5 best materials for warming a balcony

The balcony in most apartment buildings is an unheated room. In the summer it is nice to spend time with a friendly conversation or reading books. But in the cold season, this part of the apartment is inactive. Therefore, some apartment owners make a full room from a balcony or loggia in which you can drink a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. To make a comfortable study or rest room, you must perform a whole range of construction activities, starting with the installation of a balcony frame and ending with the installation of a heating system. One of the most important stages of modernization of the balcony or loggia is insulation. To select the most suitable insulation material, you should pay attention to the following parameters.

1. The most important quality of any insulation is thermal conductivity. The lower this figure, the better it will be kept warm at the same thickness of the material.
2. When insulating a balcony, it is necessary to select an insulator with a minimum thickness. Otherwise, the useful volume of the room will be significantly reduced.
3. Not all balconies are able to withstand a large additional load. Therefore, preference should be given to light insulators.
4. To spend a lot of time in a cozy room, you should take care of environmental insulation heater.
5. The material used must have durability so that the next repair does not become an unscheduled action.
6. The price of insulation also matters, since the complex reconstruction will require large financial influences. Without savings and frugality can not do.
7. For those apartment owners who like to do repairs with their own hands, an important feature is ease of installation.

In our review we have got the best materials for balcony insulation. The following criteria were taken into account when compiling the rating:

• specifications;
• environmental friendliness;
• cost;
• consumer reviews.

Secrets of warming the balcony from Alexei Zemsky

TOP-5 best materials for warming a balcony

5 Basalt mineral wool

Basalt mineral wool is an absolutely harmless heat insulating material. It is produced on the basis of mountain basalt rocks by transferring the natural mineral to the molten state and the subsequent operation of blowing up the mass. Special additives are introduced into the melt to form a fibrous structure. Distinctive features of this material for insulation are water repellency, retaining the original shape for decades, resistance to open fire, low thermal conductivity and good sound insulation.

This modern type of insulation material is excellent for warming walls and ceilings of loggias and balconies. Depending on the type of work, you can choose insulation boards or roll packaging. Professional builders recommend using basalt mineral wool with a minimum thickness of 100 mm for good heat retention on the balcony.

4 Styrofoam

One of the most famous and popular heat insulators in the world is foam. It is made by steam foaming polystyrene. Distinctive features of this heater are low weight and low level of thermal conductivity.The advantages of the material, which claims to be the best heat insulator for the balcony, should include moisture resistance, no shrinkage, ease of installation, ease of processing. Complements this impressive baggage of positive characteristics and low price. It should be noted that one of the most important characteristics of the foam is the density. The lower the number, the more fragile the material will be.

Consumers compliment the insulating ability of the foam. It is best suited for warming loggias and balconies. The environmentalists point out the presence of harmful styrene in the room, which is formed at a temperature of + 40 ° C.

3 Izolon

Foil izolon has excellent thermal insulation properties. This is a polymeric sheet with a porous structure, which is coated on one side with aluminum foil. The basis of isolon (penolon) is foamed cross-linked polyethylene. The material is ideal for thermal insulation of a balcony or loggia in such parameters as high heat and sound insulation, water repellency, durability. During operation, the insulator does not form dust, and during operation it does not emit harmful compounds. Izolon looks like rolled or sheet material of white color. The surface is rough, which allows the use of different types of finishes.

Penolon was liked by many apartment owners and builders. It is available at the price, is not subject to wear, is easily mounted, does not steal space of a balcony or a loggia. The disadvantages include the fear of UV rays, exposure to mechanical stress.

2 Penoplex

The most attractive material for warming balconies and loggias is penoplex. It is made by foaming polystyrene, thanks to this technology, an insulator with a uniform structure is obtained. Penoplex has an excellent set of positive properties, while the material is simple and easy to use. Extruded polystyrene is not subject to rotting, it can be mounted in a dry environment, and in a wet environment. Due to its low water absorption, Penoplex withstands high humidity, which allows it to be used for thermal insulation of ceilings, walls and floors. The material retains its shape for a long time, does not shrink, is not exposed to biological effects.

Consumers flatteringly speak about such properties of Penoplex as low water absorption, good thermal insulation properties, frost resistance, durability. Of the minuses of insulation should be noted low fire resistance and high price.

1 Penofol

Penofol is the thinnest modern heater for the balcony. Several modifications of the heat insulator are produced, but the type “A” looks the most balanced. It is made of polyethylene foam, equipped with a reflective foil layer. The total thickness of the material is 10 mm. With such dimensions, the balcony and the loggia will not feel the change in usable area. For regions with severe winters, preference should be given to penofol with two reflective layers. The unique structure of the insulator successfully resists moisture. Penofol is supplied for sale in rolls, which allows you to make a layer of insulation without joints. In addition, the material has good sound insulation, it is durable and safe for health.

Along with many positive aspects, professional finishers point out a number of disadvantages of penofol. The material is not sufficiently rigid, there are problems with the insulator mounting.

Popular vote - what material is best suited for balcony insulation?
We vote!

basalt mineral wool

Styrofoam

penoplex

Isonon

penofol

Total votes: 133

Vote results