One of the popular types of apartment redevelopment is the addition of a balcony to a room or kitchen with the demolition of a window sill wall. Sometimes it is planned to simply remove the window and door at the exit to the balcony or dismantle the threshold and part of the outer wall. Below, looking ahead a little, we present photos of attached balconies that can and cannot be coordinated.
Attaching a balcony to a room is an inconsistent option
Attaching a balcony to a room is a negotiable option
Before we consider all the nuances of this type of redevelopment, we will make a small digression for those who want to find out how much it costs to legalize the redevelopment of a balcony in Moscow or the Moscow region.
Attaching a balcony to a kitchen or room - approval and price.
If you want to find out the possibility and cost of coordinating the connection of a balcony to the internal premises in your particular case, then call us at +7 (495) 507-74-67, write to us by email or fill out the call back form using this link.
We also recommend that you read the article on how to coordinate the redevelopment of an apartment. Now let’s move on to considering all the nuances of remodeling the balcony.
Approval procedure
How to legitimize such a connection of premises? Actually, there are two regulatory bodies here - BTI and Housing Inspectorate .
First of all, you need to contact the BTI to call an engineer. He will carry out an inspection and take the necessary measurements, on the basis of which a new registration certificate will be issued.
Next, you should contact the research institute that developed your house or a licensed design bureau to receive a project. Price will vary depending on complexity.
Sample application for redevelopment of an apartment
The BTI will tell you what other documents are needed specifically in your case. Often this is permission from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, SES, and the Committee for the Protection and Protection of Historical Monuments . They are always required to provide a heat calculation. For a cadastral extract, contact Rosreestr.
After this, all documents are submitted to the Housing Inspectorate. A decision usually takes the standard two weeks. After this, you will be given permission or refusal. Which, however, can be challenged in court .
Redevelopment of a balcony into a kitchen or room. Is it possible to legalize the connection of a balcony?
Until recently, attaching a balcony to a kitchen or room and creating a single space was not formally prohibited or permitted by regulatory documents. In 2012, Appendix 1 to Resolution No. 508 of the Moscow Government contained clause 2.2.9, which stated that the connection of balconies is carried out on the basis of the redevelopment project. After the release of a new resolution No. 840 in December 2012, this clause was removed, which became the impetus for the ban on such connections. This instruction was issued “from above,” and therefore, in practice, such a redevelopment of the balcony was inconsistent; officials issued a refusal, classifying it as reconstruction under paragraph 14 of Article 1 of the Town Planning Code of the Russian Federation (although, again, this was not clearly stated there). Now, after the release of Moscow Government Resolutions No. 1104 of December 29, 2017, No. 1572 of December 17, 2018 and No. 1335 of August 19, 2021, clause 10.18 of Appendix 1 has appeared, which at the time of 2021 clearly prohibits the connection of a balcony to a kitchen or room in its pure form.
Most of the institutes that author house projects also do not give their positive opinion on attaching a balcony to a room or kitchen, but it is necessary when affecting the window sill block, which supports the balcony slab, in accordance with paragraph 1.4.8 of Appendix 3 to Moscow Government Decree No. 508 . The designers justify this by the fact that the redevelopment of balconies with their connection to the internal premises increases the heated area (and even the cold one), for which the heating system of the entire house was not originally designed. If everyone is allowed to connect balconies, then the system will not be able to cope with the new heavy load, and the living conditions of the residents will become unacceptable (the temperature inside the apartment will drop below the minimum suitable for living).
Arguments that it is not just connecting the balcony, but also insulating it with the possibility of providing an engineering calculation of the load on the heating system, and then concluding that the heating system can cope with the additional load are not accepted with reference to the fact that this will affect consumption heat throughout the house, area, etc.
Sliding translucent partitions (French window)
The nuances of combining in panel and brick houses
Complete demolition of the window sill and upper lintel can only be done in brick and block houses. In panel buildings, the facade is a load-bearing wall; violating its integrity is very dangerous. If permission for complete dismantling is nevertheless obtained, it is necessary to install at least double-glazed windows and take care of additional insulation.
You cannot move the battery to the area of the former balcony. Such actions can disrupt the thermal circuit of the entire house. When dismantling the window sill, the heating element can be moved to the adjacent wall, as close as possible to the opening.
When remodeling, many people want to make one floor level, but getting permission to demolish the threshold is almost impossible. In brick houses it supports the balcony slab and is part of the structure. If the threshold is removed in a building made of panel slabs, it will lose its rigidity, and the floors will freeze.
You can beat the height difference when combining two rooms using a ramp or steps. If finances allow, the floor level is raised to the height of the threshold.
How to legally attach a balcony to a room or kitchen?
Thus, attaching a balcony to a room or kitchen is a type of redevelopment that cannot be agreed upon in its pure form. But there is a way out. Between them you can install hinged or sliding transparent doors (French windows).
Some even install automatic sliding doors.
Attaching a balcony to a room. Apartment plan before redevelopment.
In some cities in the Moscow region, it is possible to coordinate the redevelopment of a balcony with its connection to the interior premises. Here everything depends on the position of local government bodies, which, in accordance with the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, are entrusted with the functions of coordinating redevelopment, as well as on the legislative acts they have issued.
Next, we will consider some of the distinctive features of this type of redevelopment.
Video comment:
The clause has changed: now for 2021, attaching a balcony to a room or kitchen in its pure form without installing French windows is prohibited according to clause 10.18 of Appendix 1 to Moscow Government Decree No. 508 (after the release of PPM No. 1104 of December 29, 2017, PPM No. 1572 of December 17. 2018 and PPM No. 1335 dated 08/19/2020).
There is no need to leave a fireproof partition if the apartment is located at a height of no more than 15 meters from the ground (but in return you still need to install a French window or solid glazing). You can also install fire-resistant glass instead of a wall.
Selection of furniture and accessories for a combined loggia
After adding and upgrading the balcony space, all that remains is to complete the interior design in relation to the functionality and style of the room.
Advice
. Don’t rush into buying furniture without checking out the offers in the catalogues. This will help you stay up to date with new products and compact models that are preferred in a small space.
Pieces of furniture that take up minimal space will look functional and stylish.
TABLE
| 1. | Folding sofa. | Transformable 2- and 3-seater models. |
| 2. | Console. | Wall table with two legs. |
| 3. | Chairs and stools. | Lightweight plastic stackable options, stackable options, and garden furniture are suitable. |
| 4. | Folding seats. | Attached to any vertical plane of the seat and tabletop, all types of transformers. |
| 5. | Banquettes and poufs. | Compact, with a locker (niche under the seat). |
| 6. | Shelves and stands. | Multi-level glass shelves and openwork wrought-iron flower stands are an illusion of emptiness. |
Window sills extended to the tabletop level are also a priority - along the line of external windows or the demarcation between the balcony and the bedroom.
All that remains is to choose curtains, bedspreads, bed linen and other textiles that highlight the stylistic choice. The type of lighting, accessories and decorative items - everything should be in harmony and create the impression of a cozy corner. Sometimes this is difficult to achieve visually - the attached area often looks “cold”.
A striking example of the correct selection of accessories. The bedroom looks completely harmonious
Illustrative examples of successful design of a small bedroom with a balcony
in our photo gallery.
See alsoHow to create a comfortable design for a 10 sq.m. bedroom. m.
Balcony glazing - is it a redevelopment or not? Is glazing a balcony a redevelopment?
Once upon a time, this event actually related to redevelopment, but after the release of Moscow Government Decree No. 508, this item was excluded from the regulatory documents, and therefore approval of the balcony glazing is no longer required, as well as the installation of an air conditioner. Also, the replacement of a balcony fence or the installation of panoramic glazing on it does not require approval. At the same time, we should not forget that on the balcony there must be a handrail at a height of 1.2 meters; there must be a handrail capable of bearing a load of 0.3 kN/m.
At the end of the article we will give specific examples.
Choosing a bedroom design
The design of a bedroom combined with a balcony is limited only by its functionality. First of all, it is a secluded personal space and a place for complete relaxation. However, even within a certain style, options with original ideas are possible.
Ideally, the design concept should be maximally tied to all components:
- owner's lifestyle;
- gender and age characteristics;
- stylistic choice;
- the number of family members sharing a given living space.
Cozy interior of a bedroom combined with a balcony
- Lifestyle is not only interests and hobbies, but also how much time a person spends in his bedroom. For example, some people come home from work late at night and leave before dawn. And on weekends they sleep until lunch and immediately go somewhere to have fun. In this case, they make a darkened room with a ceiling like a “starry sky” or with a black glossy canvas. Balcony windows require thick curtains or blinds.
Darkened room with a starry sky ceiling
- If this is a children's room with a balcony, the design should correspond to age interests. Of course, a boy’s room is stylistically decorated more strictly than a romantic girl’s boudoir. A secluded space for an elderly person should provide peace; retro or country style is appropriate.
A bright room for a boy is an excellent solution for a nursery
3. The choice of style is not to please the guests; this is an intimate place that does not need to be shown to the guests. First of all, the owners should feel comfortable here - adherents of the classics will feel uncomfortable in a high-tech or avant-garde room. But there are win-win options that combine the features of several style solutions - eclecticism, postmodernism, neoclassicism and fusion.
An excellent example of combining several styles
4. In a room where a design is being arranged on the balcony for two teenagers of different ages, the wishes of both are taken into account. If these are children of different sexes, this should be their common room, where they play on the computer and do their homework. But it is better that one of them sleeps in another place, and in the common room everyone has their own personal space with clear zoning.
Bedroom for daughter and son - an excellent style solution
There is usually no clear boundary in the spouses' room, but each (on opposite sides of the common bed) should have their own personal space. On the attached loggia, for example, a common clothing storage system (mini-wardrobe), a gym area or a computer place would be appropriate.
A cozy bedroom for spouses combines a husband and wife area
Advice.
Functionally, the balcony can be equipped to suit the needs of one of the family members or as a common area. In a small apartment, when there is a shortage of living space, it is better to combine the bedroom with the living room. Then it is recommended to arrange a cozy guest area on the wide loggia.
See also: Living room and bedroom in one room 18 sq m - zoning, design, photo with bed
Agreed options for connecting a balcony to a room or kitchen.
The scanned drawing shows the agreed redevelopment with cutting out the window sill block and installing translucent sliding doors.
Attaching a balcony to a kitchen in a monolithic building.
The illustration shows the redevelopment of a balcony into a kitchen with the installation of a French window. As a result of this reconstruction, the kitchen expanded significantly both due to the balcony and due to its combination with the living room. In fact, only the equipment was located in the kitchen, and the dining table was placed in the common room and, in the summer version, on the balcony.
Attaching a balcony to p-44t.
The apartment in question was located in a house built in 1981, so it was possible to agree on the dismantling of the window sill block, contrary to paragraph 4 of this article. Attaching a balcony to p-44t with dismantling the threshold was impossible according to paragraph 6 of this article, and therefore the owners decided to make the floor level of the attached zone flush with it. The result was a kind of podium.
Converting a balcony into a room.
This time, the balcony was actually remodeled into a room: the outer non-load-bearing three-layer wall was completely dismantled and French windows were installed in its place. At the same time, on other balconies, in accordance with all standards, a fire-resistant partition between two window openings of 1600 mm was preserved. length. In fact, the room was enlarged due to the balcony, even despite the presence of sliding partitions.
Where to begin?
If you have obtained permission to transform the balcony and room into a single room, you need to start work from the loggia. If it is necessary to remove an exterior wall, ensure that the entire wall must be removed. Sometimes the partition can be left untouched, but only the windows and doorway removed. In this case, the wall is included in the interior composition and becomes an element that visually divides the room into different zones.
Combination requirements
You can start combining the loggia with any of the rooms only after checking all parts of the structure and carrying out preparatory work. The initial stage of redevelopment should be the following activities:
- Glazing. To maintain the thermal climate, the windows should be made of two or three chambers of a conventional apartment type. You can make them all blind or leave one opening element. On a protruding balcony, it is better to cover the side parts with panels or brick them.
- Insulation. All surfaces must be finished using insulation. Glass wool and polystyrene are used for walls and ceilings, and the floor is made warm.
- Carrying out additional heating. A suspended convector, heat fan or oil radiator will add heat to this area. Sockets should be provided for electrical appliances.
- Installation of supports from the outside. This is a mandatory event to strengthen the structure. Metal corners are attached to the wall and the far edge of the balcony slab.
Finishing materials and colors
Walls are decorated with any materials, depending on the style and design of the room. Paper, liquid wallpaper, decorative plaster, and plastic panels are suitable. It is better to avoid long lining and other wooden elements. Due to the proximity to the window, wooden parts will dry out and crack. In the living room or bedroom, the attached balcony can be highlighted with expensive stone finishing.
Linoleum, tiles, and laminate are used as flooring. Carpets and steps are suitable for zoning. The finishing of the ceiling depends on the type of balcony connection. If it is a complete combination, it is made the same as in the main room. The ceiling in closed versions, separated by columns, and window sills, is decorated with plastic panels, decorative plaster, and paint.
The colors of the finishing materials of the floor, ceiling, and walls should be in harmony with each other and with the main tone in the living room. Stone inserts, paintings, and pots with fresh flowers can be accent pieces. The combination of colors is chosen by the apartment owners themselves at their own discretion.
Options for using space
In the added square meters you can arrange any room - from an office to a bar or a children's play corner.
The dining area on the loggia is the classic option that most people choose. Firstly, the kitchen workspace becomes much more spacious - the hostess and guests will not disturb each other. If desired, you can even place a small sofa or seating area there. Secondly, dining on a glassed-in loggia is much more interesting - you can admire the view from the window, while enjoying a cup of coffee, observe the seasons or the vagaries of the weather.
A stylish design solution is to turn the balcony into a bar. Place a long tabletop along the windows and complement the set with high bar stools. Another option is to install a bar counter on the window sill of the wall. Attach a tabletop to the top, and install shelves or a cabinet underneath to store alcoholic beverages.
The original use of the space attached to the room is to create a winter garden or study.
Placing a children's play corner next to the kitchen is also a good idea. It is very convenient for a mother who prepares food to look after her children in the attached room. But for this option, you need to carefully consider ensuring the safety of children. Window handles should be placed high enough so that a child cannot reach and open the window. If shelving is located in this area, care should be taken to securely fasten it to the walls to avoid injury to children.
⚡ Regular insulation
In order to retain heat in the apartment after redevelopment, it is necessary to insulate the loggia. By law, without additional approvals, this can be done using an air conditioner operating for heating, an electric convector or a heated floor.
As for the insulation of the balcony, it cannot be insulated under any circumstances due to the fact that it is not designed for such a load.
The loggia can be insulated. But for this you will need to complete a thermal engineering design project. It must be completed by a professional construction or architectural company. In the process of performing a thermal engineering calculation, factors such as climatic conditions, material of external walls, design of floors, etc. are taken into account. Based on the results of the thermal engineering calculation, the owner will be provided with recommendations on the choice of insulation, its thickness and properties. Recommendations for choosing a French window will also be developed.
A letter from the Russian Ministry of Construction dated March 3, 2021 clarifies that insulating a loggia is considered a redevelopment and therefore requires approval from the local government. First of all, this position applies to the glazing of an unglazed balcony or loggia. Whereas replacing glazing from the developer with a more energy efficient one is legally permissible. The main thing is not to change the pattern of the window frame.
The balcony can also be glazed only after approval. In this case, the glazing should not violate the uniformity of the facade and must comply with fire safety standards. Therefore, the glazing has to be approved as a redevelopment.
