofoam, ie expanded
polystyrene, is white). A good
solution is also special wedges made of floor polystyrene or hard mineral wool,
which have a factory drop - 1.5-2%. It
is also necessary to arrange a suitable vapor barrier - from thermo-weldable
bituminous felt or foil. The
thermal insulation layer protects against neighboring layers of the terrace:
waterproofing, which is provided by modern pressed polythene mats or membranes,
and vapor barrier (usually made of polyethylene film that protects insulation
against moisture penetration from the room under the ceiling). It is best to choose system solutions
for waterproofing. Applying them,
we are sure that all materials will match perfectly. An important role is also played by
the surface - most often from frost-resistant ceramic tiles or stoneware or
stone. For gluing and grouting
tiles, modern waterproof and frost-resistant mortars are used.
BALUSTRADE
To finish the terrace on
the second floor or balcony, a balustrade is necessary. Today, it can be easily and quickly
made using, for example, a wide range of balustrades with ready-made elements. They can be wooden, concrete, metal
and even glass. The first two
solutions are the most traditional, but investors are more willing to decide on
metal railings. They are made of
galvanized steel, powder coated, stainless steel and forged. Aluminum balustrades are also popular,
which are additionally protected by powder coating. It is easy to give metal balustrades
of any form - we can find in the offer of producers both matching the manor and
traditional architecture. When
they are bent, they optically enlarge the surface of the terrace or
balcony.Numerous supporters gain balustrades in which thin steel cables, rods
or flat bars are filled. A steel
mesh also appears on the balustrades. A
suitable material for filling the balustrade is laminated mineral glass, with
spot fasteners made of stainless steel.They are made of two or three hardened
sheets of glass with a PVB foil glued between them. It makes the railing safe - resistant
to impacts, and when it is broken, it breaks, but does not break down into
dangerous debris. The metal
structure can also be filled with glass cracked in the middle, so-called frozen or mashed. You can also find balustrades filled
with plexiglass or acrylic glass. It
is nearly 40% lighter than mineral glass - although it may break under impact,
it does not break into sharp pieces. This
material is also not discolored due to UV radiation.
ROOFING
Roofing the entire
platform surface protects them from wetting, ensuring the safety of use
Roofing the entire
platform surface protects them from wetting, ensuring the safety of use
If the balcony or
terrace is located on the south or west facade, it is worth trying to roof it
properly. A Marquis is a good
solution. Made of
weather-resistant material and aluminum construction, it effectively protects
against excessive sunlight. Folding
and unrolling awnings can be done manually or automatically thanks to the
installed electrical installation. Electrically
operated awning blind can be equipped with a weather sensor that will react
when it starts to rain or a strong wind breaks - then it will fold
automatically and unfold with the appearance of the sun.
A comfortable solution
is also the use of roofs of acrylic or polycarbonate panels that are light,
resistant to impact and UV radiation. They
often have a long-term (up to 10 years!) Manufacturer's warranty. Polycarbonate can also be made with a
roof with opening elements. Installation
of this type of roof is very simple, so you can take it yourself - just a
simple wooden or steel construction.
Membrane roofs
permanently installed are extremely durable. Here,
the roofing element is a PVC-coated polyester fabric. It consists of several layers, and
because it has a high weight, it is resistant even to snow and water loads.
An interesting proposal
is also a sail roofing - they are mobile and can be freely moved. Their construction is steel, but
light, and the covers are made of a very strong impregnated fabric, which is
used for the production of sails.
When a terrace or
balcony has a traditional roof, for example in the form of an extended roof of
a building, a great way to light it is to put a roof window or skylight in the
roof.
Folding balcony doors
(folding) facilitate communication between the house and the garden
Folding balcony doors
(folding) facilitate communication between the house and the garden
MODERN BALCONY DOORS
